Chapter 32

"Chen Zong, this kind of occasion is not for someone like you. You should leave immediately." A harsh voice rang out, and everyone's attention focused on the scene.

"What's it to you?" Chen Zong looked up and saw Chen He, whom he hadn't seen for many days. First, he was surprised, then he responded with a cold and indifferent tone.

"How could it not be my business? First, I am your senior clansman. Second, only those with a certain status and strength, and who have received an invitation, can enter such an occasion. Look at you, just a fourth-layer Blood Qi Realm cultivator and a mere branch family member. What qualifications do you have to enter? I'm telling you to leave immediately, so you don't disgrace our Chen family." Chen He's face darkened, and his words came in a rapid-fire manner, bombarding Chen Zong.

"I have an invitation." Chen Zong remained calm and composed.

"You have an invitation..." Chen He was first stunned, then burst into laughter: "Are you joking? Someone like you could receive an invitation from the Ascending Dragon Association?"

Two others, a man and a woman, who had come up the stairs with Chen He, frowned slightly and walked over. They were also unclear about what had happened.

"Truly laughable. If someone who has only reached the sixth refinement of Blood Qi and is listed among the six young heroes of Fengwu City still doesn't have the qualifications to enter, then what does it take to be qualified?" Yang Yigu slowly sipped his wine and said calmly.

"Sixth refinement of Blood Qi!"

"Six young heroes of Fengwu City!"

Chen He's face changed drastically, his heart feeling as if struck by lightning.

"Impossible, a mere branch family member, how could this be?"

But when he saw the mocking and derisive gazes of those around him, Chen He realized it was true. During his time away for training, something had happened in the Chen family that he was unaware of.

"Chen Zong's invitation is real, and his invitation from the Ascending Dragon Association is also real, personally named by Jun Luo." Tang Junhao walked over with a displeased look, his gaze cold and authoritative, landing on Chen He: "Chen He, you are not welcome here. Please leave."

"You can't do this." Chen He's face changed drastically, as did the two who had come with him.

If he left now, he would become a laughingstock.

"I don't want to repeat myself." Tang Junhao's expression was cold.

"Fine, I'll leave." Although Chen He's face was dark and his anger was like a volcano about to erupt, he still had a bit of reason. This was the Proof of Martial Arts Tower, a property of the Tang family, and the venue for the Ascending Dragon Association. If he lost control, the consequences would be severe, more than he could bear.

His fierce gaze swept over Chen Zong's face, and then he turned and left the tower.

"Those who come here are all qualified to receive our Tang family's invitation. I don't want to hear such words again." Tang Junhao said loudly, warning them, and then nodded to Chen Zong before leaving.

"Are you Chen Zong, the one who learned swordsmanship from Sister Chuyun?" One of the two who had come with Chen He, the woman, looked at Chen Zong suspiciously and asked.

"I am Chen Zong." Chen Zong nodded.

"My name is Chen Hongying. You should call me Senior Clan Sister." Chen Hongying said with a playful smile.

"My name is Chen Xia. I've heard that a remarkable martial disciple has emerged from the clan, winning the title of Chief Disciple multiple times. I didn't expect that you would have refined your Blood Qi six times and be listed among the six young heroes of Fengwu City. Truly remarkable." Chen Xia said with a smile, his tone warm and friendly.

"Senior Clan Brother Chen Xia, you flatter me." Chen Zong smiled.

Since Chen Chuyun and others went to the Seven Stars Martial Academy, Chen Xia has been the top expert among the Chen family's young generation, followed by Chen He and then Chen Hongying.

The previous top expert was Chen Chuyun. If Chen Zong were to live in Chen Chuyun's former courtyard, he would need to challenge and defeat Chen Xia.

Those who came here to participate in the Ascending Dragon Association were either directly invited, like Chen Zong, or were among the top three young talents of their respective families.

At this moment, rhythmic footsteps echoed from the stairs, and everyone seemed to sense something, looking up.

A figure slowly descended from the fourth-floor stairs.

A pair of purple-gold dragon-patterned war boots, a finely crafted purple martial robe with golden dragon patterns, bright and inwardly powerful eyes, and a purple-gold crown on his head. This was the main character of today's banquet—Tang Junluo.

"Thank you all for coming to the Ascending Dragon Association hosted by my family." Tang Junluo walked over and sat in the reserved main seat, his presence commanding. His clear voice reached everyone's ears, and his gaze swept over each face, pausing slightly at Chen Zong.

"Please take your seats." Tang Junluo gestured, and everyone took their seats, the arrangement fitting perfectly.

"Junluo refined his Blood Qi eight times to break through to the Martial Artist Realm, breaking our Fengwu City's previous record and setting a new one. Congratulations." Tang Junhao stood up and said: "We will toast to Junluo with tea instead of wine."

"It should be so."

"Congratulations."

"From now on, our Fengwu City will surpass the other six cities in this aspect."

Everyone raised their tea cups to toast Tang Junluo, but Yang Yigu continued to drink wine.

This banquet, though prepared by the Tang family, had no elders present. The highest cultivation level was only the sixth layer of the Blood Qi Realm, making it a gathering of young people.

"The purpose of this Ascending Dragon Association is to celebrate Junluo and share the glory of the Tang family and Fengwu City with everyone. Another purpose is to gather all the young heroes, so they can get to know each other and discuss martial arts, and engage in friendly sparring." Tang Junhao spoke like a spokesperson.

"Tang Junluo, you defeated me by a half move that day. Now, as a Martial Artist, I come to challenge you again." Zhao Wangcheng stood up, his tone cold and his eyes like knives.

"I will give you the chance, but not now." Tang Junluo said calmly, and Zhao Wangcheng did not press, sitting back down.

"Since that's the case, I'll start. I've heard that the more you drink, the better your swordsmanship becomes, Drunken Sword Yang Yigu. I've long wanted to test your skills." A man stood up and directly challenged Yang Yigu.

"This is a friendly sparring. Remember, weapons have no eyes. Do not use your full strength, and preferably, do not use your Blood Qi power." Tang Junhao reminded them.

"Drinking and practicing swordsmanship, finding the wind in drunkenness. Here is my sword." Yang Yigu grabbed his wine gourd and took a big gulp, his eyes hazy. He drew his sword, and it transformed into a gentle breeze, carrying a strong aroma of alcohol, blowing toward his opponent.

Smooth and natural, like flowing clouds and water!

Chen Zong's eyes lit up, feeling a strong urge to challenge Yang Yigu in swordsmanship.

Swish, swish, swish!

Yang Yigu's sword strikes were continuous, like a gentle breeze, forcing his opponent to retreat. The moment his opponent tried to counter with a martial technique, Yang Yigu's sword found a gap and landed on his neck, the cold touch making him shiver, and goosebumps appeared on his neck.

"The Drunken Sword is indeed formidable. I admit defeat." The man, though somewhat embarrassed, admitted it gracefully.

"Would you like to drink with me?" Yang Yigu raised his gourd and asked.

"I don't like drinking." The man's face changed, and he quickly answered, disappointing Yang Yigu.

"Yang Yigu, don't embarrass yourself here." Yang Feiyu coldly scolded.

"Will you drink then?" Yang Yigu, with a staggered gait, returned to his seat and gestured to Yang Feiyu, who had a grim expression.

"Yang Yigu, I will challenge you. If you lose, leave immediately." Yang Zhiyin, from the Yang family, frowned and spoke with a hostile tone.

"If you lose, drink a cup." Yang Yigu seemed to enjoy inviting people to drink.

"If I lose, I will leave." Yang Zhiyin would rather leave than drink Yang Yigu's wine, as if it were some kind of poison.

"You don't appreciate it." Yang Yigu sighed softly and stood up again. His steps, though seemingly disordered, were like riding the wind and moon. He drew his sword, which let out a light hum, transforming into a gentle breeze.

The sword light was continuous, like a fine mist.

Yang Zhiyin immediately drew his sword, transforming it into a sharp and swift light, piercing through the air.

The three major families and five major clans, the Li and Yang families, both specialized in swordsmanship, but their methods were different.

The swordsmanship Yang Yigu used was not from the Yang family but was a technique he had learned by chance. Since this was a banquet, they were only sparring, not fighting to the death, so they did not use high-level martial techniques.

Of course, high-level martial techniques without the support of Blood Qi power were not as effective as foundational martial techniques.

The foundational martial technique Yang Yigu used was called the Drunken Sword Seven Forms, which included footwork. It seemed disordered but was actually precise amidst the chaos.

Yang Zhiyin used the Yang family's Flying Crane Swordsmanship, which was swift and sharp.

Both Yang Yigu and Yang Zhiyin were at the sixth layer of the Blood Qi Realm, with a physical strength of a thousand pounds. Unless they had some special encounter or reason, the physical strength of fourth to ninth-layer Blood Qi Realm cultivators was roughly the same.

A thousand pounds of strength represented a limit.

Breaking that limit was not easy.

The long swords clashed, the disordered and sharp strikes colliding repeatedly.

Yang Yigu drank and fought, his swordsmanship becoming faster and sharper, gradually overwhelming Yang Zhiyin.

"Damn it." Yang Zhiyin realized the situation was not good. If this continued, he would be defeated. He used his Blood Qi power and a high-level martial technique, launching a powerful strike. The sword light became blinding, and a sharp eagle's cry echoed as a flying eagle formed, diving fiercely at Yang Yigu.

"The first level of the Flying Eagle Swordsmanship!"

"Great Mastery!"

Everyone's faces changed drastically. Yang Yigu's figure swayed, his steps crossing, as if he were drunk. His sword moved with his swaying body, the alcohol aroma spreading.

The hazy sword light pierced the air, like clouds and mist.

The alcohol aroma spread, making Yang Zhiyin feel slightly dizzy. He saw the hazy sword shadow dissipate, transforming into a sharp sword light that shattered the flying eagle's illusion. The sword lightly tapped his hand, and Yang Zhiyin felt as if his hand was about to break, unable to hold the sword, which fell from his grasp.

Then, a needle-like sensation pierced his throat. He touched it and found a spot of crimson. Yang Yigu had already sheathed his sword and returned to his seat with a staggered gait.

"I will take my leave." Yang Zhiyin's face changed repeatedly, finally picking up his sword and nodding to Tang Junhao and Tang Junluo before turning and leaving. He had no face to stay.

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