40: The villains are all close, he's such a darling.

"Your Highness, this is the humble gift we have specially prepared for Your Highness..."

Jun Lingxiao, clad in a black robe with gold embroidery, was walking towards the Main Hall. Turning a corner, he saw a group of Disciples led by Lin Qingxi kneeling, holding a purple-gold cloth pouch.

That was a Qiankun Pouch, also used for storing items.

The importance of Jun Lingxiao's birthday banquet meant that some Disciples of the main family were not qualified to attend, let alone those from collateral branches or affiliates. That's why they waited here, solely to present a gift to Jun Lingxiao.

He looked up and saw a vast crowd kneeling, over a thousand people. He had seen this sight before, but the difference this time was that there was no longer any animosity between the main family and the collateral branches.

Five years had passed, and Lin Qingxi had also grown up. The little girl who used to wear pigtails had transformed into a valiant young woman with a single ponytail. Her Realm had not fallen behind either; at ten years old, she had reached the Spirit Dao Realm, on par with the Prodigies of the main family.

It was quite emotion, as throughout Jun Lingxiao's journey, everyone around him had been older, with only Lin Qingxi being his age.

With that thought, Jun Lingxiao walked forward, took the Qiankun Pouch from Lin Qingxi's hand, and after inspecting it, couldn't help but chuckle. These Disciples truly had good intentions to be able to produce these items.

"Everyone, I've accepted the gifts."

"I'll be back shortly."

After speaking, Jun Lingxiao put the items into his wrist guard. Then, he suddenly became interested in the serious, half-kneeling girl in front of him.

He slowly leaned down and whispered in her ear:

"Your hair, it still suits you best the way it used to be."

As his words fell, Lin Qingxi's small face instantly flushed red. When she looked up, Jun Lingxiao had already walked far away.

"Wow, Sister Lin, what did the Divine Son say to you?"

"Yeah, yeah, tell us?"

The people around immediately crowded in, but Lin Qingxi just shook her head, blushing, saying nothing. She gazed steadily at Jun Lingxiao's departing back, lost in thought.

An Luoxin had been quietly following behind Jun Lingxiao. She looked back and immediately chuckled teasingly.

"It seems my Young Master's prestige is quite high."

"Call me whatever you want, but why do you always specifically add 'my' every time?"

Jun Lingxiao gave her an exasperated look. An Luoxin's face was full of innocence, and her long eyelashes fluttered as she feigned surprise: "But Young Master is mine... Oh, no, I should say I belong to Young Master's family."

As she spoke, she giggled. She was truly a little fox.

But fortunately, these past few years, she had only been playful with her words and hadn't done anything out of line.

The two bickered back and forth as they walked, but unexpectedly, they encountered another unexpected figure.

After a long stone staircase was the back door of the Jun Family Main Hall, and a man stood halfway up the mountain, waiting for him with his eyes closed and his arms crossed, holding a sword.

And this person's identity was not simple.

Jun Wenhan, the second Dao Child of the Jun Family. Although his name sounded refined, he was also a ruthless individual, and he and his aunt were both on the Prodigy Rankings.

They had met a few times over the years, but never spoken. Jun Lingxiao wondered what he wanted with him now.

"I heard from the Elder about your plan. You know the Fang Family is coming for you, and a starved camel is still bigger than a horse. You shouldn't be so reckless."

"The Fang Family and us are old enemies. If you step back this time, I will act."

Jun Wenhan opened his eyes and looked at Jun Lingxiao as he approached, getting straight to the point without any idle chatter.

Jun Lingxiao couldn't help but chuckle at these words.

The world said Jun Wenhan was a martial arts fanatic, but, you see, he still had a human touch.

He was worried about him... "The Fang Family is coming for me, but I'm also going for the Fang Family."

Jun Lingxiao finished speaking and continued walking upwards without stopping.

Jun Wenhan frowned, somewhat displeased at this scene: "Do you know that Fang Sheng of the Fang Family..."

"I know, Spirit Domain Realm." His words were interrupted by Jun Lingxiao before he could finish.

"It's not just an old feud; this time, there's some personal animosity."

"They want to harm me, and a friend of mine, who turned white-haired overnight because of the Fang Family. Isn't it fair to get some justice for him?"

"Are you confident?"

"Yes."

And Jun Lingxiao was not wrong. Even with a major Realm difference, he was still confident. He could now use the second tier of the Human Race Tinder, and although it could only be maintained for a minute, it was enough. Coupled with his Supreme Dao Heart, Undying Thunder Dragon, and various treasures.

What did it matter if there was a major Realm difference and a difference of over ten years in age?

He had confidence and self-assurance.

As Jun Lingxiao's words fell, Jun Wenhan's furrowed brow suddenly smoothed out, gradually turning into an expression of admiration.

"Hmph, that's the style of my Jun Family. You haven't disgraced the name of the Divine Son."

"Boy, if you can't handle it, just call me, and I'll take care of the rest."

"Then you probably won't get the chance."

The two smiled at each other, a feeling of mutual appreciation between them.

Afterward, Jun Lingxiao continued towards the Main Hall, where the atmosphere inside was becoming increasingly tense.

— — — — — —

No one knew of Fang Sheng's existence; he always wore a human skin mask when he went out.

The Fang Family and the Jun Family were sworn enemies, so sending gifts to an enemy was impossible. However, since they had come all this way, they thought of simply sending a small token as a gesture.

There was nothing wrong with that, but after the gifts from the other Ten Chiefs had set a precedent, their gift appeared very shabby, coupled with the blatant humiliation.

"Young Master, the plan..."

An Emperor from the Fang Family had also arrived, but the Emperor had gone to the inner hall. Here, there was only Fang Sheng and the old man behind him.

The old man whispered from behind, afraid that Fang Sheng would do something irrational.

"I know."

Fang Sheng exhaled deeply. He had been hiding for so long, and he didn't care about this insult; he would get it all back anyway.

So, he placed the gift he had brought on the ground and intended to enter the hall.

But just then! Someone pushed him aside and entered the hall one step ahead. Before he could even speak, he heard the newcomer say:

"Huh? Who threw trash here?"

Before the words even fell, with a bang! The bottles and jars Fang Sheng had just put down were directly kicked away!

And that person didn't even look back, walking straight into the hall, leaving Fang Sheng and the old man stunned in place.

Although Fang Sheng had expected to be humiliated on the Jun Family's territory, after all, it was someone else's turf, and he thought he could just endure it.

But this was too much! He looked up, about to get angry, but when he saw who it was, his anger immediately dissipated... It was the Jun Family's demoness, Jun Qiong...

"Fang Family?"

Jun Hongxuan also followed into the hall entrance. His white hair was very striking, and he scanned Fang Sheng up and down with a scrutinizing gaze, then left with a meaningful look before entering the hall.

In an instant, Fang Sheng felt as if countless people were scanning him with mocking glances, his face burning.

This was the Jun Family's domineering style, not hiding anything. If they wanted to embarrass you, they would do it right in front of everyone!