Chapter 116: Invitation to the Banquet

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Mo Yu's eyes flickered with a strange look as he gazed at the woman in the moon-colored robe, Nalan Yanran, who stood by the door with a gentle smile. 

This woman, who could have become Xiao Yan's rightful wife, could only be described as someone who had lost a watermelon while picking up a sesame seed. 

She could have lived a life of immense glory, but because of one prideful decision, she completely lost the chance to become the future mistress of the "Endless Fire Territory," a superpower in the Great Thousand World. 

One must know that the Dou Qi Continent greatly values parental orders. If Nalan Yanran had married into the Xiao family through proper arrangements, even Xun'er, the Ancient Clan's direct descendant, might not have been able to take her place as the main wife. As for Cai Lin, she wouldn't have even been a contender. 

However, if it weren't for Nalan Yanran's challenge of the three-year promise, Xiao Yan might not have been spurred to endure the hardships of cultivation. Perhaps he would have given up halfway. 

Such matters are impossible to predict. 

While Xiao Yan is undoubtedly a child of destiny, personal achievements ultimately depend on one's perseverance. In the early days, Nalan Yanran was like a stimulant for Xiao Yan's cultivation. 

Whenever he thought of the three-year promise, Xiao Yan was filled with boundless energy, tirelessly working on his cultivation. Coupled with Yao Lao's guidance, the legend of the Flame Emperor's rise was born. 

At this moment, Mo Yu's thoughts drifted elsewhere. If nothing unexpected happened, Yun Yun had already become his woman, and since Nalan Yanran was her disciple, didn't that make him Nalan Yanran's master as well? 

How should she address him? Master's wife? No, it should be master's master. 

Fortunately, Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran were no longer possible. Otherwise, the generational hierarchy would have become even more confusing. 

Rubbing his chin, Mo Yu suddenly found himself missing Yun Yun—the serene and composed woman. He wondered how she was doing… 

"Sir?" Ye Zhen, standing behind Mo Yu, noticed his absent-mindedness and was startled. He quickly whispered a reminder. 

Though this young master was usually calm and composed with deep plans, it seemed unusual for him to be so distracted by a girl, even if she was the disciple of the Yun Lan Sect's leader and the heir of the Nalan Clan. 

Hearing Ye Zhen's reminder, Mo Yu snapped out of his thoughts and nodded slightly in apology. 

Mo Yu couldn't help but feel curious about Nalan Yanran, such an important character from the original story. Remembering Yun Yun only added to his nostalgia. 

After regaining his composure, Mo Yu quietly instructed Ye Zhen and the middle-aged man from the Mo Clan, "Let's go." 

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged man quickly bid farewell to Nalan Yanran and hurriedly led Mo Yu and Ye Zhen to their rooms for rest. 

As she watched their figures fade into the distance, Nalan Yanran's long eyelashes fluttered with interest. 

Her gaze lingered on Mo Yu for a moment. For some reason, there was a familiar aura around him, but it didn't feel like it came from a person—more like an object. 

However, the boy was quite handsome. If she had seen him before, she would have remembered. Yet, no matter how hard she searched her memories, she couldn't recall ever meeting him. 

Gently rubbing her forehead, Nalan Yanran shook off the strange feeling and turned to Ling Lin beside her, smiling softly, "I assume those two were the ones who offended you earlier?" 

Ling Lin awkwardly nodded. Although she was arrogant, she wasn't foolish enough to provoke someone with such a mysterious background and powerful means, especially after witnessing how Ye Clan had taken an interest in the young man. 

Seeing Ling Lin's nod, Nalan Yanran turned her attention to the shattered stone floor caused by the lightning strike earlier, a trace of surprise flashing in her beautiful eyes. 

Not long after Nalan Yanran entered the room, an elderly man in a grey robe also walked in. 

Upon seeing him, Ling Lin's expression froze. If Nalan Yanran had come to attend the birthday banquet using the prestige of the Nalan Clan, the elder in front of her was a true member of the Yun Lan Sect. 

However, Ling Lin was no fool. She immediately greeted him with a respectful smile, "Greetings, Elder Ge Ye." 

"Heh, it's been a few years, and you've grown even more beautiful, Ling Lin," the elder, Ge Ye, chuckled, glancing at Nalan Yanran with a fleeting look of discomfort before nodding. 

Ge Ye had no desire to come to the Mo Clan after the sect had cut ties with them, but his young mistress had insisted, leaving him no choice but to cast aside his pride and follow. 

Ignoring Ge Ye's slightly resentful gaze, Nalan Yanran pointed in a direction and whispered, "Uncle Ge, what do you think of that boy?" 

"Miss, I've just arrived. Can't you let this old man rest a bit?" Ge Ye smiled bitterly and shook his head, but still followed the direction of her slender finger. His eyes, sharp like an eagle's, focused on Mo Yu's back. 

A moment later, Ge Ye's expression shifted with shock. He sighed and said, "That boy is like a fog. Even with my strength, I can't fully see through him." 

Hearing this, a hint of astonishment flickered across Nalan Yanran's delicate face. Ge Ye had witnessed the events when she had gone to the Xiao Clan to annul her engagement two years ago. Since then, he had advanced from a Seven-Star Da Dou Shi to a Dou Ling, thanks to Elder Gu He's alchemical aid. His current strength marked him as a true expert. 

If even a Dou Ling expert couldn't discern the boy's strength, it only deepened her curiosity about his identity. 

"I was hoping to find out more about my teacher's sweetheart, but I ended up discovering an interesting person instead," Nalan Yanran mused. 

Beside her, Ling Lin's face turned pale upon hearing this. The scene of the mysterious boy's deadly actions still lingered in her mind. 

Just then, the middle-aged man from the Mo Clan, who had escorted Mo Yu, returned. He bowed respectfully to Nalan Yanran and said with a smile, "Miss Nalan, since it's getting late, why not rest here for the night?" 

"Thank you for the hospitality," Nalan Yanran replied with a smile. 

Hearing this, the middle-aged man smiled flatteringly and began to lead the way, guiding the young woman and the elder upstairs. 

As the group disappeared at the top of the stairs, the hall below was soon filled with the buzzing sounds of whispered conversations, like a swarm of flies. 

Back in his room, Mo Yu quietly shut the door, cutting off the faint noise from outside. 

"Sir, will the Mo Clan discover your true identity?" Ye Zhen asked worriedly. After all, the young man shared the Mo surname and also hailed from the Mo Clan. If the Mo Clan uncovered his background, it could complicate their plans. 

"Hmm." Mo Yu responded calmly, "Let them try. The Mo Clan doesn't have the means to uncover my secrets so quickly. By the time they do, the Mo Clan will already be gone." 

"For now, we should focus on adjusting ourselves. The journey has been tiring, and we need to be in top form. When Patriarch Ye returns, tell him I'm resting. Tomorrow, we'll enter the Mo Clan and put the plan into motion." Mo Yu stretched and made his way deeper into the room, speaking as he walked. 

Watching Mo Yu's back, Ye Zhen nodded and quietly left the room, closing the door behind him without a sound. 

Once inside, Mo Yu's heavy eyelids drooped, and he quickly fell into a deep sleep. Tomorrow, a fierce battle awaited him. 

At dawn the next day, as the first rays of sunlight filtered into the room, Mo Yu slowly opened his eyes. 

After a night of rest, the exhaustion on his face had completely disappeared. 

Straightening his clothes, Mo Yu opened the door and entered the living room, where he found Ye Cong already awake, standing by the window with his hands behind his back, quietly watching the bustling street outside. 

Sensing Mo Yu's approach, Ye Cong turned around and smiled, "You seem well-rested." 

Mo Yu stretched and smiled, "How are things with Grand Elder Ye? Everything going smoothly?" 

"Mm." A serious look appeared on Ye Cong's face as he spoke gravely, "This is the most important matter for our Ye Clan since its founding. With the personal supervision of the ancestor, we are proceeding with utmost caution. 

Our forces have been lying in wait outside the Mo family fortress for several days now. Once we create internal chaos, the ancestor will lead our troops in an assault from the outside, crushing the Mo family with a pincer attack!" 

Hearing this, Mo Yu nodded in agreement. The Ye Clan, one of the four great families, was clearly no weak force. They had mobilized hundreds of elite fighters for this operation, with even the weakest among them being a Dou Shi. 

To put things into perspective, in Qingshan Town near the Magical Beast Mountain Range, the leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group was only a two-star Dou Shi. The Ye Clan had undoubtedly gone all out for this attack. 

Mo Yu, however, didn't hesitate to paint an enticing picture for them. "Let's go. Today, Mo Cheng will enjoy his last birthday banquet. After today, when people speak of the most powerful family in the northeastern province, the first name on their lips will be the Ye family!" 

"Haha, then I'll take Young Master Mo's words as a good omen!" A flash of ambition crossed Ye Cong's face as he laughed heartily. 

Devouring the Mo family's territory and wealth accumulated over decades would undoubtedly cause the Ye Clan's power to surge. Becoming the top family in the northeastern province was no longer a pipe dream, which was why the Ye Clan had cooperated so willingly with Mo Yu. It wasn't merely out of gratitude for Mo Yu's repair of the Sixfold Grand Void Sword, nor was it due to his persuasive words alone. 

Leaving the room, Mo Yu casually closed the door behind him and made his way down the corridor and stairs. 

At the entrance of the inn, Ye Zhen and several other Ye Clan guards stood waiting quietly. Given their status, it was impossible for them to stay in the luxurious guest rooms of the inn. Instead, they had been accommodated in the warehouse at the back courtyard, arranged by a middle-aged member of the Mo family. 

Staying in a house owned by the Mo family while planning to kill its members was an irony not lost on anyone. 

Meanwhile, by the door, a noblewoman dressed in a tight-fitting purple robe stood silently. Her alluring figure, wrapped in the elegant gown, exuded a different kind of charm. 

This young woman was none other than Nalan Yanran, who smiled softly as she chatted with Ling Lin. In the grand hall, several discreet but heated glances flitted over her graceful form, admiring her beauty with a hint of awe. 

Mo Yu's gaze unconsciously settled on Nalan Yanran as well. At that exact moment, Nalan Yanran turned her head, and their eyes locked for a brief moment. 

Upon noticing the deep and unfathomable look in Mo Yu's dark eyes, Nalan Yanran subconsciously furrowed her brows. She couldn't shake the feeling that this boy's gaze seemed to see through her, as though he regarded her with the condescending look of a senior towards a junior. 

This immediately irked her. After all, she was the personal disciple of Yun Lan Sect's leader. Even the Mo family's Great Elder wouldn't dare to act superior in her presence, let alone a boy around her age. 

"Hehe, I am Ye Cong, the clan leader of the Ye family from Black Rock City. It is a pleasure to meet Miss Nalan and Elder Ge." At this moment, Ye Cong, who stood nearby, hurriedly stepped forward to greet them with a smile. He didn't dare to act arrogantly in front of the direct disciple of Yun Yun and an elder of the Yun Lan Sect. 

"Greetings, Clan Leader Ye," Nalan Yanran replied coolly with a nod. Her eyes then turned toward the young man who had walked out with Ye Cong. 

Even though the leader of one of the four great families had come to greet her personally, the boy beside him seemed completely indifferent, standing there quietly with a calm demeanor. 

A flash of surprise crossed Elder Ge Ye's aged eyes. There were very few young men in the empire who could remain unaffected by both the power and allure of Nalan Yanran. 

However, Mo Yu couldn't care less about Yun Lan Sect. Not only did he have no regard for it, but given his relationship with Yun Yun, there was no way he would bow to someone he saw as a junior. 

"Yanran, my dear junior sister, I must apologize. The family has been preoccupied these past few days, and I fear we've been neglecting such distinguished guests." 

As the atmosphere grew slightly awkward, a clear and bright voice suddenly rang out from the door. Moments later, a handsome young man walked in, smiling affectionately at Nalan Yanran. 

Seeing the young man enter, Mo Yu's gaze sharpened. To his surprise, this man bore a slight resemblance to himself. However, dismissing the thought as a coincidence due to their shared Mo family lineage, Mo Yu didn't dwell on it. 

Little did he know that this young man was the very one who had accompanied Nalan Yanran to the Xiao family three years ago—the same person admired by many women of the Mo family for his outstanding talent. 

"Senior Brother Mo Li, you're too kind," Nalan Yanran replied with a reserved smile. While her expression was gentle, it did not soften in response to the heated look in Mo Li's eyes. 

Seeing Nalan Yanran's graceful smile, a flash of disappointment flickered in Mo Li's eyes. Years of pursuit had not earned him her affection, and with the Mo family's relationship with Yun Lan Sect now severed, his chances seemed even slimmer. 

Suppressing his disappointment, Mo Li smiled and said, "Junior Sister Yanran, would you accompany me to the Mo family estate later? It's on the way." 

Nalan Yanran, who had intended to visit the Mo family to investigate her master's lover, hesitated for a moment before smiling and nodding her agreement. 

After exchanging pleasantries with Nalan Yanran, Mo Li's gaze shifted to Ye Cong. Recalling the report from one of his clan uncles the previous day, he quickly stepped forward with a smile. 

"Hehe, Clan Leader Ye, it's a pleasant surprise to see you attending the Great Elder's birthday banquet. You're a rare guest indeed. Yesterday, I heard that my younger sister had unintentionally offended your distinguished guest, and my father sent me to apologize on her behalf. May I ask where your guest is so I can personally make amends?" 

Ye Cong, recalling Ye Zhen's report, couldn't help but let a playful smile flicker across his face. Pointing to where Mo Yu stood, he said, "This is the distinguished guest of the Ye family, honored even by our ancestor." 

Mo Li was taken aback by this revelation. The Ye Clan's ancestor was a figure on par with the Mo family's Great Elder. If someone could earn his respect, then Mo Li's sister had truly offended the wrong person. 

Quickly suppressing his surprise, Mo Li followed Ye Cong's gesture and looked toward Mo Yu. When his eyes landed on the boy, he was even more astonished—there was a striking resemblance between the two of them. 

Concealing his shock, Mo Li stepped forward and said warmly, "Young Master, it was my sister's fault yesterday. I apologize on her behalf." 

With a smile, he added, "Since you wish to attend the Mo family's birthday banquet, allow me to personally escort you." 

Hearing this, Mo Yu's lips curled into a mysterious smile. "Well then, I'll gladly accept your offer, Young Master Mo." 

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Laoyao with L yeahh..thanks for the support.