83: Chapter 83 Meeting an Acquaintance

"Oh? Wangyue Tower is quite lively today."

A voice filled with a hint of surprise and amusement came perfectly timed from outside the door, breaking the tense, sword-drawn atmosphere inside the private room.

Chu Feng looked toward the sound and saw a young man dressed in luxurious brocade robes, with a face like jade and an air of elegance, stepping in with a smile.

Surprisingly, Chu Feng recognized this person.

It was Tang An from the Northern Continent, who had passed the true disciple examination with him back then.

Although they hadn't been close back then, they were at least acquaintances.

He hadn't expected to meet him here.

Tang An's gaze swept across the faces of Chu Feng, Tang Yanrou, and Song Ming, his smile unchanging: "What? Junior Brother Chu, Junior Sister Tang, do you not welcome me?"

Chu Feng smiled and cupped his hands, "So it is Senior Brother Tang. Could it be... are Senior Brother Tang and this Song Ming together?"

He needed to confirm Tang An's stance; if he was an enemy...

Tang An waved his hands hurriedly and laughed: "Junior Brother Chu has misunderstood. I do not know this person; I just happened to be passing by. I seemed to hear some arguing downstairs just now?"

"What, are you all planning to fight here in Wangyue Tower? That would be rather unseemly and would also break the restaurant's rules."

He appeared to be mediating, but in reality, he was pointing out that this place was unsuitable for a conflict.

Seeing that Tang An had an extraordinary bearing and called Chu Feng 'Junior Brother'—clearly also a true disciple—Song Ming couldn't figure out his background. His arrogance dampened slightly, but he still glared at Chu Feng.

Chu Feng glanced at Tang An, then shot a cold look at Song Ming, "Senior Brother Tang jokes. I, Chu Feng, strictly adhere to sect rules and etiquette."

"Even if some ignorant mongrels come looking for trouble, if I need to settle it, I will definitely choose a fair place like the Dueling Platform, sign a life-or-death contract, and completely settle the grudge!"

He emphasized the last six words deliberately.

Song Ming felt a chill in his heart from being looked at like that, but his anger flared up even more. He sneered, "Interesting! I'd like to see what a Foundation Establishment sixth-layer Cultivator like you will use to 'completely settle' things with me on the Dueling Platform!"

"Ahem..."

Just as both sides were at loggerheads again, a soft cough with a strange rhythm came from outside the door.

The cough wasn't loud, but it clearly drowned out all other sounds in the room, as if it resonated directly in everyone's hearts.

Everyone instinctively turned to look.

They saw an old man dressed in simple white Daoist robes, with gray hair and a gaunt face, walking in slowly.

The old man's steps seemed slow, yet in the blink of an eye, he arrived right in front of them.

He was not tall, had a kind face, and no spiritual energy fluctuations leaked from his body; he looked just like an ordinary mortal elder.

But in Wangyue Tower in Duobao City, where Cultivators gathered, especially in this powder-keg of a private room, the appearance of such an "ordinary" old man was in itself highly unusual.

What was even more alarming was that the moment he walked in,

whether it was the pressure released by Song Ming at the Foundation Establishment ninth layer, or the pill fire dancing on Tang Yanrou's fingertips, both dissipated silently, as if snow melting in the spring breeze.

The entire room fell into a strange silence.

"Swish, swish, swish..."

Tang An was the first to react. He quickly bowed and saluted, his attitude respectful: "Seventh Grandfather, why have you come up here?"

Chu Feng, Tang Yanrou, and even Song Ming and his lackeys all stood up in unison and bowed in greeting.

An old man who could make Tang An address him like that, and who possessed such unfathomable aura, was definitely no ordinary person!

The old man's gaze swept over everyone calmly, finally pausing slightly on Chu Feng's face. He nodded slightly and asked Tang An: "It's a bit noisy. Who are these people...?"

Tang An hurriedly introduced: "Seventh Grandfather, this is Junior Brother Chu Feng, the top of this year's hidden dragon ranking. His talent is exceptional."

"This is Junior Sister Tang Yanrou from Danbao Peak. As for these people..."

He looked at Song Ming, his tone cooling: "I don't know them!!!"

Cold sweat had already broken out on Song Ming's forehead. He hurriedly stepped forward and bowed deeply: "Junior Song Ming from Fubao Peak did not know Senior was here. I have offended you, and I hope Senior will be magnanimous!"

Although he didn't know the old man's specific identity, anyone who could make Tang An so respectful was definitely someone he couldn't afford to offend.

The old man gave a hum, acknowledging him.

Then his gaze fell upon Chu Feng again, a look of interest appearing on his face: "Chu Feng? I have heard this name many times recently. Seeing you today, you truly have an extraordinary bearing."

"Senior is too kind. Junior and Junior Sister disturbing Senior's peace is truly improper," Chu Feng said.

"It is fine. It is a good thing for young people to have some vigor."

The old man waved his hand, his tone easygoing, as if it were truly just a chance encounter.

He glanced at Song Ming again, "You all seemed to have some dispute just now?"

Song Ming shuddered in fear and hurriedly said: "No... no! Just a small misunderstanding. Junior will leave now and definitely won't disturb Senior's pleasure!"

After speaking, he glared fiercely at Chu Feng and whispered: "Chu Feng, you're lucky today! Three days from now, at the Dueling Platform, I'll be waiting for you! If you don't dare to come, you'll have to call me 'Grandfather' whenever you see me in the future!"

Chu Feng's expression remained unchanged, and he replied clearly: "Rest assured, I will definitely be there. I hope that when the time comes, you don't find some excuse to flee the battle, making me wait for nothing. That would truly be disappointing."

"Hmph!" Song Ming didn't dare say more. He took his lackeys and slunk out of the private room, heading downstairs.

The old man acted as if he hadn't seen the little episode, smiling at Chu Feng and Tang Yanrou: "Since we have met, it is fate. Would you mind if I sat down and asked for a cup of wine?"

Chu Feng and Tang Yanrou naturally claimed they wouldn't dare, respectfully inviting the old man to take the seat of honor, with Tang An attending to him at the side.

Tang Yanrou personally poured "Moonlight Nectar" for the old man.

During this time, the old man's words and actions were very easygoing, without the slightest air of a high-level Cultivator.

He seemed very interested in Chu Feng, asking some questions about Cultivation that didn't involve core secrets, his views on the current situation, and even chatting about the customs and strange tales from various parts of the Desolate Realm.

Having lived two lifetimes, Chu Feng's knowledge was already extraordinary. Coupled with his intense cramming over the last three months, his breadth of knowledge was vast, allowing him to respond calmly and with substance.

Occasionally, he could even offer some unique insights, causing a look of approval to flash in the old man's eyes from time to time.

Tang An watched from the side, secretly shocked.

His Seventh Grandfather had extremely high standards; ordinary Geniuses couldn't even catch his eye. Today, his attitude toward Chu Feng was clearly different.

About half an incense stick of time later.

The old man finished the wine in his cup, put it down, and smiled: "Alright, meeting an interesting young man like little friend Chu makes this trip worthwhile."

"I still have some worldly affairs to attend to, so I won't disturb you young people's gathering any further."

As he said this, he stood up.

Chu Feng and Tang Yanrou hurriedly stood up to see him off.

The old man nodded to Tang An, and the two walked toward the door.

Upon stepping outside the door, the old man's footsteps paused slightly.

"Little An, this Chu Feng's Heart-Nature and talent are both top-tier. He is not a person who will remain in a pond. In the future, you should associate with him more and treat him as a good friend."

Tang An's body trembled slightly, and he replied respectfully: "Yes, I will remember that, Grandfather."