The Banquet Begins

Feng Shanshan shushed her, and only after everyone around them had left did she ask, "Yaoyao, what's wrong with your brother?"

I remember how many times you complained to me before that Chen Lie's martial arts talent was almost zero, how did he suddenly become so powerful?"

Chen Xingyao's expression changed, and she instantly shook off Feng Shanshan's hand that was pulling at her. "I'm warning you, don't slander me. When did I ever say that I'm inferior to Talent?"

"No—I was just asking a normal question, why are you getting angry?" Feng Shanshan asked, puzzled.

"Just ask a normal question, why talk nonsense?"

"I'm talking nonsense? Dude, I still have your old messages complaining about Chen Lie's Green Bubble on my Communicator!"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xingyao couldn't help but say, "Aren't you too cunning? Didn't we agree to delete it? Why is it still there?"

Feng Shanshan chuckled, "Now you're not saying I'm talking nonsense? Don't worry, I said I deleted it, and I meant it. I was just asking you a question, and you're making a big deal out of it!"

"If you're going to ask a question, just ask it properly. Don't try to sow discord between me and my brother!"

Feng Shanshan sighed and said, "Alright then, I just wanted to ask you, I remember Chen Lie's talent used to be pretty average?"

"It was unbelievable enough that he joined the Genius Training Camp last time, how did he suddenly become the Three-Province Martial Champion?"

"Actually—" Chen Xingyao thought for a moment and said, "My brother's martial arts have always been very powerful, but he's never shown it; he's always kept it hidden!"

"Hidden all this time? Not even your aunt and uncle knew?" Feng Shanshan asked.

"Can it still be called hiding if people know about it?"

"What realm is my cousin at now? Has he Ranked Martial Artist?" Feng Shanshan's expression turned serious.

"Ranked Martial Artist? You'd have to wait until your Blood Qi Value reach five digits!"

Five digits? Are there people in the world who have reached a five-digit Qi and Blood-Qi Stage Blood Qi Value?

"You just haven't seen it, it doesn't mean it doesn't exist."

Feng Shanshan nodded. She had heard her sister complain countless times that the competition in the Genius Training Camp was too fierce, and that there were monthly point-based competitions. Her sister said that her hidden cousin, Chen Lie, was far superior to her sister because he had reached the top of the Genius Training Camp.

But to become the Three-Province Martial Champion directly—that's just too outrageous, isn't it?

Feng Yuelan led the Feng Mingli and Feng Xueli families to a quiet spot to sit down, and said, "Elder brother..."

Second brother, please sit here for a moment. I'll go check on the other guests.

After speaking, Feng Yuelan turned and left.

At this moment, Feng Shuangshuang's mother called Feng Shuangshuang to her side and instructed her, "Shuangshuang, your cousin is the main character today, why don't you say a word to her?"

Feng Shuangshuang blushed. "Mom, I don't know what to say—"

"You're too shy. What can't cousins say to each other?"

Chen Lie is so skilled in martial arts now, you could ask him for some pointers.

"How could I possibly ask him for martial arts guidance in this kind of situation?" Feng Shuangshuang couldn't help but ask.

Feng Shuangshuang's mother shook her head and called out, "Chen Lie!"

Hearing this suddenly, Chen Lie walked over and asked, "Aunt, is there something you need?"

"I'm fine, your cousin just wants to talk to you for a bit!"

"Oh?"

Chen Lie looked at Feng Shuangshuang, then said with some surprise, "Sister Shuangshuang has made great progress recently, your Qi Blood Qi Value has already exceeded 700 calories?"

Feng Shuangshuang was taken aback, then asked, "You can tell my Blood Qi Value at a glance?"

It should be noted that even the Chief Instructor of the Genius Training Camp, a high-level Martial Artist, could not discern her Blood Qi Value, yet Chen Lie possessed this ability.

This level of vision is almost equivalent to a Blood Essence Detector.

"I just happened to have cultivated a technique that allows me to see through Blood Qi Value," Chen Lie said.

He remembered that in his previous life, Feng Shuangshuang had stayed at his house for nearly a month at the request of her mother, Feng Yuelan, during this same period, to instruct him in martial arts.

However, at that time, Feng Shuangshuang's Blood Qi Value was only 600 calories. During the same period, her Blood Qi Value increased by more than 100 calories compared to the top ten. This change was naturally due to his help.

"Why has your martial arts progressed so quickly?" Feng Shuangshuang asked.

Becoming the Provincial Martial Leader is already astonishing enough, but becoming the Three-Province Martial Champion is simply unbelievable.

"Fast? I don't think so!"

"Don't you think this kind of progress is fast?"

Feng Shuangshuang was at a loss for words. If her martial arts progress could catch up with half of Chen Lie's, she would be laughing in her dreams.

"Chen Lie, your martial arts achievements should now be the best among your peers. Find some time to give Shuangshuang some pointers."

"That's what Feng Shuangshuang's mother said."

Chen Lie nodded and said, "I will."

"Shuangshuang going to the Northwest Frontline Army, they should be in the same batch as you, right? You'd better take good care of her. The Exotic Beast are incredibly ferocious, even a Second-Order Martial Artist would have a hard time dealing with a Tier 1 Exotic Beast."

Chen Lie nodded and said, "Aunt, you don't need to tell me that."

After saying that, Chen Lie left.

This time, Chen Lie's banquet had less than half the number of guests as Chen Ying's Martial Artist banquet, mainly because his uncle Chen Chaoqun had many superiors and colleagues, so he was even busier hosting them.

In contrast, Chen Gequn invited relatives, friends, and neighbors, so the hospitality was completed quickly.

At this moment, the manager of the Chuandu Hotel asked, "Mr. Chen, how many guests have arrived for your banquet?"

If the first floor isn't enough, we can make room for the second floor as well.

"No need, no need. Our guests are almost all here, and the lobby on the first floor is more than enough," Chen Gequn said.

"Okay, feel free to contact me anytime if you need anything!"

After the hotel manager finished speaking, he added, "Provincial Governor Luo mentioned that he could provide a host for this banquet. Would you like one?"

"Provincial Governor Luo? Could it be—" Chen Gequn was taken aback, then his heart skipped a beat.

"Okay, then I'll trouble you!"

"You're welcome, I'll contact them for you right away." The hotel manager nodded.

When Chen Gequn saw his son Chen Lie walking towards him, he quickly asked, "Son, do you know anything about your classmate surnamed Luo?"

Chen Liedao, "I only know that her father is the Provincial Governor East River Province, but I don't know his specific background."

"It's truly remarkable that the daughter of the Provincial Governor, a real power and influence figure in East River Province, can be so approachable."

Recalling how Luo Zhixun addressed them as "uncle" and "aunt" for two meals at their house, Chen Gequn couldn't help but sigh.

At that moment, a group of teenagers suddenly walked into the entrance of the Chuandu Hotel and went straight into the lobby.

"Wang Hui, Chen Lie must be busy right now, right?"

A strikingly beautiful girl in the crowd asked.

"What could he be so busy about? I'll find him and ask him later!"

The speaker was Wang Hui, and the group of people he was with were Wang Hui junior and senior high school classmates.

Chen Lie saw Wang Hui and his group enter the hotel and immediately came over.

When Wang Hui saw Chen Lie arrive, he quickly said, "Chen Lie, these six are all classmates from our junior high and senior high Ordinary Class. You must know them all well, so I don't need to introduce them, right?"

Chen Lie had no recollection of these classmates, so he nodded and greeted them one by one.

When it was the last person's turn, before Chen Lie could speak, the other person smiled and said, "Chen Lie, we just met when you won the Provincial Martial Leader. Don't be so formal."

The speaker was Qin Siyu, the one who had just been messaging Chen Lie.

"That's right, no need to be so formal!" Chen Lie nodded.

Qin Siyu smiled and said softly, "Congratulations! You've become the only Three-Province Martial Champion in East River Province."

Chen Lie said "thank you," and then said, "Just find a seat, the meal will start in a little while."

O

"I think the one next to us looks nice, let's sit here."

Wang Hui pointed to a spot and led a few classmates over to sit down.

Seeing that Qin Siyu was still motionless, Chen Lie said, "Qin, why don't you go and sit down too?"

Qin Siyu suddenly took out a box and handed it to Chen Lie.

"This is a specially made Crystal Stone necklace from Outer Stars. I specially found it as a banquet gift to Chen Lie all the best in his future martial arts journey."

Chen Lie glanced at the box. He knew that this was a very precious luxury item for an ordinary family, so he said, "Didn't I tell Wang Hui that the students who came shouldn't bring any gifts or anything? Didn't he say that?"

He said that the gift was just a token of his appreciation.

You don't know, but Wang Hui actually invited more than twenty of his junior and senior high school classmates to the banquet. Many of these classmates had no connection with you; they just came to Wang Hui's name.

I thought, wouldn't Wang Hui be causing you trouble? So, after my persuasion, Wang Hui only brought these few people."

Chen Lie said "Oh," and then added, "That does sound like something Wang Hui would do."

Qin Siyu covered her mouth and chuckled, saying, "Just accept the gift I gave you. Okay, I won't bother you anymore, bye~"

Following Qin Siyu, she went to the table and sat down.

Chen Lie turned around and went to his parents' side.

When he reached a quiet spot, he suddenly heard a clear, cold voice.

"Chen Lie!"

Chen Lie stopped and looked back, only to find that it was Chen Ying who had called out to him.

"Oh, it's Sister Chen Ying. Is there something you need?"

Chen Ying glanced at Chen Lie, her emotions a mix of emotions, and said, "Congratulations on your great achievements in martial arts."

"It's truly rare to hear such a thing from you."

"Do you think I'm jealous of your martial arts talent?" Chen Ying questioned.

I didn't think that way.

"What you think is up to you, I don't care. The first two times, it was indeed my attitude that was bad."

I wanted to remind you that your second aunt's purpose in bringing your grandfather to the banquet today is not pure.

I think you should have a clear idea of what your specific purpose is.

"Okay, thank you for letting me know, Sister Chen Ying."

Upon hearing this, Chen Ying immediately turned and left.

At this time, Chen Gequn and Feng Yuelan had finished entertaining the guests.

"There shouldn't be many people coming, shall we announce the start?"

"It's almost time, but that classmate surnamed Luo from my son's Genius Group, who said he'd organize the Genius Group members to attend the banquet, hasn't arrived yet."

"Then let's wait a little longer?"

"Let's wait a little longer. The hotel manager just contacted a banquet emcee, but they haven't arrived yet!"

Just as Feng Yuelan and Chen Gequn were waiting, a beautiful woman of about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old walked over.

"Hello, Mr. Chen and Ms. Feng."

My name is Li Shumin, and I am a reporter from the Provincial TV Station. I have been invited to be the host of this banquet.

"A reporter from the Provincial TV Station?"

Chen Gequn and Feng Yuelan were both surprised. This Li Shumin was a celebrity in East River Province. In the past three years, she had always been present at any special event in East River Province. She was the top female host of the Provincial TV Station.

For example, when the Genius Group held a provincial martial arts competition, Li Shumin was invited to be the host of the competition.

"Thank you so much, Reporter Li, for taking time out of your busy schedule to host this small banquet. We are truly grateful."

Li Shumin said with a smile, "Please don't say that. Chen Lie is the first Three-Province Martial Champion in East River Province. This banquet is called Enrollment Banquet, but it is regarded as a champion banquet."

It is my honor to preside over the champion's seat for East River Province's first Three-Province Martial Champion.

Li Shumin saw Chen Lie walking up behind her and waved to him, saying, "Hello, Chen Lie, we meet again!"

"Hello, Reporter Li!" Chen Lie responded to Li Shumin.

Li Shumin glanced at the time and said, "Mr. Chen, Ms. Feng, I think it's almost time. Shall we begin the banquet?"

Feng Yuelan, thinking that there was still no news from the members of Luo Zhixun's Genius Group group, was about to suggest waiting a little longer, but Chen Lie said directly, "Let's begin!"

"OK!"

Li Shumin smiled slightly, took the microphone from the staff member, and walked onto the stage.

The hotel lobby was noisy and chaotic. The moment Li Shumin stepped onto the stage, the lights in the lobby suddenly dimmed.

All the lights instantly focused on the stage.

"Please be quiet, everyone. Our banquet will begin shortly."

A pleasant broadcast came from all directions of the hall, and everyone was surprised and quieted down, looking at the stage.

Good afternoon, everyone. First of all, please allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Li Shumin, and I am a reporter for East River Province TV Station.

I am honored to be here today, invited by yours truly, to stand on this stage and host the Enrollment Banquet for the only Martial Artist from three provinces in East River Province.

On stage, Li Shumin was captivatingly beautiful, leaving the guests below somewhat mesmerized.

Why would a reporter from the Provincial TV Station condescend to host such a small banquet?

"Is this because the Chen Family has become wealthy, or does this Three-Province Martial Champion really have such a high status?"

Feng Shanshan was surprised at a spot near the stage.

They even invited reporters from the Provincial TV Station? How can a college Enrollment Banquet be made so grand?

She knew her aunt's family's wealth and power; it was impossible for them to hire such a famous person from East River Province. The only possibility was that her cousin was so skilled in martial arts that the person came out of respect for him.

Three-Province Martial Champion —that's truly terrifying!

Feng Shanshan shook her head.

On stage, Li Shumin spoke again.

Before the banquet begins, I would like to inform our guests about the martial arts achievements of the main character of this banquet. Please listen carefully—