Elian raised his eyes and saw a graceful young woman with fair skin and beautiful features standing behind Meng Xinghe.
The young woman appeared to be in her early twenties, yet her cultivation had already reached the ninth level of the Qi Refinement stage. Such talent placed her among the most exceptional in the Foundation Establishment clans, worthy of being called a celestial prodigy.
When Meng Wanxing noticed his gaze, she couldn't help but lower her head, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks.
Elian was silent for a moment before carefully declining, "Miss Meng's celestial beauty is truly astonishing, befitting the title of a prodigy of the Meng family."
"However, I already have someone in my heart and can only apologize for not reciprocating such kindness."
Hearing this, Meng Wanxing's delicate brows furrowed slightly, and she cast him a wistful glance before ultimately saying nothing.
"I see." Meng Xinghe chuckled awkwardly, trying to smooth things over.
"It seems I was presumptuous."
After three rounds of wine, the banquet drew to a close.
The old patriarch exchanged a glance with Elian, then raised his cup and stood up, addressing everyone.
"Today, I am deeply grateful to all of you for attending my Chen family's banquet. It means more than words can express."
After finishing his drink, he turned to the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the six major families and said, "Sixty years ago, when the Chen family fell into decline, we relinquished our share of the taxes from Yuyang Market."
"Now that the Chen family has regained its strength, it's time to reclaim what rightfully belongs to us."
"Indeed." Lin Mocheng nodded, his tone calm.
"How about this: the five other families each contribute two percent of their revenue, totaling ten percent for your Chen family. What do you think?"
A ten percent share of the taxes amounted to only 500 spirit stones. Naturally, the Chen family could not accept this.
Elian immediately stood up, his expression turning cold.
"Daoist Lin, let us not jest. Given the Chen family's strength, if we were to receive only a ten percent share, then your Lin family should surely receive no more than that as well."
Meng Xinghe chimed in supportively, "With the Chen family's current strength, it could easily claim one of the top three shares."
"Hmph." Before Lin Mocheng could respond, Lin Baixi snorted coldly.
"And what do you propose?"
"I invited you all here for a reason, and I trust you already know why." The old patriarch's gaze swept across the group, exuding an air of authority. Finally, his eyes rested on Lin Mocheng.
"The old rules still apply: a sword duel."
"We each field three participants, and the outcome will be decided by strength."
"Very well," Meng Xinghe said with a hearty laugh.
"Our Meng family recently gained a third Foundation Establishment cultivator. Over the years, we've received fewer shares than we should have, so it's time to claim more spirit stones and secure our position."
Mu Xuanming, the patriarch of the Mu family, also nodded with a faint smile.
"The six families of Yu County are one, and we cannot harm our unity. Such matters indeed require a duel to ensure fairness."
"I support a sword duel."
With three of the six families expressing their support, the Zhang and Sun families had no objections.
All eyes turned to Lin Mocheng, who frowned deeply before nodding reluctantly.
"Fine, we'll settle this with a duel."
The Chen family initiated this sword duel, but the other families came prepared as well.
The Lin family not only brought their strongest cultivator, Lin Mocheng, but also two mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators: Lin Baixi from the "Bai" generation and Lin Moqin from the "Mo" generation.
The Mu family brought three Foundation Establishment cultivators as well, including their patriarch, who was at the late stage, one at the mid-stage, and one at the third level.
The Meng family also showed their strength, fielding three Foundation Establishment cultivators, with their patriarch Meng Xinghe at the sixth level, and the other two at the early stage.
The Sun and Zhang families were weaker by comparison, with only two Foundation Establishment cultivators each and one late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator to make up the numbers.
As the duel began, the Chen family's old patriarch decided to challenge the Lin family, aiming to replace them as the foremost family in Yu County.
He stepped forward, his sharp gaze fixed on Lin Mocheng.
"I've long heard of your formidable cultivation, Friend Lin. I've been looking forward to testing myself against you."
Lin Mocheng's expression turned cold as he replied with a faintly mocking smile, "It would be an honor to face your Heavenly Flame Sword Art from Qingyuan Mountain."
The crowd was abuzz with excitement at the prospect of a duel between two late-stage Foundation Establishment masters. Everyone gathered eagerly to watch.
As soon as their words ended, both cultivators flew into the air and summoned their magic weapons.
The old patriarch, Chen Changxuan, immediately unleashed his ultimate weapon, the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade, slashing it through the air. Lin Mocheng, unwilling to be outdone, summoned a pale gold bell to shield himself.
This bell, named the Kunwu Bell, was Lin Mocheng's natal artifact. Its full name, the Kunwu Earth Bell, hinted at its extraordinary craftsmanship. The Lin family had spent tens of thousands of spirit stones to acquire the crafting method from the Qingyang Sect.
While the Kunwu Bell's offensive power was inferior to the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade, its defensive capabilities were exceptional, rendering even the blade's strikes ineffective.
Realizing his defense was secure, Lin Mocheng relaxed.
"The Chen family's patriarch's Crimson Flame Spirit Blade is renowned, but it's ultimately unremarkable." He laughed, then said, "It would be impolite not to reciprocate. Please try my Thunderbolt Demon-Piercing Dart."
With a flash of gold, he sent the dart hurtling toward Chen Changxuan's forehead.
The Thunderbolt Demon-Piercing Dart was a top-grade second-tier artifact, powerful in its own right. With Lin Mocheng's ninth-level Foundation Establishment cultivation, its power increased by 30%.
The dart streaked forward with a thunderous roar, its might awe-inspiring.
Chen Changxuan didn't dare underestimate it. He immediately activated his bronze tower, creating a shield of light to block the attack.
Lin Mocheng, as the head of a powerful family, had wealth that far exceeded that of ordinary late-stage Foundation Establishment rogue cultivators. When the dart failed to break through, he unleashed a third top-grade second-tier artifact: an ancient flying dagger.
Though the dagger appeared unremarkable at first glance, its power was extraordinary. Its blade transformed into starlight, striking the bronze tower with a resounding clang and causing ripples to spread across the shield.
"I'm ultimately two levels below him in cultivation," thought the old patriarch. If he continued battling a ninth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator, he would eventually run out of spiritual energy and lose.
The only way to turn the tide was to defeat Lin Mocheng with overwhelming strength.
With that in mind, he stopped holding back and unleashed his ultimate move, the Blazing Fire Divine Flags.
With a flick of his hand, seven array flags shot into the air, ensnaring the Thunderbolt Demon-Piercing Dart and the ancient flying dagger.
Once activated, the Blazing Fire Divine Array immediately demonstrated its might. No matter how the two top-tier artifacts struggled, they remained trapped within the array, unable to break free.
...
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