As a separate entity within the city, Wei Jie, a former outcast, is now considered a powerful figure in Qingmang City. His armored and well-equipped troops, along with his past military career, have made him a force to be reckoned with, even by the three major families.

In the past, Dao Chengyi was ignorant and had no concept of an army of hundreds of warriors. However, now that he has completed the collection of treasures in the Mu family's library, Dao Chengyi has become wary of this former military commander.

The carriage clattered forward and arrived at the city guard headquarters in Qingmang City. At this time, the place was already crowded with carriages and horses, and the noise of people coming and going was deafening. Three teams of armored soldiers with weapons were maintaining order. Each team consisted of five people, and the auras of each person were faintly connected, with vital energy flowing between them.

The special field radiation possessed by warriors belonging to the army is of the same origin as that of martial arts and is even more profound. They transform themselves into units and form military formations according to special formations, thereby simulating the meridian system to utilize vital energy.

Five elite warriors can form a small formation, hundreds of elite warriors can form a medium formation, five martial artists can easily defeat opponents of the same realm, hundreds of martial artists can suppress martial masters from the air, hundreds of military formations... destroying an entire family is not a dream.

For over four hundred years, Xinsu Town has cultivated countless armies and warriors. Coupled with the longevity inherent in martial arts, if we disregard the years of war, the strength and sharpness of its troops are unimaginable.

As he was thinking this, Dao Chengyi naturally got off the carriage, with Min Hao standing two steps behind him. The other servants did not follow.

However, one of the maids in the house, Youlan, who was naturally unrestrained, came out. She got out of the carriage carrying a wine jar. Today, she was dressed in a simple yet pure green maid's outfit.

The martial arts school's grooms, guided by the guards of the Wei family who were specifically responsible for maintaining order, arranged the carriages. Guests of different statuses either queued to register or entered the mansion first.

Normally, Dao Chengyi would be with the young masters and ladies of the Mu family or with his fellow martial arts brothers and sisters, but this time, Dao Chengyi was specially invited to the apprenticeship banquet.

It's likely that other families will test him at this banquet, but Dao Chengyi, with his strength, is not afraid. He takes out a gold-embossed invitation and casually presents the newly refined Four Flavors Wine Insect Wine as a gift, a rare item that can enhance a martial artist's internal energy.

"Hiss, Young Master Dao, it's an honor to meet you! This way, please! I'll personally show you to a seat!"

The head steward of the Wei family, Zhang Sheng, was in charge of receiving gifts from distinguished guests. He was a scholar whom Wei Jie had rescued during his time in the army. Unable to repay the debt, he became an official. He was eloquent, literate, and had known Wei Jie since the military camp, so he was highly trusted and served as the advisor and strategist for the city's defense forces.

At this moment, looking at the wine that Dao Chengyi handed over, he was also surprised. After all, pills that enhance internal energy are truly priceless, and wine that enhances internal energy is even rarer.

However, instead of being tactless and verifying it on the spot, he sent someone to collect it and verify it later. As a sign of respect, he also personally escorted Dao Chengyi to his seat.

It was more like a stroke of luck that things happened so coincidentally. The merchant's son, Shang Bolai, came over again, along with a group of people like him, though most of them were accompanied by their elders.

Upon seeing the gift from Dao Chengyi, their eyes showed varying degrees of surprise. Some looked disdainful, not believing it to be genuine, while others were filled with envy. Still others looked at Dao Chengyi with a hint of mockery, probably thinking that Dao Chengyi was just putting on a show for the sake of appearances at the expense of substance.

"Young friend, you seem to come from a wealthy family at such a young age. I wonder if you acquired this treasure by chance or through your unique craftsmanship?"

A representative from a second-rate family stepped forward to greet him warmly. Dao Cheng smiled but remained silent, shaking his head instead of speaking. Instead, he looked at the representative of the merchant family, the young lady who was still wearing a veil. Behind her was a maid whom Dao Cheng recognized openly. She was dignified and serious, holding a zither, unlike the mischievous girl he had seen that day.

“I will go with this Miss Shang, no need for you to trouble yourself, Steward Zhang.”

These words surprised not only the others, but also Zhang Sheng, who looked at the two with suspicion. Wasn't it said that Shang Bolai and Dao Chengyi had a grudge?

But why did Shang Bolai bow his head and remain silent like a grandson after the two met, while Miss Shang, who was always aloof from strangers, naturally acknowledge that they knew each other?

"It's been a long time. Fellow Daoist, your demeanor is even more impressive. If we were to exchange blows again, I'm afraid it would be decided in a single move."

"Moreover, the Fushan Martial Arts School truly produces many talented individuals; every person you meet is a prodigy, unlike my good-for-nothing cousin..."

"Sister Ci, let's go inside first. If we stay here, I'm afraid there will be a lot of gossip about you in the city tomorrow."

Shang Bolai quickly interrupted, fearing that it would lead to another denunciation, especially since the gazes of his friends behind him were burning him with rage. If it weren't for his cousin being there, he might have stubbornly stood his neck and opposed Dao Chengyi.

"Would it be alright if we could talk together, fellow Daoist?"

"There is nothing wrong with that."

Min Hao curiously sized up the young lady from the merchant family. She had her own ranking on the Louzhou character list and had also joined the Seven Laws Xuan Sect, a sect on par with the Mighty Bull Demon Sect. Moreover, her lineage came from the Xianle Palace in Zhongmu, Yuzhou, in the heart of the Central Plains.

This is certainly a prestigious sect, but at this critical juncture, they've come to the small town of Qingmang. I wonder if they've also come for that thing.

However, even such a prestigious sect cannot compare to Dao Chengyi. The Miss Shang that Zhen Tong saw was not fatal to Min Hao, and she was far inferior to Dao Chengyi.

The two people in the front row walked side by side, while there was a slightly awkward situation between the two maids in the back row. One was a chosen one of the Awakening Meat, and the other was a young master of a merchant family. The two of them felt that the other was not worthy of walking with them.

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