This time, she had chosen not to veil her face with gauze. She was representing the Xu Household at this banquet and had to give the Wan Household its due respect.
The two walked out of the Xu Household together, drawing countless servants to stop and watch. Their young lady was as beautiful as a heavenly immortal, a fairy-like presence in every servant's heart.
They boarded the waiting carriage. Its interior was spacious, and they sat facing each other, neither speaking.
"How much do you know about the Wan Household?"
Liu Wuxie broke the silence. The Hundred Demon Gathering was not as simple as it appeared.
"A hundred years ago, the Wan Household's ancestor suddenly rose from a beggar overnight. He obtained a mysterious Beast Taming Technique and, relying on his powerful beast-taming abilities, built beast-fighting arenas to provide martial artists with places to train. Even many prodigies from Imperial Capital City came to observe. The current head, Wan Rongzhe, is an ambitious and ruthless figure in his own right. He was the one who tamed that fourth-tier Demon Beast, making his name resound throughout the Great Yan Imperial Dynasty."
Xu Lingxue explained slowly. She had a thorough grasp of the information on every lineage in Canglan City.
"A Beast Taming Technique. Interesting!"
He rubbed his nose. In his previous life in the Immortal Realm, there had indeed been sects such as the Beast Controlling Studio, which possessed unique skills in beast taming.
Through a chance encounter, he had once exchanged insights with the Beast Controlling Studio's sect master and learned much about controlling beasts from him. Only afterward did he discover that their so-called beast-controlling techniques merely involved learning certain habits of Demon Beasts and training them accordingly.
A true Beast Controlling Technique required not only understanding the Demon Race's habits but also knowing its language. Only that was the true way of controlling beasts.
There were many kinds of Demon Beasts. Some possessed extremely high intelligence and, after cultivating to a certain level, could assume human form and speak human language.
Most were low-level Demon Beasts whose intelligence fell far short of humans. The best way to tame them was to thoroughly understand their habits and find weaknesses that could restrain them. Only then would they obediently follow commands.
Naturally, he would not tell Xu Lingxue any of this. The carriage rolled slowly onward. This Hundred Demon Gathering was being held at the Wan Household's largest beast-fighting arena.
It occupied an area dozens of li across, with the Sunset Mountain Range at its back. It had four gates, one reserved for Demon Beasts, while the other three allowed people to enter and leave freely.
Over half a two-hour period later, the carriage stopped near the eastern gate. The two alighted and presented their invitations, and the Wan Household's guards enthusiastically escorted them inside.
They passed along a long covered bridge, and the space within abruptly widened. The pillars on either side had been carved from rough blocks of bluestone, giving them an ancient, weathered appearance.
Below the covered bridge lay one beast-fighting arena after another. Bloodstains that had not been fully cleaned away still marked the ground, and waves of bloody stench wafted upward.
After they crossed the covered bridge, the view ahead suddenly opened up. They entered a viewing area covering roughly tens of thousands of square meters, divided into several sections.
There were three tiers, with sections of different sizes. Ordinary people entered through the western gate to reach their seats, members of smaller lineages entered through the northern gate, and the four great lineages and the various prodigies entered through the eastern gate.
The divisions of rank were strict. The eastern section was the smallest, accommodating around a thousand people, with tables arranged in neat rows.
The moment they entered, a clamor of voices greeted them. Many people had already arrived, and as soon as the two stepped inside, numerous gazes turned toward them.
"Miss Xu, Young Master Liu, please come inside."
A Wan Household disciple stepped forward and greeted them warmly, inviting them in. Apart from the city lord, the four great lineages held the highest standing in Canglan City. Yet something was unusual today: several tables occupied positions above those of the four great lineages, clearly prepared for distinguished guests. Several talented young men were conversing quietly there.
"Thank you!"
Xu Lingxue spoke softly. With cherry lips, pearly teeth, and fragrant breath, she drew many people's attention.
"Isn't that the Xu Household's young lady? Why has she come too?"
An astonished cry rose from the crowd, and countless gazes swept toward her. So many people longed for a glimpse of the Xu Household's young lady's true appearance.
Even the ordinary seating section was stirred, exclamations of admiration rising one after another.
The sudden commotion interrupted the conversation of the talented young men seated in the places of honor, and they all looked over.
The young man in the middle suddenly narrowed his eyes, his gaze fixing on Xu Lingxue's face. Intense possessiveness flashed through his eyes before quickly vanishing.
"Who is that woman?"
The young man's breathing grew somewhat hurried. Born in Imperial Capital City, he had seen countless beauties, but the woman before him seemed to gather all the beauty under heaven into herself, perfect without a single flaw.
"Young Master Xue, her name is Xu Lingxue, the young lady of Canglan City's Xu Household. Just a few days ago, she married a piece of trash, though I've heard she's still a virgin."
The young man on the right hurried to his feet, his face full of flattery, and recounted everything about Xu Lingxue in detail.
The young man speaking was Tian Yequan, a prodigy of the Tian Household who had also been invited. This occasion was strange: none of the heads of the four great lineages had appeared, as though this banquet had been arranged specifically for the younger generation.
"I seem to have heard of her in Imperial Capital City. They call her Imperial Capital City's greatest beauty. Seeing her today, I find her far more beautiful than the rumors claimed."
Young Master Xue nodded. It was hardly surprising that word of such a peerless beauty had reached Imperial Capital City.
"For such a beauty to marry a piece of trash is truly a wanton waste of heaven's gifts. Only our Young Master Xue deserves such a delicate beauty."
The young man on the left also rose, his face equally ingratiating. His name was Wan Butong, an outstanding member of the Wan Household's younger generation. He was no weakling; rumor had it that he had already gained insight into innate spirit.
The subtle flattery pleased Young Master Xue greatly, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
Liu Wuxie and Xu Lingxue took their seats together. An empty table in front of them had been reserved for the Song Household.
The Wan Household's seats were to their left, the Song Household's in front, and the Tian Household's to their right. The Xu Household ranked last among the four great lineages, something evident from the arrangement of the tables and chairs alone.
Faced with the burning gazes all around her, Xu Lingxue showed a trace of displeasure but endured it. Her father had cautioned her to listen more, watch more, and speak less.
As for Liu Wuxie, a cold smile curled his lips. From the moment he entered, his gaze had swept around, taking in every face.
"Young Master Xue, shall I invite Miss Xu over?"
Wan Butong's tone was ingratiating. The Xue Household was renowned in Imperial Capital City, far beyond comparison with small lineages like theirs in Canglan City.
Young Master Xue said nothing. After a moment's thought, he stood up himself.
He felt that inviting her personally would be more persuasive.
The three rose together. Wan Butong and Tian Yequan followed behind him, descending a flight of steps until they reached Xu Lingxue. As for Liu Wuxie, they had long since ignored him.
"I am Xue Yu, a direct descendant of the Xue Household of Imperial Capital City. My greetings, Miss Xu."
Xue Yu presented himself as a refined gentleman and greeted her warmly, placing particular emphasis on being a direct descendant of the Xue Household of Imperial Capital City. That identity alone carried considerable weight.
The Xu Household had some standing in Canglan City, but in Imperial Capital City, it would not amount to even an ant. The Xue Household had Marrow Cleansing Realm experts.
Xu Lingxue nodded in acknowledgment without showing much surprise. She had heard a little about the Xue Household of Imperial Capital City. It was powerful.
"Would Miss Xu do me the honor of joining me at that table to watch? The view is much better than here." As he finished, he pointed to his table.
Xue Yu was right. His table had the best view, overlooking the entire beast-fighting arena, whereas the Xu Household's table offered a view of only about half of it.
"There's no need. Thank you for your kind regard, Young Master Xue, but I'll stay here."
Xu Lingxue lightly clenched her pearly teeth and refused outright. She strongly disliked Xue Yu's undisguised gaze. This man was far too possessive.
"Miss Xu, Young Master Xue is showing your Xu Household respect by inviting you. Don't spurn the face you're given."
Tian Yequan suddenly spoke. The Tian and Xu Households had already torn away all pretense of civility, so he no longer cared. Once they latched onto the great tree that was the Xue Household, the Tian Household would be able to run rampant through Canglan City.
Those words were rather harsh, openly using status to pressure them. Refusing to give Xue Yu face was equivalent to slapping the Xue Household in the face, and afterward, the Xu Household could forget about maintaining a foothold in Canglan City. Tian Yequan was vicious, killing two birds with one stone.
Not only did he flatter Xue Yu, but he also seized the opportunity to strike at the Xu Household. It was utterly malicious.
"Where did this stray dog come from, barking and yapping?"
An abrupt voice interrupted them. No one had expected Liu Wuxie, who had remained silent throughout, to suddenly speak and insult Tian Yequan by calling him a stray dog.
Xu Lingxue was his wife in name, the woman with whom he had performed the wedding rites. Of course, they had yet to consummate their marriage...
They were flirting with his wife right in front of her husband. As a man, if he still failed to stand up, he would be more than merely trash-he would be impotent.
"You piece of trash! Who are you calling a stray dog?"
Tian Yequan slammed the table, his loud voice drawing countless gazes from every direction. The Song Household's people had also arrived by then and were watching them with peculiar expressions.
"Who's the stray dog insulting?"
Liu Wuxie shot back.
"The stray dog's insulting you!"
Tian Yequan immediately answered, only realizing afterward that something was wrong. The others caught on and burst into laughter.
"You... you actually called me a stray dog!"
Tian Yequan was furious. He had fallen into Liu Wuxie's trap and called himself a stray dog, leaving him seething with rage.
A hint of a smile appeared at the corner of Xu Lingxue's mouth. With just a few words, he had made Tian Yequan stamp with fury, successfully striking back without a single profanity. Soon, however, a trace of worry returned to her face. The Xue Household stood high above them, and the Xu Household could not afford to offend it.
Only then did Xue Yu properly examine Liu Wuxie for the first time. He had learned from others that the Xu Household's live-in son-in-law was a piece of trash, and judging by his cultivation, he truly was.
On the True Martial Continent, martial artists reigned supreme, and cultivation determined everything.
"You certainly have a way with words, Young Master Liu. I'm impressed. I heard you cannot cultivate and were beaten out of the bridal chamber on your wedding night. Is that true?"
Xue Yu's tone was snide. The Tian and Wan Households had spent the past few years currying favor with the Xue Household, and he had come to the Hundred Demon Gathering at their invitation. Slapping the Tian Household in the face had caused Xue Yu to lose face as well.
The Tian Household was like a dog raised by the Xue Household. When someone beat the dog, its master naturally could not stand idly by.
This was naked mockery. The matter had long since become a laughingstock in Canglan City. Liu Wuxie's face immediately darkened, while Xu Lingxue's face became covered in frost. She had not expected so much trouble before the Hundred Demon Gathering had even begun.
"If I were trash like that, I would have left Canglan City long ago. How does he still have the nerve to live?"
Wan Butong chimed in. Naturally, he would not miss such an opportunity to flatter Xue Yu.
"Exactly. Trash like him is wasting air just by living."
Unwilling to fall behind, Tian Yequan joined in as the two hurled all manner of taunts. A wisp of killing intent shot from Liu Wuxie's eyes, marking all three of them for death.