The Tantai Clan was the overlord of the Nine Dragons Upper Realm.
Its territory was the largest among all forces in the realm.
Moreover, the Tantai Clan’s domain was off-limits to outsiders. Compared to the Chu Clan, their security was stricter—within a thousand li of their borders, no other forces were allowed to station themselves or even approach.
The people of the Nine Dragons Upper Realm called this the “dual boundary.”
Yet recently, individuals kept crossing this dual boundary, heading toward Tantai Clan territory.
These were all members of the younger generation, each with notable talent, and most backed by forces tied to the Tantai Clan.
Their presence here was, of course, due to the gathering hosted by Tantai Xing’er.
However, the event wasn’t actually held within Tantai Clan territory but just outside its borders.
There stood a massive mountain, its walls like bronze and iron. Passing through it revealed a hidden paradise.
It was said to be breathtakingly beautiful.
Though the Nine Dragons Upper Realm boasted countless stunning landscapes, they reportedly paled in comparison to this mountain sanctuary—a true earthly paradise, a secluded haven.
Thus, it was known as the “Mountain Peach Haven.”
This was the venue for the younger generation’s gathering.
Tantai Clan members guarded the entrance, teaching those with invitations the method to enter. With this, everyone could smoothly pass through the mountain into the haven.
Though the mountain was vast, the Peach Haven itself was small.
It could hold only a few thousand people.
While not large, its scenery was exquisite. Even those accustomed to beauty couldn’t help but be captivated upon arriving.
For this gathering, such a space was more than sufficient.
By now, the haven was packed with young talents—nearly all the invitees had arrived.
Yet Tantai Xing’er had yet to appear, stirring discontent among some.
Take Gong Mingyue and the Gong Clan’s younger generation, who’d been here for a while.
“Why invite us here if Miss Tantai Xing’er doesn’t even show up?” a Gong Clan member muttered, his tone thick with irritation.
“Dare to say that? Are you looking for trouble on Tantai Clan turf?” a cold voice suddenly snapped from behind.
The Gong Clan member’s face drained of color.
He hadn’t used a private transmission—though his voice was low, he’d assumed only those nearby could hear amid the crowd’s noise.
But now, an outsider had caught it—a disaster, given no one dared truly offend the Tantai Clan.
“Don’t panic—it’s me.”
Just as the Gong Clan member panicked, the voice softened, the chill giving way to a chuckle.
Looking closer, Gong Mingyue’s gaze turned icy. She knew the speaker—as did the other Gong Clan youths.
It was Xu Morong of the Xu Clan.
He was the one who’d clashed with Chu Feng at Ice Summit Peak and ordered Xu Clan members to target the Chu Clan at every turn.
Xu Morong was also one of Gong Mingyue’s persistent suitors, clinging to her like a leech whenever they met. Coupled with his notorious playboy reputation, Gong Mingyue and her clanmates found him utterly repulsive.
Now, Xu Morong wasn’t alone—he was trailed by Xu Clan youths and a motley crew from other clans.
Despite his infamy, Xu Morong had plenty of cronies and held sway in the Nine Dragons Upper Realm’s younger circles.
Spotting him, Gong Mingyue glared, then turned away, unwilling to engage or even speak.
Unfazed, Xu Morong flashed a fawning smile and sidled up to her. “Oh, Mingyue-meimei, why no greeting when you see me?”
“Got something to say? And we’re not related—don’t call me ‘little sister,’” Gong Mingyue replied coldly.
“Mingyue-meimei, come on, we’ve practically grown up together. Sure, you played at your house and I at mine, but that’s still childhood friends. What’s wrong with calling you ‘little sister’?” Xu Morong leered at her shamelessly, his gaze roaming where others wouldn’t dare.
The Gong Clan youths bristled, but they held their tongues.
“I’m warning you, Xu Morong—stay away,” Gong Mingyue said, shooting him a frigid glare before turning to leave.
“Why so cold? Don’t tell me you’ve really fallen for that son of Chu Xuanyuan?” Xu Morong called out, deliberately raising his voice so all could hear.
He meant to stir the pot!
Gong Mingyue’s expression shifted. “Xu Morong, what nonsense are you spouting?” she snapped.
She despised her engagement to Chu Feng and wanted it kept secret.
Especially here, in the Mountain Peach Haven, filled not just with Nine Dragons Upper Realm elites but also invitees from other realms.
Having this news spread in such a place was the last thing she wanted.
But it was too late—Xu Morong’s words had grabbed everyone’s attention. People edged closer, and even those who didn’t turned their eyes toward them.
“Son of Chu Xuanyuan”—those five words sparked curiosity in everyone, even these prideful prodigies.
Facing the crowd’s stares, Xu Morong grew bolder, raising his voice again.
“Mingyue-meimei, I’ve heard you’re engaged to someone from the Chu Clan—the son of Chu Xuanyuan, Chu Feng!”
Whoa
The crowd erupted.
