"What?"
As the voice from the walkie-talkie echoed, the pupils of Zhu Mo and Li Qingyuan, as well as Kun Mu, Kong Ming, Ye Kunlun, and Yuan He, all suddenly widened.
"Ye Madman, Jiang Wu Ming didn't come, but Gu Tian Long did. Do you want to fight Gu Tian Long before going in?"
Immediately, before Li Qingyuan and Zhu Mo could respond, Yuan He said to Ye Kunlun with a smile, appearing to stir up trouble.
"Yuan He, don't speak nonsense!" Kong Ming quickly stopped Yuan He from fanning the flames.
"Kunlun, come in with me."
Kun Mu also spoke quickly, as if afraid Ye Kunlun would believe Yuan He's wicked words and wait for Gu Tian Long to fight him.
"Master Zhu, how about you accompany Master Kun Mu, Master Kong Ming, and the other four to the villa, while we wait for Minister Gu and the other two?"
Li Qingyuan turned and suggested to Zhu Mo.
"Alright."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Mo immediately guessed Li Qingyuan's intentions but did not refuse. He first took Kun Mu, Kong Ming, Ye Kunlun, and Yuan He in the manor's sightseeing car towards the villa area.
Li Qingyuan remained in place to wait.
Soon, as Li Qingyuan waited, Gu Lü, his son Gu Tian Long, and Long Yongjie walked towards the manor. They had arrived by car, and the driver had parked at the open-air parking lot outside the mountain villa.
"Minister Gu, Sect Leader Long, Young Master Gu, welcome to Li Manor!"
Li Qingyuan stepped forward to greet them, first addressing Gu Lü and then calling Long Yongjie "Sect Leader," showing his tactful handling of everyone.
He knew that for him and the Li family, Gu Lü and the Gu family were more important than the Dragon Gate. However, he also did not want Long Yongjie to feel uncomfortable, so he addressed him as Sect Leader.
In fact, the Sect Leader of the Dragon Gate was still the once invincible Zhuge Ling Jun, and Long Yongjie was the Great Elder, currently in charge of the Dragon Gate's affairs, making him the acting Sect Leader.
"Qingyuan, I am not the Sect Leader, I am merely acting on behalf of the Sect Leader to manage the sect."
Long Yongjie corrected him with a smile, but inwardly, he felt quite pleased.
Although Kunlun, Buddhism, and the Dragon Gate were collectively regarded as representatives of Long Guo's martial arts world, the Dragon Gate held a unique position within it.
On one hand, Zhuge Ling Jun's personal combat prowess was the ceiling of Long Guo's martial arts world!
On the other hand, the Ministry of Martial Arts, which governed Long Guo's martial arts world, had deep roots and a very close relationship with the Dragon Gate!
The Sect Leader of the Dragon Gate, in a sense, could be considered the foremost figure in Long Guo's martial arts world!
"An acting Sect Leader is still a Sect Leader. Sect Leader Long, Master Zhu was originally here to welcome you. Kunlun and the people from the Buddhist sect arrived earlier, so he took the guests to the villa area." Li Qingyuan chuckled.
Long Yongjie waved his hand with a smile but no longer denied it.
"Minister Gu, I heard that Young Master Gu has already reached the ninth stage of the One-star War God. This is truly the number one young talent in Long Guo's martial arts world! In fact, even in the global martial arts world, there is no one among the younger generation who can compete with Young Master Gu!"
Li Qingyuan immediately shifted the topic to Gu Lü and his son Gu Tian Long.
"Uncle Li, you flatter me. You can just call me Tian Long."
Gu Tian Long smiled slightly and readily accepted Li Qingyuan's praise, but he adopted a humble demeanor in front of Li Qingyuan.
This was because he knew that his marriage to Li Lianyi was personally orchestrated by Li Qingyuan!
"Qingyuan, have you mentioned that matter to Old Master Li?" Gu Lü asked directly, completely disregarding Long Yongjie's presence.
This was because, on the way, he had already informed Long Yongjie about Gu Tian Long replacing Jiang Wu Ming and marrying Li Lianyi.
"I went to report to the Old Master as soon as I returned," Li Qingyuan replied with a smile and a nod.
"What did Old Master Li say?" Gu Lü asked expectantly.
Gu Tian Long and Long Yongjie also looked at Li Qingyuan with anticipation.
"The Old Master did not object. For the specifics, you will have to speak with him personally." Li Qingyuan said.
"Good!"
Gu Lü's eyes lit up.
Gu Tian Long was somewhat excited.
Since Li Guyi did not object, it indicated a high probability of success!
Afterward, Li Qingyuan personally accompanied Gu Lü, his son Gu Tian Long, and Long Yongjie to the villa area in a sightseeing car.
More than ten minutes later, as soon as he had escorted the three to the villa area, he received a report that Ye Zheng had arrived with Ye Feng!
This news greatly shocked Li Qingyuan!
He and the Li family only knew that the Ye family would send someone, and it was most likely Ye Feng. They had never expected that Ye Zheng, the head of the Ye family, would personally appear!
Amidst the shock, Li Qingyuan immediately exchanged a few words with Gu Lü, Gu Tian Long, and Long Yongjie, and then rushed back to the reception hall.
Ye Zheng's arrival not only shocked Li Qingyuan but also astonished Gu Lü and his son Gu Tian Long!
As soon as Li Qingyuan left, Gu Tian Long couldn't help but ask, "Dad, why is Ye Zheng here?"
"I don't know."
Gu Lü frowned. He also didn't know about Ye Zheng attending Li Guyi's birthday celebration, but he knew that Ye Zheng's personal appearance was unusual.
And usually, when there's an unusual event, there's a hidden motive!
"Dad, is the Ye family also targeting Li Lianyi? Is Ye Zheng here to discuss the marriage between Ye Feng and Li Lianyi with Li Guyi?"
A thought arose in Gu Tian Long's mind, and he asked again.
"If the Ye family were to do this, it would undoubtedly cause a huge stir. After all, the engagement between Jiang Wu Ming and Li Lianyi was arranged by Ye Zheng and Li Guyi back then."
Gu Lü mused, "Of course, considering Ye Zheng's usual way of handling things, this possibility cannot be ruled out!"
"Heh... we have already taken the lead. Even if that old fox Ye Zheng wants to do this, there will be no opportunity!"
Gu Tian Long sneered.
In terms of family status and background, the Gu family was in no way inferior to the Ye family.
In terms of personal status, he was the young master of the Dragon Gate, far from comparable to Ye Feng.
In terms of personal strength, he was confident that he could crush Ye Feng.
Why should Ye Feng contend with him for Li Lianyi?!
Ye Zheng's arrival soon spread throughout Li Zhuang, shocking all the representatives of the influential families, and also drawing attention and speculation from people from various martial arts factions.
"Gu Lü of the Gu family, and Ye Zheng, the head of the Ye family, have both arrived. This is very strange. Are they trying to target Li Lianyi?"
"This possibility is very high! After all, both Gu Tian Long and Ye Feng can represent their respective families in attending Li Guyi's birthday celebration!"
"Jiang Wu Ming is truly pathetic. Not only was he not invited, but his fiancée is also being snatched away!"
"There's nothing that can be done. Jiang Zhan is dead. Although Jiang Wu Ming has the support of the Ministry of Martial Arts, without a backing, he simply cannot be compared to the young masters from prominent families like Gu Tian Long and Ye Feng!"
"It's true that Jiang Wu Ming has no backing, but if the rumor about him from a few days ago is true, and if he is indeed the殿主 of the War Dragon Hall, then Gu Tian Long and Ye Feng would have no chance – the Li family would definitely not abandon this marriage engagement!"
"You said 'if,' and where do 'ifs' come from? He is only twenty years old, how could he be the殿主 of the War Dragon Hall who dominates the Two-star War God rankings?!"
...
For a time, all sorts of discussions filled Li Zhuang.
Li Gu Yi, the head of the Li family, learned that the guests had all arrived and set off from Yaoshen Valley to Li Zhuang.
Although his birthday was tomorrow, he had to fulfill his duties as a host today and attend the reception banquet.
Li Lianyi did not accompany Li Gu Yi; she remained in Yaoshen Valley.
"Lianyi, except for Jiang Wu Ming, all the guests have arrived. Grandpa has set off for Li Zhuang."
Li Xiaoman came to Li Lianyi's study, first informing Li Lianyi of a piece of information, then hesitating and asking, "Are you sure Jiang Wu Ming will come?"
"Certain!"
Li Lianyi put down the medical book in her hand, looked up at her cousin Li Xiaoman, her tone calm and resolute.
"Ding—"
As Li Lianyi finished speaking, her mobile phone on the desk rang.
She picked up her phone and saw a Dragon Letter message notification.
"Sorry, I came uninvited. I will wish Grandpa Li a happy birthday tomorrow and would also like to have a chat with you."
—Wu Liang.
"Okay."
Li Lianyi replied with a smile, a smile that could topple cities.
The young man has arrived!
...