After obtaining the answer she desired, Su Xi’s gaze shifted towards the direction of Tianxing City, and she invited, “Since there’s a teleportation array, we should go take a look quickly.”
Hearing Su Xi’s words, Yuan Feng nodded and readily agreed.
Although he didn’t know what Su Xi intended to do, he knew he had no choice but to comply. Moreover, he was looking to gain Su Xi’s favor, so he naturally wouldn’t refuse.
Thus, without any further pretense, he began leading Su Xi towards Tianxing City, preparing to guide them to the teleportation array within the city.
They hadn’t traveled far, and there were no more pursuers along the way. Soon, they saw the outline of Tianxing City.
Upon reaching the city gates, the vigilant soldiers sized up the group, who looked like refugees, and blocked them. With an arrogant attitude, they declared, “Entrance fee.”
One had to pay a fee to enter or exit Tianxing City; otherwise, entry was impossible.
Furthermore, allowing too many people to enter would increase the happiness index of the city’s residents, which would undoubtedly displease his superiors and cause him trouble.
Yuan Feng, having returned to his own territory, naturally felt more confident. Moreover, wanting to recruit Su Xi, he certainly needed to display his strength.
Therefore, facing the soldier’s demand, he snorted and said, “You want an entrance fee from me? Take a look at this.”
As he spoke, he produced a token from his person.
The token was palm-sized and emanated a golden glow. One side was carved with a tiger emblem, while the other bore a large character ‘Yuan’.
The soldier, who had been arrogantly overbearing, immediately changed his expression to one of fawning subservience upon seeing the token. He hastily and respectfully said, “Lord Yuan, this small one has eyes but failed to recognize you. I beg your pardon.”
The Yuan family was one of the most powerful families in Tianxing City, a family that even the City Lord was unwilling to offend lightly. If they were to offend them now, it would be tantamount to seeking their own destruction.
The City Lord would not risk offending the Yuan family for the sake of a nobody like them.
Yuan Feng snorted, his gaze falling upon Su Xi and the others beside her, and he extended an invitation, “My esteemed guests, why don’t we go to my residence for a meal first?”
“Alright,” Su Xi readily agreed.
The Yuan family seemed quite impressive, and receiving their assistance might save them considerable effort.
With Su Xi’s consent, Yuan Feng appeared extremely pleased. He became even more courteous and escorted Su Xi to his residence.
Along the way, he introduced them to the local customs and traditions of Tianxing City.
Yuan Feng was well-read, and his explanations were articulate and insightful, hinting at a potential career as a tour guide.
Chatting and laughing, they arrived at the Yuan residence.
Yuan Feng’s residence was vast and luxurious.
More than half of the entire street belonged to the expanse of his estate. The mansion itself housed numerous precious plants and countless expensive pieces of furniture.
Yuan Feng noticed Su Xi’s observant gaze and smiled, explaining, “These are but a fraction of the Yuan family’s assets, currently under my stewardship.”
Su Xi, however, was not concerned with how Yuan Feng acquired his wealth. Her immediate concern was what they would have for lunch.
After traveling so far, she was hungry.
Although her cultivation meant she didn’t require food, in the mortal realm, it was permissible to indulge in culinary delights. Enjoyment was paramount.
Yuan Feng, being exceptionally adept at social interactions, had already perceived Su Xi’s thoughts and immediately summoned servants to serve the meal.
Dishes of exquisite delicacies were brought to the table. Many of these dishes were unfamiliar to Su Xi, but she could tell from their aroma that they were exceptionally good.
Observing the scene before her, Su Xi was quite satisfied and picked up her chopsticks to eat.
Indeed, the cuisine prepared by the Yuan family’s chefs was excellent and perfectly suited her palate.
Yuan Feng, seeing Su Xi’s evident enjoyment, was also very pleased.
When a distinguished guest was satisfied, subsequent matters could be discussed more easily.
Although Ouyang Chu Ge was not particularly interested in the pleasures of the palate, seeing Su Xi eating so heartily beside him, he couldn't help but be drawn into the meal.
The food of the mortal realm was, after all, quite enjoyable.
What had begun as a scene of pleasant conviviality was suddenly shattered by a harsh sound from outside.
Following a loud bang, a胖子 (fat man) entered, accompanied by an elder.
Yuan Feng’s expression darkened as he looked at the individuals who had entered.
It was his elder brother, Yuan Tiangang.
Despite being the eldest son and grandson of the Yuan family, Yuan Tiangang was largely incompetent, failing at everything he attempted. If not for his noble lineage, no one would have paid him any mind. Having made several critical mistakes, the current head of the Yuan family was already preparing to strip him of his heir status.
However, unwilling to relinquish his position, he harbored many other schemes.
Consequently, Yuan Feng, the most promising successor to the Yuan family, had naturally become the target of his suppression.
Yuan Tiangang looked at Yuan Feng and smiled, feigning concern as he said, “Second brother, I heard you encountered an assassination attempt on your journey. Are you unharmed?”
“I am fine,” Yuan Feng replied, rejecting Yuan Tiangang’s insincere inquiry.
After all, the assassination attempt on the road was an open secret between them.
His movements had been extremely discreet; apart from members of the Yuan family, no one else would have known. Yet, he had still been ambushed, indicating that Yuan Tiangang was undoubtedly involved.
Yuan Tiangang seemed not to have detected the impatience in Yuan Feng’s tone and continued, “Second brother, as I’ve said before, you shouldn’t casually associate with ill-intentioned individuals. You never listen to me.”
Having spoken, Yuan Tiangang’s gaze fell upon Su Xi.
It was clear that the "ill-intentioned individual" he referred to was Su Xi.
Upon hearing Yuan Tiangang’s taunt, Su Xi put down her chopsticks.
She had come for a meal and was having a pleasant time, only for someone to arrive and spoil her mood.
Yuan Feng’s expression turned grim upon hearing Yuan Tiangang’s words, and he warned, “Eldest brother, do not be so disrespectful to my friends.”
Yuan Tiangang let out a cold laugh, “Friends?”
Yuan Tiangang’s gaze swept over Su Xi from head to toe, revealing a contemptuous smile. “Friends can be made, but not just anyone can be befriended.”
“You know, our Yuan family holds a noble status, so there are always people with ulterior motives trying to get close. Therefore, we must be able to discern a person’s character.”
…
Yuan Tiangang’s words became increasingly unpleasant, causing Yuan Feng significant embarrassment.
If Su Xi were to become truly angry now, how could he possibly forge a connection with her? Yuan Tiangang wasn’t here to offer advice; he was here to sabotage him.
Moreover, he understood that Yuan Tiangang’s intention was precisely to disrupt his relationship with Su Xi, and he certainly wouldn't allow them to succeed.
Understanding this, he immediately retorted without showing weakness, “Eldest brother, you are right. However, one must also realize that in poorly managed areas, one often hears the incessant barking of dogs.”
“Therefore, the more friends I make, the more help I will have in the future.”
Upon hearing this, Yuan Tiangang’s face instantly darkened.
This brat dared to insult him by calling him a dog; he truly had a death wish.
“Since you are disrespectful of hierarchy, do not blame me for being impolite,” Yuan Tiangang declared, glancing at the elder beside him, signaling him to act.
Yuan Feng’s cultivation had reached the Golden Core stage, making him incapable of winning a fight against the elder.
His only recourse was to have the Yuan family elder, Mo Li, intervene.
Mo Li’s cultivation had already reached the Nascent Soul stage, even nearing the Spirit Transformation stage. Therefore, dealing with these individuals would be a simple matter, requiring little effort.
Mo Li nodded at Yuan Tiangang’s words, his deep gaze fixed on Yuan Feng.
As this gaze fell upon him, Yuan Feng felt a tremor deep within his soul. His soul felt as if it were being gripped, and his consciousness began to blur.
“Crack!”
With Mo Li’s full power unleashed, Yuan Feng suddenly felt his breathing falter. He then involuntarily began to walk towards Mo Li.
Once within Mo Li’s attack range, who knew what would happen?
Although Su Xi preferred not to meddle in other people’s affairs, Yuan Feng had, after all, treated her with courtesy. She couldn’t simply watch him die before her eyes.
Therefore, her aura instantly erupted, and she let out a cold snort.
As this sound echoed, it was as if Yuan Feng heard the chime of a morning bell and a resonant drum, snapping him out of his daze.
When he regained his senses, he discovered with horror that he had, at some point, taken out a Jue Ming Dan (Suicide Pill) and was about to ingest it.
The Jue Ming Dan was a poison used by the Yuan family to uphold their honor. When faced with an irreversible situation, all Yuan family disciples would consume these pills to preserve their dignity and avoid torture by their enemies.
Precisely because of its purpose, the Jue Ming Dan possessed immense power and had no antidote.
Having narrowly escaped death, Yuan Feng looked at Su Xi with lingering fear, his eyes filled with gratitude.
He had been saved by her twice already; he was truly moved.
Seeing his technique thwarted, Mo Li glared at Su Xi with a grim expression, “Who are you?”
He had genuinely sensed the aura of a Nascent Soul cultivator from Su Xi and dared not be careless. Anyone who had reached the Nascent Soul stage was undoubtedly powerful.
Furthermore, there was Ouyang Chu Ge beside her, whose cultivation he couldn’t discern.
If a fight were to break out, facing two opponents, he might indeed be at a disadvantage.
Yuan Tiangang, whose cultivation was exceedingly low, could not discern the cultivation levels of Su Xi and the others. Seeing his plan thwarted, he became furious.
He had been so close to eliminating Yuan Feng, only to have it ruined by someone else.
“Elder Mo, kill him,” Yuan Tiangang said furiously to Mo Li.
Although Mo Li was reluctant to act, he could not disobey Yuan Tiangang’s orders.
After all, Yuan Tiangang was not acting solely on his own behalf at this moment.
“You are meddling too much in another family’s domestic affairs,” Mo Li uttered a perfunctory remark before preparing to attack.