Urban Extraordinary Immortal Doctor
Chapter 1080: Lunch Banquet

Chapter 1080: Chapter 1080: Lunch Banquet

In the Reception Hall, it was originally noisy and bustling, but once Zu Tiangang appeared, nearly all the Martial Artists were enveloped by an invisible oppressive force, as if standing deep within the vast ocean, with the immense pressure from all directions making it difficult for them to breathe.

The overwhelming presence of Zu Tiangang, a Vast Level Perfection powerhouse, deterred everyone present except Fang Bai. Some Martial Artists who were previously sitting and chatting found themselves involuntarily standing up.

Almost a thousand gazes simultaneously turned towards Zu Tiangang, the Sect Master of Purple Flame Sect and the strongest person in Thousand Lakes Country, their expressions revealing a hint of respect and fear.

The scene fell into complete silence, a hush descending over the area.

Fang Bai and Liu Qingqing stood shoulder to shoulder. Unlike the other nervous and respectful Martial Artists around them, the two displayed a relaxed demeanor, showing not the slightest sign of reverence.

Zhuge Lian, on her first venture down the mountain for training, had a naive fearlessness like a calf unaware of tigers and held no awe towards Zu Tiangang either.

Fang Bai and Zhuge Lian were seated quite far from each other at the round table, unable to converse directly, their occasional communication limited to looks. During which, Fang Bai informed Zhuge Lian about Zu Yu’s disfigurement through the Thread Condensation Sound Transmission Technique, causing Zhuge Lian’s heart to blossom with delight, her pretty face unable to hide her excitement.

Originally, Zhuge Lian and Zu Yu were both handsome and beautiful, possessing Innate Spiritual Roots and being Direct Disciples of third-tier Sects, which made them a suitable match. Hence, the high ranks of both Purple Flame Sect and Xuannv Sect held their union in high regard.

But now, with Zu Yu’s disfigurement, it would be difficult for him to be matched with Zhuge Lian, giving her ample reason to refuse this marriage arrangement.

Zhuge Lian, naturally filled with gratitude for Fang Bai’s intervention, couldn’t help but glance his way several times.

Liu Qingqing, with her keen senses, quickly noticed Zhuge Lian’s frequent gazes. Thus, two bright-eyed and white-toothed, ethereally beautiful girls exchanged many glances in the air, sizing each other up.

Fang Bai’s attention was mostly on Zu Tiangang, and he did not notice the unusual expressions of the two women.

In previous welcome feasts, all the high ranks of Purple Flame Sect would attend, but this time, some astute Martial Artists noticed that Elder of Tribute Hong Qitian, as well as Zu Tiangang’s foster son Zu Yu, had not shown up.

Hong Qitian was an important member among the high ranks of Purple Flame Sect, and Zu Yu was the top Direct Disciple of the Sect; their absence from such a significant event seemed unusual.

Some quickly connected this to the disturbance that emanated from the core area of Purple Flame Sect the previous midnight, as if something major had transpired. Although the Sect later explained to the Disciples of different Sects attending the grand assembly that the noise was simply the result of Purple Flame Sect Disciples practicing their Martial Arts, this explanation was clearly unconvincing.

All the Sect Disciples speculated in secret about the reason behind Hong Qitian and Zu Yu’s absence from the welcome banquet, but no one dared to ask aloud for fear of ruffling Zu Tiangang’s feathers and displeasing him.

However, for Han Xingyu, the leader of Xuannv Sect, this was not a concern,

"Sect Master Zu, why is your Sect’s Disciple Zu Yu absent from the banquet?"

Han Xingyu bowed slightly towards Zu Tiangang and asked coolly. Although her face showed no emotion, one could discern the displeasure in her tone.

"This... Zu Yu had some urgent matters to attend to, which is why he couldn’t attend today’s welcome luncheon. For the oversight, I ask for Elder Han’s forgiveness," Zu Tiangang replied with a smile, though the smile contained a hint of embarrassment and annoyance.

After the severe injuries to Hong Qitian and the disfigurement of Zu Yu the night before, Zu Tiangang was frazzled and irate. He had intended to explain to Han Xingyu after the sect conference ended, but unexpectedly, Han Xingyu directly questioned him about Zu Yu, which felt like pouring salt on his wounds and ignited his frustration.

However, the Xuannv Sect had always been on good terms with the Purple Flame Sect, and their overall strength was not inferior to that of the Purple Flame Sect. Zu Tiangang did not want to spoil relations over this incident with Han Xingyu, and knowing that he was at fault, he lowered his stance and expressed his apologies to Han Xingyu.

Seeing this, Han Xingyu could not say much else, but still felt dissatisfied, thinking that she, bearing the mission of the Xuannv Sect, had come to discuss a marriage alliance with the Purple Flame Sect. However, the relevant party, Zu Yu, was absent from the welcome banquet without prior explanation, which was tantamount to an insult to the Xuannv Sect, unforgivably upsetting to anyone in her place.

At noontime, the welcome luncheon officially began.

Following tradition, Zu Tiangang, on behalf of the host Purple Flame Sect, gave a brief welcoming speech, after which leaders of various sects also said a few words, expressing gratitude for the hospitable treatment by the Purple Flame Sect.

Finally, the Elder Zhike of the Purple Flame Sect publicly announced that the most important fighting competition of the sect conference would commence the following morning.

After the Elder Zhike of the Purple Flame Sect finished speaking, disciples from various sects eagerly warmed up, all hoping to achieve a good ranking in the sect conference’s competition to secure more cultivation resources.

Like the Bitao Martial Academy and the Fiery Sect, both sects govern adjacent territories where a mountain range with many Spiritual Medicines grow. According to the rules of this world, these Spiritual Medicines should be shared by both sects, and their distribution, more or less, would be decided by their rankings attained in the sect conference.

Because Bitao Martial Academy and Fiery Sect had similar rankings in past conferences, theoretically, they should equally share the Spiritual Medicines. However, defining this equal distribution was complicated and sometimes led to conflicts between the two sects.

If the Bitao Martial Academy significantly outperformed Fiery Sect in the competition, the distribution would be much simpler.

The converse was also true.

If the Bitao Martial Academy or Fiery Sect refused to stick to the allocated share of Spiritual Medicines to harvest, it would be equivalent to breaking the rules, and they would face the condemnation, scorn, or even collective attacks from other sects.

After the luncheon started, Zu Tiangang, having many issues to deal with, was not in the mood for feasting. He offered toasts to the representatives of various sects, exchanged a few pleasantries, and then left early.

When the luncheon was over, the disciples from the various sects didn’t go out to stroll or have fun; instead, they all returned to their accommodations to focus and meditate, aiming to be in their optimal state for the competition starting the next day.

"Elder Ge, I must visit Senior Bai," Fang Bai spoke quietly to Ge Feng as they walked out of the Reception Hall with the others. "Senior Bai knows I’m participating in the sect conference’s fighting competition and wants to lend me his support, so my strength can improve before the fights tomorrow."

"Good... good... This is a great opportunity for you! Go on, but be very careful on your way," Ge Feng, his eyes shining with excitement, initially wanted to escort Fang Bai himself but knew that Senior Bai disliked meeting strangers. He reluctantly decided against it and whispered a few words of caution to Fang Bai, who then set off on his own.