Chapter 127: Fated to Meet Across Thousands of Miles

Ding Xuhui's eyes widened in surprise. For the first time, he truly looked at Jiang Fan and asked, "Who are you?"

Chen Siling proudly linked her arm through Jiang Fan's and declared, "This is Jiang Fan, a disciple of the Sect Master's Peak, and also my fiancé."

She cast a defiant glance at Ding Tianxiang.

What if he's a disciple of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion? He still lost to Jiang Fan's sword, didn't he? Thinking of this, she clutched Jiang Fan's arm even tighter, as if drawing more security from it.

Ding Tianxiang, who had almost been struck down and then provoked by Chen Siling, felt a surge of anger. Infused with spiritual power, he roared, "Come! Let's do it again!" He had been too careless earlier. Otherwise, a dignified eighth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator wouldn't have been so easily defeated.

"Silence!" Ding Xuhui reprimanded him, "They are our guests. How can you be so rude?"

If the visitors were disciples from other peaks, it might have been acceptable. His son was a Heavenly Secret Pavilion disciple, and if he injured them, their respective masters wouldn't dare retaliate much. However, Jiang Fan was a disciple of the Qingyun Sect Master. Allowing a Ding family member to injure him would be a direct insult to the Qingyun Sect Master.

He immediately cupped his hands and said, "Qingyun Sect disciples, since you were brought here by Ding Wanping, a member of my Ding family, I shall certainly fulfill my duties as a host. Wanping, please arrange accommodations for them in the manor."

Having said that, he turned and left. As he was about to leave, he suddenly paused, frowned, and added a reminder, "Also, Master Qin will be arriving at our Ding family soon. Make sure your companions stay within bounds and do not wander around the manor, so as not to disturb Master Qin."

Ding Wanping responded respectfully, "Yes, Family Head!" The thought of Master Qin filled him with genuine awe. A true first-rank Soul Master was a person of immense importance, capable of shaking the entire Cloud Yang City with a single stomp of their foot.

Even Ding Tianxiang, still fuming, immediately suppressed his anger upon learning of Master Qin's imminent arrival, not daring to cause any more trouble. Being a disciple of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion, he understood even more clearly the transcendent status of a Soul Master. Even cultivators at the Core Formation stage could only consider themselves equals before a one-star Soul Master. For the Ding family, which didn't even have a Core Formation stage cultivator, to gain the favor of a one-star Soul Master was incredibly fortunate. If they displeased him and he refused to cooperate with the Ding family, then he would be a historical sinner of the Ding family!

Thus, the conflict subsided.

Ding Wanping led everyone to the Ding family's wing, arranging rooms for each disciple one by one. When it was Chen Siling's turn, he solicitously said, "Junior Sister Siling, you can stay next to your senior brother's room. If anything happens, I can rush to you immediately."

Chen Siling said indifferently, "You don't need to trouble yourself, Senior Brother. Jiang Fan and I will share a room."

If something truly happened, could Ding Wanping protect her? The previous incident had already provided the answer.

Ding Wanping felt a pang in his chest. He glared enviously at Jiang Fan and said, "Junior Sister, don't overestimate Jiang Fan too much. He only caught Ding Tianxiang off guard earlier, which allowed him to gain a slight advantage. If they truly fought, Jiang Fan would be a dead dog within three moves!"

Hearing this, a hint of disgust flickered across Chen Siling's indifferent face. She retorted impolitely, "That's still better than standing there, getting slapped, and not daring to fight back!"

The other disciples looked at Ding Wanping. Although their faces were expressionless, they felt a degree of disdain for him, more or less. Even if Jiang Fan's cultivation was weaker, he at least dared to act for Chen Siling and successfully injured his opponent. What about Ding Wanping? He only dared to be fierce in front of those weaker than himself. When facing Ding Tianxiang, he didn't even have the courage to fight back. How could he have the audacity to look down on Jiang Fan?

Ding Wanping, overwhelmed by shame, clenched his fists and glared at Jiang Fan with resentment. "Do you dare to compete with me? Let's see who's a hero and who's a coward." He couldn't bear the humiliation. He wanted to prove himself no matter what. He wanted to salvage some lost dignity in front of the Qingyun Sect disciples and Chen Siling! He couldn't defeat Ding Tianxiang, but dealing with Jiang Fan should be easy, right?

Jiang Fan was somewhat annoyed by this person. He kept pestering them repeatedly. Since he was asking for it, Jiang Fan might as well oblige him.

"Fine!" Jiang Fan said without hesitation.

Ding Wanping gripped his sword hilt and said, "Follow me!"

So, everyone moved to the Ding family's training ground. The other disciples were also curious, wondering where Jiang Fan got the confidence to face Ding Wanping directly. After all, Ding Wanping was an experienced senior disciple. He had broken through to the sixth level of Foundation Establishment a considerable time ago, had a solid foundation, and extensive combat experience. Jiang Fan, on the other hand, had only been in the Qingyun Sect for a month.

The two stepped forward, each gripping their weapons, stood facing each other, ready to strike.

Meanwhile, the Ding family's long-awaited Master Qin finally arrived. He was none other than Qin Wenyuan, who had indeed relocated his entire clan from Solitary Boat City, traveling a long distance. Cloud Yang City was far more prosperous than Solitary Boat City, making it very suitable for the Qin family's new development. As the Qin family had just arrived, establishing a foothold meant contending for territory with the local martial arts families. Therefore, Qin Wenyuan wisely chose to form an alliance with the Ding family. Their priority was to first deal with the other two major martial arts families and then solidify their position.

"Master Qin, you've finally arrived!" Ding Xuhui, leading the entire Ding clan, respectfully welcomed the vast Qin family entourage from outside the city gates.

Ding Tianxiang stood by his side, also showing utmost respect to Qin Wenyuan. "Master Qin, I am Ding Tianxiang, a disciple of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. Welcome to our Ding family." By stating his identity, he undoubtedly aimed to increase the Ding family's bargaining chips. This would allow them to secure more benefits within the alliance.

Qin Wenyuan, however, let out a half-smile. "How is Elder Fei Yunlun of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion?"

Ding Tianxiang was startled to hear this. "Master Qin, do you know my master?" Fei Yunlun was none other than Ding Tianxiang's master, a grand cultivator at the eighth level of Core Formation. He was shocked that Qin Wenyuan actually knew him.

"More than just knowing him," Qin Wenyuan stroked his beard. "Elder Fei Yunlun should address me as Senior Brother when he sees me. We once belonged to the same sect. However, I later discovered my soul talent and chose to delve into the path of a Soul Master. By extension, you should be considered my junior grand-nephew."

Hearing this, Ding Tianxiang was greatly shaken! His awe intensified. His already bent waist bowed even lower. "Tianxiang greets Senior Uncle."

Ding Xuhui dared not act presumptuously either and bowed along with him. "This junior greets Master Qin!" He felt immense pressure. Qin Wenyuan was not only a one-star Soul Master but also his son's senior uncle. If he became displeased, wouldn't he be able to control his son's future and determine the rise or fall of the Ding family? Thinking of this, his demeanor became even more deferential.

With their utmost reverence, Qin Wenyuan received unprecedented high-level treatment upon arriving at the Ding family manor. Naturally, there were no obstacles to the alliance discussed by both parties. Ding Xuhui could only accept all the conditions proposed by Qin Wenyuan, daring not to object. Fortunately, Qin Wenyuan was not insatiably greedy; some conditions, though demanding, were acceptable.

With the alliance settled, Ding Xuhui let out a long breath, finally letting go of the burden on his mind.

"Master Qin, I have prepared a banquet. Please follow me."

Accompanied by him, Qin Wenyuan, in high spirits, walked towards the dining hall. He felt very content. "Leaving Solitary Boat City wasn't necessarily a bad thing. As long as we don't provoke that three-star Soul Master again, the Qin family will be more glorious than ever."

As he walked, passing the training ground, his peripheral vision caught sight of a group of people. When he saw a figure standing in the training ground, he froze.