Wen Lanfeng Leaves Seclusion

After the towering blue flames on the distant horizon disappeared, the people of Dayang City, though puzzled, gradually lost interest. After all, it was too far away, and they had no idea what had happened; it was just another topic of conversation. Dayang City quickly returned to calm, and the people's interest shifted to the martial arts competition to select a prince consort; the excitement surrounding the powerful and wealthy most easily attracted the attention of the common people.

On the palace's training ground, over a dozen arenas were simultaneously hosting martial arts competitions. Zhang Peng, representing the Biyuan Kingdom, had already participated in five matches. Ordinary noble children who practiced martial arts were no match for him; he was a veteran of countless battles, and his speed and eyesight, honed through cultivation, far surpassed those of ordinary people. Unwilling to waste time arguing with mortals, he defeated his opponents with just a few punches and kicks upon entering the arena. This was even with his cultivation suppressed; otherwise, a casual movement would have been fatal.

After the competition, back in the Biyuan Kingdom's lineup, he felt incredibly bored. Despite his tall stature, he looked listless. Although he tried to keep a low profile, his actions were too conspicuous, attracting the attention of competitors from other countries and also alerting the spies within the imperial palace. The news quickly reached Zhao Heng's ears in the imperial study...

"Zhang Peng?" Zhao Heng stared in astonishment at the chief eunuch beside him.

The old eunuch with graying temples laughed and said, "Your Majesty is overthinking it. This Zhang Peng is not Zhang Peng from Huaxia Country. He is the youngest son of an old general from the Biyuan Kingdom. Because he cannot inherit the title, he came to our Great Yang Kingdom to seek a way out."

Zhao Heng nodded and asked, "You said he won five consecutive matches, and in each match he didn't even make more than three moves? With such skill, even if he can't inherit the title in the Biyuan Kingdom, surely he can find a good way out?"

"My lord, you are well aware of the situation in the Biyuan Kingdom. It is common for brothers to kill each other. I suppose that is why you came to my Great Yang Kingdom." The old eunuch said respectfully.

Zhao Heng pondered for a moment, then said nothing more, only instructing, "Keep a close eye on this person. If he is truly a talent, do your best to retain him."

The same news quickly reached Liuxiang Zhai in the West Palace. The three sisters had been following the competition closely, and when they heard that one of the outstanding competitors was named Zhang Peng, they looked at each other in disbelief. What a coincidence! The eldest sister, Zhao Rongxiang, hurriedly asked the eunuch who relayed the message about Zhang Peng's background. After learning that Zhang Peng came from the Biyuan Kingdom, the three sisters breathed a sigh of relief...

Almost no one spoke in the hundreds of cultivators in the side hall; their gazes were all subtly directed at Yue Qianchou. Everyone knew that after these few battles today, Yue Qianchou's reputation would become legendary in the Cultivation World.

Yue Qianchou and Xin Lao San were staring at each other. What annoyed Yue Qianchou was that Xin Laosan followed him everywhere he went. He sat down here, and Xin Laosan sat next to him, grinning like an idiot. How disgusting!

Normally, other cultivators aren't allowed to trespass into the palace, but the three Mi brothers are clearly turning a blind eye to this guy. No one else has objected either, so he must indeed have some influence.

"Xin Lao San, why are you following me?" Yue Qianchou finally couldn't hold back and asked irritably.

Xin Lao San said, somewhat puzzled, "Didn't we agree? I'd treat you to drinks!"

"I don't think I agreed to your request?" Yue Qianchou snorted. Xin Lao San waved his hand and said, "It's alright, it's not too late for you to agree now."

Nong Zhu had been silently watching the commotion from the side, chuckled. He couldn't understand why Xin Lao San always followed Yue Qianchou, but that didn't stop him from enjoying the show.

Yue Qianchou raised an eyebrow and said in a deep voice, "There are so many people here, why do you want to drink with me?"

"What's the use of having more people? You can just set a fire and that will solve everything," Xin Lao San said loudly. Everyone in the room blushed at his words.

"Uh..." Yue Qianchou thought to himself, this guy is a bit heartless, yet so many people are afraid of him. He paused, then asked, "Xin Lao San, I don't drink with strangers for no reason. What's your background?"

"You don't even know my background, Xin Lao San?" Xin Lao San seemed to have heard something unbelievable. Yue Qianchou gave him a disdainful look and said, "You don't seem like a Spirit Transformation stage expert either!"

Xin Lao San ignored his sarcasm and patted his chest. He said with a hint of pride, "I come from Lingfang Valley, and my master is the Valley Master of Lingfang Valley."

Yue Qianchou was stunned for a moment, then his eyes lit up and he said, "Your master is Lu Yanqing, who has the title of the most beautiful woman in the world?"

"What do you want?" Xin Lao San immediately became wary. He had seen that look and tone of voice in many people who had plotted against his master.

"Hehe! It's nothing, just asking," Yue Qianchou said with an awkward laugh. However, he was quite suspicious of this guy's persistent stare at him; maybe he had something on his mind!

Just then, Mi Rushan walked in from outside the hall, cupped his hands to the crowd, and said, "Gentlemen, today's competition has come to an end. The one hundred winners selected from various countries will continue to compete in the coming days." He then stopped speaking, his meaning clear: he was about to see the guests off.

Everyone was already tired of staying there. Not only were they not allowed to move around, but they were also forbidden from watching the competition. Of course, everyone understood that this was to prevent the cultivators from secretly helping their own country's competitors and interfering with the fairness of the competition.

The group began to disperse, leaving the side hall and returning to their respective protected objects. Among the participants from various countries competing, some were happy, and some were sad; those who were happy had naturally advanced, while those who were sad had naturally been eliminated.

Back in the Biyuan Kingdom, everyone boarded carriages to return. Inside the carriage, Yue Qianchou saw Zhang Peng looking dejected and asked curiously, "Zhang Peng, what's wrong? Is there someone else who can rival you?"

"No. I've won five games in a row," Zhang Peng said sullenly, then added with a wry smile, "Master, can we stop playing? It's really boring."

Yue Qianchou glanced at Nong Zhu and Furong in the carriage and said, "We'll see!"

After the group returned to the Biyuan Kingdom's embassy, they had just entered the courtyard when they suddenly saw someone flash in through the air. Nong Zhu, who reacted the fastest, grabbed the person by the neck before the person even landed.

This man was none other than Xin Lao San. Yue Qianchou was speechless; this guy had actually followed them here. Zhang Peng looked puzzled, wondering who this person was.

Xin Lao San, his face flushed red from being pinched, said haltingly, "Senior Nong Zhu, please have mercy."

Nong Zhu sneered, "Xin Lao San, you really don't know what's good for you. You dare to trespass on my property without my permission? Others may be wary of your master, but I'm not. Believe me, I can cripple you, and your master will only curse you a couple of times." With that, he tossed him to the ground, where he rolled a few times.

Yue Qianchou clicked his tongue inwardly. Late Tribulation Transcendence stage cultivator was handled like a chick by Spirit Transformation stage, easily picked up and tossed aside, while he himself struggled to defeat a late Tribulation Transcendence stage Transcending cultivator. That was the difference!

Xin Lao San grimaced as he got up and repeatedly bowed to Nong Zhu to apologize.

It's true that the Xin Lao San brothers can act with impunity in the Cultivation World because of their master's influence. But there are indeed people they should be wary of. The number Number One Expert Under Heaven who almost razed Lingfang Valley is a given, but this Mr. Nongzhu is someone the brothers can't afford to offend. If he were to teach them a lesson, their master wouldn't be able to say anything, and Wen Lanfeng wouldn't necessarily seek revenge on Nong Zhu.

"Speak, what are you doing here?" Nong Zhu shouted. Xin Lao San obediently replied, "Reporting to senior, I've come to have a drink with him." He pointed at Yue Qianchou.

"Stop talking nonsense to me." Nong Zhu glared at him and shouted, "Get out of here."

Xin Lao San shuddered in fright. He had just turned around and hadn't even left when Wen Rui teleported in. Wen Rui glanced at Xin Lao San, then bowed to Nong Zhu with a somewhat anxious expression and said, "Sir, I have urgent business to attend to in the Biyuan Kingdom. I'm afraid I can't accompany you any longer."

Nong Zhu frowned and said, "What's wrong? You look so anxious. Has something happened in the Biyuan Kingdom?" The others also looked over.

Wen Rui paused, then shook his head and said, "To be honest, my ancestor has emerged from seclusion."

"Ah!" Nong Zhu and Xin Lao San, who was eavesdropping nearby, exclaimed simultaneously. Furong and Zhang Peng, not knowing who they were, Yue Qianchou asked suspiciously, "Has Senior Wen Lanfeng emerged from seclusion?"

Wen Rui nodded silently, while Xin Lao San, who was standing to the side, "whooshed" away, seemingly trying to tip off someone.

Nong Zhu smiled bitterly, "This is troublesome, Wen Lanfeng, you must not act rashly!" Then she pointed at Wen Rui anxiously and said, "Wen Rui, you must go back as soon as possible and find a way to stop Wen Lanfeng. Do not let him go to the Demon Ghost Domain now. Lao Bi has important matters to attend to. If he goes there now and ruins things, he will be courting death."

Furong and Zhang Peng exchanged bewildered glances, unsure of what they were talking about. Yue Qianchou, however, seemed to understand. He knew that Wen Lanfeng had gone into seclusion after being defeated by his master, and now that he had emerged from seclusion, he was likely going to seek out his master again to determine who was superior.

Wen Rui nodded, then turned around and came back, bowing solemnly and saying, "Sir, I have a question for you, and I hope you will answer it truthfully."

"Speak quickly!" Nong Zhu frowned deeply, wondering what he was still dawdling about.

Wen Rui asked, puzzled, "My ancestor has been in seclusion for a hundred years. He must have greatly improved his cultivation when he comes out this time. From what you said, sir... do you still think that my ancestor is no match for Bi Changchun?"

"How can a grain of rice compare to the brilliance of the moon!" Nong Zhu sighed. "Normally, even the most powerful experts at the late Spirit Transformation stage have a certain limit. But Bi Changchun is always stronger when facing stronger opponents. His cultivation is so profound that it's unfathomable. He is a powerful being that cannot be judged by common sense. Although I don't know exactly how high Wen Lanfeng's cultivation has become after emerging from seclusion, I know that if he provokes Bi Changchun again at this time, he might even lose his life."

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