NOVEL NEXT Chapter 520: Chapter 521 The Gathering of Noble Families
Chapter 520: Chapter 521 The Gathering of Noble Families
The Situ Household has arrived!
In an instant, the great hall fell deathly silent, as if consumed by a suffocating stillness. Everyone felt as though a massive thousand-pound boulder pressed down on their hearts. The joyous atmosphere that had just prevailed vanished without a trace, replaced only by a heavy oppression.
The Zhang Family Patriarch had been disposed of, and everyone knew that the Situ Household would not let matters rest. The reason they were still willing to stay here was partly because of the bathhouse, but also because they were placing a bet—a bet that Li Xiaobai could withstand the fury of the Situ Household.
Such an exceptional genius could not personally confront them with force, but he undoubtedly had a mighty family backing him up. Invited by the Vice Leader as a young, skilled master, even the Situ Household would need to think twice before acting.
Nevertheless, some doubt lingered in their minds. Why hadn’t the Situ Household come in directly? Logically speaking, the disciples guarding the door wouldn’t dare to stop them and would have immediately allowed them to pass. Yet now, the visitors were kept outside. What was going on?
“Young Master Li, what do you think…”
Zongdao looked to Li Xiaobai, his eyes conveying a question.
The Situ Household’s choice of time to visit likely meant that although they were ostensibly here to offer birthday greetings, in reality, they had come to wield their power and demand answers. If not handled well, this happy occasion could truly be disrupted.
“Heh, it’s fine. Let’s continue our celebration and have them wait outside for now,”
Li Xiaobai said cheerfully, waving his hand dismissively.
“But… Patriarch Li, perhaps we should let the gatekeeping disciple grant them entry. The Situ Family is a mighty clan, and denying them entry is tantamount to humiliating them. I fear it could create enmity.”
Unable to hold back, an Elder advised, a collective unease about the Situ Household hanging in their hearts.
If trouble arose, Li Xiaobai could easily leave with a pat on his backside, but for the rest, there was no escape.
“I’ve already called the disciples at the gate to come and celebrate the birthday. If the Situ Household’s people don’t come in by themselves, who can they blame? Could they possibly expect us to go out and meet them on this auspicious and solemn day?”
“After all, whose birthday is it today?”
Li Xiaobai’s expression darkened as he spoke indifferently.
Hiss!
Everyone inwardly gasped. Li Xiaobai had done it on purpose; knowing full well that the Situ Household would come calling today, he had still withdrawn the disciples, clearly aiming to snub them by closing the door in their face.
It looked like their family head had really decided to challenge the Situ Household head on.
What enmity or grudge did they have? There did not seem to be any direct feud between the two parties.
“Everyone, please take your seats. Do what you must. There is no need to worry. When soldiers come, a general will block them; when floodwaters rise, earth will contain them.”
Zongdao raised his glass and spoke slowly. He believed that Li Xiaobai was prepared for this.
Moreover, with the enemy growing stronger, all he could do was place his hopes in Li Xiaobai.
“Thank you, Clan Leader Zong.”
Seeing Zongdao so composed, the rest said no more. One by one, they sat upright and serious, pouring their own drinks while silently awaiting the coming storm.
At the same time.
In front of Li Mansion, carriages and horses stopped. Situ Renjie sat within a sedan chair, waiting for the members of the Zong Family to come and greet him.
Members of the Situ Household were treated like stars wherever they went, and it was the same for coming to the Zong Family’s birthday celebration. There was no reason for them to walk in alone.
However, after waiting for a short while, there was not the slightest stir in front of Li Mansion, nor a shadow to be seen.
“What’s going on? Haven’t the Zong Family moved into the Li Mansion? Why are they not coming out to meet us?”
“Could it be that something has changed, that Lady Zong’s birthday celebration isn’t being held here today?”
An old man in front of the sedan, observing the gates of the mansion wide open, furrowed his brows and spoke.
“Uncle Ying, what do you make of this?”
The young man in the sedan chair spoke indifferently.
“Renjie, something must be amiss here. There are at least dozens of people’s auras gathered together, probably celebrating Lady Zong’s birthday, yet no one has come out to welcome us. It seems they want to give us a demonstration of their power first!”
Cold light flickered in Uncle Ying’s eyes, as he could naturally sense the scorching auras within the mansion.
Elder Mo had already called out earlier, but no one came to greet them, which spoke volumes.
Has the Zong Family grown too bold?
Or have they become arrogant due to smooth sailing recently?
They dare to snub even the Situ Household; the consequences are not something a mere declining family can bear.
“Hmph, it must be because of that Li Xiaobai. Ever since he arrived in Aolai Country, he has caused chaos in several families. He’s nothing but Trouble.”
“The Zong Family thinks they can stand equal to us with him backing them up. Uncle Ying, teach them a lesson!”
The anger in the young man’s eyes within the sedan chair was palpable. Wherever Li Xiaobai was, there had never been peace. Today, no matter what, he was determined to cut down the other party to vent his frustrations.
“That’s exactly my thought. I want to see just what kind of skills and capabilities Li Xiaobai has to make the Zong Family believe they can compete with the Situ Household. Do they really think they can fly to the heavens after dealing with a few small cats?”
Uncle Ying’s expression suddenly darkened, his aura explosive enough to shatter souls, rocketed towards the heavens, furiously sweeping toward the mansion in front of them.
In an instant, sand flew and rocks moved, wild winds raged, and numerous ancient trees were uprooted. The entire space trembled.
He wanted to instill fear in the Zong Family, to make this insolent bunch come out on their knees to welcome them.
But at that moment, in the distant void, equally formidable auras that could make cultivators’ Primordial Spirits tremble shot up into the sky, piercing the heavens, with the power of Primordial Spirits sweeping through, neutralizing Uncle Ying’s pressure.
At the same time, the sound of horse hooves and carriages suddenly filled the streets.
Several voices of congratulations rose.
“From Aolai Country, the Dongfang Family comes to wish Lady Zong a happy birthday, may her fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea, and her life as enduring as Mount Nan!”
“From Aolai Country, the Nangong Family comes to wish Lady Zong a happy birthday, may her fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea, and her life as enduring as Mount Nan!”
“From Aolai Country, the Beichen Family comes to wish Lady Zong a happy birthday, may her fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea, and her life as enduring as Mount Nan!”
“From Aolai Country…”
A procession of carriages enveloped in a glow of precious beads slowly approached, the fierce Yang Energy preceding them even before the people arrived. The banners flying high on the carriages bore the symbols of the great families of Aolai Country.
“Is this… all the families of Aolai Country?”
“Why would these families come here?”
“Dongfang, Nangong, Beichen, these are all families that can certainly rival the Situ Household!”
Beholding the flags fluttering in the void, the Situ Household entourage was somewhat stunned. The arriving represented the ancient noble houses of Aolai Country, families from the same era as the founders of the country, who had continued to thrive until now without declining, evidencing their profound heritage.
The key point was, these people all stood with the Great Family Head, cultivators from noble families who were not in league with those who sought to disrupt Aolai’s rule and reshuffle the deck.
From the looks of it, this group also seemed to be here to celebrate Lady Zong’s birthday?
“Don’t act rashly, let’s assess the situation first!”
Uncle Ying frowned slightly and issued a couple of warnings.
During the conversation, several carriages also approached.
“Heh, who do we have here if it isn’t Uncle Ying from the Situ Household? You even want to steal the spotlight on Lady Zong’s birthday, what grandeur you have.”