"Originally, some injuries and deaths during the sparring matches were nothing unusual—that's perfectly normal. But who knows what kind of cultivation techniques these people practice? Every single one of them is proficient in sinister demonic arts and poison techniques. Every disciple who lost a match against them either fell unconscious for no apparent reason or was struck with some mysterious poison, each injury difficult to treat! Fortunately, these people have shown some restraint on account of being within Yanling Fortress—no disciple has died from serious injuries yet. That is a small mercy in the midst of misfortune! Ahem, I'm truly embarrassed that you two have witnessed this spectacle of the Yan family!" Yan Yu said, his face tinged with embarrassment.
"But before we left, I heard that the Elders were getting restless. They've already sent for the disciples of the Martial Arts Hall that your brother belongs to, Senior Brother. Those are the Yan family's elite disciples who've cultivated our secret techniques—they'll definitely teach those people a severe lesson!" Yan Ling couldn't help but chime in from the side, even raising a small fist for emphasis.
"Ridiculous! You're a girl—what do you know about fighting and killing all day? The guests we've brought back are already here. Hurry and have Uncle Li send the next group of welcoming disciples out—we can't keep other guests waiting!" Yan Yu put on a stern face and scolded his sister a few times before sending the pouting young girl on her way.
He then turned to explain to Han Li and the others: "Because there have been so many guests arriving recently, with all sorts of people mixed in, the Yan family has activated part of the fortress's protective barriers. Now, certain areas within the fortress can no longer use transmission talismans or similar long-range spells, so I had to send my little sister to deliver the message in person! My sister and I weren't originally assigned to guest reception, but with personnel so scarce inside the fortress—and now with people showing up with ill intent—we had no choice but to come help out temporarily." After finishing, Yan Yu's expression darkened as he glanced into the distance, where Yan family disciples and the strange outsiders had already begun their magical duels.
"So Senior Brother Yan is actually an elite disciple of the Yan family! You must be held in high regard within the clan," Dong Xuan'er said, her eyes shimmering with a subtle light as she smiled enchantingly. Her already beautiful features suddenly radiated an irresistible charm, leaving Yan Yu across from her momentarily entranced.
"Well... I suppose you could say that," Yan Yu murmured in a daze, barely aware of what he was saying. He only felt that this Miss Dong was far too beautiful—she was exactly like the woman of his dreams!
"Giggles! Then—"
"Brother Yan, would it be possible for us to go watch the sparring match over there? I'd like to see what kind of bold individuals dare to cause trouble at the Yan family's doorstep."
Dong Xuan'er found his expression quite amusing and let out a few light giggles, intending to tease him a bit more—but she was interrupted by Han Li speaking up from the side.
"Oh... watch? Of course! The one currently facing off against those people is one of my cousins. His magical prowess in the Martial Arts Hall ranks him comfortably within the top ten—I'm sure he'll give them a lesson they won't forget!" Yan Yu, snapped out of his trance by Han Li's words, was briefly startled before agreeing readily and enthusiastically.
Han Li smiled inwardly at this. He understood that on one hand, Yan Yu had no real reason to refuse them, and on the other, the man was confident this match would end in victory—hence his easy agreement.
And so, the three flew down to the vicinity of the sparring grounds and made their way toward the crowd of onlookers.
Drawing a bit closer, Han Li was surprised to find that the number of cultivators gathered to watch had reached well over a hundred. More striking still, judging by their attire, the majority of them were not cultivators from the Yue Kingdom at all, but foreigners who had come from other countries. It was truly peculiar!
A host of questions arose in Han Li's mind, but as a guest, he felt it wouldn't be appropriate to pry too deeply. He could only swallow his curiosity and pretend not to notice.
As for Dong Xuan'er, she was still chatting and laughing with Yan Yu, though Han Li caught the faint flicker of astonishment in her eyes. It seemed this woman was not merely a pretty face—a decorative pillow with nothing inside.
Yet for reasons Han Li couldn't fathom, this headstrong girl seemed to share his restraint, showing no inclination to ask about the odd situation either. It left Han Li feeling somewhat frustrated.
"Xuan'er, you're here too! This is wonderful—I was afraid Fairy Hong Fu wouldn't let you out!" Just as the three of them approached, a handsome young male cultivator ahead happened to turn his head and catch sight of Dong Xuan'er. His face lit up with wild joy, and he hurried over several steps, greeting her with unmistakable intimacy.
The moment this man appeared, Dong Xuan'er's smile froze. Yan Yu's expression darkened, his gaze becoming unsettled.
Han Li, the only outsider among them, remained completely unperturbed, betraying no hint of surprise. He knew full well this was most likely one of Dong Xuan'er's former suitors. But the man's surname was Feng—could this be the "young master from the Feng family" that his master's wife had mentioned before?
"Senior Brother Feng! I never expected that Uncle Du would have you participate in this Grand Assembly!" Dong Xuan'er's fleeting anomaly passed in an instant. Her eyes darted about, and then she greeted him with a casual frankness, as if he were truly nothing more than an ordinary acquaintance.
This visibly improved Yan Yu's mood, but this Senior Brother Feng was momentarily stunned before he finally noticed Yan Yu and Han Li standing beside Dong Xuan'er.