A large red carpet was rolled out across the ground just outside Stone Cauldron Alms and the number of attendants present was as many as the clouds in the sky. It was an incredibly lively scene.
Elite guards had blocked off the roads leading up to Stone Cauldron Alms to prevent any obstruction to the arrival of the distinguished guests.
People had already crowded both sides of the roads. Masses of people were everywhere to the point that not a drop of water could pass. The majority were cultivators but some were ordinary people.
They had all come to watch because they couldn’t join the celebration inside without an invitation from the Stone Cauldron Alms.
Even so, they didn’t want to miss such a grand event.
It had to be said that many influential and famous people would arrive in Haze City, including Liu Qingyan and other legendary world-famous art cultivators. Many felt their trip would be worthwhile to even catch a glimpse of them.
Many young men and women were waving banners written with many exaggerated and eye-catching slogans on both sides of the crowds.
For example, ‘the landscape may be picturesque, but it can’t be compared to your smile. Miss Liu Qingyan Welcome to Haze City!’, ‘Heavenly Voice Qingyan! The celestial beauty of your voice can only be found in heaven!’
Although very exaggerated, it clearly showed what sort of influence Liu Qingyan had on the younger generation.
When Chu Feng arrived with the invitation, he couldn’t help but marvel at the scene. Stone Cauldron Alms has put a lot into this event.Chu Feng didn’t hurry inside. Instead, he stood with the crowd, curious to see how many important figures would attend the grand event.
Before long, the crowd broke into exclamations.
”The principal of Haze Academy is here!”
“Elder Wei Lingzhen is a renowned Heaven Ascension cultivator. He had been teaching at Haze Academy for years and rarely makes appearances at events. I didn’t expect him to also attend.”
Amidst gasps of shock, an old man in plain ordinary clothes rode down the road on a donkey. He had a lean physique and radiated a calm and indifferent bearing like he was aloof from the world.
Many cultivators’ eyes sparkled with admiration and awe.
It was Wei Lingzhen, a famous figure in Haze City.
“Wei Lingzhen is the first to appear...” Chu Feng exclaimed. From what he knew, Wei Lingzhen lived a simple life and didn’t like to show his face in public. It was incredibly unusual for him to be the first to appear.
This fact alone showed how incredible the Stone Cauldron Alms was. Not everyone could invite Wei Lingzhen over, who lived a secluded life.
Not long after Wei Lingzhen arrived, bursts of exclamations repeatedly rang out in the area.
Figures from wealthy and powerful sects and clans arrived one after another. Some came in chariots, some traveled together in groups, and some came on rune beasts. But every one of them had a majestic bearing and a noble aura that assaulted the onlookers’ faces.
Gaps and exclamations of awe ripped throughout the crowd again.
When Governor Liu Wujun appeared with his team of people, it caused an even greater stir. Liu Wujun was the most powerful person in the entire southwestern province of the empire!
Chu Feng's expression altered subtly into a complicated one as he watched Liu Wujun’s army of people enter Stone Cauldron Alms.
However, just as he was about to withdraw his gaze, a middle-aged scholar from Liu Wujun's team headed his way.
Che Feng immediately narrowed his eyes. His eyes turned cold with a tinge of hatred flickering imperceptibly in the depths.
“I didn't expect to see you here. What a surprise.” The middle-aged scholar strode towards Chu Feng with his hands behind his back and his chin slightly raised. He glanced down at Chu Feng with a hint of arrogance.
“You can come but I can’t?” Chu Feng immediately lost his elegant bearing. His voice turned as chilling as ice and his face grew overcast.
“Haha, so many years have passed but you still haven't given up? You must know that, as long as I remain in Haze City, you will never be able to lift your head high.” The middle-aged scholar said leisurely, “Look, I can enter the Stone Cauldron Alms celebration venue, but you, the head of the Rune Master Association, wasn’t even sent an invitation and have to stand outside and watch. Your friends and family in the Forbidden City will look down on you even more if they learn about this.”
The veins on Chu Feng's forehead were about to pop. He glowered at the middle-aged scholar but after a moment he smiled. “Sorry to disappoint you but I did come with a personal invite. Unlike you, who is only Liu Wujun’s lackey and is only able to attend because of him.”
He withdrew his gaze from the middle-aged scholar and strode towards the entrance of Stone Cauldron Alms.
As he took out an invitation letter, an attendant respectfully hurried over to escort Chu Feng into the venue.
The middle-aged scholar blankly watched on. But when he saw that Chu Feng was indeed welcomed into Stone Cauldron Alms, a sinister look flashed across his eyes.
“So what if you can go in? Given your identity, you will just be looked down on and isolated during the event!” The middle-aged scholar sneered as he stepped in.
Meanwhile, earthshaking cheers erupted from the crowd and the enthusiasm reached an unprecedented height. Many people screamed at the top of their voices and their faces were crazy with excitement.
Needless to say, Liu Qingyan had arrived.
Chu Feng would no doubt also go crazy if he was present given his admiration for Liu Qingyan, but unfortunately, his mood had turned sour after he saw the middle-aged scholar.
The middle-aged scholar was called Ruan Lingdu and was one of Governor Liu Wujun’s advisers.
Only Chu Feng knew that Ruan Lingdu had another identity, a guest elder in the Chu Clan in the Forbidden City, and he was highly valued by the Chu Clan!
Chu Feng was also from the Chu Clan, but he was different from Ruan Lingdu in that he was a true direct descendant of the Chu Clan!
However, more than ten years ago, Chu Feng was schemed against as clan members competed for power. As a result, he was expelled from the Chu Clan!
Otherwise, given his identity, how would Chu Feng be working in Haze City?
The most upsetting thing for Chu Feng was that, although the enemies didn’t dare to kill him, they hadn’t given up and sent Ruan Lingdu to Haze City to oppress him. Chu Feng suffered a lot of humiliation and torture as a result.
For example, in the past few years, he could have formed friendly ties with many powerful forces in the city given his identity as the head of the Rune Master Association. However, ever since Ruan Lingdu had become Governor Liu Wujun’s advisor, Chu Feng had become isolated by many major forces in Haze City and no one wanted to become friends with him!
For example, logically speaking, his identity as the head of the Rune Master Association was enough for him to easily receive an invitation for the Stone Cauldron Alms’ 100th anniversary, but he didn’t receive one and had to borrow Lin Xun’s to attend.
This was Chu Feng’s current situation: He had been expelled from his clan and was suppressed and humiliated by Ruan Lingdu. He looked impressive to outsiders, but in truth, his situation was incredibly embarrassing.
However, those years of oppression strengthened Chu Feng’s tenacious state of mind. He would never accept defeat so easily.
Moreover, Lin Xun’s appearance had given him a glimmer of hope!
As Chu Feng walked into Stone Cauldron Alms, he was led into an incomparably spacious hall. The hall was beautifully decorated with carved beams and pillars. He reckoned the hall could easily accommodate tens of thousands of people!
Luxurious!
Wealthy!
Stylish!
This was the impression that Stone Cauldron Alms gave Chu Feng.
Many people had already arrived in the hall. Any one of them was likely an authority figure of a major force in Haze City.
As the celebration hadn’t begun, the powerful and influential people were exchanging greetings with one another like friends chatting and laughing.
However, each one of them, without an exception, scrunched their brows and looked away when they saw Chu Feng. It was as though they completely disregarded his existence.
Even though Chu Feng had already expected to receive such treatments, he couldn’t help feeling upset when he faced those cold and indifferent gazes.
But soon, he recovered. He came here to catch a glimpse of Liu Qingyan and he shouldn’t think about anything else other than that. As for those disregarding gazes, he had already ignored them.
Ruan Lingdu followed him into the hall. He felt triumphant to see Chu Feng being disregarded and treated coldly. So what if you have an invitation? You’re just asking for humiliation!
Wherever Ruan Lingdu went, an influential figure would come forward to talk to him. He seemed extremely popular.
It was a world of difference compared to the treatment that Chu Feng received.
Chu Feng’s lips curled in disdain. He knew that Ruan Lingdu was only popular due to his identity as one of the closest advisors of Governor Liu Wujun, Additionally, he had the support of the Chu Clan in the Forbidden City so he could get what he wanted in Haze City.
Otherwise, given Ruan Lingdu’s ability, he couldn’t possibly convince all the major forces in Haze City to join hands to snub Chu Feng!
An attendant guided Chu Feng to the front row of seats in the hall—the seats reserved for the distinguished guests.
Chu Feng was completely dumbfounded. How could this happen? Even if I wasn’t disregarded and isolated, my status and identity as the head of the Rune Master Association still wouldn’t be enough to sit in the front row…
He guessed that it was related to the invitation that Lin Xun gave him.
Then, he heard mocking laughter behind him. “Some people do not know their place and think about things that they shouldn’t think about. Should we call them courageous or foolish? Hahaha, how funny. Everyone, have you seen such a clown before?”
Without looking back, Chu Feng knew that it was Ruan Lingdu mocking him!