Right now, everyone was waiting for Qi Fengyang to announce the results, eager to find out which sect would receive that special invitation.
Under the gaze of countless eyes, Qi Fengyang first offered a faint smile, then turned his gaze toward the Jade Maiden Sect's location.
"So it really is the Jade Maiden Sect. Looks like my guess was right—only the beauties get to enjoy this special treatment." At that moment, everyone felt the answer had been revealed. But when Qi Fengyang spoke his next sentence, they were instantly dumbfounded.
"The sect that has received this special invitation is... the Azure Dragon Sect!!!" Qi Fengyang declared in a booming voice.
"What? The Azure Dragon Sect? How can that be? It's that newly promoted first-rank sect!"
No one could stay calm now. The result was completely unexpected, and even the Lingyun Sect members were thrown into disarray.
"Sect Master, this..." The Lingyun Sect's guardian elders cast worried glances toward Yan Yangtian.
Although the Lingyun Sect had given Qi Fengyang the right to choose this special invitation, they never expected him to be so reckless as to pick a sect that everyone looked down on and refused to acknowledge.
Though Yan Yangtian was also helpless at this moment, there was little he could do. Despite his impressive cultivation and his status as the Lingyun Sect Master, he couldn't say much to a prominent figure like Qi Fengyang from the Qilin Manor. At the very least, in a setting like this, he couldn't afford to offend Qi Fengyang. So he could only quietly signal his subordinates with a wave of his hand, indicating they shouldn't speak out of turn.
"This... this is absolutely unreasonable! How can such a special invitation go to the Azure Dragon Sect? What have they done to deserve this?"
"Why? Why did it turn out this way? Is Qi Fengyang really connected to the Azure Dragon Sect somehow? If so, isn't he abusing his power for personal gain? This is just too unfair!!" The crowd erupted in commotion, with some even openly protesting.
Qi Fengyang had chosen a sect that everyone looked down on and refused to take seriously. His decision failed to convince the crowd, and regardless of his prominent status, it inevitably sparked dissatisfaction.
"Boom!" But just then, Qi Fengyang suddenly acted. He threw a punch toward the sky. The punch exploded like thunder, and the powerful shockwave caused the sky and earth to tremble. The various sects below were all affected by the blow.
After that single punch, the previously noisy crowd fell silent. Qi Fengyang swept his sharp gaze over everyone and said coldly, "What is the meaning of this? Are you dissatisfied with my, Qi Fengyang's, choice?" His voice carried clearly.
The words caused the already quiet crowd to fall even more silent. Even if they disagreed, at that moment, no one dared to utter the word "dissatisfied."
"Lord Qi Fengyang has a discerning eye. We trust that the sect he has chosen will surely bring us an unexpected surprise." Just then, Yan Yangtian stepped forward, applauding as he spoke.
Following his lead, the Lingyun Sect elders on the high platform also began to applaud. The sects below joined in, their applause growing louder until it echoed throughout the entire Lingyun Sect. Though people were unwilling, they could only helplessly accept this result.
Thus, Li Changqing and Chu Feng—considered oddities by countless people—received the best treatment at this Hundred Sects Gathering. They were exempted from the various competitions held during this period and were also given two luxurious palaces to reside in. In short, they received the most superior service.
But the biggest oddity of all was Qi Fengyang. Already suspected of abusing his power, he completely disregarded others' opinions and kept visiting Chu Feng's residence, playing chess and chatting with him. Only when important matters arose at the Qilin Manor did he finally take his leave.
Qi Fengyang's actions made everyone realize one fact: the rumor that he and Chu Feng were brothers was clearly true.
Many found this hard to believe, but some perceptive individuals began to wonder if Chu Feng truly had remarkable abilities, as the rumors suggested—possessing extraordinary combat power, capable of defeating opponents several levels above him, a rare cultivation genius.
Regardless, at least within the Lingyun Sect, no one dared to look at Chu Feng with contempt anymore. Not for any other reason than because Chu Feng had Qi Fengyang behind him. With that, few would dare to provoke Chu Feng again.
In the blink of an eye, the Hundred Sects Gathering officially began. Although Chu Feng didn't go to watch the competitions between the various sects, he heard a sensational piece of news.
The Lingyun Sect's lineup for this Hundred Sects Gathering was quite subversive. Not only did Sect Master Yan Yangtian not participate, but even the elders were absent. Whether it was the battles between sect masters or the clashes between disciples, they sent only disciples to represent them.
And the Lingyun Sect's top disciple, long famous throughout Qingzhou—Dugu Aoyun—was the one representing the Lingyun Sect in the sect master-level competition.
This move by the Lingyun Sect displeased almost every other sect. No matter how powerful Dugu Aoyun might be, he was still a junior, a disciple. Having Dugu Aoyun compete against figures of their sect master level was seen as an insult to their status.
But due to the Lingyun Sect's strength and because this Hundred Sects Gathering was hosted by them, many swallowed their anger and ultimately accepted this fact in silence.
"Junior Brother Chu Feng, so this is where you've been! I've been looking everywhere for you."
One day, Chu Feng was enjoying a leisurely nap by the lake when a gentle, sweet voice suddenly rang out, pulling him from his dreams.
Looking up, Chu Feng's curious expression turned cold instantly. The newcomer was someone he recognized: Bai Xi, the one who had secretly instructed Yan Ruyu on how to use Nangong Xiao to teach him a lesson that day.
"Junior Brother Chu Feng, you're not still holding a grudge about what happened that day, are you?" Seeing Chu Feng's cold expression, Bai Xi didn't retreat. Instead, she swayed her serpentine waist as she approached Chu Feng with a bewitching smile and a sweet tone.
"Don't be so sickeningly sweet. Just say what you want." Chu Feng glanced coldly at Bai Xi. He found this woman utterly repulsive.
"Junior Brother Chu Feng, I did come to see you for a reason. But it's not me asking—it's Senior Sister Yan who wishes to invite you for a chat." Bai Xi said with a smile.
"Go back and tell Yan Ruyu this young master has no interest in her." Chu Feng sprang to his feet with a carp's leap, ready to leave.
"Hey~ Junior Brother Chu Feng, I know you're upset because Senior Sister Yan refused to see you that day. But I promise you, Senior Sister Yan is not the kind of woman you think she is." Seeing this, Bai Xi reached out her jade-like hand and grabbed Chu Feng's wrist.