At eighty, the Holy Sect's enchanting woman aided in achieving longevity.

As Chen Changsheng and Gu Dashan stepped into the main hall, they bumped into Dugu Cheng right at the entrance.

Dugu Cheng glanced at the two men, his face immediately darkening. He coldly and rudely rebuked them, "What are you two doing here? Do you know what kind of banquet this is tonight? Get out of here right now!"

"Elder Gu gave us permission to attend the ceremony," Gu Dashan replied curtly, suppressing his anger.

"Elder Gu? He's letting you in?"

Dugu Cheng sneered disdainfully, as if he had heard the funniest joke.

"Are you here to embarrass yourselves?"

During the banquet later, there will inevitably be sparring and exchanges with disciples from various sects. What are you two, who are not even worthless, doing here?

Hmph, fine, since Elder Gu has spoken, you may go in.

"But you better behave yourself later. If you dare to disgrace the Cangwu Martial Academy, don't blame your senior brother for being ruthless afterwards!"

He followed Nangong Yue for most of the afternoon, but although the other party spoke gently, she never even glanced at him.

Dugu Cheng, who was already seething with anger, found himself conveniently venting his frustrations on Chen Changsheng and his companion.

Even though Gu Dashan was usually mild-mannered, he was still furious and his face turned red with anger after being insulted like this for no reason.

Chen Changsheng merely tugged at his sleeve, his expression completely calm: "Dashan, there's no need to argue with him. Let's go inside."

Upon entering the main hall, they saw Gu Canghai subtly beckoning to them from afar, gesturing for them to sit in the seats that had been prepared for them.

These two positions were deliberately placed in the most secluded corner at the very back of the main hall, making them extremely inconspicuous.

Even though the location was secluded, Gu Dashan's imposing figure, as large as a small mountain, made it impossible for anyone not to notice him when he sat there.

"Chang Sheng, Da Shan, if there are any sparring matches between disciples of the same generation during the banquet, you can just watch from the back. If you can learn even a little bit from other people's moves, that would be a great blessing."

"You two have only been in the manor for a short time, so the various sects should not be paying attention to you. Remember not to act rashly."

Gu Canghai walked over and whispered his instructions.

"I understand, Dad."

Gu Dashan nodded obediently and sat up straight.

Chen Changsheng also nodded slowly.

He shifted his gaze and scanned his surroundings, discovering that there were about thirty true disciples of the Martial Academy present. If nothing unexpected happened, these people should be the absolute elites hidden in the Martial Academy's True Disciples Garden.

These thirty-odd people were selected from more than three thousand disciples, and each of them is undoubtedly a genius among thousands.

Soon, Chen Changsheng's gaze fell on the seat in the very center of the first row, where Nangong Yue was sitting.

Chen Changsheng was not surprised by this. An eighteen-year-old at the fourth level of the Foundation Establishment stage would be a highly regarded core talent, even among the top-tier sects.

At the same time, Chen Changsheng, a new face, also attracted the attention of many elite disciples from the surrounding martial arts academies.

Those who could attend this banquet were all the most privileged members of the inner palace, and they knew each other very well.

Gu Dashan's appearance surprised them because of his low cultivation level, and Chen Changsheng, who was sitting next to Gu Dashan, was an absolute stranger.

"Huh? This junior brother looks unfamiliar. Is he a newcomer to the inner garden?"

A girl dressed in fiery red, sitting in front of Chen Changsheng, suddenly turned around, blinked her bright, curious eyes, and asked in a clear voice.

"Greetings, Senior Sister. I am Chen Changsheng. I was granted permission to enter the True Inheritance Academy for cultivation today."

Chen Changsheng smiled slightly, a gentle and approachable smile appearing on his handsome face.

The girl in red felt her eyes light up instantly, and a slight blush involuntarily rose to her cheeks. She covered her mouth and gasped softly:

"Wow! You're so young, yet you've already successfully established your foundation! No wonder you were allowed to attend such a grand welcoming banquet on your very first day at the manor."

"Of course, how could my brother Changsheng be an ordinary person!"

Seeing others praising Chen Changsheng, Gu Dashan slapped his thigh and shouted with pride and smugness.

It seemed that others praising Chen Changsheng made him even happier than praising himself.

"By the way, my name is Su Hongxiu, I'm in Class One of the Heavenly Rank, and I'm seventeen years old. If you ever encounter any trouble in the inner courtyard, just mention my name, and your senior sister will protect you!"

The girl patted her breasts and said in a very generous and chivalrous manner.

"...Then thank you in advance, Senior Sister Su."

Chen Changsheng smiled wryly and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect.

Just then, a series of steady and powerful footsteps came from outside the main hall, the absolute protagonist of tonight's banquet.

Liu Qianfeng, the newly appointed head of the Cangwu Martial Academy, finally entered the main hall surrounded by a group of high-ranking officials.

Liu Qianfeng appeared to be in his sixties, with a calm and dignified expression.

His eyes were clear and deep, subtly revealing the supreme wisdom of a person in a high position.

He was originally a senior elder of the core martial academy in the capital of the Great Xia Dynasty, with unfathomable strength. This time, he was specially appointed by the court to Cangwu City to take charge of the martial academy.

Although Liu Qianfeng had arrived discreetly half a month ago, the inauguration banquet was not officially held until today.

In just half a month, his swift and decisive methods have deeply impressed the elders and hall masters of the Martial Academy.

As Liu Qianfeng gracefully took his seat at the head of the table, the once quiet hall was now deserted.

Those top sects that had previously deliberately concealed their identities arrived one after another, as if by prior arrangement.

"Hahahaha! Zhan Qiankuang of the Kuanglan Beast Taming Sect, along with his son Shanhe, have come to congratulate Lord Liu on his new appointment!"

Accompanied by a hearty laugh that resounded throughout the hall, a burly middle-aged man led seven or eight sect disciples, striding into the main hall.

"Brother Changsheng, this person is the current sect leader of the Kuanglan Beast Taming Sect."

Gu Dashan leaned close to Chen Changsheng's ear and whispered, "The young man following behind him is his youngest son, Zhan Shanhe."

Although this person is young, he possesses an astonishing innate talent for controlling all beasts, and it is rumored that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he is the first in line to become the next sect leader.

"Lord Liu, how have you been? I had the pleasure of seeing your unparalleled elegance half a month ago, and I still remember it vividly. Today, I have brought my son to visit you... I have prepared a small gift as a token of my respect," Zhan Qiankuang said with a hearty laugh.

Liu Qianfeng personally descended from the platform to greet them, and accepted the gift list with a smile:

"The presence of Sect Master Zhan is already a great honor for our manor; there is no need for such politeness."

Your son is so handsome and imposing, with the potential of a thousand beasts surging within him. He is destined for greatness, and I fear that in just a few years he will far surpass you, his father! Hahahaha... Gentlemen, please take your seats."

"Dashan, this scene seems quite harmonious to me, not at all like the confrontation you described during the day."

Chen Changsheng tapped his chin lightly with his fingertip and said softly, as if deep in thought.

"Um... Brother Changsheng, you may not know this, but the Kuanglan Beast Taming Sect has always had a decent reputation in the city. Although their overall strength is stronger than that of the Martial Academy, they have always maintained a respectful relationship with the government on the surface."

But as for the next few companies, things aren't so easy to talk to...

Just then, the announcer's loud shout came from outside the hall again. Chen Wuxiang, the chief elder of the Illusion Moon Flowing Sand Valley, led a group of disciples and stepped into the hall with proud expressions.

Following closely behind, several renowned ancient forces, including Lingmu Manor, Tian Shu Holy Temple, and Piaomiao Feixian Sect, also entered the main hall at the last minute before the banquet began.

Each sect is led by its sect leader or chief elder, followed by seven or eight young disciples with bulging temples and powerful auras.

Faced with these forces, Liu Qianfeng treated them all with courtesy, personally stepping down from his seat to greet them, demonstrating profound composure and refinement.

It wasn't until the very last few moments before the banquet was about to officially begin that the colossal behemoth standing in the city—the branch of the Purple Cloud Divine Palace—finally arrived, albeit belatedly.

"Elder Zi Mohan of the Zixiao Divine Palace Branch congratulates Lord Liu on taking office."

As a deep, rumbling voice rang out, a gaunt old man wearing a robe inscribed with dense purple lightning runes stepped in.

The moment he stepped into the main hall, the air inside seemed to suddenly become drier and hotter, and faint arcs of electricity flashed and disappeared in the void.

This forced many martial arts disciples who were closer to the gate to subconsciously circulate their spiritual energy to resist.

However, just when everyone thought the guests had all arrived, the undisputed overlord of Cangwu City appeared.

The Li family branch finally made its grand entrance as the banquet began, under the watchful eyes of the entire audience, just as the last notes of the banquet had faded.

What's shocking is that the person leading the Li family branch at the front is actually a young boy who looks to be only about seventeen years old!

Behind him followed only a middle-aged man in his forties with a gloomy face and six arrogant young men.

"Junior Li Han of the Li family greets Lord Liu."

Upon entering the main hall, the young man bowed slightly to Liu Qianfeng, who was his most trusted disciple, performing a perfunctory junior greeting.

His demeanor was calm and gentle, and his every move seemed neither humble nor arrogant...

However, at this grand banquet held by the official Martial Academy of the Great Xia Dynasty, he, as a young and inexperienced junior, came to offer his congratulations on behalf of a branch of a super family, and was facing the supreme academy master who represented the official will.

This kind of "neither humble nor arrogant" attitude, which is almost like treating each other as equals, is actually a naked arrogance and contempt.

"It's Li Han!"

Gu Dashan, standing beside him, suddenly narrowed his pupils to the size of pinpoints and couldn't help but let out a gasp he was trying his best to suppress.

He hurriedly tugged at Chen Changsheng's sleeve, his fingertips trembling slightly, and whispered quickly in Chen Changsheng's ear:

"Brother Changsheng, I never expected that this killer star would personally lead the team here tonight!"

Having been in Cangwu City for so long, the thing I've heard most often is his fearsome reputation.

He is only seventeen years old this year, but his cultivation has already reached the terrifying fifth level of the Foundation Establishment stage!

Widely recognized as one of the top three most exceptional young talents in the entire Cangwu City, he is the undisputed young master of the Li family branch!

"Top three among the younger generation, a seventeen-year-old at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment?"

Upon hearing this, a faint ripple finally appeared in Chen Changsheng's deep eyes.

Reaching the fifth level of the Foundation Establishment stage at the age of seventeen—such cultivation speed and accumulation!

He subconsciously turned his gaze to look at Nangong Yue in front of him, and sure enough, the usually gentle and mild-mannered number one genius of the Martial Academy now had a layer of heavy frost covering his beautiful face.

"Hehe, Li Han? I've known that name for a long time back in the capital."

Unexpectedly, at today's banquet for newly appointed officials, I was able to see the most outstanding young talents of my Cangwu City. Truly, heroes have emerged from among the young since ancient times.

Why did your father, Chief Li, not come today?

Liu Qianfeng sat high in the main seat, a smile on his aged face, seemingly not angry at all that the other party had sent a junior to take on the main responsibility.

"Lord Liu, you flatter me. My father did indeed long to come in person to congratulate you on your new appointment, but unfortunately, he had some problems with his blood and qi while cultivating a core profound technique in seclusion a few days ago, and is now unwell and unable to travel long distances."

Therefore, I, a junior, have taken the liberty of doing this on your behalf. I hope that Lord Liu will be magnanimous and not take offense. Li Han smiled slightly. Although his words were polite, anyone could hear the arrogance in his tone, as if he regarded the Cangwu Martial Academy as nothing.

As the head of the Martial Academy appointed by the imperial court, Liu Qianfeng's inauguration banquet was attended by either the sect leader or the chief elder of each major sect, as a sign of respect for the imperial court.

But this branch of the Li family did something quite different; they directly sent a seventeen-year-old young boy to lead the banquet!

At this moment, anyone who isn't blind or stupid can see that this is clearly a resounding slap in the face from the Li family to the new prefect, a blatant show of force in front of the entire city, a way to intimidate the newly appointed prefect, Lord Liu.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

However, to everyone's surprise, Liu Qianfeng not only did not lose his temper on the spot, but instead laughed loudly, appearing extremely magnanimous.

"Young Master Li, what are you saying? Chief Li is unwell and should focus on recuperation."

To witness Young Master Li's astonishing talent today has fulfilled a long-cherished wish of mine, and I am overjoyed.

Distinguished guests of the Li family, please be seated.

All the invited powerful figures have now taken their seats.

The Li family branch and the Zixiao Divine Palace branch naturally occupied the two most prestigious seats at the front without any suspense, followed by the five major sects, and then the seat of Dugu Xiong, the city lord of Cangwu City.

Despite this obvious distinction between superiors and inferiors, Dugu Xiong, the lord of a city, showed no dissatisfaction whatsoever; in fact, he even wore a somewhat apologetic smile.

While the Dugu family may wield considerable influence in the city, that only applies to commoners and ordinary small families. Before these unfathomable ancient sects and powerful clans, even the city lord must behave himself and dare not show the slightest disrespect.

As for the higher-ups of the mid-sized sects who were relegated to the bottom, they were all trembling with fear, as if walking on thin ice.

Such a terrifying scene of powerful figures gathering together is something they would never normally have the chance to witness.

Chen Changsheng sat quietly in the dark corner at the back, silently drinking a cup of spiritual wine while secretly calculating the true strength and foundation of the younger generation in Cangwu City.

Just then, he keenly noticed that Li Han, who was sitting in the highest seat at the front, seemed to be deep in thought, and his long, narrow, cold hawk-like eyes suddenly swept around the hall.

Finally, as he passed the very back corner, his gaze lingered on Chen Changsheng for a moment, a strange glint of scrutiny and probing, like that of a venomous snake, flashing deep within his eyes, before he casually looked away.

Chen Changsheng paused slightly as he stroked the wine glass, a barely perceptible smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

It seems that tonight's welcome banquet is destined to end badly.