Chapter 165: The Manifestation of Abi?

Zhou Tian's attire was strikingly out of place with the surroundings, completely different in style and cut, which naturally drew the gazes of quite a few people. Although some frowned inwardly, they were all guests at the same banquet, so no one stepped forward to cause trouble for the time being.

"Brother Gu, I heard your family made a fortune recently."

In a small circle formed by five or six people, someone raised a crystal wine glass. The peerless nectar within rippled slightly, emitting an exotic fragrance, and spoke to a young man opposite him.

"What fortune could there be? We merely earned some pocket money in the cracks between the various major factions of the Astral Realm."

The man opposite him also raised his glass. Although his tone was one of feigned modesty, the self-satisfaction on his face could not be concealed no matter how hard he tried. After all, being able to turn a profit among the major factions of the Astral Realm was already a skill in its own right.

"Brother Gu, I heard that quite a few major Astral factions are plotting against the Nine Continents. Is that true?"

Another person within that small circle chimed in.

"Matters concerning such major factions are not something we should discuss casually."

The young man addressed as Brother Gu turned solemn, seemingly reluctant to say much, yet none of the people conversing with him showed any disappointment.

"However, this matter is hardly a deep secret among the upper echelons, and I do happen to know a thing or two."

Brother Gu's tone shifted, the smug expression on his face growing even more pronounced, as if the faction behind him belonged to the truly supreme powers.

The other individuals felt a twinge of annoyance internally, yet they had to admit that the faction backing Brother Gu was indeed rather formidable. Driven by curiosity, they cupped their fists slightly and said:

"Please enlighten us, Brother Gu."

"Easily done, easily done."

Brother Gu let out a hearty laugh and continued:

"This affair can easily be considered a monumental event within the Astral Realm over the past hundred thousand years."

Brother Gu made no effort to lower his voice; in fact, he spoke even louder than before. Zhou Tian heard every word clearly and pondered inwardly, surprised to find that this matter was already spreading rapidly throughout the Astral Realm. Feeling a surge of curiosity about what else Brother Gu might reveal, he took a few steps closer in that direction.

Many others attending the banquet also drifted closer, clearly consumed by curiosity.

Seeing this, Brother Gu became even more smug. The sensation of becoming the focal point of the banquet felt immensely gratifying to him.

"This time, it is said to have been initiated by the Abyss Tomb..."

"Hiss—"

The very first sentence elicited a chorus of sharp gasps.

"The Abyss Tomb? That is a supreme superpower occupying the eleventh spatial node! They haven't stirred up any major waves for a very long time."

"No wonder several Tomb Masters of the Abyss Tomb have been appearing with such frequency lately. So that was the reason."

Extremely pleased with the theatrical effect he had produced, Brother Gu continued:

"As you all know, the Abyss Tomb is the graveyard of myriad realms and has witnessed all kinds of worlds. They have long coveted the Nine Continents—a world formed in the aftermath by the fusion of nine great realms. Had the Nine Continents not possessed formidable strength of its own, it would have been reduced to just another grave within the Abyss Tomb long ago."

"With them making a move this time, victory over the Nine Continents is virtually assured. Furthermore, the Heavenly God Mountain has already revealed its stance, whetting its blades for the Nine Continents as well. As for what other factions are involved, I am not at liberty to say, so please forgive me, everyone."

"Not at all, not at all. We are endlessly grateful to Brother Gu for resolving our doubts. Without you, it would have been quite some time before we caught wind of this news."

Someone flattered him, a broad smile plastered across his face.

"Doesn't that mean the Nine Continents is bound to fall? The Heavenly God Mountain is also a mighty faction occupying the sixteenth spatial node. With these two joining forces, what can the Nine Continents possibly use to resist?"

Someone raised a doubt. Viewed in this light, the Nine Continents had no choice but to surrender.

"Not necessarily."

Brother Gu spoke once more, recapturing everyone's attention.

"Have you all forgotten how the Nine Continents rose to prominence? The Astral Heavenly Artisans Pavilion has always maintained friendly relations with them, and generations of their people have even intermarried."

"Since the Abyss Tomb has made its move, the Astral Heavenly Artisans Pavilion naturally will not stand idly by. Although the Abyss Tomb ranks one position higher than the Astral Heavenly Artisans Pavilion, that is largely due to the unique nature of the Abyss Tomb. When it comes to influence within the Astral Realm, the Astral Heavenly Artisans Pavilion has operated for many years and is likely even more formidable."

Another wave of shock swept through the crowd. They had not expected the Astral Heavenly Artisans Pavilion to have a finger in this pie as well. This affair was truly shaping up to be a monumental event of the highest order in the Astral Realm.

As for Zhou Tian, he was immensely curious about Brother Gu's remark concerning how the Nine Continents rose to prominence, so he spoke up:

"Brother Gu, could you elaborate on how the Nine Continents rose to power?"

All eyes turned toward Zhou Tian, and nearly everyone frowned slightly. How had such a shabbily dressed wretch managed to sneak in? Brother Gu also frowned, seemingly displeased with Zhou Tian's tone.

Before he could respond, however, a cold male voice rang out:

"A mere small faction occupying a spatial node ranked in the thousands, yet you dare to brazenly discuss the great powers of the Astral Realm here. Truly ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth!"

Brother Gu's expression turned unsightly in the extreme. The faction behind him indeed ranked well beyond the top thousand in the Astral Realm, but the Astral Realm was vast beyond measure; to be ranked even after the thousandth position still meant one possessed considerable renown.

He whirled around to see who dared to rebuke him so harshly.

The speaker was a young man. He was not dressed in anything resembling a suit; instead, he wore a purple-gold long robe, with a mane of golden hair draped over his shoulders. His physique was robust and towering, his pupils were golden, and a streak of bloody ferocity was branded between his brows. Most striking of all were the two brilliant, magnificent horns protruding from either side of his head.

He strode toward Brother Gu with the confident pace of a dragon and the fierce strides of a tiger, as if a golden divine ox were striding across the heavens and earth, shattering stars and destroying worlds—this was the external manifestation of his potent bloodline.

"Ni Gu, is it? An attitude like yours is likely to invite disaster..."

He walked right up to Ni Gu, looking down at him from above with utter detachment in his gaze.

"Is the Ni family truly so mighty? I recall that a faction of roughly equal standing to yours was utterly annihilated overnight not long ago. Every single member of their main lineage, man and woman alike, was slaughtered, leaving not a single bone behind. It is said even their ancestral realm was shattered, leaving behind nothing but a black hole. In this world, there are always powers that demand our awe and reverence. I wouldn't dare discuss them casually, yet you prattle on here. If someone were to intentionally frame you and spread the words you just uttered, the Ni family might not survive to see tomorrow. Do you understand?"

Was Grandpa Bi working miracles? Hearing the man's words, Zhou Tian was left speechless internally. This tactic really worked wonders no matter where one went.

Yet he had no impression of this creature. There had been no such person present at the banquet earlier—given how striking his appearance was, it would have been impossible to miss him. He must have just arrived.

"That is Niu Hong of the Primordial Kirin-Ox clan! Their clan occupies the one hundred and seventy-third spatial node, and it is said that one of their ancestors still serves as the mount of a supreme powerhouse in the First Ancient Land."

Someone recognized him, for the two brilliant horns upon his head were simply too eye-catching and extraordinary.

Ni Gu turned deathly pale. He, too, suddenly realized the gravity of the situation. Blinded by vanity just moments ago, now that someone had pierced the illusion, cold sweat poured down his face in torrents.