"However," he lamented, "thanks to that despicable Chicken Stealing Demon and his mad massacre, the South Shore Spirit Tail Chicken is almost extinct!" Then he continued to curse and insult the Chicken Stealing Demon. His female companion joined in, until all the surrounding guests echoed their sentiments.

In response to everyone's condemnation of the Chicken Stealing Demon, Yan Xiaobao awkwardly cleared his throat.

It was at this moment that a group of newcomers rushed in, a group of handsome elite tribe members from cultivation families gathered around a young woman. She wore a long white robe, like a blooming lotus, with the most beautiful skin, her long hair bound with a silver hairpin. She walked gently adorned with pearls and jewels. The starlight in her eyes made her look even more beautiful.

Unfortunately, her delicate beauty was somewhat marred by her frown; clearly, she was concerned with some important matters. However, as she conversed quietly with a young man escorting her, she tried her best to put on a smile.

Though the young man tried to hide it, the passion in his eyes was visible when he listened to her.

That young woman was Du Lingfei.

She immediately became the focus of all attention. Moreover, there was something about her, some energy or power that compelled everyone in her presence to bow.

No matter how many people gathered around her, Yan Xiaobao immediately noticed her. Initially, he nearly appeared to be in a daze. They hadn't seen each other for years, yet she seemed more familiar than ever. However, she was more beautiful than before. There was something nobler about her, perhaps from wielding power for a long time.

She was clearly different from the kind of rude and unruly beauty during their first encounter. Over time, the old version of Du Lingfei and this updated, more beautiful version slowly merged together.

Yan Xiaobao had parted ways during their time, and so had she. Due to her subtle control over Eastwood City affairs, cultivation families lived in harmony, something most outsiders found incredible.

"Goddess Ling Fei..." Li Youdao said, his eyes sparkling with admiration. He was somewhat attracted to her the first time he saw her. However, it was her clever manipulation of the cultivation tribes that made him completely enamored.

The courtesan sitting next to him paled in comparison, and she knew it. Faced with the powerful Du Lingfei, she had no choice but to bow her head.

At this moment, Hou Yunqing leaned towards Yan Xiaobao and whispered, "Goddess Ling Fei arrived in Eastwood City without a word. I remember she often gazed toward the Spiritual Flow Sect, pondering something. Who would have thought she would accomplish so much for herself? Past envoys had never completed everything she possessed. She maintained peace between the clans, bringing unprecedented harmony.

"It's said that some clan leaders were deeply impressed and persuaded the Spiritual Flow Sect to repeatedly update her Envoy Committee."

Just when Li Youdao gazed at her with twinkling eyes, Hou Yunqing complained to Yan Xiaobao about Du Lingfei listening to the young man beside her. Just as she was about to take a step forward, her gaze passed through the crowd and fell on Li Youdao's table.

Her eyes widened, a tremor of disbelief surged through her. Suddenly, it seemed everyone around her disappeared, leaving only one person in her world.

She gasped, starting to walk towards the table. Everyone was shocked to see her do this, especially Li Youdao, who trembled as he stood.

"Sh-she's actually coming to see me!!!" His thoughts began to whirl, his heart began to pump crazily. He couldn't stop the joy from filling his face, and he immediately started walking towards her.

"Goddess Ling Fei..." he said. Just as he prepared to say more, Du Lingfei walked past without even sparing him a glance. His jaw dropped; he stiffly watched over his shoulder as Du Lingfei paused in front of the table, specifically looking at one person.

"Yan Xiaobao, you're here..." Her gaze was tantalizing as she stood there. Her eyes were beautiful, like shining satellites, each person looking at her couldn't stop their hearts from filling with passion.

The moment she mentioned Yan Xiaobao's name, the hustle and bustle of the banquet turned to complete silence. Trembling, people began to turn their heads to look at Yan Xiaobao.

Everyone knew Yan Xiaobao was a Reputation Disciple of the Spiritual Flow Sect and the Sect Leader's younger brother. The latest news was that he had recently gone to a Foundation Holy Land.

"Yes, I'm here," he said with a smile. Suddenly, he recalled the moment they escaped the Luochen in the cave, how she sat by the fire, her face pale, yet so beautiful.

Hou Yunqing's face showed a hint of surprise. He took a few steps back, stumbling in the process, pointing with his finger, raising his voice as loudly as possible. "You-you... you're Yan Xiaobao!?!?"

It was at the same moment that people from various cultivation tribes began pulling out jade slips from their collections, as news arrived from their tribes.

In an instant, the surprise that had just grasped their hearts turned into a shock wave. People began to gasp, looking at Yan Xiaobao, their minds dazed.

All various jade slips contained similar information.

"Yan Xiaobao has arrived at the Heavenly Dao Foundation! Any tribe members who meet him should show the utmost respect. Immediately notify the tribe and receive a generous reward!!" Yan Xiaobao looked around at the vast numbers of cultivation family members, contemplating how glorious this situation was. From the expression of utter shock on Hou Yunqing's face, it seemed he had just realized the astonishing identity of the person he was associating with. Although Yan Xiaobao found his behavior somewhat despicable, it still felt good to receive such treatment.

He dryly coughed, patted Hou Yunqing's shoulder and said, "Well, that's enough of this act. Your big brother Hou Yunfei told me about you not so long ago."

Hou Yunqing stood up, looking a bit embarrassed. The truth was, due to his position in the Hou Family, he recognized Yan Xiaobao the moment he stepped into the shop. The Hou Clan had long spread the news about Yan Xiaobao within the tribe.

Hou Yunqing knew that his clan siblings and Yan Xiaobao were on good terms, and he himself hoped to somehow befriend him, but never had. When the opportunity suddenly appeared to approach an important figure like Yan Xiaobao, he had to strike while the iron was hot. Of course, when flattering someone, the best thing is not to be too direct. That way, the flattered person feels more comfortable.

That's why things played out the way they did on their way to the banquet... Actually, Hou Yunqing was prepared for Yan Xiaobao to see through his trick. In fact, Yan Xiaobao's mysterious smile along the way led Hou Yunqing to reach such a conclusion. However, that didn't stop him from continuing to flatter as much as possible.

Yan Xiaobao looked at Du Lingfei, who glanced back at him. However, there was no time to sit and reminisce. People from cultivation tribes immediately began gathering around Yan Xiaobao, offering formal greetings in tones of extreme respect, each one warmer than the last.

When Du Lingfei saw so many people seizing the opportunity to greet Yan Xiaobao, and how he stood proudly with hands clasped behind his back, she couldn't help but smile, recalling everything that happened when being pursued by the Luochen Clan.

Mixed emotions quickly swirled in her eyes, and she sighed. However, even in the midst of her sigh, her expression suddenly flickered, and she stepped forward to stand beside Yan Xiaobao.

The moment she stepped up, Yan Xiaobao sensed something and looked up. Not far in the sky, three beams of light approached at high speed.

Three cultivators came into view, two men and a woman. All these people were filled with intent to kill, and shockingly, they were all cultivators established by the Foundation.

"Prepare to die, Yan Xiaobao!" As they closed in on the area, they fell into a triangular formation, then launched a powerful attack, not only bursting with annihilating force but also contained a toxic black mist.

Forming a dark cloud, within it could be seen a Flying Sword, a drum, and a war axe. These three were powerful magic items directly targeting Yan Xiaobao.

...