Maple City Banquet

Elder Yao chuckled and said, "Enough, you glib-tongued brat. You've been training in the back mountains for two months now, yet you haven't mastered the Flame Cloud Fist at all, nor has your cultivation made any progress. And you still have the nerve to laugh!"

Xiao Yan could only nod, then turned back to continue his training.

Just as Xiao Yan stepped onto the wooden stake once more, the system's notification chime rang out.

No way, Yun Potian has broken through again! Xiao Yan shouted in his heart.

Name: Xiao Yan
Age: 16 years and 6 months
Strength: Nine-Star Da Dou Shi
Alchemist Rank: Third-Grade Alchemist
Cultivation Method: Burning Decision (Xuan-Tier High-Grade)
Dou Skills: Eight Extremities Collapse (Xuan-Tier High-Grade), Mystic Divination Palm (Xuan-Tier Low-Grade), Heaven Collapsing Technique (Xuan-Tier High-Grade), Flame Splitting Wave-Devouring Ruler (Di-Tier Low-Grade), Flame Cloud Fist (Di-Tier Low-Grade)
Summoned Experts: Hai Bodong (Seven-Star Dou Huang), Eight-Winged Black Emperor Snake (Peak Dou Huang), Yun Potian (Five-Star Dou Wang)
Summoned Count: 3/4
Exotic Fire: Myriad Beast Spirit Fire, Green Lotus Core Flame
Items: Mysterious Heavy Ruler
Summoning Talisman: One Intermediate Summoning Talisman
Summoning Points: 4000 (Can be used to exchange for various items in the System Mall)

Xiao Yan sighed. For a kid like Yun Potian to reach this level without any cheats was already quite an achievement.

It was no wonder the people of the Ancient Clan had heard of his name; it seemed he really had been quite formidable back in his day.

Seeing Xiao Yan slacking off, Elder Yao immediately snapped, "I see you slacking off! Now, add another ten thousand punches immediately!"

Xiao Yan: "..."

Inside Maple City, music and dance filled the air.

People bustled back and forth, the atmosphere lively and vibrant. Because Han Feng was hosting a grand banquet, the people of Maple City were also in high spirits.

This served as a side testament to Han Feng's dominance over Maple City.

Dressed in blue ceremonial robes, Han Feng stood in the sky above Maple City, his Dou Qi manifested into wings, welcoming the factions arriving for the banquet.

Han Feng had his own agenda this time. Several groups of people with Dou Qi wings had already arrived; everyone attending this banquet was a powerhouse at the Dou Wang level.

Only when Yin Gu Lao, Su Mei, and Tie Wu arrived did Han Feng personally step out to greet them.

"Medicine Emperor, you look truly radiant today. It seems a breakthrough to the Dou Zong level is just around the corner!" Yin Gu Lao said with a smile.

"Heh heh heh, it seems all of you have also made progress in your strength. It appears the status of our Black-Corner Region on the continent is rising ever higher!" Han Feng replied with a casual laugh.

After inviting everyone inside, they took their seats in Han Feng's residence. He looked up, waiting to see who else would arrive.

Yin Gu Lao spoke first, "I heard this Xiao Sect is also on the invitation list. What exactly is Han Feng planning?"

Su Mei remarked, "I expect he wants to suppress those two newcomers, having us sit here together to apply pressure."

Tie Wu shook his head and laughed, "I don't think so. After all, those two sect masters of the Xiao Sect actually defeated the Gold and Silver Elders. To say nothing of the rest, even the Gold and Silver Elders are not people the three of us could easily take down."

Su Mei huffed, and Yin Gu Lao added, "Having more friends is certainly better, but if we gain more enemies, that would be troublesome."

Just then, Fan Lao arrived with Fan Ling and a large group of people.

Fan Lao first cupped his hands toward the group and said, "I have arrived a bit late, please forgive me, everyone."

Han Feng smiled and said, "How could this be late? Sect Master Fan, please, take your seat."

Fan Lao led Fan Ling and his group into Han Feng's residence, then walked alone toward the table where Yin Gu Lao and the others were sitting.

He sat down.

"How has Sect Master Fan been lately?" Yin Gu Lao asked first.

Fan Lao angrily flicked his sleeve and muttered, "Good? What's good about it? That damn Xiao Sect has turned everything upside down. Several Dou Wang elders from my sect have even run off to join the Xiao Sect!"

Seeing this, Tie Wu laughed, "Sect Master Fan, perhaps they just realized the two sect masters of the Xiao Sect are powerful and wanted to find a better backer."

Fan Lao helplessly spread his hands. He dared not say anything more; after all, he wasn't the one hosting this gathering, and with the strength of his sect alone, trying to move against the Xiao Sect would undoubtedly be like throwing an egg against a rock.

Finally, the last veteran faction, the Eight-Fan Sect, arrived. The leader of the Eight-Fan Sect, Yuan Yi, had built his fortune through the auction business, so he did not involve himself too deeply in the conflicts between various factions.

Han Feng smiled at Yuan Yi, "Sect Master Yuan, you are a bit late today, aren't you?"

Yuan Yi laughed, "Medicine Emperor, please don't take offense. I didn't come empty-handed today."

After he spoke, the people behind him brought in a great many items. Yuan Yi continued, "Medicine Emperor, these are all medicinal herbs. I believe you won't be able to refuse them."

Han Feng sighed, then said, "Then I thank Sect Leader Yuan. If there is anything you need in the future, just say the word."

With Han Feng's words, Yuan Yi let out a sigh of relief, proving that his trip had not been in vain.

Once Yuan Yi had taken his seat, Han Feng remained waiting at the head of the table.

Everyone knew without needing to guess that he was waiting for the two sect leaders of the Xiao Sect.

Suddenly, everyone felt a chill wash over them, and then a massive figure circled in the sky above, nearly obscuring the moon.

Looking up at the behemoth, Han Feng hurriedly said, "This must be Sect Leader White Fang of the Xiao Sect, please retract your form!"

Fan Lao let out a cold snort and said impatiently, "What is the meaning of this? Do you not know the rules within Maple City? Are you trying to start a war with us?"

Tie Wu said, "They are newcomers; it is normal for them not to understand such things. Besides, the Medicine Emperor hasn't said anything yet, so what is your problem?"

Seeing the two on the verge of a confrontation, Yuan Yi quickly changed the subject.

"The sect leaders of this Xiao Sect are quite interesting, choosing such an entrance."

White Fang scanned the area from above, and finding no signs of an ambush, he shrank his body and flew down.

Hai Bodong also suddenly appeared before Han Feng, cupping his hands toward the group and saying, "I am Hai Bodong, Sect Leader of the Xiao Sect, known to many as the Ice Emperor. You may all address me as such."

"Lord Ice Emperor, since this is our first meeting, let us talk slowly." Han Feng smiled and invited the two inside.

White Fang coiled himself into a ball and said, "No need. I only came to take a look. If you have anything to discuss, talk to Hai Bodong. I shall take my leave!"

With that, White Fang vanished from the spot, the terrifying aura he left behind giving everyone a clear realization.

The strength of White Fang, this Eight-Winged Black Emperor Snake, was infinitely close to that of a Dou Zong, having even reached the level of a half-step Dou Zong.

Fan Lao whispered, "No wonder they were able to defeat the Gold and Silver Elders; it seems this snake played no small part."

Yin Gu Lao also thought to himself, This Eight-Winged Black Emperor Snake alone is stronger than anyone else present. It seems this Xiao Sect came well-prepared.

With Hai Bodong in his seat, Han Feng also sat down.

Hai Bodong watched the people present in silence, and everyone was still unsure of the purpose behind Han Feng's gathering.

Han Feng coughed twice, drawing everyone's gaze toward him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I do indeed wish to discuss something with you all. But before that, I would like to say a few things regarding the matters between us."