At this moment, in another corner of the Dugu family.
Two figures stood before the high pavilion railing, watching the two people stroll in the distance.
"Lianyu, what do you think of this Ye Cangtian?"
The speaker was none other than Dugu Ling's father, Dugu Changfeng.
Although he was extremely strict with Dugu Ling, he also understood her very well.
From childhood to adulthood, this was the first time anyone had been brought into the Dugu family by Dugu Ling herself.
Moreover, Dugu Ling was chattering around Ye Cangtian, which showed Ye Cangtian's importance in her heart.
It just so happened that Dugu Ling was also of marriageable age, and as a father, he naturally thought of a son-in-law.
"This..."
Upon hearing this, Dugu Lianyu's expression changed instantly, but he quickly recovered.
After a moment of thought, he said, "This young man is not bad. Being sent by Dongfang Mingyue to protect Ling'er shows that he has Dongfang Mingyue's approval, and his future should be bright. But I don't think he's good enough for Ling'er!"
"Hmm? Are all the elites from the Hidden Group not worthy of Ling'er?"
"Lianyu, are you perhaps too doting on Ling'er, which is why you think this way?"
Listening to Dugu Lianyu's words, Dugu Changfeng became interested and asked.
"Not entirely!"
"You and I both know Ling'er's talent. She may very well become a Earth-level expert in the future, but the elites of the Hidden Group may not necessarily be able to!"
"Moreover, the Hidden Group often carries out dangerous missions. They might die at any moment. From this perspective, he is not worthy of Ling'er."
"Our Ling'er should at least marry an Earth-level expert who can accompany, cherish, and protect her for a lifetime!"
Dugu Lianyu shook his head slowly and said very seriously.
"That makes sense."
"Then let's keep looking."
Dugu Changfeng looked into the distance with a deep gaze and nodded in agreement, then his gaze returned to the departing pair.
"Well, we can't rush this matter."
"While it's important to find someone of equal standing, we can't ignore Ling'er's feelings. At the very least, she has to accept him."
Dugu Lianyu said.
"Heh, let her accept? How many people can she accept? By the time she accepts someone, who else will want her?"
Dugu Changfeng said exasperatedly. He was hoping to hold his grandson soon!
He was indeed a little anxious, as the matter of continuing the family line could not be delayed...
...
Night.
The Dugu family was brightly lit, and all members of the Dugu family gathered to attend the thank-you banquet.
If Ye Cangtian had only saved Dugu Ling, Dugu Changfeng would not have gone to such lengths.
But Ye Cangtian was not only Dugu Ling's savior but also represented the Hidden Group!
Although the Dugu family kept out of worldly affairs, they still admired the Hidden Group's actions.
The Hidden Group, in the ruins, fearlessly explored and expanded the territory, managing the ruins in an orderly manner.
It could be said that it was thanks to the Hidden Group's governance that the Dugu family could live in seclusion in the ruins with peace of mind.
Holding such a grand banquet at this moment was the least they could do to show respect to the Hidden Group.
At this moment, Ye Cangtian felt somewhat overwhelmed. He had not expected the Dugu family to arrange such a grand occasion.
He turned to Dugu Changfeng beside him, cupped his hands, and said, "Senior, how can I, a junior, be worthy of such a grand occasion?"
"If I say you are worthy, then you are worthy."
Dugu Changfeng smiled slightly and then began to introduce the others at the table.
Besides Dugu Lianyu, his son Dugu Jie, and the leaders of other branches of the Dugu family were also at the table.
It could be said that this table represented the highest authority in the Dugu family.
Perhaps due to Dugu Changfeng's emphasis, or perhaps because of Ye Cangtian's identity in the Hidden Group, everyone was exceptionally enthusiastic towards Ye Cangtian, and they all came forward to toast him.
Ye Cangtian, regardless of their status, accepted all the toasts.
For a time, the banquet was lively and extraordinary.
However, after an unknown period, Ye Cangtian's expression subtly changed, and a strange sensation in his body instantly alerted him.
He discovered that someone at the banquet had poisoned him.
At this moment, the poison in his body was spreading faster and faster, continuously eroding his internal organs and even attacking his meridians.
Ye Cangtian did not dare to be careless. He immediately circulated his Qi and expelled the poison from his body secretly, while observing the movements around him.
Since someone had poisoned them, they must have a purpose, and they might show themselves later.
On the other side, Dugu Changfeng stood up, raised his wine glass, and said, "Come, let's toast Mr. Ye again..."
Before Dugu Changfeng could finish speaking, the glass in his hand fell to the ground and shattered.
Looking at Dugu Changfeng, he was already leaning on the table and shaking. Within a few seconds, he collapsed onto the table, powerless.
"Patriarch..."
Seeing this, everyone exclaimed, but before they could get up, they all collapsed.
"Someone poisoned..."
Ye Cangtian quickly pretended to be poisoned and also collapsed.
Suddenly, the noisy courtyard became much quieter. Everyone looked at each other.
What they wanted to know most now was why they had been poisoned!
But no one answered the question.
Boom!
A moment later, a sound was heard. The courtyard gate was kicked open, and then figures broke through the door and surrounded the entire venue.
Following that, a masked man slowly walked in.
"Who are you?"
"Why are you targeting the Dugu family? What enmity do we have?"
Dugu Changfeng's gaze locked onto the masked man. Forcing back the feeling of weakness, he said.
"Black Wind Sect, does that name sound familiar?"
The masked man glanced at Dugu Changfeng and continued, "Dugu Changfeng, weren't you very stubborn before? Have you thought it through now, about becoming a dog for our Black Wind Sect?"
At these words, everyone's faces changed, and their eyes were filled with indignation.
The word "dog" was a naked insult to the Dugu family!
As a hidden family, their strength in the Chinese ruins ranked among the best. No matter what force they joined, they would definitely be treated as honored guests.
Yet, this person treated them like dogs.
Speaking of which, with such an attitude, even if they joined, what good would come of it!
Now, they were even more convinced that the Patriarch's refusal to cooperate with the Black Wind Sect was a wise decision.
"To think you would use such despicable means to force us to agree is simply laughable!"
On the other side, Dugu Changfeng let out a cold snort and continued, "If you have the ability, cure us, and then we'll have a fair fight. If we lose, we'll accept being your slaves!"
"Dugu Changfeng, stop dreaming. It's impossible to cure you!"
"Now I only give you two choices: one, you all die. Two, become dogs of the Black Wind Sect!"
The masked man's pupils revealed a look of disdain.
Not to mention anything else, Dugu Changfeng himself possessed Earth-level strength. If he were to cure them, they would probably not be enough for him to kill.
How could he risk a fair fight?
Besides, victory belongs to the victor. Since the other party had fallen into his hands, why would he give them a chance to turn the tables?
"I choose the former. We would rather die than join hands with poisoners and become dogs!" Dugu Changfeng replied without any hesitation.
Looking at Dugu Changfeng, the masked man chuckled and said, "Dugu Changfeng, although you are the Patriarch, this matter concerns the lives of everyone. Will they agree to your choice?"
"My clan members, are you willing to follow me to the end?" Dugu Changfeng sneered, as if to prove his point, he deliberately asked loudly.
"We swear to follow the Patriarch to the death!"
The next moment, thunderous responses echoed throughout the venue.