56: Chapter 56 The Focus of the Audience

Stepping into the main hall of the City Lord's Manor, a wave of luxury washed over him.

However, Ye Tian was not attracted by these mundane objects; instead, his gaze immediately landed on the figure sitting in the primary seat.

It was a middle-aged man who possessed a natural air of authority. He wore a Purple-Gold Python Robe and had a dignified bearing; he was the City Lord of Luo City, Huangfu Xiong!

Even though he was just sitting there casually, chatting and laughing with those beside him, that powerful pressure—far exceeding that of Ye Qingtian and Lin Batian—still enveloped the entire hall, inspiring awe in everyone.

“Ningyuan Realm Third Stage... no! Even higher!” Ye Tian felt a chill in his heart.

The City Lord's strength was unfathomable, far beyond what the Clan Chiefs of the three major families could compare to!

No wonder he could oversee Luo City and keep all the various factions in awe.

Standing quietly by Huangfu Xiong's side was a youth of about sixteen or seventeen.

The youth had delicate features and a quiet temperament. Dressed in a simple white robe, his gaze was peaceful and his aura restrained; at first glance, he looked like an ordinary scholar.

But the feeling this person gave Ye Tian was not as simple as he appeared on the surface!

“This person should be the City Lord's offspring or a Personal Disciple...”

Ye Tian speculated privately, committing this person to memory.

He continued to scan the hall and saw many familiar faces.

Lin Batian of the Lin Family sat in a prominent seat, and standing beside him was a youth with an arrogant gaze. It was the leading figure of the Lin Family's younger generation, Lin Feng, whose cultivation had impressively reached the Qi Gathering Seventh Level Peak!

Lin Feng also noticed Ye Tian, and as their eyes met, there was a deep sense of hostility.

Over on the Chen Family's side, Ye Tian immediately spotted a familiar figure: Chen Xue.

Today, she had changed into an elegant, pale yellow gown. She had less of the heroic spirit she’d shown in the Black Cloud Mountains and more of the gentle grace of a young lady from a prestigious Family, but those bright eyes remained as clear as ever.

She was standing quietly behind a refined-looking middle-aged man.

However, just as Ye Tian's gaze passed over Chen Xue, she happened to turn her head as well.

When she saw Ye Tian, her eyes suddenly lit up, and a smile instantly broke across her face. Then, ignoring the gazes of the surrounding guests, she walked straight toward Ye Tian!

“Ye Tian! You came too!”

Chen Xue's voice was crisp and pleasant, carrying a hint of pleasant surprise.

In that instant, almost every eye in the hall focused on Ye Tian and Chen Xue!

The younger generation especially were all dumbfounded!

Chen Xue was Luo City's famous “Ice Beauty”!

She possessed outstanding talent and exquisite beauty, but her personality was cold and aloof. She was indifferent to everyone, and many talented young men had tried to approach her only to be rebuffed.

When had she ever been so proactive in greeting an obscure kid?

Moreover, the boy being greeted was a very unfamiliar face!

Judging by his clothes, he seemed to be from the Ye Family? But...

Regarding the Ye Family's younger generation, they only knew of a Ye Long; they had never heard of anyone named Ye Tian.

Countless gazes scanned Ye Tian with curiosity, scrutiny, and intense jealousy!

Especially the noble scions led by Lin Feng who were interested in Chen Xue—their eyes practically spat fire as they looked at Ye Tian!

What right did this kid have to make Chen Xue take the initiative to welcome him?!

Feeling himself instantly become the focus of the room, Ye Tian's lips twitched slightly, and he felt a wave of helplessness.

This Miss Chen acted a bit too directly.

He could only bite the bullet and respond with a slight cupped-hand salute: “Miss Chen, it has been a long time.”

Standing beside Ye Tian, Ye Qingtian and Ye Wenshan also looked surprised. They exchanged a glance, their expressions thoughtful.

When did this kid Ye Tian become so familiar with the Chen Family's girl?

Chen Xue seemed completely unaware of the sensation she had caused. She walked up to Ye Tian and gave a radiant smile: “We haven't seen each other since the Black Cloud Mountains. I didn't expect to meet again so soon.”

“Are your injuries... all healed?”

As soon as she said this, the hearts of those eavesdropping were jolted!

Since the Black Cloud Mountains?

Injuries?!

This was too much information!

Could it be that these two had ventured through the Black Cloud Mountains together?

Had they even faced life and death together?

Was that why their relationship was so unusual?

Immediately, all sorts of speculations and discussions spread through the crowd.

Ye Tian, this previously unknown kid, suddenly became mysterious.

Feeling the increasingly intense gazes around him, Ye Tian's scalp felt a bit numb. He could only answer as concisely as possible: “Thank you for your concern, Miss Chen. I am fine now.”

Chen Xue nodded and was about to say more when the gentle voice of the Chen Family Head, Chen Xuan, came over: “Xue'er, do not lose your manners. Come back.”

Chen Xue then stuck out her tongue, gave Ye Tian an apologetic smile, and turned to return to her father's side.

But after her little scene, it was impossible for Ye Tian to keep a low profile.

Ye Qingtian whispered to Ye Tian, “Not bad, kid. Without making a sound, you've managed to get the Chen Family's precious daughter to look at you differently.”

Ye Tian smiled wryly: “Clan Chief, Second Elder, it's not what you think...”

Ye Wenshan stroked his beard and chuckled, whispering: “It’s fine. Being valued by the girl Chen Xue shows that you have your own extraordinary points.”

“However, from now on, you'll likely become a thorn in the side of certain people. Be careful.”

Ye Tian nodded silently. He could clearly feel the hostility coming from Lin Feng and several others.

He knew that this birthday banquet likely wouldn't be very peaceful.

As time passed and the guests had all arrived, Huangfu Xiong, seeing that it was about time, spoke up: “Thank you all for coming. Luo City's smooth development over these decades is all thanks to your support. I shall first toast to everyone here.”

After saying this, Huangfu Xiong stood up and drained his cup. Naturally, the people below also raised their wine cups and responded respectfully: “The City Lord is too kind. This is merely our duty.”

With City Lord Huangfu Xiong's formal remarks, the atmosphere of the birthday banquet was pushed to a climax.

Fine wine and delicacies were served, the sounds of silk and bamboo instruments echoed melodiously in the hall, and dancers began to move gracefully.

The guests also began to move around freely, toasting and exchanging pleasantries with each other, chatting and laughing.

The Clan Chiefs of the three major families and the prominent figures of Luo City naturally gathered around City Lord Huangfu Xiong. They spoke polite formalities that seemed harmonious on the surface but were actually filled with hidden barbs, as they tested each other's strength and the City Lord's intentions.

As a junior, Ye Tian was not qualified to take a seat. He stood quietly behind Second Elder Ye Wenshan without saying a word, his gaze calmly scanning the room.

He secretly sensed the young disciples of the various families present and found that most of their cultivations hovered around the Qi Gathering Fifth Level, with many even stuck at the Fourth Level—they couldn't even compare to the former Ye Long.

“It seems that except for a few like Lin Feng and Chen Xue, the overall level of Luo City's younger generation is indeed not high.”

Ye Tian thought to himself. His original idea of seeing the strength of his peers had faded, and he now felt a bit bored.

He now only wanted this dull banquet to end quickly so he could go back and continue his Cultivation to break through to the Qi Gathering Ninth Stage.

However, while he didn't want to look for trouble, trouble came looking for him.

Chen Xue had shaken off a few young men who were surrounding her to curry favor. Holding a cup of fruit wine, she walked over to Ye Tian again with a beaming smile.

“Ye Tian, why are you standing here alone in a daze? How boring.”

Chen Xue smiled charmingly, her voice crisp. She was completely unaware that she had once again drawn the focus of the entire hall to Ye Tian.

Ye Tian suddenly felt a headache and sighed helplessly in his heart: “Why is this girl here again?”

He could clearly feel that as Chen Xue approached, at least seven or eight gazes filled with jealous hostility pierced toward him.

Especially the Lin Family's Lin Feng; if looks could kill, Ye Tian would have probably died a thousand times over.

“Miss Chen.” Ye Tian could only nod slightly, his tone as flat as possible. “The view here is quite good, and watching the singing and dancing is not bad either.”

Chen Xue didn't seem to notice the distance in his words. Instead, she leaned in closer and asked with a bit of curiosity: “Hey, how exactly do you Cultivate?”

“It hasn't been that long since we met in the Black Cloud Mountains, but I feel like your aura has become much stronger again!”

Those watery eyes of hers stared at Ye Tian without blinking, full of inquiry.

Ye Tian's heart stirred, thinking that this girl's perception was quite sharp.

He remained impassive on the surface and said vaguely: “I just had some lucky encounters, it’s nothing compared to Miss Chen's Family heritage.”

“Hmph, fine, don't tell me then.”

Chen Xue curled her lips, but the curiosity in her eyes did not diminish.

She was about to ask something else when a slightly cold voice interrupted.

“Sister Xue'er, so you were here.”

“And this is... a friend from the Ye Family?”

“A very unfamiliar face. I wonder how I should address you?”