Obtaining Top Art on Family's Extermination Night

With each of the young man’s breaths, a watery current seemed to slowly flow.

As he slowly pressed his palms downward, it gradually receded into his body, returning to his Dantian.

He opened his eyes, and the temple priest’s heart skipped a beat.

The temple priest didn’t know why. There was clearly no killing intent in the young man’s eyes, yet a chill ran down his spine.

It was as if he weren’t looking at a pair of eyes, but into a bottomless abyss.

Gazing any longer felt like risking being pulled in completely.

Fortunately, the young man blinked a couple of times, and the feeling vanished.

The young man’s expression broke into a warm smile.

"Thank you for everything during this time."

"You’re too kind, Sir. If you hadn’t saved me, I would have been long dead.

"When you suddenly vanished a while back, it truly gave me a fright.

"Thankfully, heaven smiles upon good people like you..."

The temple priest rambled on.

The young man just smiled, paying it no mind, and asked:

"What about that group of people?"

"They’re still staying at the temple."

The temple priest said:

"I heard them say something big is happening in three days. They plan to leave first thing in the morning on that day."

"Mm."

The young man picked up the bowl of plain noodles and, with a loud SLURP, quickly finished it.

He set down his bowl and chopsticks and looked at the temple priest.

The temple priest paused.

"Sir, is something wrong?"

A bashful look appeared on the young man’s face as he said, a little embarrassed:

"Could I have another bowl?"

...

...

Beneath the surface calm, some were sharpening their blades, some were seething with rage, and others were biding their time...

Everyone was waiting for the Flower-Picking Conference, just three days away.

「Three days finally passed.」

Early this morning, all of Pojun City seemed to awaken at once.

Figures emerged from inns, the City God Temple, and every nook and cranny of the city’s streets and alleys.

They converged on the streets and filed silently out of the West City Gate.

A clearing had recently been made outside the West City Gate.

The Flower-Picking Conference didn’t issue invitations; anyone from the Jianghu was welcome to attend.

That was why the conference wasn’t being held inside Pojun City itself.

This clearing outside the West City Gate was the true venue!

Early that morning, Fang Shuwen led Fang Lingxin and Shui Qianrou into the crowd.

Chen Yan, meanwhile, sat nonchalantly atop his donkey, much to Shui Qianrou’s envy.

But that envy only lasted until they were outside the city gate.

The donkey was quite clever. It knew not to run wild inside the crowded city.

But once they were outside and the view opened up, it suddenly kicked up its heels and bolted.

Chen Yan’s nonchalant expression instantly vanished, replaced by wide eyes as he gripped the reins for dear life.

"Slow down, slow down...!

"You stupid donkey! You wretched beast! Go straight! Where are you going?

"Someone get their she-donkey out of the way...!"

His voice faded into the distance, and in the blink of an eye, he was gone.

Fang Shuwen and the two girls shaded their eyes to watch. After a moment, Fang Lingxin finally asked:

"Is he going to miss the conference?"

"...I reckon he doesn’t have the final say in the matter."

Fang Shuwen said with a laugh.

"That depends on Brother Donkey’s mood."

Shui Qianrou was laughing so hard she was nearly in tears.

"Chen Yan’s donkey is hilarious."

"Let’s go."

Fang Shuwen paid it no more mind. Chen Yan had been carried off by his donkey; it wasn’t as if he was going to go retrieve him.

Fang Lingxin then asked:

"When did Sect Leader Yu leave?"

"She left first thing this morning."

Fang Shuwen said:

"She didn’t come on this trip alone.

"A few Elders and disciples from Yuqing Pavilion came with her...

"Today is the start of the Flower-Picking Conference. The disciples of the Seven Sects are supposed to gather, so I imagine they have things to discuss."

Fang Lingxin gave Fang Shuwen a thoughtful look.

"This Sect Leader Yu and you, Master... OUCH!"

She couldn’t finish her sentence before she got a flick on the forehead.

Fang Lingxin’s eyes welled with tears.

"Master, if you keep hitting me on the head, you’re going to make me stupid!"

"It’s not like you were ever that smart to begin with. Maybe this will knock some sense into you."

Fang Shuwen shot her a look.

"Since when do you dare to gossip about your elders’ affairs?"

Fang Lingxin was momentarily speechless. ’In fact, looking back, I don’t even know how things ended up like this.’

’At first, I just thought of Fang Shuwen as a good friend I hadn’t seen in ages.’

’Slowly... how did he end up becoming my master?’

’And now look. I can’t even gossip a little.’

Fang Shuwen ignored her silent grumbling. Leading the older girl and the younger one, he didn’t have to walk far before they reached the conference grounds.

The clearing had been prepared, but in reality, there was nothing there besides a single raised platform.

And by now, even that platform was swallowed by the sea of people.

The crowd was dense. Shui Qianrou tried to look for her older brother, but there were simply too many people to find anyone.

So, Fang Shuwen simply picked her up and set her on his right shoulder.

The little girl now had a high vantage point, but unfortunately... all she could see were the tops of people’s heads.

She saw the backs of heads in front of her and faces behind her, but the crowd was so vast it was impossible to make anyone out.

Searching like this was like finding a needle in a haystack.

Meanwhile, the surrounding clamor was incessant.

People trying to push forward were met with resistance, and in turn, glared at those pushing them from behind.

After this happened a few times, conflicts inevitably broke out.

Suddenly, Fang Shuwen heard an old yet familiar voice shout:

"Outrageous! What family’s junior are you? How dare you block my path?

"Come on, state your lineage! Let me teach you a lesson on your master’s behalf!"

The voice was familiar, so Fang Shuwen looked in its direction.

Sure enough, he saw a short old man, fuming and putting on airs.

The person in front of him had been furious, but when he turned around, his expression changed instantly.

"Oh, it’s you, Senior! This junior wouldn’t dare block your path. Please, after you..."

People nearby heard the commotion and turned to look. Some of them paled and quickly cleared a path, while others were confused.

Then one of the confused onlookers heard someone explain:

"That old man is Gu Yuxian. His seniority is high and his Martial Arts are powerful. Don’t mess with him."

Hearing this, those who were blocking the way didn’t dare cause offense and quickly parted, allowing Gu Yuxian to pass unhindered.

Gu Yuxian snorted. With his hands clasped behind his back, he was just about to move forward when he suddenly heard a voice from behind:

"Old Man Gu, long time no see."