The alliance meeting would commence today and continue for two full days.
According to the arrangements made by the Daoist Alliance's high-ranking officials, the first day’s morning would be dedicated to a grand assembly, filled with speeches for half the day.
A grand banquet would follow at noon, with a trading fair in the afternoon.
The more reputable figures within the Daoist Alliance would hold private meetings.
The second day would feature the young generation's challenge matches.
Now that the grand assembly had concluded, Old Mo and I made our way to the banquet hall early, aiming to secure good seats.
Simultaneously, I called my Shishu to wake him up for the meal.
To my surprise, Shishu informed me that he had already arrived and was seated in a private room on the second floor.
He advised us to look after ourselves.
It seemed Shishu indeed held considerable prestige.
With no other option, Old Mo and I had to find our own seats.
The attendance was substantial; approximately six hundred people were present for the conference.
This translated to about sixty to seventy tables.
Aside from the dining hall being fully occupied, the large plaza outside was also quickly set up with seating after the alliance meeting concluded.
Old Mo and I surveyed the dining hall, only to find that many tables were already reserved.
As unaffiliated cultivators with no particular standing, we were relegated to seats near the edges.
This was of no concern; we hadn't even eaten breakfast, so any seat would suffice, as long as the meal started promptly.
Just as Old Mo and I had chosen our seats and settled down, Chen Yao called, inquiring about our whereabouts.
After informing her of our location, it wasn't long before Chen Yao arrived with Xia Qiuxi, Qiuxi's best friend Song Yan, and an unfamiliar young lady.
Old Mo waved, and Xia Qiuxi and her party of four took their seats.
As soon as they sat down, Xia Qiuxi introduced them:
"Qin Ze, Mo Ting, this is Zheng Yue, the senior disciple from the Emei Sect."
Zheng Yue's appearance was ordinary but pleasant to behold.
Upon hearing Xia Qiuxi’s introduction, Old Mo and I politely nodded and greeted them.
Just as we were settling in, two disciples from the Maoshan Sect walked past us.
I recognized one of them, Sun Yi.
I had encountered him at the Black Water Temple, and he was well acquainted with Qiuxi and the others.
He also noticed us seated at our table.
Sun Yi immediately called out:
"Brother Qin Ze, Brother Mo Ting. Qiuxi and Senior Sister Zheng are also here! Senior Brother, let's sit here!"
The young man beside Sun Yi smiled slightly and agreed.
Upon closer inspection, this young Maoshan Taoist was very handsome, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes.
His exceptionally high颜值, combined with his blue Taoist robe, gave him the distinct appearance of a cultivator.
The young Maoshan man also cupped his fists towards us:
"Greetings, fellow Taoist friends!"
Song Yan, who seemed quite familiar with them, spoke directly:
"Nanyang, these are all acquaintances, there's no need to be so formal."
The Maoshan Taoist, addressed as Nanyang, chuckled before nodding and taking a seat.
Sun Yi promptly introduced him:
"Senior Brother, this is Brother Qin Ze, who once knocked down Wang Qi with a single punch at the Black Water Temple."
Nanyang glanced at me and smiled:
"Brother Qin possesses profound Taoist abilities. It is indeed fortunate to make your acquaintance today."
This young man was very polite in his speech.
I humbly waved my hand in response.
As our conversation flowed, Yun Long and Yun Hu also spotted us.
They rushed over with great urgency to claim seats.
"Are these seats taken? If not, my brother and I will sit here."
With that, they plopped down.
Then, noticing some unfamiliar faces at the table, they introduced themselves generously, displaying complete ease and no shyness whatsoever.
And so, our table was complete.
We all introduced ourselves to each other.
These individuals were considered close friends with Qiuxi and the others.
With two senior third-generation disciples from major sects at our table, it attracted the attention of many.
Numerous passersby greeted them.
Before long, dozens of tables were filled.
Without bothering to check if other tables had commenced their meals, Old Mo raised his wine cup for a toast.
Everyone graciously reciprocated Old Mo’s toast and drank.
After a few rounds of drinks, the conversation flowed more freely. Though not all were intimately acquainted, they found common ground for discussion.
During the meal, Yun Long and Yun Hu again brought up the Western realm's Golden-haired individual who had been beaten the previous night.
They speculated on who might have been responsible.
Nanyang, who had been largely silent, now chimed in:
"I heard from a friend in the Kongtong Sect that last night, that fellow named Ross had an altercation with their Kongtong disciples and was subsequently beaten.
It's said that midway, a young fellow leaped down from the plaza railing and, with a single punch, knocked out two of his front teeth.
Keep in mind that Ross's cultivation level might have reached the mid-stage of the Soul Palace realm, or even higher.
At the time, two Kongtong disciples were stunned.
Before they could ask for his name, he had already departed.
My Kongtong friend mentioned that the young Taoist seemed to be staying in the small courtyard above the main plaza."
As soon as Nanyang finished speaking, Zheng Yue, the senior disciple from Emei, corroborated:
"I recall that small courtyard above the plaza only has three rooms.
It seems to be inhabited by three senior unaffiliated cultivators and their disciples, correct?"
After Zheng Yue spoke, everyone at the table was taken aback.
They all seemed to realize something, as Old Mo, I, and Chen Yao happened to be residing there.
Qiuxi, Yun Long, and Yun Hu all turned to look at us.
Yun Long even asked:
"Qin Ze, Mo Ting, are you guys staying up there?"
Song Yan, upon hearing this, exclaimed:
"Qin Ze, Mo Ting, was it you who acted last night?"
Old Mo, who was eating, shook his head continuously:
"I didn't even go to the restroom last night, so it definitely wasn't me."
However, as soon as he finished speaking, Old Mo stiffened and turned to look at me.
With a hint of surprise, he asked:
"Old Qin, it couldn't have been you, could it?"
At that moment, everyone's gaze fell upon me.
Having been able to knock down Wang Qi with a single punch previously, and now having knocked out the Western Church's demon hunter Ross with a single punch, it was natural for everyone to suspect me.
Seeing that the conversation had reached this point, I saw no reason to conceal the truth.
I gave a faint smile:
"I couldn't sleep last night and heard that golden-haired dog barking in the small plaza, so I went down to teach him a lesson."
I said it with utter casualness.
The moment my words were uttered, all nine people at the table froze.
They stared at me, wide-eyed and utterly astonished...