Meng Qi gnawed on a chicken leg, feeling that Hua Tian Ge's worried look was really too obvious. As the leader of a sect and an experienced master with rich experience in Jianghu, on his own 50th birthday, in front of most of the good people from three mountains and four waters, he actually looked so worried and depressed, where had his composure gone?

  If it's said that having no mental preparation when encountering shocking or unbelievable things, losing control of one's facial expression is a common human emotion. However, the matter of Qin Shan Jian Pai coming to challenge was an agreement made three years ago, so Hua Tian Ge should have been worried long ago. Why did he still look like a country bumpkin or a newcomer to the Jianghu? This kind of behavior doesn't seem like that of an old Jianghu veteran.

  It's just a fight for temporary control of the heavenly strange stone, and it's not a complete loss. There will be another chance to get it back in three years, so why act like you've lost a loved one?

  "This time, the Xin Xian Men and last time's Qin Shan Jian Pai are both greatly benefited from the Tian Wai Qi Shi, creating several new sets of martial arts. However, the knife and sword techniques have not been perfected yet, and the disciples haven't had time to master them, making their chances of winning slim. No wonder the Huamen Master is so worried that his hair has turned white." Wu Qin sighed and said, "Who among the various sects and heroes of the Jianghu doesn't yearn for the Tian Wai Qi Shi? But the Xin Xian Men and Qin Shan Jian Pai have large clans and aristocratic families backing them, holding an advantage. They can only join in on the excitement, but won't dare to openly snatch it."

  At the banquet, a short old man chuckled and said: "Since obtaining the Heavenly Stone, the white hair of the Lord of Huamen has been increasing day by day, it's really enviable."

  It's no wonder that one would envy, exhausting their mind and intelligence to comprehend the martial arts from the heavenly strange stone, feeling the aura of the ancient divine spirits. Who wouldn't have their vitality depleted, turning prematurely grey?

  Shangguan Han lightly exclaimed: "Hua Yun is not here?"

  The disciples around Hua Tian Ge, he had a little more than half unknown, but it didn't prevent him from finding out that Hua Yun was not there. After all, in the three mountains and four waters, Hua Yun was also a well-known master.

  "Hua Yun is not here..." Meng Qi slightly furrowed his brow, something was off, perhaps Hua Tian Ge's worried expression was due to something else.

  As a subordinate of the Zhen Yi Men, which is affiliated with the True Wu Sect, Meng Qi naturally had a better impression of the Xun Xian Men than the Qin Shan Jian Pai, and subconsciously stood on their side.

  But losing is just a temporary loss of control for three years. Meng Qi had no intention of helping out, and besides, it would be unjustified.

  "Isn't Huaxu afraid?" A man with a pair of nunchucks on his back said with schadenfreude at the dinner table.

  Because it was an open banquet, Huatian Ge did not stop the martial artists who had a bad relationship with their own sect from attending. They didn't come to eat or drink, but rather because they heard that the reward for defeating Xiangxian Gate might be extremely high, so they came over to join in the excitement and have some fun.

  "Hua Yun is a true heir, he won't back down even if the odds of winning are slim. Besides, who can mock him for losing to Huang Rong and Huang Xiaolong? Wu Qin thought it was unlikely that Hua Yun wouldn't show up, in the three mountains and four rivers, apart from a few sect leaders, who dares to say they can definitely beat Huang Rong, losing to him is normal."

  Meng Qi listened to their discussion with great interest, while not relaxing his enjoyment of the food. Meng Xianmen occupied nearby fields and had mines and medicinal fields in the deep mountains. He was generous with his spending, and the chef he hired was very good. The salt-baked fat chicken fully brought out the freshness of the chicken meat, tender and smooth, surpassing all seasonings, and they couldn't stop talking.

  "Meng Xiaoge, just wait a bit and you'll be able to see the heavenly strange stone." Wuqin Xin didn't neglect her "companion".

  Meng Qi had chicken in his mouth, his lips gleaming with oil, unable to speak, and could only nod slightly.

  Others at the table fell silent and shook their heads, taking Meng Qi as a hanger-on who followed Wu Xingyin to freeload.

  Wu Qinxin furrowed her brow, Meng Xiaoge was indeed too engrossed in eating. Everyone came mainly to watch the excitement, not to feast on wine and food...... Shangguan Han's mouth corner brought a smile, his judgment was correct after all.

  Hu Tian Ge led several elders and disciples to the front, clearing his throat: "Gentlemen, you have come to celebrate my birthday, I am deeply grateful..."

  After a heap of polite words, he sighed and said: "Everyone also knows that the Qinshan Sword Sect has come to fulfill its three-year agreement today. If there is any disturbance, please don't take offense."

  Everyone immediately expressed their indifference, except for those close to Zeng Xianmen, who wasn't here to watch the competition?

  Hua Tian Ge pulled out a package from his sleeve and placed it on the empty table at the head of the banquet: "This is a rare stone from outside the heavens, please let everyone witness it together."

  The heroes of the rivers and lakes all held their breath, staring intently at Hua Tian Ge as he unwrapped the package, hoping to catch a glimpse of the extraordinary martial arts from afar.

  Meng Qi picked up a pair of chopsticks and took a bite of the steamed fish, the fresh and savory flavors filled her mouth, and her eyes also gazed into the distance.

  The package slowly unfolded, revealing a fist-sized black stone inside. It looked ordinary, but if you stared at it intently, you would get the feeling that a terrifying beast was sealed inside, making your heart tremble with fear.

  "Divine pressure......" Meng Qi was not unfamiliar with this, he could simulate it himself, and there was a black stone seal to isolate it. This pressure was vague and difficult to feel concretely.

  "It's indeed a rare stone from heaven..." Uchin murmured as if she was in a trance.

  Shangguan Han's hand grasping the chopsticks had bulging veins, his eyes completely absorbed by the heavenly strange stone, he couldn't help but want to snatch it over and study it carefully.

  "Hmm, aside from the divine blood, this heavenly stone itself is extraordinary. It can isolate most of the divine pressure and is a good material for refining equipment." Meng Qi thought to himself, he could tell with his toes that adding this heavenly stone to an object would allow it to protect against spiritual stimulation and weaken mental attacks.

  Hu Tian Ge showed the heavenly stone from outside to everyone, demonstrating that he had not secretly kept it for himself. This caused the hall to fall silent, with all eyes fixed on him in rapt attention.

  He had not yet put down the stone, when a loud and clear laughter came from the gate: "The master of Huamen is indeed a trustworthy person, he took out the strange stone early, I admire him."

  Meng Qi turned his head to look, and saw that there were more than a dozen people at the door. The one walking in front was an old man with white hair, who had a clear face, wore a green robe, held a long sword, and had an elegant demeanor.

  "'Wind Sword' Ning Ji Dao." Wu Qin quietly introduced Meng Qi to the "outsider".

  Meng Qi nodded slightly, his eyes scanning Ning Qidi's wooden sword scabbard before turning to the two young men beside him. One of them wore a high crown and wide sleeves, with a sharp brow and starry eyes, his hands as white as jade, and an air of arrogance hidden in his expression. The other young man was in his early twenties, with ordinary looks but a warm smile, and a hint of elegance, holding a long sword with a sharkskin scabbard.

  "'Flying Cloud Sword' Huang Shaohai..." Wu Qin's eyes sparkled as she gazed at the young man with a warm smile, which made Shangguan Han feel quite displeased.

  "And who is the other one?" Meng Qi felt that the other person's aura was no weaker than Huang Yun's.

  Shangguan Han frowned and said: "I don't know."

  Wu Qincheng also shook her head, indicating that she didn't recognize them either. She pointed to the two young swordsmen behind Huang Rong and said: "'Surprise Goose Sword' Luo Qiusheng, 'Kneecap Soft Sword' Tao Kang, they are known as the 'Qinshan Three Swords' along with Young Master Huang. However, most of the fame is earned by Young Master Huang, all of them are at the level of Four Apertures."

  She looked down on Luo Qiu Sheng and Tao Kang, thinking that they owed their current fame to Huang Yun.

  Never heard of it...... Meng Qi curled his lips.

  "Ning Zhongmen arrived on time too, I wonder who this noble guest is?" Huatian Ge obviously didn't recognize the young man with a proud expression and a high crown and wide belt.

  "This is Zhang Zhi Fan, a young master of the Zhang family from Longnan, Huiguang County, known in Jianghu as 'Liang Yang Shen Zhang'."

  It turned out that he was a descendant of a side branch of the Zhang family from Longnan, no wonder he had an air of arrogance about him, Meng Qi thought to himself in surprise.

  "It's actually the 'Fierce Sun God Palm', rumor has it that he was only one step away from entering the Human Rankings, if he opened his seventh aperture, he would definitely be able to enter!" Wu Qin exclaimed in surprise.

  Shangguan Han and others at the banquet furrowed their brows: "Did Zhang of Longnan send someone directly?"

  Zhang Zhi returned the courtesy and congratulated Hua Tian on his birthday, then said: "I've traveled to this place and heard that Huang Xian wants to compete with your husband, so I came to take a look, no other meaning."

  Hu Tian Ge nodded and smiled wryly: "Please forgive me, gentlemen. My son went out a few days ago and has not returned yet. I am very worried."

  "Hasn't Young Master Hua returned?" Ning asked with a slight frown, "Which three disciples did the leader of the Hua Sect send to the arena?"

  Everyone was disappointed, and the expected showdown seemed to have vanished? Was Hua Yun really so shameless as to flee in disarray?

  Hu Tian Ge had not yet returned, and Huang Yun smiled warmly: "If Hu Shaoxia does not come out to fight, our sect's victory would be unchivalrous. How about this? We'll postpone the duel for three days to show respect to your school. If after three days Hu Shaoxia still hasn't returned, then the master of Huamen can send another disciple, how's that?"

  Hua Tian Ge did not expect Huang Yun to be so understanding and reasonable, his eyes widened in surprise as he looked at Ning Qi.

  Ning several roads sank in thought for a moment, and smiled: "Yun'er's opinion is also Lao Fu's opinion."

  "That's great, that's great." Huatian Ge said with some gratitude. He had originally planned to add another disciple.

  The heroes of the rivers and lakes at various banquets are even more disappointed, not only is there no high-level confrontation, but even a trial by combat can't be had until three days later, it's simply a waste of time. Meng Qi's thoughts are similar to theirs, those who come to watch the excitement don't mind the trouble.

  For a moment, the hall was somewhat noisy.

  Huang Yun looked around in a circle, smiled and said: "The master of the Huamen, various heroes have waited for a long time. If we disperse now, it will inevitably hurt their enthusiasm. Why not let our school send three disciples to randomly select a few heroes to exchange pointers and fulfill everyone's wishes?"

  Hua Tian's face suddenly didn't look good, this was stealing the show, and Huang Yun could have chosen his own disciple. For now, he slapped him once, and three days later, he would slap him again.

  "Huang Shaoxia is indeed a high-ranking official!" Many onlookers jeered.

  Hua Tian Ge thought of the favor he had just granted to Huang Yun, and now turning his back on him would be criticized. The guests were also excited, so he smiled bitterly: "Huang Shao Xia is indeed considerate of others, please send your disciples out to guide us."

  Huang Yun gave a look to "Surprise Goose Sword" Luo Qiusheng, signaling him to come down.

  With sword in hand, his gaunt face devoid of flesh, Luo Qiusheng walked to the center of the banquet hall where a space had been deliberately cleared for a duel. He clasped his hands together: "I request that Brother Hu instruct me."

  As expected... Hua Tian Ge's heart sank, Luo Qiu Sheng's "Hu brother" was a disciple of one of the elders of Zeng Xian Men, and one of the three people who were scheduled to go into battle.

  Under the gaze of the crowd, the young man with the surname Hu could not refuse, drew his sword and charged into battle. The swords clashed, shining brightly as they exchanged blows, each side displaying their utmost skills, the sound of clashing steel ringing out continuously.

  "Good swordsmanship!" Wu Qin Xin and Shang Guan Han and others all praised in unison, apparently the two people's swordsmanship was quite extraordinary in their eyes.

  Meng Qi watched with great interest, muttering to himself: "Five flaws, six flaws, three flaws..."

  He wished he could go on stage and practice himself.

  In the heat of battle, Luo Qiusheng's sword sent Hu's son flying, causing him to stumble backward and crash into Meng Qi's banquet table.

  Meng Qi's long sword swept horizontally, blocking him and preventing him from knocking over the delicious food.

  Everyone's gaze was cast over, and they saw Meng Qi with a chicken leg in his mouth. His current image was like a firefly on a dark night, exceptionally "outstanding".

  Bad, didn't pose well! Meng Qi secretly regretted it.

  "Alright." The young man with the surname Hu said with a bow, his face flushed with shame.

  Luo Qiusheng turned his head and glanced at Huang Yun, seeing him nod slightly. He changed his target and no longer challenged the disciples of Zeng Xianmen, lest he be too deliberate. He looked around and pointed at Meng Qi, who was "outstanding": "This young master, are you willing to engage in a duel?"

  "Me?" Meng Qi put down the chicken leg bone and pointed to his own nose, saying that a small sword fight shouldn't reveal his identity...

  Luo Qiusheng's expressionless face squeezed out a faint smile: "Of course, let's just stop at the mention of it."

  Meng Qi took out his handkerchief, leisurely wiped his mouth and hands, then tossed the handkerchief onto the banquet table, beaming with a bright smile at Luo Qiu Sheng:

  "In that case, I won't be polite."