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"No big deal. If someone saw it, worst case, I'd just marry you. What's there to be scared of?"
Hearing that, Lin Feng patted his chest confidently. But the moment those words left his mouth, he suddenly felt a sharp, intense gaze locked onto him. He raised his head toward the source of that glare.
"Cao Xiu?"
Seeing the jealousy burning in the other party's eyes, Lin Feng glanced at the charming face beside him and muttered in his heart, 'Looks like Cao Xiu is jealous. So he also has feelings for Cao Ying?'
But thinking of the ambiguous relationship between him and Cao Ying, Lin Feng shook his head. 'Forget it. I'm not letting go anyway. He can feel however he wants.'
Right then, Cao Ying beside him suddenly spoke, "Looks like it's about to start."
"What?"
Hearing her sudden and seemingly random comment, Lin Feng blinked in confusion.
He stopped paying attention to Cao Xiu and looked toward the beauty next to him. When he noticed Cao Ying's gaze fixed on the main seat above, he also followed her line of sight.
Then he saw the Cao Clan's Clan Leader slowly rise to his feet.
"Cough, cough~"
The soft cough echoed throughout the grand hall. The sound wasn't loud, but somehow every single person in the venue heard it clearly.
Lin Feng narrowed his eyes slightly. He knew whatever the Cao Clan's Clan Leader was about to say was likely the real reason he gathered so many people here today. Of course, he wasn't the only one who thought this.
Anyone with half a brain had already guessed it. So the moment the cough sounded, the thousands of people filling the venue instantly fell silent.
"Everyone, thank you for coming all this way to celebrate my birthday. I offer my gratitude."
With that, the Cao Clan's Clan Leader cupped his hands slightly toward the crowd.
Everyone rushed to return the gesture, terrified of being a beat too slow and offending the Cao Clan — after all, if the family refused to refine pills for them in the future, they'd be doomed.
At this moment, the Cao Clan's Clan Leader continued, "At the same time, there is another matter. After discussing with Leader Xuan Kongzi, we have decided to announce it today as well."
Hearing this, the crowd collectively held their breath and perked up their ears, eager to know what the Cao Clan was planning. Even Dan Xuan and the elder beside him stopped their chat and focused on the Cao Clan's Clan Leader.
Soon after the family head finished speaking, Xuan Kongzi stood up.
Then he spoke casually, "Since Cao Ying's progress has become incredibly rapid, there is nothing more I can teach her. So after careful consideration, I have decided that my disciple — Cao Ying — shall graduate!"
The moment his words landed, the hall — already quiet — became utterly silent, dead still.
So silent that even a needle falling would have sounded piercingly loud.
"Whoa!"
That silence lasted only a second before it exploded.
The uproar was so loud it felt like the ceiling might be blown off. Dishes clattered as people dropped their utensils in shock, the sound of bowls and plates being hit echoing throughout the venue.
Even Lin Feng frowned slightly when he heard it. After all, on the Dou Qi Continent, for a disciple to graduate, their strength must surpass or at least equal their teacher's. Yet Cao Ying — whether in Dou Qi or alchemy — had not reached that level.
Which meant the current situation could only mean one thing… severing the teacher-student relationship!
But judging from Xuan Kongzi's demeanor, although he clearly didn't want to continue their relationship, he also didn't want the break to appear too ugly on the surface.
Cao Clan's strength was definitely nothing to scoff at. If Xuan Kongzi directly expelled Cao Ying and embarrassed the Cao Clan in front of everyone. Then afterward, even he, Xuan Kongzi, wouldn't have a peaceful day!
"Who would've thought a small matter I dismissed back then would turn into this. Truly, fate is unpredictable."
Looking at the crowd staring at him blankly, Xuan Kongzi couldn't help but feel helpless.
Back when he agreed to help Xiao Yan seize the Heavenly Flame from Lin Feng. He thought that with several Dou Zun experts taking action against a young man who hadn't even reached Dou Zun, it would be the easiest thing in the world.
So he casually offered Lin Feng as a "favor" to Xuan Yi and Yao Chen. But unexpectedly, not only were those Dou Zun experts all killed by Lin Feng, even he ended up getting dragged into trouble.
Step by step, things turned into this mess. Now, with nothing behind him but a bottomless cliff, how could he possibly turn back? Even knowing the road ahead was dangerous, he had no choice but to keep moving forward.
The hall remained silent for a long time.
A few minutes later, someone finally snapped out of his shock and murmured, "Looks like the Cao Clan and the Pill Tower Leaders have fallen out. Otherwise they wouldn't let Cao Ying graduate early."
"Shut up. Do you wanna die?!"
Before the man even finished speaking, the person beside him yanked his sleeve sharply and hissed.
Hearing that, the first man instantly understood and stammered, "Right, right, I don't know anything."
"You guys are for real, huh!"
Elsewhere, Lin Feng finally recovered from shock. He let out a helpless laugh and looked at Cao Ying. "You guys weren't joking about this?"
"What do you think?"
Cao Ying shot him an annoyed glance and continued, "I'm already in this situation, and you don't even know how to comfort me."
Hearing that, Lin Feng tugged helplessly at the corner of his mouth.
Right now, everyone's attention was gathered on them. Even if he wanted to comfort her, it wasn't like he could do it properly. He couldn't exactly hold Cao Ying tightly in front of thousands of people and comfort her affectionately, right?
After announcing the matter, the Cao Clan's Clan Leader laughed heartily and declared that the banquet would continue. Meanwhile, many Cao Clan servants hurriedly brought out new sets of tableware.
After all, earlier many people had dropped their utensils under the table out of shock. But even with the new tableware placed before them, nobody had the mood to eat or drink anymore. Everyone lowered their heads and whispered among themselves.
What they were discussing — anyone with half a brain could guess — was all related to Cao Ying's early graduation. These people weren't stupid. Based on what they'd seen, it was obvious that the Cao Clan had fallen out with Xuan Kongzi.
In that case, they had to decide which direction to lean.
Stand with the alchemist clan Cao Clan? Or with Pill Tower Leader Xuan Kongzi? Or… become a fence-sitter, waiting to see who ended up stronger before choosing a side.
**
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