Martial Universe

Chapter 38 Lian Family's Visit

038. Lian Family's Visit

Sitting cross-legged on a flat rock, Du Fei formed a peculiar seal with his hands, and the Qi within his body circulated slowly.

With the circulation of his Qi, every time he breathed, the moisture in the surrounding air would instantly condense into ice crystals, falling to the ground.

However, this intensely cold aura didn't feel uncomfortable to Du Fei at all. In fact, he found it extremely comforting. After all, the Qi cultivated from the Ice Heart Technique was innately intense and cold.

To the Du Fei in that moment, such a cold aura was akin to a tonic.

Taking a long breath, Du Fei slapped the ground with his right hand, and his whole body leaped up. With his movement, the bones all over his body suddenly made a series of crackling sounds.

Regarding the changes within his body, Du Fei didn't have any substantive feeling. However, he was well aware that he now possessed the strength of a Ninth-grade Martial Artist. With this strength combined with various martial techniques he had cultivated, he might not be the top among the younger generation of the Du Family, but it would be challenging to find a match for him.

However, Du Fei wasn't the type to be arrogant. He had no intention of publicizing his advancement to a Ninth-grade Martial Artist, especially since his cultivation speed was shockingly fast. Moreover, the fact that he had cultivated the Ice Heart Technique was a tremendous secret. Under no circumstances could this be revealed to the family.

According to Du Fei's plan, he just needed to wait another half a month, leave the family, and search for the Elixir King Ruins with Yun Yuqing. After coming back, revealing his strength shouldn't be an issue.

Fortunately, after becoming a Martial Artist, unless he revealed it himself, outsiders wouldn't be able to discern his exact strength.

After pondering for a moment, Du Fei felt somewhat relieved. After more than three months of hard cultivation, he felt somewhat detached from worldly concerns. Now that he had achieved rare success in his cultivation, he pondered for a moment before slowly descending the mountain.

After leisurely returning to his courtyard, Du Fei searched for a while but couldn't find Little Ai.

After hesitating for a moment, Du Fei finally asked one of the family members and learned that Little Ai had been called to attend the clan meeting on his behalf.

"This Du Family, always so troublesome... But letting Little Ai, an outsider, to preside over the clan meeting, what are those old foxes thinking?" Frowning slightly, Du Fei pondered for a moment and then quickened his pace, rushing towards the front hall of the Du Family residence.

At the Du Family's front hall, nearly all the upper echelons of the Du Family were seated. However, their expressions were all slightly gloomy at that moment. Even Du Zhentian's face was darkened, but probably out of consideration for the Du Family's reputation, he refrained from showing his full displeasure.

After an awkward silence, Du Zhentian's gaze slowly settled on the visitor standing in the middle of the hall. He took a deep breath and said faintly, "Steward Lian, while visitors are guests... the Du Family has never been particularly welcoming to those with the surname Lian. If you have no business here, please leave."

The person standing in the hall was none other than the Lian Family's steward, Lian Rui. At that moment, his face showed a neutral expression. He slightly bowed and chuckled, "Well, Patriarch Du... While the relationship between the Lian Family and the Du Family may not be the best, it isn't the worst either, right? I came here today simply following the orders of our patriarch, to invite Patriarch Du to a banquet. If you are not interested, then I will take my leave."

Having said that, Lian Rui slightly bowed again, preparing to turn and leave.

"Hold on!" From the side, the Third Elder, Du Zhenfeng, spoke up, his tone gentle yet firm, "Speak your mind. If you leave like this, outsiders might think the Du Family is petty!"

"Hehe, as expected, you are indeed magnanimous, Third Elder!" Pretending not to notice the subtle change in Du Zhentian's expression, Lian Rui chuckled softly. With a light clap of his hands, several red silhouettes shot out from his sleeves, swiftly landing in front of several individuals.

Du Zhentian and the others looked at the bright red invitations before them, their faces filled with confusion.

"What exactly is the Lian Family trying to pull off?" Du Zhentian asked, his brow furrowed.

"Hehe, you need not worry, Patriarch Du... It's simply because our young master has successfully advanced to a Ninth-grade Martial Artist and plans to have a new wife. We've brought an invitation, and we hope you will honor us with your presence, Patriarch Du. The Lian Family will surely welcome you with open arms."

Lian Rui wore a faint smile on his face as he explained. Then, his gaze slowly swept around the hall and eventually settled on Little Ai, who stood to the side. With a sudden chuckle, he said, "This must be Miss Ai! Young Master Lian mentioned that he and Young Master Du Fei hit it off right from the start. Therefore, he insists that Young Master Du Fei must attend this grand feast. Since Young Master Du Fei is not here, Miss Ai, please accept this invitation on his behalf."

Having said that, Lian Rui flicked his wrist, and the red invitation card slowly floated towards Little Ai...

"Swoosh_"

Just as the invitation was about to reach Little Ai, a figure swiftly darted out from the side, reaching out and snatching the card mid-air.

After glancing at the invitation, Du Fei smiled faintly, "Please convey to Young Master Lian that since he's celebrating such a joyous occasion, I, Du Fei, will certainly attend... However, due to the short notice, I'm afraid I won't be bringing a gift!"

"Hehe, just having Young Master Du Fei grace the event is already a huge honor. The Lian Family wouldn't dare to ask for anything more! Now that the invitation has been delivered, I'll take my leave." Lian Rui laughed heartily, then slightly bowed to those around and briskly exited the hall.

No matter how one looked at it, his departing figure exuded a hint of arrogance.

"Bang_"

After a moment of silence in the hall, Du Zhentian slightly squeezed his right hand, instantly crushing the invitation card before him.

"These days, the Lian Family has been increasingly active, constantly harassing our Du Family's enterprises... And now they send over this invitation! Hmph! It's merely because they've acquired that Eighth-grade cultivation method, which led to Lian Zhen successfully advancing to Martial Artist... Yet they're acting so arrogantly!" The Third Elder, Du Zhenfeng's face shifted slightly, before he said coldly, "Patriarch, given the Lian Family's attitude, we, the Du Family, cannot lose face in any way. I want to see how their celebration will proceed with our family in attendance!"

"It's the first time I've witnessed such audacity in so many years!" Compared to Du Zhenfeng, Du Zhentian appeared calmer. He glanced briefly at the shredded invitation on the table before him, speaking calmly.

"With such an attitude, the Lian Family is likely trying to announce to all the major and minor powers within Buyue City that from now on, they are the true overlords... Hmph! Just because they got their hands on an Eighth-grade cultivation method? Do they really think that will turn their mediocrity into genius? Speaking of the Eighth-grade cultivation method, our Du Family also possesses it, it's just..." Du Zhenfeng slightly curled his lips, pausing as if recalling something, then quickly stopped speaking.

After giving Du Zhenfeng a cold glance, Du Zhentian tapped the table beside him, remarking, "What a calculated move! They acquired the method less than three months ago and are already acting so arrogantly?"

"So, do we attend or not?" The Second Elder, Du Zhenxuan, hesitated for a moment before asking in a low voice.

"Yes! Why shouldn't we?" Du Zhentian responded with a cold smile, "I don't believe that old man Lian Ji could advance to the seventh grade with just one cultivation method in three months... Or does he think he's the only one who knows a Eighth-grade cultivation method?"

After speaking, Du Zhentian took a deep breath, his gaze slowly turning to Du Fei in the distance, asking softly, "Fei'er, I heard you've been cultivating in seclusion for three months. Any progress?"

"I've successfully advanced to the eighth level of body forging," Du Fei replied after a brief hesitation.

"Huh_"

Upon hearing Du Fei's words, the upper echelons in the hall were momentarily taken aback.

Although everyone had high hopes for Du Fei, they didn't expect that he would reach the eighth stage of body forging in just three months! This pace was probably faster compared to Du Han back in the day.

Hearing Du Fei's statement, Du Qian, who had initially remained expressionless, now displayed a look of astonishment. She gave Du Fei a deep look before slowly turning her head away.

"The eighth level of body forging!" A hint of delight appeared on Du Zhentian's face. After a moment, he laughed heartily, saying, "That old man Lian Ji thinks that by advancing to a Ninth-grade Martial Artist, he can be arrogant. However, I believe that in a few years, Fei'er will catch up to his progress..."

"Send the word out. Since there's a grand feast in three days, our Du Family cannot lose face. Prepare our members. In three days, we'll head to the Lian Family's grand feast. I want to see what that old dog Lian Ji is up to!" After a cold laugh, Du Zhentian issued the order.

Hearing this, the other members of the Du Family nodded in agreement.

After all, regardless of anything else, the Buyue City's Du Family was a branch of the Yunshui Du Family. Although their relationship had become distant, they had always looked down upon forces like the Lian Family. At this moment, Lian Rui's actions seemed to have successfully ignited the anger of the Du Family members.

...

The Lian Family's grand banquet this time seemed to have invited not only Buyue City, but also the various powers from the surrounding areas of Buyue City. Anyone with discerning eyes could see that the Lian Family was not content with their current position and were likely planning some significant moves.

Regarding the Lian Family's actions, many among the various powers had prepared to stand by and watch. After all, no matter what the Lian Family planned to do, their primary targets would be the Du Family and the Gongsun Family, not minor forces like them...

As for these smaller forces, as long as they gave their courtesies and played their cards right, it was unlikely that the Lian Family would give them much trouble...

Precisely because of this knowledge, the grand banquet hosted by the Lian Family made Buyue City incredibly lively as countless people flocked to Buyue City. Even if they weren't qualified to attend the banquet, witnessing such a grand event up close and understanding the power dynamics in Buyue City firsthand was an essential matter.

After all, no matter how one looked at it, this feast hosted by the Lian Family wouldn't be a peaceful one!