After the turmoil at the Four Seas Auction House, Qin Ya returned to the Heaven-Reaching Tower. He requested a batch of medicinal herbs from the World Medicine Association and went into seclusion to begin Refining the Muddy Water Black Lotus.

And while Qin Ya was in seclusion, a storm was brewing over all of Lieyang City.

Setting aside the series of disturbances Qin Ya had caused, a single topic now dominated the conversations of merchants and commoners in every street and alley of Lieyang City: the summit of the Three Great Noble Families!

Along the southern coastline of the Celestial Dragon Sea Region lay over a hundred cities of varying sizes. From among these cities arose the three clans that dominated the region: the Shangguan Family, the Ouyang Family, and the Mu Family. These Three Great Noble Families met once every ten years to discuss the allocation of power and territory among the hundred cities.

This time, the meeting place for the three families’ summit was Lieyang City.

In recent days, many new faces had appeared in Lieyang City. Most were young scions of the Three Great Noble Families, sent by their clans to attend the summit.

At a banquet on the second floor of the Sea View Tower.

"Brother Ouyang, come, let me toast you."

Shangguan Lie raised his wine cup toward a young man in a brocade robe seated opposite him and drained it in one go. The young man smiled faintly, drank his own wine, then said to Shangguan Lie, "Brother Shangguan, it’s been two years. Your Cultivation has improved significantly."

"You flatter me, Brother Ouyang," Shangguan Lie said. "How could my meager progress possibly compare to the renowned Ouyang Hua? You’re one of the most outstanding talents of the younger generation in the hundred cities. Aside from a select few, who could possibly be your match?"

A smug smile spread across Ouyang Hua’s face. "Hahaha," he laughed. "Not to brag, but while I may not be able to match the experts of the older generation, there are indeed very few among my peers who are my rival."

His face was a mask of arrogance, his eyes sweeping over everyone with disdain.

At his side, several of his clansmen immediately chimed in with flattery.

"Of course. Not just anyone can compare with Brother Ouyang’s Talent."

"Forget the younger generation! With Brother Ouyang’s Talent, it’s only a matter of time before he surpasses even the Martial Artists of the older generation, haha!"

"Brother Ouyang, your talent is truly without equal!"

The fawning words of his clansmen made Ouyang Hua even more pleased with himself. An air of haughty pride radiated from him, making him the center of attention.

Many others in the restaurant had taken notice of their group.

At that moment, a Martial Artist muttered, "’Talent without equal?’ What a joke. Compared to Qin Ya, on what grounds do these guys dare to be so proud of their talent?"

Although the Martial Artist’s voice wasn’t loud, he hadn’t tried to conceal it. With their Cultivation having long reached the Celestial Essence Realm, Ouyang Hua and his companions heard every word clearly.

Instantly, their smug expressions froze, replaced by dark scowls.

One of the Ouyang Family’s Martial Artists shot to his feet, pointed at the man, and bellowed, "What did you just say? Do you have any idea who we are?"

The Martial Artist was a Loose Cultivator with no power or influence; how could he dare to antagonize one of the Noble Families? He immediately slapped himself lightly on the mouth a few times and forced a smile. "My apologies, I have a big mouth. I have a big mouth."

Shangguan Lie laughed. "Brothers from the Ouyang Family, calm yourselves. Why bother with such idle gossip? Come, let’s keep drinking."

Ouyang Hua looked displeased and left the wine in his cup untouched. He had heard the name Qin Ya a few times and hadn’t thought much of it, but to be publicly compared and found wanting... one could only imagine his foul mood.

"Brother Shangguan, is this man truly as formidable as the rumors claim?"

A devious glint flashed in Shangguan Lie’s eyes before he sighed in resignation. "Though I hate to admit it, I have to say he truly is a rare prodigy. He’s already reached the Extraordinary Realm at such a young age. It’s just..."

He trailed off, then sighed again. "Ah, never mind. It’s better not to say."

Shangguan Lie’s ploy had thoroughly piqued the Ouyang Family members’ curiosity. They were practically dying to know what he was holding back. Ouyang Hua immediately pressed him, "Brother Shangguan, ’it’s just’ what?"

Shangguan Lie feigned hesitation for a moment before saying, "I’m not one to gossip, but since you’ve asked, Brother Ouyang, I won’t hide the truth from you."

Hearing this, the Ouyang Family members cursed inwardly. ’What a shameless hypocrite, wanting to play the saint after acting the whore.’ Outwardly, however, Ouyang Hua said, "Brother Shangguan, your noble character is famous throughout the hundred cities. Please, speak your mind."

"You flatter me, Brother Ouyang."

Shangguan Lie said through gritted teeth, "That Qin Ya may be a prodigy, but he is utterly without virtue or morals! He has no martial honor, looks down on everyone, and is arrogance personified..."

As if recalling some deep-seated grudge, his eyes filled with resentment, turning increasingly bloodshot until he crushed the wine cup in his hand to dust.

The members of the Ouyang Family exchanged stunned glances.

’Good heavens, Shangguan Lie’s grudge runs deep.’

"My apologies for that display," Shangguan Lie said, composing himself. "I do have some past grievances with Qin Ya, but I swear on my honor that everything I’ve said is true, without the slightest exaggeration."

"Heh, of course I believe you."

"Yes, we’ve heard a few things about Qin Ya’s bad reputation as well."

"Please continue, Brother Shangguan."

Shangguan Lie cleared his throat and continued. "Ever since Qin Ya arrived in Lieyang City... well, let’s start at Hai Kou. He openly defied the rules established by the Three Great Noble Families and refused to pay the Primordial Stone fee. He’s just a Loose Cultivator, yet he commands a Top Level Profound Vessel! When I went to inquire, he relied on his Martial Power and gave me a brutal beating."

"Ai, it was humiliating," he sighed. "After he entered Lieyang City, my Shangguan Family, hoping to avoid further trouble, sent my seventh brother, Shangguan Hao, to negotiate a truce. But he was completely unreasonable and even threatened to kill one of our Shangguan Family Elders!"

"And that’s not all. Using some unknown method, he managed to get into the good graces of Lin Liyu, the Tower Master of the Heaven-Reaching Tower here in Lieyang City. Just a few days ago, at the Four Seas Auction House, he relied on Tower Master Lin’s support to run his mouth off, acting with boundless arrogance."

After finishing his tale, Shangguan Lie sighed once more. "This Qin Ya is truly detestable. Of course, all of you are from the Ouyang Family, and you’re here in Lieyang City for the summit with Celestial Human Elders for protection. My Shangguan Family is here as well, so there’s no need to worry. Still, if you happen to run into him, you should be careful."

Ouyang Hua snorted. "Hmph! What a character, this Qin Ya. So arrogant and lawless. If he ever runs into me, I’ll be sure to teach him a lesson and make him understand that these hundred cities are the territory of our Three Great Noble Families!"

"His Cultivation has reached the Extraordinary Realm. Brother Ouyang, don’t let your emotions get the better of you."

"Don’t worry, Brother Shangguan. As if he’d dare to lay a hand on me! Besides, he’s just a Martial Artist who recently broke through to the Extraordinary Realm. My second brother, Ouyang Zhen, reached the Extraordinary Realm four years ago. Suppressing this upstart would be child’s play for him."

"Your second brother’s strength is indeed extraordinary."

Shangguan Lie smiled. "Come, everyone, drink up."

After the banquet, the guests gradually dispersed. Shangguan Lie remained seated upstairs, watching Ouyang Hua’s group depart with a cold sneer playing on his lips. Just then, the Martial Artist who had first mentioned Qin Ya approached with a sycophantic grin. "Third Young Master, about that..."

Shangguan Lie shot him a disdainful glance, then took out a pile of Primordial Stones and tossed them in front of the man. "You did well. This is your reward."

"Thank you, thank you, Young Master."