With a tremendous surge of presence, several core disciples from the leading families of the Seven Great Cultivation Sects simultaneously arrived at Chang Family Fort, causing a massive stir. Both the presiding Chang family cultivators and the thousands of guests already gathered within the stronghold became instantly attentive.

This sudden commotion was so significant that even Ye Qin, who had been engaged in conversation with several Foundation Establishment cultivators, paused mid-sentence, turning his attention toward the densely packed area near the main gate.

Outside Lu Family Fort, the most elite cultivators of the Lu family had already assembled to formally welcome the distinguished guests. Murmurs of astonishment rippled among the surrounding cultivators, both inside and immediately outside the walls. They were deeply perplexed as to why the wedding of the Second Young Master of the Lu family would warrant the attendance of core disciples from the most powerful clans within the Seven Sects. Under normal circumstances, such an alliance would only merit the dispatch of high-ranking core disciples from the two families uniting—the Lu family of the Ancient Artifact Sect and the Wang family of the Moon Lack Sect.

Ye Qin, too, felt a sense of surprise. Based on his understanding of the core disciples of the Seven Sects, these individuals bore immense responsibilities; focused, secluded cultivation should be their paramount concern, certainly not being distracted by mere matrimonial formalities.

“Today, seven core disciples from the Green Pill Sect, Moon Lack Sect, and Earth Aperture Sect have arrived in one go, added to the nine core disciples from other major immortal families who arrived earlier. Lu Family Fort now hosts fifteen or sixteen core disciples from the great clans—nearly every one of the Seven Sects has sent their finest disciples to celebrate. When did Lu Family Fort’s prestige climb to such heights?”

“Heh heh, my young friend, you don't understand the gravity of the situation. The Lu Family Ancestor ranks first among the six great ancestors of the Ancient Artifact Sect, and the Ancient Artifact Sect itself leads the Seven Immortal Sects. Apart from those ancient families boasting millennia of heritage, few families truly stand on par with the Lu family. Although Lu Family Fort has only flourished for three or four centuries in the Spirit Mist Cultivation World, it certainly ranks within the top five. For the Young Master Lu’s wedding, these major families must offer some measure of respect.”

“If I could achieve such grandeur, such glory, I could die without regret today.”

The dozen or so Foundation Establishment cultivators from smaller families beside Ye Qin exchanged envious whispers.

A portly, dark-faced man, however, injected a jarring note of cynicism. “The prestigious sects certainly have a fine appearance. A pity they are all just silver-plated speartips, impressive to look at but useless in a real fight. If a true slaughter broke out, they’d be easier to cut than melons, unlike cultivators who clawed their way up through endless killing. See how majestic they are today; perhaps they’ll be dead tomorrow.”

The surrounding cultivators turned back with disgust toward the corpulent, dark-faced man, clearly disdaining his company.

Ye Qin also glanced at the brute. A strange feeling of familiarity prickled at him, yet he couldn't recall ever seeing that specific visage before. After a moment’s thought, he dismissed it, perhaps having glimpsed the man fleetingly in the past. He decided not to dwell on it.

As the crowd buzzed with discussion, a contingent of several dozen disciples, all born from prominent families within the Green Pill Sect, Moon Lack Sect, and Earth Aperture Sect, approached the gates of Lu Family Fort in measured steps. These core disciples were striking: the men were either handsome and upright or dashing and charismatic; the women were either exceptionally beautiful or icily reserved. Visually alone, most of them projected the image of highly accomplished cultivators.

Those leading the formation drew particular attention.

Huangfu Bing’er of the Huangfu family maintained her twenty-year habit, cloaked beneath a white gauze mantle, gliding lightly ahead of the main group.

The Huangfu lineage within the Green Pill Sect had long held the highest standing within the sect for an extremely long period, their tradition even older and more renowned than that of the Lu family. Huangfu Bing’er rarely appeared in the outside world, yet among the disciples of the great clans, her existence was an open secret. With cultivator Huangfu Rui as her father and cultivator Chen Min as her stepmother—both Golden Core stage powerhouses—wherever she went, she became the inevitable, brilliant focal point.

Yan Wei of the Yan family in the Green Pill Sect, and Chen Shan of the Chen family, despite their equally illustrious backgrounds and remarkable talents, naturally deferred to Huangfu Bing’er’s leadership. The core disciples from the Desire Gate and Earth Aperture Gate similarly recognized her precedence, wisely choosing to follow in her wake upon her arrival.

“Junior Sister Bing’er, your senior brother has waited days for your arrival at last.”

Lü Yuanhong stood before the gate, leading a large retinue of Lu family disciples to greet the incoming disciples of the major families. Unconcealed ecstasy shone in his eyes. Even the dullest observer could see how fervently he had anticipated Huangfu Bing’er’s appearance.

“Senior Brother Yuanhong, I represent the Huangfu family to extend congratulations to Senior Brother Yuanpeng and Junior Sister Hanruo on their wedding. Here is our congratulatory gift.” Huangfu Bing’er’s demeanor was composed as she spoke with a faint smile, waving her hand.

A cultivator from the Huangfu family stepped forward to present a detailed list of the gifts.

Lü Yuanhong, however, was in no state to concern himself with formalities; he delegated the list to a waiting Lu family subordinate and immediately ushered Huangfu Bing’er into the fort.

“Senior Brother Yuanhong is rather dismissive. You greet Sister Bing’er, yet you seem to have completely forgotten your junior brothers and sisters trailing behind,” a dry, cool voice cut in from a short distance behind Huangfu Bing’er.

Lü Yuanhong started slightly, finally noticing the handsome young cultivator standing behind Huangfu Bing’er. This was Yan Wei. He subtly clenched his fist, stifling a surge of resentment.

Lü Yuanhong knew Yan Wei—a cultivator of exceptional talent, notoriously arrogant, and one of Huangfu Bing’er’s suitors. More critically, like Huangfu Bing’er, Yan Wei hailed from a great cultivator family within the Green Pill Sect. Proximity often bred advantage, making Yan Wei his most threatening rival.

Lü Yuanhong’s palm was so tightly clenched that it almost drew blood, but he swiftly broke into a hearty laugh, bowing with practiced grace. “Ah, it is Junior Brother Wei. Your cultivation has greatly advanced in these few years, yet you still speak with the same bluntness toward your senior brother. I must apologize for my rudeness. Junior Brother Wei, and all the esteemed junior brothers and sisters, please enter. It has been over a decade since we gathered; we must catch up thoroughly.”

Lü Yuanhong smoothly diffused Yan Wei’s pointed sarcasm and invited the group inside.

This minor episode did little to dampen the overall atmosphere. These were core disciples from the great immortal families; though barbs were exchanged, no one would openly break decorum. Furthermore, these core disciples had not traveled here merely for romantic rivalry; they were engaged in matters of extreme importance. Otherwise, so many core disciples from the great families of the Seven Sects of the Spirit Mist Cultivation World would not have converged on the small Lu Family Fort.

Huangfu Bing’er led the procession into Lu Family Fort. As she passed along the street within the walls, her steps momentarily faltered, and a flicker of astonishment crossed her clear eyes.

She had glimpsed the person whose image had haunted her dreams for six years. The cultivator in the green robe offered a faint, calm smile before melting back into the crowd.

Seeing that familiar, utterly serene expression sent a tremor through Huangfu Bing’er’s heart, causing a moment of distraction. She quickly recovered, continuing inward. Yan Wei noticed her hesitation and curiously questioned her. The fort was bustling, noisy, and few noticed her slight disturbance, but he observed that minute detail.

“Nothing,” Huangfu Bing’er replied blandly, offering no explanation. As she walked, a quiet joy bloomed within her, her mind consumed by that calm smile she had just witnessed. For the moment, the reason for Ye Qin’s presence at Lu Family Fort escaped her consideration.

Yan Wei’s gaze sharpened, sweeping the crowds of guests inside the fort with icy vigilance.

He had noticed Huangfu Bing’er’s lack of interest in anything else on their journey. He did not believe that momentary pause was meaningless. Unfortunately, the surrounding noise made it impossible to discern the cause, and he found no anomaly.

Yan Wei was forced to drop the matter, but a cold sneer formed in his heart. It’s been over ten years, and she is still this cold to me. All my passion receives no response—does she take me for a stone statue? Just wait. If I find an opportunity down the line… Others might fear Martial Aunt Huangfu or Martial Aunt Chen, but I, Yan Wei, do not. Given my potential, with another decade or two, I will reach the Golden Core stage. Then I’ll see what grounds you have, Huangfu Bing’er, to refuse me.

Ye Qin did not approach Huangfu Bing’er or the disciples of the Green Pill Sect. Instead, he quietly slipped away from the throng. His purpose for coming here was to find the spiritual fruit mentioned by the Holy Emperor. Encountering Bing’er here was purely accidental.

Under the gaze of so many onlookers, meeting Huangfu Bing’er was utterly impossible. He could not allow this chance encounter to jeopardize his search for the spiritual fruit—a matter concerning the Golden Core Dao, far too critical.

Thus, he allowed himself only one brief look at Bing’er from the side of the street before swiftly retreating without drawing further attention. Moreover, he knew that Huangfu Bing’er, representing the Huangfu family, had her own obligations regarding the Lu family’s wedding and likely had no time to meet him. Lu Family Fort was filled with watchful eyes—hardly the tranquil environment of the Green Pill Sect. Drawing unwanted scrutiny would immediately complicate everything beyond measure.

Ye Qin reluctantly turned away, needing to avoid causing Bing’er to reveal any weakness because of his presence.

Avoiding the main crowds, Ye Qin navigated a side street, made two turns, intending to find a quiet teahouse where he could sit and steady his mind, perhaps contemplating how to locate the spiritual fruit within Chang Family Fort.

But just as he made the second turn, a slightly corpulent cultivator clad in yellow robes suddenly materialized, cutting across his path. The man stood a full zhang away, facing Ye Qin with a cold stare, emanating a faint but palpable killing intent that seemed ready to erupt at any moment.

Ye Qin’s expression shifted. He nearly reached for his storage pouch to draw several magical artifacts, but he calmed himself, letting his hand drop. He offered a faint smile, as if greeting an old friend.

“It is Brother Shi. Long time no see. What brings you to Lu Family Fort?!”

This sudden appearance—a man in plain yellow robes—was none other than Shi Hanyang, the leader of the Sunset Sect from the Land of Chaos. This late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator (Ninth Layer) had entered Lu Family Fort long before Ye Qin arrived, placing him among the few high-ranking Foundation Establishment cultivators present among the thousands of guests.

Ye Qin’s middle-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation was significantly lower than Shi Hanyang’s, but he showed no fear. This was Lu Family Fort; the killing intent was merely posturing. On the day of the Lu family’s wedding, bloodshed was taboo, and no one dared cause a scene within the walls. Even if Shi Hanyang dared to flout custom and attack him, Ye Qin had means of defense. A moment’s delay would bring a swarm of Lu family disciples to intervene. His safety was largely assured.

“Brother Qin, why I am at Lu Family Fort—you surely know. The moment you entered, this Sect Master noticed you. Dozens of cultivators met the Holy Emperor with me in the underground imperial tomb. I never expected you to be the first person to track me down afterward. It seems I greatly underestimated your capabilities.”

A sharp flash of murderous intent briefly crossed Shi Hanyang’s eyes before fading, leaving his tone curiously altered. Before today, he had not expected Ye Qin to appear here.

That day in the underground tomb, only he had received clues about the spiritual fruit from the Holy Emperor. Upon exiting, he immediately gathered several trusted subordinates and rushed to Lu Family Fort in the Spirit Mist Cultivation World. The other dozen or so Foundation Establishment cultivators who entered the tomb with him began tracking Shi Hanyang immediately after leaving.

Along the way, to shake off the pursuers, he laid down numerous disguises and traps, sending his subordinates to lure the trackers in other directions to prevent them from competing for the spiritual fruit. This consumed a great deal of time. Consequently, although he departed a year before Ye Qin, he only arrived in the Nanliang Kingdom about a month ahead of him.

After reaching the Nanliang Kingdom, Shi Hanyang adopted the guise of a Foundation Establishment cultivator fleeing the turmoil of a distant great power within the Spirit Mist Cultivation World, infiltrating the Chang family as a temporary guest elder under the protection of the Lu family. Because of the ongoing unrest in the Spirit Mist Cultivation World, so many cultivators had fled to the vicinity of Spirit Mist City that Shi Hanyang’s affiliation with Lu Family Fort did not raise significant suspicion.

However, in the past month, despite exhaustive efforts, Shi Hanyang still had not located the spiritual fruit tree within Lu Family Fort. The last thing he expected was for an old acquaintance from the underground tomb, Ye Qin, to track him down here. The anger Shi Hanyang felt upon seeing Ye Qin was immense, bordering on a desire to kill him instantly. He could not fathom how this pursuing cultivator managed to evade the elaborate deceptions he had set up along the route.

Ye Qin’s presence here made it obvious to anyone that he was after the same spiritual treasure. Yet, Shi Hanyang did not act rashly. Having regained his composure, he felt uncertain of his ability to subdue Ye Qin swiftly. If his identity were exposed among the numerous Spirit Mist cultivators of Lu Family Fort, the consequences would be dire. Even if he killed Ye Qin, the Lu family would certainly launch a stringent investigation, making it impossible for him to remain in the fort, let alone search for the spiritual fruit tree.

There was another crucial factor: Shi Hanyang believed Ye Qin had followed him to Lu Family Fort, but he was certain Ye Qin did not know what specific treasure he was hunting here. That item was known only to the Holy Emperor and himself; all others tracking him were ignorant of the target. Perhaps he could leverage this fact to make Ye Qin useful.

With this consideration in mind, Shi Hanyang finally revealed himself directly to Ye Qin, suppressing his killing intent and replacing it with a mild smile. “Since Brother Qin has arrived, let’s be frank. We are both here for that miraculous spiritual item. Until the item is found, there is no need for us to fight to the death, is there?”