Chapter 1510: A Drink in Front of the Flower Moon Tower, Testing Your Three-Foot Sword in Your Chest

"I am Feng Tingchen."

"Ye Bansheng, your esteemed presence honors the Feng family greatly."

As the crowd bowed and stood with hands clasped, Feng Tingchen soared into the air to welcome Ye Bansheng, maintaining a demeanor that was neither humble nor arrogant, making everyone feel as if they were basking in a spring breeze.

He exuded no trace of the fierce aura typical of Jian Xiu, appearing simply as an ordinary elder. Dressed in a simple and unadorned robe of pale blue and white, with white hair at his temples, he carried himself with a tall and upright posture, exuding a touch of carefree and unrestrained charm.

"Feng Lao, you're too kind."

Ye Bansheng glanced casually and first noticed the sword at Feng Tingchen's waist. It was one of the twenty-one famous swords, the Crane Sword Tingchen. The blade measured over three chi in length, with the guard etched in the image of a red-crowned white crane spreading its wings, its body a mysterious yellow hue, elegant and otherworldly.

Much like Feng Tingchen himself—unassuming and withdrawn from the world, yet harboring a spirit of contention.

Ye Bansheng lifted his head slightly. He saw that the elder had very faint eyebrows and wrinkles on his forehead. Though his face showed the signs of advanced age, his eyes shone with a vigor surpassing that of young men, bright and piercing.

"All ancient Jian Xiu are the same—polite on the surface, but with egos as high as the heavens..."

Ye Bansheng mused to himself, subtly adjusting his stance to align with Feng Tingchen's height without overtaking it.

In terms of cultivation, he was a Bansheng, while Feng Tingchen was merely a Jianxian. But the latter's combat prowess was unknown, and given his state of returning to simplicity, it likely wasn't far off from that of an ordinary Bansheng.

As for seniority, Feng Tingchen was extremely senior, only one generation below Mei Si Ren and You Tu, and a full generation above other Jianxian from his era, such as Gou Wuyue, Rao Yaoyao... and others.

Ye Bansheng had heard of him in his youth, and now that he had achieved sainthood, he dared not act recklessly—he wasn't that kind of person.

"Time is tight; Mei Si Ren must have told you everything he needed to." Ye Bansheng got straight to the point. "Where is the Feng family's observer? Let's head to Zhong Yu right away!"

"Me." Feng Tingchen smiled and pointed to himself.

"You?" Ye Bansheng was surprised. Hadn't this man withdrawn from the world? How could the battle between Xu Xiaoshou and Bei Bei drag him into it?

"And Yang Lao." As Feng Tingchen spoke, he gestured behind him.

From the Feng family's Tingfeng Pavilion, another figure of an ancient Jian Xiu leaped out.

This one was lean and angular, with a prominent brow, a sword on his back, exuding an aura as if he could uproot mountains.

In stark contrast to Feng Tingchen, his presence was not restrained at all, fully unleashed like a drawn blade.

"Yang Lao, Yang Xizhi," Feng Tingchen introduced.

"I have seen Ye Bansheng." Yang Xizhi stroked his goatee, his gaze sharp as if it could pierce, his words warm yet edged, clearly a man who refused to be outdone.

Yang Xizhi was an elder from the generation of Gu Yu, You Tu, and Mei Si Ren, even a generation above Feng Tingchen. Yet, he had only been ranked among the Seven Jianxian in this latest evaluation, as one of the "two elders who smile like willow branches," referring to Gu Lao and Yang Lao.

"The second Jianxian?"

Ye Bansheng looked over with a half-smile.

He would chat politely with someone like Feng Tingchen, but with ancient Jian Xiu who showed their edges so openly, Ye Bansheng enjoyed provoking them a bit—just as he had with Xiao Qixiu in his younger days, a single word could elicit all sorts of reactions from these spirited Jian Xiu.

"Yes." Yang Xizhi nodded firmly, without annoyance or rebuttal, calmly accepting his ranking, as if he hadn't caught the slight sarcasm in Ye Bansheng's words.

Seeing him take the lead, Ye Bansheng didn't feel awkward.

Ancient Jian Xiu were often reserved; who knew what they were truly thinking.

Feng Tingchen chuckled and casually changed the subject: "Ye Bansheng, you're quite humorous."

"Though the new list of Seven Jianxian is just preliminary, the rankings are temporary. The true standings will be set when the list is sealed. Yang Lao's strength goes beyond that."

Ye Bansheng turned his head at the words, recalling how this man had dared to position himself higher earlier, and said: "I'm curious about something..."

"This Seven Jianxian list is evaluated by your Nan Yu Feng family. Since Yang Lao is on good terms with you, Feng Lao, and resides in Feng Family City, with your friendship so close that you even share a bed, why in the 'two elders who smile like willow branches' is it Gu Lao first and not Yang Lao?"

Yang Xizhi showed no reaction, even glancing at Feng Tingchen, as if eager to hear his answer in front of outsiders.

Feng Tingchen remained as affable as ever, not letting the moment grow awkward or slighting Ye Bansheng, and replied with a smile that also posed a question: "If Ye Bansheng asks it that way..."

"Should I answer seriously, based on the Jian Ta's evaluation, or joke about it and say it's to avoid suspicion?"

Ye Bansheng raised his eyebrows high, detecting the subtle edge hidden in the words.

Feng Tingchen's ability to govern the chaotic lands of Nan Yu Sin Tu and manage the Feng family was no small feat.

This response directly addressed doubts about the Seven Jianxian while subtly mocking Ye Bansheng's overly playful manner. Yet, it was delivered so gently that it was hard to take offense, and it tossed the ball back, leaving the questioner to choose his response and guide the conversation.

It wasn't targeted, no hostility.

But if you were here to stir trouble, the Feng family wasn't to be trifled with—they could match your jest with a sharp retort!

"Ha ha..."

Ye Bansheng laughed it off.

He wasn't here to cause issues; he was just here to pick people up. The question stemmed purely from curiosity, with perhaps a touch of personal irritation—though only regarding height, not the Feng family.

Seeing Feng Tingchen firm up his stance, Ye Bansheng backed down, skipping the topic: "It was just a joke."

"Then I'll take you and Yang Lao to Zhong Yu. Is there anyone else coming along?"

Feng Tingchen secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He didn't want to make an enemy of a Bansheng for no reason; he had no idea how things had escalated. It was best if everyone could step back.

"We're old and can only serve as observers," he said.

"The Feng family needs to send a young junior to handle official matters in Yu Jing City and deal with some minor affairs."

"Ye Bansheng, please take the three of us. I appreciate it."

Feng Tingchen finished speaking and gestured downward, but no one appeared. His face changed slightly.

Ye Bansheng wasn't in a hurry; he looked on curiously.

Feng Tingchen turned back with an apologetic smile and called out: "Feng Zhongzui!"

"Ah, coming, coming..."

From the Feng family estate, a young figure in white robes dashed out.

He looked about fifteen or sixteen, quite handsome, with a slightly flushed face, disheveled hair that was damp, and a simple black belt around his white shirt. His chest was half-open, the ties haphazardly knotted, clearly thrown on in haste.

"Sorry, Ye Lao, Yang Lao, Feng Lao... oh, not that, Old Family Head."

The young man was flustered, apologizing repeatedly: "I was so excited about Ye Bansheng's arrival that I went to bathe and change clothes, which delayed me a bit. I'll punish myself with three..."

He slapped himself across the face, then sheepishly changed it: "Self-punish with one slap, heh, heh."

The slap was solid! His mouth twisted a bit, and four red marks appeared on his cheek.

Feng Tingchen smelled the alcohol from afar, his face turning iron-blue.

A Bansheng had arrived, and he had emphasized not to be negligent, yet this fellow had gone off to drink!

What bathing and changing clothes for respect? It was clearly an attempt to wash off the booze!

He gave Ye Bansheng an apologetic look, his gaze dropping to the wine pouch at the young man's waist. Anger surged, and he was about to act.

"Buzz!"

The Crane Sword Tingchen trembled slightly.

The young man's hand was slick as oil, quickly stashing the nearly forgotten wine pouch into his spatial ring.

"Ah ha ha... hic."

The awkward laugh was meant to ease the tension, but it turned into a hiccup.

Feng Zhongzui clamped his mouth shut, his eyes showing a mix of nervousness and subtle gratitude as he glanced at the famous sword at the old family head's waist. He sucked in air through his nose, trying to clear the smell, and said awkwardly: "Well, it's getting late."

"You elders should head out quickly. We can't keep Mei Si Ren waiting, right?"

Feng Tingchen nearly drew his famous sword.

Feng Zhongzui lunged forward and hugged his leg, also clutching the Crane Sword Tingchen tightly.

"Don't..." he pleaded.

Feng Tingchen sighed deeply, turning back helplessly: "I'm ashamed, Ye Bansheng, you've seen something laughable."

"This young one is the most talented in the Feng family's younger generation, but also the most mischievous, always messing up important matters."

"If he's disrespectful to you because of this, Ye Bansheng, just say the word, and I'll replace him immediately. This time, I won't bring him to Zhong Yu!"

"Ah?" Feng Zhongzui panicked, clinging to Feng Tingchen's leg with one hand and grabbing Ye Bansheng's with the other, tears streaming as he wailed: "Ye Qianbei, give me a chance! I really, really want to go to Zhong Yu. I have an agreement... uh, anyway, give me a chance!"

He even turned to look at Yang Xizhi, though without a third hand, he stretched out his leg to hook him.

Yang Xizhi, who had been stroking his goatee and watching the scene, frowned and stepped back half a pace.

Feng Zhongzui couldn't reach him, so he sniffed back his snot and swallowed: "Yang Lao, say something for me. This opportunity is rare. I was wrong; I won't drink again..."

Ye Bansheng had been a bit annoyed earlier.

In all of Nan Yu Sin Tu, in Feng Family City, everyone who saw Ye Bansheng's arrival bowed respectfully.

This young man reeked of alcohol—it was rude. His words were earnest, but there was no respect in his eyes.

Ye Bansheng had considered venting his anger to admonish the Feng family and perhaps do them a favor in return.

But when he saw the young man clinging to Feng Tingchen's leg with one hand, his own with the other, and even extending his foot to hook Yang Xizhi...

Ye Bansheng suddenly felt a daze, as if transported back to Tian Sang Ling Gong.

Back to when a certain fool had messed up Tian Xuan Gate, holding a pile of boundary treasures, and dared to reach for a fallen sealing ring right under his nose...

It was too similar!

This situation, aside from the mismatched characters, evoked that same "outrageous" feeling.

Ye Bansheng quickly snapped back, waving it off as no big deal. He looked at the young man: "What's your name?"

"Feng Zhongzui!" The young man sprang up, wiping away his snot, his eyes bright as he thumped his chest boastfully: "I'm Feng Zhongzui, the most outstanding genius in the younger generation of the Feng family, the next heir to the Crane Sword Tingchen, and of course, the next—or the one after, or even the one after that—family head... ouch!"

Feng Tingchen rapped him on the head with a sword strike, leaving a bump that made him grimace in pain. Finally, Feng Tingchen sighed: "You've seen something laughable, Ye Bansheng."

"No harm..." Ye Bansheng gazed thoughtfully at the young man, who was hunched over in a horse stance, clutching his head and grimacing, yet still peering at the ground as if searching for something. He couldn't help but sigh: "Youthful vigor and some temperament are normal."

"It's better than those who aren't that old but act like they've seen through the world and all its vanities."

"Hmm, he reminds me of someone..."

"Oh? Who?" Feng Tingchen glanced over; among the clan's younger generation, Feng Zhongzui was his favorite—unpretentious and fearless, a natural-born ancient Jian Xiu.

Ye Bansheng shook his head without answering, thinking to himself that you'd meet him soon enough.

"Shall we go?" he returned to the topic.

"Yes." Feng Tingchen nodded; all who were coming were here, and it was best if Ye Bansheng didn't mind Feng Zhongzui.

"Then let's go!" Ye Bansheng turned to Yang Lao, who nodded in agreement. Then he looked at Feng Zhongzui...

The young man was still crouched low, oblivious to the elders around him, peering at the ground.

"Still got something to do?" Ye Bansheng's lips curved slightly.

"Oh, no! Nothing! Let's go, ignore it." Feng Zhongzui snapped to attention, realizing the elders were waiting for him, and felt deeply embarrassed.

Ye Bansheng smiled without pressing further. With a swirl of spatial essence array beneath his feet, he said, "Cross-domain teleportation, everyone be careful."

The array came quickly and vanished just as fast.

The people of Feng Family City watched as the four figures in the sky lingered briefly before turning into faint light and disappearing.

Just as the teleportation was about to complete...

Feng Zhongzui, who hadn't given up his search, suddenly fixed his gaze on the massive transmission mirror of the first observation platform. He jumped high, eyes wild with joy, cupped a hand to his mouth, and waved his wine pouch wildly, roaring at the top of his lungs: "Ha ha ha, Xiao Wanfeng, I've found you!"

"Stay right there, and watch your brother Feng's dashing figure in the transmission mirror. Don't fall for me later!"

"When I return, don't forget our agreement... at Hua Yue Lou, a feast of wine to test your three-chi sword! You'll definitely make a name for yourself! Then I'll be..."

"Urgh ahh, not the ear! It hurts!"

The cross-domain spatial teleportation phenomenon faded, and the sky was empty.

The well-disciplined Feng Family City finally erupted in the suppressed discussions that had built up:

"Space essence! Ye Bansheng is incredible, handling the teleportation alone and taking the old family head with him—what a feat."

"I never thought the battle between Shou Ye and Bei Jianxian would draw the old family head to observe personally, and even Yang Lao. The transmission mirror will be full of Jianxian soon!"

"I hear Mei Si Ren is there too! I'm so excited; I've admired Mei Si Ren for ages. And he's wielding the Tai Cheng Jian, You Tu's sword, which means You Tu is essentially present!"

"Shou Ye has blocked the gates of Zhong Yu's capital; finally, we get to see the main battlefield. I can't wait..."

At the first observation platform, in front of the transmission mirror's main screen, the discussions weren't just about the big names; some noticed the details.

In the final moments, Feng Zhongzui was clearly shouting toward this spot...

"By the way, who has Drunk Gongzi befriended lately? Xiao Wanfeng? Never heard of him—is he an ancient Jian Xiu?"

"Drunk Gongzi makes a friend a day; he once stayed three months at Hua Yue Lou without returning. If you count his friends, it's the whole five lakes and four seas! Ha ha!"

"He's quite the character; I've drunk with him. Not to boast, but he has grand ambitions and nurtures swords like mountains and rivers. If he'd been born a few years earlier, he might have made this year's Seven Jianxian list!"

"Hard to say; he's too young. But he said Xiao Wanfeng will make a name, and I rarely hear Drunk Gongzi give such high praise—especially in front of Ye Bansheng, the old family head, and all of Feng Family City!"

"Who is Xiao Wanfeng? Stand up!"

The crowd around, swords in hand, looked around but couldn't find the person in question.

Indeed, compared to the renowned "Drunk Gongzi" in Feng Family City, Xiao Wanfeng was utterly obscure.

And among the nearby major ancient Jian Xiu factions, there didn't seem to be any famous clan with the "Xiao" surname.

Soon, though, everyone's attention shifted back from Feng Zhongzui's parting shout to the transmission mirror itself.

Because this massive main mirror, following Ye Bansheng's departure, quickly lit up!

It started with static sounds, accompanied by blurry, grainy images, shadowy like a mirage floating in the sky above the crowd.

Then, the scene materialized, revealing a grand and prosperous city, with snowflakes drifting and osmanthus shadows swaying in the wind.

The fragrance seemed to waft from Zhong Yu all the way to the first observation platform in Nan Yu's Feng Family City.

"Look!"

"It's Yu Jing City!"

"What a massive city!"

Everyone's gazes locked on, faces flushed with excitement, staring intently at the transmission mirror as figures began to appear within it.

Xiao Wanfeng turned to look as well.

Unlike everyone else, he was still a bit dazed, lost in Feng Zhongzui's earlier shout.

"I'll make a name for myself?"

Back then, Xiao Wanfeng had just been passing by Hua Yue Lou, momentarily distracted by the elaborately dressed girls, when that Drunk Gongzi jumped down from the third floor, dragged him in, and forced a drink on him.

It was just that one drink; Drunk Gongzi rambled on about this and that, chatting away happily, and in the end, grabbed his hand to make that "feast of wine and three-chi sword" agreement.

He was so certain it would happen.

He even knew...

"Xu Shaozhi knows me, Drunk Gongzi knows me, but I don't know myself."

Xiao Wanfeng gazed at the transmission mirror, at the familiar yet strange figure of the nine-tailed black-clad youth that appeared last, drawing cheers from the crowd.

The world seemed to isolate itself from him; the cheers grew distant.

Xiao Wanfeng remained lost in thought, his hand slowly moving to his chest, where the sword intent burned hot, on the verge of erupting.

"Xuan Cang, can I really do it?"