Chapter 23: The Feast at Hongmen

"The Origin Veins that emerge in every city have historically been determined by the local City Lord. Once mined, half is contributed to the Imperial Household. This time, why don't you withdraw your claim to these rights?" Xuan Ningyue suggested.

Bai Zhentian looked at Xuan Ningyue. Her words left Ji Kun startled, but he quickly understood the underlying reason. She intended to give this Origin Vein to Bai Ling. Ji Kun nodded, having clearly understood her implication.

"Release the news that the people of Liuyue City and the three great families may compete for this opportunity," Xuan Ningyue said softly, gazing at Bai Ling on the mountaintop.

A flicker of surprise passed through Ji Kun's eyes. Instead of forcibly seizing it for Bai Ling, she was allowing him to compete and temper himself.

"As for how to announce it, that is for you to decide," Xuan Ningyue added.

Ji Kun nodded in acknowledgement, the tension in his expression gradually fading.

...

A boom resonated from within Bai Ling's body. Origin energy poured into the second energy gate within him, and a look of excitement lit up his face. A breakthrough! Second stage of the Initial Origin Realm!

He clenched his fist, feeling the surging power within. He suspected that with a full-force strike now, even a ninth-stage Initial Origin expert would find it hard to smile. After the thunder subsided, a heavy rain began to fall. Bai Ling rose and descended the mountain.

Seeing Ji Kun waiting, he greeted him respectfully, "Uncle Kun."

Ji Kun laughed heartily. As he looked into Bai Ling’s deep eyes, he suddenly grew startled, letting out a soft cry of disbelief: "You... you've broken through?"

Bai Ling nodded. Five days—it had only taken five days. The young man before him had once again left him in shock; three days after awakening, he had defeated his daughter, and two days later, he had broken through again to the second stage of the Initial Origin Realm. Such terrifying cultivation speed left Ji Kun feeling nothing but envy. He recalled that it had taken him ten years to reach the tenth stage of the Initial Origin Realm, and he had been stuck there for twenty years, never managing to step into the Spirit Origin Realm. Yet, this youth had achieved so much in such a short time. A look of sadness crossed his face.

Observing Ji Kun’s expression, Bai Ling said earnestly, "Uncle Kun, although Ji Jiu'er and I have no connection anymore, you will always be my uncle in my heart."

He tapped his chest, his words and actions bringing a smile back to Ji Kun's face. Over the years, Ji Kun had taken great care of Bai Ling. Since swearing brotherhood with him, he had never been stingy with food, clothing, or daily necessities. Even when Bai Ling had yet to awaken, he had secretly provided him with all the resources he brought back from his own cultivation in the Empire.

Ji Kun joked with a laugh, "What a pity, I didn't get to be your father-in-law!"

Bai Ling and Bai Zhentian laughed even harder, and even the cold Xuan Ningyue wore a smile.

Just then, Bai Zhentian remarked, "Brother Zhen, are you aware that there is more Thunder-Struck Profound Iron? The piece you gave me two days ago has already turned into scrap metal."

Bai Ling held a piece of iron in his hand. He had been wondering why the lightning seemed to be attracted to his head, only to realize that this iron—now charred black—was Thunder-Struck Profound Iron.

"That piece of Thunder-Struck Profound Iron is worth a hundred thousand Origin Crystals. I only had that one piece, which I brought back from my training in the Empire three years ago," Ji Kun said, then turned to look at Xuan Ningyue, coughing twice.

Xuan Ningyue: "???"

"Oh, I just remembered. Ten years ago, when the heavens changed and that storm lasted for three days and three nights with constant lightning, a lot of iron-like materials were exposed on the ground. It seems the Xiao family of the three great families got there first and claimed them all. Why don't you go check the Xiao family, Brother Zhentian?" Ji Kun recalled, exclaiming.

"Heh... what a coincidence!" Bai Ling laughed.

Ji Kun departed to disseminate Xuan Ningyue's decree. The three of them walked toward the Xiao family estate with smiles on their faces.

...

The Xiao family estate, located in the east of Liuyue City, covered a vast area; it took an hour just to walk around the perimeter. Two tenth-stage Initial Origin guards stood at the gate.

When the three arrived, one guard recognized Bai Zhentian and knew his status. A mocking smirk tugged at his lips, but he said respectfully, "The Patriarch has been waiting for a long time and has prepared a feast. Please come in quickly so I may report your arrival." With that, he immediately opened the gate.

As the three stepped inside, the heavy doors slammed shut with a boom. Dozens of footsteps could be heard surrounding the estate.

Bai Ling frowned and chuckled, "A genuine Hongmen Banquet."

Bai Zhentian laughed, "No matter. I haven't eaten meat in a long time; I shall enjoy a good meal today!"

The Xiao family's main hall was opulent, roughly the size of a basketball court. A voice echoed out—it was the Xiao family's Great Elder.

"Hahaha... Brother Ling, Brother Zhentian, you have finally arrived! The Patriarch was just urging me to invite you again. What a coincidence! I shall go report this immediately; please rest in the hall for a moment, the Patriarch will be here soon!" The Great Elder hurried away.

The three sat in a circle in the main hall, looking at the dozens of delicacies on the table, yet none of them touched their chopsticks.

...

Half an hour later, in the back courtyard, the Great Elder stood trembling before the back of Xiao Li. Xiao Li turned slowly, dressed in simple robes, rubbing a bracelet made of polished Origin Crystals.

"They have arrived?" Xiao Li asked softly. The Great Elder nodded.

...

"Haha... Senior Zhentian, it has been three years. I have thought of you day and night, unable to sleep, hoping for the day we might meet so you could guide me through my cultivation dilemmas!"

A voice drifted in from outside the hall. A few seconds later, Xiao Li appeared, wearing a smile and walking with a steady, measured pace. His eyes flickered when he caught sight of Xuan Ningyue's back, but the intensity vanished instantly. He sat in the main seat and continued.

"I presume this young brother is the renowned figure who shook all of Liuyue City two days ago—Senior Zhentian's nephew, Bai Ling. Judging by your appearance and temperament, you are truly extraordinary. You will surely soar to the nine heavens!" Xiao Li laughed heartily.

Bai Ling looked at the middle-aged man. His eyes were bright and piercing, and his tone lacked the sternness of a family head, sounding instead like a carefree wanderer. What struck Bai Ling as even stranger was his attire: simple robes paired with a bracelet made of polished Origin Crystals.

Bai Ling frowned. It was his first time seeing such an odd man. Were all the heads of the three great families like this?

Bai Zhentian looked up and laughed, "I am gratified that you do not hold a grudge after three years and have instead thought of me so fondly. As for your father... sigh, if only he had managed the family as well as you do, he might not have met such an end!"

Bai Ling was startled, dumbfounded that his uncle would bring up the events of three years ago right to Xiao Li's face—for Xiao Li's father had been the previous head of the Xiao family!

Xiao Li’s hands tightened under the table, though his smile remained. "I thank Senior Zhentian for eliminating a menace for the people!"

Xuan Ningyue remained cold, her demeanor icy the moment she entered the estate, warming only when she looked at Bai Ling. She felt a warmth in her palm and looked down to see Bai Ling holding her hand, offering her a reassuring look.

Just then, Bai Zhentian's expression shifted to one of feigned confusion. "I would be happy to offer some guidance, but I have heard that your Xiao family possesses Thunder-Struck Profound Iron. I have long admired it; might I borrow a piece to examine?"

Xiao Li's mouth twitched, his smile fading into a look of difficulty.

"If you are unwilling, then so be it. Ling'er, let us go," Bai Zhentian said, turning to leave.

"Heh... do you take my Xiao family for a public latrine? Coming and going as you please?" Xiao Li glared at the three, his mask of civility finally shattering.