This sentence confused everyone. They understood auspicious omens and bad omens, but what was a "great omen of coercion"?
"Brother Fu Gui, may I ask, what is a great omen of coercion?"
Wan Lei asked very humbly and politely.
"It means you have to put on a grand show at this birthday banquet, one that commands everyone's attention."
...
Everyone was speechless.
After all this calculating, the result was that Wan Lei had to put on a show? Did they even need to calculate that? When had he ever *not* put on a show?
"What are you talking about, putting on a show? I'm just here to eat. As long as it doesn't interfere with my meal, I won't put on any show."
Bah, bah, bah! What do you mean putting on a show? That's just a natural display of dominance!
After the Four Great Heavenly Pavilions had presented their gifts, several affiliated major forces arrived successively. Finally, the other eight peak forces made their appearance.
The first to enter was the Kui Lian Sect.
"This junior, Chen Yijun, wishes Senior Aunt Shui a happy birthday."
The one who arrived this time was Elder Chen Yijun of the Kui Lian Sect, a veritable workhorse.
Elder Chen had led teams into the secret realm twice. She had barely survived the Nine Deaths in the Water Lily Secret Realm, and yet, not long after, she was dispatched by the Kui Lian Sect again to wish the Fang family's Old Madam a happy birthday. Calling her a workhorse was no exaggeration; she even outshone the Yin Yang Sect's workhorse, Wan Juxin.
The reason she referred to the Fang family's Old Madam as Senior Aunt was because the Old Madam also originated from the Kui Lian Sect. In terms of seniority, she was one generation older than Chen Yijun, so naturally, she was addressed as Senior Aunt.
Over the past tens of thousands of years, the Kui Lian Sect had married off disciples to many other peak forces. It could be said that among the other eight forces, the Kui Lian Sect had the deepest "penetration."
This was precisely the reason why the Kui Lian Sect, consisting entirely of women, had managed to remain a peak force for over fifty thousand years.
If any other force wanted to make a move against the Kui Lian Sect, they would first have to deal with the "wife army" twisting their ears.
The second to enter was the Yin Yang Sect. The Yin Yang Sect, along with the Kui Lian Sect, had always maintained good relations with the Fang family. This time, in the Water Lily Secret Realm, the three sides had joined forces to carve out a path, bringing out most of their elders and disciples, further deepening their affection for the Fang family.
Their early arrival was also a gesture of respect towards the Fang family.
After paying his respects, Qian Duoduo directly came to Wan Lei's table and sat down. These outstanding young talents from the Central Region had formed a small circle.
Following them were the Dun family, the Zhou family, the Wu family, the Huo family, and the Kaitian Sword Sect.
Regardless of how much they had argued before, or how they had killed each other's Mahayana cultivators, they were all peak forces. After fifty thousand years of interaction, there was still a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect.
It was the Fang family patriarch's mother's birthday, a significant occasion for reaching two thousand years of age. It would be inexcusable not to attend.
After presenting their gifts one by one, the families all took their seats on the eastern side of the grand hall. Why not the western side?
Because Wan Lei was on the western side.
Sensing the gazes from the east, Young Master Lei returned the glare without backing down. However, after a while, he stopped glaring.
They were too many, and he couldn't glare back at all of them.
The last to enter and present their gift was naturally the Liu family, the most antagonistic towards the Fang family and the one that considered itself the foremost force in the Thunderwind Realm.
Given their strength, it was not unreasonable for them to make a climactic appearance last.
Wan Lei had never met the person representing the Liu family. It was a young Mahayana powerhouse named Liu Qingying.
While called young, he actually looked like a middle-aged man. However, compared to the generally elderly Mahayana cultivators, he was indeed young.
Coincidentally, this person was the full brother of Liu Qinglin.
There was nothing more to say. They shared a deep enmity, and it was a testament to his restraint that they hadn't erupted into a fight upon meeting.
"Liu Qingying, on behalf of the Liu family, wishes Old Madam a happy birthday. I present this branch of Primordial Fire Agarwood as a birthday gift, wishing Old Madam longevity as enduring as the South Mountain's ancient pine!"
After Liu Qingying finished speaking, those around let out exclamations of astonishment.
"This Primordial Fire Agarwood is nurtured for a hundred years by a fire-attribute Mahayana cultivator using their natal fire. When ignited, it can draw upon the primal fire of heaven and earth, incinerating all things. Its value is at least several million spirit stones!"
"Indeed, as expected of the Liu family, such magnanimity! They are willing to give away something so rare and valuable."
"The Liu family is truly generous."
In truth, a gift worth several million spirit stones was not much for a peak force. However, a gift was still a gift. Any more would be unnecessary, and a gift worth tens of millions would cease to be a gift; it would be aiding the enemy.
"Very good, very good. This old woman thanks the Liu family for their kindness."
The Old Madam smiled and accepted the gift.
Old Fang nodded at this, then loudly announced,
"All guests have arrived. Let the banquet commence..."
"A moment, please."
Liu Qingying raised his hand to halt the proceedings, a slight smile on his face.
Old Fang felt a sudden premonition of something unwelcome.
"Old Madam, I have heard that the Fang family has a son-in-law who is a true dragon among men, a sun in the clear sky. At such a young age, he already possesses strength comparable to a Mahayana cultivator. Such a heavenly talent must also be extremely filial.
However, I wonder what birthday gift this prodigy has prepared for you, Old Madam? So that we too can broaden our horizons and witness it."
After speaking, Liu Qingying's gaze kept drifting towards Wan Lei. Everyone present knew who he was referring to.
Liu Qingying's objective was simple: to use this opportunity to suppress Wan Lei, cause Wan Lei to lose face in front of the Fang family, and incidentally, cause the Fang family to lose face as well.
After all, as the grandson-in-law, with such a great reputation, his prepared birthday gift couldn't possibly be worth less than that of an outsider like himself from the Liu family, could it?
But if he were to ask Wan Lei to produce a gift worth several million, did he have the money? Was he willing to spend it?
Certainly not. Therefore, this time, he, Liu Qingying, was bound to win.
"Damn it, Young Master Lei, say your gift aloud and let this guy know you're not to be trifled with!"
Sui Xiaohang, a staunch supporter of Young Master Lei, immediately stood up to back him.
Meanwhile, Young Master Lei remained motionless.
Birthday gift? What birthday gift? He hadn't prepared anything at all! He thought he was just here to eat, who knew he had to bring a gift?
"Oh? Could it be that young friend Wan Lei, as the Old Madam's grandson-in-law who married the Fang family's beloved jewel, hasn't even prepared a gift?"
As soon as Liu Qingying uttered these words, the expressions of those around them immediately turned playful, tinged with mockery. Whispers and gossip continuously reached Wan Lei's ears.
Old Fang's face darkened with displeasure as he contemplated how to respond.
Fang Xiaoyu's expression was as dark as ink, wanting to go over and beat up the troublemaker.
It was at this moment that Wan Lei could no longer pretend to be unaware. This situation had to be handled.
"Who said I don't have a gift!"
Wan Lei slowly walked towards the center, his mind still desperately searching for a gift that wouldn't be demeaning but also wouldn't affect his combat power.
"Oh? Then by all means, state it, let us broaden our horizons. Or perhaps, you, Wan Lei, haven't even presented your birthday gift yet."
"I haven't presented it yet, of course."
"Hahahaha, as expected. The Old Madam is celebrating her birthday, and you, this unfilial descendant, haven't even presented a gift. This shows contempt for the Fang family."
"The reason I haven't presented my gift is that it is too valuable, and therefore it must be the grand finale!"
"My birthday gift is unparalleled!"