Beast Taming: I Have an Immortal Mansion

This once high-profile youth had now become remarkably composed. Beside him stood several other Golden Core Cultivators dressed in the same fashion.

These Cultivators stood in a corner, silent and still. The other Golden Core Cultivators subconsciously kept their distance, so much so that an empty patch of floor had abruptly appeared around them in the crowded hall.

It was no wonder. This group, dressed uniformly in pure black, was silent, yet the gazes they cast upon others were as piercing and vicious as daggers. Fang Qingyuan felt that if anyone were to step forward and provoke them, a body would be on the floor the very next moment.

This was the authentic style of a Black Wind Valley Cultivator. By comparison, the person beside him seemed more like an imposter.

Fang Qingyuan glanced at Xiong Dai'Er out of the corner of his eye. He saw a faint smile grace her lips as her gaze swept over the group of Black Wind Valley Cultivators, after which she nonchalantly looked elsewhere.

'Strange. It seems Xiong Dai'Er isn't very familiar with these Black Wind Valley Cultivators.'

Before Fang Qingyuan could think on it further, a small disturbance broke out. Several Cultivators from the Celestial Justice Sect had started arguing with the Golden Core Cultivators from Black Wind Valley.

"What on earth was the Gui Family of Jixia City thinking, making such a mess of this trial? The participants are a mixed bag, letting any Tom, Dick, and Harry wander in."

A Golden Core Cultivator from the Celestial Justice Sect proclaimed this loudly. While he spoke of the Gui Family, his gaze lingered on the group from Black Wind Valley.

The onlookers who heard this burst out laughing. The Celestial Justice Sect and Black Wind Valley had always been mortal enemies, and this occasion was no exception. The only reason they hadn't come to blows immediately upon meeting was the Gui Family's overwhelming influence, which gave both sides pause.

Most of the Black Wind Valley members remained calm in the face of the mockery, but Tu Yuan lost his cool. He stepped forward and said to the Celestial Justice Sect Cultivator who had spoken:

"Your fly must be undone, 'friend,' because your little bird is sticking out. You Celestial Justice pig, are you just asking for me to curse you out?"

"You Black Wind dog, as expected, you can't help but spew filth. I didn't mention anyone by name, yet you're the one who starts slinging insults. How arrogant can you be?"

"Hmph. Just wait until we're inside the Land of Trial. I'll deal with you then, you hypocrite."

The Golden Core Cultivator from the Celestial Justice Sect was furious. Just as he was about to step forward to continue arguing, he was pushed aside. He looked closely and saw it was a Golden Core Cultivator dressed in a cyan lotus robe.

"You there, kid. How about you spar with me later?"

Tu Yuan's expression faltered as he faced the Golden Core Cultivator who had abruptly intervened. The reason was simple: the man was from the Cyan Lotus Sword Sect.

Sects on the unorthodox path, like Black Wind Valley, called the Sword Cultivators of the Cyan Lotus Sword Sect "madmen of the Taoist Sects." These Sword Cultivators had a self-proclaimed mission to "purge all demons with a single sword" and were notoriously ruthless when dealing with any Black Wind Valley Cultivator they had cause to punish.

Sometimes, the Black Wind Valley Cultivators couldn't help but wonder—given the brutal methods of the Cyan Lotus Sword Sect—which of the two was truly the unorthodox sect.

Tu Yuan had been bold enough to trade threats with the Celestial Justice Sect Cultivator, but now that he saw his new challenger was from the Cyan Lotus Sword Sect, he lost some of his nerve.

Just then, someone stepped forward to defuse the situation:

"Kuang Ge, come have a drink."

Hearing the vaguely familiar voice, Fang Qingyuan turned to see Chu Wen calling out to the Cyan Lotus Sword Sect Cultivator. In his left arm, he cradled the Seven-Star Sword, and in his right hand, he held a wine gourd.

Beside Chu Wen was an exceptionally handsome Male Cultivator, also mimicking him by taking a large swig of wine.