9: Gathered at the Zhao family banquet

As this news spread, another piece of news also circulated throughout Hancheng City.

The Zhao Family was hosting a banquet to celebrate their family head, Zhao Jiuding, breaking through to the Spirit Roaming Realm.

At that time, all the major and minor families in Hancheng City would be invited to the banquet.

This was a blatant trap!

With Zhao Jiuding becoming a Spirit Roaming Realm cultivator, the balance in Hancheng City would be broken, and this banquet was a feast at Hong Gate.

The day after the news broke, the Tao Family received an invitation from the Zhao Family.

Upon receiving the invitation, Tao Yuan immediately went to Lin Mu's place of seclusion.

As he entered the courtyard, he saw Lin Mu just emerging from the secret chamber.

Tao Yuan quickly quickened his steps and went to greet him: "Congratulations, Young Master Lin, on coming out of seclusion!"

Tao Yuan sensed Lin Mu's aura.

Lin Mu seemed a little different from before, but he couldn't quite pinpoint what was different.

"Any progress on the map?"

"The family's subordinates have been searching everywhere, but there's no news yet."

Lin Mu thought that made sense; the Tao Family was just a small family, so it was unlikely they would have news so quickly.

"Has anything major happened recently?"

"Reporting, Young Master Lin!" Tao Yuan paused briefly: "There is indeed a major event."

"While Young Master Lin was in seclusion, the Zhao Family head, Zhao Jiuding, broke through to the Spirit Roaming Realm."

"And he's hosting a grand banquet, inviting all the families in Hancheng City; the invitations just arrived."

As Tao Yuan spoke, he handed the invitation to Lin Mu.

Lin Mu took the invitation, opened it, and glanced at it, saying, "This is to give the other three major families a show of force, isn't it?"

Tao Yuan said noncommittally, "What Young Master Lin said is correct."

"The reason the four major families have maintained a delicate balance has always been that each family only had one Spirit Roaming Realm cultivator."

"But now that the Zhao Family has an additional Spirit Roaming Realm cultivator, this balance is about to be broken."

"What, are you afraid?" Lin Mu scrutinized Tao Yuan.

"Perhaps I would have been afraid before, but now with Young Master Lin here, what is there to fear!" Tao Yuan subtly flattered him.

"A mere Spirit Roaming Realm is not worth mentioning."

"You just need to do what I've instructed; I will handle the Zhao Family's affairs."

Tao Yuan casually flattered him again, then asked.

"Then, Young Master Lin, will you attend this banquet?"

"Since the clowns have already taken the stage to perform, wouldn't it be a shame if we didn't go to watch the show?"

Just then, Lao Mo, who was guarding the door, stood up and walked over.

Lin Mu waved his hand at Tao Yuan.

"You may go now. Go arrange the people for tomorrow's banquet."

Upon hearing this, Tao Yuan bowed and said, "This subordinate takes his leave."

"How was the master's seclusion this time?" Lao Mo asked with concern.

Lin Mu smiled faintly: "I have successfully opened my Sea of Consciousness."

"Once I find the map of the Nine Nether Continent, I can begin to search for traces of the heavenly dao stone."

"Although the master's appearance has become younger, his temperament is still so profound," Lao Mo couldn't help but think.

"Lao Mo, in this life, we no longer need to care about others' opinions."

"Let those annoying rules go to hell."

"From now on, we will act according to our true intentions; if gods block our way, we will kill gods; if men block our way, we will kill men!"

"Whoever dares to obstruct my path, I will ensure they die without a burial place."

Lin Mu's words resonated deeply with Lao Mo.

"No matter what the master does, I will clear the path and remove all obstacles for him."

Meanwhile, inside the Zhao Family mansion.

Zhao Jiuding, the head of the Zhao Family, was discussing something with Zhao Xin.

"Father, Shen Gang's father is in the living room. Do you need to see him?"

Shen Gang was the young disciple from a minor family who was killed by Lao Mo in the street that day.

Zhao Jiuding said in a deep voice, "Everything that needed to be said has been said. Go tell him that after tomorrow, the Zhao Family will be his backing."

Zhao Xin stood up upon hearing this and said, "I'll go inform him now."

Zhao Xin was about to leave when he suddenly stopped and said, "Will Big Brother be back tomorrow?"

"Yesterday, your Big Brother sent me a message. He will come with his master, Tian Yangzi."

Zhao Xin was surprised, "Tian Yangzi, an elder of the Qingyang Sect? He's a Flying Heaven Realm expert!"

Zhao Jiuding said somewhat proudly, "Haha, the Yunzhou Heavenly Talent Grand Gathering is approaching, and your Big Brother will also participate."

"His return this time is merely a detour."

"Yunzhou Heavenly Talent Grand Gathering?" Zhao Xin asked with some confusion.

"That's right, a grand gathering held every ten years for all the heavenly talents in the Yanshan Kingdom."

"With Big Brother's talent, he will surely shine brightly and take first place," Zhao Xin said excitedly.

"That's natural. So tomorrow's banquet must be held splendidly; this is the Zhao Family's first battle for ascension."

The next day.

The entrance of the Zhao Family was adorned with lanterns and streamers, and carriages bustled back and forth.

"The Yan Family Head has arrived!"

"The Jin Family Head has arrived!"

"The Song Family Head has arrived!"

"The Zhang Family..."

Announcements rang out one after another.

Just as the Zhao Family Head was sitting in the banquet hall, receiving praises from everyone, another voice rang out.

"The City Lord has arrived!"

As this announcement sounded, everyone, led by Zhao Jiuding, walked towards the entrance.

"I didn't expect even the City Lord to come!" a young disciple from a minor family said to the person next to him.

"With two Spirit Roaming Realm experts in the Zhao Family, the City Lord naturally has to show face to the Zhao Family."

"You're all ill-informed, aren't you!"

A person standing behind them said:

"According to unofficial sources, Zhao Qingfeng, the eldest young master of the Zhao Family, will return for the banquet today, and his master, Tian Yangzi, will also accompany him."

"Tian Yangzi? He's a Flying Heaven Realm expert!"

Upon hearing this, everyone showed expressions of shock.

Outside the main gate of the Zhao Family, a group of people surrounded a middle-aged man in green robes.

The Middle-aged man (Fang Yan) slightly cupped his hands: "Congratulations, Brother Zhao, from now on, our Hancheng City will need more effort from the Zhao Family, haha."

Zhao Jiuding quickly returned the Rei: "Thank you, City Lord. It is an honor for my Zhao Family to be able to contribute a small effort to Hancheng City."

While the few of them were exchanging compliments.

A voice rang out again: "The Tao Family Head has arrived."

Everyone turned to look at the newcomers.

At the forefront was a handsome and dashing Youth in White Robes.

Behind the youth was a Black-clothed Old Man, walking with powerful strides, his gaze like lightning.

The Tao Family Head walked side by side with the old man.

Behind them were several younger members of the Tao Family, following closely.

Zhao Jiuding carefully scrutinized the leading youth.

He thought to himself.

"This person should be Lin Mu, and the old man behind him is the one who killed Shen Gang."

He just hadn't expected that the Tao Family Head would actually defer to him.

However, Zhao Jiuding didn't pay too much attention to it.

He had already inquired about it before the banquet.

There were no talented young men named Lin Mu in the Yunzhou Lin Family.

Seeing the Tao Family members approaching, Zhao Jiuding smiled politely and said, "Tao Family Head, what an honor."

Then he feigned surprise and said, "This young master looks a bit unfamiliar; I wonder who he is...?"

Tao Zhi stepped forward and introduced, "This is Young Master Lin, a distinguished guest of my Tao Family."

"He has come with us to the banquet this time. I hope the Zhao Family Head doesn't mind, does he?"

Lin Mu slightly cupped his hands: "Congratulations, Zhao Family Head."

A schadenfreude expression flashed across Zhao Jiuding's eyes.

"Guests are always welcome; there's no reason not to be. Please come in, everyone."