The two walked downstairs side by side. In the hall of Tianxiang Tower, No. 1 Jia, the atmosphere was utterly different from last night.
The guests, who had originally been seated sparsely about the room, were now all turning their heads, their gazes converging unbidden on the few figures in the center of the hall.
There were seven or eight people in all. At their head stood two young men facing each other from left and right, each with several attendants behind him.
The auras of the attendants behind them were even deeper and more restrained. The faint cultivation fluctuations emanating from several of them made many guests in the hall instinctively hold their breath—Three Flowers Realm, and more than one of them.
As Li Bufan and He Wanxing slowly descended the stairs, everyone in the hall turned to look at them.
One of the young men was the first to raise his head. Channeling his True Essence, he called out, "Sister Wanxing, long time no see."
He Wanxing gave a slight nod, her expression composed. "Young Master Fang Yu, Young Master Qi Wei, may I ask what brings you here today?"
Fang Yu's smile faded slightly as his gaze shifted to Li Bufan beside He Wanxing, sizing him up from head to toe. His eyes held scrutiny, curiosity, and a trace of fighting spirit.
He cupped his fists, speaking frankly enough. "Sister Wanxing, Patriarch Xuancha informed us yesterday that the person originally chosen to participate in Red Sleeve Fragrance had arrived, and that we need no longer serve as alternatives. But I, Fang Yu, cannot accept this. So I came to seek instruction, despite my presumption."
The moment he finished speaking, Qi Wei beside him stepped forward as well. His voice was much louder than Fang Yu's, ringing out