The streets of Taicang County were not wide, but the one leading to the Cheng Residence was remarkably expansive, wide enough for eight horses to gallop abreast without issue.

Yet, at this moment, all the carriages arriving to offer birthday wishes were lined up in a single file, thus avoiding any significant congestion or traffic snarls.

Just as He Yiming expected they too would have to queue at the rear, inching forward at a snail's pace with the procession of carriages, he watched his First Uncle and father spur their horses, veering directly into the center of the thoroughfare.

This action drew every eye, but instead of murmurs of disapproval, the onlookers displayed smiles of deference, cupping their hands in greeting towards He Quanming and the others.

He Quanming did not reply to each greeting individually, merely nodding slowly with a faint smile, it was unclear precisely whom he was acknowledging. Occasionally, however, he would pause to exchange a few words with certain individuals.

Anyone who had spoken with him straightened their backs, their eyes bright and beaming, as if they had just experienced something truly momentous.

He Yiming watched this display with internal awe; he had never realized his father commanded such presence here.

Suddenly, He Yixuan leaned in beside him and asked, "Sixth Brother, how significant is our He family's prestige?"

He Yiming quickly nodded. "Very significant."

"Naturally. If we couldn't even manage this much, how could we speak of being one of the Three Great Families?" A hint of pride flickered in He Yixuan's eyes.

Following closely behind the brothers He Quanxin, He Yitian also turned his head and whispered, "Yiming, you are now one of the notable figures of the He family. You must remain composed once we enter; do not tarnish the clan's reputation."

He Yiming gave a firm acknowledgment, though his heart was filled with bewilderment. Despite his high level of Neijin (Internal Strength), he had too little exposure to social graces to grasp what true composure entailed. However, he quickly devised a strategy: simply emulate his Eldest Brother in all things.

Before the He contingent had even reached the Cheng Residence, greeters were already emerging from within the manor.

It was a stout, good-natured middle-aged man, dressed in festive red silk robes, his face set in a vibrant smile, as if the He family members were his dearest kin.

From a distance, the man called out loudly, "Brother Quanming, your grand arrival truly illuminates this humble abode! Oh, and Brother Quanxin has come as well..."

The He Quanxin brothers dismounted with smiles, cupping their hands in salute. Compared to He Quanming, however, the smile on He Quanxin’s face appeared considerably more strained, though fortunately, everyone was aware of his reputation as a martial fanatic, so no one took offense.

He Yiming and the younger generation dismounted alongside their fathers. He Yitian subtly shifted his body and murmured, "Yiming, this is Cheng Jiahui, the eldest of the second generation of the Cheng family. Although his Neijin has not yet reached the Ninth Layer, he is at the peak of the Eighth Layer and is reputed to be the second strongest master in the Cheng family, his fame even surpassing that of Second Uncle and Third Uncle."

He Yiming gave a slight nod, regarding the man, who looked every bit like a wealthy merchant, with a degree of wariness.

Cheng Jiahui exchanged a few words with the He Quanxin brothers, then suddenly directed his gaze toward the group of younger members. His eyes swept momentarily over He Yitian and the others before finally settling on He Yiming.

He chuckled grimly and said, "Brother Quanming, I hear your third generation has produced another cultivator at the Seventh Layer. Has he graced us with his presence today?"

He Quanming boomed with laughter. "Brother Jiahui, my boy is indeed here. How could he miss paying respects on Elder Master Cheng’s birthday?"

He extended a hand. Though He Yiming was deeply reluctant, he had no choice and slowly stepped forward, bowing to Cheng Jiahui. "This junior pays respects to Uncle Cheng."

"No need for formalities, no need!" Cheng Jiahui swiftly helped him up. "Nephew, you truly are an outstanding talent among men; your reputation is well-deserved."

He Yiming muttered internally, How can you tell I'm an outstanding talent? But he dared not question the statement to his face, settling instead for adopting his father’s manner, maintaining a nearly professional smile.

Of course, his artificiality could never match his father's practiced ease; in that regard, he was somewhat reminiscent of his First Uncle, He Quanxin.

The onlookers along the roadside dared not approach them for conversation, but they watched from afar, faintly catching snippets of their dialogue.

When He Yiming stepped forward, the murmur from the roadside intensified. Nearly everyone felt curious about this rising young expert from the He family; even those who hadn't paid much attention now wished to catch a glimpse.

Cheng Jiahui's expression hardened, and he swept a stern glance over the crowd.

While conversing with the He family, his demeanor had been entirely amiable and smiling, but with a sharp turn of his head, his face blackened like the bottom of a pot, his eyes flashing with a sharp, fierce killing intent.

Instantly, the crowd quieted considerably; no one dared to speak loudly again.

He Yiming absorbed this display, and his estimation of Cheng Jiahui rose even higher. To be known as the foremost master of the Cheng family’s second generation was truly deserved.

The He Quanxin brothers acted as if they saw nothing of Cheng Jiahui’s action. Among the people lining the street, there might be wealthy magnates, but in this remote county town, even the authority of the local government was pitifully weak, let alone that of these established families.

In Taicang County, excluding the Three Great Families, practitioners who reached the Eighth Layer were rare. This was the core asset that allowed the Three Great Families to dominate the county.

In the face of the Three Great Families, these commoners had little ground for pride. If they genuinely offended one of the Great Families and were attacked, it was unlikely anyone would intervene on their behalf.

Thus, when Cheng Jiahui put on a stern face, everyone held their breath, daring not utter another word.

A moment later, He Quanming coughed lightly. "Brother Jiahui, today is the Elder Master's birthday; we should proceed inside quickly."

Cheng Jiahui immediately resumed his smiling facade. "Brother Quanming is right; let us enter."

Under his guidance, the group passed through the grand gates of the Cheng Residence.

As a great family standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the Cheng family, the treatment accorded to the He family was naturally significant. Not only did they enter the main hall, but the younger generation was seated at their own separate tables.

Naturally, the two brothers, He Quanxin and He Quanming, were invited to the seats of honor—a privilege few in all of Taicang County possessed.

The attendance at the Cheng family's birthday celebration was immense; although banquets were set up in the front, main, and side halls, the place was still overflowing with people.

He Yiming was inwardly startled yet filled with longing.

This was the deep foundation and the network of a century-old great family, something the current He family could not yet compare to.

A few moments later, someone rushed in and whispered a few words into Cheng Jiahui's ear. The head of the Cheng second generation excused himself to the guests seated in the places of honor and departed.

Before long, he returned, leading several individuals.

He Yiming’s gaze fell upon them, and his eyes narrowed slightly. He instantly recognized two of the figures.

One was Xu Xiangci, and the other was naturally Xu Yude; as for Xu Yucai, who was usually alongside Xu Yude, he was nowhere in sight. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. Although it was impossible that he had killed Xu Yucai, the man must have been severely injured; recovering fully would take at least ten days or half a month.

Once the Xu family contingent entered the main hall, their eyes immediately locked onto the He family members. Although smiles were plastered on everyone’s faces, the gazes of the two groups instantly sharpened.

However, this confrontation was suppressed within an instant. This was, after all, the Cheng family’s domain, and no one wished to deliberately provoke trouble on Elder Master Cheng's eightieth birthday, as it would only bring negative repercussions to their own clan, which was decidedly against the family's overall interests.

Suddenly, He Yiming felt a gaze upon him, one so tangible it seemed almost physical.

He had the distinct feeling that the owner of this gaze was immensely powerful. Among the masters whose presence he had sensed, only his First Uncle and the reclusive old servant in the library possessed such an intense stare.

Of course, his grandfather’s cultivation of Neijin was a notch higher than theirs, but his grandfather had never directed such a look at him.

Slowly turning his head, he saw a middle-aged man who appeared to be in his early thirties. This man nodded slightly and smiled at him.

He Yiming paused momentarily, then returned the nod reluctantly, an involuntary gesture.

He now recognized that this man was also a member of the Xu family, though he did not know his specific rank.

"Yiming, this is Xu Xiangqian, the Fourth Master of the Xu second generation. Several months ago, he broke through the barrier of the Eighth Layer and reached the Ninth Layer," He Yitian, who observed everything, whispered upon seeing Yiming exchange glances with the Xu Fourth Master.

He Yiming's heart clenched. He took another deep look at the Fourth Master, firmly imprinting his features in his mind.

Cheng Jiahui’s arrangements were quite telling: he invited the two senior members of the Xu family to the seats of honor, while the younger members, though also seated together, were placed far from the He family’s tables.

Clearly, the Cheng family leadership wished to avoid any skirmishes breaking out during the Elder Master’s birthday banquet.

Shortly after the Xu and He families were all seated, amidst the clamor of gongs and drums, an old man with white hair and beard but a ruddy complexion and robust physique entered the main hall, flanked by several younger attendants.

The moment this elder appeared, everyone instinctively rose to their feet.

He Yiming silently observed the old man, sensing the powerful aura emanating from him, and instantly understood his identity.

Indeed, in the subsequent introduction, this man, Cheng Ningsheng, the current head of the Cheng family, took the seat of honor.

The birthday feast commenced immediately, with endless performances flowing one after another. Those seated in the places of honor smiled contentedly, as if they could watch endlessly.

Several hours passed this way, and dusk began to fall, yet the atmosphere at the banquet remained intensely vibrant.

He Yiming quietly shook his head, citing a need to relieve himself, and slipped out of his seat to get some air.

Ps: Today is Sunday, tomorrow is Monday. As per custom, there will be an extra chapter added tomorrow ^_^

Chapter One updates at dawn, Chapter Two in the morning, Chapter Three in the evening. I also request recommendation votes for tomorrow. Thank you...