CHAPTER 46: CHAPTER 46: YOU ARE NOT WORTHY

Under the gaze of everyone, Gu Qingqing and her group slowly strolled in.

Gu Qingqing and her companions, being honored guests of Zhuo Tingqiu and having just presented him with such a significant birthday gift, could not possibly be neglected by either Zhuo Tingqiu or Zhuo Zhen Song. Thus, they were directly brought to the flower hall, only to hear Lan Weiguang speaking as they reached the entrance. Rong Ye, with his fiery temper, immediately retorted.

Upon entering the flower hall, Rong Ye’s gaze swept across the people inside, finally resting on Lan Weiguang.

"Was it you looking for me just now?" he asked Lan Weiguang, with a half-smile.

Lan Weiguang, an elder of the Lan Family, originally intended to use this opportunity to trouble Zhuo Zhen Song. Unexpectedly, Rong Ye overheard him and responded so rudely, leaving Lan Weiguang with an unpleasant expression.

"Who are you? Which sect do you belong to? A youngster like you, disrespecting your elder— is this how your elders taught you?" Lan Weiguang coldly stared at Rong Ye, his tone very displeased.

"You are not qualified to meddle in my affairs! Why don’t you just say why you were looking for me?" Rong Ye glanced at Lan Weiguang disdainfully, let Gu Qingqing sit, and stood lazily behind her as he spoke.

"You are utterly rude. Today, I will discipline you on behalf of your elders!" Humiliated by a junior in front of so many people, Lan Weiguang was furious and could not care about his initial intentions. After speaking, he made a move, sending a spirit blade flying towards Rong Ye.

"Oh ho, it seems your family really likes to launch sneak attacks!" Rong Ye was already aware of Lan Weiguang’s identity, recalling how Lan Shaoxin also struck first upon meeting Nan Hua. He blocked Lan Weiguang’s attack with a wave of his hand, taunting as he did.

Their spiritual power clashed mid-air, dissipating instantly, causing those around them to widen their eyes in disbelief.

Although Lan Weiguang’s attack seemed casual, he used seventy percent of his strength, intending to teach Rong Ye a good lesson. Unexpectedly, Rong Ye blocked it effortlessly, indicating Rong Ye’s cultivation was likely similar to his. Seeing someone so young with such power made Lan Weiguang’s face turn quite grim.

The other sects’ people watched Rong Ye in surprise. At first, they thought Rong Ye was just an insolent youth unaware of his actions, but who would have guessed he truly possessed skill? Everyone began to speculate quietly about Rong Ye’s origin.

"Elder Lan, these people are guests of the Zhuo Family. Please consider this and do not go too far." The Zhuo Family and the Lan Family were not on good terms, merely maintaining appearances. Lan Weiguang intentionally striking despite knowing Rong Ye and his companions were Zhuo Tingqiu’s friends was a direct provocation. Zhuo Zhen Song’s expression became stern.

Lan Weiguang had planned to use this incident to embarrass the Zhuo Family. However, Rong Ye turned out to be so formidable despite his youth, not to mention Zhuo Zhen Song’s unexpectedly high regard for them. Nevertheless, Lan Shaoxin’s matter could not be dismissed. He regretted mentioning it in front of everyone.

"It’s not that I’m going too far. My son, Shaoxin, had his arm severed by one of them. This cannot just be forgotten. Master Zhuo, you should not shelter them merely because of their association with your son." Lan Weiguang glanced at Zhuo Tingqiu, who was secretly slipping fruit to Gu Qingqing, and spoke with a threatening undertone.

"Your son ambushed this young master, and I only broke one of his arms. That’s lenient. What do you think it would take to settle this?" Nan Hua opened his fan, fanned himself, and with a temperatureless smile, looked at Lan Weiguang inquisitively.

"You broke my son’s arm. Then let me break one of yours, and we can call it even." Lan Weiguang, unaware of the coldness in Nan Hua’s eyes, said this as if it were the most natural thing.

Zhuo Zhen Song and Zhuo Tingqiu’s faces changed slightly, and others looked at Lan Weiguang in surprise, not expecting him to be so ruthless!

"Ha," Nan Hua chuckled softly, "My arm is right here. If you have the skills, come and take it!" He looked at Lan Weiguang, his tone chilling.

Lan Weiguang had never seen Nan Hua in action. Although he witnessed Rong Ye’s prowess, he didn’t believe Nan Hua was equally skilled. Provoked by Nan Hua’s words, he stood up from his chair and launched an attack.

The flower hall, though spacious, was packed, limiting maneuverability. Moreover, with Gu Qingqing inside, Nan Hua didn’t want her caught in the crossfire. Thus, he swiftly dodged out of the hall.

Seeing Nan Hua flee, Lan Weiguang hurriedly pursued him to an open space outside the flower hall.

People in the flower hall exchanged glances and followed them out, with Rong Ye carrying Gu Qingqing along.

On the open ground, the two engaged in fierce combat, attack after attack.

Lan Weiguang’s moves were vicious, aiming to thoroughly discipline Nan Hua and genuinely break his arm. Nan Hua, not to be outdone, had repressed his cultivation to avoid Heavenly Dao’s detection. Yet, even at the sixth rank peak, Nan Hua’s cultivation technique surpassed Lan Weiguang’s, leaving Lan Weiguang at a disadvantage.

Those outside observed Nan Hua holding his own against Lan Weiguang’s attacks, surprised by his prowess. Even Nalan Jin, who knew some information about Nan Hua’s group, was witnessing Nan Hua’s skills for the first time. Though appearing around the same age, Nalan Jin was no match for Nan Hua!

In less than half a quarter-hour, the duel ended with Nan Hua’s Glazed Frost Flower Fan pressed against Lan Weiguang’s neck. In Lan Weiguang’s shocked and furious eyes, Nan Hua smiled modestly, clutching Lan Weiguang’s arm with his other hand.

With a "crack," Nan Hua broke Lan Weiguang’s arm.

He released Lan Weiguang, who slumped to the ground, while Nan Hua folded his fan and took out a handkerchief to wipe his hands.

"I warned you. Shaoxin was fortunate to lose only one arm to me. The same goes for you." He looked down, towering over Lan Weiguang with a smile on his lips but an icy, murderous glint in his eyes.

Staring at Lan Weiguang, a moment of dread that he might die washed over him, causing his pupils to constrict, sweat to bead on his forehead, his body to tremble, and his breath to come in gasps, unable to speak.

A mocking glimmer flashed in Nan Hua’s eyes as he stood upright, turning back to Gu Qingqing’s side.

The open space fell silent, save for Lan Weiguang’s labored breathing and the sound of Gu Qingqing nibbling on snacks.

Everyone’s gaze involuntarily fixed on Nan Hua and his group. When Nan Hua gently wiped Gu Qingqing’s mouth, everyone felt disoriented, unable to reconcile it with the fierce man from moments before.

As the host, Zhuo Zhen Song couldn’t ignore Lan Weiguang’s plight. He instructed Housekeeper Lin to personally escort Lan Weiguang down and find a doctor for him, before inviting everyone back to the flower hall.

The flower hall soon regained its lively atmosphere, though everyone occasionally cast furtive glances at Nan Hua’s group. Some wished to converse with them but refrained upon realizing Nan Hua’s lack of interest in conversation, fearful of becoming the next Lan Weiguang, and speculated quietly about their identities.

Soon it was noon, and Zhuo Tingqiu’s birthday banquet officially began, prompting everyone in the flower hall to make their way to the banquet venue.