Chapter 129: A Sudden Upheaval at the Birthday Banquet

"I'll go over and say hello."

Taking a deep breath, Lu Shaoyou walked up to Xie Lingyan, cupped his fists, and said, "Lady Xie, it's been a long time."

Xie Lingyan smiled slightly and replied, "So it is Brother Lu."

The Sky River Sect and the Four Ultimates Sect had always been at odds; he had not expected to see a disciple of the Four Ultimates Sect at Song Yang's birthday banquet.

That single smile caused Lu Shaoyou's heart to flutter and ripple with emotion.

Many people stepped forward to converse with Xie Lingyan. After all, she was not only one of the Three Elites, but she also had the formidable backing of the illustrious Xie family.

Lu Shaoyou walked up and exchanged a couple of pleasantries, but soon found himself unable to insert a word into the conversation.

Shortly after, more and more experts entered the venue.

Xiang Yunsheng, the third elder of the Tower Beyond Towers, also arrived, and the Wang family dispatched an honored guest to deliver a congratulatory birthday gift.

It was not until noon that the banquet officially commenced.

The grand hall was filled to the brim with wine tables. Dressed in ceremonial attire and beaming with smiles, Song Yang sat at the very center of the hall. Surrounded by numerous disciples, guests continually stepped forward to offer him longevity blessings.

Yang Xing secretly observed this top-tier expert. Clad in a long black robe that accentuated his slender figure, Song Yang possessed bright, piercing eyes that gleamed with vigor.

All the fierce aura around his body was completely restrained, concealing his sharp edges, making him look entirely like an ordinary old man.

Yet Yang Xing knew that this seemingly 'ordinary' elder possessed the profound cultivation of the perfected Upper Dan Energy realm. In the entire Hezhong Prefecture, the number of people who could steadily defeat him could be counted on one hand.

"Everyone!"

Song Yang stood up, and the surrounding area instantly grew quiet.

He then began to deliver some mild, perfunctory remarks, thanking everyone for attending his birthday banquet, and concluded by looking forward to the future of the Sky River Sect.

His words instantly drew waves of thunderous applause and cheers from the Sky River Sect disciples.

Meanwhile, the expressions of those attending the banquet subtly shifted.

"With the Sky River Sect acquiring Floating Cloud Mountain, their strength will likely grow exponentially."

"After these twenty years, there is no doubt that the Sky River Sect will hold supreme sway over Hezhong Prefecture."

"It is said that Song Yang even sent an invitation to Xi Yanzheng, but the latter refused to accept it."

"Handing over a treasure mountain like Floating Cloud Mountain on a silver platter? If I were in his shoes, I wouldn't accept it either."

...

Yang Xing and Lu Shaoyou exchanged glances, both remaining silent.

Under the arrangement of the Sky River Sect disciples, the birthday banquet was exceptionally lively.

The most dazzling figure in the entire hall was undoubtedly Song Yang of the Sky River Sect, followed by other luminaries such as Xiang Yunsheng from the Tower Beyond Towers, the aforementioned guest from the Wang family, Shi Ting known as the 'Twin Staff Supremacy', and the master of the Sword-Wending Sect—all of them experts at the Upper Dan Energy realm.

Furthermore, top-tier young talents of Hezhong Prefecture such as Xie Lingyan, Zhen Li, and Duan Anyu also drew considerable attention.

Lu Shaoyou appeared entirely 'unremarkable' amidst such a crowd, to say nothing of Yang Xing, whose reputation was virtually unknown.

"Clang!"

Right at that moment, the shattering sound of a wine cup suddenly rang out.

"What is the meaning of this?!"

Everyone lifted their heads, gazing toward the source of the noise.

"Does an old wretch like Song Yang even deserve to celebrate a birthday?"

Two Sky River Sect disciples were seen dragging a young man toward the outside of the hall. The young man hurled curses at the top of his lungs, his tone filled with righteous indignation.

Fei Ziyun feigned composure, smiled, and said, "It is merely a petty troublemaker. Everyone, please pay him no mind."

Hearing this, many people remained indifferent, though a small fraction frowned slightly. Could this young man be a madman, daring to cause a disturbance at the birthday banquet of the 'Great Luo Hand' Song Yang?

How on earth had he managed to sneak in?

"You are nothing more than a bunch of decrepit old fools with one foot in the grave!"

Being dragged along by the two Sky River Sect disciples, the young man roared to the surrounding crowd, "The Sky River Sect colludes with the Return to Origin Cult, committing all sorts of atrocities and bringing disaster to the country and its people. Every single one of you will sooner or later die at his hands!"

*Swish!*

As soon as those words fell, the expressions of all the heroes present changed dramatically in shock.

The Return to Origin Cult was a supreme taboo within the Jianghu underworld.

"Impudent!"

Baili Ziyun bellowed furiously, stepping forward to grab the young man by the collar. "How dare you spout nonsense and hurl dirty slander at our Sky River Sect's birthday banquet? This old man will execute you with a single palm strike first!"

As he spoke, the surging Sky River energy within Baili Ziyun erupted violently, and he slammed his palm directly toward the crown of the young man's head.

"Wait!"

Zhen Li hurriedly shouted.

However, Baili Ziyun was far too fast. His palm struck the young man's skull with devastating force. The terror of a full-strength blow from an Upper Dan Energy expert was indescribable; with a choked gasp, the young man died on the spot.

"You!"

Zhen Li's expression turned somewhat unsightly.

"This fellow was merely a madman. Do not let yourselves be deceived by his wild babbling," Baili Ziyun said, dusting off his hands and instructing, "Men, drag this corpse away and clean up the bloodstains."

By now, the crowd had been thoroughly startled by the young man's words, and everyone wore deeply furrowed brows.

Everyone present knew all too well just how terrifying the Return to Origin Cult was.

Once the Return to Origin Cult managed to truly sink its roots, it acted like a malignant tumor—not only extremely difficult to eradicate, but expanding at a ferocious speed, quickly swallowing up local Jianghu forces.

After all, ordinary martial artists required years of grueling, step-by-step toil to cultivate their craft, whereas demonic sects like the Return to Origin Cult utilized human vital blood and essence to refine pills, allowing people to effortlessly acquire formidable power.

"The Sky River Sect's collusion with the Return to Origin Cult is the absolute truth!"

Right at that moment, another resounding shout echoed through the hall.

The speaker was a middle-aged man with grayish-white hair. Standing up, he declared, "I am Wang Xin, formerly an inner sect deacon of the Sky River Sect. Three years ago, under the orders of Baili Ziyun, I was sent to garrison the city of Yan..."

"The Chasing Wind Saber, Wang Xin! He is the Chasing Wind Saber of the Sky River Sect!"

Immediately, someone recognized the man's identity.

"Scoundrel!"

Hearing this, a murderous intent flashed in Baili Ziyun's eyes.

Zhen Li hurriedly reached out a hand and said, "Wait. Let him finish."

Baili Ziyun said coldly, "It is merely wild rambling meant to confuse the public and distort the truth. Why bother listening?"

The master of the Sword-Wending Sect also chimed in, "Since everything he says is supposedly false, let us listen to just how absurd his lies are. After all, this matter concerns the Return to Origin Cult, and it is no trivial affair."

Song Yang's expression also turned gloomy. Waving his hand, he commanded, "Let him speak!"

Wang Xin's eyes were bloodshot as he shouted, "I originally thought that going to Yan City was to select talented disciples for the sect, but I never expected that we were actually assisting the Return to Origin Cult in spreading their teachings. And their preaching was, in truth, merely a front to refine 'Yin Pills' and 'Yang Pellets'! I witnessed with my own eyes an entire village—hundreds of men, women, and children—endure unspeakable torture and die in humiliation!"

"Whenever local government officials launched an investigation, the Sky River Sect would step in, applying pressure from the shadows, and the matter would quickly be swept under the rug and forgotten."

"Furthermore, the Return to Origin Cult is exceptionally cunning; they never preach twice in the same city, which is why their deeds are rarely exposed. Even when exposed, they were quickly suppressed under the protective umbrella of the Sky River Sect's immense power."

"Today, the Return to Origin Cult has already grown and flourished within Hezhong Prefecture, successfully taking root. And the chief culprit behind all of this is none other than the Sky River Sect!"

At this, Wang Xin pointed directly at Song Yang with a face full of fury.

"The Chasing Wind Saber Wang Xin is an expert of the Sky River Sect!"

"Could it be... that the Sky River Sect really has colluded with the Return to Origin Cult?"

"For the Return to Origin Cult to take root in Hezhong Prefecture, things behind the scenes must certainly not be simple."

"Heavens, if this is true, it is utterly terrifying."

...

Even the experts present now wore expressions of skepticism and doubt.

After all, for the Return to Origin Cult to finally surface meant that the waters beneath had long been churning in absolute filth, too foul to behold.

Now that Hezhong Prefecture had been infiltrated by the Return to Origin Cult, many suspected that someone must be collaborating with them; without the help of local tyrants, how could the cult have ever developed to this extent?

Yang Xing's brows were also tightly knit. He had not expected today's birthday banquet to feature such an explosive turn of events.

Could the Sky River Sect genuinely be connected to the Return to Origin Cult?

Whether this was false or true, if it was false, the mastermind behind the plot must have been planning it for a very long time.

And if it was true, it was even more terrifying.

Song Yang flew into a towering rage, shouting, "Utter nonsense!"

He knew full well that any faction entangled with the Return to Origin Cult would inevitably be met with universal revulsion and condemnation by their peers in the Jianghu.

Baili Ziyun roared, "This traitor to our sect is distorting the truth and causing chaos. His crimes are unforgivable! Kill him!"

Several Sky River Sect experts lunged toward Wang Xin.

"I never intended to leave here alive today! Everyone, I'll be waiting for you down below!"

How could Wang Xin possibly match the combined might of the Sky River Sect experts? Just before his death, he let out a cry of grief and indignation.

Hearing these words, the surrounding guests felt a chill creep into their hearts.

Could the Sky River Sect truly be silencing witnesses to cover up their crimes?

Zhen Li furrowed his brow deeply. "Senior Baili, wasn't your hand a bit too swift?"

"His words are entirely untrustworthy."

Baili Ziyun snorted coldly. "Would you condemn the Sky River Sect for colluding with the Return to Origin Cult based merely on the unilateral words of a traitor?"

Zhen Li fell silent and said nothing more.

Although Wang Xin was an expert of the Sky River Sect and had personally accused them of colluding with the cult, convicting the Sky River Sect without conclusive physical evidence was still unrealistic.

Taking a deep breath, Song Yang cupped his fists toward the surrounding crowd and said, "This man's accusations are pure fabrication. Our Sky River Sect is an upright and righteous school, enjoying centuries of renown in Hezhong Prefecture. How could we ever associate with the Return to Origin Cult?"

The heroes present wore hesitant expressions and remained silent; only a tiny handful of people who maintained close ties with the Sky River Sect chimed in with supportive murmurs.

Ultimately, the birthday banquet ended in discord.

Experts from various factions hastily rushed down the mountain, as if fearing that lingering even a moment longer would trap them there.

"Today's events are far from simple."

Though Yang Xing's face remained expressionless, a deep sense of unease settled in his heart.

It felt as though a major storm was about to break.

Right at that moment, Lu Shaoyou slammed his right fist into his left palm and said, "Junior Brother Yang, your words just reminded me of something."

Yang Xing asked, "Reminded you of what?"

Without answering, Lu Shaoyou pushed his way through the crowd and walked toward Xie Lingyan.

"Lady Xie."

Xie Lingyan turned around, her bright eyes fixing on Lu Shaoyou. "Brother Lu, is something the matter?"

Lu Shaoyou smiled slightly. "Today's affairs are hardly ordinary. I was hoping to have a long, heart-to-heart conversation with Lady Xie, to delve deeply into this matter together..."

"There is no need."

Xie Lingyan offered a polite, distant smile.

"Then..."

The smile on Lu Shaoyou's face stiffened slightly, and his expression turned somewhat unnatural.

"Brother Lu, I know your intentions."

Xie Lingyan tilted her head, her breathtakingly gorgeous face capable of stealing one's breath. She continued, "You are exceptionally talented, a prominent figure among the younger generation of Hezhong..."

Hearing this from the side, Yang Xing shook his head.

Lu Shaoyou lowered his head slightly, his mood plummeting into depression.

"...Therefore, you deserve someone much better," Xie Lingyan's lips curved into a smile, "...rather than someone as exceptional as myself."

With those words, she turned and walked down the mountain, leaving behind only a breathtaking silhouette.

Lu Shaoyou's mouth hung slightly open, leaving him completely frozen in place.