Chapter 1941: Vying
Lin Feng's gaze was exceptionally calm; he merely glanced at Yu Jing before looking away, without the slightest ripple. Yu Jing could not fathom what Lin Feng was thinking at all.
Yu Hou was also among the arriving guests. His eyes lingered on Lin Feng for a moment, and he sighed inwardly. This person's talent was terrifying, and his growth was too fast. Today was the birthday banquet of Yin Rui of the Silver Clan. Some forces from Holy City Central Continent had come to offer their congratulations. He wondered why Lin Feng was here. Although Lin Feng was a student of War King Academy, he was not a member of any ancient clan in Holy City Central Continent and had no connection to the Silver Clan.
Following the steps into the Silver Clan's residence, they arrived at the birthday banquet venue. Lavishly prepared tables of wine and food were already set up. In the spacious area, there were many people, both old and young, all of whom had come to offer their birthday wishes.
"Silly boy." A silvery laugh rang out. On the steps, Silver Moon's beautiful eyes looked toward Lin Wushang beside Lin Feng, revealing a joyful and exceptionally innocent smile. This made Lin Wushang grin foolishly as well, indeed carrying a hint of silliness, which was why Silver Moon called him a silly boy.
"Hmm?" Yin Rui's brow furrowed slightly. Seeing Silver Moon's expression, his gaze briefly flicked toward Lin Feng. His deep eyes held a hint of displeasure as he transmitted a message to the person beside him: "What are the identities of these two?"
"I'll go ask." The person beside Yin Rui quietly stepped back and then mingled into the crowd. Although Yin Rui's birthday banquet was a grand feast, those without status would not be allowed in. Although he had never seen these two before, they must have some status to be here.
Lin Feng felt a few cold glares land on him. He turned his gaze and saw Ji Jiang and the others, their sharp eyes radiating a chilling aura.
Besides Ji Jiang and his group, Pei Dongqing's gaze was also exceptionally cold, sweeping toward Lin Wushang beside Lin Feng with a hint of mockery. He hadn't expected this kid to come and offer birthday wishes either.
Lin Feng's gaze did not linger on Ji Jiang and the others for long. Instead, he surveyed the crowd that had come. The day of the Emperor's List questioning was approaching, and at Yin Rui's birthday banquet today, there were indeed some extraordinary young figures present. The Xie Yue and Huo Yang he had seen at the Ji Clan before were both here. Xie Yue's gaze was still sinister, while Huo Yang exuded a pure yang aura, giving a strong sense of masculinity.
There was also a person going around toasting. This man was draped in silver robes, with eyes like silver, and an extraordinary temperament. He was a genius among the younger generation of the Silver Clan that Silver Moon had mentioned before, ranked seventh on the Emperor's List: Yin Gutian. His strength was formidable.
Additionally, a Buddhist cultivator draped in a golden kasaya caught Lin Feng's attention. Although this person was a monk, he carried a powerful aura of combat, as if he were a fierce battle monk.
"Holy City Central Continent has a Jia Nan Buddhist Temple, whose monks are all skilled in battle, cultivating as combat monks. Currently, the fourth-ranked person on the Emperor's List is a combat monk from this Jia Nan Buddhist Temple. This Buddhist cultivator should be that combat monk." Lin Feng thought to himself. His guess was correct; the man in the kasaya was indeed the combat monk from Jia Nan Buddhist Temple. His combat Buddhist techniques were extremely formidable. The combat monk practiced in the mortal world and was also a student of Eternal Ancient Academy, where he enjoyed great prestige and was said to have the potential to become a king.
"The Silver Clan has stood in Holy City for endless ages. Today, Senior Yin Rui celebrates his centennial birthday—truly a joyous occasion. I, Pei Dongqing, a junior, accompany my uncle to offer birthday wishes, with a modest gift. Please accept it, Senior." At this moment, a clear voice rang out, interrupting the chatting crowd. Everyone's gaze turned to Pei Dongqing, thinking that this young man was still impetuous and impatient. Many elders were present and had not yet spoken, but Pei Dongqing stepped forward to present his gift first, which inevitably seemed like stealing the spotlight. However, the Pei Clan was an ancient saint clan with formidable strength, and Pei Donglai had entered the Human Imperial Palace, so Pei Dongqing came with Pei Donglai. Thus, no one would say anything.
Pei Dongqing presented a brocade box. Someone beside Yin Rui walked down the steps to receive it, while Yin Rui said with a smile, "Since Dongqing offers a gift, I will not refuse."
At a birthday banquet, it was normal for guests to present gifts, and the host generally would not decline.
The person who took the box walked to Yin Rui's side and opened the rather large box. Instantly, a terrifying demonic aura surged out. Inside was an enormous crystal, dazzling like a divine turtle. The crystal seemed to harbor a turtle spirit, as if it possessed life.
"Turtle Core." Yin Rui's expression tightened, and a sharp light suddenly flashed in his eyes as he looked at Pei Donglai and Pei Dongqing. "This gift is too precious."
"This turtle core was obtained by my uncle not long ago during a training trip to the East Sea, where he killed a ten-thousand-year-old dragon turtle. But for Senior Yin Rui's centennial birthday, this is merely a modest gift—nothing worth mentioning." Pei Dongqing said with a smile, startling everyone.
"The turtle core has taken form, as if nurturing life. It must be from a demon emperor dragon turtle, right? Donglai, your strength is truly impressive." Yin Rui exclaimed in admiration, giving Pei Donglai a deep look. Purple Qi Comes from the East—in the past, when Pei Donglai was on the Emperor's List, he had dominated, ranking among the top three and shaking Holy City Central Continent. Now, years later, having stepped into the Great Emperor realm, he could actually kill a demon emperor dragon turtle from the East Sea.
The dragon turtle had extremely strong defenses and was skilled in water, earth, and various powerful forces, making it very difficult to kill. For Pei Donglai to accomplish this, his strength must be terrifying.
"The Pei Clan has made a grand gesture." Everyone's hearts trembled again. A demon emperor dragon turtle—this turtle core must contain the essence of the dragon turtle, strengthening the spirit, energy, and life force, making a martial artist's vitality surge and their spirit, energy, and spirit advance further. For human martial artists, this was definitely a treasure, capable of helping Yin Rui take a step forward on the martial path.
"Since it is a heartfelt gift, I will shamelessly accept it." Yin Rui said with a smile, causing many to be astonished. This would likely be the most valuable birthday gift of the day. No wonder Pei Dongqing wanted to steal the spotlight. The Pei Clan had sent such a grand gift—one wondered what they were after. Such exchanges at banquets were common; showing goodwill was enough. A gift this heavy usually meant there was another purpose.
"I have no turtle core as a lavish gift, but I offer a Pure Heart Ancient Buddhist Scripture as a token of my sincerity." The combat monk said with a smile, presenting a Buddhist scripture with both hands.
"Combat Monk, your heartfelt gift—I will not refuse." Yin Rui remained smiling, unperturbed by favor or disgrace.
Everyone began to present their birthday gifts one after another, creating a harmonious and lively atmosphere. At this moment, Pei Dongqing's gaze fell on Lin Feng and Lin Wushang, and he said lightly, "You two look very unfamiliar. Which ancient saint clan do you come from? I have never seen you before."
"You seem to place great importance on family background. It was the same when we first met." Lin Feng looked at Pei Dongqing and said calmly.
"Powerful clans produce prodigies. In the vast Holy City Central Continent, how many monstrous talents are there? Yet most come from ancient clans." Pei Dongqing said with a faint smile. Hearing this, a slight smile curled at the corner of Lin Feng's mouth. He shook his head and looked away, not bothering to look at him again.
"What are you laughing at?" Pei Dongqing asked Lin Feng.
Lin Feng ignored Pei Dongqing. Throughout his journey, he had seen too many people like Pei Dongqing, who carried a sense of superiority. But the more such people there were, the less resilient their will. Once shattered, they would fall into eternal damnation. On the other hand, someone like Sword Blind—you could never hope to break his martial heart.
Being ignored by Lin Feng, Pei Dongqing's expression gradually turned cold. He said sarcastically, "Playing at being profound? At Senior Yin Rui's birthday banquet, it's amusing that a petty character like you managed to sneak in."
Lin Wushang glared at Pei Dongqing and said, "You're talking nonsense."
"Wushang, some people aren't worth your anger, or even your attention. Do you understand?" Lin Feng admonished, making Lin Wushang pause for a moment before nodding. "Brother, I understand."
"Hehe." Silver Moon winked at Lin Wushang, showing a smile. She had thought Lin Feng would be humiliated, but it seemed she had worried too much. Lin Feng simply disdained Pei Dongqing.
"Although my nephew is a bit arrogant, you have quite the big mouth. Are you saying that a member of my Pei Clan is not worth your attention?" Pei Donglai spoke slowly, and a surge of purple qi rushed toward Lin Feng. Lin Feng turned his gaze to Pei Donglai and said calmly, "Pei Donglai of the Pei Clan in Holy City. At the peak of the Martial Emperor realm, your highest rank was third on the Emperor's List, suppressed by two others. Later, you entered the Human Imperial Palace, and now you have become a Great Emperor."
Pei Donglai was not surprised that Lin Feng knew him. His expression remained calm as he said, "So you do know me."
"I have indeed heard of you. But even at the very peak of the Martial Emperor realm, you were still firmly suppressed by two others, always ranking third. Although it's passable, it's nothing more than that." Lin Feng said calmly, causing everyone's expressions to tighten as they stared at him. This guy had an incredibly arrogant tone. To say that ranking third on the Emperor's List was merely "passable" and "nothing more than that"—how audacious.
At this moment, someone transmitted a message to Yin Rui. Yin Rui then looked at Lin Feng with an intrigued expression. So it was him.
"It seems your position on the Emperor's List is higher than mine." Pei Donglai said sarcastically. He knew all the top three on the Emperor's List, and it certainly wasn't this person. He wasn't even in the top ten.
"His current cultivation is only at the mid-rank Emperor realm. You're comparing his ranking to yours at the peak of the Martial Emperor realm. As a member of an ancient saint clan, according to Pei Dongqing's logic, you should have been far more outstanding than him at the same level. Senior Pei Donglai, when you were at the peak of the mid-rank Emperor realm, what was your rank on the Emperor's List?" Silver Moon asked with a playful smile.
"At the peak of the mid-rank Emperor realm, I had already entered the Emperor's List, ranking around the forties." Pei Donglai replied.
"And compared to the top three on the Emperor's List at that time?"
"At the mid-rank Emperor realm, naturally, I couldn't compare." Pei Donglai answered truthfully.
"Oh, so that means the disciples of ancient saint clans aren't that impressive after all. The person you're talking to is still at the mid-rank Emperor realm, but over a year ago, his ranking was already higher than yours when you were at the peak of the mid-rank Emperor realm. Moreover, he once fought with Ji Shang, who was ranked second on the Emperor's List, and didn't come out at a disadvantage." Silver Moon said with a giggle, causing everyone's pupils to contract slightly.