The next day, as the gentle sunlight gradually spilled onto the land, the atmosphere in the Du Family instantly became more lively.

Of course, within this liveliness, there was also a hint of impatience and eeriness. The reason was none other than this annual event that could determine many people's fate for the coming year, or even their entire lives.

Such a day was incredibly important for members of the Du Family. Regardless of whether they were elders or youngsters, none dared to take it lightly.

The venue for the clan meeting was the square in front of the Du Family's main hall. At this moment, a huge arena had already been set up on the square, with a VIP seating area in front of the arena. By now, quite a few people had taken their seats in the VIP section.

Apart from the Du Family's upper echelons, many guests in the VIP section were exchanging greetings. Most of these guests held some significance in Buyue City and shared a certain rapport with the Du Family. Even the Lian Family and the Gongsun Family, which were among the three major powers and had covert rivalries, maintained a harmonious facade. Thus, members from both the Lian Family and Gongsun Family were seated in the VIP section, wearing smiles.

Regardless of their intentions, everyone paid great attention to the Du Family's annual event.

For a family to thrive perpetually, successors are crucial. If a family lacks successors, no matter how strong it currently is, it will eventually decline. Conversely, if a family continued to infuse fresh blood, even if it wasn't powerful at the moment, they would continuously grow stronger.

That's why almost everyone was so invested in such an event.

...

Standing at the periphery of the square with Little Ai, Du Fei squinted towards the VIP section, feeling a mix of emotions.

He had attended similar events before, but it was the first time he was at such an outer location, which evoked in him a sense of nostalgia and change.

"Lian Zhen is here too!" After scanning for a moment, Du Fei suddenly sneered and remarked.

Hearing this, Little Ai's gaze also swept over and landed on Lian Zhen, who was sitting in the VIP section with a smile on his face. She clenched her teeth and said, "This guy really has no shame, daring to show his face in the Du Family!"

"It's expected," after taking a deep breath, Du Fei's emotions settled once again. He said calmly, "After all, Lian Zhen is considered the top figure of his generation in the Lian Family. If nothing unexpected happens, he will surely become the next patriarch. Isn't it normal for him to show up?"

"Hmph!" Little Ai snorted, still harboring some resentment about past events.

Du Fei didn't say much else, but his gaze continued to sweep over the VIP section. Moments later, his attention was drawn to a woman in a red dress.

The woman appeared to be around twenty years old, with a beautiful face and an attractive figure. She wore a fiery red short skirt, revealing her long, fair legs. It was evident that many in the nearby VIP section cast seemingly inappropriate glances at her legs. However, whenever she would casually glance their way, those gazes would hurriedly shift elsewhere.

Seated beside this woman was none other than the top youth of the Du Family, Du Han.

She seemed very interested in Du Han, wearing a constant beaming smile. However, Du Han's responses were sporadic, showing only minimal interest.

"Who is that woman?" Du Fei finally asked after a moment.

Little Ai looked in the same direction, her tone slightly displeased. "That's Gongsun Hong from the Gongsun Family. She's said to be incredibly talented. It's rumored that she's quite interested in Young Master Du Han, and there might be talks of a marriage alliance between the two families. But nothing is certain yet."

"The Gongsun Family, Gongsun Hong," Du Fei nodded thoughtfully.

"Why? Young Master, are you interested in her? I've heard she has a preference for younger men. If you show interest today and make a good impression, you might stand a chance with her," Little Ai remarked coldly after taking a breath.

Du Fei chuckled, "Do you really think I'm interested in such matters right now? There's still so much... so much I need to do..."

Hearing this, Little Ai's expression darkened instantly. She seemed to want to say something but eventually remained silent.

Instead, Du Fei reached out to pat Little Ai's head and smiled, saying, "Alright, let's enter. I wonder how many people are waiting to see us make a fool of ourselves today... We can't disappoint them too much!"

With that, Du Fei, holding Little Ai's hand, walked leisurely towards the VIP section.

In the Du Family, inner members were allowed to sit in the VIP section. As for Little Ai, due to her connection with Senior Elder Du Zhen Shan, she had a special status at that moment, so no one would comment on her being there.

In a central position within the VIP section, several young men were chatting in low voices. However, amidst the laughter, one of them briefly darkened his expression, his smile instantly fading.

The others followed his gaze, revealing expressions that seemed a mix of amusement and mockery.

"Isn't that Cousin Du Fei? It's been a long time!" The one leading them was Du Qing. He casually stepped forward, seemingly blocking Du Fei's path.

Du Fei paused momentarily, his expression remaining neutral, "So it's Young Master Du Qing... Referring to me as 'cousin' is too much of an honor. Excuse me."

Having said that, Du Fei struck a pose as if to say, "I won't get in your way."

"Hehe," Du Qing's expression remained unchanged, "The seats further in are reserved. I'm afraid you can't go there, cousin!"

Du Fei chuckled, "Is there a problem?"

Observing Du Fei's demeanor, Du Qing mockingly responded after some deliberate thought, "The seats beyond are for the inner members of the Du Family... You, on the other hand, might not want to embarrass yourself by trying to sit there."

"Oh? Has Young Master Du Qing lost his memory? If I recall correctly, Lord Patriarch declared that I am an inner member, didn't he?" Du Fei replied calmly.

"Even if you are now, it might not be the case in the future!" Du Qing sneered, looking mischievous.

Du Fei laughed softly, shaking his head without saying much. He just pulled Little Ai along and casually chose a seat to sit down.

"You can only act arrogant now! After the Clan Contest, even that old ghost won't be able to protect you!" Angered by Du Fei's attitude and with his facial muscles twitching slightly, Du Qing restrained himself from taking any physical action, but sneered in his heart.

"That guy was courteous before. How did he become so annoying now?"

Little Ai sat beside Du Fei and whispered her displeasure.

"Who's to blame for that?" Du Fei glanced at Little Ai and said with a smile.

Hearing this, Little Ai's face changed slightly, murmuring, "It's my fault..."

"It's alright," Du Fei laughed, "Even without you, my days wouldn't have been easy. Don't overthink it."

As they spoke, there was a minor commotion coming from the main hall. Soon, people hastily made way, and a group approached the VIP section with purposeful strides.

At the forefront of this crowd was the Du Family's patriarch, Du Zhentian. Right behind him were the Senior Elder Du Zhenshan, Second Elder Du Zhenxuan, and Third Elder Du Zhenfeng. As for the middle-aged individuals following them, Du Fei didn't recognize even one of them.

However, after a brief moment, Du Fei was taken aback. Du Qian, whom he had met at the Martial Cultivation Pavilion some days ago, was among the crowd. Today, she didn't hold any scrolls as before, and her expression was as neutral as ever, seemingly unaffected by the grandeur of the Du Family's event.

Under Du Zhentian's leadership, the arrival of the Du Family's upper echelons brought tranquility to the previously chaotic VIP section.

Du Zhentian casually greeted some guests and then took a seat in the center, with the three major elders following suit.

"You're the son of Fourth-in-command, Du Fei?"

Seemingly noticing Du Fei's gaze, a middle-aged man who had followed Du Zhentian hesitated for a moment, then slowly walked over with a faint smile.

Seeing the man initiating the conversation, Du Fei quickly stood up. After a moment of hesitation, he said with some uncertainty, "Uncle?"

"Hehe, good lad. We've only met once, I didn't expect you to remember me." The middle-aged man chuckled, expressing some satisfaction.

Hearing this, Du Fei fully recalled. This man was named Du Xuanfeng. He was a distant relative of his father, their blood ties being somewhat thin. However, his father always treated him as a close elder brother.

This man was technically his uncle. When they were in that small town before, this uncle had visited once. Due to his young age at the time, Du Fei wasn't clear about what had transpired, but he did remember that this uncle had been very kind to him.

"I have been remiss in my manners. I've been in the Du Family for quite some time, but I haven't paid you a visit," Du Fei said, taking a deep breath, neither overbearing nor subservient.

"Hehe, the Clan Contest is approaching. You're busy with your cultivation, and I understand that," Du Xuanfeng said, patting Du Fei's shoulder. A moment later, his gaze landed on Little Ai, and he said with a hint of curiosity, "This must be the famed Miss Ai who has been making a name for herself in our Du Family lately? Haha, indeed, hearing about someone is not as good as seeing them in person!"

"Nice... nice to meet you..." Little Ai hesitated.

"Hehe, it's okay. You can just call me Uncle like Fei'er does. We met when you were little," Du Xuanfeng said, chuckling. He then gestured towards the back and said lightly, "Qian'er, come and greet your cousin, Du Fei."

Upon hearing his call, a girl with an indifferent expression who was sitting on a chair hesitated for a moment before slowly walking over. She said faintly, "Greetings, Cousin Du Fei."

Seeing this young girl, Du Fei's face twitched slightly. After a brief moment, he suddenly recalled something. No wonder the name Du Qian seemed so familiar to him!