Shen Lang shot Hao Fengliu a sideways glance. "It’s only been a few days. How do you know about this in such detail?"

Hao Fengliu shrugged. "You two are in the same boat as Shang Xiaoran. To deal with you, I had to investigate you thoroughly."

"Besides, this business with Qin Tianfeng and Ying Xin has caused a huge uproar. Anyone who isn’t a total shut-in has heard about it, right? If you don’t believe me, just ask any of the disciples here."

The surrounding disciples all nodded, their expressions complicated.

Shen Lang tapped the cane in his hand against his palm twice. "I see. What perfect timing. They’re holding the engagement ceremony now?"

"I think... I think all the peaks sent people to Shao Hufeng to offer their congratulations. From the Outer Sect, many of the Peak Masters have gone in person," Shu Lan whispered.

The implication was that even Wang Dashu had gone to offer his congratulations.

Shen Lang hadn’t known Zheng Donghong for long, but he knew that despite his frail appearance, Zheng Donghong was strong-willed, possessed a rich sense of justice, and always stood up for the wronged.

This was his first friend in the Upper Profound Dao Sect.

It was also thanks to Zheng Donghong’s Celestial Profound Order that Shen Lang had even qualified to enter the Wooden Man Alley.

Shen Lang turned his head and said, "Sis, you stay here and chat with Ziyan. I’m taking a trip to Shao Hufeng."

"Alright. Try not to cause too much trouble. Be careful." Shen Moran said no more, simply giving a light nod.

Shen Lang delayed no longer, turning and heading for the Seven-Colored Spirit Vulture grounds.

The crowd gathered there exchanged glances, speechless for a long moment.

"Let’s go! We’ll go back him up!"

It was unclear who shouted it first.

"Let’s go! All of us!" the crowd roared in agreement, immediately rushing after Shen Lang.

Without a second thought, the two brothers, Shen Jianfeng and Shen Jian, blended into the crowd to watch the spectacle unfold.

Tian Hao, who looked like a mummy, had people carry him. Tailing Yan Qi, he swayed unsteadily along with the group.

’This is quite a turnout... Forget it. I can already guess what’s going to happen, so there’s no point in watching.’ Chu Qingcheng looked at Shen Lang’s retreating back, then at Shen Moran who stayed behind, feeling torn.

...

「Shao Hufeng.」

The moment they dismounted the Seven-Colored Spirit Vulture, someone immediately came up to greet them.

"Which peak are you disciples from? Are you here for the banquet? May I ask if you have an invitation?"

Shen Lang swept his gaze over the area, seeing many Shao Hufeng disciples inside and outside the grounds, receiving guests who had arrived at Shao Hufeng.

A continuous stream of people was heading up the mountain path outside the grounds.

These disciples in charge of reception were all dressed festively, with smiles on their faces that held a hint of arrogance.

The large trees by the path ahead and both sides of the mountain trail were decorated with fresh flowers and colorful ribbons.

Shen Lang couldn’t help but sneer. "A mere Spirit Martial Realm Fifth Heaven disciple forcibly steals a woman, and Shao Hufeng throws a celebration with the entire peak’s backing. It’s like they want the whole world to know about the disgusting things they’ve done. Shamelessness truly knows no bounds!"

"Apologies. I’m not here to celebrate. I’m here to crash the party!"

The moment the words left his mouth, a dozen or so people swarmed him.

"Brat, today is Senior Brother Qin’s joyous occasion. Are you looking for trouble on a day like this because you have a death wish?"

The leader of the group was massive, blocking Shen Lang’s path like a brick wall.

The big guy glanced at the crowd behind Shen Lang, noticed a few familiar faces, and immediately snorted, "So you’re from Songdu Peak! Hmph, since when did people from Songdu Peak get so bold? I’ll give you one minute. Get out of here right now, or else..."

BAM!

Before the big guy could finish his sentence, Shen Lang kicked him into the air, sending him crashing into three or four other people.

"You’re courting death!"

Knowing these people were from the Outer Sect’s Songdu Peak, the Shao Hufeng disciples’ faces grew even uglier. They immediately closed in, attacking viciously with the intent to cripple Shen Lang on the spot.

Shen Lang watched them attack, the bamboo cane in his hand flashing out like lightning!

This wasn’t a sparring session with his fellow disciples on Songdu Peak. Shen Lang was genuinely enraged.

A single strike for each. In an instant, all dozen of them had been hit several times, leaving them howling in agony and crying for their parents.

In just two minutes, the entire group of boisterous Shao Hufeng disciples was on the ground, unable to get back up.

Just like that, Shen Lang carried his bamboo cane and fought his way up the steps!

Anyone on the path who dared to block him was met with the bamboo rod; none could withstand more than three blows before collapsing!

The Seven-Colored Spirit Vulture grounds weren’t far from the summit. By the time someone above saw the trouble and went to report it, Shen Lang had already arrived at the summit with his massive entourage.

The summit of Shao Hufeng was a bustling sea of people, extraordinarily lively.

On the vast plaza, red carpets were laid out and festive lanterns and banners were hung. People milled about everywhere.

The moment Shen Lang’s group appeared, several disciples with astonishing auras immediately appeared to block his path.

A handsome, jade-faced youth held out a hand to stop them. "You must be Shen Lang, right? Today is Senior Brother Qin’s joyous occasion. I don’t want to resort to violence with you. You should stop while you’re ahead."

"Senior Brother, what’s there to say to someone like him? A mere Outer Disciple dares to come here courting death? Just beat him and throw him out!"

"Hmph, Songdu Peak! What a joke, Songdu Peak! I’ve already sent someone to inform Wang Dashu. He’ll be here soon. I’d like to see how he explains this to our Master!"

"A bunch of nobodies from the Outer Sect must have grown some serious nerve to come to our Shao Hufeng and cause trouble. It seems our Shao Hufeng has been too low-key lately!"

The Shao Hufeng disciples spat, their anger uncontrollable.

The Profound Dao Sect’s Inner Sect had only nine peaks in total, and any single one of them held a status countless times higher than that of the Outer Sect.

Thus, in their great anger, some even dared to refer to the Master of Songdu Peak by his full name!

And these were just ordinary disciples of Shao Hufeng!

With a flick of his fingers, Shen Lang snapped the bamboo cane in his hand and tossed it aside.

Without another word, he took two steps forward. Like a tiger pouncing on a flock of sheep, he grabbed the two men in front of him and threw them aside!

Then, his legs lashed out in a flurry of kicks, as fast as lightning and as swift as thunder!

Each of his kicks was direct and exceedingly simple.

But the speed of each kick was so fast that the naked eye could barely follow.

And the power contained within each kick was ferocious and unmatched!

His momentum was as fierce as the wrath of the Thunder God!

The strength of his assault was unrivaled!

"Shen Lang, stop this at once!"

A furious roar echoed out. Songdu Peak’s Grand Elder Tian Mohan and a group of people were rushing over. Though they were still far away, his voice arrived like a crack of thunder.

Although Tian Mohan had gleaned a little from the Sect Leader’s evasive tone that day and guessed that Shen Lang might be highly favored...

...he still didn’t know the full extent of it, or just how favored he was.

Now, seeing Shen Lang fighting his way onto Shao Hufeng, he almost spat out a mouthful of old blood and fainted on the spot.

Songdu Peak was considered one of the weaker peaks even among the Outer Sect.

Let alone now, on the turf of the Inner Sect’s Shao Hufeng?

In every aspect, Songdu Peak was far inferior to Shao Hufeng.

Even with his seniority, as the martial uncle of Shao Hufeng’s Peak Master Lin Bucai, he would still have to bow respectfully upon meeting Lin Bucai here.

It couldn’t be helped.

He never, ever would have imagined that during such a joyous event for Shao Hufeng, Shen Lang would actually fight his way all the way up!

This was directly pushing Songdu Peak into the position of being Shao Hufeng’s mortal enemy!

Behind Tian Mohan, Wang Dashu wore a strange expression, his thoughts unreadable, but from his face, he clearly wasn’t very worried.

And behind them, the Peak Masters and Elders of many other peaks had varied expressions, but most looked like they were enjoying the spectacle at Songdu Peak’s expense.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

Shen Lang didn’t listen to Tian Mohan and stop; instead, he sped up, his legs continuously lashing out like whips!

By the time everyone came to their senses, all the Shao Hufeng disciples who had been blocking Shen Lang had been sent flying. Not a single one could get back up.

Shen Lang fiercely stomped his right foot on the ground, and his body shot into the air like an arrow.

Then, with a loud CRASH, he landed on the high platform in the center of the plaza, sending stone fragments flying everywhere!

Shen Lang steadied himself, extending his right hand flat, palm facing up.

"Today, I, Shen Lang, will sweep this entire peak!"

The clear, cold, and incomparably domineering words issued from his lips.

In the plaza on Shao Hufeng’s summit, the original clamor suddenly vanished. The plaza, filled with several thousand people, became deathly silent!