As the year-end approached, Yangzhou City became bustling with activity. Many disciples who had been cultivating in their sects returned home to reunite with their families.
Moreover, every year-end, from the national level down to the family level, there would be grand events. In a world where martial arts were revered, these events naturally revolved around martial arts.
The major families in Yangzhou City would hold internal family gatherings each year to assess the cultivation progress of the younger generation. Occasionally, there would be joint gatherings among the major families in the entire city to evaluate who was stronger and who was weaker.
At the Tingfeng Winehouse, a gathering place for outstanding disciples of the Yangzhou City families, they drank and engaged in lively discussions.
"I heard that Lin Qian of the Lin family has undergone a life-bound awakening of his martial soul, reaching the Spirit Martial realm and becoming an inner disciple of the Hao Yue Sect. Brother Lin Yu, is this true or not?" A young man holding a folding fan gently waved it as he asked Lin Yu, and everyone's gaze immediately turned to Lin Yu, seemingly curious about the matter.
"Of course it's true. After Lin Qian of our Lin family advanced to the Spirit Martial realm, his strength greatly increased. If the city lord holds a martial arts competition, I believe our Lin family will shine brightly," Lin Yu said with a smile. He was the son of a Lin family elder and naturally spoke from the Lin family's perspective.
"Heh, just stepped into the Spirit Martial realm. I, Gu Yan of the Gu family, have been in the Spirit Martial realm for half a year. No one from your Lin family can match me," a young man in yellow sitting opposite Lin Yu sneered. The Gu family and the Lin family in Yangzhou City had always been at odds, and he would not let the Lin family show off.
"The time spent in the Spirit Martial realm doesn't mean much. Wen Jiang of our Wen family has already reached the second level of the Spirit Martial realm. Apart from the city lord's daughter, Nalan Feng, who can match him?" The representative of the Wen family did not back down.
The young man with the folding fan, hearing the other party praise the city lord's residence, could not help but smile. "Brother Wen Jiang has already reached the second level of the Spirit Martial realm, indeed a remarkable talent."
"You invited me here just to listen to these trivial matters?" A cold and indifferent voice interrupted the conversation. The speaker was a young girl, extremely beautiful.
"Of course not. I invited everyone here to share a piece of news. The day after the year-end, our city lord's residence will hold a martial arts competition. Besides the disciples of our city lord's residence and the three major families of Yangzhou City, other outstanding young people can also sign up to participate. Qiulan, you should understand what I mean," Nalan Hai said with a gentle smile. Everyone immediately understood. In the past, the martial arts competitions in Yangzhou City were limited to the younger generation of the four major families, including the city lord's residence. It was unexpected that others could also participate this time. It seemed the city lord wanted to recruit talented young people from Yangzhou City through the competition.
Qiulan, said to be an orphan, had a considerable reputation in Yangzhou City. One reason was her beautiful appearance and cold demeanor, and the other was her outstanding talent.
Qiulan nodded slightly. She also wanted to see the strength of the outstanding young people from the four major families.
"Heh, this martial arts competition will surely be very exciting. I heard that the Lin family's waste has improved somewhat and even injured Lin Yun. I think the Lin family's waste will also participate in this martial arts competition," the young man in yellow from the Gu family suddenly smiled faintly, his words particularly harsh.
"Gu Song, what do you mean? Our Lin family has many outstanding disciples. Why would we need a waste to participate in the martial arts competition?" Lin Yu, of course, knew who the other party was referring to. By saying that Lin Feng would participate in the martial arts competition, he was clearly mocking the lack of talent in the Lin family's younger generation.
"Heh, calling your young master a waste doesn't seem quite right," Gu Song said indifferently.
"A waste is a waste. What's wrong with that? Besides, the position of the Lin family's head will eventually... " Lin Yu suddenly paused, coldly snorted, and said no more.
At this moment, the "waste" they were talking about was riding Qianli Xue and entering Yangzhou City.
After a ten-day journey, Lin Feng's face was slightly dusty, and Qianli Xue was somewhat tired, but Lin Feng's eyes were particularly sharp, showing no sign of fatigue.
Returning to Yangzhou City, compared to his past self, Lin Feng's facial features were now more defined, with a firm and clear outline, and his gaze was steady and clear.
Lin Feng, carrying an ancient sword, wearing a silver belt, and riding Qianli Xue, attracted the attention of many people. Seeing Lin Feng's attire and appearance, they thought he must be a young man from a major family who had returned from cultivation outside.
"Go." Lin Feng squeezed his horse's sides, and Qianli Xue slowly galloped on the main street of Yangzhou City.
"Huh." As Lin Feng passed a winehouse, a faint sound came from the rooftop. Although it was very subtle, Lin Feng's hearing was now extremely sharp. He looked up and saw a gaze fixed on him.
"Heh, who would have thought it's you, Young Master Lin Feng of the Lin family. What a coincidence," the person said with a mocking smile. A moment later, several faces appeared at the second-floor window, one of which Lin Feng recognized, but this face was now very gloomy.
"Lin Yu." Lin Feng said softly. Lin Yu was the son of a Lin family elder, with an eighth-level Qi Martial realm cultivation, and had decent talent.
"Hmph." Lin Yu did not give Lin Feng, the young master, much face, frowning and looking coldly. He did not expect to run into Lin Feng here, and these people would likely mock him again.
"Lin Feng, we from the major families are having a gathering here. Since we've met, why don't you come up and join us?" Indeed, Gu Song immediately invited Lin Feng, clearly with ill intentions.
"Lin Feng, you've been traveling for so long. Go back to the family and rest first," Lin Yu said unwillingly.
Lin Feng sneered inwardly. His identity was that of the Lin family's young master. Lin Yu should at least greet him properly, but instead, he looked at him coldly and even tried to interfere with his actions.
"Do I need to look at your face to do things?" Lin Feng thought to himself and then looked at Gu Song, saying, "I'll come up."
"Wait." Lin Yu's voice became slightly colder. "Lin Feng, this is not a place for you. Go home and stay there."
"You are being too presumptuous." Lin Feng coldly shouted, raising his head and looking straight at Lin Yu, saying icily, "What is your status, and what is mine? How dare you speak to me like this?"
The current Lin Feng was no longer the weak "Lin Feng" of the past. His father was the head of the Lin family, and Lin Feng would not tolerate Lin Yu's insolence. If he did not show some fire, they would really think they could bully him as they pleased.
Lin Yu was stunned by Lin Feng's sudden outburst. He clearly did not expect Lin Feng to have changed so much, becoming so domineering.
His face turned red, but Lin Yu did not know how to refute Lin Feng. In terms of status, Lin Feng was the young master of the Lin family, and although Lin Yu was the son of an elder, he did not have the right to be arrogant toward Lin Feng. On the contrary, even if Lin Feng scolded him, he had no right to argue.
"Heh, that's the Lin family's young master." Gu Song, fearing nothing more than chaos, smiled faintly, making Lin Yu's face even gloomier.
At this moment, Lin Feng had already dismounted and handed Qianli Xue to the winehouse attendant, then stepped into the second-floor private room of the winehouse.
At the table, there were about seven or eight figures, all young disciples.
Seeing Lin Feng enter, no one spoke. They all sat in their seats, raised their wine glasses, and drank, completely ignoring Lin Feng. Even Gu Song, who had invited Lin Feng, now sat there with a mocking smile on his lips.
"Hmph, a waste who brings shame upon himself, really thinks he's a young master. What status does he have?" Lin Yu did not even look at Lin Feng, seemingly talking to himself.
"The status of the Lin family's young master, Lin Yu, don't forget. This waste is your young master," Gu Song reminded, clearly enjoying the situation, which made the Lin family lose face.
Lin Feng sneered, scanned the crowd, and then focused his gaze on Gu Song, taking a few steps forward to stand beside him.
"Can I sit down?"
"What are you? What right do you have to sit?" Wen Shan of the Wen family said rudely. In Yangzhou City, the city lord's power was the strongest, and the other three major families were not very harmonious, especially the Gu family and the Lin family. Whenever there was an opportunity to strike at the Lin family, the Wen family would not miss it.
"What do you think?" Lin Feng did not look at Wen Shan but asked Gu Song.
"Can't you understand? A waste has no right to sit with us," Gu Song looked at Lin Feng sideways, clearly finding him lacking self-awareness.
"So, you were just toying with me, right?" Lin Feng did not get angry but asked calmly.
"So what if I was? Get lost," Gu Song shouted, not expecting Lin Feng to be so unreasonable.
PS: The book reviews are too quiet. It's no fun writing alone. Brothers, if you have time, please leave some comments!