"Greetings, Buddha Fahai, Protector Duanmu!"

Hou Yuduan bowed in salutation, naturally followed by a large crowd behind him. However, unlike Hou Yuduan, the others were not as composed. Knowing the past grievances between Leiyin Temple and Hexi, they felt a chill running down their spine as soon as they heard it was Fahai who had arrived.

Would Buddha Fahai make a move directly?

A Martial Dao Saint, if he decides to act now, no one in the Tao City of Wangchuan could possibly stop him...

Of course, those with such thoughts have little insight into the current world affairs. There were still some who knew that Fahai, representing the New Moon Cult, would definitely refrain from taking action here, and thus felt no nervousness at all.

Fahai's heart was far from tranquil; seeing Hou Yuduan's face, which bore a seventy percent resemblance to Hou Yuxiao's, memories of Jianye Prefecture instantly surged into his mind. Despite having a cultivation akin to a Martial Dao Saint, the anger in his heart was unavoidable.

Hou Yuduan, maintaining the bowing posture, noticed the emotional fluctuations in Fahai, and his brow furrowed slightly, suddenly becoming alert.

Would a Martial Dao Saint truly have such low composure?

If Fahai fails to restrain himself and strikes now, Hou Yuduan's few life-saving techniques might not be effective.

"Fifth Master Hou, you're too kind."

Fortunately, Duanmu Hong spoke up.

Hou Yuduan sighed with relief and looked at Duanmu Hong, suddenly noticing a familiar young man in black beside him, which brought a strange expression to his face.

"The Saint Child Wuyuan is here as well!"

The first time Hou Yuduan met Zhantai Wuyuan was in Qingmiao City in Nanjiang, which is now Nanping Prefecture. Hou Yuduan infiltrated Qingmiao City to scout for the Hexi army's vanguard back then, and Zhantai Wuyuan was merely six years old at the time.

Later, when Nanping Prefecture surrendered and was renamed Baimiao City of Xiaqiu County, Zhantai Wuyuan reappeared as he is now, using the stick techniques his eldest brother excelled at to defeat his nephew Hou Wuji.

Though they interacted only twice, this Saint Child left a profound impression on Hou Yuduan. He was gifted, noble, and his stick techniques were extraordinary. Moreover, he was the son of Zhan Taiqing... Actually, there are many reasons why Zhantai Wuyuan left a deep impression, but strangely, Hou Yuduan's notable impression originates from something else:

For some reason, each time—yes, each time he sees Zhantai Wuyuan, a sense of familiarity arises within him...

Curious.

"Humph!"

While Hou Yuduan held a strong impression of Zhantai Wuyuan, Zhantai Wuyuan's impression of him was evidently unfavorable. Upon hearing Hou Yuduan's greeting, Zhantai Wuyuan adopted a disdainful expression, sneering coldly, which was quite disrespectful in front of so many people.

Hou Yuduan shook his head and chuckled softly. Of course, he wouldn't get into a quarrel with such an immature child. He could only find the situation amusing in his heart, extending an invitation to Fahai, Duanmu Hong, and others: "The residence is prepared with food and drink, please enjoy!"

Despite possessing a Martial Dao Saint's realm, Fahai's Qi nurturing technique was clearly inadequate. Even though Duanmu Hong stepped in to smooth things over and Hou Yuduan was endeavoring to preserve etiquette, Fahai remained indifferent. He didn't give Duanmu Hong any face, directly entering the Prefectural City of Wangchuan with two monks in tow, maintaining a cold expression all the while, exuding an aura of unapproachability.

It was hard to imagine that this was a Martial Dao Saint who stood at the pinnacle of the world.

In the center of Tao City, the main hall of the former Saint Heavenly Fist Sect, Fahai and his companions took their seats successively.

Hou Yuduan had indeed prepared the drinks and had also invited almost all notable figures within the Tao City of Wangchuan to accompany them. Fahai, Duanmu Hong, and even Saint Child Wuyuan were undeniably high-ranking in the New Moon Cult. Despite any other considerations, many were eager to curry favor with them, and the banquet quickly became lively with compliments lavished upon Fahai, Duanmu Hong, and Saint Child Wuyuan.

However, after three rounds of drinks, Hou Yuduan, holding his wine cup and observing the unchanged composure of Fahai and Duanmu Hong, felt his eyes flicker slightly before he actively broached the subject.

"I apologize for any inadequacy in hosting you two on your long journey north. If I may ask Buddha and Protector, is your visit to the capital to seek out my elder brother Hou Yuxiao?"

The reactions of the three figures differed noticeably upon hearing the name Hou Yuxiao.

Fahai, already stern-faced, had his pupils turn a shade of sinister.

A complex expression briefly flickered across Duanmu Hong's face.

As for the young Saint Child Wuyuan, he immediately put down his wine cup, his expression revealing a hint of resentment. Evidently, he recalled the many unpleasant encounters he'd had with Hou Yuxiao.

Seeing the three remain silent, Hou Yuduan had basically figured things out.

Their intended destination is likely only one possibility, but what he wanted to discern was why the New Moon Cult was seeking out his elder brother at this juncture. Learning of the three's arrival and arranging this banquet had been for precisely this purpose, and he had posed that question merely as a stepping stone to uncover the New Moon Cult's intentions later on.

Just as he was about to continue probing, Duanmu Hong spoke directly.

"The Sect Hierarch has ordered us to proceed to the capital to seek out Hou... the State Preceptor, to discuss matters!"

State Preceptor had become Hou Yuxiao's title, known to everyone throughout Shenzhou, prompting Duanmu Hong to change his address appropriately.