A line of luxury sports cars pulled to a stop, and over a dozen men and women dressed in black suits emerged.
These were all first-tier figures in the martial world.
Among them were Qin Qingya, Qin Chao, Qin Zhantian, the Qin family patriarch Qin Huaiyu, and a crowd of Qin manor servants.
Zhou Xuan, Bai Li Lie, and Ling'er were there to welcome the distinguished guests.
Qin Huaiyu's gaze fell upon Zhou Xuan.
"Zhou Xuan!" she snorted coldly.
Zhou Xuan nodded at her, then his eyes narrowed as he focused on two of the newcomers.
He had crossed paths with one of them before, but he didn't recognize the other.
However, that wasn't important. What mattered was that this person's cultivation was far from ordinary.
"Patriarch Qin, good to see you," Zhou Xuan said, walking towards Qin Huaiyu.
Qin Huaiyu offered a false smile. "Zhou Xuan, you're organizing this artifact convention with such fanfare, are you sure you don't have something else in mind?"
"You're overthinking it. Why would I? Good things are meant to be appreciated together. I don't have many virtues, but I do enjoy sharing."
"Mm."
"Someone's calling me, so I'll excuse myself for a moment."
"Patriarch Qin, you are too kind."
Qin Huaiyu and another man, also ranked among the top thirty in the martial world, walked away.
"Master Zhou, that is Qin Huaiyu's personal bodyguard, Jiao Yun. You need to be careful," Bai Li Lie warned.
His strength was greater than Zhou Xuan's. If not for the unwritten rules of the martial world, Zhou Xuan would have no chance of standing here.
Zhou Xuan nodded. "I know."
He had anticipated that the evening would bring together a gathering of prominent figures.
He knew Qin Huaiyu was after his Azure Phoenix Sword.
Qin Huaiyu had likely brought skilled individuals, and he could sense the formidable power of Jiao Yun.
"Ling'er, go and check over there. If any guests are not being attended to, please help them," Zhou Xuan instructed Ling'er.
Ling'er acknowledged his request and headed in another direction.
Jiao Yun was in the early stage of the Saint Transcending realm, also known as the Jiao Yun Blade, and even more formidable than that.
Once most of the guests had arrived, Bai Li Lie began arranging for the latecomers outside.
As soon as Zhou Xuan entered, Qin Huaiyu and her entourage approached him.
Jiao Yun looked at Zhou Xuan, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What is your name?"
"Zhou Xuan."
"Well said, Zhou Xuan." Jiao Yun smiled faintly. "It's rare to see someone your age achieve so much."
"You too."
Zhou Xuan knew the other man was probing his background, but he didn't take it to heart.
"Regardless, you are considered a leading figure in the martial world. I'd like to test your skills. Do you dare to accept?" Jiao Yun stared at Zhou Xuan.
"Why should I accept?"
"Do you think you can't defeat me, or are you afraid?" Jiao Yun said arrogantly.
"I'm afraid you'll draw attention here, and someone will steal my Azure Phoenix Sword."
Zhou Xuan's words caused Qin Huaiyu's expression to change.
The people around them smiled with amusement.
Jiao Yun was Qin Huaiyu's personal bodyguard and incredibly powerful, yet Zhou Xuan refused him.
"Even the Qin family is being guarded against."
"Haha..."
"Jiao Yun, you're truly being underestimated."
"Zhou Xuan, I've heard your skills are quite good. I'd like to see if you can withstand my blade?" Shu Gū
Qin Chao laughed loudly, his gaze fixed on Zhou Xuan. "Zhou Xuan, give him a chance."
Zhou Xuan frowned. Picking a fight for no reason, did this guy have a problem with his brain?
It made sense; if his attention was diverted, the Qin family could do as they pleased.
With so many experts brought by Qin Huaiyu, another trick like the "狸猫换太子" (a clever scheme to substitute someone) and his Azure Phoenix Sword might genuinely be replaced.
However, he had no intention of backing down.
"Perhaps not. This would neglect the other guests. After the artifact convention, I will gladly spar with you."
"You truly are a coward. I thought you were much more capable."
"Say whatever you wish."
"Let's see who dares call him a coward!"
Two booming shouts, as if piercing the eardrums of everyone present, echoed throughout the entire Bai Li Manor venue.
For a moment, a hush fell over the crowd, and all eyes turned towards the source of the sound.
A tall, imposing figure descended from the sky.
One with black hair dancing in the wind, and sharp, profound eyes as piercing as a falcon's.
His aura was so overwhelming it struck fear into the hearts of many.
The other wore a black robe, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, his gaze cold as he fixed his eyes on Jiao Yun and his group nearby, his expression indifferent, like a demon king descending upon the world!
"It's the Qi Xuan Elders!"
"They've returned too!"
"Today is indeed a good day."
"For Zhou Xuan's important event, who would dare cause trouble!"
They were... the two mysterious Qi Xuan Elders.
"They've returned?"
"I heard they were out training and hadn't returned yet. How did they appear so suddenly?"
"Could it be that they knew about the Azure Phoenix Sword and the Four Great Artifacts, and that's why they rushed back?"
The appearance of the Qi Xuan Elders plunged the entire venue into a deathly silence. Everyone held their breath, their gazes fixed on them with disbelief and suspicion.
They all knew these two were no ordinary individuals.
In the outside world, the Qi Xuan Elders were legendary figures.
Countless lives had been lost at their hands.
Furthermore, rumors claimed they hailed from a mysterious sect.
Although they rarely interfered in the affairs of the martial world, even so, the Qi Xuan Elders were among the most authoritative forces in their families, possessing absolute control over situations and the final say in decisions. It was for this reason that everyone held them in great apprehension.
Not to mention that their five subordinates were all experts in the Transcendent realm, now serving under Zhou Xuan.
Qin Huaiyu's face contorted with displeasure.
The addition of the Qi Xuan Elders to Zhou Xuan's faction had always been a thorn in her side.
At this moment, Jiao Yun's expression was terrifyingly grim. He clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with a complex mixture of anger, apprehension, and fear, making his expression particularly ferocious and frightening.
"Zhou Xuan, do you truly believe this is enough!"
He gritted his teeth. "I tell you, today, I *will* defeat you, I absolutely will!"
Zhou Xuan's face showed a mocking expression. "Then let's see if you have the ability."
"Qi Xuan Elders, I appreciate your kind intentions. Please, go and have a drink. I don't require your assistance here for the moment."
His tone was filled with immense confidence, a palpable arrogance emanating from his very core that inspired awe in many onlookers, while also sparking curiosity about Zhou Xuan's true cultivation level.
To challenge an expert in the early stage of the Saint Transcending realm without a trace of fear was something that ordinary individuals could not achieve.
Jiao Yun took a deep breath, his gaze fixed intensely on Zhou Xuan. Suddenly, he bared his teeth in a cold, sinister smile.
"Good! Today, I will show you."
Zhou Xuan knew full well that Qin Huaiyu was looking for trouble.
She had ill intentions today.
If he showed any timidity, he would become a laughingstock.
After all, he didn't yet possess significant power or status. With the Azure Phoenix Sword in hand, he might not be able to protect it.
If this was how it began, then martial world figures would likely hound him day and night, watching his small territory.
Unless his Azure Phoenix Sword was destroyed, he would never find peace.