The assembly of voices rose as one. Everything they had just discussed had left them awestruck; every single person regarded this unseen individual with immense respect, daring not to underestimate him in the slightest. Yet, here was Zhan Qingfeng claiming to have discovered the man's weakness—how could this not spark universal astonishment?

"The weakness of that Mo Junye is actually the same as all of you: the common affliction of youth—a slight impatience," Zhan Qingfeng said, a refined smile touching his lips as he slightly raised an eyebrow. "The reason for this impatience stems solely from his soaring pride! And individuals like that rarely tolerate retreating without a fight. Therefore, I deduce that even knowing the inherent risks, he absolutely must attend the rendezvous today!"

"Even if it means facing utter humiliation, bleeding profusely, and ending up in the most wretched state imaginable—he will still come!"

Zhan Qingfeng looked around at the group with a smile. "If he does come, for heaven's sake, don't call him a fool. Because the courage to face everything head-on is the most vital characteristic for becoming an unparalleled master! Especially now, I believe the elders are certain we wouldn't dare kill him, and he knows it too. So, if there is no substantial danger, why wouldn't he come?"

"But if he comes, the shame of today will likely haunt him for the rest of his life; he might never be able to hold his head up again!" Zhan Yuzhong looked uncertainly at the 'luxurious' assembly beside him, pondering. "The measures we've prepared—even I, the architect of this plot, shudder to think about them. Could he truly dare to come and endure all that?"

"Of course! If he doesn't come today, then he won't be worth worrying about in the future! Because that would be fleeing without a fight! For an ordinary person, that might be inconsequential; but for a cultivator whose goal is the pinnacle, it becomes a massive inner demon! Every time he faces a challenge, this moment will surely surface."

"If he comes, the most he suffers is temporary humiliation, and today's gathering might even become the fuel for him to practice forbearance and revenge. But if he shrinks back, it will become a stain he can never wash away—a lifelong shame he will never forget!" Zhan Qingfeng stated gravely. "Therefore... he must come! It is inevitable!"

"Which means the bet between me and Miss Miao has not truly begun yet! Naturally, there's no question of yielding any slot," Zhan Qingfeng smiled, surveying them. "You all need to be alert. Today, we are about to face someone who possesses the rarest of constitutions, the Ethereal Body, seen only once in an age. Regardless of victory or defeat, this gathering will undoubtedly be a moment worth remembering."

"Indeed, watching this possessor of the Ethereal Body break down under our torment will be quite a sight," Zhan Yushu laughed heartily.

"Not necessarily! Before coming today, Grandpa said something: Those with the Ethereal Body are always the geniuses among geniuses in this world! They grasp anything they learn incredibly fast. That's why Grandpa once gave me a piece of advice."

The assembled youths held their breath.

"That advice was: No matter what happens to a person with the Ethereal Body, you should never be surprised! Because... he is a possessor of the Ethereal Body! If he fails to do astonishing things, that would be the truly surprising part!" Zhan Qingfeng declared. "That Young Master Mo will absolutely be a formidable opponent!"

"You must never let your guard down!"

"Big Brother, if that brat actually passes the test, will you give him the slot or not?" Zhan Yushu asked cautiously.

"Give it! Why wouldn't I? It's just one slot; do you think we truly care that much?" Zhan Qingfeng snorted. "A true man stands by his word! Since I lost, I must admit defeat. A person without credibility cannot stand firm; without integrity, how can one find footing between heaven and earth?"

"But... if that girl really enters the Spirit Medicine Garden... what if she becomes the master of the Spirit Medicine Garden? Then... I'll have even less hope," Zhan Yushu pleaded with his older brother. "Big Brother, such a precious slot—instead of giving it to an outsider, why not give it directly to your little brother... or, we could just find some excuse to cancel that original bet, couldn't we? Why be so serious? How can such an important slot be decided by such a frivolous bet? That’s absurd!"

"Nonsense! How is this bet frivolous?" Zhan Qingfeng roared. "Are you so certain that I will lose?"

He then sighed, "You only see beauty, but you fail to see the bigger picture. Oh, you... when will you grasp the broader strategy? Only then will you truly be mature..."

"The bigger picture?" Zhan Yushu questioned.

"Though the Miao family’s younger generation is declining, the elder masters within the family still hold considerable weight in the Illusionary Mansion!" Zhan Qingfeng spoke profoundly. "These people... not only are their skills astonishing, but they are also extremely patient."

Zhan Yushu burst into laughter. He was admiring his big brother’s choice of words; he clearly meant those people were old fossils, yet he described them as very patient... Truly, it was a way to curse without uttering foul language.

"Furthermore, if he actually shows up, the outcome is still undecided. But our side has an extremely high chance of winning—at least over ninety percent!" Zhan Qingfeng spread his fingers, keeping nine straight and curling one in. He stared at his pale hand slowly. "But if he ultimately doesn't show up today... it's equivalent to having no contest at all! Naturally, the terms of the bet can only be fulfilled after a proper match..."

"It is as you say! Big Brother's methods are flawless, truly brilliant! I admire you wholeheartedly!" Zhan Yushu suddenly understood.

Just then, a commotion erupted suddenly at the doorway, which instantly fell silent. A voice, almost overly deferential, flattered, "Why, it is Little Sister Wei's esteemed presence! Please, come in and take a seat."

Miao Xiaomiao's voice followed, "No need for pleasantries, I can enter myself."

Immediately, amidst a lingering, delicate fragrance, Miao Xiaomiao's graceful figure strolled into the hall. Seeing the setup, she couldn't help but laugh. "Why such a grand spectacle? Isn't this a bit of an overreaction? Even if everyone is nervous about the bet, there’s no need for such elaborate arrangements!"

"Facing an opponent possessing the rare Ethereal Body, a sight unseen in ten thousand years, naturally calls for the best possible venue! I believe anyone would proceed with caution!" Zhan Qingfeng smiled gently. "Regardless of whether this round is won or lost, it is a rare opportunity to spar with a possessor of the Ethereal Body! In the last ten millennia, only two such individuals have appeared... Little Sister Miao, where is that genius with the Ethereal Body? I heard you were chatting with him earlier. Don't tell me he’s afraid to come?"

"Brother Zhan’s estimation is close, if not entirely accurate. Upon hearing about the grand welcoming committee you all arranged, that genius was terrified into submission. I practically had to drag him here, but the boy refused outright, insisting he needed to go home and sleep. He won't come, but I couldn't miss this—after all, I am quite interested in this welcoming ceremony you've prepared."

Saying this, she pointed her finger around the hall, smiling faintly. This action clearly conveyed: You all prepared for nothing, and all your elaborate schemes are meaningless if the target is absent.

"He's not coming?"

Although everyone had speculated that the Ethereal Body possessor might be intimidated by the sheer scale of the gathered forces, and most had privately concluded they wouldn't come either if they were in his shoes given the current formidable display, the confirmation from Miao Xiaomiao’s own lips nonetheless sent a wave of agitated emotion through the crowd!

"Damn it! That bastard! He's not coming? Is he even a man or not?" Zhan Yushu’s eyes flashed with fierce light as he said grimly, "So many of us are waiting here, and he just decides not to show? What does he take us for? A group of people to be toyed with?"

Zhan Yushu’s words instantly succeeded in igniting a shared sense of outrage among everyone present! Regardless of how well they understood the situation, and how much they might comprehend Mo Junye's choice, human nature is what it is: one can play tricks on others, but once one becomes the object of manipulation, regardless of the manipulator's position, all reason is cast aside!

"Exactly! That damned Mo Junye, thinking so highly of his Ethereal Body, refuses to give us any regard! The insult leveled against us today is too great; we will absolutely not let this slide, and he must not be let off lightly!" gritted a youth in green.

"So what if he possesses a superior Ethereal Body? With his trash foundation, no matter how extraordinary his aptitude, his base is fundamentally too weak. Within the next hundred years, he certainly won't catch up to us! That means we can torment him for at least a century!" A youth in white fanned himself, scoffing with a half-smile. "Even if he has the Ethereal Body, these hundred years will feel like an eternity, living every moment on thin ice! As for a century later, everyone gathered here will surely hold important positions. Even if he dares to seek revenge, he will have to weigh the costs and benefits, and he will lack any supporting power! This Mo Junye, even if he avoids today, can he avoid tomorrow and the day after, forever? His actions today have offended every young talent in the Illusionary Mansion; it was extremely unwise of him."

Zhan Qingfeng kept his head lowered, frowning slightly, murmuring, "Why wouldn't he come? There is no reason; how could he not come here? This matter is truly strange... Doesn't he fear planting an inner demon that could backfire during his future cultivation? This is incomprehensible—does he lack the desire to become stronger?..."

Under normal circumstances, Zhan Qingfeng’s judgment was entirely correct: for the mediocre 'Mo Junye' to avoid this place out of fear would indeed plant a severe inner demon, causing his progress to be fraught with obstacles and difficult advancement, even with the foundation of the Ethereal Body.