Translator: Anubis Translations
Cloud Moon City was roughly the same size as Cloud Dwelling City, with a similar level of cultivation. However, as the two entered the city, they noticed many Qi Refining Realm cultivators dressed in various styles.
"Other sects in Cloud Prefecture have also issued related demon-slaying missions. Those people are from the Unwavering Sect, the second-largest force in Cloud Prefecture after the Sunset Glow Sect. In recent years, they've developed rapidly and are catching up to our sect..."
Wu Qi's family ran a merchant guild, so he was well-versed in the various forces of Cloud Prefecture and acted as Gu Feng's guide.
Gu Feng understood that the sects' enthusiasm for demon-slaying missions wasn't solely about protecting the people. More importantly, it was about enhancing their sect's reputation among the populace to attract more talented disciples.
"Where are Chao Yuan and the others now?" Gu Feng's gaze casually scanned Cloud Moon City. He spotted a few disciples from the Sunset Glow Sect, likely at the Fifth Level of Qi Refining. He hadn't seen them in the Outer Sect, so they probably came from Carp Mountain.
"I'm not sure. I'll go ask around." Wu Qi frowned. He was skilled at interacting with all sorts of people and quickly gathered some information from cultivators of other sects.
"Three days ago, disciples from other sects went missing in the mountains outside Cloud Moon City. The leaders of various sects plan to join forces tomorrow to enter the mountains. They're all gathered at Grand Assembly Pavilion now..."
"Who's the leader of our Sunset Glow Sect?" It was wise for the disciples of these sects to act together. The disappearance of so many cultivators indicated that the demon was formidable, and going alone would be foolish.
"Zhu Tao, Sixth Level Qi Refining, from Carp Mountain. He's the older brother of Zhu Xingwen, who you killed. He's been ranting that he'll make you pay if you ever set foot on Carp Mountain."
"Who's Zhu Xingwen?" Gu Feng was puzzled. He couldn't recall who Zhu Xingwen was.
"One of the thirty Third Level Qi Refining cultivators from the Wind and Cloud Platform incident." Wu Qi's face darkened. Gu Feng's nerves were thick—hadn't he considered that the families of those thirty Qi Refining cultivators might seek revenge?
The two discussed it and decided to head to Grand Assembly Pavilion first. After all, there's strength in numbers.
Grand Assembly Pavilion was located in the most bustling part of Cloud Moon City, and the two found it without much trouble.
After showing their Outer Sect Disciple Tokens to the guards, they were allowed entry.
"Brothers Wu and Gu, you may rest on the first, second, or third floors or order some food. The leaders of various sects are on the fourth floor. Unless it's important, it's best not to disturb them!" The guard, from a minor sect, treated them with respect and kindly reminded them.
"Thank you." Wu Qi politely thanked the guard, while Gu Feng's eyes lit up, and he asked, "Is the food here free?"
The guard was momentarily stunned by Gu Feng's question. It was the first time he'd encountered such a peculiar inquiry. But since they were disciples of a major sect, he didn't dwell on it and politely replied that all expenses here were covered by the leader of the Sunset Glow Sect.
"Haha, that's great!"
Entering Grand Assembly Pavilion, the place was bustling with activity. Disciples from various sects were exchanging cultivation insights or sharing their experiences, creating a harmonious atmosphere.
Gu Feng noticed that while there were many cultivators here, almost no one was ordering food—most just had tea.
"Let's find a spot and order some food. We've been on the road for days and haven't had a proper meal."
Gu Feng rubbed his hands together, his eyes scanning the area for an empty seat. As long as the free food wasn't poisoned, he was ready to indulge.
Wu Qi, on the other hand, was somewhat resistant, feeling that eating and drinking heartily in such a setting would reflect poorly on the Sunset Glow Sect. "Let's hold back a bit."
"You hold back. I'm going to make the most of this rare opportunity for free food." With that, Gu Feng headed straight for the second floor.
Wu Qi, trailing behind, twitched at the corners of his mouth. "Rare opportunity," my ass—Gu Feng never paid for meals.
Reluctantly, he followed, praying that Gu Feng would show some restraint.
"Sigh, let's check the third floor. There's no space here either."
Gu Feng sighed. If there were no empty seats on the third floor, he'd start ordering and eating right there.
As they ascended the stairs to the third floor, a familiar figure came into view. The man was short and stocky but exuded an indescribable aura of strength, making it hard to underestimate him.
"Well, look who we've run into."
Gu Feng chuckled, quickened his pace, and sat down beside the man.
"Gu Feng?" Tuoba Lei was momentarily stunned. He hadn't expected to run into Gu Feng here.
"I've got a few friends who went missing. I'm here to look for them." As he spoke, Gu Feng grabbed a roasted beast leg from the table and started gnawing on it.
"The food here's not bad!"
Seeing Gu Feng eat so brazenly, the surrounding cultivators cast disdainful glances. What country bumpkin is this, eating like he's never had a meal before?
"You're so wealthy. Why do you like taking advantage of freebies like me?" Tuoba Lei looked at Gu Feng in surprise. Compared to his own meager means, Gu Feng was a tycoon. How could he also not care about his image and eat free food?
"Haha, where do you think my money comes from? It's all from taking advantage of opportunities!" Gu Feng laughed shamelessly.
"Waiter, bring us the best Spirit Wine and the menu. I want to order the most expensive dishes."
Tuoba Lei gave Gu Feng a deep look. Even he only ordered modest food to fill his stomach. Gu Feng, on the other hand, was feasting and calling for Spirit Wine without a care for others' opinions. This shamelessness was worth learning.
Wu Qi sat awkwardly beside them, his hands drawing small circles on the table, his head lowered.
Eating and drinking so extravagantly in such a setting felt embarrassing to him.
When the waiter brought the Spirit Wine, Wu Qi tugged at his sleeve and whispered, "Charge this table separately. Take these Spirit Stones. If there's any left, keep it. If it's not enough, I'll make up the difference."
But before he could hand over the Spirit Stones, Gu Feng snatched them away. "Are you rich? These Spirit Stones are confiscated."
Wu Qi's face darkened. He was about to say something when Gu Feng continued, "Zhu Tao's paying. What you're doing is slapping him in the face!"
While that was true, Wu Qi felt that treating Zhu Tao as a scapegoat and eating and drinking so extravagantly was an even bigger slap in the face.
Gu Feng, like a humanoid beast, devoured a thick roast leg in a few bites. Plates of exquisite food kept arriving, their aroma filling the air, making the others drool with envy.
Inspired by Gu Feng, Tuoba Lei also shed his restraint and started eating voraciously.
"Drink—"
"Rare to have someone else paying. I'm going to eat more and store energy for the next few days."
"Waiter, what's that most expensive dish? Bring twenty more!"
"..."
If someone else were paying, Gu Feng might have shown some restraint. But with Zhu Tao, there was no need. After all, he'd killed Zhu Tao's brother, making them natural enemies. Who provoked whom first didn't matter.
"Gulp~~" A female disciple at the next table couldn't help but swallow her saliva.
"Senior Brother, I'm so hungry. Should we order some food too?"
"Let's hold on. Eighty percent of the people here are probably starving but too proud to order food."
As plate after plate of delicacies were brought out, the mood of the crowd underwent a dramatic shift.
From initial disdain, it turned to envy, and now regret. Stubborn pride had led to suffering, and some were already regretting it deeply. In their minds, two little figures were battling—one saying they'd held on this long and shouldn't give up now, and the other saying to swallow their pride and fill their stomachs.
Gulp gulp—
The sound of people gulping water could be heard everywhere. Gu Feng chuckled heartily and called for the waiter.
"Today, Grand Assembly Pavilion is fully sponsored by the renowned Zhu Tao of the Sunset Glow Sect. He said everyone should eat and drink their fill to conserve energy.
After you're done, take some food to go. This is a long battle..."
At these words, the room erupted in cheers.
"Haha, since Senior Brother Zhu Tao has said so, we'll graciously accept."
"You're from the Sunset Glow Sect? No wonder you look so distinguished!"
"The Sunset Glow Sect truly lives up to its reputation as the top sect in Cloud Prefecture. Such generosity!"
"..."
Disciples from minor sects kept praising, while those from sects at odds with the Sunset Glow Sect merely chuckled but said nothing, starting to order food themselves.
Thus—
The atmosphere on the first, second, and third floors became incredibly lively, filled with laughter, clinking glasses, and toasts.
A fellow Sunset Glow Sect disciple, watching the high-spirited crowd, frowned and sneaked up to the fourth floor.
"Senior Brother Zhu, Gu Feng's here, and he's drinking and eating like crazy downstairs."
At that moment, Zhu Tao and several other Sunset Glow Sect experts were discussing the plan to hunt the demon with leaders from other sects.
Hearing the report that Gu Feng had arrived, Zhu Tao was momentarily stunned, a flash of killing intent in his eyes. His voice lowered slightly, "Let him eat. This might be his last meal."
"No, he..." The disciple wanted to say more but was cut off by Zhu Tao.
"Go down. We're in the middle of something important."
Seeing Zhu Tao's furrowed brows and sharp gaze, the disciple didn't dare say more and left sullenly, wondering if he should leave first. Given the current situation, Senior Brother Zhu Tao likely didn't have enough Spirit Stones to cover the bill. If he stayed, he'd suffer a huge financial loss.
...
An hour later, the twenty or so Fifth and Sixth Level Qi Refining cultivators on the fourth floor finished their discussion.
"Then, let's proceed with this plan!" Zhu Tao said with pride, his commanding demeanor irking the other sect leaders.
"Senior Brother Zhu, why not eat before we act?" A short-haired female cultivator from the Sunset Glow Sect asked with a smile.
"Haha, Junior Sister Yu, with so many disciples missing, how could I eat?
Every moment we delay, those disciples' chances of survival diminish. Perhaps they're struggling in some corner, waiting for us to rescue them.
We should set out immediately, not wait until tomorrow. What do you all think?"
Zhu Tao's words were full of bravado, but they were also unassailable, leaving the others with no choice but to awkwardly agree.
Hearing this, the short-haired female cultivator curled her lips, a hint of disdain in her eyes. She and Zhu Tao had both cultivated on Carp Mountain and knew each other well. She was well aware that Zhu Tao had booked Grand Assembly Pavilion not to treat anyone but to show off and gain a good reputation.
He dared to do this because he knew that the disciples here for the demon hunt would at most order some tea. Who would eat and drink so extravagantly in such a setting? At most, it would cost a thousand or two Spirit Stones.
For a mere thousand or two Spirit Stones, he could make a grand show—worth it and cheap.
As the group stepped out of the closed room, the clamor hit their ears like a bomb, making their eardrums tingle!
Listening closely, it was filled with laughter, clinking glasses, toasts, and shouts.
Zhu Tao shuddered and hurried down the stairs, the group following closely.
The large third-floor hall was as lively as a marketplace, with tables and floors in disarray. Many male disciples were red-faced and swaying from drink.
In the center of the hall, a young disciple stood on a table, holding a wine jar, his gaze commanding, exuding an air of grandeur.
"Who else!!!"
At these words, the surrounding crowd bowed in reverence.
"Senior Brother Gu's capacity is unmatched. We yield!"
Those who had drunk too much lay sprawled on the floor, bowing to Gu Feng in admiration, their applause thunderous.
"Hahaha, from now on, call me the 'Wine Emperor'!"
"Hail the Emperor!!"
Even the female disciples joined in the revelry.
(End of the Chapter)
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