Chapter 177

But arms ultimately can't twist thighs, a master can't contend with innate talent; after a quarter hour, when the two walked out of the hall neat and tidy, Fen Tian's eyes were full of resentment.

"Wearing men's clothes is also for convenience; later, when there are many people in the sect, a woman dressing flamboyantly will have no mind for affairs."

"Not only do you have to wear men's clothes; for internal stability we'll also set a rule: henceforth, any female disciple joining my Divine Sect must wear men's clothes at all times except in private."

Walking down the corridor to the audience hall, Niu Dingtian thought for a moment and gave the highest order to Fen Tian beside him.

This isn't to satisfy his own peculiar fetish; he thinks standardizing women's uniforms is necessary.

Otherwise, what would a bunch of coquettish girls look like? It would severely drag down the unit's combat power.

But Fen Tian didn't think so; this guy's honeyed words aside, when he threatened her just now in the room, his gaze almost devoured her.

If he hadn't complied with this person's unreasonable demand, who knows what outrageous act he might have committed.

"Pervert!"

Fen Tian clenched his teeth and muttered a curse.

"What did you say? Change what?" As soon as the words fell, Niu Dingtian poked his ears and gave a sideways glance.

Fen Tian's ears turned red as he turned his head away, ignoring him further.

By the way, what's the reaction of Old Master Su and the others now? Are they willing to submit?

Niu Dingtian put away his joking thoughts and solemnly looked at Fen Tian beside him.

Speaking honestly, he was still very envious of the three old men's strength.

If he could sincerely gain three more peak master-level experts, the Divine Sect would absolutely be a king's opening hand, unquestionably the number one sect under heaven.

Like Miss Huang, Xiao Ying Han and the other women, although their martial arts have improved, they ultimately lack rich experience in high-level jianghu intrigue, and when dealing with external affairs they are nowhere near as adept as the three old foxes.

Like Zhu Chong and others of his ilk, although experienced and smooth in handling matters, limited by their martial arts strength, their vision and thought are inevitably somewhat narrow.

Nevertheless, they are worth cultivating well.

Hearing this, Fen Tian glanced at Niu Dingtian, his face showing some hesitation.

"How? Do they want to die?"

Niu Dingtian raised his eyebrows and said.

If the old stubborn fool really wants to die, he wouldn't mind saving some grain.

Fen Tian stopped in his tracks, hesitating as he said: "Submission can be done, but there are conditions."

"I told Old Su and the others, following your meaning, the causes of death of the past Mingzun of the Manichaean Sect; they said you are also a member of the Manichaean Sect and should go to the palace to take revenge. As long as the revenge is exacted, you can command them thereafter."

"That's a good idea," Niu Dingtian said with a light smile, "Go tell them they can agree, but I also have conditions."

"Out of respect for you, first let them come out and work honestly for me; if they fail to exact revenge within three years, I'll let them go. If they dare to harbor ulterior motives and sneak away…"

Saying this, Niu Dingtian's face turned slightly cold as he softly snorted: "Then I'll also let them taste what it's like to be a Mingzun."

Fen Tian heard this, felt sullen, but didn't say anything.

"You really intend to go?"

Afterward, her limpid beautiful eyes involuntarily turned to Niu Dingtian as she softly said: "I've never seen anyone capable of killing a Mingzun, but whenever a Mingzun appears, even if all the sect's Dharma King emissaries join forces, they cannot withstand more than a hundred moves."

"Are you worried about me?"

Niu Dingtian's heart stirred slightly; looking at Fen Tian's eyes, he found it hard to look away.

Since seeing her in that handsome yet beautiful outfit, no matter where I look at her, I can't help but feel my heart stir.

Could it be that I really have a uniform fetish? Niu Dingtian couldn't help but think.

Upon hearing Niu Dingtian's words, Fen Tian's gaze darted aside, he slightly turned his head away, yet did not deny it.

Upon careful thought, having grown accustomed to these days here, she dare not imagine what she would become if one day this guy suddenly disappeared.

Indeed, once someone has a mastermind, most people are unwilling to waste thought on their own future.

Seeing this, Niu Dingtian stepped forward, and Fen Tian followed; he chuckled: "Once the team expands, I won't need to seek him out—he'll come to me on his own; I still have that awareness."

"With my current strength, only people like them would pose a threat; once fully prepared, rather than sit and wait for death, it's better to take the initiative."

Saying this, Niu Dingtian suddenly turned his head, looking at Fen Tian's delicate profile, and smiled:

"Who knows, one day I might still be able to take you to Lin'an City to experience the taste of sitting on the dragon throne."

……

While they were talking, they soon arrived outside the audience hall.

"Have the Beggars' Sect also come?"

From afar, seeing Yi Deng, Hong Qigong, and Huang Lao Xie sitting at a table chatting happily, Niu Dingtian lowered his voice to ask Fen Tian.

"Today's banquet invitations were sent to all sects that rushed to Xiangyang; only the Shaolin Temple people didn't come," Fen Tian explained softly.

"That Master Juexing lives alone in the guesthouse, having a bowl of noodles in the morning, a bowl at noon, and likely another bowl now."

Niu Dingtian gave a slight nod.

As for this old monk whose character has changed greatly, today aside from using the toilet, every move of his is under control.

I fear he might be colluding with some mysterious force to cause trouble—same old cliché from a past life; we must guard against it.

"The Divine Sect's sect leader has arrived!"

Outside the audience hall, a loud, ringing shout suddenly rang out, instantly silencing the previously noisy hall.

The next moment, everyone rose to their feet and curiously looked toward the hall's door.

Then they saw a young man with a face like bright stars, clad in a black-red cloud-patterned robe, slowly stepping into the hall.

"He's so young..."

"Is this their sect leader?"

"His bearing is extraordinary,"

"He resembles a noble lord's son from some household."

"I heard he killed quite a few people outside the city last night."

Most of the people in the hall had never seen Niu Dingtian before; upon seeing his youthful appearance, many began to whisper, but most of them were young people.

Seeing this, the headmaster of the Qingcheng Sect, He Dao Jun, first glared at his own disciples. Could it be that simply being young on the surface would allow several legendary Five Absolutes to wait here? Likewise, Qinglingzi, who had just succeeded as headmaster of the Kunlun Sect to the side, also used his gaze to stop his junior fellow disciples.

Speaking of which, he is also a young man.

Two years ago, his master died in seclusion; as the senior brother, he had the highest martial arts and could only shoulder the burden. However, in the Western Regions, the Kunlun Sect has long been oppressed and bullied by the White Camel Manor, making it hard to grow.

Upon hearing that a young expert in the Central Plains capable of suppressing the Five Absolutes was about to establish a sect, he without hesitation immediately sent people to bring a great gift, hoping to make connections; how could he offend them over details?

At the hall entrance. Unbothered by the murmuring, Niu Dingtian smiled and cupped his fists to both sides; as he stepped into the hall, a faint aura emanating from him made the entire hall fall silent.

Walking to the innermost spot and turning to stand firm, Niu Kui took a sheet of paper, his expression solemn, walked to one side, and loudly announced: "Island Master Huang Yaoshi of Peach Blossom Island!"

"Grand Master Yideng of Dali!"

"Imperial Envoy Li Gonggong!"

"Envoy Guo Lei of Mongolia!"

"Chief of the Beggar Sect, Hong Qi!"

"Leader of the Quanzhen Sect, Danyangzi!"

"Grand Master Tanhuada of Fahua Temple on Mount Wutai!"

"Leader of the Kongtong Sect, Feisuzi!"

"Chief of the Iron Palm Sect, Qiu Qianchi!"

".........."

".........."

"Young Master of the Jiaxing Lu Villa,"

".......... Lu Zhan yuan!"

After reciting over a hundred names, Niu Kui let out a breath, and Lu Zhan yuan, seated at a table around the hall, also let out a breath.

In the end, the gift was not wasted; previously only the Taihu Lu Villa was known in the jianghu, but now his Jiaxing Lu Villa also got to show its face among the martial arts heroes.

Inside, there was one table.

Li Gonggong looked at the table full of young people, only keeping a stern face and saying nothing. Of course, he wanted to speak but couldn't, nor could he move.

His earlier pallid complexion had now become much rosier; even the right hand severed by Niu Dingtian had been fitted with an iron hand, complete with five sharp claws.

"Everyone!"

Niu Dingtian cupped his fists toward the crowd.

He loudly said, "I have been in seclusion for many days; all affairs of the sect are handled by the vice sect leader. Please forgive any negligence!"

After saying that, he cupped his fists again and continued, "You have come from afar; I am deeply grateful. Regardless of martial arts strength or sect power, and regardless of past grudges, your presence is a favor to me."

"Tonight we will have a small gathering; please eat and drink well. After tomorrow's grand ceremony, the Divine Sect will hold a martial arts gathering to make friends with wine, hosting a martial arts conference! We will then re-rank the jianghu!"

"Let the feast begin!"

"Good!!!"

With the call to begin the feast, the hall filled with cheers, and it became lively once again.

These days, the jianghu martial world has been too quiet for long; although there are strong experts and no lack of fights, they are merely petty squabbles, overall giving a feeling of lifeless stagnation.

Yet a gathering like this, capable of moving both top masters and ordinary jianghu folk, occurs only once in several decades; no one would not be happy.

"Master of White Camel Manor,"

".......... Ouyang Feng has arrived!"

The crowd had just taken their seats when a loud announcement came from outside the hall. Hearing it, they all put down their cups and looked toward the hall door.

"Hahaha~ Ouyang Feng arrives late; please forgive me, Sect Leader Niu!"

Ouyang Feng's voice rang out, resonant like metal, echoing in the hall.

Upon entering the hall, everyone saw that behind him he was leading a group of people carrying eight large chests.

"Open them!"

Ouyang Feng ignored the astonished looks of the crowd and waved at his attendants.

"Hiss~"

"He is indeed a venerable Five Absolutes figure! His generosity is immense!"

"What a grand gesture~"

As the eight chests were opened, a dazzling spread of jewels and glittering gold flashed, instantly dazzling everyone's eyes.

Seeing this, Ouyang Feng smiled satisfactorily, cupped his fists toward Niu Dingtian, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "To prepare the congratulatory gift, I am a step late; please do not take offense, Sect Leader Niu."

"Originally, to bring good luck, I prepared six chests for Sect Leader Niu. However, upon arriving in Xiangyang today I learned that my worthless nephew inadvertently offended Sect Leader Niu."

"So in haste I prepared two more chests: one to congratulate Sect Leader Niu, and another to apologize to him; please do not regard him as you would that ignorant child."

After saying that, Ouyang Feng cupped his fists again.

Seeing this, the guests in the hall began to whisper among themselves.

Who would have thought that the renowned "Western Poison" Ouyang Feng would give such a heavy gift, speaking so courteously and properly—this is totally unlike his reputation!

No wonder, after all he is a grandmaster; the three seated—East Heretic, Southern Emperor, Northern Beggar—are chatting happily; how bad could his "Western Poison" possibly be? Most people in the hall thought silently.

Only the Kunlun Sect headmaster Qinglingzi and his two junior fellow disciples beside him stared at Ouyang Feng with eyes full of resentment.

This man has killed many of their Kunlun Sect members; because the two sects are close, many of their disciples have even been captured to become snake slaves and snake women.

Moreover, the leader of the Kongtong Sect, Feisuzi, also slightly furrowed his brow.

The Kunlun and Kongtong sects, like White Camel Manor, are deep in the Western Regions; they naturally know Ouyang Feng's true character and behavior well, but none dare speak it outright.

"Mr. Ouyang is courteous."

Niu Dingtian returned the salute with a half-smile, never expecting that Ouyang Feng would actually dare to come.

However, the old poisonous creature is truly cunning; giving him such a generous gift openly is surely just to rely on public opinion in the jianghu to protect his life.

If I today so much as act overbearing, I will leave an extremely bad impression on the martial artists present. Rumors are rumors, but what one sees with one's own eyes is different.

You Sun Moon Divine Sect today won't even let off such humble and generous Ouyang Feng; will you still regard us small sects as people in the future?

This is also because transportation between south and north in this era is extremely inconvenient. Like the far-western Western Regions, aside from a small number of merchants who frequently travel back and forth, very few people inquire about it.

Merchants, seeking protection, would naturally not publicize the evil deeds of White Camel Manor; aside from a few who understand, the Central Plains martial world naturally would hardly know its true reputation.

"It's just a minor misunderstanding, Mr. Ouyang, please take a seat here." Niu Dingtian's eyes twinkled as he smilingly invited Ouyang Feng to sit beside Yi Deng.

Afterwards, he again gave Niu Kui a glance.

These several large chests of valuables are worth considerably more than what Tie Muzhen sent; only a fool would refuse them.

However, this was again borrowed from some local tycoon outside the city by Lao Duwu; he wouldn't dare borrow even ten courages from him inside Xiangyang City. (End of chapter)