Overdue Escalation

Lei Mingxing secretly examined Duo Hong next to Chang Liuyun with her Spiritual Sense.

After observing the movement of the Qi around and inside him for a moment, Lei Mingxing concluded that the other had to be similar in strength to Jing Jiang, although this evaluation might not be accurate with all the other cultivators affecting the Qi flow in the room.

Especially since each and every one of them was much stronger than Lei Mingxing.

To the point that the Qi usually swirling around Lei Mingxing day in and day out whether she wanted to or not, was being passively drawn to the other people in the room, and she wasn't talking about Chang Liuyun.

No, the other guests had just reached a cultivation base where they could subconsciously absorb Qi in the surroundings without having to actively meditate.

Neither Lei Mingxing nor Chang Liuyun were able to do this, despite being very gifted in manipulating Qi and gathering it around them, they still had to actively meditate to actually absorb any of it.

So, Lei Mingxing, as a mere Qi Condensation cultivator, couldn't possibly imagine just what cultivation base they were.

Especially, Shao Tianyu and the two mercenaries.

If she didn't know that they were humans of flesh and bone, Lei Mingxing would have thought it was three humanoid vortexes sitting around her.

And the longer Lei Mingxing looked, trying her best to get at least a vague estimate of their strength, the more her entire body screamed at her to stop.

Her muscles tensing, hands balling into fists, actually creasing her robes this time, while she had to force her teeth together so they wouldn't start clattering.

It was a sensation similar to when they met that grotesque monster in the clearing.

Her body instinctually reacted to a kind of primal fear.

Like facing an inevitability.

You would die if you tried to attack. You would get dragged back if you tried to escape and you would marry Suan Bian if you wanted to or not.

All these thoughts were so absolutely final that Lei Mingxing couldn't stop a chill from running down her spine as her blood ran cold.

Their situation now seemed more than hopeless in her mind. What had she expected? That they would be able to escape? That they would be able to leave Dark Spirit Town quietly?

It was all just a pipedream in the end.

Despairing at the thought Lei Mingxing almost regretted checking Huo Dong's cultivation base.

But only almost.

Because, along with the despair and resignation that gradually rose in Lei Mingxing's heart, the fire Qi inside her burnt stronger and stronger until it had turned every last bit of fear into ashes, replacing them with the same unwillingness that had filled Lei Mingxing in the moment of her death.

No, she wouldn't give up! She couldn't! What else was the point of her going back in time if not to rebel against anything and anyone that wanted to force their will on her?!

And besides, after experiencing a life decided by others, Lei Mingxing would rather die than do it again, even if it meant that she would have failed in her revenge.

Although she would try her best to prevent that from happening at all costs.

Now, with what felt more like electrical currents than blood rushing through her veins Lei Mingxing withdrew her Spiritual Sense and instead looked at Chang Liuyun.

The latter waited patiently for Lei Mingxing to finish her survey with a grave expression behind his hair.

Knowing what she did now, Lei Mingxing was pretty certain that the reason behind Chang Liuyun's discouraged expression when she had just arrived at the banquet hall was due to his own look around.

But Chang Liuyun had recovered pretty fast that time.

Maybe he had an idea?

Unfortunately, there was still no way for the two to communicate and the things that simple glances could convey were very limited.

Frustrated, Lei Mingxing swore that the first thing she would create when they escaped would be some kind of artifact that let them communicate over a distance or wordlessly.

Just at that moment, Suan Bi's voice sounded.

"Do you like the food? I had my cooks create the most extravagant dishes they could find."

Lei Mingxing raised her eyes, only to meet Suan Bi's dark gaze as he watched her with a hint of discontentment. Like a grown-up looking at an ungrateful child.

Not that she cared, she saw it more like a warning that he would try to humiliate her again soon.

Once provoked Suan Bi was actually pretty bad at masking his intentions or remaining patient.

Regardless, Huo Dong was the first to answer Suan Bi.

Of course, in his familiar boot-licker, salesman manner.

"Yes, truly exquisite, I've never tasted anything comparable."

Suan Bi only nodded briefly at Huo Dong's praise, continuing to stare at Lei Mingxing.

"Oh, but Lei Mingxing you haven't even tried a single bite! Is something wrong? Maybe you are afraid to try these unfamiliar dishes?", Suan Bi said with feigned pity, the mocking tone in his voice far too obvious to pass for the real thing.

But instead of jumping at the blatant provocation, Lei Mingxing just replied with a polite voice.

"I'm sorry if it came off that way, I just really dislike spicy, persimmon-braised Reedduck, also I felt like it would be a bad idea to eat food my kidnapper offered."

Abruptly, the hall fell silent, even the pipa player stopped strumming the strings of her instrument in shock, staring at Lei Mingxing with a ghastly expression on her face.

And she wasn't the only one, once again Lei Mingxing had gathered the collective attention of everyone at the banquet.

Shao Tianyu also looked at her but more in surprise than shock before glancing in Suan Bi's direction with a dark expression.

It had been pretty obvious from the start that Lei Mingxing wasn't entirely here because of her own volition, but her actually being kidnapped to force her into attending this nonsensical banquet and marry Suan Bi's son...

Suan Bian began to redden in embarrassment all the way from the neck to the top of his head at Shao Tianyu's disapproving gaze.

But this shame soon turned into anger against Lei Mingxing who was the reason behind his loss of face in front of the person he presumed to be the most powerful noble attending this banquet.

"How dare you humiliate my father!", however even before Suan Bi could open his mouth to reply, Suan Bian beat his father to it," You ungrateful vixen should be happy that this Young Master took a liking to an impure woman like you! Originally, my father even planned on taking you under his wing as an apprentice but this opportunity has passed! I swear after this banquet I will personally destroy your Dantian and meridians so you will never be able to cultivate or create artifacts again and can only live as my mistress for the rest of your life!"

Suan Bian's sudden outburst didn't stop there, with a snap of his fingers, two guards quickly entered the hall.

"Seize him!", Suan Bian pointed rudely at Chang Liuyun.

The guards hesitated in their movements to follow their young master's order for a brief moment but meeting Suan Bian's furious gaze was enough for them to finally roughly grab Chang Liuyun under his arms and yank him from the ground to stand.

Huo Dong didn't even pretend to stop the guards, only glancing at Chang Liuyun with an uncaring expression before looking away.

In the meantime, Suan Bian had turned towards Lei Mingxing, his face ice cold as he growled: "And you will finally come over here and obediently sit next to me like the worthless wh*re you are! Or else that guy will feel the consequences."