The moonlight was incredibly bright, and with Fang Zhentian directly summoning the Fang Tian Tower, a stream of azure light emanated from the towering structure, illuminating the entire plain.

To use a Supreme Immortal Artifact for illumination—Fang Zhentian was likely the first person in history to do so. Bathed in the blue glow, the purple lavender appeared even more ethereal, making the plain feel like a dreamscape as one walked through it, inhaling the herb’s unique fragrance.

Representatives from every major family across the entire Gu Hua Continent, totaling three hundred and sixty-five well-known clans, were present for this unique evening gala. Countless young people milled about in groups, sharing hushed conversations. The men’s topics overwhelmingly revolved around women, yet the women’s discussions centered just as heavily on women—specifically, which woman was cheating on her husband and what the ultimate outcome of such indiscretions might be.

At the center of the plain rose a slight knoll, roughly the size of a football field, where the direct descendants of the Nine Great Families were gathered. Unlike those from the lesser clans, these young elites maintained a much greater reserve, for they were well aware of the current power wielded by the man who held sway over the Dou Hun Continent.

Qin Yuting, clad in a sheer green gown and veiled, sat quietly at the edge of the slope. Her bright eyes gazed at the full moon overhead, her brow deeply furrowed in a mixture of joy and apprehension.

She knew this gala was organized specifically to deal with the man residing in her heart. The fact that the great figures of the Gu Hua Continent treated him with such gravity indicated the extent of his growth—a reason to be happy. Yet, she also understood the immense power her father had mobilized for this confrontation: the combined might of the Nine Great Families, all nine Heavenly Immortal masters mobilized, not to mention the hidden Deathsworn warriors of the Ninth Heaven lurking within the clans, those puppets utterly loyal to her father. No matter how powerful Ye Jingyu might be, he was only one man.

Qin Yuting was deeply worried, but she knew her anxiety was useless. Her current strength barely reached the Martial God realm, and that was thanks to Feng Yan’s painstaking efforts. A Martial God, in the old days, might have commanded a region; now, facing a battle of this caliber, she wouldn't even qualify as cannon fodder.

“Might this be Miss Yuting? Might I have the honor of inviting you to share a drink?” As Qin Yuting’s thoughts darkened, a man with a refined appearance approached, speaking with undeniable gentlemanly grace.

Qin Yuting looked up. This must be Fang Jiuyuan of the Fang family? Rumor had it he had recently earned a great merit, receiving a Divine Essence Pill from Fang Zhentian, which instantly propelled his cultivation to the Ninth Heaven realm.

The Divine Essence Pill—a celestial elixir the Nine Great Families had labored to perfect over the years. A single clan could refine at most one within a century. It was astonishing that Fang Zhentian was so generous.

To reach the Ninth Heaven realm at such a young age, regardless of whether it was self-achieved or gifted, was certainly a source of pride. At the very least, Qin Yuting saw that pride in Fang Jiuyuan’s eyes—a scornful pride directed at the rest of the world.

She rose without a word and turned away, walking toward the side. Her silent action conveyed her disdain for Fang Jiuyuan.

Seeing himself publicly rejected by Qin Yuting right there sent Fang Jiuyuan’s face instantly flushing scarlet. He was arguably the first among these youths to reach the Ninth Heaven realm, and excluding the puppet forces, the only one in the Fang family at that level. He was destined to be the future family head; countless women would scramble for his favor. Yet this girl treated him with such contempt? What was she? Just the daughter of the Feng Family patriarch? Or the daughter of a clone?

Fang Jiuyuan clenched his fists, preparing to display his Ninth Heaven power to Qin Yuting, when a sudden wave of murmuring erupted from the edge of the assembly.

Nearly everyone—men and women alike—turned simultaneously toward the same direction. He was drawn along, turning his head, and immediately saw a stunningly beautiful woman dressed in a fiery red gown, possessing a scorching figure and lips painted the color of flame. She walked gracefully, linked arm-in-arm with a man.

If memory served him right, that man had to be Xue Ming, the confidant of that wretch Fang Zhuguo. Was he one of the Xue family’s curs? Why would Uncle Xue permit such a person at this gala? More importantly, where would a bastard like that find such a beautiful woman?

A woman like fire? For some unknown reason, Fang Jiuyuan merely glanced at Xue Ming before completely dismissing him. All his attention fixed upon the woman beside him. A woman so perfect—only a genius like himself deserved her.

The anger stemming from Qin Yuting’s rejection vanished instantly. He picked up two exquisite wine goblets and elegantly moved toward Xue Ming.

In just a few strides, Fang Jiuyuan positioned himself directly in front of Xue Ming, ignoring him entirely. He extended a goblet with his right hand and spoke with the utmost civility: “Beautiful lady, I am Fang Jiuyuan of the Fang family. Might I have the honor of offering you a drink?”

A crowd had already gathered around them, utterly mesmerized by Xi Yang’s figure. Now, seeing Fang Jiuyuan abandon the Feng family’s young miss to pursue this stunning beauty, they watched with intense curiosity.

Faced with the young master of the Fang family—a figure likely to be its future head—how would this unknown woman choose?

Fang Jiuyuan was certain the woman would accept his invitation, given his status. His lineage, his personal strength, even his looks—all vastly superior to the Xue Ming standing beside her.

Xi Yang did not immediately accept, nor did she immediately decline. She merely looked at Fang Jiuyuan with confusion, then at the offered goblet, and stated in an exceedingly serious tone, “Are you trying to pick me up?”

Every face in the surrounding crowd froze instantly.

Fang Jiuyuan’s face, in response, flushed a violent red…

Are you trying to pick me up? Such a simple question nearly made Fang Jiuyuan want to draw his sword and end his own life.

Yes, he was trying to pick her up—that much was obvious to everyone. But regardless of whether she accepted or not, she shouldn’t have said it aloud! This was a grand assembly, filled with people of consequence. By voicing it so brazenly, how was he ever supposed to maintain face again?