Chapter 176: Banquet
As evening fell, within the Hundred Flowers Hall of the Immortal Spirit City Lord's Mansion, candlelight flickered amidst the sound of silk and bamboo music.
Ji Lingxiu sat upright in the main seat, still wearing a plain white long dress with only a white jade hairpin, her demeanor cold as frost.
Her fingertips lightly brushed the wine cup as her gaze swept indifferently across the hall, finally settling on Ji Changming.
"Royal Brother, please." She raised her cup in gesture, her voice calm.
Ji Changming smiled gently, though a sharp glint hid in his eyes: "You're too kind, Sister Lingxiu."
He lifted his wine cup, his gaze imperceptibly flickering toward Yang Hong beside him. The two had long agreed—once he deliberately spilled his cup, Yang Hong would immediately strike and seize Ji Lingxiu!
With her captured, Immortal Spirit City and the remnants of the Imperial Forest Army would be effortlessly theirs!
Within the Hundred Flowers Hall, serving maids filed in, presenting rare delicacies. Spirit beast meat, millennium spirit fruits, and jade nectar filled the air with intoxicating aromas.
Ji Changming feigned emotion: "Sister Lingxiu, you've certainly lived freely these past years."
Ji Lingxiu's lips curved slightly: "It cannot compare to Royal Brother's battlefield glory, so majestic and awe-inspiring."
"Hmph, 'majestic' is an overstatement." Ji Changming sneered, "While some hide in the rear, reaping rewards without effort."
Ji Lingxiu's fingertips tapped the wine cup, her gaze turning cold: "Royal Brother is mistaken. Immortal Spirit City's prosperity today was not achieved by idly reaping rewards."
"Oh?" Ji Changming raised an eyebrow, "Then what was it achieved by?"
"By..." She lifted her eyes, staring directly at Ji Changming, "Rules."
Ji Changming's face darkened.
Rules?
She was mocking his tyrannical behavior in the city today!
He suppressed his rage, forcing a relaxed smile: "Rules are rigid, but people are flexible. Sister Lingxiu, sometimes excessive rigidity is unwise."
Ji Lingxiu smiled faintly: "Royal Brother is right. But those who don't even abide by basic rules are unfit to speak of 'flexibility'."
—This was calling him less than human!
A cold light flashed in Ji Changming's eyes as his grip on the wine cup tightened violently.
Ji Changming sneered, suddenly shifting the topic: "Speaking of which, Sister Lingxiu has managed Immortal Spirit City quite well these years."
Ji Lingxiu's expression remained unchanged: "Royal Brother flatters me."
"However..." Ji Changming narrowed his eyes, "I hear your fiancé seems rather dissatisfied?"
Ji Lingxiu's fingertips paused slightly before she replied calmly: "Royal Brother is well-informed."
"Hmph, after all, it concerns the Great Zhou Imperial Family's dignity." Ji Changming's smile turned sinister, "A grand princess publicly rejected by her fiancé—such news travels poorly."
Ji Lingxiu lifted her gaze, frosty as ice: "Royal Brother worries needlessly. I am no longer a princess, and the engagement is unworthy of mention."
"Unworthy of mention?" Ji Changming scoffed, "Then what about the Lingtian Army? Without their support, what do you have to contend with me?"
Ji Lingxiu's lips curved slightly: "Did Royal Brother come today merely to say this?"
"Of course not." Ji Changming's smile grew colder, "I merely wonder—what makes you believe you can defend Immortal Spirit City?"
Ji Lingxiu's fingertips tapped the wine cup, her voice clear and cold: "Royal Brother is welcome to try."
Bang!
Ji Changming violently smashed the wine cup on the ground, the jade cup shattered, and wine splashed everywhere!
This was the signal to act!
He sneered as he looked at Yang Hong, waiting for him to suddenly attack!
However...
Yang Hong did not move.
Ji Changming's pupils contracted, and he turned to look at Yang Hong, only to see his expression grave, his gaze inexplicably looking out the window, as if waiting for some result.
At the same time.
Within the valley.
Looking at that figure in the sky, for an entire afternoon, it continuously swept its divine consciousness over the Immortal Spirit Valley and the surrounding areas of Immortal Spirit City.
Chen Chang'an roughly guessed the other party's purpose.
In fact, ten years ago, the moment he accepted Xiao Chen as his disciple, he had already been mentally prepared.
He could hide in the valley and not go out, but he couldn't prevent others from coming to find him.
Especially since the Sons of Destiny have always been famous as humanoid disaster creators.
Chen Chang'an had even seriously considered whether to obtain the legendary "Supreme Salvation Profound Chapter."
With four Sons of Destiny in his family, as long as he continuously cleaned up their messes, he would probably succeed in Dao Merging eventually.
Taking ten thousand steps back, even without Xiao Chen and the others, what about his daughter?
He couldn't let his daughter spend her entire life in this valley too.
Therefore, ten years ago, Chen Chang'an already knew there would be such a day, and he began making preparations.
Whether it was the replica Immortal Slaying Sword Formation or the Lost Trace Grand Formation, they were all part of his preparations.
But neither the sword formation nor the Lost Trace Grand Formation was enough to block existences stronger than him.
This had been a lingering concern for him, and he had been worried about it.
Until—the opening of the Sect Master's Secret Chamber several days ago, which finally allowed his hanging heart to completely settle down.
And it gave him some new ideas.
So... since this day was unavoidable anyway.
Let's make the day when the Immortal Spirit Sacred Land appears even more lively!
Thus—
Chen Chang'an spoke lightly, and although he didn't use any magical techniques, his voice echoed between heaven and earth.
"There's no need for you to continue searching. I see you've been busy for most of the day, so why not come here for a small drink?"
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