Chapter 240: Feng Clan's Banquet

Following three rounds of libations.

"Brother Niu!"

"I observed your skillful navigation through the demonic beast tide earlier. Your composed demeanor, your adept maneuvering - truly commendable!"

Feng Liu's eyes glittered as he spoke.

"Indeed, indeed!"

"Brother Niu's might is unparalleled!"

"And that invisibility ability of yours. Once you vanished from sight, those demonic beasts diverted their attention aimlessly, utterly incapable of detecting Brother Niu!"

"..."

Feng Liu's close allies were quick to join the chorus of praises, lauding Gu Ran to the heavens!

An ordinary young man might have become slightly inflated by the adulation.

However, Gu Ran was different.

He continued to respond with his characteristic grace and composure.

"Brother Niu!"

"I hold you in high esteem!"

"I long to witness that invisibility skill again, to savor its majesty!"

Feng Liu declared, unable to contain his curiosity.

"Absurd!"

"Brother Niu has just come off a substantial battle; it's time for his rest!"

"You are actually pressuring young friend Niu Qing to display that invisibility skill again; aren't you being overly demanding?"

Feng Hongbo reprimanded Feng Liu with a stern voice.

He, too, yearned to observe Gu Ran use the invisibility skill once more, to scrutinize whether Gu Ran was utilizing a secret art or a magic treasure.

However, in his opinion, requesting such a demonstration at this juncture was premature.

However, Feng Hongbo's admonishment was not simply a rebuke aimed at Feng Liu!

He had another intention, namely to see if he could subtly provoke Gu Ran.

Indeed, it was a mild form of reverse psychology.

Should Gu Ran be keen to validate himself, to flaunt his abilities, he would surely take the bait.

If not, there was no harm done to Feng Hongbo.

But was Gu Ran the kind of individual eager to validate himself? Certainly not!

His demeanor was vastly distinct from that of the protagonist, Fang Yuan.

Instead, he bore some resemblance to the protagonist Ye Fan—both were prudent yet steady, yet not lacking in determination.

"Indeed, I am in need of rest."

"Perhaps, I can demonstrate it for everyone on another occasion."

Gu Ran gave a modest bow to Feng Hongbo, Feng Liu, and the others, and offered a light smile.

"That's the spirit!"

"Come, let us raise our glasses!"

"Today, we of Black Wood Island have survived the demonic beast tide, owing to the timely intervention of our savior, the revered senior. It's a moment of reprieve and gratitude. Let's toast to that!"

Feng Hongbo laughed robustly, hoisting his wine cup high, enlivening the atmosphere.

Subsequently, the banquet carried on and concluded only after a full day.

Gu Ran was then ushered to rest in the area with the most abundant Spiritual Qi on Black Wood Island.

...

At this juncture, a battered spirit boat surfaced near Black Wood Island.

The boat bore the marks of demonic beast attacks, and the cultivators aboard were all bruised and weary.

As the spirit boat neared Black Wood Island, Feng Hongbo promptly detected its arrival and rallied others to welcome it.

From their initial glimpse of the boat, Feng Hongbo and the others deduced that these cultivators were survivors of the demonic beast tide.

Aboard the boat was an Early-stage Inquiring Journey realm cultivator named Zhang San, while the others were cultivators from the Heavenly Origin realm, the Mysterious Platform realm, and the Spiritual Awakening realm.

As expected, Feng Hongbo began a dialogue with Zhang San, who was at the Early-stage Inquiring Journey realm.

Soon, he discovered that the individuals on the boat had essentially banded together in their flight, and they were not well acquainted with each other.

This revelation brought immense pleasure to Feng Hongbo.

Because in such circumstances, he could freely recruit these cultivators.

If they were members of an organization, it would amount to poaching, which was undoubtedly unacceptable.

However, Feng Hongbo was oblivious to the fact that all the individuals on the boat were death warriors dispatched by Jiang Chen!

Soon, Feng Hongbo warmly welcomed Jiang Chen's death warriors ashore and treated them hospitably.

During this process, many cultivators from the boat chose to go their separate ways, not wishing to remain with this makeshift crew.

Consequently, many dispersed and blended into the population of Black Wood Island, becoming an unobtrusive part of it.

The leader, Zhang San, along with some experts from the makeshift crew, accepted Feng Hongbo's invitation and relocated to the Feng Clan.

From that moment on, Zhang San and the others initiated their covert surveillance of Gu Ran!

Gu Ran was acutely aware of Zhang San and the others' scrutiny.

However, the vibe they gave off was akin to that of Feng Hongbo and his associates.

It made him cautious but not anxious.

Gu Ran surmised that Zhang San and the others were likely planning to affiliate themselves with the Feng Clan, hence his heightened vigilance towards them.

The following day, Feng Hongbo arranged another banquet to welcome Zhang San and his companions.

For the ensuing few days, Zhang San and the others dedicated their time to recovery.

Simultaneously, Feng Hongbo seized this opportunity to recruit many cultivators from the 'makeshift crew'.

Moreover, a few days later, Feng Hongbo subtly proposed the idea of recruiting Zhang San as a Guest Elder.

Zhang San confessed that he was a wandering cultivator, wearied by the lack of support.

His recent brush with death had left him yearning for a stable environment to settle down and focus on his cultivation.

Thus, their interests aligned.

Subsequently, Zhang San, accompanied by a few Heavenly Origin realm cultivators, joined the Feng Clan.

This development affirmed Gu Ran's suspicions.

In his perception, he had fully classified Zhang San and the others as part of the Feng Clan, utterly oblivious to the fact that they were actually Jiang Chen's agents!

It was at this very moment.

[Ding! You have successfully slightly altered the plot, Protagonist Gu Ran's Heavenly Fate Value has decreased by 500 points!]

[Ding! You have earned 1000 Villain Value points!]

'Slightly altered the plot!?'

'The fundamental plan seems to be working!'

'Next up, the plot involving Gu Ran claiming lives on Black Wood Island is set to unfold!'

'...'

Thoughts burgeoned in Jiang Chen's mind, his eyes shimmering with an icy glint.

He approached Black Wood Island, extending his divine sense.

He deliberately sidestepped Gu Ran, initiating observation of the other supporting characters.

He needed to deduce their death timeline based on these supporting characters' Fate Values!

Only by doing so could he deploy his death warriors to thwart Gu Ran!

Time gradually elapsed.

On Black Wood Island, as the teleportation array underwent continuous repairs, Feng Hongbo, Feng Liu, and others began to feel a mounting sense of urgency.

Therefore, another banquet was hosted by the Feng Clan, this time to celebrate a marriage within the clan.

Being a guest of honor, Gu Ran was unable to decline the invitation and participated in the festivity.

Similarly, after the third round of drinks, Feng Liu and his group commenced their praises for Gu Ran once again, inviting him to showcase his invisibility skill.

In response, Gu Ran's heart brimmed with sardonic amusement.

At this juncture, he could definitively discern that the Feng Clan's ultimate target was his 'Spectral Concealment' ability!

"If you wish to see it, then I shall oblige."

Gu Ran rose to his feet with an impassive countenance, directly activated his bloodline power, and exhibited his cloaking ability.

Suddenly, his form vanished from everyone's sight, and even divine sense couldn't detect it.

"Remarkable! Daoist friend Niu Qing's invisibility skill is truly astounding!"

"Indeed, it's so potent that we can't perceive him at all!"

"An undeniable young hero, such an exceptional talent!"

"I wonder if Young friend Niu Qing requires a maid?"

"..."

The crowd erupted in exclamations, one after another.

After a few moments, Gu Ran rematerialized, merely bowing slightly and offering a fist and palm salute as a response to everyone's praises and flatteries.

However, those harboring hidden intentions, such as Feng Hongbo and Feng Liu, found themselves somewhat taken aback.

Even at such a close proximity, employing the maximum extent of their divine sense for examination, they couldn't gather any clues.

They were unable to determine whether Gu Ran's invisibility was the result of a secret art or an artifact.

'This young man's invisibility power is formidable!'

Feng Hongbo mused, his avarice intensifying.

As for Feng Liu, it went without saying.

He had already commenced daydreaming about the marvelous life he would lead once he obtained Gu Ran's invisibility power.

The banquet persevered.

Late into the night, the other guests progressively departed, leaving behind only the Feng Clan's core members, the Guest Elders, and Gu Ran.

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