174: Chapter 174 Suppressing the Entire Scene

Inside the Drunken Immortal Tower, the atmosphere was somewhat subtle for a moment.

Zhou Hao was still standing there, his face wearing that arrogant expression of "My family has a mine, so I'm awesome."

Meanwhile, Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing and Xia Youchu looked quite strange.

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing the suppressed laughter in the other's eyes.

A yao jing mineral vein? The one Ling Tian just ate?

The "gold content" of this... they knew it all too well!

Not only did they know, they had watched with their own eyes as Ling Tian devoured that mineral vein clean.

Now Zhou Hao was actually using this to show off? And talking about leaving a legacy in history?

If he knew that the mineral vein his Zhou Family was obsessed with had already been eaten up, who knew what his expression would be?

"Ahem." Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing coughed twice, forcing himself to hold back his laughter.

"A yao jing mineral vein... truly precious," he said slowly.

"However, Young Master Zhou, are you sure that mineral vein is still there?"

Zhou Hao was taken aback. "What does Senior mean by that?"

"I mean..." Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing looked at him meaningfully. "Sometimes, don't be in such a rush to show off before the item is even in your hands."

"What if it's gone?"

Zhou Hao's expression darkened. "Is Senior cursing my Zhou Family?"

"I wouldn't dare," Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing shook his head. "Just a reminder."

"After all, in this world, there are always many accidents."

Zhou Hao snorted coldly. He felt that this old man was just jealous—jealous that his Zhou Family had discovered such a massive mineral vein.

"No need for Senior to concern yourself," Zhou Hao's tone turned cold. "My Zhou Family does things with our own discretion."

"We have long since sent people to strictly guard that mineral vein; there will absolutely not be any accidents."

"As for you, Senior, if you still insist on not giving up your seat..." He paused, a hint of threat flashing in his eyes. "When Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming arrives later, things might get ugly."

"Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming has a bad temper and hates it when people ruin his mood."

"When that time comes, if you offend Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming, I'm afraid..." He didn't finish, but the meaning was clear.

The Vice Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion held a lofty status and unfathomable strength. Zhou Hao was bringing out his backing to threaten Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing.

However, Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing just laughed.

"Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming? The Vice Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion?" He shook his head. "Even if the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master himself came, he wouldn't dare speak to me like that."

Zhou Hao's expression changed. This old man, wasn't his tone a bit too arrogant?!

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master was a legendary existence! It was said he was a super powerhouse at the Quasi-Emperor level!

This old man actually said the Heavenly Secret Pavilion Master wouldn't dare speak to him like that? He was bragging without even thinking!

"Senior, I'm only being polite to you because I respect you a little," Zhou Hao's voice turned cold. "But if you insist on making an enemy of my Zhou Family..."

"Then don't blame me for being impolite!"

As his voice fell, a commotion suddenly erupted outside the restaurant. Immediately after, a deep, majestic voice came from outside.

"Zhou Hao, what's going on? I told you to book the place; why haven't you finished it after so long?"

The voice wasn't loud, but it exploded in everyone's ears like thunder.

The diners in the restaurant turned pale, feeling as if their hearts had been violently gripped. What powerful pressure!

Hearing this voice, Zhou Hao was overjoyed. "Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming! You've arrived!" He hurriedly turned and went to greet him.

At the entrance of the restaurant, an elderly man in a gray robe with a thin face walked in slowly.

The old man looked to be in his sixties, with graying hair, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, and his entire body exuded an unfathomable aura.

Behind him followed two middle-aged men also dressed in gray robes, both of whom had reached the Late Stage of the Yuan Emperor Realm!

This old man was none other than the Vice Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, Situ Ming! A Peak Yuanhuang Rank cultivator!

"Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming!" Zhou Hao bowed respectfully. "This Junior has failed to handle matters well and disturbed you; please forgive me."

Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming waved his hand, his gaze sweeping across the restaurant. When he saw Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing and Xia Youchu, his brows furrowed slightly.

"Who are these two?"

"Reporting to you, they are two ignorant outsiders who don't know when to die," Zhou Hao said hurriedly. "This Junior tried to persuade them nicely to give up their seats, but not only did they refuse, they also injured my guards. Please, Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming, decide on this for this Junior!"

Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming looked at Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing. When he felt the faint, vast aura on Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing's body, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes.

This old man was also a Yuan Emperor? But in front of him, a Peak Yuanhuang Rank cultivator, it wasn't enough.

"Your Excellency," Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming spoke, his tone flat but carrying undeniable majesty. "I am hosting a banquet here today, so I ask for your convenience. Afterward, I will naturally compensate you."

It was the same request to give up a seat. But coming from Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming, it carried a condescending tone. It was as if he wasn't negotiating, but issuing an order.

Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing laughed. "What if I say no?"

Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming frowned. "Is Your Excellency insisting on making an enemy of my Heavenly Secret Pavilion?"

"Heavenly Secret Pavilion?" Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing shook his head. "If the Heavenly Secret Pavilion is full of people like you, then making an enemy of you is no big deal."

Once these words were spoken, the whole place was in an uproar. Everyone widened their eyes, looking at Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing in disbelief. Was this old man crazy?! How dare he speak to the Vice Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion like that?!

Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming's expression darkened. "Good! Very good!" A cold glint flashed in his eyes. "Since Your Excellency is so unappreciative, don't blame me for being impolite!"

He slowly raised his hand. In his palm, an ancient-looking copper coin appeared. The surface of the coin was engraved with complex Eight Trigrams patterns, emitting a mysterious aura.

The Heavenly Secret Pavilion's supreme treasure—the Heavenly Mandate Copper Coin! It could divine the secrets of heaven, and it could also... kill!

"I would like to see what skills you have to dare be so arrogant!" Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming shouted coldly and was about to make a move.

However. Just at that moment. Outside the restaurant. A lazy voice suddenly came. "Yo, quite lively, isn't it."

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice. They saw at the restaurant entrance, Ling Tian's massive 350-meter body had opened its eyes at some unknown point.

It was lying there, watching the standoff inside the restaurant with interest. It had been resting with its eyes closed earlier, ignoring the commotion inside. But now, it seemed a bit interesting.

"Hmm?" Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming's eyelids twitched when he saw Ling Tian. What the hell? When did this War Beast appear?

Everyone else present was also startled. They had just walked over; how had they not noticed it?! This War Beast... what a strong aura! Especially those dark golden Dragon eyes, which seemed to be able to see through everything.

"Whose... War Beast is this?" Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming looked at Zhou Hao. Zhou Hao was also stunned. When he came in earlier, he had indeed seen a huge War Beast lying outside. But he hadn't paid attention to it at the time. Now that he looked closely... this War Beast didn't seem simple!

"Reporting to you, this War Beast... should belong to those two," Zhou Hao said uncertainly.

Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming looked at Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing and Xia Youchu. "What? Is Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming interested in my War Beast?" Xia Youchu smiled faintly.

"..." Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming stared at Ling Tian for a moment, a flash of doubt in his eyes. He had never seen this War Beast before. It seemed like a Dragon but wasn't, like a beast but wasn't. Moreover, the aura on its body was very strange. It was clearly only at the Yuan Emperor Realm, yet it gave him an extremely dangerous feeling.

"Your Excellency's War Beast is quite unique," Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming said slowly. "May I ask what breed it is?"

"Guess?" Xia Youchu smiled without smiling.

Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming's expression darkened. Was this little girl playing with him?

"No matter what breed it is," he said coldly. "I have booked this restaurant today. If you two don't yield, then let's see what you're capable of in a fight!"

He had lost his patience. A mere Yuan Emperor dared to be arrogant in front of him? Did they really think the Vice Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion was made of clay?

"See what we're capable of in a fight?" Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing laughed. "Alright." He slowly stood up. With his movement, an aura as vast as the sea erupted with a boom!

Boom—!!! The entire Drunken Immortal Tower was shaking violently! Tables and chairs clattered! Decorations on the walls fell one after another!

All the diners were suppressed by this pressure to the point of being unable to breathe, their faces turning deathly pale. A few with lower cultivation levels even fainted directly.

Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming's expression changed. This pressure wasn't right! It wasn't the Middle Stage of the Yuan Emperor Realm! It was at least the Peak Yuanhuang Rank! No, this had already exceeded the Yuan Emperor level; was he... a Quasi-Emperor?! He stared fixedly at Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing, his eyes filled with disbelief. This old man had hidden his strength?!

"You... who exactly are you?!" Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming's voice was dry. Someone who could possess such pressure was definitely not a nobody!

Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing did not answer. He just looked at Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming and spoke faintly. "Now, do you still want to see what we're capable of in a fight?"

Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming's expression shifted uncertainly. He could feel that Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing's strength was definitely above his own! If they really fought, he was afraid he wouldn't gain any advantage. Moreover, this was the Imperial Capital, at the feet of the Human Emperor. Fighting here would have too big an impact. Even if he was the Vice Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, he had to weigh the consequences.

"Your Excellency's strength is high; I admire it," Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart. "Today's matter was my rashness. I will yield this restaurant to Your Excellency."

He chose to concede. It wasn't out of fear, but... reason. It wasn't worth making an enemy of a Quasi-Emperor stronger than himself over such a trivial matter.

Hearing this, Zhou Hao's expression changed drastically. "Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming! This..."

"Shut up!" Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming glared at him. Zhou Hao was too scared to speak again.

"Let's go." Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming turned and was about to leave.

However. Just at that moment. Outside the restaurant. A rapid sound of horse hooves suddenly came. Immediately after. A loud voice rang out.

"The War Beast Association Enforcement Squad is here! Who dares to cause trouble in the Imperial Capital?!"

As the voice fell, a team wearing silver armor and riding Dragon horses rushed to the entrance of the restaurant. Leading them was a middle-aged General with a resolute face, whose aura had reached the Late Stage of the Yuan Emperor Realm.

Behind him followed dozens of Enforcement Squad members, all with fierce auras.

"It's the War Beast Association's Enforcement Squad!" "They are the ones who maintain order in the Imperial Capital!" "Now we have a good show to watch!" The diners whispered.

The middle-aged General dismounted and walked into the restaurant. When he saw Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming, his brows furrowed. "Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming?"

"General Zhao." Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming nodded. General Zhao was Commander Zhao Tieshan, the leader of the War Beast Association Enforcement Squad.

"What happened here?" Commander Zhao Tieshan asked in a deep voice. He had received a report that someone was causing trouble at the Drunken Immortal Tower and had used Yuan Power to damage the building. So he immediately brought people over.

"Nothing," Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming said faintly. "Just a small misunderstanding. It has already been resolved."

"Resolved?" Commander Zhao Tieshan swept a glance at the messy restaurant, then looked at Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing and Xia Youchu, and finally his gaze fell on Ling Tian outside. When he saw Ling Tian, his pupils suddenly contracted. This War Beast... what a strong aura! And this size...

"Whose War Beast is this?" Commander Zhao Tieshan asked.

"Stop the damn nonsense and come over!" Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing spoke.

Commander Zhao Tieshan looked at Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing. When he felt that unfathomable aura on Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing, his expression changed. A Quasi-Emperor?! And this aura... it was a bit familiar?

"Senior is..." Commander Zhao Tieshan asked cautiously.

Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing glanced at him and said faintly. "What? It's been a few years, and you don't even recognize me?"

Commander Zhao Tieshan was stunned. He looked at Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing carefully. Suddenly, he remembered something, and his eyes widened sharply. "You... you are... Elder Bai?! Vice President Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing?!"

Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing nodded. "At least you're not blind."

Wow—!!! The whole place was in an uproar! Everyone was looking at Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing in shock. The Vice President of the War Beast Association, Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing?! That Peak Yuanhuang Rank powerhouse who had been in seclusion for many years?! He was back?! And he had broken through to become a Quasi-Emperor?!

"Elder Bai! It really is you!" Commander Zhao Tieshan's voice was trembling with excitement. He hurriedly knelt on one knee and bowed respectfully. "Subordinate Zhao Tieshan pays respects to the Vice President!" The Enforcement Squad members behind him also knelt and saluted. "Pay respects to the Vice President!"

The voices were uniform and filled with respect. Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing's status in the War Beast Association was extremely high. He was not only the Vice President but also an elder-level figure. When the War Beast Association was founded, he was one of the founders. It was just that later, for some reasons, he had been in seclusion in the research institute, which led to the outside world knowing very little about him. Unexpectedly, he was back now. And he had broken through to become a Quasi-Emperor! If this news spread, the entire Imperial Capital would be shaken!

"Get up." Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing waved his hand. Commander Zhao Tieshan stood up and said respectfully. "Elder Bai, when did you return? Why didn't you notify the Association?"

"Just returned," Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing said. "Haven't had time to notify them yet."

"It is my dereliction of duty!" Commander Zhao Tieshan said hurriedly. "I will go and notify the President and the elders immediately!"

"No need," Quasi-Emperor Bai Jing shook his head. "I only returned this time to handle some private matters."

"Yes!" Commander Zhao Tieshan nodded. Then, he looked at Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming, his expression darkening. "Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming, were you the one causing trouble just now?"

Vice Pavilion Master Situ Ming's expression was ugly. He hadn't expected this old man to be the Vice President of the War Beast Association! And, he had broken through to become a Quasi-Emperor! Now, he was in trouble.