Zhou Kai stepped into the plaza.

Fish Baibai, sharp-eyed as ever, spotted him from a distance. She bounced on the balls of her feet, waving frantically.

“Junior Brother! What took you so long?”

Beside her stood Li Youci, transformed into the maid “Xia Min.” Her gaze swept over Zhou Kai—imperceptible to most, but heavy with meaning—before returning to her usual aloofness, as if she had merely glanced at a passerby.

Zhou Kai’s mind raced. There are quite a few Golden Core mid-stage cultivators here. Is Li Youci not afraid of her identity being exposed?

He swept the area with a subtle thread of Divine Sense. Realization dawned instantly; she was wearing a high-grade concealing Dharma Treasure.

“I had to handle a small matter on the way. Got delayed,” Zhou Kai said, quickening his pace. “And these three are?”

His gaze settled on the three unfamiliar cultivators standing with his group.

“Let me introduce you!” Fish Baibai swallowed the snack she had been chewing and enthusiastically pulled Zhou Kai forward.

Before she could finish, a burly man built like an iron tower stepped up. He clasped his massive fists at Zhou Kai, his voice booming like a dull war drum.

“Qin Jue. Bone Forging ninth layer.”

His Vitality was restrained yet dense, carrying a sharp edge. Clearly, he was a powerful body cultivator.

Fish Baibai then pointed to a young man with a long saber slung at his waist.

“This is Senior Brother Xie Zhifei. Foundation Establishment Grand Perfection. His blade is fast. Very fast!”

The disheveled youth barely lifted his eyelids. A faint, almost imperceptible blade intent flashed through the air—a silent greeting.

Finally, the young man in luxurious brocade robes smiled gently and proactively cupped his hands.

“Su Xuan. Golden Core early stage. I heard Junior Niece Fish mention you earlier. Meeting you in person, I see you indeed have an extraordinary bearing.”

Zhou Kai returned the courtesies one by one. “Senior Brother Qin, Senior Brother Xie, Uncle-Master Su. Pleased to meet you.”

With Fish Baibai acting as the group’s mascot, Gao Feiyang throwing in the occasional joke, and Su Xuan proving to be a smooth and tactful diplomat, the atmosphere quickly warmed up.

Zhou Kai scanned the crowd for a moment. “Why isn’t Senior Brother Gao Feihuang here?”

Gao Feiyang curled his lip in annoyance.

“My big brother? He’s busy on the boat!”

“This ‘Dao Discussion’ was scheduled ages ago. My family’s Exploring Spring Flower Boat opening had nothing to do with their little gathering. But who knew some Personal Disciple from a major Sect would insist on holding it here just because it’s ‘lively’ and crowded? They really have nothing better to do!”

“We just have to wait down here like side characters.”

Su Xuan took over the conversation, sighing lightly.

“The Gao family has been in business for generations. They originally wanted to establish trade in Crouching Tiger City, but the commerce here is strangled by the Heavenly Spring Sect. Nephew Feihuang wanted to find a different path, which is why he opened this boat—to get a share of the pie.”

Zhou Kai nodded thoughtfully.

No wonder Gao Feiyang has so many tricks up his sleeve; his family is genuinely loaded. The Exploring Spring Flower Boat is stealing business from the Heavenly Spring Sect, so now the Sect wants to crash the party and reclaim their face?

He glanced at Shen Hanyi, who remained as cold and aloof as an iceberg. Beside her, “Xia Min” looked completely out of place among the elites.

An idea struck him. He quietly sent a Divine Sense transmission.

Hanyi, that maid ‘Xia Min’ is actually Li Youci in disguise. She is already one of our sisters.

Shen Hanyi stood motionless, gripping her sword. A flicker of surprise passed through her eyes, followed by a brief, assessing glance at Xia Min. She quickly looked away, giving Zhou Kai a microscopic nod of acknowledgment.

Her face remained expressionless, but she subtly shifted her stance, moving closer to Xia Min as if to guard her.

Right at that moment, Xia Min’s cool voice cut through the noise.

“They’re here.”

Everyone looked up.

Six dazzling streaks of light tore through the night sky, descending rapidly to land on the deck at the bow of the Exploring Spring Flower Boat.

Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Li Qiwen was a young man with ordinary features but a deep, restrained aura. The two appeared quite familiar with each other.

Su Xuan lowered his voice, quickly filling Zhou Kai in.

“Nephew Zhou, look. The one in the blue robe with the most imposing aura is the Heavenly Spring Sect’s Holy Son, Long Yufeng. He’s the initiator of this Dao Discussion!”

“The one in Daoist robes with that immortal-like demeanor is the Headmaster’s first disciple from the Jade Void Sect, Daoist Name Qing Yuanzi.”

He paused, pointing discreetly.

“The only female immortal among the six, the beauty in the long dress, is Qionghua Palace’s Senior Sister, Du Chuyao. And the last one, wearing the black jade golden dragon crown with the arrogant expression? That’s the Purple Star Sect’s Young Master, Wang Yan.”

On the bow, the six figures stood with robes fluttering in the wind, each exuding a powerful, suffocating presence. Long Yufeng seemed to be speaking, while the others nodded, smiled, or pondered.

Zhou Kai narrowed his eyes, careful not to probe with his Divine Sense and risk detection. “Uncle-Master Su, who is the one standing next to our Young Master Li?”

“Yang Ling,” Xia Min’s voice answered from the side. “The Young Master of the Yang family, one of the three great families of Calamity Abyss Valley.”

“In our Valley, the positions of Holy Son and Holy Maiden have always been contested by the outstanding successors of the Li, Song, and Yang families. He is our Young Master’s greatest competitor.”

Gao Feiyang chipped in. “For this Dao Discussion, the Yang family probably didn’t send any heavy hitters. I heard the highest cultivation among their group is only Foundation Establishment early stage.”

Xia Min spoke indifferently.

“The Yang family is mainly responsible for guarding the Sect proper; they rarely involve themselves in external affairs. Uncle-Master Yang Ling… coming out this time is likely just for experience.”

She hesitated slightly on the title “Uncle-Master,” clearly unaccustomed to addressing him with such deference.

On the bow of the boat, the atmosphere began to heat up.

Long Yufeng, possessing the highest cultivation and the most profound aura, stepped forward. His voice boomed across the plaza.

“Everyone! Empty talk is boring. How about we let the disciples we brought spar a bit to add to the elegance of the evening?”

His gaze swept over the crowd with undisguised arrogance.

“The rules are simple. Each family can send at most five people. Only one match per person. The winner boards the boat! In the end, whoever has the most people on the boat wins. How about it?”

“Naturally, there will be prizes.” Long Yufeng smirked, producing a pearl the size of a dragon’s eye. It was entirely crimson, radiating astonishing fire Spirit Qi. “This is the ‘Crimson Flame Li Fire Pearl,’ greatly beneficial to fire attribute cultivators.”

Qing Yuanzi smiled faintly and flicked his whisk. An ancient Jade Slip appeared in his hand.

“This humble Daoist offers this ‘Minor Derivation Formation Explanation’ as a prize. It contains insights into ancient Formations. Although it is a fragmentary copy, it has its unique aspects.”

Wang Yan of the Purple Star Sect produced a chunk of strange metal shimmering with starlight. “‘Crimson Gold Iron.’ Excellent material for refining Dharma Treasures.”

Li Qiwen pondered for a moment, then withdrew a palm-sized black token carved with profound runes. “This is the ‘Calamity Thunder Command.’ It can invoke a trace of the Nine Heavens Calamity Thunder. Its might is significant.”

When it was Yang Ling’s turn, he spread his hands, his expression calm.

“I didn’t bring any subordinates this time. This trip is only to observe the demeanor of my Fellow Daoists. However, I naturally cannot be without a contribution.”

He opened a jade box to reveal a small, jade-green grass emitting rich vitality. “This is ‘Jade Blood Dragon Saliva Grass,’ a holy medicine for healing injuries.”

As the six prizes were revealed, a collective gasp of greed and awe erupted from the plaza below. Each item was a rare treasure, showcasing the extravagant wealth of these Sect prodigies.

Long Yufeng nodded with satisfaction. “Since that is the case, I will start by throwing out a brick to attract jade!”

He suddenly turned his head and barked a command.

“Zhang Qing! You take the first battle! Remember… if you lose, bring your head to see me!”

BOOM!

Before his words could fade, a powerful streak of light shot into the sky. A middle-aged cultivator with fierce, predatory features revealed himself.

He released his cultivation without reservation—Golden Core mid-stage!

His Aura Pressure crashed down like a mountain, enveloping the entire plaza.

“Heavenly Spring Sect, Zhang Qing! By the Holy Son’s order, I am here to seek advice! Which Fellow Daoist will come up and deliver themselves to death?!”

Zhang Qing’s voice rang out like a great bell, his arrogance reaching the heavens.

Li Qiwen, Qing Yuanzi, Du Chuyao, and Wang Yan all felt their expressions darken. They inwardly cursed Long Yufeng.

He was relying on being a few years older and having higher cultivation to bully them. A Golden Core mid-stage subordinate? In a disciple sparring match?

This first round was clearly a “show of force”—a slap in the face to establish dominance right out of the gate.

On the plaza, the pressure turned the faces of many cultivators pale. Breathing became a struggle.

Du Chuyao lightly parted her vermilion lips, her voice melodious yet yielding. “Senior Brother Long is mighty. For this first battle, this Junior Sister will not steal the spotlight.”

Yang Ling watched the show with amusement, turning to Li Qiwen.

“Brother Li, this Exploring Spring Flower Boat is a business belonging to a subordinate family of your Li clan. Today, your Li family is technically the host.”

“As the saying goes, this place is full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons. Brother Li, your subordinates are surely full of capable people. Don’t hide your true elites and make a joke of yourself.”

Li Qiwen grit his teeth inwardly.

That girl Youci insisted on having Shen Hanyi and Zhou Kai participate. That leaves me with two fewer usable elites. I can’t risk sending weaklings against a Golden Core mid-stage.

For this first round, it’s better to be steady.

Making up his mind, Li Qiwen spoke loudly. “My Calamity Abyss Valley has many experts, but there is no need to rush. I will yield this first battle to other Fellow Daoists. We will meet again in the next round!”

Disappointment washed over the crowd below.

The other leaders had their own calculations. Qing Yuanzi closed his eyes to meditate, feigning indifference, while Wang Yan merely snorted coldly. Clearly, no one was willing to sacrifice a pawn to hard-counter this first move.

For a long moment, silence reigned. No one responded.

Zhang Qing waited in the air, hovering like a god of war. Seeing no one step forward, he let out a loud, contemptuous tsk.

He turned and flew back behind Long Yufeng, bowing respectfully.

Long Yufeng threw his head back and laughed, the sound echoing across the plaza.

“Hahaha! Fellow Junior Brothers and Sisters, why be so reserved? Are you perhaps afraid?”

His eyes gleamed with mockery.

“Or is it that the people you brought are all worthless trash—crooked melons and split dates, unfit for a single blow?”