Chapter 522: Chapter 523 What Gift Did You Bring
In the hall, everyone was already stunned. Lady Zong’s birthday was actually being attended by such a large group of big shots, and each one of them hailed from the oldest noble families of Aolai Country.

Those ancient families and great clans were only heard of in ordinary times, completely out of reach, yet now they came to celebrate the birthday of the declining Zong Family, which was truly unfathomable.

“This… twenty shops? That must be a huge property!”

“Yes, with twenty shops, one could probably leap into becoming a great family overnight!”

“You’re all thinking too small. Strength is what matters at the root, what are shops compared to that? That Thousand-Year Fire Lingzhi is the real treasure. After taking it, not only does it preserve youth, but it also rebuilds a cultivator’s foundation, ensuring cultivation to the Mahayana Realm is as good as certain!”

“Of course, these families are renowned on the Mainland, casually taking out things that ordinary people wouldn’t even dare to dream of. That Wooden Ox and Flowing Horse, I’ve heard it’s a major killer on the battlefield, having established great military exploits on the border!”

Looking at the gifts presented by the three great families, the breaths of the cultivators present quickened. These were all genuine treasures that ordinary cultivators might not see in their lifetimes.

Now they were willingly offered with both hands; it seemed that without the presence of the Zhang Family Head, the family’s development had made leaps and bounds!

Li Xiaobai had not expected that Lady Zong’s birthday today would attract not just the Situ Family cultivators but even these ancient families had come.

It appeared either the other party had come because of him, or they were instructed by the third in command. Regardless of the reason, it was clear they were not with the Situ Household, and the enemy of an enemy is a friend. Today was likely to be lively.

“This… Many thanks to the seniors.”

“How may we address the seniors?”

Lady Zong asked with a somewhat blank look in her eyes. The row of people who entered the hall were all top figures of Aolai Country, any one of whom could shake the country by a mere stomp, and now they had come to celebrate the birthday of a lady from a declining family, leaving her feeling quite shocked.

“The old man hails from the Nangong Family, Nangong Ritian. This is my family’s young lady, Nangong Wan.”

Old Man Nangong chuckled, gesturing toward the aloof female cultivator beside him.

“Wan’er greets Clan Leader Zong and Lady Zong, wishing Lady Zong a fortune as vast as the Eastern Sea!”

Nangong Wan bowed slightly, a faint smile appearing on her delicate face. Many young cultivators in the room stumbled in their thoughts, their heart rates accelerating.

Li Xiaobai felt speechless inside. Nangong Ritian, what a creative name; it was like aiming to reach the heavens.

“So it’s Senior Ritian. I have seen Senior Ritian before, and Miss Wan’er.”

Lady Zong paid her respects one by one, daring not show the slightest negligence. All those who came were top experts, not to mention Nangong Wan was a junior but definitely a genius from the first tier, and might have the same level of cultivation level as Li Xiaobai.

“Hmm, I am Dongfang Bai, and this is my family’s young master, Dongfang Mingyue.”

“I am Beichen Dao.”

“I am Beichen Shixi.”

Two other great families introduced themselves in turn, their language brief, clearly annoyed that the topic had been monopolized by the Nangong Family.

“I have seen the seniors.”

Lady Zong thanked them one by one.

“May I ask, why would the seniors come to celebrate my humble birthday? As members of prestigious families, you have been so gracious, truly flattering me!”

Zongdao asked with some confusion from the side. After an initial interaction, he could deduce that these seniors before him were not of malicious intent, and even showed signs of favor, appearing very amicable.

“Haha, how could that be? The Zong Family and our Nangong Family have always been on good terms, it’s just that they had fallen into decline for a few decades, what’s that in the grand scheme of things?”

“Our families’ hundred-year bond cannot be diluted by such a fleeting moment. Today, on Lady Zong’s birthday, I was the first to seek permission from my clan to come and celebrate!”

The Old Man Nangong’s hearty laughter shook everyone’s eardrums, audacious and unrestrained.

“Yes, on this joyous day, our families certainly can’t be absent.”

Dongfang Bai and Beichen Dao were also all smiles as they spoke.

“Thank you, esteemed seniors, for your kindness. Please, take your seats without delay!”

Zongdao and his wife were pleasantly surprised, even feeling somewhat elated at the moment. So many notable figures coming to their doorstep to celebrate—it was the first time in decades.

“Exactly, exactly, what are you waiting for? Hurry up and give up your seats to the seniors!”

At once, the Elders in the Li Mansion stood up, scolding the surrounding disciples to quickly vacate their seats. With such big shots present, there was no place for them to sit.

“Heh, if the relationship with the Zong Family is so good, you should have said it earlier, why let them suffer aimlessly for decades? The best of their years were wasted on a family that had gone to ruin.”

A discordant voice came through, Uncle Ying with a group of people walked into the hall and spoke indifferently.

The sudden visit of these three great families clearly had ulterior motives, and at this moment, they even wanted to act the part of benefactors. Naturally, he wouldn’t allow the Zong Family to maintain good relations with them.

If they ruined the plans of the Situ Household, none should think to have it easy.

“Uncle Ying, Old Man Nangong has already made it very clear. For ancient families like ours, several decades are but a flick of the fingers. It’s quite normal for us to fail to notice the decline of the Zong Family during our secluded cultivation. Indeed, it was our oversight.”

“Coming here specifically to celebrate the Zong Family’s birthday is also to offer a belated sentiment. The Situ Family, as a rising power, lacks heritage, so it’s perfectly normal for them not to understand our perception of time.”

Nangong Wan, observing the tip of her nose with her eyes and her heart with her mouth, spoke with a calm demeanor.

“Miss Nangong, you can eat your meals haphazardly, but you can’t speak carelessly. Which of your eyes saw my Situ Family lacking in heritage?”

Situ Renjie’s face turned livid with anger, this high-and-mighty young lady had insulted him time and again. If not for her illustrious status, he would have dealt with her firmly long ago.

“Since your heritage is not thin, may I ask what gift the Situ Family has brought? Please, do show it to us, so that everyone can widen their horizons.”

Dongfang Mingyue sipped her tea lightly, speaking languidly, acting completely unimpressed by the Situ Family’s entourage.

“Indeed, did you bring a gift? Seeing you’ve come empty-handed, you wouldn’t be here just to freeload, would you?”

Paying no attention to anything else, Nangong Wan spoke indifferently.

At her words, Situ Renjie’s face kept changing colors. They had come today to seek an explanation and certainly didn’t bring any gifts. Unexpectedly, along the way, three joy-killing families had appeared, and now every move had to be respectful and proper.

He cast a pleading look at Uncle Ying who turned his face away pretending not to see.

Inside, Situ Renjie felt an intense itch of resentment, forcing himself to say:

“Hmph, of course we brought something!”

“How could the Situ Family come to celebrate Lady Zong’s birthday without a gift?”

“Knowing that the Zong Family’s descendants are all talented, this Nine Revolutions Breakthrough Pill can help a Spirit Realm Cultivator break through to the Tribulation Crossing Realm. It shall be gifted for your honored son to use in his cultivation!”