Feng looked at the others, seeing that they all showed some inclination, and then said to Hiller, "You, the City Lord is preparing the best banquet, we'll be right there!"

Hiller’s face darkened. He had seen people who were audacious, but never anyone this brazen. Who did this person think he was? Marshal Dida or His Majesty Teer? This was sheer insolence!

The thought of smashing his fist into Chen Feng’s face crossed his mind, but having reached the rank of Commander in his thirties, he was certainly not a man to act on impulse. He glanced at Aihate and the other two, and ultimately refrained from throwing the punch.

“Did you all come to the City Lord’s Mansion just for a meal?” Hiller’s tone was undeniably hostile.

“Yes!” Xiaohu quickly nodded, then realization dawned: “Is there anything fun to do? If there’s something fun, we can go do that instead!”

“……” Hiller took several deep breaths. “The City Lord’s Mansion is not a charity. Not just anyone can enter. Those who wish to enter must possess ability!”

“Ability? What kind of ability?” Xiaohu hesitated, then clapped his hands. “I can eat a lot, does that count as an ability?”

The others knew Xiaohu was intentionally provoking him, so they stifled their smiles, though they were secretly overjoyed.

Chen Feng watched Hiller’s face grow increasingly grim, his smile clearly forced. He couldn't help but nod slightly; the man gave him a decent impression—he had foresight, knowledge, and the ability to yield when necessary. A good fellow, all things considered.

“Are you playing games with me?” a loud shout suddenly rang out. It came from the knights behind Hiller, who were angered by seeing their leader humiliated. One of them yelled out.

“Kaosi, behave!” Hiller called out.

“What~ Ill-mannered? I say these people have no real strength. They are clearly just posturing. My Lord, just give the order, and I guarantee I can toss every single one of them into the cesspool with one hand!” the knight named Kaosi roared loudly.

In truth, Hiller thought the same, but every time he looked at Aihate and the others, a tremor of fear ran through him. Hearing this reckless fellow Kaosi speak like that stirred a thought in him—perhaps letting this fool test the waters wouldn't be a bad idea.

“Nonsense! These people are all experts. How could they share your mindset? Apologize immediately?” Hiller knew Kaosi was the type to push forward after making a bold statement. Saying this allowed him to avoid offending Chen Feng and the others while simultaneously provoking Kaosi.

As expected, when Kaosi heard the Commander tell him to apologize, he instantly flared up. With a whoosh, he leaped off his horse, brandished his long spear, and roared with swagger, “A bunch of snot-nosed kids dare call themselves experts? Which one of them is it? Call him out and let me spar with him! I’ll stick a transparent hole right through him with my spear!”

“Kaosi! Don’t cause trouble! They could injure you with just a flick of a finger. Don't be rash!” Hiller shouted.

“Injure me with a flick of a finger? Fine, I’d like to see which one of you has that kind of power?” Kaosi roared.

Chen Feng gave him a look of pity and said to Bensi, “Don’t kill him!”

Bensi’s face immediately lit up with pleasure as he stepped forward.

“You want to spar with me? Alright, I’ll show you the legendary spear skills of your Grandpa…” Kaosi hadn't finished speaking before he felt as if he were soaring through the clouds, flying away with a swoosh and landing heavily in the middle of the street.

From his shout to his flight, none of the surrounding soldiers saw how Bensi moved. Staring at the scene, they all looked utterly stunned!

Hiller swallowed hard and quickly wiped the cold sweat from his brow. To send a subordinate, a First-Tier Cavalry Master, flying without anyone noticing the slightest movement could only mean one thing: the gulf between him and the opponent was vast.

“I haven’t disciplined my subordinate properly and caused injury to Your Excellency…” Hiller rushed over to Bensi, saying ingratiatingly, “I will immediately take you to the City Lord’s Mansion!”

“Alas, it’s too unchallenging!” Bensi shook his head, clearly dissatisfied.

“Yes, yes!” Hiller hurriedly nodded, instructing his subordinate to dismount and giving his fine steed over to Chen Feng and the others, while he himself walked ahead to lead the way.

After a short walk, they arrived at the City Lord’s Mansion. Outside the imposing, dark gates, a butler-like figure stood anxiously. Upon seeing Hiller and his group, he immediately brightened, then looked towards Chen Feng’s party and asked, “Commander Hiller, might I ask which one is Lord Joshua?”

“I didn’t receive Lord Joshua. These are people I encountered at the city gate—all highly skilled individuals!” Hiller murmured quietly.

The butler’s face immediately soured upon hearing that the distinguished guest had not yet arrived. He looked at the dozen people on horseback, none of whom appeared old, and a trace of displeasure crossed his features. However, he dared not criticize Hiller, so he simply said, “Then I shall lead them inside!”

Hiller nodded and said, “Thank you for your trouble. Oh, and please inform the City Lord that these dozen or so individuals must be treated well. Do not slight them in any way. I must leave now to greet Lord Joshua!”

The butler paid no attention to Hiller’s words, completely disregarding them, and reluctantly led Chen Feng and the others into the City Lord’s Mansion.

The mansion seemed quite lively. The butler led the group along a path paved with bluestone, soon arriving at a grand hall filled with a hubbub of voices. A middle-aged man with an air of authority stood just outside the hall entrance. Seeing the butler approach, he showed delight, though his expression quickly shifted to confusion.

“Butler, what is this…”

“Reporting to the City Lord, these are the guests Commander Hiller brought. I don’t know who they are!” the butler said casually.

The City Lord glanced at the group, said nothing, and then told the butler, “Lead them to their seats first. I will wait for Lord Joshua a while longer!”

“Yes!” the butler replied and led Chen Feng into the hall.

Many people had already gathered in the hall. Chen Feng casually scanned the room and noticed that few among them had reached the rank of Battle Master; most were around the level of a Seventh or Eighth-Rank Battle Warrior.

Finding an empty table, the twelve people sat down around it.

“You all need to be careful. Lord Joshua will arrive shortly; do not disgrace the City Lord’s Mansion!” the butler said coldly before turning and walking out.

“Boss, what’s with that guy?” Xiaowen asked.

“Heh heh, it seems some big shot is about to arrive!” Chen Feng said with a smile, looking at the people eagerly awaiting someone outside the door.

“Yeah, who cares who it is? Our goal is to eat anyway, as long as it doesn't interrupt our meal!” Xiaohu replied.

………………………………………………………

“It looks like they are preparing for a competition!” Lingfeng suddenly spoke up.

Lingfeng, Judy, and the others had covered their faces with scarves before entering the city to avoid trouble, so they were not conspicuous now.

“Mmm!” Chen Feng, with his sharp hearing, had already understood the situation from the snippets of conversation around them.

The most frequently mentioned term among the crowd was the issue of qualifications for the “Tianfeng Grand Tournament.” A little thought made it clear. These people were likely the town’s recognized talents, gathered here for the selection process to determine who would compete. He wondered if this Tianfeng Grand Tournament had any connection to the Tianfeng Academy.

Just as the two were chatting, everyone in the hall simultaneously stood up, their faces filled with respect, and turned toward the outside of the hall.

“City Lord, you are too polite. Joshua is just a hermit living in the wilderness; why bother inviting me with such fanfare?” a deep voice drifted in from outside. While the words were courteous, there was not a trace of politeness in the tone.

“Not at all, not at all! Lord Joshua lives in seclusion on Sunset Hill, shunning worldly affairs. It is our honor that you grace us with your presence today!” the City Lord said with a smile, following close behind.

“Heh heh, City Lord, you flatter me too much!” the visitor’s tone hinted at a certain smugness.

Immediately following, two figures walked in. One was the City Lord Chen Feng had seen outside, a man with white whiskers, appearing to be over sixty.

“First-Tier Dou Zun!” Chen Feng recognized the cultivation level with a single glance. No wonder these people were showing such deference. While Dou Zuns were not considered rare on the overseas continent, here, a Dou Zun was akin to a national treasure.

This First-Tier Dou Zun was obviously aware of his status. Though he spoke modestly, his actions and tone betrayed an inherent arrogance, as if everyone else were inherently beneath him.

“Lord Joshua!”

“Lord Joshua!”

Everyone in the hall, upon seeing the elder, plastered smiles on their faces, showing more reverence than they might show their own fathers.

“Heh heh, you are all too kind!” Joshua greeted them with a smile, glancing over the crowd, stroking his beard until his eyes curved into a straight line. He genuinely enjoyed the feeling of being respected. Just as he felt everyone was revolving around him, his eyes suddenly swept over Chen Feng’s table and saw that they remained seated, neither standing up to greet him nor offering any flattering words.

“Who are these few…” His expression shifted.

Following his words, everyone in the hall turned their gaze towards Chen Feng’s group. Seeing a table full of youths who hadn't even bothered to rise, a wave of anger swept through the assembly.

“They are distinguished guests Hiller brought, Lord Joshua, please take the main seat!” the City Lord quickly responded, sensing Joshua’s displeasure, and gestured for him to proceed forward.

Joshua spared Chen Feng’s group a couple of glances. Not wanting to lose the 'dignity' of an established master in public, he nodded in response to the City Lord and strode toward the foremost main seat.

“Truly, heroes emerge from the young! It seems they do not know who this old man is!” Joshua ‘reminded’ the City Lord with a smile.

“Indeed, indeed. In truth, I don’t know who this group is either. I will inquire immediately!” The City Lord snapped his fingers, called over a subordinate, said a few words, and the man nodded and withdrew.

Chen Feng’s lips curved slightly upward. Although the hall was noisy, he clearly heard the conversation between the two, as well as the words the City Lord whispered to his subordinate.

‘Don’t provoke me, you can continue acting arrogant. But if you show willful ignorance, hehe... I’ll make sure you’re the one lying on the ground putting on a show!’ Chen Feng thought to himself, then paid them no further mind regarding their actions.

ps::Old Ya sold the traditional Chinese copyright for this book at a low price. Today is dedicated to contracts and revising the previous chapters, so there might only be two updates. Please forgive me. (To be continued. To find out what happens next, please log in to m, for more chapters, support the author, and support genuine reading!)