"If Young Master Tianming needs any help, you can directly go to Ya Fei. After all, you and her are old acquaintances," Tengshan said with a smirk, intentionally making the relationship between Ya Fei and Yun Tianming appear ambiguous.
"Then this junior will not hold back."
Yun Tianming glanced at Ya Fei, who was elegantly sipping red wine. Perhaps she also sensed Tengshan's underlying tone. Her charming face, reflected in the wine, became even more alluring.
"Haha! Young people dating, this old man won't object~"
Tengshan chuckled heartily, stroking his long beard. He knew from Hai Bo Dong that Yun Tianming possessed hidden strength, extraordinary indeed, even Dou Emperor powerhouses dared not underestimate him. Therefore, he changed his usual stern demeanor to a mild and enthusiastic one, much to the surprise of those familiar with him nearby.
As the head of the clan, Tengshan was naturally quite talkative, and with Ya Fei occasionally interjecting with a smile, the atmosphere here seemed very harmonious.
In another prominent seat in the hall, the two princesses representing the royal family had somewhat unpleasant expressions.
"That despicable Yun Tianming! Ignoring the charm of this princess, but kneeling at the feet of Ya Fei!" Yao Yu gritted her teeth, hands on her hips, looking indignant.
"The alliance between Misty Cloud Sect and Miteer Family is not a good sign."
Yao Ye, dressed in a black and gold evening gown, looked very noble and elegant.
"So, sister, I'll have to rely on you."
"Rely on me? You know, in terms of social skills, you're even better than me."
Yao Ye shook her head with a bitter smile. These two sisters had completely different personalities; the younger one was mischievous and full of ideas, while the elder one was mature and steady. Entrusted by the royal family, she managed a military force.
"That guy. He just happens to like mature, sexy women. My cute charm is completely useless!"
Yao Yu said sulkily.
"Alright, let me give it a try then? But don't get your hopes up too much."
Yao Ye adjusted her demeanor, wearing a captivating smile as she approached Yun Tianming.
"Pardon the interruption. I, Yao Ye, on behalf of the royal family, congratulate Mr. Yun Tianming for winning first place in this Alchemist competition."
"Princess Yao Ye is too kind. Besides, it was only the preliminary round, so it doesn't count for much."
Yun Tianming carefully examined Yao Ye before him. Her elegant face bore a striking resemblance of seven or eight points to the younger Princess Yao Yu, albeit with a hint of maturity replacing the innocence, adding a mature charm. In terms of figure and all other aspects, she seemed not to be inferior to Ya Fei by much.
Beside them, Ya Fei narrowed her eyes, showing a hint of vigilance. From her understanding of Yun Tianming, women like Princess Yao Ye seemed to fit his interests.
"Hehe~ Yun Tianming, although you're strong, in the upcoming competition, this princess won't easily lose to you!"
Yao Yu's face was full of high spirits. Since childhood, she had shown strong talent in Alchemy and believed she wouldn't lose to peers.
"Yes yes, Princess Yao Yu is indeed formidable~"
Yun Tianming responded with a smile.
"Don't use that patronizing tone!"
Yao Yu pouted at him.
"Mr. Tianming, please forgive her. My little sister has been spoiled since childhood."
Yao Ye affectionately patted her sister's head.
Seeing the two royal princesses chatting and laughing around Yun Tianming, the guests present became even more envious.
"Arrogant brat, what's there to be proud of?"
Liu Ling's face darkened. As a disciple of Pill King Gu He, he was usually the center of attention wherever he went. But now, everyone's attention was focused on Yun Tianming, which made him very unhappy.
"Is this the treatment geniuses get?"
In a corner of the banquet, Xiao Yan drank alone, feeling down.
"As they say, there is always someone better. Xiao Yan, you must keep working hard!"
Yao Chen said earnestly.
"I understand, teacher!"
Xiao Yan emptied his cup in one gulp, then turned and left the banquet. He would go back to practice, striving to improve his level as much as possible before the three-year agreement arrived.
"Move aside!"
Just as Xiao Yan reached the door, he collided head-on with a burly man riding a blood-red horse. The man was extremely arrogant, barging through the street, causing pedestrians to scatter in fear.
As they neared the gate of the Miteer Family, the man pulled the reins with one hand. The blood-red horse neighed, and a figure clad in armor agilely leaped off its back. Emitting a fierce aura, the figure strode directly towards the gate, completely ignoring Xiao Yan, who collided with him at the gate.
"You!"
Xiao Yan instinctively dodged, but he underestimated the other's speed and was still bumped on the shoulder, staggering back several steps.
"Oh? You can take a hit, huh?"
The burly man glanced at him, seeming somewhat surprised that Xiao Yan didn't get knocked over.
Xiao Yan clenched his fists, his eyes blazing. However, at that moment, he heard the voice of Old Yao in his ear. This person was at the level of a Dou Grandmaster. Xiao Yan furrowed his brows deeply. With all the advanced Dou Techniques he had mastered, he wasn't afraid of a Dou Grandmaster per se, but getting into a fight with one might not be easily settled afterward.
"What's wrong? Still not convinced?"
The burly man arrogantly taunted, full of provocation.
"Hmph!"
Xiao Yan hesitated for a moment, but ultimately chose to retreat, turning around and leaving.
"Ha! Coward!"
The burly man cursed at Xiao Yan's departing figure, but he didn't chase after him. He briskly walked into the Miteer residence.
As the burly man entered the hall, several pairs of eyes secretly lit up.
"Huh? Is he from the Mu Family?"
His gaze scanned the hall eagerly, as if searching for something. After a moment, his gaze locked onto a target, his lips curling into a grin, his face suddenly exuding a murderous aura!
In a quiet corner, Yun Tianming and Ya Fei were chatting and laughing. Beside them sat Princesses Yao Ye and Yao Yu, occasionally raising their glasses in a toast, appearing to enjoy the company of each other, evoking envy from others.
Suddenly, a gust of wind whistled behind Yun Tianming.
"Watch out!"
Yao Ye's gaze fell on the approaching danger, instinctively issuing a warning.
However, Yun Tianming remained calm, leisurely sipping his drink.
"Green Wood Thorn!"
A green Dou Qi condensed into a massive wooden thorn, sharp as a spear, aimed at Yun Tianming's back.
Splurt!
Blood splattered.
"What's happening?!"
Faced with the sudden attack, the guests were stunned.
A fully armored man, wielding a wooden thorn, hovered dangerously close to Yun Tianming's back.
"Mu Zhan? You brute, stop this at once!!"
Ya Fei, belatedly realizing the situation, stood up and angrily reprimanded the assailant.
"Oh my my~ Hr already stopped."
Yao Yu chuckled, her expression showing she found the scene amusing and not dramatic enough.
"What a powerful Dou Technique!!"
Yao Ye showed a surprised expression.
But it wasn't Yun Tianming bleeding; instead, it was the attacker. The sharp wooden thorn had pierced through the assailant's armor.
"What's going on? Mu Zhan's Dou Technique, attacking himself?"
Liu Ling had known Mu Zhan would return to the Imperial Capital today and had expected a spectacle. However, Mu Zhan's attack had turned him into a clown instead!
Cough cough~
"Damn it! Yun Tianming, how dare you steal the Dou Technique of my Mu Family!!"
Mu Zhan took a few steps back, coughing up blood, his face a mix of shock and anger.
"Young Master of the Mu Family, it seems you haven't learned your lesson from three years ago."
Yun Tianming smirked, revealing a gentle smile.
****
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