The many guests craned their necks, waiting for Zhou Xuan's joke.
"This guy is so daring, he doesn't even know how he'll die later."
"Exactly. He knows the Qin family is not to be trifled with, yet he embarrassed the second Miss Qin. Old Master Qin is just waiting for him to jump into a trap, and he dares to accept the challenge!"
"Amazing! I'm impressed!"
Old Master Qin's eagle-like eyes were fixed on Zhou Xuan, the surrounding air frigid and piercing.
"Oh, young Zhou, tell me, what good thing did you give Elder Fang?"
His tone implied that this was his turf, and his question was merely a condescending gesture to save face for his subordinates!
Everyone looked at Zhou Xuan expectantly at this moment.
Especially Fang Wan Hai, who was genuinely curious about what gift Zhou Xuan could produce.
Zhou Xuan knew that by stepping forward like this, the gift he presented not only had to save face for the Fang family but also, in this simmering power struggle, make everyone believe that the Fang family's side was worth staying with, rather than being intimidated by the Qin family's might and hastily choosing their side!
The balanced situation of the Wang, Qin, Sun, and Lu families, along with the Zhuge clan, must not be broken!
Once broken, the Qin family would become the sole dominant power, invincible, which would be very detrimental to his future revenge.
"Nothing!"
Zhou Xuan said indifferently, "It's not any valuable gift, just some ordinary medicinal pills."
Old Master Qin raised an eyebrow, "Oh, some ordinary medicinal pills? You have the nerve to present such a thing, and you think giving out such items would make a behemoth like the Fang family greedy? Then they must be quite valuable, right?
Are you some immortal? Could it be that you're trying to curry favor with your Uncle Fang to get ahead?"
This was a typical case of "puffing up one's chest," showing a condescending and dismissive attitude towards Zhou Xuan.
The crowd began to whisper and discuss.
Everyone present had heard that Zhou Xuan had cured Elder Fang, but being so young, they were naturally somewhat skeptical without witnessing it firsthand.
"Old Master Qin exaggerates greatly regarding Zhou. To be frank, Old Master Qin, Zhou is just a commoner."
Zhou Xuan bowed slightly, his expression sincere.
His demeanor left the guests bewildered. Did Zhou Xuan really prepare nothing?
Did he actually come with mere worthless pills?
"Old Master Qin, looking at young brother Zhou, he doesn't seem like a wealthy young master. Why don't I guess what kind of rare healing pill young brother Zhou refined for our Wang family's old patriarch?"
This was a relative of Fang Wan Hai sitting nearby. Seeing Zhou Xuan's youth, they thought of extracting some benefit from him.
Zhou Xuan ignored him and directly took out a small bottle from his embrace.
He smiled and nodded at Old Master Qin, "No need. It's nothing rare, just some pills I refined myself, called 'Condensing Soul Pills,' four in total."
At this moment, when someone saw the plain, grey bottle that Zhou Xuan took out, they burst into laughter, rolling on the floor.
"Hahaha..."
"He actually dares to call this a gift? It's hilarious!"
"Exactly, he's doomed!"
"Four pills! He really has the nerve, hahaha!"
"I'm waiting to watch the show. Zhou Xuan definitely won't be leaving here today!"
Bai Liyun Tian and others were extremely anxious and quickly pulled Zhou Xuan aside.
"Master, you should have told us earlier that you didn't have a gift. This way, the Qin family might find an excuse to cause trouble!"
"Don't worry, you don't know the benefits of this thing!"
"But isn't this just an ordinary medicinal pill?"
Zhou Xuan smiled enigmatically.
Old Master Qin looked at him with annoyance and immediately slammed the table, feigning anger. "Good job, young Zhou! You dare to toy with me like this? Do you really think the Five Great Families of Shangjing are easy to bully? Elder Fang has a good temper, but I'm not so easy to deal with. Guards! Escort him out!"
As for what would happen to Zhou Xuan after being escorted out, only Old Master Qin and his ilk knew.
Who would have thought.
Zhou Xuan stood there calmly, his figure a blur.
The plain, grey bottle flew out of his hand, rising into the air and emitting a faint glow.
"Old Master Qin, there's no need to be so eager to kick me out. Who doesn't know your petty nature? Besides, if you don't want this pill, I bet there aren't many men present who wouldn't want it."
Zhou Xuan's words were quite venomous!
Not only did he mock Old Master Qin's ulterior motives and his presumption to act as the host when he was a guest, but he also started sowing discord.
Indeed, several men in the hall had their eyes fixed on it, wishing they could snatch the pill, but they dared not move due to Old Master Qin's presence.
"Old Master Qin, don't you even have this much grace?"
Zhou Xuan taunted.
Facing the expectant and yet fearful gazes of everyone, Old Master Qin, who wanted to win people's hearts, snorted and waved his hand, causing a group of people to slowly retreat.
Zhou Xuan's next words were even more righteous!
"Believe me, I am no swindler. This pill was developed through forty-nine days of solitary refinement. It revitalizes a man's vigor and can bring the dead back to life. If everyone needs it, then you, Old Master Qin, are opposing everyone's health!"
The guests were stunned!
Zhou Xuan had just sold them all out!
Old Master Qin's face instantly darkened.
"You..."
"Enough, Old Master Qin, you really are petty. It's just a small pill, is it worth all this trouble?"
Zhou Xuan said with a grin.
Old Master Qin glared at him, speechless for a moment, and could only vent his anger on those around him: "Fang Wan Hai, look at the person you brought. You should control him!"
Elder Fang's face turned from green to white, his heart filled with fury.
The Qin family was becoming more and more overbearing. He suspected that after his birthday banquet, the other four families would openly join forces with the Qin family.
He naturally knew Zhou Xuan's methods; this pill was likely truly self-refined.
Elder Fang sighed repeatedly, but he was helpless.
"Old Master Qin, guests are guests. Furthermore, if someone truly needs this pill, saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. Perhaps..."
These words were truly cutting.
If he disagreed, it would be as if he viewed his followers as scum, and they would hesitate to follow him in the future.
Old Master Qin's face darkened, and he sternly rebuked Zhou Xuan, "Do not speak nonsense. What kind of pill do you claim this is? If your pill does not have the effect you described, you know the consequences!"
He looked at the bottle, his eyes narrowing, a sinister glint appearing in them.
This little brat! How dare he use a provocation tactic! He was enraged for a moment, not considering how much skill Zhou Xuan possessed, but only wanting Zhou Xuan gone.
"This bottle contains spiritual energy pills that I developed myself."
Zhou Xuan smiled slightly, "These spiritual energy pills are much stronger than those so-called Qi Gathering Pills. They can directly replenish vital energy and internal spiritual energy, especially suitable for cultivators, and they are not afraid of external disturbances, making cultivation more effective! Anyone who takes it, as long as you're not reduced to mere bones, this will keep you alive until I can rescue you."
As soon as these words were spoken, all eyes fell upon him.