For a period of time afterward, Wang Die felt as though she were dreaming, her entire being immersed in an illusion.
She numbly buried the dragon脉, sealed the barrier, and then meticulously cleaned all the remains in the mausoleum.
While doing all this, Wang Die had an extremely unreal sensation.
Everything had gone too smoothly.
The strength Ye Ling displayed was far too formidable!
Having personally experienced such an event, Wang Die found herself unable to adequately describe her emotions.
As Wang Die was handling the aftermath at the mausoleum, Zhuge Feng, with the dragon脉 now calm, was finally able to extricate himself. As the sect leader of the Wuhou Sect and the head of the Zhuge family, he attended the banquet that was rightfully his.
The birthday banquet, which had become somewhat awkward due to Zhuge Feng's absence, regained its liveliness with his appearance.
Everyone acted as if they had forgotten all the unpleasantness that had transpired, offering their birthday wishes to Zhuge Feng and seeking to make a good impression.
Regardless, Zhuge Feng, as one of the few eighth-rank mystics in China today, coupled with the Wuhou Sect's unique Qimen formations, had kept the sect at the apex of China's power structure, commanding immense prestige.
Apart from those secretly arranged by the Yun Palace with ulterior motives, all other factions present had come with the intention of forging some connection with the Wuhou Sect.
Generally speaking, within their circles, any sect, even a third-rate one, would see its status skyrocket and its affairs greatly improve with the patronage of the Wuhou Sect.
Zhuge Feng was naturally aware that the people present were there with their own agendas, not out of genuine birthday wishes.
However, as they had organized this banquet to showcase the Wuhou Sect's power, Zhuge Feng greeted their insincere felicitations with a smile.
After attending to his guests, Zhuge Feng, in order to further demonstrate the Wuhou Sect's might, arranged for the disciples of the Wuhou Sect to perform their Zhuge family's unique skills on stage.
As the Wuhou Sect disciples showcased their Qimen formations before the assembled crowd, waves of gasps echoed throughout the vast estate.
All the mystics present grew envious of the Zhuge family's profound techniques, but alongside their envy, their apprehension towards the Wuhou Sect's strength also deepened.
The performers on stage were all disciples of the Wuhou Sect, yet their displayed prowess surpassed that of most sect leaders in attendance!
This overwhelming, almost condescending display made the leaders of various factions profoundly realize just how formidable the Wuhou Sect truly was!
In an instant, many malicious intentions were dispelled.
Zhuge Feng sat in the main seat, watching the Wuhou Sect disciples perform on stage, his eyes filled with a smile.
Sitting beside him, Zhuge Ning was equally pleased with the reactions of the factions in the audience and said to Zhuge Feng with a smile, "Sect Leader, although this birthday banquet encountered a slight issue, the results appear to be quite good so far."
"Moreover, a disciple just reported that the monetary gifts we received today have already matched our revenue for ten years. After today, our Wuhou Sect should solidify its position as the foremost sect in China."
"Once that happens, various petty individuals will not dare to offend us, and the pressure of guarding the dragon脉 will be significantly reduced."
"Mm..."
Upon hearing Zhuge Ning's words, Zhuge Feng nodded with satisfaction, his smile uncontainable.
Regardless of the banquet's overall success, the mere fact that the dragon脉 had suddenly stabilized, allowing him to extricate himself, and even enabling him to add another layer of restriction to the dragon脉's seal, filled Zhuge Feng with immense joy.
Subsequently, Zhuge Feng seemed to recall something and asked Zhuge Ning, "By the way, when the sect leader of Zhengyi Sect, Zhang Mingyu, came to wish me a happy birthday, he told me to be careful. Did something happen?"
Zhuge Ning smiled and replied, "They said the Yun Palace would cause trouble during the banquet, and that one-third of the attending factions intended for our Wuhou Sect to perish. However, up until now, we haven't seen any sign of the Yun Palace. I believe it's just alarmist talk."
"How could the majority of the factions present, whose sect leaders are not even as skilled as our Wuhou Sect disciples, dare to attack my Wuhou Sect?"
Zhuge Ning was exceptionally confident in the Wuhou Sect's strength and did not take the Zhengyi Sect's warning to heart. He merely instructed the Wuhou Sect disciples responsible for security to heighten their vigilance and report any incidents immediately.
Speaking further, Zhuge Ning continued, "Regarding the potential attack from the Yun Palace, I think the one who needs to worry the most is Wang Die. Wang Die, as the head of a branch of the Yun Palace and being in Xichuan, has not been seen at this banquet, which is already halfway through. It's possible she's lurking somewhere, plotting mischief."
For most of the Zhuge family members, Wang Die's desecration of their ancestral shrine was an act of utter defiance. Many in the Zhuge family viewed Wang Die as their mortal enemy.
Furthermore, they were all well aware that the deaths of Wang Die's parents were connected to their Zhuge family, and they did not expect Wang Die to be benevolent towards them.
In the eyes of all Zhuge family members, they and Wang Die were locked in an irreconcilable conflict.
Upon hearing Zhuge Ning's words, Zhuge Feng's brow furrowed, clearly displeased with Zhuge Ning's statement. However, considering Zhuge Ning had worked tirelessly for the banquet and that without him, this celebration wouldn't have been possible, Zhuge Feng could not reprimand him and could only remain silent.
As for the matter of the Yun Palace attacking the Wuhou Sect, Zhuge Feng did not take it seriously either.
In Zhuge Feng's view, the only threat the Yun Palace posed to him was its Palace Master, Feng Li. However, the Yun Palace was an overseas force, and Feng Li needed to oversee the Yun Palace's headquarters, making it unlikely for him to come to China.
Even if Feng Li were determined to enter China and cause trouble at his Wuhou Sect, the hidden Crimson Immortals of China would not allow Feng Li to cross the national border easily.
As long as Feng Li did not come, within the Wuhou Sect's home territory, even if all the factions present were to combine forces, Zhuge Feng, with the Wuhou Qimen formations at his disposal, would not fear any challenge.
"It's almost time. I should go up and say a few words." Seeing that the Wuhou Sect disciples' performances were nearing their end, Zhuge Feng stood up and leaped onto the high platform.
As Zhuge Feng ascended, he instantly captured the attention of all the mystics present, becoming the focal point of everyone's gaze.
Zhuge Feng cleared his throat, and without a microphone, he used his spiritual energy to amplify his voice, calling out loudly, "Today marks my hundredth birthday banquet. I thank everyone for attending..."
As Zhuge Feng began to speak, his voice resonated in everyone's ears, clear and resonant.
His vitality was brimming!
In an instant, everyone was awestruck by Zhuge Feng's profound spiritual energy!
With this display alone, everyone felt that Zhuge Feng was likely the foremost individual in China today, second only to the Crimson Immortals!
Zhuge Feng was very pleased with the guests' reactions. He gathered his true qi and was about to continue his speech when he felt an extremely powerful aura descending from the heavens!
"Zhuge Feng, I apologize for being late to your hundredth birthday banquet!"
His deep voice, like thunder from the heavens, fell with each word, resounding through the estate and causing the eardrums of countless guests to ring!
Zhuge Feng felt the formidable aura and his expression changed dramatically. He looked up at the sky in shock, only to see a palanquin carried by sixteen people descending from above!
And seated in the center of the palanquin was a barefoot youth in white robes and black hair, his eyes blood-red, a smile on his lips, his long hair dancing in the wind.
An overwhelming pressure emanated from the youth, pressing down upon the Wuhou Sect, causing all ten thousand mystics present to gasp for breath!
The entire scene was thrown into disarray!
A flicker of terror flashed in Zhuge Feng's eyes, "How could he have gotten here?"
The one who had arrived...
Was none other than the Palace Master of the Yun Palace, Feng Li!