Chapter 1676 — Another Parting

As for the higher, ancient level, the struggle between the Ice Palace and the Mystic Elixir Sect had nothing whatsoever to do with the hidden Tang family.

Wei Zhao had successfully created momentum and borrowed momentum as well. Without his own elusive martial technique, without that Heaven-rank beauty sitting there, he would probably never have made it out through the Tang family's gates today. But now, not only had he gotten out, he had even stamped all over Tang Lingtou several times.

Yet Wei Zhao felt no joy in his heart. Instead, he was filled with an intense longing for greater strength. If he had been a Heaven-rank expert himself today, he would have slain the Mystic Elixir Sect's envoy without hesitation, rather than merely teaching him a lesson.

Bingtang, Xiaoqing, Tang Yun's parents, and Xiaoming followed Xiaoming toward the banquet hall's entrance...

What should have been a joyous occasion for the hidden Tang family had been so thoroughly spoiled by Wei Zhao that no one retained the slightest appetite for celebration. Old Master Tang let out a faint sigh. Truly, the human heart was never satisfied; even a snake would try to swallow an elephant. Had he known this would happen, he would never have rushed to cultivate ties with the Ice Palace. Then none of this would have happened, and the hidden Tang family would not have offended the Ice Palace for no reason.

Although Wei Zhao and the others had left, the banquet could no longer continue after that disruption. Many of the ceremonies that should have taken place were simply omitted. The feast began in haste and ended in haste, and throughout the entire affair it looked nothing like a birthday celebration. It was more like a funeral banquet. No one dared say much. Everyone wore a gloomy expression, lowered their heads, and ate in silence.

The Mystic Elixir Sect's envoy also left after Wei Zhao and the others departed, having already lost face earlier. Although the Tang family had ultimately chosen the Mystic Elixir Sect and driven Wei Zhao's group away, the envoy felt not the slightest sense of victory.

When the birthday banquet ended, Old Master Tang quietly gave Tang Lingtou a few instructions. Tang Lingtou then walked onto the platform once more and addressed the assembled guests. "I hope everyone will keep today's events to yourselves and not let a word of this get out. This concerns the Mystic Elixir Sect's reputation. You all understand the consequences."

These people were all relatives and clansmen of the Tang family, and in their daily lives they depended on the Tang family for their livelihood. Since Tang Lingtou had given the order, they naturally would not go around gossiping. And with the Mystic Elixir Sect's reputation involved, they absolutely could not say a word. No one had a death wish.

Thus, once Tang Lingtou had finished speaking, they all nodded hurriedly, not daring to voice the slightest objection.

The people from the hidden You family also did not linger after the banquet. They accompanied the Mystic Elixir Sect's envoy and left ahead of everyone else.

Of course, You Zhentian held no particular grudge against the hidden Tang family. They had left so hurriedly because they had to accompany the Mystic Elixir Sect's envoy. They could hardly let the envoy depart alone, could they?

By comparison, You Zhentian was fairly satisfied with the hidden Tang family's choice that day. From now on, the hidden Tang family was effectively bound to the interests of both the hidden You family and the Mystic Elixir Sect. They had no other choice and could never turn back.

It was only after Wei Zhao returned to the hotel that he finally let out a long breath. What he had done today had indeed been rather risky. Looking at Bingtang, who sat across from him with an enigmatic smile, Wei Zhao felt distinctly uncomfortable. "Heaven-rank beauty, why are you looking at me?"

"I never expected you to open my eyes today. You even dared to strike someone from the Mystic Elixir Sect. Aren't you afraid they'll retaliate afterward?" Bingtang found Wei Zhao increasingly difficult to understand. At times, this man could set aside his status and dignity for certain things, even begging for her sympathy on behalf of Feng Xiaoxiao.

Yet at other times, he would rather die than submit. He would rather oppose the Mystic Elixir Sect than bend himself to seek safety. In any case, Wei Zhao had done it all for Feng Xiaoxiao, for the woman he loved. That made Bingtang regard him in a new light, and she no longer felt that Wei Zhao was unworthy of Feng Xiaoxiao.

At the very least, everything he had done was worthy of Feng Xiaoxiao's devoted love.

"If they retaliate, it'll be against you. I'm only a minor figure. For the time being, they won't come looking for me." Wei Zhao spoke calmly. "Besides, do you really think that envoy from the Mystic Elixir Sect will go back and tell them what happened today? He lost face on a massive scale, and that wasn't merely his own problem. It was a matter of the Mystic Elixir Sect's reputation. If he reports what happened, the sect will be put in an awkward position. If they go reclaim their honor, they'll have to face the Ice Palace, yet they aren't confident they can swallow that confrontation. But if they do nothing, won't that amount to admitting defeat? So as long as that envoy isn't an idiot, he'll keep silent. As for the hidden Tang family and the hidden You family, no one there would dare spread the word either. That means I'm still perfectly safe."

"It seems you had already thought everything through. You're not the sort to act recklessly without considering the consequences after all." Bingtang nodded. Wei Zhao was right, and she had reached the same conclusions herself. "But your identity as an alchemist has been exposed all the same."

"All I revealed was a level equivalent to a first or second-grade Yellow-rank alchemist. It's neither high nor low. With that little strength, even the You family wouldn't think much of me, let alone the Mystic Elixir Sect. At most, they'll wonder whether I have some expert guiding me from behind the scenes. But the more they suspect that, the more mysterious my identity becomes, and the less willing they'll be to act rashly." Wei Zhao explained.

"Good. At least you understand that." Bingtang was fairly satisfied with his answer. "Tonight, I'm taking Xiaoxiao back with me. Good luck. I hope that the next time I see you, you'll have enough strength to make me look at you with new respect."

"Don't worry, my little, little wife!" Wei Zhao said with a grin.

Bingtang drew in a deep breath. She wanted to tell him to get lost, but in the end she held it back. She did not want to crush Wei Zhao's spirit, so she might as well leave him with something to hope for. As for becoming a first-grade Profound-rank alchemist or reaching a level beyond Heaven rank, Bingtang had never once imagined that Wei Zhao could achieve either.

So whether she rejected him now or not made no difference at all.

Wei Zhao, Tang Yun, Tang Yun's parents, and Xiaoming parted ways with Bingtang, Feng Xiaoxiao, and Xiaoqing in the small town.

Feng Xiaoxiao watched Wei Zhao and Tang Yun with evident reluctance to part. Their brief stay of several days had made her feel as though she had returned to her school days, as if she were once again spending every day carefree, playing with Wei Zhao, Tang Yun, and the others. But reality and imagination were not the same.

Every dream eventually reached the moment of awakening, and Feng Xiaoxiao had to accept that reality.

"Husband Wei Zhao, you have to work hard too!" Feng Xiaoxiao knew better than anyone that if she broke through to Heaven rank while Wei Zhao did not, the tragedy of the two of them remaining together would be unbearable. When the time came to go to Cloud Stair Island, Feng Xiaoxiao did not want to be alone.