The sun cast golden rays across the polished tiles of Kin City's main thoroughfare.
As the guard took the token from Old Ti, inspected it closely for a moment, then gave a slight nod.
"Verified. Please, proceed."he said.
With a courteous gesture, he stepped aside, allowing Old Ti to pass. Xiao Wei, walking calmly beside the Old Ti, was not questioned. Seeing he accompanied someone of such standing, the guards naturally let him through.
They entered the grounds of the City Lord Mansion, passing marble courtyards and intricately carved stone pillars. Everything in this place exuded authority and prestige. A servant in fine robes approached them without delay.
"Honored guests from the Dan Clan, please follow me. Everyone is being held in the main meeting hall."he said.
Xiao Wei gave a small nod, observing the serenity and efficiency of the mansion. His eyes noted the fine layout of the gardens, the hidden formation lines etched into the pathways and the Spiritual Energy that filled the air was much thicker than the outside world.
After walking down several grand corridors, the servant finally stopped before two massive doors. He pushed them open, revealing a grand meeting hall inside.
The hall was vast—large enough to hold over five hundred Cultivators—and it was already nearly half full. The scent of incense filled the air, mixing with the faint tension that always came with large gatherings of martial artists. All around the room, Cultivators of varying ages and realms stood or sat, most wearing the robes of local clans or small sects.
At the front of the hall, on a raised dais, four figures sat around a jade-inlaid table, casually speaking among themselves. Despite their relaxed posture, their presence commanded attention.
Old Ti leaned closer to Xiao Wei and spoke in a low voice.
"Young Master Wei, look closely. The four at the front are the key figures of today's gathering. The man in silver robes is the City Lord of Kin City—Lord Fu Lian. The three beside him are envoys from the Sword Pavilion."Old Ti said.
Xiao Wei gave a faint nod, studying the four men closely. Lord Feng Lian looked middle-aged but carried himself with the calm authority of someone who had seen decades of war and politics. The three Sword Pavilion envoys wore long white robes embroidered with golden sword patterns, their expressions stern and aloof. One of them, a tall man with a scar running from temple to jaw, had an air of profound Cultivation. The second person was of the same age as Xiao Wei, sitting there with his eyes closed. But even from this distance, Xiao Wei could sense he was like a sword hidden in its scabbard.
However, Xiao Wei's gaze didn't linger long on the envoys or the City Lord.
His eyes were drawn to the fourth man seated beside them.
Xiao Yen. The second Young Master of the Xiao Clan.
Dressed in luxurious white-and-blue robes, he reclined in his chair with a cup of wine in hand, laughing politely at something one of the Sword Pavilion members said. But he was still same, there was a glint in his eyes and the pride of someone who believed they had truly risen above others.
Xiao Wei's eyes narrowed slightly, his emotions calm despite the sudden wave of memories.
Xiao Yen, seemingly sensing something, turned his head.
Their eyes met.
The wine cup in Xiao Yen's hand froze for a brief moment mid-air.
Recognition flared instantly in his eyes.
At first, Xiao Yen's brows furrowed in disbelief as his eyes locked with Xiao Wei's. He hadn't expected to see him here, of all places. For a brief second, his fingers clenched the stem of his wine cup tightly.
*How did that piece of trash get into the City Lord Mansion?*Xiao Yen thought but suddenly a realization settled in, a crooked smile curved his lips.
*So... he's here for the Sword Pavilion selection?*Xiao Yen thought.
That thought made Xiao Yen chuckle under his breath. He quickly schooled his expression into one of calm amusement, leaning slightly toward the man sitting beside him—his senior brother from the Sword Pavilion, the tall cultivator in white and blue robes who had yet to speak formally. This man was no ordinary envoy, he was an Inner Disciple of the Sword Pavilion, known as Senior Brother Ni.
With a subtle motion, Xiao Yen used his voice transmission technique and whispered into his Senior Brother's Ni mind.
'Senior Brother Ni, that boy over there—do you see him? The one with black robes standing alone near the back? That's Xiao Wei. He used to be part of my Xiao Clan. A complete disgrace. Trash that was thrown out. Can you help me teach him a lesson today?'
Senior Brother Ni, who had been conversing casually with the City Lord, paused mid-sentence and turned his head slightly. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd before locking onto Xiao Wei's figure. A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
Senior Brother Ni replied through voice transmission.
'So that's the Xiao Clan trash you always mentioned? Don't worry. If he dares to register today, I'll make sure he leaves humiliated. Consider it a favor, Junior Brother Yen.'
Meanwhile, Xiao Wei, though calm on the surface, had already sensed Xiao Yen was talking to someone. He didn't even need to look up to understand what had just transpired. His intuition and Xiao Yen character already make this clear.
He turned slightly toward Old Ti, who stood beside him, completely unaware of the undercurrents swirling around them.
"Old Ti"Xiao Wei said softly, his voice barely more than a breath.
"Yes, Young Master Wei?"Old Ti asked, concern flickering across his features at Xiao Wei's change in tone.
"I need you to leave the City Lord Mansion, immediately."Xiao Wei said.
Old Ti frowned.
"Why? What happened Young Master Wei?"Old Ti asked.
"Don't ask, also if someone asks you about me, pretend you don't know me."Xiao Wei said.
Old Ti studied him for a moment, clearly troubled. But he trusted Xiao Wei's judgment and gave a respectful nod. Without another word, he turned and made his way quietly out of the hall.
Xiao Wei's gaze remained steady, calm. He could already feel it—the pressure, the brewing drama.
It was then that Xiao Yen struck.
Rising abruptly from his seat, Xiao Yen pointed an accusing finger across the hall and raised his voice loud enough to pierce the steady hum of conversation.
"Trash! How dare you show your face here?!"Xiao Yen shouted.
The entire room fell silent.
Every head turned toward the commotion. Dozens of Cultivators swiveled their eyes toward Xiao Wei, some curious, others amused.
Xiao Yen stood tall, his expression a theatrical mask of fury and contempt.
"Everyone, this man standing here today… he is a disgrace to my Xiao Clan! A failed Cultivator who was cast out for his incompetence! And now he dares to show his face here, in front of the Sword Pavilion? To register as a disciple? What a joke!"Xiao Yen mocked.
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
The eyes that now focused on Xiao Wei carried different flavors—mockery, disbelief, and quiet intrigue.
But Xiao Wei? He smiled.
A calm, unfazed smile, as if the venom in Xiao Yen's voice had missed its mark entirely.
With practiced ease, he met Xiao Yen's furious gaze and tilted his head ever so slightly, like one might when watching a child throw a tantrum in public.
"Ah, Xiao Yen. It's been a while. Still using your dog mouth as your best weapon, I see?"Xiao Wei said, his voice steady, clear, and low, but loud enough for the entire hall to hear.
All Cultivators who was present there couldn't help but snicker at that remark, though most stayed quiet, unsure where this confrontation would lead.
Xiao Yen's face flushed.
"You dare mock me here?! Do you think the Sword Pavilion will take in someone like you? A clanless, abandoned wretch with no backing and no talent?"Xiao Yen said as he slammed his wine cup down onto the table, the sound echoing sharply through the grand meeting hall.
His voice rang out a moment later, cutting through the uneasy murmurs of the gathered cultivators.
"Guards! Beat him and throw him out of the City Lord Mansion!"Xiao Yen growled.
The crowd erupted into gasps of shock. Some turned to look at the guards stationed near the doors, who hesitated for only a moment before beginning to march toward Xiao Wei.
Amid the tension, Xiao Yen leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowed in cruel satisfaction. He activated his voice transmission once again, directing a message straight into Xiao Wei's mind.
'You never thought I'd humiliate you here, did you? Trash like you should know your place.'
But Xiao Wei didn't flinch.
His face remained composed, serene even. Not a hint of fear appeared in his eyes as he watched the guards approach. Instead, he stepped forward, his hands behind his back, and addressed the man at the head of the hall with a voice as smooth and calm as flowing water.