Attention Seeker

After the Beast Tide, Glory City entered a period of recovery. Fortunately, none of the Black Gold Rank or Legendary Rank Monster Beasts had breached the city walls.

During the days Glory City was recovering, Shangguan Ye cultivated tirelessly within the Mountains and Rivers Painting.

"Finally, I broke through." Shangguan Ye stopped cultivating. His cultivation had finally reached Legendary Four Star.

"Ever since the Divine Tree broke through that thin barrier, my cultivation speed has become even faster."

"Patriarch, Ye Zong's adopted son, Ye Han, has returned. The Wind Snow Family has invited all the families to a banquet tonight, claiming it is to welcome Ye Han, but from the looks of it, they are probably planning to move against the Sacred Family." Shangguan Xun's voice sounded from outside the door.

Shangguan Ye stopped cultivating and exited the Mountains and Rivers Painting.

"Ye Han? That traitor?" Shangguan Ye considered whether he should simply go over and kill that guy.

"Forget it. Ye Zong hasn't been assassinated yet, so I'll watch his performance for now."

"Uncle Xun, make the preparations. We're going to the banquet."

"Yes."

As night fell, the City Lord's Mansion was brightly lit. Most people had already arrived in the main hall. Ye Zong and the Void Nether Family Patriarch were chatting pleasantly. Shen Hong and the people he had brought sat in the center of the hall, yet almost no one spoke with them. No matter how foolish Shen Hong was, he could sense that something was wrong. He was being targeted.

The banquet's nominal protagonist also made his entrance. Ye Han strode into the hall and greeted Ye Zong.

"Not bad. Han'er has cultivated to Gold Three Star, exceeding my expectations. I must reward you properly," Ye Zong said with a smile.

"Indeed. Ye Han has good talent. Reaching such cultivation at his age is already very impressive." Chen Ming, the Void Nether Family Patriarch, chimed in.

"By the way, why hasn't that brat Shangguan Ye arrived yet?" Ye Zong glanced toward the Shangguan Family's seats. Everyone was present except Shangguan Ye.

"Shangguan Ye?" Ye Han had spent many years training outside and had never heard the name.

"Oh, he is a very outstanding junior. Han'er, perhaps you can speak with him sometime." Ye Zong did not directly explain Shangguan Ye's circumstances. After all, not everyone could accept a thirteen-year-old Legendary Rank expert, especially since Ye Han was already twenty-two.

"City Lord, isn't Patriarch Shangguan here now?" Chen Ming pointed toward the entrance. Ye Zong turned and saw Shangguan Ye enter while holding Xiao Ning'er's hand, followed by Nie Li and Ye Ziyun.

"That brat, always taking advantage of my daughter." Ye Zong's teeth itched with anger when he saw Nie Li holding Ye Ziyun's hand, though he was merely putting on a show. Ye Ziyun's current cultivation was inseparable from Nie Li and Shangguan Ye, and Ye Zong actually had a favorable impression of Nie Li. It was just that Nie Li was always so unreliable.

Ye Zong acted unconcerned, but Ye Han beside him was displeased. He headed straight toward Shangguan Ye and the others. Ye Zong had just been about to stop him, but then thought Ye Han might simply be trying to make friends and held back.

Ye Han stepped into the corridor and blocked Shangguan Ye and the others, his expression displeased.

"You are Shangguan Ye?" Ye Han asked in an unfriendly tone.

"That's me. What is it?" Shangguan Ye asked, tilting his head.

"Has your family never taught you proper etiquette? Everyone else has arrived, yet you came so late. As a member of a super family, you have disgraced your family," Ye Han said coldly.

Ye Han's voice was loud, and many people in the hall noticed what was happening. After hearing his words, Shangguan Ye's expression gradually darkened. The people from the Shangguan Family put down what they were holding and glared at Ye Han.

"This is bad. Why is Ye Han being so reckless?" Seeing that the Shangguan Family members were about to act, Ye Zong hurriedly rose and walked over, only to be stopped by Shangguan Xun.

"Come, come, City Lord. Our Patriarch is still young and cannot drink, so I'll offer you a toast in his stead." Shangguan Xun pulled Ye Zong toward the other side. How could Ye Zong not understand his intentions?

Han'er, I hope you will learn to keep a lower profile after this.

Seeing that Shangguan Ye's expression was off, Xiao Ning'er tactfully released his hand and silently stepped aside.

When Ye Han saw Xiao Ning'er retreat, he thought his imposing manner had intimidated her. He immediately reached a hand toward Shangguan Ye.

"If you do not understand the rules, I am older, so I can teach you." Just as Ye Han's hand was about to touch Shangguan Ye, a cracking sound rang out, and Ye Han dropped to his knees.

Before anyone could react, Ye Han had already fallen to his knees. Only after kneeling did he feel the pain shooting up from his lower body.

"Ah... my legs!" Ye Han clutched his knees tightly, hoping to ease the pain even slightly.

"Get down." Shangguan Ye spoke without a trace of emotion in his voice.

Ye Han raised his head, intending to meet Shangguan Ye's eyes, but in the next instant, an overwhelming pressure forced him flat onto the ground.

Shangguan Ye raised his foot and stepped on Ye Han's head.

"I am the current Patriarch of the Shangguan Family. My words and my actions are the rules. Whether I have disgraced my family is beside the point. What are you supposed to be? You are nothing more than someone Ye Zong picked up. He acknowledged you as his adopted son, and you really think you are the Wind Snow Family's heir? An outsider will always be an outsider. Do you think you want to become the City Lord of Glory City? Let me tell you—remember your place forever. Don't let a toad dream of eating swan meat." After Shangguan Ye finished speaking, he rubbed the sole of his shoe against Ye Han's head, then led Xiao Ning'er farther inside.

"This Ye Han really does not know his place. He even dared provoke Patriarch Shangguan."

"Exactly. He is only an adopted son, yet he thinks he stands above everyone else."

The bystanders nearby pointed at Ye Han and whispered among themselves.

"Zi Yun, that is your brother. Aren't you going to check on him?" Nie Li glanced at Ye Ziyun.

"Forget it. He has been like this ever since he came to our family. I really dislike him." Though she said that, Ye Ziyun still had someone carry Ye Han away out of basic decency.

After settling Xiao Ning'er, Shangguan Ye came to Ye Zong's side.

"City Lord, your adopted son was arrogant and overbearing, so I taught him a lesson for you. You do not mind, do you?"

"Uh... hehe, Ye Han was at fault first. He deserved to be punished," Ye Zong said. He could not say much, since Ye Han had indeed provoked others first.

"By the way, have you decided how to deal with the Sacred Family?" Shangguan Ye changed the subject from Ye Han.

"Previously, Nie Li and the others were attacked. Sacred Family Elder Shen Ming led people in that attack. Shen Ming is still imprisoned, and we plan to bring him out as a witness. As for physical evidence, we discovered that several Sacred Family Elders have learned the Dark Guild's Shadow Demon Great Law. We will bring them here as well."

"I'll interrogate Shen Ming later. They have probably already tampered with him somehow. If anything goes wrong, I can deal with it immediately," Shangguan Ye suggested.

"Alright, then we'll leave it to you later."

The group returned to their respective seats and waited for this thrilling moment.

Shen Hong, seated in the center of the hall, grew increasingly worried. Shen Xiu beside him asked,

"What is it, Big Brother?"

"I have a feeling something will happen tonight..." Shen Hong looked at the lively scene around him and felt that it was merely the calm before the storm.