The graceful and radiant young woman pressed her red lips together, her willow brows furrowing slightly, yet her pair of pure, flawless eyes revealed a cold, sharp questioning.
Faced with this question.
Andrew Han found himself at a loss for words.
Is it not allowed to evaluate oneself? Besides, humility is a long-standing virtue of China, a principle his master Miles Ning taught him.
At the same time, Monica Zhang, graceful inside and out, also felt a bit bewildered.
Both of them had concealed their true identities, so hearing the crowd’s praise felt far too exaggerated. After all, the person most qualified to judge Andrew Han should be Andrew himself, or Monica, who spent every day with him.
So.
What serious consequences could there be for privately discussing Venerable Han?
"Hmm." Andrew Han pondered seriously... If someone talked about him behind his back, as long as it wasn’t malicious slander or defamation, it was a normal thing and wouldn’t lead to any serious consequences.
Monica Zhang thought the same.
Therefore.
The atmosphere was unusually quiet.
At the center of the banquet, people raised glasses and exchanged toasts. But in this unnoticed corner, the red-lipped young woman in her crimson dress gazed coldly at Andrew Han and Monica Zhang: "You two, answer my question."
The young woman’s name was Autumn Duke, the only daughter of Eric Duke.
In fact, ever since the Martial Arts Student Ranking Battle, she had been paying attention to the dazzling Andrew Han.
Back then, Andrew Han was just beginning to show his edge. But as time passed, he climbed step by step to the summit, sweeping across the land and standing above all.
Eventually, he ascended to the Law Realm and became a Venerable.
His many feats were enough to make history; perhaps he was truly peerless across the ages.
"Hmph."
Autumn Duke let out a cold snort.
"You two," she said coldly, "since you can't answer, or don't want to, then please show your banquet invitation cards and let us see which school you martial arts students are from, that you dare to comment on Venerable Han."
Invitation card?
Which school’s martial arts students?
Andrew Han and Monica Zhang exchanged a smile. Any martial arts student could attend this banquet, so the two of them had simply walked in, enjoying the atmosphere and sampling the fine food.
Andrew Han replied with a faint smile, "I'm a martial arts student from Southland University."
Autumn Duke’s eyes flashed. "Oh? So you’re actually a schoolmate of Venerable Han. No wonder you presume to judge him behind his back. I suppose you’re just jealous, unwilling to admit his glory and awe?"
"Something like that." Andrew Han nodded.
Autumn Duke pursed her lips, her pale face losing its questioning look, replaced by a cold, indifferent gaze, as if she found him rather pitiful.
She straightened her light red gown.
She looked at Monica Zhang. Because the Super-Solid Inner Origin distorted light and air, Monica’s appearance had changed, making her look rather plain.
"Hmm?"
Autumn Duke gave a soft sound of surprise.
She looked closely and vaguely sensed that Monica’s face didn’t seem entirely real, almost like a painting. But the odd thought vanished quickly, and Autumn Duke offered her advice in good faith.
"This older sister’s taste might not be very good."
"Your boyfriend is narrow-minded. He may be a martial arts student from Southland University, but he lacks the proper character and morals. Someone so jealous is definitely not a good match."
Once she finished speaking.
Autumn Duke shook her head and turned to leave.
The banquet had only just begun, and she didn’t want to waste time here for no reason.
Autumn Duke believed her heartfelt advice would surely help this young woman see her boyfriend’s true colors and lead to their breakup.
Watching Autumn Duke walk away gracefully, Monica Zhang covered her mouth to stifle a laugh: "That little sister is quite amusing."
"Yes, her taste in clothes is quite refined," Andrew Han remarked, glancing at the hem of her luxurious red gown—likely made from demon-hide, a rare treasure in the martial world.
Monica Zhang nodded her small head, "Mhm."
If it were her, she’d find it hard to wear a full red robe without blushing... The two of them quietly watched Autumn Duke return to the center of the banquet, her red dress occasionally revealing her long, beautiful legs, her snow-white skin dazzling under the lights and drawing every gaze.
No matter their status, gender, or aesthetic taste, everyone was struck by her beauty.
"Hmm."
"She must be a second-generation martial artist."
Andrew Han nodded lightly, picked up a golden shrimp ball from the rectangular dining table, and took a bite—it was crispy and delicious.
Meanwhile, at the center of the banquet...
Autumn Duke, dressed in red, smiled modestly, meeting all the dazzled gazes, her lips pursed and her radiant face showing a hint of proud delight.
She enjoyed the feeling of being the center of attention.
Eric Duke stood beside her, doting on his beloved daughter. After all, he had spent years raising her, and now she was already Third Rank in martial arts—not weak even by sect standards.
Just then...
At the main banquet hall entrance, respectful voices rang out: "Sect Master Quentin Su of Su Stele Sect has arrived!"
"Quentin Su, Sect Master of Su Stele Sect!"
"My goodness, he’s a Titled Sequence powerhouse. I heard that on the Cloud-Sea Front, Sect Master Su once slew two great demons."
The mention of his name moved everyone.
Su Stele Sect, a small martial sect in Southland Province, may be called small in the martial world, but to these people, it was supremely prestigious.
It’s no exaggeration:
Even the Southland provincial government couldn’t compare to Su Stele Sect.
As Sect Master of Su Stele Sect, Quentin Su ruled over the entire sect, and as a Titled Sequence powerhouse, he was a truly lofty figure.
"How strange."
"Sect Master Su actually came in person?"
"Although Eric Duke is a high-ranking Martial Lord with great prospects, it’s still not enough for Sect Master Su to come here himself, is it?" People whispered respectfully, their expressions full of reverence.
Everyone present was part of Southland Province’s upper circles and knew that Titled Sequence experts had frightening hearing, so their discussions were hushed and cautious, almost like frightened cicadas.
Immediately after.
Quentin Su entered at the doorway, ethereal as an immortal, holding a feather fan and dressed in scholar’s robes, his bearing extraordinary.
Led by Eric Duke, the Martial Lord students hurried forward to greet him warmly, clearly having communicated beforehand.
"Your visit honors us greatly, Sect Master Su," Eric Duke bowed respectfully.
"No need for such formality," Quentin Su replied with a light laugh. "About what I mentioned last time—having our Su Stele Sect disciple Ethan Su marry your daughter—have you given it some thought?"
Everyone was shocked at his words.
As a first-generation martial arts student, now a high-ranking Martial Lord, Eric Duke nearly led all previous martial students. If he could ally with Su Stele Sect by marriage, it would be a tremendous boost.
In this era of war and chaos, Eric Duke would surely become a force to be reckoned with.
"Eric Duke truly has a remarkable daughter."
"Sect Master Su personally coming to propose shows how much he values this, and confirms his sincerity. It seems this marriage alliance is inevitable."
"I was planning to have my son pursue Autumn Duke, but with Sect Master Su personally proposing, I was clearly overthinking it."
All eyes flickered with different thoughts.
Marriage alliances in the martial world were common; most sects had similar customs.
But to everyone’s surprise, Autumn Duke frowned and spoke up first: "Sect Master Su, I’m only sixteen and don’t want to be engaged so early. Besides, I’ve never even heard of Ethan Su."
"Oh?" Quentin Su frowned.
The lively atmosphere froze instantly.
Quentin Su was a Titled Sequence powerhouse—his mere presence was intimidating, and Eric Duke’s heart skipped a beat. Everyone at the banquet stared in shocked silence at Autumn Duke and Quentin Su, unsure how to react.
This was Su Stele Sect!
A martial arts sect revered by countless people.
Eric Duke quickly stepped forward, shielding his daughter: "Sect Master Su, Autumn is still young and doesn’t know how to speak properly. Please don’t take offense."
Quentin Su shook his head and laughed, waving his hand. "I’m just passing by and thought I’d ask. No need to be nervous."
Then...
Quentin Su’s gaze fell on Autumn Duke’s red-cheeked face, and he asked with interest, "Since you’ve never heard of Ethan Su, why not choose for yourself? Our Su Stele Sect still has many outstanding young disciples."
"Sorry, I don’t want to choose." Autumn Duke’s voice was clear and crisp, like pearls falling onto jade.
What did she mean?
Everyone’s expressions changed drastically, sensing Autumn Duke’s real meaning... She wasn’t rejecting Ethan Su specifically, nor targeting Sect Master Su, but rather dismissing all disciples of Su Stele Sect.
Deathly stillness!
A silence like death!
The splendid banquet seemed shrouded in a layer of icy frost; everyone felt a chill and nervously glanced at Quentin Su, afraid he might erupt in fury and implicate the entire gathering.
"Hahaha."
Instead, Quentin Su laughed heartily three times and spoke plainly: "You think our Su Stele Sect isn’t good enough? Then who would you choose? Young lady, though I am a Titled Sequence expert, our Su Stele Sect would never bully anyone with power."
At his words, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
"However," Quentin Su’s tone suddenly turned cold, his expression displeased. "If you cannot give me a reasonable answer today... our Su Stele Sect is not to be insulted lightly."
Eric Duke had already agreed to this marriage alliance!
If not, Quentin Su wouldn’t have come to ask in person. That’s why he was displeased, looking coldly at Eric Duke and Autumn Duke.
The atmosphere in the hall dropped to freezing.
It was as if dark clouds pressed down, the heavy, stifling atmosphere weighed on the banquet. Even the brilliant lights seemed tense, the delicious food now flavorless, and everyone couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread.
"Sect Master Su," Eric Duke’s expression changed slightly, wanting to explain.
At that moment...
Autumn Duke stepped forward, cupped her hands, and her voice rang through the hall like an oriole’s song: "I don’t want to think about these things—I just want to train in martial arts. Who says girls are destined to be inferior in martial arts? I, Autumn Duke, refuse to believe it. Please forgive me, Sect Master Su."
Just as she finished speaking, a soft laugh came from the corner: "Well said."
In an instant...
Everyone instinctively turned to look.
Autumn Duke, in her red dress and lips, also looked over instinctively, seeing a young man in a pure white coat holding hands with a bright-eyed, beautiful girl. His expression was calm and relaxed, as if part of a stunning painting that existed only in fiction.
At that moment, the two revealed their true faces.
"Quentin Su."
Andrew Han smiled faintly, "Let’s leave this matter here."