A Starving Camel!

After a long moment, Zhang Tianzheng finally spoke slowly.

"In this old man's life, I've fought demon cultivators and slain demonic beasts—I've lived enough to call it even. Now that I've seen these two little ones born, my heart... is at ease."

"But before I go, this old man wants one last bit of excitement."

With that, the Old Ancestor's voice rose a few notches: "Pass down the order! One month from now, hold a Full Moon Baptism Feast for Daoxuan and Daoling!"

"Send out invitations far and wide! Invite all the cultivation families and sects of the East Mountain Islands to come and observe! Even those who don't get along with us—send them invitations too!"

"I want everyone to see that my Zhang Family has successors! Even if this old man is no longer here, the Zhang Family... won't fall!"

At these words, the hall erupted in murmurs.

Great Elder Zhang Yunhai said urgently, "Old Ancestor! This... holding a grand banquet at a time like this, isn't it too ostentatious? And your health..."

"What? Just because I'm not dead yet, my words no longer carry weight?"

Zhang Tianzheng's eyes suddenly blazed, and though his pressure was gone, his lingering authority remained.

"I wouldn't dare!"

Zhang Yunhai quickly bowed his head.

"Then get it done!"

Zhang Tianzheng gasped heavily and waved his hand: "Make it grand and glorious! Bring out all those aged Spirit Wines from the family treasury! Don't let anyone laugh at us!"

Zhang Yunshan, tears in his eyes, accepted the order: "Yes! Your son will see to it at once! I'll make sure it meets your satisfaction!"

Watching the Old Ancestor being helped away, Zhang Chen stood among the crowd.

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly!

This move of "entrusting the orphan on his deathbed" plus "one last frenzy" had played the act to perfection.

Now, the bait had been cast.

It was just a matter of when the big fish in the sea would take the hook.

The news that the Zhang Family was holding a Full Moon Banquet instantly stirred up a thousand waves across the East Mountain Islands.

Gilded invitations, carried by Flying Sword transmissions, scattered like snowflakes toward every major island.

The reactions from various factions were starkly different.

The few Small Families friendly with the Zhang Family, upon receiving the invitations, could only sigh deeply, feeling that the Zhangs were putting on a brave front, but they still prepared generous gifts.

As for those forces that were usually neutral or attached to the Wang Family—

They wore faces full of schadenfreude.

Anyone could see—was this really a Full Moon Banquet?

A family that lost its only Nascent Soul backing was like a tiger without teeth. When that happened, who wouldn't want a bite of that fat meat?

Three thousand li north of Green Snail Island, Black Reef Island.

This was the Wang Family's stronghold.

Inside the Wang Family's meeting hall, the lamplight was dim.

A middle-aged man in a black python robe sat in the main seat, pinching the gilded invitation from the Zhang Family, a faint sneer of contempt on his face.

This man was none other than the Wang Family Head, Wang Lie.

He was burly, with a rugged face.

Though he hadn't yet formed his Nascent Soul, he was already at Golden Core Great Perfection, and his Sha Qi was terrifying. He was known throughout the East Mountain Islands by the infamous name "Madman Wang."

"Heh, Full Moon Banquet?"

Wang Lie's fingers rubbed together lightly, and the exquisitely crafted invitation instantly turned to ash.

"That old ghost Zhang Tianzheng really is on his last legs."

"Throwing a big banquet at a time like this is nothing but a trick to 'ward off bad luck with joy,' and to intimidate us a little—trying to show everyone he can still hold on."

A Goatee Old Man sitting below, the Wang Family's strategist, chuckled darkly: "The Family Head is wise. According to reliable intelligence from our insider in the Zhang Family, yesterday when that old ghost came out of seclusion, he needed two people to support him just to walk! He was even panting when he spoke."

"If you ask me, he's arranging his funeral affairs, trying to use this last breath to pave the way for those two newborn brats."

"Pave the way?"

Wang Lie snorted coldly, murderous intent flooding his eyes: "That depends on whether the road still exists!"

He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed in the direction of the Zhang Family.

"The East Mountain Secret Realm is about to open. This time, the secret realm isn't just about the spiritual items for Nascent Soul Formation—it's also the key to redrawing the sphere of influence in the East Mountain Islands."

"The Zhang Family has held onto that biggest slot for far too long."

"This time, I'm going to make them spit it all back, principal and interest!"

The Goatee Old Man probed cautiously: "Then, Family Head, what's your intention... are we going this time or not?"

"Go? Of course we're going!"

Wang Lie turned around: "Since they're shoving their face in front of us for a beating, why wouldn't we take the chance?"

"But This Seat won't be going."

"I need to go into seclusion and adjust my state, make final preparations for my assault on Nascent Soul. That way, I'll also avoid that Old Ghost's dying counterattack dragging me down with him."

His gaze swept downward and finally landed on a young man clad in silver armor, his expression arrogant.

"Second Son."

"Your son is here!"

Wang Teng, the second young master of the Wang Family, stepped forward and cupped his fists in reply.

This Wang Teng was also a ruthless character—young as he was, he had already reached Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

His way of doing things was even more domineering and overbearing than his father's.

His hands were stained with the blood of quite a few Zhang Family cultivators.

"For this banquet, you'll lead the team."

Wang Lie pulled a black brocade pouch from his bosom and tossed it to his son: "Remember, once you're at the feast, don't give the Zhang Family any face. Probe them ruthlessly!"

"I want to see just how many breaths that Old Ghost has left."

"If he's faking it, you pull back; but if he really is about to die..."

Wang Lie chuckled, his tone icy: "Then don't bother with any courtesy."

"Father, rest assured! Your son will peel the Zhang Family's face off and stomp it into the dirt!"