Rise of a Lunar Legend

Soon after the auction ended, the grand hall began to empty. Cultivators from various backgrounds and levels moved slowly, taking cautious steps and casting furtive glances, mostly directed toward the upper booths where the leaders of the most influential families remained. The air was thick with tension, as everyone knew an encounter between the Tang and Shang families was inevitable.

And, as if fate wanted to heighten the atmosphere, the doors to the booths opened simultaneously.

On one side, Tang Wei, patriarch of the Tang family, walked with firm steps, accompanied by his daughter, Tang Chun Xi, whose calm expression masked her constant vigilance. Beside them, the enigmatic Liao Chen Wei radiated an aura of restrained power, his cold eyes analyzing the environment.

On the other side, Shang Hua-Yen, carrying the characteristic arrogance of the Shang family, stepped out with the experienced elder Shang Zhi, whose imposing posture reflected decades of cultivation and leadership.

As the two groups met at the entrance of the main hall, the murmurs ceased. All eyes turned toward what seemed to be an inevitable confrontation.

With an almost imperceptible smile, Shang Zhi took the first step, breaking the silence with a voice full of artificial courtesy: — "Patriarch Tang, what a pleasant surprise to see you here tonight. It seems the auction brought many moments of enjoyment for your family."

Tang Wei remained serene, his expression impassive. Before he could respond, Shang Zhi continued, his tone now laden with clearer provocation, — "I hope your family has made the most of the… little entertainments our youths provided us. After all, nights like this are rare, aren't they?"

Tang Wei's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't respond immediately. The tension in the air grew as Shang Zhi pressed further — "It's good that the juniors' antics brightened your night, Patriarch Tang. However, I wonder, how long will this good humor last?"

The murmurs resumed but abruptly ceased when Shang Zhi, ignoring Tang Wei and Tang Chun Xi, turned his attention to the man beside them.

— "And this gentleman would be…?" he asked, his voice tinged with curiosity and distrust.

Liao Chen Wei did not reply. His cold gaze met Shang Zhi's, and he let out a faint scoff, which resonated like thunder in the silence.

Shang Zhi's face hardened momentarily, but he quickly masked any sign of irritation. Internally, however, he was unsettled.

'Who is this man?' — Shang Zhi wondered, trying to gauge Liao Chen Wei's cultivation level. He felt a vague pressure around him but couldn't determine its depth. 'Is he using a concealment artifact, or does his level truly surpass mine?'

Before the elder could continue, a sharp voice interrupted his thoughts: — "Why waste time with these people, elder?"

All eyes turned to Shang Hua-Yen, who was glaring at Tang Chun Xi with disdain.

— "Fools clinging to something they cannot keep… Why not hand over the Amber Natal Milk now? That way, they can spare themselves the shame."

The hall fell into absolute silence. Even Shang Zhi gave Hua-Yen a surprised look, recognizing the young woman's unbridled audacity.

Liao Chen Wei finally reacted, stepping forward. His aura erupted overwhelmingly, pressing the environment to the point that weaker cultivators instinctively backed away.

— "Choose your words more carefully," he said, his voice low but charged with overwhelming authority.

Hua-Yen turned pale for a moment, but her pride wouldn't allow her to retreat.

Realizing the situation was about to spiral out of control, Shang Zhi intervened.

— "Young lady, mind your words. Do not underestimate someone you do not know."

He cautiously glanced at Liao Chen Wei before turning to Tang Wei.

— "Patriarch Tang, it seems our juniors have much to learn about respect. How about we end this encounter here? After all, tonight has been memorable for all of us."

Tang Wei maintained a firm but sarcastic tone: — "I agree. The younger generation does indeed need to learn how to behave. However, I must admit that tonight's spectacle was rather… educational."

With that, Tang Wei turned and began to leave, followed by Tang Chun Xi and Liao Chen Wei.

As the groups parted, murmurs resumed.

— "Who is that man? How powerful must he be to face Elder Shang Zhi like that?"

— "All I know is that Hua-Yen and her family should start curbing their arrogance."

From the top of his carriage, Li Feng-Yu observed as Shang Hua-Yen, visibly humiliated and furious, left the auction. Her entourage, composed of promising youths and loyal bodyguards, waited patiently for their leader's command.

With an ironic smile, he spoke, breaking the silence: — "The next Four Families Competition will be fascinating, don't you think? Now that Miss Shang Hua-Ren has become a direct disciple of the Valley of Spiritual Herbs, the balance of power has shifted. But…"

He paused, scanning the surroundings as his thoughts wandered.

— "…something tells me it will be even more interesting. After all, with that mysterious man by the Tang family's side, we can expect great surprises. Who knows, perhaps the Shang family will learn that arrogance doesn't always prevail."

One of the entourage members, a cultivator named Zhou Ming, responded cautiously: — "Young Master Li, Miss Hua-Ren is a genius recognized throughout the city. Do the Tang have anyone who could rival her?"

Li Feng-Yu chuckled briefly, but his eyes shone with something deeper: — "Don't underestimate Tang Chun Xi. Many overlook her, but her intelligence and determination can be lethal weapons. Moreover…"

He paused, recalling the figure of Liao Chen Wei, the man whose presence had silenced even Shang Zhi.

— "…with that man beside them, things have become more complicated."

Before Zhou Ming could reply, Li Feng-Yu gestured to his entourage and entered his carriage. As the vehicle began to move, he looked out the window, his thoughts drifting to Shang Hua-Ren, his passion.

— "I hope she returns soon for the competition… I want to see her again, even from a distance."

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Inside the luxurious carriage taking her back to the Shang family complex, Hua-Yen was visibly shaken. Her clenched fists trembled with rage, and her eyes shone with tears she refused to shed.

— "Hateful! How dare they humiliate me like that? Just wait until my sister returns! They'll crawl at my feet!"

Her words echoed within the carriage, but Elder Shang Zhi, sitting beside her, seemed unimpressed. Momentarily closing his eyes, he appeared to ignore the young woman's outburst of emotions.

Internally, Shang Zhi reflected skeptically: 'This girl is as foolish as she is proud. She acts without considering the consequences. Her arrogance is both a strength and a weakness. But… perhaps I can use it.'

Opening his eyes, he cast a calculating look at Hua-Yen and decided to fuel her anger, but in a directed manner: — "You're naive if you think your sister can resolve this alone. The difference in cultivation between her and that mysterious man is still significant. However, there are always ways to strike at enemies. Sometimes, their weakness lies in those around them."

Hua-Yen turned to him, her eyes now blazing with a mix of fury and determination.

— "Weakness? You mean that worthless Tang Chun Xi, don't you? I bet she's laughing at me right now!"

Shang Zhi rolled his eyes discreetly, thinking to himself: "Perfect. She's so easy to manipulate. With this blind rage, I can direct her against Tang Wei's daughter and, at the same time, weaken the Tang patriarch."

He continued: — "Yes, perhaps starting with her is the simplest path. After all, everyone knows Tang Chun Xi is her father's shadow. Why not make her the starting point to show that no one humiliates the Shang family with impunity?"

Hua-Yen gritted her teeth and nodded, now entirely focused on her revenge.

As the carriage advanced toward the Shang family complex, the elder smiled slightly, lost in his thoughts: 'Cultivators blinded by rage are perfect weapons in the right hands. And this girl is no exception.'

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Meanwhile, at the Tang family complex, Tang Chun Xi finally arrived at the main courtyard. Despite the tension of the night, her expression remained serene. She bid her father, Tang Wei, farewell with a slight nod and turned to Liao Chen Wei, who looked at her with an inscrutable expression.

— "Thank you for today, Uncle Chen. Your presence was invaluable."

Liao Chen Wei merely nodded, but his cold eyes seemed to soften briefly.

Tang Chun Xi quickly ascended the stairs and found her maid, Ah Tao, waiting for her in the hallway.

— "Miss! What a night it was! What happened at the auction?"

Chun Xi smiled slightly, placing a hand on the young maid's shoulder.

— "Ah Tao, I'm going to cultivate now. Don't let anyone disturb me."

Without waiting for a response, she walked into her room and closed the door.

Alone, Tang Chun Xi finally allowed her emotions to emerge. Her eyes narrowed as she stared out the window, the moonlight reflecting off her determined face.