Apart from Lu Shaojie, everyone else had a "Are you kidding me?" look on their faces.
Just a wooden carving? Is it worth exchanging a spot for the Fusion Source Body Refinement? Is it worth going to such lengths to ask so many people for help?
"Gentlemen, you may not know this..." Tie Li raised his head, his expression serious, and said in a deep voice, "This wood carving may be worthless to you, but..."
Suddenly, Shen Yunhao thought of something, raised a finger, and widened his eyes, saying, "Could it be a token of love given to you by your first love? That's why it's so meaningful to you?"
"Pfft—cough cough cough..."
Before Tie Li could react, Bai Xiaoruo, who was calming herself down by drinking water, was so amused by Shen Yunhao's words that she spat out her tea, coughing repeatedly. She patted her chest and scolded, "Can you please not disturb people... ouch..."
However, halfway through her sentence, she let out another suppressed gasp, her whole body suddenly trembled, and she immediately lowered her head, lying face down on the table without saying a word!
Her slightly trembling shoulders and flushed neck revealed the kind of "attack" she was currently enduring.
That bastard… wait until the banquet is over! I’m going to kill him!
Tie Li, caught off guard by Shen Yunhao's words, quickly waved his hand, "Brother Mu, you're joking! It has nothing to do with me personally. It's something our clan's third elder cherishes greatly! I heard it's an antique passed down from many years ago, and it holds extraordinary sentimental value for him, which is why... he was in such a hurry to retrieve it..."
Upon hearing this, a knowing glint flashed in Shen Yunhao's eyes.
The collateral branch's young master, the clan elder, and the body-refining quotas that should have been allocated to the direct line's elites were used as bargaining chips...
All these elements combined clearly indicate that this is not a simple theft case at all; it is most likely involved in a power struggle and succession contest within the Mountain Moving Clan!
Tie Li most likely intends to use these external forces to curry favor with the elders in power within the clan, or as leverage to gain an advantage in the clan's internal competition...
Shen Yunhao finally understood why most of those invited this time were not the most prominent figures in the clan...
"This banquet is getting more and more interesting..."
A subtle smile curved Shen Yunhao's lips, and his movements under the table became much gentler, soothing the somewhat agitated little fox.
Bai Xiaoruo glanced back at him, and let out a very low hum from her pert nose.
Now you want to curry favor? Too late!
Shen Yunhao wasn't the only one on the field who shared this thought.
Those who stand out among the major forces of the demon race and are sent to participate in such gatherings are certainly not stupid, even if they are not the most outstanding among the direct descendants.
Moreover, the demon race values bloodlines and inheritance, and their internal power struggles and succession battles are often more direct and brutal than those of human dynasties, something everyone present was well aware of.
Tang Xi raised her slender finger and gently tapped her delicate chin. A hint of amusement flickered in her dark green vertical pupils as she spoke, "Young Master Tie Li, after hearing so much from you, I still have one more question to ask."
Tie Li quickly composed himself and replied, "Miss Tang, please speak freely!"
“If I remember correctly,” Tang Xi’s red lips curved slightly, her voice carrying a serpentine slickness, “Tie Yan of the Mountain Moving Clan should be your cousin, right? I’ve met him a few times and he left a deep impression on me. I wonder… where is Young Master Tie Yan now? Why hasn’t he shown up for such an important matter?”
The moment the name "Tie Yan" was uttered, the atmosphere in the room instantly became somewhat subtle.
Those slower-reacting demon princes immediately understood upon hearing the name, and their gazes toward Tie Li suddenly became intriguing.
Although Shen Yunhao had never heard of this person, he could vaguely guess who he was.
He still pretended to lean close to Bai Xiaoruo's ear and whispered, "And who exactly is this Tie Yan?"
Bai Xiaoruo rolled her eyes, hesitated for a moment, and then, considering that his hand was still relatively "well-behaved," lowered her voice and replied, "The direct descendant of the Mountain Moving Clan's Ape King, the most outstanding among his peers, with talent surpassing even Xixi and that pretentious guy, and quite well-known among the younger generation in Lizhou..."
"Tie Yan? That name..."
Shen Yunhao rubbed his chin and muttered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "It's a pity he's a monkey spirit, otherwise I would have thought he would be carrying around an old man, always saying 'Don't underestimate a young man'..."
"Tch!" Bai Xiaoruo naturally understood the joke in his words and spat in annoyance, but she was too lazy to pay attention to him and continued to bury half of her face in her arms, looking bored.
On the other side, Tie Li's expression became more serious after Tang Xi directly pointed out the key point. Finally, he sighed and said, "My cousin... entered the 'Bone Flame Lava Cave' a few days ago and started the Fusion Source Body Refinement ahead of the other clansmen. He is currently in seclusion."
Everyone suddenly realized.
The eldest brother of the direct lineage was in seclusion for cultivation, which gave these "little brothers" an opportunity to take advantage of the situation. This operation was nothing more than an attempt to make merit with the help of external forces while Tie Yan was away, so as to win more resources from the clan.
However, upon hearing this, Shen Yunhao simply shook his head slightly.
Bai Xiaoruo noticed this and couldn't help but whisper curiously, "Why are you shaking your head? Is there something wrong with what he said?"
“No…” Shen Yunhao responded in a low voice, “What he said is probably true, but his efforts are destined to be in vain.”
"Huh? Why?"
"The Body Refinement of the Fusion Source is a major event held once every ten years by the Mountain Moving Clan. However, this Tie Yan was able to start the Body Refinement earlier than all other clansmen, which is enough to show his high status in the clan. Even if Tie Li is lucky enough to find the wooden carving this time and please that Third Elder, it will be difficult for him to compete with him."
Bai Xiaoruo nodded upon hearing this: "That makes sense... Anyway, it's none of our business. Let their clan do whatever they want. We can just watch the show."
"Who says it's none of our business?"
A meaningful smile appeared on Shen Yunhao's lips.
At this moment, he suddenly raised his voice and said loudly, "Since Brother Tie is so sincere in offering such a precious spot for Body Refining through Fusion Source, it would be unfriendly of us to refuse! Rest assured, we will do our best to help! I have promised on behalf of my sister Xiaoruo that we will do our utmost to help Brother Tie find that wooden carving!"
Everyone: "..."
Bai Xiaoruo: "!!!"
The little fox was so shocked that it jumped up from the table, its peach blossom eyes wide open, staring at Shen Yunhao in disbelief.
However, before she could react, Tang Xi chuckled and said, "Young Master Mu is quite the straightforward one! But this Fusion Source Body Refinement is indeed a rare opportunity for us demons. Since Young Master Tie has extended such a generous invitation with such sincerity, I will naturally accept it."
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