Meeting

Meeting...

Immortal Drunken Wine guided Qin Wentian to a wine shop he frequented. This was the same wine shop where Qin Wentian had encountered Immortal Drunken Wine and a remarkable young man after escaping the Dark Forest, following Luo Qianqiu's failed assassination attempt on him. Today, they had returned to the same place. The man who wanted to meet Qin Wentian turned out to be the extraordinary young man he had met before.

"Isn't it quite a twist of fate? We parted ways before, and now we reunite here. In such a short time, your name has spread throughout Chu. Life is full of unpredictable twists and turns," the young man remarked with a smile as he noticed Qin Wentian approaching.

Qin Wentian had sensed from the start that this young man was extraordinary. He couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him. As Immortal Drunken Wine had explained, despite his outstanding abilities, this young man couldn't cultivate due to his innate constitution.

"You mean infamous rather than famous, right? I'm practically a living target in the Royal Capital," Qin Wentian quipped as he took a seat. Without Qing`er's protection, he would need to be incredibly cautious even while walking down the street. There was little time for leisurely wine-drinking and conversation.

The young man gazed at Qin Wentian with a hint of sadness in his eyes. Qin Wentian had become a mortal enemy of the Royal Clan, and that fact weighed heavily on his heart. When Chu Tianjiao had planned to strike at the Qin Clan, he had never expected that they would possess someone like Qin Wentian.

Not only was Qin Wentian talented, but the powers supporting him also had the capability to bring down Chu, not to mention his inevitable future growth.

"Back then, you asked me who I was. I replied that those who meet because of a shared love for wine are friends, even without delving into each other's backgrounds. We were already friends when we first met. But to take this friendship further, I won't hide anything from you. My name is Chu Wuwei, and I am Chu Tianjiao's elder brother."

Qin Wentian was momentarily stunned but quickly regained his composure. Indeed, the twists and turns of life were unpredictable. Even knowing that this man was Chu Tianjiao's elder brother, Qin Wentian still had a favorable impression of him.

Chu Wuwei noticed Qin Wentian's silence and chuckled. "Could it be that knowing my identity means we're no longer friends?"

"The Royal Clan wants my life, seeks to annihilate my Qin Clan, destroy my Emperor Star Academy, and harm my teacher and martial brothers," Qin Wentian replied, his voice calm but filled with unwavering resolve. The Royal Clan's actions had already sealed their fate; coexistence was no longer an option, only survival mattered.

"Chu Mang," Chu Wuwei called out, and a burly figure entered the wine shop. This man exuded a powerful aura, and Qin Wentian could sense the immense pressure just from meeting his gaze.

"This is Chu Mang from the Royal Clan of Chu, Chu Tianjiao's second brother," Chu Wuwei introduced. "He also holds the title of the number one among the ten prodigies of Chu."

"I've heard of his reputation," Qin Wentian replied with a smile. After spending time in the Royal Capital, he was well aware of who the top-ranked prodigy was.

"My second brother and I have always opposed the plans of our Royal Father and our third brother, Chu Tianjiao. Moreover, our younger sisters are innocent and have no involvement in this conflict. While Chu Tianjiao may be the Emperor, he doesn't represent our entire Royal Clan," Chu Wuwei explained earnestly.

"And?" Qin Wentian inquired. It seemed like Chu Wuwei wanted to distance himself from Chu Tianjiao, perhaps hoping to ease Qin Wentian's hatred towards the Royal Clan of Chu.

However, regardless of what was said, Chu Tianjiao, as the Emperor, did indeed represent the Royal Clan to a certain extent.

"Before our Royal Father passed away, he asked me to protect our clan's bloodline, but I didn't agree to support my third brother in securing Chu. I won't ask you to release my younger sister. While I can vouch for her innocence, your teacher Mustang and Senior Sister Luo Huan were also innocent. In this world, there's no absolute right or wrong. I only hope that you won't harm her. I'm appealing for her sake as her older brother," Chu Wuwei concluded before raising his wine cup in Qin Wentian's direction.

Qin Wentian hesitated for a moment but then followed Chu Wuwei's lead, downing his cup of wine.

"Thank you," Chu Wuwei said with a smile. "I can assure you that I will never use my abilities to aid Chu Tianjiao. In fact, I don't wish for Chu to be embroiled in conflict. Wouldn't it be more beautiful if the academies could coexist, nurturing future talents for Chu in harmony? Unfortunately, reality often contradicts our desires."

As he spoke, Chu Wuwei shook his head in frustration and poured another cup of wine for himself.

"If you have this desire, why not fight for it?" Immortal Drunken Wine chimed in, surprising Qin Wentian. To use the phrase "fight for" in reference to Chu Wuwei had a clear implication – the fight for the Emperor's throne.

Chu Wuwei sighed, "Leading such a life would be exhausting." Perhaps outsiders were unaware, but as the Crown Prince of Chu who couldn't cultivate, Chu Wuwei had faced countless challenges and dangers since his youth. The price he had paid to preserve his life was immeasurable.

"Qin Wentian, I genuinely hope we can remain friends. If the 'opportunity' arises, I will seek you out again," Chu Wuwei said, laughing, as he stood and departed with Chu Mang.

Qin Wentian contemplated Chu Wuwei's words. What did he mean by "opportunity"?

Immortal Drunken Wine patted Qin Wentian's shoulder with a reassuring smile. "I can vouch for Chu Wuwei's trustworthiness. Given his inability to cultivate, he wouldn't have survived the intrigues and dangers of the Royal Clan if he weren't trustworthy."

"Let's have another drink," Qin Wentian replied, raising his wine cup to Immortal Drunken Wine as they continued to enjoy their evening.

...

As Immortal Drunken Wine had mentioned, every action of Qin Wentian was closely monitored by many in Chu.

The reason Ouyang Kuangsheng and Jiang Ting came to the Royal Capital was because of the rumors about the demonic star descending in the Dark Forest. However, the Dark Forest had already been monopolized by powerful experts, leaving little room for junior cultivators like them. This disappointment led them to visit the Royal Capital, which was nearby.

In Chu, Ouyang Kuangsheng only knew of Qin Wentian. Qin Wentian's fame had spread widely, making it easy for Ouyang Kuangsheng to learn that Qin Wentian was currently in the western region of the Royal Capital, at the Mo Residence.

But thinking about it, Ouyang Kuangsheng realized it was expected. Given Qin Wentian's extraordinary talent, he couldn't remain unknown even in a small place like Chu. If he were placed in the Grand Xia Empire, it would take at most five to ten years for his name to resound throughout the Nine Continents.

Ouyang Kuangsheng and Jiang Ting, along with their followers, soared through the sky, radiating an imposing aura as they headed to the Mo Clan Residence. The sudden arrival of numerous Yuanfu cultivators from outside Chu left the Mo Clan in a state of excitement and bewilderment. These newcomers carried themselves with great dignity and clearly weren't from Chu.

Mo Qingcheng and her clan members rushed to the entrance, and upon seeing Ouyang Kuangsheng and Jiang Ting, a look of intense surprise crossed her face. Ouyang Kuangsheng, too, was taken aback when he laid eyes on Mo Qingcheng.

"Haha, Mo Qingcheng, so the Mo Residence is your home. That explains why he would be here," Ouyang Kuangsheng realized that this was Mo Qingcheng's family. Back in the Refinement Grounds, even when she disguised herself as a man, her beauty couldn't be concealed.

With Mo Qingcheng no longer in disguise, Ouyang Kuangsheng's eyes lit up as he saw her. It seemed that Qin Wentian's judgment had been truly exceptional.

Mo Qingcheng understood that the "he" Ouyang Kuangsheng referred to was Qin Wentian. She smiled warmly and invited Ouyang Kuangsheng and his companions inside. "He left not long ago. Why don't you come in and rest for a while?"

"Oh, I see," Ouyang Kuangsheng replied, somewhat disappointed.

At that moment, Old man Mo approached. He wasn't too concerned when he heard that many people had arrived at the Mo Residence. Below Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns, there was no one in Chu he feared. He had only come to check because he had heard that these newcomers might not be from Chu.

When he saw Ouyang Kuangsheng and Jiang Ting, his heart involuntarily skipped a beat. These individuals exuded extraordinary presence.

A person's character and demeanor were shaped by the environment in which they grew up. A group of followers stood silently behind them, while the two leaders, despite their youth, had an air of authority that marked them as the young master and mistress the followers reported to. A thought quickly crossed Old man Mo's mind: these people were undoubtedly from one of the transcendent powers of the Nine Continents.

"Hua Xiaoyun," Old man Mo said, shifting his gaze to the two leaders.

The Grand Xia Empire was vast, and the influence of the younger generation was limited. As a result, while they might recognize some of the most famous names, they wouldn't necessarily recognize the person.

"Who are you?" Ouyang Kuangsheng asked, looking at Hua Xiaoyun.

"Hua Clan, Hua Xiaoyun," Hua Xiaoyun replied indifferently. The Hua Clan, much like the Ouyang Clan, wielded immense influence and power and was counted among the transcendent powers of the Nine Continents.

"Oh, the silk-pants young master," Ouyang Kuangsheng laughed, causing Hua Xiaoyun to furrow his brows.

"I've heard that your older brother is here too. Where is he?" Ouyang Kuangsheng continued. He hadn't expected even the Hua Clan to appear here.

"Who do you think you are? Are you entitled to inquire about my brother's whereabouts?" Hua Xiaoyun's eyes flashed with cold arrogance. Hua Xiaoyun's older brother was considered the chosen one among the younger generation of the Hua Clan.

"Why not? He's my idol, for now at least." A hint of pride glimmered in Ouyang Kuangsheng's eyes. He had an unwavering belief in his own abilities. However, he had to concede that Hua Clan's chosen one was truly a top-tier figure, renowned throughout the Grand Xia Empire.

"A lunatic spouting nonsense," Hua Xiaoyun retorted with disdain.

Ouyang Kuangsheng didn't mince words as he unleashed a torrent of disdain at Hua Xiaoyun. "Why the heck are you so full of yourself? With your pathetic talent, it would take me a year or two, at most, to leave you in the dust." His words were like a verbal slap, and Hua Xiaoyun's face turned several shades redder.

Old man Mo, who stood beside Hua Xiaoyun, remained silent, observing the exchange. He had crossed paths with Hua Xiaoyun by chance and had been deeply impressed by his remarkable presence and his ability to comprehend a Mandate at such a young age. Old man Mo had sought to befriend him, hoping to learn from his insights. However, during this encounter, he learned that Hua Xiaoyun had an even more talented older brother. The way Ouyang Kuangsheng spoke indicated that he surpassed Hua Xiaoyun by a considerable margin.

This revelation left old man Mo utterly bewildered. How had his granddaughter, Qingcheng, become acquainted with such an extraordinary individual?

It was no wonder she was his granddaughter; she possessed unparalleled beauty and talent. Once she left Chu, her future achievements would undoubtedly eclipse anything he could ever attain!