Just then—
A group of people appeared in the distance and soon arrived at the canyon entrance.
The Wang Patriarch cleared his throat, straightened his back, and shouted,
"This is the Fan Sect's territory. You there, state your name!"
However, the group on horseback showed no intention of slowing down and charged straight for the canyon.
"You're approaching Fan Sect territory."
The Wang Patriarch hastily shouted again, but the party still showed no sign of slowing. Gritting his teeth, he braced himself and stood in their path, spreading his arms and roaring, "You're approaching Fan Sect territor—"
Before he could finish, a Skeleton Horse came slamming into him, sending him flying. Darkness engulfed his vision, and he collapsed unconscious.
Their momentum undiminished, the party barreled on into the canyon.
In the blink of an eye, they crossed the thousand-meter canyon, into the abyss pit.
"Everyone's here, huh?"
A young man in a white robe emerged from a horse carriage, lifted the flap, and stepped out. He glanced at Chen Fan in the middle of the crowd and grinned playfully.
"Quite a lively party you're having?"
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Zhou Yi, the Young Master of the Alchemy Sect. I heard the Fan Sect slew an Eerie King, and I came to offer my congratulations."
He waved his hand.
His attendants carried out a chest of Eerie Stones and tossed it onto the heap of gifts, "Ten thousand Eerie Stones. Count them."
Then, he scanned the crowd until his gaze settled on Gongyang Yue, who was hiding behind Qi Yue. A gentle smile appeared on his face.
"I've been looking for you for so long. Finally found you."
"Gongyang Yue. The name suits your beauty."
With the Alchemy Sect Young Master's intrusion, an abrupt hush descended on the abyss pit, shattering the festive mood. No one spoke; everyone looked on in silence.
This was quite a generous gift. Ten thousand Eerie Stones. It exceeded what most of them had offered, but his tone was filled with undisguised disdain. To be blunt, he was here to spoil the celebration.
No one else uttered a word. The atmosphere had become delicate, with only Zhou Yi's voice echoing in the air.
"Everyone is here today to celebrate the Fan Sect's victory over the Eerie King," Qi Yue said, shielding Gongyang Yue behind him, glaring at the Young Master. "Is it right for you to come here and cause trouble?"
"Who is causing trouble?"
The Alchemy Sect Young Master turned to the crowd, pointing to the pile of gifts to one side. "Didn't I bring a gift? Ten thousand Eerie Stones—is that too little? How much did your Gongyang Clan bring? Let's hear it."
"And who are you? Do you even have a say here?"
"Forget it."
He suddenly slapped his forehead, looking apologetic as he gazed toward Chen Fan. "Maybe a little inappropriate, but I'm taking my fiancée, Gongyang Yue. I wonder if Sect Leader Chen minds it."
"Insolent!"
Gongyang Yiyue stepped forward, holding up the Death Banner with a somber face. "This is the Gongyang Clan's Death Banner. Anyone who takes Young Lady must step over my dead body."
"Alas."
The Alchemy Sect Young Master sighed, spreading his hands. "Gongyang Yiyue, the Gongyang Clan's Night Watcher—everyone knows you."
"But I have come prepared."
He produced a Formation Disk from his robes, smirking at Gongyang Yiyue. "Look, I have brought a little something from our Sect, the 'Heaven-Earth Formation Disk.' Once activated, nothing can breach it for a stick of incense's time. Go ahead. Try to activate. See if you can break the formation."
Just then—
Zhou Mo rode a Skeleton Horse into the abyss pit, bringing back the heavily injured Wang Patriarch, and set him down near Heyhey to share Holy Water.
"Oh, right. My apologies, I wasn't paying attention and seemed to have knocked a gatekeeper away."
"How about this?"
The Alchemy Sect Young Master rummaged in his robes and tossed out ten Level 2 Eerie Stones. "Here's a hundred Eerie Stones for compensation. I am a man of principle."
A suffocating silence claimed the abyss pit. Everyone remained quiet, glancing occasionally at Chen Fan. They were just here to offer congratulations and had no business getting involved. Though the man was arrogant, the Alchemy Sect was indeed one of the major powers in Riversouth, rivaling the King of Medicine Valley. They were not to be trifled with.
Apparently indignant, Qi Feng was about to open his mouth, but the old man pulled at his sleeve from behind, shaking his head to warn against interference. Furrowing his brows, Qi Feng felt inclined to speak out, but ultimately decided against it.
The Fan Sect was strong.
They had slain an Eerie King.
But having only just found their footing in the past rainy season, their foundation was weak. Especially after the battle with the Eerie King, it was yet unknown how much strength they had left. Under the pressure from the Alchemy Sect Young Master, they could only yield.
That was to be expected.
Everyone present was aware of what was coming; Chen Fan would lose face.
Generally, one wouldn't crash a celebration without deep hatred, but in the case of the Alchemy Sect Young Master, that seemed hardly surprising.
In this world, there were always people who seemed born to stir up drama.
"Forget it."
The Alchemy Sect Young Master smiled, climbing back into his carriage. "I was a bit extreme. Sect Leader Chen, please forgive me. We young people are impulsive; I'm sure you understand."
"After all, this is Fan Sect territory. Out of respect for you, Sect Leader Chen, I won't fight here. I'll wait for them outside the canyon."
"Let's go."
The carriage slowly trundled the way they had come, under everyone's gaze yet acting as if there were no one else around.
At this moment, the deathly hush in the abyss pit was broken.
"Sect Leader Chen, that guy is just like that. Spoiled since childhood, he lacks manners."
"The Fan Sect will definitely surpass the Alchemy Sect in the future; there's no doubt."
"As expected of Sect Leader Chen, so composed. If it were someone hot-tempered, they might have been provoked just now."
The crowd exchanged glances.
They gathered around, trying to preserve Chen Fan's dignity.
There was no other choice.
If the Alchemy Sect insisted on bullying a budding force, what could be done? All they had to do was endure.
"..."
Chen Fan, who had remained silent with a calm expression, looked at the groggily awakening Patriarch Wang. He motioned him over and asked, "Have you joined the Fan Sect?"
"Ye-yeah..." Patriarch Wang stammered, his body trembling with aches, nowhere near a full recovery. Getting knocked head over heels was too much for an aging man like him.
"Did you tell him this was Fan Sect territory?"
"Three times."
"I said it three times."
Chen Fan nodded slightly. Peering at the caravan on their way out of the canyon, he said softly, "They were warned three times, yet forced entry, wounded my disciple, and insulted my guests."
"He..."
"Actually thought he could leave?"
The next moment—
A Level 2 city wall rose from the ground at the canyon entrance, sealing the canyon and cutting off the Alchemy Sect's retreat.
Ps: Hey guys, I'm gonna take 3 days off. Hope that's cool with you.