Inside the Lei family's grand compound was a spacious hall, as large as a public square. At this moment, the hall was unusually boisterous, with people bustling about, indicating an atmosphere brimming with joy.
Lin Zhentian's group walked directly into the hall. Then, under the many astonished gazes of those inside, they found a spot for themselves and calmly sat down.
Within the hall, many eyes were fixed on the Lin family, but no one actively stepped forward to greet them. Today, the Lei and Xie families were at the peak of their power, and the Lin family was their adversary. At such a time, anyone who associated with them would be offending the Lei and Xie families, which seemed to offer no benefit.
And precisely because of this, the Lin family found themselves seated in an unvisited corner, with the vast majority of people intentionally keeping their distance.
Regarding this situation, Lin Zhentian, on the contrary, appeared indifferent and unconcerned, not feeling any unexpected surprise.
As time passed, the hall grew increasingly lively. Most of the forces within a hundred li radius of Qingyang Town gradually arrived, then took their seats at the banquet tables.
The strength of these forces was not much inferior. Although there was a slight disparity when compared to the Lin family, if they united, they would become a formidable power that no one would dare to provoke casually.
Not long after more than half of the forces had gathered, a few hushed whispers came from the main entrance of the hall, and then a group of people walked straight inside.
"The Mad Blade Martial Arts School has arrived too."
Looking at the group of people entering the hall, murmurs of discussion arose.
Hearing these sounds, Lin Dong turned his head to look, and indeed saw the familiar figure of Luo Cheng. Behind Luo Cheng, he also saw Wu Yun, someone he hadn't met in a long time.
After Luo Cheng entered the hall, his gaze swept around and then suddenly stopped where the Lin family was seated. A smile appeared on his face, which was covered in terrifying scars. Then, under the astonished eyes of the guests in the hall, he led his people to the front of the Lin family.
"Old Master Lin, your body still seems robust..." Luo Cheng cupped his hands in greeting towards Lin Zhentian. His gaze swept over the other person, and a slight tremor suddenly ran through his heart, for from this person's body, he seemed to feel a sense of oppression, a feeling he had never experienced before. It seemed that, just as the Lin family had said, Lin Zhentian had indeed successfully broken through to the Yuan Dan Stage.
"Haha, School Master Luo is not bad either," Lin Zhentian replied with a laugh.
While Luo Cheng was conversing with Lin Zhentian, Wu Yun also approached Lin Dong. His eyes scanned and assessed for a moment, then he said in a low voice, "Heh, I heard the School Master say that you've already dealt with Lei Xing of the Lei family..." At this point, Wu Yun raised his hand and made a throat-slitting gesture.
Lin Dong gave a perfunctory smile and nodded casually.
"Damn it, are you that terrifying?" Seeing Lin Dong nod, Wu Yun couldn't help but widen his eyes in shock. After a period of arduous training, he had only just reached the mid-stage of the Earth Yuan Stage. This speed was already not slow, but he hadn't expected that Lin Dong could now kill a Heavenly Yuan Stage expert.
Seeing Wu Yun's dejected expression, Lin Dong smiled, then changed the subject.
After Luo Cheng finished his smiling conversation with Lin Zhentian, he pulled Wu Yun, who was happily chatting with Lin Dong, to their seats.
After Luo Cheng and his group sat down, the bustling noise quieted down by a few degrees. Suddenly, a loud sound came from outside the main hall, and then Lei Bao, dressed in black, entered the hall with a smile, leading a large contingent from the Lei and Xie families.
It must be said that Lei Bao indeed held some prestige in Qingyang Town, so when he appeared, several factions hurriedly stood up, offering endless congratulations.
Lei Bao was clearly extremely pleased with this kind of fawning, his facial wrinkles blooming like a chrysanthemum.
Behind Lei Bao, Xie Qian, along with several important members of the two families, also smiled and returned the greetings.
Lin Dong's gaze lingered on Lei Bao as soon as he appeared. He couldn't help but frown. For some reason, he always felt that the current Lei Bao was different from before.
While Lin Dong was frowning in thought, Lei Bao and Xie Qian's group passed by the Lin family's seats. For a moment, the main hall suddenly fell silent, and all eyes turned in their direction. You are reading this story at Truyen FULL – www.Truyen FULL
Lin Zhengtian sat upright calmly, his gaze fixed on the table, as if he didn't see Lei Bao's group, nor did he show any intention of standing up to offer congratulations.
Because Lin Zhengtian displayed such an attitude, Lin Xiao and the others naturally followed suit, their eyes looking straight ahead, as if blind at this moment.
Seeing this, the smile on Lei Bao's pale face became a little forced, and the eyes of the people from the Lei and Xie families grew colder. In an instant, the atmosphere became strange.
This strange atmosphere didn't last long. Lei Bao glanced at Lin Zhengtian's group and then led his people past them as if he hadn't seen anything, contrary to what others had expected, which was that a conflict would surely erupt.
Seeing that neither side bothered to look at the other, some people in the main hall quietly sighed with regret. However, they were somewhat surprised that the Lin family dared to openly disrespect the Lei and Xie families, because after all, the Lin family's strength was indeed somewhat inferior compared to the two families.
Lei Bao sat down in the center of the main hall, then laughed loudly and said, "Today is a joyous day for our Lei and Xie families. I, Lei Bao, would like to thank everyone for gracing us with your presence. Today is a happy day for the two young ones, so let's not waste time with idle chatter. Let the grand wedding begin."
Lin Dong yawned. He truly had no interest in this so-called wedding. He just wanted to know what the Lei and Xie families' purpose was in making such a grand display. If it was just to proudly announce the alliance between the two families, it wasn't worth such an effort.
The subsequent procedures were even more tedious. The two protagonists, Lei Li and Xie Yingying, first bowed to their elders, and then, under the guidance of their respective family elders, stood in the center of the main hall to greet the guests.
Although the reputation of the Lei and Xie families was not bad, the people present here all held prestige and honor in the vicinity of Qingyang Town. They truly had no interest in the wedding of these two juniors, so many remained indifferent and unenthusiastic. They also understood that the Lei and Xie families' grand fanfare this time was certainly not just for this wedding banquet.
Beneath the seemingly lively atmosphere, a strange tension hung in the air. After Lei Li and Xie Yingying had withdrawn, gazes in the hall, both overt and subtle, turned towards the smiling Lei Bao.
As if aware that he had once again become the center of attention, Lei Bao smiled faintly, drained the wine cup in his hand, then stood up and declared in a loud voice, "Today, I've invited all of you here for two reasons. First, to celebrate the joyous occasion, the wedding of the Lei and Xie families. Second, I wish to discuss a matter with all of you."
"He's getting to the point." Upon hearing this, Lin Dong, who had been so bored he was almost dozing off, immediately perked up.
"Haha, may I ask what matter Elder Lei wishes to discuss?" In the main hall, someone chuckled, chiming in.
"There are many large and small factions within a hundred-mile radius of Qingyang Town. However, to put it bluntly, most of them are completely unknown. To establish a reputation, one must develop in Yan City and profit from there. I believe you are all aware that compared to Yan City, Qingyang Town is merely a remote, backwater place.
"However, although Yan City is so lucrative that it makes people envious, none of us can individually claim a share there. Therefore, my Lei family and the Xie family have discussed forming a Merchant Guild. This time, we've invited the major families with the intention of asking you to join this Merchant Guild to jointly seek profit," Lei Bao said with a smile.
As Lei Bao's laughter faded, the main hall gradually fell silent. Many people frowned, having never expected the Lei family and Xie family to form a so-called Merchant Guild, and furthermore, to intend to draw them in.
If that were the case, wouldn't they become subordinates of the Lei and Xie families? This... wasn't it too absurd?
"This old fellow, his brain must be full of water..."
Lin Dong shook his head, muttering to himself. Although the Lei and Xie families had some reputation in Qingyang Town, they were far from reaching the level of commanding widespread support. Setting aside whether this so-called Merchant Guild could actually yield profit, with the minds of the people present, who would happily become subordinates of the two families?
Therefore, this proposal was somewhat laughable. The Lei and Xie families were not yet qualified to command the obedience of the factions seated here.
Indeed, just as Lin Dong had guessed, not long after Lei Bao's words finished, a figure immediately stood up.
"Elder Lei's aspirations are truly lofty, beyond our reach. However, we only wish to look after our own share. As for the lucrative portion in Yan City, we are not capable of partaking in it. Therefore, we must decline this alliance. We bid you farewell." With that, the group stood up, turned, and left.
"The reason you don't wish to participate is simply because you feel my Lei family isn't qualified to lead you."
Watching the group preparing to leave, Lei Bao smiled faintly, then slowly stood up. As he did, an extremely powerful surge of Yuan Power suddenly erupted from his body, instantly filling the entire hall. The immense pressure caused many people's faces to flush red.
"Yuan Dan Stage!"
Feeling the powerful oppressive force, gasps of fear immediately broke out in the hall. Those who had been preparing to turn and leave now found their steps paralyzed, standing rooted to the spot.
A Thunder Leopard at the late-stage Heavenly Origin Realm might not inspire awe in them, but if we're talking about the Primordial Core Realm... that's a completely different story.
Within a hundred-mile radius of Qingyang Town, if one could reach the Primordial Core Realm, then it was likely only one person: the Thunder Leopard.
"If this old man dares to make such a statement, of course, I must have some confidence, wouldn't you agree? Now, do you all believe that my Lei family possesses this strength?" Seeing the shocked expressions of everyone present, the Thunder Leopard said with a faint smile.
This time, no one dared to refute him, their expressions constantly changing. The Thunder Leopard had displayed such formidable martial prowess; cooperating with him offered a path to compromise and survival, otherwise, if they remained stubbornly misguided, they would become enemies of the Lei family.
A powerhouse of the Primordial Core Realm was enough to make the vast majority of people here feel apprehensive.
"If you don't wish to, this old man won't force you. Feel free to leave."
Hearing the Thunder Leopard say this, many people cursed inwardly, but still didn't dare to turn and leave. For a moment, the atmosphere in the courtyard became stifling and awkward.
Seeing this scene, a smug smile appeared in the Thunder Leopard's eyes. The deterrent power of the Primordial Core Realm was indeed extraordinary.
"If the Lei family has such grand ambitions, my Lin family cannot accompany you. We bid you farewell."
However, the smile in his eyes did not last long, as a calm voice slowly echoed. Immediately afterward, under fierce, glaring gazes, all the members of the Lin family stood up.