"Brother Wan, I didn't expect you'd already become a core disciple of the Lingyun Sect. You're truly the foremost among our young generation in Purple Gold City."
"Brother Wan, entering the Yuan Martial Realm at just eighteen — I'm so envious."
"With Brother Wan stepping up, our Purple Gold City is sure to take first place at the Rising Star Tournament this time."
After Wan Wenpeng arrived, the other young men and women in the hall all rose and came forward to fawn over him. They seemed to be old acquaintances.
"You all think too highly of me, Wan Wenpeng. Setting aside the many talented youths in the other cities, even here in Purple Gold City, I wouldn't dare call myself number one."
Wan Wenpeng shook his head modestly, but the smile on his face made it clear he thoroughly enjoyed their flattery.
"Oh? Could there really be someone among Purple Gold City's younger generation even stronger than Brother Wan?" they asked in surprise.
"Haven't you heard? Miss Chen Wanxi of the Purple Gold City Governor's Manor entered the Yuan Martial Realm a full year ago and has since risen to the rank of core disciple of the Lingyun Sect," Wan Wenpeng said with a smile.
"Brother Wan certainly has his ear to the ground. We only learned of this recently ourselves — to think you already knew." The two young men who had earlier mocked Chu Feng spoke up. As inner disciples of the Lingyun Sect, they naturally knew the affairs of their own sect.
"Then it's true?" The others were shocked. The Lingyun Sect was the foremost sect within all of Qingzhou. Becoming a core disciple there was tantamount to being a chosen one of heaven — their status was absolutely beyond anything they could compare with.
Even Wan Wenpeng, though a core disciple of a first-rate sect, was still a cut below a core disciple of the Lingyun Sect.
"Chen Wanxi is certainly formidable, but I heard that years ago she left in a fit of grief after her mother's death and hasn't returned to Purple Gold City in years. I'm afraid she won't come back for this year's Rising Star Tournament either — in her eyes, Purple Gold City's honor and shame no longer have anything to do with her," someone sighed.
"Who says I won't come back?" At that moment, a sharp voice suddenly rang out from outside the hall. Every person who looked up was startled.
There stood a young woman at the entrance, gazing coldly at the people inside. Behind her were Chen Hui and a host of generals. Without a second thought, everyone knew this must be the Chen Wanxi they had been discussing.
"This—" The young man who had spoken earlier went pale and dared not say another word.
"Wanxi, is that you? Do you still remember me, Wan Wenpeng?"
Wan Wenpeng straightened his robes and sidled over with a grin. When Chen Wanxi had left Purple Gold City years ago, she had been a mere girl. Now she had grown into a graceful and poised young woman. Although her appearance had changed considerably, that distinctive air of cold beauty remained.
"Chen Hui, the journey to Vermilion Bird City is long. We should set out early." To everyone's shock, Chen Wanxi didn't so much as glance at Wan Wenpeng, and she addressed her own father by his full name.
Chen Hui could only manage an awkward laugh before arranging carriages to lead Chu Feng and the others to Vermilion Bird City.
As for Wan Wenpeng, his face was unsightly, and he stood rooted to the spot, unsure of what to do. He could never have imagined that Chen Wanxi would treat him this way.
"Hmph, this girl's got an arrogant streak — but she does have the goods to back it up."
As an observer, Chu Feng merely smiled faintly. He had already seen that Chen Wanxi possessed a cultivation at the second stage of the Yuan Martial Realm. At her age, such strength was truly remarkable. At the very least, it was exceedingly rare within his own Azure Dragon Sect.
After that, Chen Hui summoned ten carriages. Each one was luxuriously appointed, stocked with all manner of delicacies and attended by maidservants. It was clear that Chen Hui took Chu Feng and his companions very seriously indeed.