Chapter 266: Night Banquet Conflict
Tonight, Yunlan Sect was especially lively.
On Yingke Peak, lanterns were hung and drums beat loudly.
The high-ranking members of Yunlan Sect had all gathered here to welcome the arrival of Unmatched Tyrant Fist, Cao Youqian—one of the two peerless geniuses of this generation. The banquet was meant to leave a favorable impression on this prominent figure.
Aside from disciples brought by various elders, only true disciples were eligible to attend the banquet.
When Elder Chen arrived with Fang Mu, many people had already gathered on Yingke Peak.
Elder Chen warmly greeted his fellow sect members as they made their way through the crowd. Once they reached a quiet spot, he turned to Fang Mu and asked, "Xiao Mu, do you envy that genius Cao?"
Fang Mu nodded slightly. "A little. But I firmly believe that one day, I too will make a name for myself just like Senior Brother Cao."
"Good!"
Elder Chen was very pleased with Fang Mu's answer and said with a smile, "As long as you have that kind of spirit, I can rest easy. I'll go greet a few old friends—stay here for now. We'll enter together later."
"Yes, Teacher."
Although it was Fang Mu's first time attending a banquet of this level, he wasn't nervous at all. He didn't wander around, either—he simply scanned the crowd now and then, searching for a glimpse of Fang Linglong.
"Junior Brother Mu, you're here too?"
A pleasantly surprised voice sounded from behind. Fang Mu turned to see Fang Linglong smiling at him, dressed simply and elegantly.
Standing beside her was a tall, striking woman whose proud expression clearly showed she looked down on others.
"Senior Sister, you're here as well?"
Fang Mu ignored the haughty woman and greeted Fang Linglong politely.
The proud woman studied Fang Mu for a moment, then frowned. "Junior Sister Qinghe, who is this?"
Fang Linglong responded immediately, "Senior Sister Song, this is Fang Mu, Junior Brother Fang. Xiao Mu, greet Senior Sister Song. She's one of Yunlan Sect's ten true disciples."
Fang Mu was just about to bow when Senior Sister Song coldly interrupted, "No need. For Junior Sister Qinghe's sake, I'll give you a piece of advice. This is not a place for low-born servants like you. No matter who brought you here, I'll make sure the sect master holds them accountable."
Her tone was flat but carried a condescending arrogance that made everyone uncomfortable.
Fang Linglong immediately stepped forward to defend Fang Mu. "Senior Sister Song, how can you say such things? Junior Brother Mu is—"
"Enough!"
Senior Sister Song cut her off. "Qinghe, don't forget who you are. Besides, I'm not wrong. This brat is nothing more than a servant. No matter how talented he is, he has no right to be at a banquet like this. If you insist on shielding him, then leave with him."
Fang Mu sneered. "Hmph! So this is the great Yunlan Sect? I've long since lost the desire to stay here. Since I'm not welcome, I'll take my leave. Farewell, Senior Sister Qinghe."
"Junior Brother Mu, I'll go with you."
Fang Linglong had no intention of lowering herself to grovel. Besides, she knew that tonight, Song Zhaoyuan would surely try to use Cao Youqian's influence to pressure her into submission. Thinking of this, she stepped forward with a faint smile.
That smile was like a ray of spring sunlight—it warmed Fang Mu's heart.
Without knowing where the courage came from, Fang Mu took Fang Linglong's hand and turned to leave.
"Stop right there!"
An enraged voice halted them in their tracks.
The two turned around in unison and saw Song Zhaoyuan glaring at them with murderous fury, eyes nearly bursting with rage.
When Fang Linglong and his clan sister appeared at the banquet, Song Zhaoyuan had been approaching them. Seeing his cousin humiliate the servant Fang Mu had been immensely satisfying.
But never did he imagine things would turn out like this.
The commotion drew the attention of the surrounding youths, and their eyes shifted toward Fang Mu holding Qinghe Fairy's delicate hand. Subconsciously, many glanced up at Song Zhaoyuan's head.
Under the firelight, his hair looked particularly green.
This was going to be entertaining!
In that moment, the same thought flashed through everyone's mind—over the past few years, the Song family disciples had been strutting about, heads held high, ever since Song Zhaoyi became the Dao companion of Cao Youqian. Their arrogance had made it hard for others to breathe.
Now, seeing a Song clan member humiliated was a cause for silent celebration.
Fang Mu looked calmly at the furious Song Zhaoyuan and asked, "Senior Brother Song, do you still have something to say?"
"You can crawl out of here—but Qinghe stays. And don't forget—I said crawl."
Every word from Song Zhaoyuan was seething with rage. If his glare could kill, Fang Mu would've been shredded to pieces a thousand times over.
"What if I insist on taking Senior Sister Qinghe with me?"
"I'm sorry, but I'm going with Junior Brother Mu."
Fang Mu and Fang Linglong spoke almost in unison, and the moment the words fell, the two shared a smile.
To all onlookers, the implication was obvious—these two had developed feelings for each other. And now the drama was truly beginning.
The crowd's expressions were a mix of amusement, intrigue, and pity.
"Well, well… very good!"
Song Zhaoyuan shouted harshly, "I'd like to see how you plan on leaving this place tonight!"
As he spoke, a surge of True Fate Realm pressure burst from his body. The force made the surrounding onlookers instinctively back away, opening up a large space around them like a stage.
Fang Mu and Fang Linglong remained unafraid, releasing their own spiritual pressure in preparation for battle. In Fang Mu's heart, he silently resolved: If things reach the point of no return, I'll use the sword jade Master gave me and carve a path through.
"Enough!"
A powerful, booming voice suddenly broke through the tense standoff. Everyone instinctively looked toward the source of the voice and saw Elder Chen and several other elders hurrying over. Leading them was an elder from the Fang clan—Fang Linglong's uncle.
The disciples quickly bowed as the elders arrived. "Greetings, Elders."
"No need for formalities."
The leading Fang elder walked straight toward Fang Linglong with a dark expression. Seeing Fang Mu still holding her hand, he barked, "Nonsense! Qinghe, this is outrageous. Apologize to Nephew Song at once. And as for you, Fang Mu—get out. Neither Yunlan Sect nor the Fang clan has any need for a disciple who doesn't know his place."
"Elder Fang, those words are quite unfair."
Elder Chen immediately stepped forward to shield Fang Mu. "You haven't even asked who's right and who's wrong—how can you make such a judgment?"
"Hmm…"
Elder Fang furrowed his brow. "Elder Chen, when did your hand grow so long that you feel the need to meddle in Fang clan affairs?"
Elder Chen smiled. "Brother Fang, I have no interest in your clan's internal matters. But as long as Fang Mu remains in Yunlan Sect, he is my registered disciple. I may not be able to pass him supreme techniques, but I can certainly ensure he's not bullied."
"Heh."
Song Zhaoyuan chuckled coldly. "Elder Chen, you really think you're someone important, don't you? My brother-in-law will be here any moment. If he steps in, are you sure you can still protect this lowly servant?"
"If Cao Tianjiao weren't coming tonight, I might hesitate to say this."
Elder Chen stroked his beard and continued calmly, "But precisely because he is coming, I dare to say—none of you can touch Fang Mu today."
He paused for a beat, then declared, "Since things have come this far, I won't hide it anymore—Fang Mu is also a disciple of Half-Saint Chu from Wendao Academy. He is Junior Brother to none other than Cao Tianjiao himself!"
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