banquet

As night fell, Li Yong directed him to a restaurant.

Just by looking from the outside, one could already glimpse a grand banquet, with dazzling golden decorations catching the eye.

However, no sound could be heard from outside, indicating that a Formation had been set up to prevent sound leakage.

Beside the young man was a beautiful maiden, with captivating large eyes, a high nose bridge, delicate eyebrows, and cherry-red lips that were exceptionally vibrant.

The moonlight equally illuminated the earth, and her smooth hair shimmered with a dazzling luster; perhaps the beautiful women spoken of in the world were just like this....

Once, Li Tan yearned for powerful guards and beautiful maids, as if only then could his status be highlighted, making him appear more noble and elegant.

Fate is unpredictable; who could have imagined that a high-ranking disciple would also be reduced to being someone else's maid?

Gazing at the stars in the sky, Li Tan murmured to himself, "How noble must one's status be to attain true freedom!"

"Even the True Dragon and Heavenly Phoenix of ancient times were ultimately slaughtered by valiant Cultivators."

"Can people truly not control their own destiny?"

But the next moment! The young man's eyes were no longer confused or perplexed; his body was as straight and resilient as a spear, and a spear, the king of all weapons, would rather break than bend!

"Then I shall be the Heaven above!"

.......

Walking into the luxurious banquet hall, the lively atmosphere of the banquet was accompanied by laughter and music.

The lighting was soft and not harsh, bright but not vulgar, possessing an indescribable charm.

Upon seeing Li Tan arrive, everyone greeted him with smiles, some even eager to approach and make his acquaintance.

"Brother Yasi, I am Li Kexin from the Fourth Elder's lineage. I had heard of Brother Yasi's great name from my grandfather long ago, and meeting you today, you are truly a gentleman!"

Li Tan looked at the two women before him; one was slightly taller and exuded an extraordinary demeanor, while the other had a pure appearance like a girl next door.

"Li Yasi, it's an honor to meet you. I am Li Fei Er from the Seventh Elder's lineage."

Compared to Li Kexin, Li Fei Er seemed to be at a loss for words, and her expressionless face made her appear very serious and arrogant.

Li Tan did not mind the differences between them; in comparison, he had a good impression of Li Fei Er.

Li Kexin, meeting him for the first time, immediately flattered him, which seemed very purposeful.

Out of politeness, he still stated his name: "Li Kexin, Li Fei Er, thank you very much for being willing to come and get to know me. I am Li Yasi from the Second Elder's lineage."

As they exchanged names, the three gradually became familiar and chatted casually.

.......

At another part of the banquet, four men were seated in a place of honor.

"Isn't he just a pretty boy? I really don't understand why Li Kexin and Li Fei Er would still curry favor with him."

The speaker was Li Lindan, the successor from the Fifth Elder's lineage.

"I think it's because Li Yasi's reputation spread earlier, seizing fame prematurely, but it's just an empty reputation."

"Li Po, do you see if the maid behind him is Li Na?"

Li Po, the successor from the Sixth Elder's lineage, also quickly cast a curious glance upon hearing this.

"He looks refined and like a Young Master, but I didn't expect him to be a hypocritical scholar."

"Why bother mentioning such a sanctimonious person? Li Yan, why don't you go test this person's background?"

As Li Po finished speaking, Li Lindan immediately chimed in, "Li Po is right! Li Yan, I heard that you had a good impression of Li Na before. Why don't you go test his background?"

Teased by the two, Li Yan, being young and hot-blooded, couldn't stand the slight. He casually took off the jade plaque from his robe and threw it onto the table.

Seeing this scene, Li Po chuckled heartily, then slowly said, "Grandfather once said that a gentleman strives for self-improvement without cease, daring to speak out against injustice in the world."

"The jade plaque represents a gentleman's demeanor and should not be casually removed from one's person."

The successor from the Third Elder's lineage, "Li Yanfeng," who had remained silent, looked at Li Yan, who was going to cause trouble, and softly uttered a sentence.

"Idiot."

In the northwest corner of the banquet, two beautiful women behaved very elegantly, lightly swirling their wine glasses and chatting with smiles.

"Sister Xirui, is that Li Yasi really as divine as you say? I don't see anything extraordinary about him."

"Even his reputation wasn't good in earlier years...."

They were Li Xirui and Li Chenxi, the successors of the Eighth Elder and Ninth Elder, respectively.

Questioned by Li Chenxi with doubt, Li Xirui immediately became displeased.

"I heard it from my grandfather! This Li Yasi is truly extraordinary! You must never become his enemy."

Li Chenxi's interest was immediately piqued, and she asked tentatively, "Sister Xirui, are you interested in going to make his acquaintance?"

Unexpectedly, Li Xirui's emotional reaction was very exaggerated, like a startled rabbit, full of terror: "This person has an evil face; it's better not to associate with him. I'd rather avoid him."

But Li Chenxi's curiosity was ignited, like a raging fire that could not be extinguished.

Although she believed Li Xirui's words were not false, she still wanted to make Li Tan's acquaintance and see if he was truly so legendary.

Then Li Chenxi no longer hesitated and walked straight towards Li Tan.

......

Meanwhile, Li Tan was chatting with the two women when he saw a man suddenly appear before them, feeling a little confused: "Could it be another person coming to make my acquaintance?"

The two women's thoughts were also identical to Li Tan's.

Who would have thought that Li Yan would cause trouble at this moment: "This benevolent brother, your appearance is dignified and your demeanor is refined, and even your words and conversation are very cultivated; you are indeed a gentleman."

"But I see that beside you is Li Na from the Second Elder's lineage. How can a high-ranking disciple be reduced to a maid? This disrespects the honor of our Li family."

"Why do you act like a gentleman but not perform the deeds of a gentleman!"

His words were cunning, and his language was sharp, showing no mercy at all.

Li Tan was troubled for a moment; he couldn't understand why Li Yan's malice was so great, his words so vicious, and every move so deadly.

Li Chenxi also slowly approached, her face showing no emotion, but inwardly, she was delighted, wanting to see how Li Tan would resolve this situation.

Li Kexin and Li Fei Er also never expected Li Yan's words to be so malicious and cunning.

He immediately labeled Li Tan as a gentleman! First, he constrained him with family rules and clan laws, then he morally blackmailed him.

He was truly sinister and ill-intentioned! However, Li Kexin and Li Fei Er also wanted to know how Li Tan would break this situation.

As they expected, Li Tan did not remain silent because of this, but only asked curiously, "A scholar should respect teachers and value the Dao, but before benevolence and morality, one must not yield."

"Young Master, do you think what I said is correct?"

Li Yan heard these words and thought there was nothing special about them, merely a good piece of advice, so he chimed in, "Naturally, it's correct!"

Li Chenxi's eyes also flashed with a sharp light, and she couldn't help but silently exclaim, "These words are wonderful! A scholar should indeed respect teachers and value the Dao, but before benevolence and morality, one must not yield. Why 'must not' and not 'cannot'?"

"Because disaster comes from the mouth, even a Saint must think thrice before acting! Justice may not be late, but it can be absent!"