Chapter 180 – A Gathering of Powerful Figures

Time rewound to before nightfall.

Today, both Su Ming and Xu Qianqian had requested leave from the Demon Hunter Academy.

Although these were extraordinary times requiring all available personnel—with even students burdened with heavy tasks—the Academy was reluctant to approve unnecessary leave, especially for top students and elite trainees.

This was particularly true for Xu Qianqian, who had become the top student of the Hunter Department. Her exceptional abilities could accomplish numerous high-difficulty missions, and the Academy truly didn’t want to approve her leave unless absolutely necessary.

However, circumstances dictated otherwise. Xu Qianqian was currently facing her own critical situation while carrying out an important decoy mission. Multiple major forces in Longyao City, including the Xu Family, required her cooperation. She couldn’t possibly leave the fortified Xu Family compound to return to the Academy at this time.

With so many major Longyao City forces backing this arrangement, the Academy had no choice but to approve the leave, however reluctantly.

Su Ming conveniently hitched a ride on this leave opportunity, contacting An Zijin and others to inform them he was occupied with an important mission away from the Academy and not to worry about him.

Thus, Su Ming successfully transformed completely into the identity of “Ming Wang.”

Throughout the day, Su Ming remained by Xu Qianqian’s side, passing time together.

During this period, they discussed their previous transaction involving Red Vein Stones.

Xu Qianqian indicated she had prepared a considerable amount of goods and would be ready for another transaction soon.

Naturally, Su Ming didn’t refuse, stating he was available for transactions anytime and that the Red Vein Stones were constantly prepared, “already thirsting for action.”

As nightfall approached, Xu Qianqian finally led Su Ming out of her room, heading in a specific direction.

“Where are we going?” Su Ming asked curiously as he followed Xu Qianqian’s lead.

Xu Qianqian provided an explanation.

“There’s currently a gathering taking place in the Main Residence’s conference hall,” she stated.

“A gathering?” Su Ming raised an eyebrow.

“Not an ordinary one,” Xu Qianqian added, seeming to notice Su Ming’s lack of enthusiasm. “The attendees are all important members from various Family factions who will participate in the upcoming operation.”

“These people are either direct Family descendants or organizational heirs like me, or Upper-Rank Professionals like you.”

Her words conveyed just how extraordinary this gathering was.

“So everyone at this gathering is essentially high-status elite from Longyao City’s upper echelons?” Su Ming’s interest was immediately piqued.

“Correct.” Xu Qianqian nodded. “Father just contacted me, asking me to make an appearance there. Since it’s a rare opportunity, you should come along too. Take this chance to understand who currently influences—and will influence—Longyao City’s present and future. Learn who might become your allies, and who might become your opponents.”

This was one of the few things Xu Qianqian could do for Su Ming.

She knew that with Su Ming’s potential and identity as a Dual Professional, he had already established himself. He was destined to make his mark in Longyao City, revealing his presence and influence to the world.Such a Su Ming was bound to intersect, entangle, and even clash with the upper echelons of Longyao City sooner or later.

Given this, being able to learn about potential future friends or enemies in advance was undoubtedly a rare opportunity.

Therefore, after receiving Xu Yongfeng’s communication, Xu Qianqian considered for a moment before agreeing to bring Su Ming along.

Even though Xu Qianqian knew that Xu Yongfeng’s request was likely another attempt to create deliberate confusion—giving outsiders the impression that she had already colluded with the Yun Family Estate—she decided to proceed for Su Ming’s sake.

She believed that even if Yun Langyue were here, upon learning about such a gathering, she wouldn’t mind Xu Yongfeng slightly leveraging her name to build momentum for the future.

As long as it benefited Su Ming, she would simply turn a blind eye to these harmless rumors.

Su Ming was unaware of Xu Qianqian’s considerations, but he had genuinely developed some interest in this gathering.

“Although I’m not particularly fond of such occasions, getting a good look at the intricate relationships and key members among the various factions in Longyao City makes it worth attending at least once.”

Su Ming tapped the mask on his face and smiled.

“You should inform Yun Langyue in advance and let her know about this,” Xu Qianqian suggested. “After all, from now on, you’ll likely be using the Yun Family Estate’s name frequently. Others will see you as an important figure of the Yun Family, which will inevitably draw some attention and possibly provoke certain actions.”

“Is that so?” Su Ming responded noncommittally, then recalled something and asked, “Will Yun Langyue be attending this gathering?”

If that enchantress were here, Su Ming would seriously consider making a quick escape.

Given Yun Langyue’s playful nature, he couldn’t guarantee she wouldn’t seize the opportunity to firmly establish his identity as a member of the Yun Family in front of others, all for her own amusement.

That girl would love nothing more than to keep Su Ming by her side indefinitely. If she could turn him into a “Yun Family member,” she would be absolutely thrilled.

If it really came to that, Su Ming would be in deep trouble.

Fortunately, Xu Qianqian alleviated his concerns.

“This gathering is only for factions participating in the upcoming operation. Special organizations like the Sorcerer Guild and Cloudflow Commerce won’t be present this time,” Xu Qianqian explained. “The attendees are almost exclusively major Families from Longyao City. Yun Langyue won’t be making an appearance.”

Su Ming couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness that female enchantress wasn’t coming.

Only then did Su Ming feel at ease, his attitude becoming much more relaxed.

In contrast, Xu Qianqian’s expression wasn’t as carefree as Su Ming’s.

The words she had just spoken to Su Ming applied equally to herself.

As an important figure of the Xu Family and a core direct descendant, there were inevitably people paying attention to Xu Qianqian, possibly even taking action because of it.

Unlike the Yun Family, which operated on commercial principles, prioritized harmony for prosperity, and had almost no sworn enemies, the Xu Family—being a deeply rooted major Family in Longyao City—naturally had its share of rivals.

To put it plainly, this gathering was an exchange among important figures of various major Families and factions. But to put it bluntly, it was also a battlefield where these Families and factions clashed.Xu Qianqian would never assume that just because everyone was acting together against a common enemy, they were friends.

In the adult world, there are no absolute stances, only absolute interests. Undoubtedly, many Families wouldn’t hesitate to trip up their rivals while dealing with an enemy, hoping to make them stumble badly and incur significant losses.

As the central figure of this operation and the bait targeted by the enemy, if anyone truly intended to sabotage Xu Qianqian, it would be a matter of life and death.

It was precisely this concern that prompted Xu Yongfeng to organize this gathering and have Xu Qianqian attend—to help her see certain truths clearly, or even to build momentum for her.

As long as Xu Qianqian appeared at the gathering alongside the protector sent by the Yun Family Estate, the relationship between the two would inevitably spark speculation.

At that point, anyone considering causing trouble for Xu Qianqian would have to carefully weigh whether they might offend the Yun Family Estate or face a powerful Upper-Rank Professional.

……

The venue for the gathering was located in the Main Residence Atrium, covering an extensive area. The ceiling featured a movable design, capable of closing or opening, perfectly accommodating both indoor and outdoor events.

Today’s gathering was an outdoor affair, with the ceiling already opened. As night gradually fell, a full moon hung high at the center of the venue’s sky, creating a rather pleasing sight.

Su Ming, led here by Xu Qianqian, couldn’t help but think upon seeing this scene:

“If it started raining now, would this high-class, sophisticated gathering turn into a complete mess?”

Such bold thoughts were typical of Su Ming.

And yet, Su Ming even had the means to make it happen.

Among the numerous Extraordinary Items in his backpack—even something as disruptive as Mist Waves—how could he lack the method for artificial rainfall?

Unfortunately, after entering the venue, Su Ming had to dismiss this idea.

Because he knew that a mere rain shower would hardly affect the people in this venue.

————「Strength」.

This was Su Ming’s first impression upon arriving at the venue.

There weren’t many people in the venue—fewer than a hundred at most, not even filling the space. For a large high-society gathering, the attendance could be described as “meager.”

Yet, these few dozen individuals each gave Su Ming a sense of extraordinary demeanor and presence.

Some were chatting and laughing, exuding an absolute confidence distinct from ordinary people.

Some were observing each other, yet revealed sharp, eagle-like gazes.

Some were confronting each other, not concealing their own power in the slightest.

Others were shaking hands in greeting, but their firmly clasped hands displayed astonishing strength.

These scenes formed a vivid portrait of the diverse aspects of powerful individuals.

Especially when each of them radiated a soaring Aura, their breath-taking presences rising to clash and intertwine—this portrait seemed to transform into a war painting of millions of troops battling on a battlefield. Their presence, their Aura, all showcased their uniqueness without exception.

“Are these the Upper-Rank Professionals from the major Family forces within Longyao City?”

Watching this scene, Su Ming felt a surge of fervor stirring within his heart.He believed that if anyone else were watching the proceedings of this gathering, they would undoubtedly feel longing, yearning, and envy toward the scenes unfolding before their eyes.

Because this was a place only true powerhouses could enter.

Ordinary people, even the core direct descendants of various great Families, seemed to have become mere accessories, waiting respectfully on the sidelines.

“This is where a Professional should truly arrive.”

Su Ming couldn’t help but feel this way.

It was as if, if one couldn’t set foot in a gathering of this Rank in their lifetime, then there would be no other meaning—it would be like having wasted their journey through this world.

Beside him, Xu Qianqian clearly shared the same sentiment, her eyes flickering incessantly.

The desire to grow stronger was stimulated to its utmost here.

“Let’s go in.”

Xu Qianqian took a deep breath, calmed herself, and whispered to Su Ming beside her.

“Mhm.”

Su Ming didn’t say much, merely nodding, appearing indifferent yet seemingly anticipating something.

The two entered the venue together, drawing the attention of many.

Almost immediately, numerous powerhouses inside focused their gazes on Su Ming, who was following behind Xu Qianqian.

“Who is that?”

A burly man muttered with a furrowed brow.

“I can’t sense any Qi or magical power at all…”

A beautiful woman also looked over with keen interest.

“Isn’t that Xu Yongfeng’s girl?”

Someone noticed Su Ming following behind Xu Qianqian and couldn’t help but feel intrigued.

“Could it be… he’s that person…?”

Others discerned Su Ming’s identity and immediately cast scrutinizing looks his way.

Clearly, the fact that Xu Qianqian had an Upper-Rank Professional from the Yun Family Estate providing close protection wasn’t much of a secret to some.

They knew why this seemingly mysterious figure had come and what kind of strength he possessed.

In one corner of the crowd, a casually dressed man looked at his companion with a faint, mocking smile.

“That’s the mysterious powerhouse who repelled you last time, isn’t it?”

The person he was speaking to was none other than Gao Xu, who carried a war Saber on his back.

Gao Xu was staring intently at Su Ming as he entered the venue, his expression turning rather unpleasant.

“Xu Qianqian…”

Naturally, Xu Yanyan had also appeared beside Gao Xu, her gaze toward Xu Qianqian filled with icy coldness and jealousy, while her eyes regarding Su Ming shifted uncertainly.

Su Ming and Xu Qianqian’s entrance had attracted many people’s attention, and within mere seconds, elicited a variety of looks.

Among them, Gao Xu and Xu Yanyan’s gazes were particularly complex.

This was most clearly seen by the casually dressed man standing closest to Gao Xu.

“So you really got beaten by that guy, huh?”

The man’s tone carried a hint of mockery.

“Don’t get cocky.” Gao Xu shot him a glance. “You wouldn’t have fared any better.”

“Is that so?” The man shrugged indifferently. “Maybe. Anyone who could make you, Gao Xu, suffer such a loss would probably give me trouble too. But you’re not actually scared of that mysterious guy, are you?”

“Scared?” Gao Xu replied with extreme coldness. “Not at all. I just find him rather… peculiar.”

“Oh?” The man grew interested. “How so?””You haven’t experienced it firsthand, so you wouldn’t understand,” Gao Xu said gravely. “That guy’s physical condition is considerably inferior to ours, and his combat skills are downright terrible. Yet he managed to give me a hard time purely through some inexplicable heightened perception and his astonishingly powerful right hand.”

Gao Xu spoke just like that.

“I always felt there’s still a gap between him and us—he isn’t an Upper-Rank Professional himself.”

Gao Xu’s words made the man’s eyebrows shoot up sharply.

“A mysterious expert who isn’t an Upper-Rank Professional but can repel one?”

The man’s curiosity was ignited.

“Interesting.”

With that thought, the man began to entertain the idea of stepping forward to test him out.

(End of Chapter)