Tang Dynasty Demon Suppression Division

That evening, as the host, Shenwu Academy hosted a welcome banquet at Lanxing Tower to entertain the distinguished guests.

The building was brightly lit, with delicacies laid out, and students from various colleges gathered together, full of youthful vigor and high spirits, yet with hidden talents.

The Shenwu Academy team, led by Liu Hongyan, became the focus of attention as soon as they entered the arena.

Especially Li Yuan, whose reputation for level nine talent was already widely known.

Countless gazes, some curious and some scrutinizing, fell upon him. Some were unconvinced, some harbored hostility, and some were burning with fighting spirit.

Today, Li Yuan was dressed in an indigo-blue outfit. He stood tall and straight, with a calm expression. Facing the attention of everyone, he showed no unease or arrogance.

This composed demeanor earned the admiration of many observers.

Everyone took their seats, and the banquet began.

Dean Su gave a brief speech, making some polite remarks such as welcoming the guests from all sides and wishing the league a complete success, and then announced the start of the banquet.

After a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became increasingly lively, and the young people could no longer contain their excitement.

"I have long admired Junior Brother Li Yuan of Shenwu Academy. Meeting him today, I can confirm his extraordinary demeanor."

A clear voice rang out from the representative's seat of Tian Ce Academy.

The speaker was dressed in the signature silver-white outfit with blue trim of the Tian Ce Academy. He was about sixteen or seventeen years old, with a handsome face, and had already reached the mid-stage of the Questioning Heart Realm.

He raised his wine glass, gesturing towards Li Yuan with a warm smile: "I am Zhao Lingyun from Tian Ce Academy. I have heard that Junior Brother Li possesses astonishing talent. Would you do me the honor of exchanging skills with us peers?"

Li Yuan's expression shifted slightly. He had already studied his opponent's information beforehand. This Zhao Lingyun was the captain of Tian Ce Academy this year. He came from a military family and his talent was called Po Jun Star Soul, level eight.

Known for his fierce and powerful attacks, he is also one of the favorites to win the championship this time.

As soon as he said this, the building fell silent, and everyone turned to look at Li Yuan.

This is a blatant probing, but it's disguised as a form of communication, making it difficult to refuse outright.

Li Yuan put down his chopsticks, raised his cup in return, and smiled politely: "Senior Brother Zhao, you flatter me. I am fortunate to have this reputation; it is all thanks to your kind words."

"With the league just around the corner, there will be plenty of opportunities to learn from Senior Brother Zhao then. Today is a welcome banquet, so let's cherish the peace and reminisce about our friendship."

His words were perfectly worded, showing neither fear nor hesitation, and he gently passed the ball back to the opponent.

A glint flashed in Zhao Lingyun's eyes, and he laughed heartily: "Junior Brother Li is right. It was I who was too impatient."

"Very well, then I'll wait until the league season to properly learn from Junior Brother Li." With that, he tilted his head back and drank the wine in his cup in one gulp.

Li Yuan calmly finished his drink without changing his expression.

"Hmph, level nine talent? Who knows if they used some kind of secret technique?"

A voice, neither too loud nor too soft, came from the seats of the Myriad Phenomena Academy. The speaker was a short boy with cunning eyes, wearing a long robe embroidered with Bagua runes from the Myriad Phenomena Academy, and playing with a few ancient bronze coins in his hand.

This person is Qian Junlin, the vice-captain of Wanxiang Academy. His talent is divination, and he is good at deducing formations and Qimen arts. His cultivation level is at the early stage of the Questioning Mind Realm, but his methods are strange and difficult to guard against.

"Junior Brother Qian, be careful what you say."

The captain of Wanxiang Academy was a gentle-looking young man named Wen Ruoxu. He immediately stopped him in a low voice, but there was no hint of blame in his eyes.

Wen Ruoxu's talent lies in his vast knowledge of books, reaching the eighth level. He is well-read, proficient in various techniques, and renowned for his unpredictable and ingenious strategies in actual combat.

Qian Junlin pursed his lips and offered a fake apology: "Junior Brother Li, I've always been outspoken, I apologize for offending you."

Anyone could tell that his words were almost a direct challenge to Li Yuan.

The atmosphere inside the building instantly froze.

The faces of everyone from Shenwu Academy darkened. A cold glint flashed in Chu Yunhe's eyes, and Shen Lian tightened his grip on his knife, looking at him with displeasure.

Li Yuan's expression remained unchanged; instead, he smiled and looked at Qian Junlin, his tone calm: "It seems that Senior Brother Qian is questioning the Spirit Appraisal Stones of my Divine Martial Academy."

One sentence was enough to elicit knowing laughter from everyone, and the atmosphere immediately became relaxed.

"The outcome will be clear in the league. At that time, I hope Senior Brother Qian will not hesitate to give me some pointers and see if Li Yuan's skills can withstand the test of actual combat."

Li Yuan neither defended himself nor showed any anger; instead, he shifted the focus to the competition and let the facts speak for themselves.

This composure and confidence actually quelled many of the doubts.

"Well said!"

A bold voice rang out from the seats of Taixu Academy.

The speaker was the captain of Taixu Academy, a tall and robust young man named Lei Lie, who looked like an iron tower. His appearance was quite incongruous with the gentle Jiangnan region, and seemed more suited to the harsh Northwest.

His innate talent, the Thunder Battle Body, is at level seven. He has a straightforward and fierce personality and despises all sorts of convoluted schemes.

He slammed his large, fan-like hand on the table, making the cups and plates rattle softly, and his voice boomed like a bell: "Whether it's a mule or a horse, we'll find out when we take it out for a spin. What's the use of wasting our breath here!"

He pointed at Li Yuan and said, "Li Yuan, I just like you. If we meet in the league, let's have a good match."

Li Yuan smiled and cupped his hands in greeting to Lei Lie: "Senior Brother Lei is a man of few words and quick wit; I will certainly accompany you then."

After several rounds of verbal exchanges, Li Yuan remained neither humble nor arrogant, and his appropriate responses earned him the silent approval of many.

At least, his temperament and demeanor are beyond what ordinary young men can match.

The banquet continued, with students from different colleges exchanging toasts and toasting each other. As the center of attention, Li Yuan was naturally the subject of many toasts and conversations, which he responded to politely.

As the team captain, Li Yuan had been secretly watching the opponents. He noticed that on the Taixu Academy side, a girl sat quietly in a corner, seemingly out of place with the surrounding noise.

She wore a plain white dress from the Taixu Academy, her face was exquisitely beautiful, and she had an ethereal, aloof air about her. She simply drank her tea quietly, indifferent to everything around her.

When Li Yuan looked over, she seemed to sense it and looked up to meet Li Zhi's gaze for a moment.

In that instant, Li Yuan seemed to see a deep, cold night sky in her eyes, and his heart skipped a beat. This woman was definitely not simple.

Midway through the banquet, Li Yuan excused himself from the table to get some fresh air in the corridor.

The night breeze was cool, dispelling some of the effects of the alcohol. He stood by the railing, gazing absently at the flickering lights in the courtyard below.

"Captain Li, what a refined taste you have." A cool female voice sounded from behind.

Li Yuan turned around and saw that the white-clad girl from Taixu Academy had also arrived under the corridor at some point and was quietly watching him.

The moonlight shone on her, making her appear elegant and ethereal, like a fairy who had stepped out of the moon palace.

"May I ask who you are, young lady?" Li Yuan politely cupped his hands in greeting, his mind racing as he reviewed the information he had obtained.

"Tai Xu, Ning Leng Frost."

The girl's voice was flat, "Li Yuan, there is a trace of time turbulence on your body."

"You've come into contact with fragments of spacetime?"

Li Yuan was shocked. This was one of his biggest secrets, and this woman had seen through it at a glance?

That's an amazing eye.

No, perhaps she just sensed something was amiss?

He suppressed the turmoil in his heart, but his face remained calm: "Miss Leng is joking. The Dao of Time and Space is profound and unpredictable, how could it be something that I, Li, could possibly grasp?"

Leng Ning Shuang gave him a deep look, then looked away, gazing at the night sky, and whispered, "Is that so... I hope it's just my imagination."