People in Doupo: The beginning of the game intercepts the rich woman Xun'er

As Yunshan and his representatives from the Yunlan Sect slowly entered the venue, the figures of all the powerful and influential figures from the Jiama Empire were already seated.

Following Xiao Zhan's instructions, she raised her hand to signal the waiters to begin the banquet. In an instant, the courtyard of the Xiao residence was filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and toasts.

The amber-colored wine in the crystal goblet shimmered with a clear light, intertwining with the aroma of the delicacies on the table; the melodious sounds of silk and bamboo instruments rose gently, blending with the hearty laughter of the guests, flowing slowly under the shimmering palace lanterns.

At the table, imperial nobles and leaders of various forces raised their glasses in toasts, exchanging polite greetings. Members of the Xiao family moved among the guests, pouring wine and serving dishes with great enthusiasm, conveying the joy of the family's revival in every greeting.

The moonlight poured down, covering the vermilion pillars and gold and red ribbons, making the bustling atmosphere of the courtyard even more intense and vibrant.

However, although everyone at the table was toasting and drinking, their eyes kept glancing around, their brows revealing a hint of barely suppressed curiosity.

After all, this grand feast was originally set up for the triumphant return of Xiao Ling and Xiao Yan, the two prodigies of the Xiao family. The main characters have not yet appeared. Even the powerful and noble people who are used to grand occasions cannot help but wonder what the Xiao family is up to.
Fortunately, the wait didn't last too long.

The banquet had just begun when the void in the center of the hall suddenly trembled slightly, and visible ripples spread out like water.

This subtle movement instantly startled everyone at the table. The crisp sound of clinking cups stopped abruptly, and all eyes turned to the center of the hall.

The next moment, with a soft "hissing" sound, the void suddenly shattered, and a spatial rift about ten feet long and wide was opened, with a fierce spatial wind carrying a faint pressure sweeping out.

From within the crack, a tall and slender figure stepped out first, with black hair flowing down his shoulders and his clothes fluttering. That handsome and highly recognizable face was none other than Xiao Ling, whom all the guests had been longing for!
Almost the instant Xiao Ling steadied himself, a similarly tall figure strode out from behind him, his eyes gleaming with a sharp edge. It was none other than Xiao Yan, who had previously been famous throughout the Jia Ma Empire!

"Hehe, seeing them now, I recognize quite a few familiar faces."

Xiao Ling glanced around, his gaze sweeping over the familiar and unfamiliar faces at the table. A slight smile played on his lips, and his voice, though not loud, carried a subtle aura of battle qi, clearly reaching the ears of everyone present.

"It is truly heartwarming to return to the Gama Empire and meet you all again. I hope you will all enjoy this banquet to the fullest."

As soon as he finished speaking, a chorus of agreement erupted from the room, creating a lively atmosphere.

"Master Xiao Ling is too kind. It is our honor to be invited to the Xiao family's grand banquet and to sit at the same table with two such outstanding talents!"

An imperial nobleman with half-white hair and beard was the first to stand up, raise his glass and laugh heartily, his tone full of respect.

"Excellent! Master Xiao Ling is young and promising, and Lord Xiao Yan is renowned throughout the continent. With two such figures in charge, the Xiao family will surely prosper even more in the future!" An elder from the sect quickly chimed in, his face beaming with undisguised praise.

"The return of these two outstanding talents to their hometown is truly an honor for Jiama! We raise a toast to them both!"

"Today we must drink to our hearts' content, and not leave until we're completely drunk!"

Everyone chimed in with compliments, and the room was filled with praise. The hidden scrutiny and inquiry were completely masked by enthusiasm and politeness. The crisp sound of clinking glass cups further enhanced the lively atmosphere of the feast.

Xiao Ling knew perfectly well that this enthusiastic flattery was merely a result of his own strength and current influence. He was already used to such scenes and remained unfazed. His smile remained unchanged, but his heart was completely undisturbed.

Immediately afterwards, Xiao Ling and Xiao Yan walked side by side, heading straight for the chairman's seat in the center of the hall.

The main table was the heart of the entire banquet. Those seated there were all top leaders of powerful forces within the Gama Empire, whose mere presence could shake the very foundations of the region. They were all prominent figures with considerable influence.

Xiao Zhan, the current patriarch of the Xiao family, sat in the main seat, looking at the two people who were walking slowly with a gentle gaze, his eyes full of pride.

The royal guardian, Jia Xingtian, was dressed in a black robe, his hair and beard all white, his aura of power concealed, as he raised his cup and sipped his wine.

Hai Bodong, the supreme elder of the Mittel family, wore an ice-blue robe and remained indifferent, except for a glint of shrewdness that occasionally flashed in his eyes.

The current sect leader of Yunlan Sect, Yun Yun, wore a white dress that trailed on the ground. Her beauty was unparalleled. She sat upright in the seat, exuding a cool and aloof temperament. The former sect leader of Yunlan Sect, Yun Shan, wore a white robe and had a calm and composed face. He sat upright beside Yun Yun and also had a bit of the demeanor of a master.

Besides these individuals, the remaining seats above the chairman's table were also occupied by prominent figures with renowned reputations within the Gama Empire. Such a gathering of people was truly a once-in-a-century spectacle.

Upon seeing Xiao Ling and Xiao Yan walking side by side, everyone on the chairman's seat paused and rose from their seats.

Xiao Zhan smiled broadly and nodded gently to the two of them, his eyes filled with satisfaction and pride; the rest of the crowd raised their hands in a gesture of respect and bowed slightly to the two of them.

"Young friends Xiao Ling and Xiao Yan, your return truly brings glory to Jia Ma Holy City!" Jia Xingtian spoke first, his aged voice carrying a hint of cheerfulness. His black robe swayed slightly with his movements, and the imposing aura emanating from him subsided somewhat.

Unless it is a major event that could affect the fate of the entire Gama Empire, these top figures, who usually govern their own regions and rarely interact, would never gather at the same table.

Looking across the entire Gama Empire, only someone like Xiao Ling, who possesses both formidable strength and immense influence, has such a great deal of influence that they would willingly come to the banquet to show their support.

The other leaders of the top powers also exchanged pleasantries, their words full of politeness and admiration.

Seeing this, Xiao Ling and Xiao Yan both chuckled and nodded, raising their hands to wave in return.

Immediately, the two walked to the two empty seats to Xiao Zhan's left and sat down naturally.

Once the two were seated, the others above the chairman's seated gradually took their seats again, and the atmosphere at the table became increasingly lively.

The Xiao family's maids filed in, carrying gilded platters and bringing out a continuous stream of exquisite dishes to the table. The delicacies on the crystal platters were vibrant in color, and the soups in the glass goblets emitted a fragrant aroma, making everyone's mouths water. Seeing this, everyone picked up their jade chopsticks and slowly began to savor the food. With their current cultivation level, they had long since transcended the constraints of grains and no longer needed to eat to sustain their lives.

But the delicious taste of delicacies is ultimately a rare pleasure in the mundane world. Occasionally reminiscing about them can bring a unique kind of enjoyment.

However, the people present were clearly not paying much attention to the food and wine in front of them. Their gazes would occasionally fall on the two figures beside the main seat, all hoping to find an opportunity to chat with Xiao Ling and Xiao Yan, the two renowned prodigies of the Xiao family who were famous throughout the continent.

During the gathering, only Fama, who had become the president of the Alchemist Guild, was the most enthusiastic. He frequently raised his glass to the two of them, and his words were full of discussions about alchemy. Sometimes he would ask about the rare strange fires on the Strange Fire Ranking, and sometimes he would ask for advice on the refining of high-level pills. His brows were full of eager enthusiasm for learning.

The others, each with their own thoughts, steered the conversation toward the Central Plains. Some were curious about the flourishing sects there, some inquired about the strength and realms of the top experts, and others asked about the local customs and culture of the Central Plains—all showing a deep longing for that continent.

Faced with the continuous inquiries from the crowd, Xiao Ling and Xiao Yan did not put on any airs of superiority. They always had a faint smile on their lips and would occasionally respond with a few words, slowly recounting the strange and wonderful stories of Zhongzhou.

When the conversation turned to the grandeur of the Central Plains, with its numerous sects and countless powerful figures, to the supreme experts who could tear the heavens apart with a mere wave of their hands, and to the turbulent power struggles between the various factions, everyone present listened with astonishment, gasping in disbelief. Exclamations of amazement rose and fell, and all present sighed with admiration. This magnificent and vast world was utterly incomparable to the small, isolated northwest corner of the Gama Empire; there was simply no comparison whatsoever.

Among all the guests, the one who benefited the most was undoubtedly Fama, the president of the Alchemist Guild.

The questions and doubts he had previously raised about alchemy were easily answered by Xiao Ling and Xiao Yan with just a few casual words.

It should be noted that Xiao Yan was already a genuine eighth-grade alchemist, and Xiao Ling was a top expert who could refine ninth-grade pills. For Fama, who had just entered the sixth grade alchemist class, these few words were like a wake-up call, with every word revealing profound knowledge that he had never encountered before.

Fama felt his heart burning, and his mind was filled with flashes of inspiration. If this banquet hadn't been meant to bring him closer to Xiao Ling and Xiao Yan, he probably would have already been unable to contain himself and would have wanted to find a secluded place to go into seclusion to carefully study and integrate the insights he had just gained. Perhaps the knowledge he had acquired on this trip would be the key to breaking through his bottleneck in alchemy.

Xiao Ling naturally took in Fama's delighted expression.

Seeing the burning light in the old man's eyes, Xiao Ling suddenly realized something and remembered an old story that Yao Chen had mentioned to him in a casual conversation. Back then, when Yao Chen was traveling through the Dou Qi Continent, he had encountered a young man who was obsessed with alchemy when he passed through the Jia Ma Empire in the Northwest Continent.

At that time, Master Yao was already a master alchemist capable of refining top-grade eighth-rank pills, and was the most famous alchemist in Zhongzhou. On a whim, he casually gave the young man a few pointers, but later, because he was in a hurry to get on his way, he never inquired about the young man's future.

Only now did Xiao Ling realize with a start that the naive young man who was casually given some pointers by the old doctor was actually the Fama standing before him.

In this light, fate is truly a wondrous thing.

Back then, receiving even a few words of guidance from the number one alchemist in Zhongzhou was an incredible opportunity that countless alchemists would never dream of. Now, to be able to personally hear the guidance of Xiao Yan, an eighth-grade alchemist, and Xiao Ling, a ninth-grade alchemy master, Fama's life has truly been filled with extraordinary opportunities in the path of alchemy.

As the banquet raged and the wine flowed freely, the clinking of glass cups produced a crisp, pleasant sound, while the melodies of string and wind instruments played softly and gracefully. Amidst the toasts and lively conversation, the night deepened, and time slipped away quietly in this bustling atmosphere.

As the atmosphere at the banquet reached its peak, Xiao Ling lowered his gaze slightly, picked up the jade cup in front of him, and gently stroked the patterns on the cup with his fingertips. He looked around, his gaze sweeping over the faces of everyone present. His every move exuded a calm and dignified air, and the noisy banquet gradually quieted down because of this one action.

Xiao Ling downed the fine wine in his glass in one gulp before slowly speaking, his voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable weight.
"I am deeply grateful to all of you for your presence at the Xiao residence today, allowing my brother and me to reminisce about our old friendship. I thank you all."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the various expressions on the faces of the people at the table, and continued...

"Although Xiao Yan and I have lived in Zhongzhou for a long time, we have never forgotten that our roots are in the Jia Ma Empire, on this land of the Northwest Continent. This time we have returned, hoping to do our part for our homeland."

At this point, Xiao Ling changed the subject, his expression becoming increasingly solemn: "Today, I have a suggestion that I would like to discuss with everyone present."

These words immediately sparked a low murmur of discussion among the guests.

Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan exchanged a glance, their expressions calm and composed, clearly already aware of this.

The others looked on with curiosity, whispering among themselves, their eyes all focused on Xiao Ling, clearly wanting to know what kind of proposal this prodigy who was stirring up trouble would make.

Only Jia Xingtian, who was sitting upright at the table, suddenly narrowed his eyes upon hearing this, as if he had instantly realized something. The smile on his face froze slightly, and his expression became serious. His fingertips tightened unconsciously, and even the aura around him became heavier.

"Hehe, we are naturally very pleased that Master Xiao Ling has such a good intention for the Jia Ma Empire."

Hai Bodong spoke first, a shrewd glint in his icy blue eyes. He had already discerned the hidden meaning in Xiao Ling's words and vaguely sensed that this might be an excellent opportunity for the Mittel family to advance further. He immediately echoed loudly, "Master Xiao Ling, please elaborate. We will listen attentively!"

Hearing this, Xiao Ling turned his head and looked at Hai Bodong, who had taken the initiative to support him. A hint of approval flashed in his eyes, clearly satisfied with this well-timed agreement. He nodded slightly, then looked up at the crowd, his voice suddenly rising a few decibels, clearly resounding throughout every corner of the hall:
"If that's the case, then I'll speak frankly."

Xiao Ling put down the jade cup in his hand, and lightly tapped the table with his fingertips. The crisp sound completely dispelled the remaining discussions at the table.

"Although Xiao Yan and I have lived in the Central Plains for a long time, we are well aware that the Northwest Continent is not a peaceful place. The surrounding countries are eyeing us covetously. The infiltration of the Jia Ma Empire may seem stable, but in reality, there are undercurrents."

"Therefore, I have returned with one thought in mind: to establish an alliance within the Gama Empire."

These words immediately caused quite a stir at the table. Everyone looked surprised and whispered among themselves.

Xiao Ling raised his hand to calm everyone down, and continued, "The alliance I want to form is not to annex your forces. On the contrary, each force can still operate independently on a daily basis, and the sect inheritance and family rules will remain unchanged."

"However, matters within the alliance must be discussed by everyone. I propose that we appoint an Alliance Leader, who will hold supreme power within the alliance and can issue orders in times of crisis to mobilize the strength of all forces within the alliance. We also propose a Council of Elders, composed of the heads of the top forces from all sides of the Gama Empire. The Council of Elders will hold the power of deliberation and supervision. If the Alliance Leader's decisions are inappropriate, the Council of Elders can jointly reject them..." (End of this chapter)