Chapter 98: The Sect Heir's Celebration—Protagonist and Supporting Cast

Chapter 98: The Sect Heir's Celebration—Protagonist and Supporting Cast

The Main Peak of the Huntian Sect was adorned with lanterns and colorful decorations, surrounded by clusters of flowers. Strands of radiant light shimmered in the air, casting a dazzling and magnificent glow. The melodious chants of the Dao echoed like songs, soothing the hearts and minds of all who arrived.

"Elder Zeng Qiang of the Liuyun Sect has arrived to offer congratulations, presenting three High-Grade Spiritual Herbs…"

The announcement resounded clearly, reverberating across the peak.

"The Leader of the Dajiang Sect has arrived to offer congratulations, presenting one High-Grade Spiritual Herb…"

Sects like the Liuyun Sect and the Dajiang Sect belonged to the Eastern Wasteland and were relatively close to the Huntian Sect. To some extent, they relied on the Huntian Sect's influence. Even though the Huntian Sect had declined, it still far surpassed them in status.

After all, the Huntian Sect remained one of the super first-class powers, while below that were first-class, second-class, third-class, and even unranked factions. The Eastern Wasteland was vast, and aside from the Ten Great Powers, there were thousands of third-class, second-class, and first-class factions, with unranked ones as numerous as hairs on an ox.

Of course, unranked factions had no right to participate in such a celebration.

Before long, over a dozen factions had arrived bearing gifts.

Han Daoling, the protagonist of today's celebration, wore brand-new robes, his face brimming with joy. His aura radiated, harmonizing with the surrounding heaven and earth. Today was the grand ceremony held by the sect to honor his ascension as the Sect Heir.

He… was the sole protagonist, the brightest star of the event.

"Senior Brother Chen, when will your celebration be held?" Xiao Xuanwu asked, standing beside Chen Feng.

Yuan Hualong also turned his gaze toward him.

"As for me… I don’t plan on holding one," Chen Feng replied with a smile.

Xiao Xuanwu and Yuan Hualong couldn’t help but show expressions of surprise and confusion.

Chen Feng didn’t offer any explanation.

The reason was actually quite simple.

Since ancient times, those who reached the Dao Integration Realm signified that their cultivation had ascended to a higher level, granting them a revered status. Thus, celebrations were often held to commemorate the occasion.

If such a celebration wasn’t held, that was one thing. But once it was, it would inevitably involve inviting over half the factions of the Eastern Wasteland—not just third-class, second-class, and first-class factions, but even other super first-class powers and the three holy lands.

However, Wang Yuandao had absolutely no interest in such matters and outright rejected the sect’s proposal to hold a celebration for him.

If his master hadn’t held a celebration upon advancing to the Dao Integration Realm, what was the point of holding one for himself just for becoming the Sect Heir?

While the position of Sect Heir was undoubtedly prestigious, its significance couldn’t necessarily surpass that of a Dao Integration Realm expert—especially one as extraordinary as Wang Yuandao.

As his master had put it:

"Wait until I enter the Sage Realm. Then we’ll celebrate."

As for the congratulatory gifts that would come with a Sect Heir celebration, Chen Feng wasn’t particularly concerned, nor was Wang Yuandao.

Third-class, second-class, and first-class factions wouldn’t be able to offer anything too impressive—at best, a few Top-Grade Spiritual Herbs, likely far fewer than what he had gained in the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm.

As for Han Daoling holding his celebration, that was his own affair.

Originally, Chen Feng’s plan had been to return home and see if his father had come back—and if so, whether he had brought his mother with him.

Unexpectedly, Han Daoling was hosting a celebration, which was quite an important event. It wouldn’t be appropriate to leave directly, but it was only a matter of a few days anyway. After attending the celebration, he could return home.

"Elder Zhao Hongbo of Juejian Palace has arrived to offer congratulations, presenting... one Low-Grade Spiritual Herb..." The moment this announcement rang out, the surroundings fell into stunned silence. Countless gazes filled with disbelief turned toward the scene.

The arrival of an elder from Juejian Palace was already surprising enough, as the Huntian Sect had not extended an invitation.

An uninvited guest!

This either indicated a very good relationship or a very bad one.

Clearly, the relationship between Juejian Palace and the Huntian Sect belonged to the latter.

Not only had they come uninvited, but their gift was merely a Low-Grade Spiritual Herb.

Given Juejian Palace’s resources, even if they didn’t present a Top-Grade Spiritual Herb, at least a High-Grade Spiritual Herb would have been expected. Yet, they only offered a Low-Grade Spiritual Herb.

Uninvited and offering a shabby gift—this was nothing short of an insult.

Chen Feng and the others were all taken aback.

Han Daoling, the center of today’s celebration, saw the smile vanish from his face, replaced by a stormy expression as his fury became unmistakable.

"Juejian Palace, what is the meaning of this?" Han Daoling slammed the table and stood up, his voice sharp with anger.

"There’s no special meaning. We simply came to congratulate the Huntian Sect on the promotion of a new Sect Heir. Are we not welcome?" Elder Zhao Hongbo of Juejian Palace replied with a faint smile, his eyes slightly narrowed.

Beside him stood a young disciple from Juejian Palace, who wore a cold smirk.

"It seems to me you’re not here to congratulate but to cause trouble!" Han Daoling was nearly exploding with rage, his face dark as a pot, his voice thick with fury.

This display made some frown inwardly.

"Our Senior Brother Han’s temperament is truly..." Xiao Xuanwu muttered under his breath.

"The new Sect Heir of the Huntian Sect seems rather..." Some of the congratulatory guests shook their heads discreetly.

"Too quick to show emotions. Sect Master, Sect Heir Han’s mental cultivation needs improvement," an elder observing the celebration remarked privately to Tuoba Wuxiang.

Tuoba Wuxiang sighed faintly.

He had never expected his disciple’s temperament to be so lacking.

While it was normal for young people to lack experience and wear their emotions on their sleeves, they should still understand the importance of composure in certain situations.

Today’s celebration was Han Daoling’s moment.

Yet, he had been provoked so easily. Indeed, Tuoba Wuxiang felt somewhat disappointed and resolved to pay more attention to Han Daoling’s temperament in the future, ensuring he underwent targeted tempering.

Otherwise, even with a God-Grade Divine Trait, he would ultimately ruin himself.

"We’re not here to cause trouble," the sword-bearing young man beside Zhao Hongbo stepped forward, his sharp gaze sweeping across the crowd like a blade. "As everyone knows, the Huntian Sect’s Juejian Peak stole our Juejian Palace’s Juejian Technique. Now, we’ve heard that Juejian Peak has a new successor who killed many of our junior brothers in the Hidden Dragon Secret Realm. Having just emerged from seclusion, I’ve come to demand justice."

His words left the crowd stunned.

Zhao Hongbo remained composed, as if this had all been planned.

Han Daoling’s aura surged violently, like a raging tide.

Disrespecting me at my own celebration, even daring to name and demand the successor of Juejian Peak.

Who is the successor of Juejian Peak?

It’s Chen Feng!

And Chen Feng is the thorn in my side.

Causing trouble at my celebration and then seeking out my ‘enemy’ Chen Feng—what does this make of my celebration? What does this make of me, the Sect Heir of the Huntian Sect?

"You’re truly amusing. Having been thieves for so long, you’ve forgotten your own identity and now go around shouting ‘stop thief,’" Chen Feng said, stepping forward with measured calm.

His figure was lithe and tall, his skin glowing faintly as if veiled in a delicate radiance. His handsome, jade-like face bore deep, starry eyes as dark as the night sky, and a faint smile played at the corners of his lips. Composed and unflappable, he moved with the grace of a soaring dragon, as though he could traverse the heavens with ease.

An intangible sharpness seemed to gather around him.

At first glance, he commanded attention, drawing all eyes irresistibly toward him.

Especially the women, whose eyes sparkled with fascination.

Beautiful things naturally invite admiration, and exceptional individuals are no different—they make people yearn to uncover their depths.

"Who is he?"

An outsider couldn’t help but ask.

"That’s our Huntian Sect’s Sect Heir, Chen Feng, the one with the Inverse Mortal Body," a Huntian Sect disciple immediately replied with immense pride.

Gasps of astonishment rose in waves.

Han Daoling’s expression grew increasingly unpleasant.

"Chen Feng, this is my celebration, not yours," Han Daoling couldn’t resist speaking up again.

"Don’t be hasty, Junior Brother Han," Chen Feng replied with unhurried amusement. "Allow me, as your senior brother, to suppress the thieves of Juejian Palace as a congratulatory gift for your celebration."

But Han Daoling found no joy in this.

Why?

Because the murmurs around him were all about how extraordinary Chen Feng’s demeanor was, which only served to highlight Han Daoling’s own lack of grace.

Han Daoling felt as though he, who should have been the protagonist, had been reduced to a mere supporting character.

"So you’re Chen Feng, the successor of Juejian Peak, the so-called Inverse Mortal Body," the young man from Juejian Palace sneered, his powerful aura erupting without restraint. His internal energy surged like a tempest, and faint starlight flickered across his body, his eyes gleaming with cold intensity.

"Who the thief is can’t be decided by your empty words."

"Come, draw your sword. Let me see how much of the Juejian Technique your Juejian Peak has stolen from our Juejian Palace."

"Remember this—I am Liang Jianwu, Sect Heir of Juejian Palace. Consider it an honor that I’m personally instructing you."

His voice grew even sharper as Liang Jianwu’s imposing sword aura condensed and roared toward Chen Feng.

As Chen Feng focused on the glowing acupoints across Liang Jianwu’s body, his eyes narrowed slightly in surprise.

Two hundred and seventy!

This man had actually opened two hundred and seventy acupoints—one hundred eighty visible and ninety hidden.

However, Chen Feng had heard of him before. Liang Jianwu had joined Juejian Palace a year earlier than him, possessed a top-tier Saint-Grade Divine Sword Body, and had extraordinary talent. With an additional year of cultivation, opening two hundred seventy acupoints was hardly surprising.

But as Chen Feng scrutinized the glowing acupoints, the Divine Talisman Of Creation in his mind trembled faintly.

For a moment, Chen Feng experienced an incredibly peculiar sensation. It felt as though he could vaguely detect the positions of the other party's acupoints—though the perception remained faint.

"Could it be...?"

Chen Feng's comprehension and wisdom were continuously enhanced by the Divine Talisman Of Creation. While increased wisdom didn't necessarily make one smarter, it did sharpen his thinking. Immediately, he considered various possibilities and began filtering through them.

"If my speculation holds true, then I might uncover the method to open the remaining ninety hidden acupoints."

Chen Feng couldn't help but murmur inwardly, a surge of excitement rising within him. As for whether his conjecture was accurate—wasn't Liang Jianwu right before him, the perfect test subject?