The Liu Clan was unaware of the undercurrents surging within Northern Heaven City. Although Liu Bai had considered such possibilities, he did not take them to heart.
After all, this was a world where strength reigned supreme. Even if there were people dissatisfied with what the Liu Clan had received, as long as he displayed sufficient power, those people could only accept it obediently.
In truth, ever since the Dean of the Northern Heaven Spiritual Academy had made his stance clear, Liu Bai no longer believed that any person or force could prevent the Liu Clan from establishing themselves in Northern Heaven City.
When the hundreds of Liu Clan members stepped out of the teleportation array in Northern Heaven City, the news spread swiftly to the ears of every major power within the city.
Before the Liu Clan even returned to their new residence, detailed information about their strength had already been placed on the desks of the city's leading families.
"Tch, aside from that Liu Bai, there's only one person in the Early-phase of the Heaven Fusion Realm. Their overall strength is pathetically weak." One senior figure from the Lin Clan, one of the Five Great Families of Northern Heaven City, tossed the intelligence scroll aside with disdain.
"And yet, such a clan actually dreams of occupying one tenth of Northern Heaven City's territory. I truly don't know what they're thinking."
Although everyone knew that this territory had been granted to the Liu Clan by the Academy's Dean himself, none of them dared to voice any complaint against him. Instead, they shifted their frustration toward the Liu Clan.
After all, this so-called one tenth of Northern Heaven City did not only refer to land. It also included shops, businesses, and all manner of enterprises operating in that area, which were now under the Liu Clan's control.
Many of those establishments had previously belonged to the Five Great Families, so having to give up their holdings naturally left no one happy.
"Enough," Lin Tang, the patriarch of the Lin Clan, said seriously. "There's no need to argue over this for now. Let's first see how the other four families react. That Liu Bai's strength is extraordinary, and his talent is monstrous. More importantly, he has drawn the attention of the Academy's high-ranking figures. I've received word that he is also the disciple of the Heaven Seat Elder of the Artifact Refining Institute. Considering how he killed Yu Yuan and publicly slew Mo Xingtian on Divine Spiritual Mountain, his status in the Northern Heaven Spiritual Academy is far from something as simple as being called its number one student."
Although these matters were well known within the Academy, the powers of Northern Heaven City were not qualified to set foot there. Unless one of their clans produced a true genius capable of standing out within the Northern Heaven Spiritual Academy, they had little access to such inside information.
However, Lin Tang happened to be in-laws with a commander from the City Lord's Mansion. Through this connection, he had learned much, which made the usually prudent patriarch even more cautious.
Yet, since this issue concerned substantial profit, it was impossible for him to convince the clan elders to yield with just words. Thus, he decided not to be the first to act, choosing instead to observe how others would test the Liu Clan's strength and temperament.
Just as the various families were discussing how to deal with the newly arrived Liu Clan, news came from the City Lord's Mansion. The City Lord had invited all the major and minor factions of Northern Heaven City to attend a banquet, a formal occasion meant to publicly introduce the Liu Clan.
Both the Five Great Families and the Liu Clan treated this invitation with great importance.
As for Liu Qingtian, the head of the Liu Clan, after witnessing the level of power within Northern Heaven City, he could not help feeling somewhat apprehensive.
In the Northern Spiritual Realm, even those at the Spiritual Wheel Stage could be considered regional experts, and those at the Divine Soul Realm were top-tier figures. But in Northern Heaven City, Divine Soul Realm experts were everywhere, and even practitioners at the Heaven Fusion Realm or Heaven Transformation Realm could occasionally be seen.
Among the Five Great Families, there were even Heaven Completion Realm and Three minor Sovereign Disaster Stage experts sitting in town.
Given that, it was certain that the banquet hosted by the City Lord's Mansion would attract all the top figures of Northern Heaven City. If the Liu Clan failed to handle themselves properly, their footing in this new city could become extremely precarious.
"Jiuyou, are you coming to the banquet this time?" Liu Bai turned to the girl lounging lazily beside him and asked.
"Not interested," Jiuyou replied curtly, curling her lips.
"Oh, really? But I heard there will be plenty of delicious food there," Liu Bai said with a teasing smile.
Jiuyou rolled her eyes immediately.
"Do you still take me for a child? Using that excuse to trick me… You just want me to back you up, right? If that's what you mean, just say so. How am I supposed to know what you're thinking if you don't say it? Say it, and I'll know, won't I?"
"Stop, stop, stop! Big sister, please spare me, alright? I didn't know you had the potential to become a preacher or maybe you've awakened the nature of a Bird tribe?"
"Who's preacher? And who are you calling a Bird! We are Nine Nether Sparrows, and I'm a Nine Netherworld Sparrow now, a top-tier divine beast!"
Seeing her long, slender leg lift as if ready to kick him, Liu Bai quickly dodged aside.
Tsk tsk, if it weren't because he couldn't win in a fight, he would have already grabbed that leg and made her pay for it.
"Alright, enough fooling around. You're coming with me tonight. Just focus on eating. If anything unexpected happens, just keep an eye on my father and the others."
He was bringing Jiuyou mainly as a precaution.
Although Liu Bai believed no one would be foolish enough to act rashly, he had no intention of showing weakness. Just in case someone decided to act recklessly, he wanted to be fully prepared.
He wasn't worried about the Academy's interference. Among the forces affiliated with the Northern Heaven Spiritual Academy, internal strife was not uncommon, and the Academy never meddled in such matters.
In this world, the law of the jungle was absolute. When facing external threats, everyone naturally stood united under the strong. But when it came to internal disputes, each would settle matters by their own strength.
As night fell, Liu Bai set out for the City Lord's Mansion with Jiuyou, Liu Jingshan, and Liu Qingtian.
At the same time, the Five Great Families and many other factions began making their way there as well.
No one dared show the slightest disrespect toward an invitation from the City Lord's Mansion. Apart from the Academy's influence, the City Lord of Northern Heaven City, Ding Qian, was himself a key reason for such respect.
According to Liu Bai's knowledge, Ding Qian had already overcome a 1st Grade Spirit Disaster, placing his strength among the top-tier experts of the entire Northern Heaven Continent—just beneath the Sovereign level.
Upon entering the City Lord's Mansion, Liu Qingtian appeared somewhat restrained, and even Liu Jingshan, despite his stoic expression, showed signs of nervousness.
It couldn't be helped—those in charge of receiving guests were far from ordinary, and even cultivators at the Heaven Fusion Realm were among them. Though this showed the Mansion's respect toward its guests, it also made the Liu father and son uneasy.
Fortunately, with Liu Bai present, most of the attention in the hall was focused on him, allowing Liu Qingtian and Liu Jingshan to gradually relax.
As for Jiuyou, there was nothing to worry about. Not a single person in the banquet hall was worthy of her attention, so she merely sat there in boredom, daydreaming.
Yet, one could not deny that with her beauty and temperament, Jiuyou became the center of attention wherever she was. Even the patriarchs of the Five Great Families found their gazes drawn to her, making her the undeniable focus of the evening.
Clearly, Jiuyou was long accustomed to such attention. She ignored all those admiring glances, immersing herself in her own world, entirely unconcerned.
Seeing this, Liu Bai couldn't help but smile. It seemed that attending such events was indeed a kind of torment for her—no wonder she had been so reluctant before.
Before long, once most guests had arrived, City Lord Ding Qian appeared to host the banquet.
Truthfully, such banquets were quite dull. Aside from eating, drinking, and watching performances, the real purpose came after the meal.
"Hehe, thank you all for gracing this banquet with your presence. Allow me, Ding Qian, to toast everyone here!"
Ding Qian raised his cup with a genial smile and offered a distant toast to all present.
"City Lord, you are too polite. It's an honor to be invited here. It should be us toasting you instead!" an old man in purple robes said with a laugh, raising his own cup.
"Yes, indeed, we should toast the City Lord!"
"To the City Lord!"
"To the City Lord!"
"…"
As the old man finished speaking, the others quickly followed suit. Liu Bai and his companions also raised their cups along with the crowd.
Among all those present, only Jiu You remained unmoved. Her eyes sparkled with delight as she continued to stare eagerly at the delicacies before her.
Everyone chose to pretend they had not noticed her behavior.
None of the seasoned old foxes in the hall were foolish enough to miss the truth. They could all sense that the stunningly beautiful girl before them was no ordinary person. When facing her, they felt as if they were standing before a dormant volcano that could erupt at any moment. Every movement of hers seemed capable of bringing destruction upon them.
Once the final toast was drunk, it was time to discuss the true purpose of the gathering.
City Lord Ding Qian's gaze swept across the hall before settling on the three members of the Liu Clan.
"This banquet has another purpose," he said with a calm smile. "It is to welcome a new member to Northern Heaven City. I thought it would be a fine opportunity for everyone to get acquainted."
"Patriarch Liu, please rise and introduce yourself to everyone."
Hearing this, Liu Qingtian, who had already prepared himself, stood up. His expression was neither arrogant nor humble as he said steadily, "I am Liu Qingtian, Patriarch of the Liu Clan. It is our honor to join Northern Heaven City and become neighbors with all of you. I hope everyone will look after us in the days ahead."
"Hehe, Patriarch Liu, you are being too polite. From what I see, your Liu Clan already carries the bearing of the number one clan in Northern Heaven City. In the future, it will be us who must rely on your guidance."
A strange, mocking voice suddenly rang out, drawing the attention of everyone present.
Liu Qingtian's heart tightened, but recalling what Liu Bai had told him about the city's major powers, he quickly recognized the speaker.
Though the man's words dripped with hostility, Liu Qingtian did not wish to start a conflict on the very first day. He endured the provocation and said calmly, "Patriarch Wu flatters me. The Liu Clan has only just arrived and could never claim to be the foremost clan."
"Hah, just arrived and already occupying one tenth of Northern Heaven City? In a few years' time, perhaps this city will bear the Liu name entirely."
This time, the words were utterly direct, without the slightest attempt at subtlety.
Liu Bai frowned. Which fool dared to speak like this at such a time? Even if they looked down on the Liu Clan, did they not fear offending City Lord Ding Qian, who sat right above them?
Following the sound, he spotted a young man in his twenties among the Wu Clan's ranks.
No wonder. Only an inexperienced fool would speak so recklessly. The youth was indeed arrogant but what was the basis of his arrogance?
"This man is Wu Miao, the third son of Wu Tong, Patriarch of the Wu Clan," Ding Qian's voice sounded quietly beside Liu Bai's ear. "Wu Tong's eldest son, Wu Xin, was once a monstrous genius of the Northern Heaven Spiritual Academy. He graduated six years ago and left Northern Heaven Continent. Rumor has it that the Wu Clan recently received word from him—he has broken through to the Sovereign Realm and joined a powerful sect on par with the Northern Heaven Spiritual Academy. He is said to be held in high regard there."
Hearing this, Liu Bai immediately understood why the Wu Clan dared to act so brazenly.
"So they have a Sovereign Realm expert supporting them..."
If he were an ordinary genius, he might have chosen to avoid a direct confrontation.
After all, in the territory of Northern Heaven Continent, a Sovereign Realm expert carried immense deterrence.
Unfortunately for them, this time they had provoked the wrong person.
He already had a Sovereign Realm powerhouse by his side.
"Northern Heaven City will always remain Northern Heaven City. It will never bear the Liu name, nor any other," Liu Bai said quietly.
Wu Miao turned toward the voice and met Liu Bai's eyes. In that instant, he caught a flash of golden lightning deep within Liu Bai's pupils. The next moment, his mind went blank, and his body slumped forward toward the table.
"Miao'er?!"
Wu Tong was shocked. He immediately released a burst of spiritual power, catching his son before he could fall into the soup dishes, saving him from an embarrassing scene.
Wu Miao soon regained consciousness. Feeling his father's spiritual force restraining him, he looked confused. "Father, what are you doing?"
Wu Tong's expression darkened as he asked in a low voice, "Do you not remember what just happened?"
"What just happened? Did something occur?" Wu Miao replied, still dazed.
Hearing this, Wu Tong's face grew even uglier. He turned sharply toward Liu Bai, eyes blazing with fury.
Though he had no idea what Liu Bai had done, he was certain the youth had tampered with his son—perhaps even attacked his very soul.
"Liu Bai! What did you do to my son?!" Wu Tong demanded, rising to his feet, his aura flaring as though ready to strike.
Liu Bai smiled faintly. "What did I do? Patriarch Wu, please be specific. I was sitting far from your son. How could I possibly do anything to him? There are so many witnesses here—please, do not wrong an innocent man."
"You...!" Wu Tong's chest heaved with anger, his face turning red.
But the truth was undeniable. He had not seen Liu Bai make any move at all. With so many eyes in the hall, it was impossible that Liu Bai could have acted unnoticed
...
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