The capital of the Xuanwu Kingdom was bustling with activity.
Especially during the Central Continent Banquet hosted by the Xuanwu Kingdom, the liveliness took on a peculiar tone.
The banquet was held at night, with large red lanterns hung high along the main street of Xuanwu, illuminating the pitch-black night as bright as day.
Two Golden Core receptionists closely followed behind Chu Xingchen and his group.
Wen Qing shot a questioning glance at Qiu Ling—Did you explain everything clearly?
Qiu Ling nodded weakly, lacking confidence.
Over the past few days, she had never seen Chu Xingchen actually take out the notes she had prepared for him.
But she had done all she could—if anything went wrong, it was beyond her control.
During this time, apart from Li Yingling occasionally taking Chen Baiqing out for strolls, Chu Xingchen and Li Xingtian rarely left their quarters.
Mostly, they sat in silence, sipping wine, exchanging few words.
It made Li Yingling wonder if her master had somehow absorbed her junior brother’s demeanor.
Li Yingling had always enjoyed a bit of liveliness, but the forced, artificial excitement of the banquet felt tedious.
The Vermilion Bird Street was crowded, with vendors selling exquisite trinkets.
Yet, not a single mortal dared approach the center of the road. Even the hawkers’ cries were merely for show—few dared to even glance at the Central Continent disciples.
Clearly, they were seasoned performers.
At regular intervals, armored soldiers stood at attention, saluting respectfully.
Chu Xingchen, however, paid little mind. Dressed in the robes gifted by his eldest disciple, he strode leisurely toward the imperial palace.
This was, after all, Xie Lingyu’s goodwill—Chu Xingchen saw no reason to make a spectacle of himself.
Attend the banquet properly, see if he could reap some benefits, and that would be that.
The banquet hall was set in the Mingwu Palace, the most opulent hall on the left side of the palace grounds.
As they stepped inside, the entire palace was illuminated by a single path lined with palace maids and eunuchs holding lanterns, casting a radiant glow.
Following this path inward, the faint melodies of drums and music could be heard.
The two reception elders led the way, stopping only when the grand, luxurious hall came into view.
Wen Qing halted, cupped his hands, and said, "Esteemed guests, please proceed further. Qiu Ling and I will wait outside. Should you need anything, simply send someone to inform us."
Chu Xingchen nodded slightly before leading his disciples toward the hall.
Li Yingling followed behind her master, her eyes taking in the magnificent palace.
It struck her how strange life could be—from living in a ruined temple to stepping into such a grand hall.
Li Xingtian was unusually silent today, keeping his head low as he trailed behind his master.
"What’s this? If Yingling doesn’t speak up, none of you will?" Chu Xingchen teased as they walked forward.
Li Yingling, holding her junior sister’s hand, glanced at her master and said,
"Shouldn’t we be serious in such a setting? We can’t afford to embarrass ourselves."
"Oh?" Chu Xingchen chuckled, patting Li Xingtian’s shoulder.
"Listen to your senior sister—seriousness coming from her mouth."
Li Yingling maintained a solemn expression. "Master, I’ve always been serious."
Li Xingtian looked up at his senior sister’s deadpan face, recalling her usual antics, and couldn’t help but laugh.
"Junior brother?!"
"Sorry… I couldn’t hold it in."
Had their master said it, Li Xingtian might have kept a straight face—but hearing it from his senior sister was too much.
Chen Baiqing glanced at her senior sister and brother, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
Her brother had been acting strangely lately—she suspected he was upset about their senior sister’s affairs.
But seeing him smile again was a relief.
Chu Xingchen continued teasing his eldest disciple as they entered the hall. The design of the hall was intriguing—no steps, no elevation, just a flat, even floor.
Even the emperor’s seat was not raised, as if no one dared to offend anyone.
There were only five main seating areas.
At the moment, only three groups had arrived, including their own.
As Chu Xingchen surveyed the scene, Zheng Xiaofeng stood and cupped his hands in greeting.
Immediately, the disciples of the Tianyan Sect turned their gazes toward them.
Two Nascent Soul cultivators also looked over curiously.
One of them nodded slightly before cupping his hands and offering a faint smile.
Chu Xingchen returned the gesture.
Palace maids approached from either side, bowing before guiding Chu Xingchen to a seat near the Tianyan Sect.
Once everyone was seated, Li Yingling glanced toward the Tianyan Sect and whispered,
"Master, you know people from the Central Continent sects?"
Chu Xingchen had never mentioned Xie Lingyu’s identity. He chuckled lightly and replied calmly,
"Of course. They’re from the Tianyan Sect."
Li Yingling nodded in understanding. She didn’t know much about Central Continent sects—only that they were all formidable.
Chen Baiqing, meanwhile, silently eyed the fragrant pastries on the table. Determined not to embarrass her master, she swallowed her drool discreetly.
Beside her, Li Xingtian stared wide-eyed at his master.
My senior sister might not understand the Central Plains, but Li Xingtian had spent time there and knew it well.
The Tianyan Sect was a behemoth even in the Central Plains.
Their methods were diverse, but they primarily focused on the path of celestial divination and sword arts.
In his previous life, Li Xingtian had never had the chance to interact with such a colossal force.
His gaze flickered slightly—their robes indeed bore the insignia of the Tianyan Sect.
Could it be that his master was truly a hidden expert? Was he really from the Central Plains?
And why were these Tianyan Sect members scrutinizing his master so intently when the man himself barely spared them a glance?
Weren’t they supposed to be notoriously arrogant?
Because of the Tianyan Sect’s attention, another Central Plains sect across the way also turned their eyes toward them.
The two leaders of that sect whispered to each other, seemingly trying to identify which faction they belonged to.
Before Li Xingtian could ponder further, Zheng Xiaofeng stood and walked toward Chu Xingchen.
Zheng Xiaofeng approached, his gaze briefly flickering toward Li Yingling before he clasped his hands respectfully and said,
"Senior, it’s been a long time."
Li Xingtian sucked in a sharp breath as he stared at his master…
Could it be that his master’s claim of being a mighty figure was true?! Not just a bluff?!
Was it possible that his master, like him, had an untold past?
Chu Xingchen nodded lightly with a smile.
"Mm, Little Zheng, you’ve done well for yourself."
Zheng Xiaofeng grinned. "Thanks to you. The matter I reported last time is nearing its conclusion."
Chu Xingchen raised his wine cup and drained it in one go. "Good. I appreciate your help this time."
Zheng Xiaofeng hastily picked up a nearby cup, drank in return, then cupped his hands and withdrew.
The scene left the Central Plains sects across the hall utterly stunned.
No one had ever seen the Tianyan Sect act so deferential before.
One disciple from the opposing sect even stood and headed for the door.
Coincidentally, another Central Plains sect entered the hall at that moment.
Li Xingtian recognized their emblem—the Wanjian Sect of the Central Plains.
He’d fought them before.
The Wanjian Sect leader gave the departing disciple a puzzled look. The banquet was about to start—why leave now?
Though confused, the Wanjian Sect members took their seats first.
Once seated, their leader instinctively surveyed the other sects present.
He noticed the other two sects staring fixedly at Chu Xingchen.
His gaze followed, and he, too, grew perplexed. Which Central Plains sect was this?
They weren’t wearing sect robes, just individual attire.
And why had they brought a mere Qi Refining girl along for training?
Were they just here for the spectacle?
But the most baffling part… Why were those usually aloof Tianyan Sect members looking over with such fervent curiosity?
The Wanjian Sect leader transmitted a voice message to one of his disciples:
"Go find out which Central Plains sect that is. We don’t want to offend them by mistake later."
e bizarre and supernatural had descended. The previous emperor was a thoroughgoing tyrant; no longer satisfied with human women, he had set his sights on a stunningly beautiful supernatural entity. He met his end in his bedchamber, drained of all his vital essence. As the legitimate eldest son and crown prince, Wang Hao was thus hastily enthroned, becoming the young emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty. No sooner had he awakened the "Imperial Sign-In Intelligence System" than he was assassinated by a Son of Destiny—a classic villain's opening. The Great Zhou, ravaged by the former emperor's excesses, was in national decline. The great families within its borders harbored their own treacherous schemes, martial sects began to defy the imperial court's decrees, and border armies, their pay and provisions in arrears, grumbled incessantly against the central government. Fortunately, the central capital was still held secure by the half-million Imperial Guards and fifty thousand Imperial Forest Army who obeyed the court's orders, along with the royal family's hidden reserves of power, barely managing to suppress the realm. As the Great Zhou's finances worsened and supernatural activities grew ever more frequent, the court sat atop a volcano. Ambitious plotters everywhere dreamed of overthrowing the dynasty, and even some reclusive ancient powers emerged, attempting to sway the tides of the world. At the first grand court assembly, the civil and military officials nearly came to blows, fighting tooth and nail over the allocation of fifty million taels of silver from the summer tax revenues. The spectacle opened Wang Hao's eyes—the Great Zhou's bureaucracy was not only corrupt but also martially proficient, a cabinet of all-rounders. Some officials even had the audacity to suggest the emperor release funds from the imperial privy purse to address the emergency. Wang Hao suddenly felt weary. Let it all burn.
nto another world, I bought a slave for the first time, never expecting the silver wolf girl to be so cute... Lin Feng: I know it's cold, but you don't have to sneak into my bed! Yuna: Just sharing body warmth, if you dare do anything naughty, I'll definitely...
ap a wealthy young lady? Or else I'll be eliminated by the system? Ye Feng, who awakened the Kidnapper System, originally wanted to live a peaceful life but never imagined he would become a kidnapper of young women. However, after some time, he discovered that all the girls the system ordered him to kidnap were far from ordinary. "Big brother Ye Feng~ You've kidnapped my heart, and now you're not allowed to leave me ever again~" "Ye Feng~ You kidnapped me back then, now it's my turn to capture you♡" "Little Feng, you're mine! You can only be mine!" "Ye Feng, none of them deserve you. Only I love you the most♡" ... This is madness, they've all gone mad! Wait, what? Why are all the girls I kidnapped yanderes?!
young master of the Shen family—a figure of immense power and wealth beyond measure—and awakened the "Destined Ultimate Villain System"! His starting scenario? Running into his icy fiancée who shows up with a mountain-descending divine doctor to break off their engagement. The divine doctor arrogantly taunts: "What does your Shen family have besides a bit of stinking money? You're not even worthy of tying Qingxue's shoelaces!" Shen Fei just smiled. He completely defied the usual script: "Fine, I agree to break off the engagement. Also, notify the finance department to withdraw all investments from the Su family." Minutes later, with its capital chain severed, the Su Group teetered on the brink of bankruptcy! The once aloof and proud ice queen CEO was thrown into utter panic. That very night, she went to Shen Fei's villa, casting aside all dignity to beg and plead desperately... From then on, in this world teeming with Sons of Destiny, Shen Fei embarked on a path of extreme dimensional suppression! A mountain-descending divine doctor? Peerless medical skills? Shen Fei: "Reporting you for practicing medicine without a license! I'll gladly take your ancient medicinal cauldron and twin sister assassins." The Crooked-Smiling Dragon King? Commanding a hundred thousand soldiers with a single order? Shen Fei: "Illegal assembly and suspected treason! Let a fleet of attack helicopters sanitize the area and teach you what the state apparatus really means!" A reborn tycoon? Knows all the golden opportunities of the next decade? Shen Fei: "A trillion in capital to reverse and pump the stock market, making you blow your margin and jump on the very first day of your rebirth!" What Chosen Ones? What bearers of Heavenly Fortune? In Shen Fei's eyes, they're all just chives (i.e., suckers/marks) waiting to be harvested! Shen Fei: "Sorry, but as the Destined Ultimate Villain, I don't play by the rules of honor. I only play the game of dimensional suppression."
