Sitting there, he felt as if he had needles sticking out from his back, and he was extremely uncomfortable.
Just then, a prodigy stepped forward to strike up a conversation, and he instantly switched to a different mode to talk to him, his manner exactly the same as Nan Xunran's.
Wei Yan silently focused her gaze on him, pursing her lips slightly, trying to find Nan Xunran's shadow in him.
She secretly wondered to herself, "Could it be A-Ran's stand-in?"
Jin Jinyu was also quietly observing Long from the side, her eyes full of inquiry.
She thought to herself, "His words and actions are so similar to A-Ran's; he must have been carefully trained..."
Shangguan Xieyue was filled with irritation and secretly exerted force to pinch Shangguan Xique's leg hard.
Shangguan Xique suddenly felt a sharp pain in his leg, making him wince and forcefully utter a few words through gritted teeth. "What are you doing!"
Shangguan Xieyue was filled with resentment, secretly wondering, "Who exactly is this guy! Where is A-Ran?!"
Shangguan Xique finally managed to pry her hands open, his face deathly pale, and said in a low voice, "Ancestor, don't take it out on me!"
Then he added, "We should investigate after the banquet. This man is likely one of the Lord's men; we must not cause trouble for the Lord."
Shangguan Xieyue took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, and said, "I understand."
Shangguan Xique touched his leg and immediately felt a piercing pain; his lips twitched involuntarily.
"That strength is truly astonishing."
Shangguan Xieyue glared at him and asked, "What did you say?"
Shangguan Xique quickly shook his head and said, "You misheard."
Shangguan Xieyue said no more, then turned her head and stared intently at Long, her gaze seeming to pierce through Long's body.
Seeing that they had no intention of causing trouble for the time being, he stopped paying attention to them.
The banquet ended
Cheng Clan Outside
He glanced at the people blocking his way, a hint of wariness flashing in his eyes.
He narrowed his eyes slightly and said in a deep voice, "What are you trying to do?"
The men had stern faces, and one of them spoke up, "The master requests your presence."
In an instant, a cloud of black mist rose up behind Long.
Immediately afterwards, several more people quietly emerged from the thick fog, blocking his escape route.
They were silent, radiating a chilling and oppressive aura.
He straightened his back and calmly said, "Gentlemen, please speak frankly about what you have to say."
Just then, a crisp clapping sound rang out.
The people behind him quickly stepped aside, and Wei Yan walked gracefully from behind.
Almost at the same moment, another person suddenly appeared beside Long.
Shangguan Xieyue, holding a long sword, approached step by step.
As she approached, the people in front of her quickly moved aside, Jin Jinyu then appeared.
Long's cheek twitched slightly, and she muttered to herself: They've gotten together again.
Wei Yan raised her eyes and said calmly, "Don't use A-Ran's face anymore."
For those of them who were familiar with Nan Xunran, seeing him together felt jarring.
A layer of snow-white mist suddenly enveloped Long's body, wrapping around him like a thin veil and gradually enveloping his figure.
His face began to distort and recombine in the mist, and his body slowly changed as if being reshaped.
As the white mist gradually dissipated, Long had returned to its original appearance.
Jin Jinyu slowly approached him, looking him up and down. "You do indeed bear a resemblance to A-Ran."
He nodded slightly, without uttering a word.
Wei Yan stared intently at his face, her mind racing: He really was a stand-in.
Although they are very similar, they can never truly imitate A-Ran's unique temperament.
It possesses an indescribable charm that cannot be easily imitated by others.
Shangguan Xieyue gripped her longsword tightly and said anxiously, "Why didn't A-Ran come in person? Has something happened to him?"
Long slightly raised her chin and said firmly, "I'm sorry, I have no comment."
Upon hearing this, the expressions on the faces of the group changed drastically.
This undoubtedly confirms their suspicions.
Shangguan Xieyue's eyebrows furrowed, her long sword trembling slightly as she roared, "Explain yourself clearly, or I will take your life!"
Although Wei Yan and Jin Jinyu did not speak, their auras began to surge violently, their meaning was all too clear.
"Don't bully children."
A voice drifted over, like a gentle breeze softly brushing past everyone's ears.
As soon as he finished speaking, Alkaid's figure appeared suddenly, appearing beside Long at an unpredictable speed.
His face was shrouded in a hazy mist, making it indistinct, clearly intentionally concealing his true features.
He leaned forward slightly, and one arm naturally wrapped around it.
Jin Jinyu's gaze was immediately drawn to the Alkaid's waist. She raised an eyebrow slightly, and asked with a hint of surprise, "Shadow Night?"
Alkaid lowered her head to look at the jade pendant at her waist, then turned her gaze to the crowd, scrutinizing them.