Gathering information wasn’t particularly difficult, especially since Xie Lingyu had already registered Chu Xingchen for the banquet. The simplest way was to check the guest list.
The leader of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect didn’t wait long. The dispatched disciple soon returned with a slip of paper and handed it over. The leader glanced down at it.
Hmm?
A sect from Yuzhou City?
Specially invited by the Tianyan Sect?
Just these ten simple words?
Surely the sect’s name couldn’t just be "Yuzhou City," right? That would mean they hadn’t even gotten the name!
The leader of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect shot a questioning look at the disciple—Is this it?
The disciple nodded slightly—This is it.
The leader sent a mental reprimand: "Go back and investigate more thoroughly! Get the details!"
This batch of junior disciples was truly hard to manage—utterly incompetent!
The Ten Thousand Swords Sect disciple bowed and retreated once more.
But he wasn’t the only one. A disciple from another sect also bowed and stepped back, clearly having failed to satisfy his own leader as well.
Near the palace entrance, the two exchanged a glance, silently acknowledging their shared mission.
A sense of camaraderie flickered in their hearts.
Yet, they parted ways in different directions. Though they sympathized, duty came first.
As for these minor maneuvers, Chu Xingchen paid them little mind.
After all, he was genuinely here just for a meal.
Noticing Chen Baiqing’s longing gaze fixed on a pastry, he picked up his chopsticks, plucked the treat she’d been eyeing, and—under her grateful stare—popped it into her mouth.
Chen Baiqing savored the delicious pastry—Master is the best!
Chu Xingchen chuckled. "Eat as much as you like. Since we’re here, filling our stomachs is the priority."
Li Yingling and Li Xingtian obligingly joined in, sampling the appetizers on the table.
They didn’t have to wait long.
A handsome young man in imperial robes entered the hall, flanked by palace maids in red.
His gaze swept briefly across the room, noting the absence of one sect from the Central Continent. Unsurprised, he clasped his hands in greeting.
"Our humble kingdom offers but meager hospitality. I hope you will not take offense."
Chu Xingchen observed him.
[Target: Zhao Xuan]
[Cultivation: Qi Refining, Peak Stage]
[Purple Trait: Blessed by National Fortune]
[Blue Trait: Scheming Mind]
[Blue Trait: Imperial Majesty]
[White Trait: Patience]
[Gray Trait: National Fortune, Cultivation Restriction]
[Does not meet disciple recruitment criteria.]
Chu Xingchen instantly understood—this was likely the trade-off. To be emperor was to forsake immortality.
Scheming and patient, huh?
As Zhao Xuan finished speaking, the Tianyan Sect disciples were the first to rise, offering a slight bow to the emperor.
The other invited sects followed suit, standing briefly before sitting back down.
Not a single word of courtesy was exchanged.
To them, this was just a minor emperor from a backwater region. If not for sect regulations requiring attendance, these Tianyan Sect disciples would’ve long since returned to the Central Continent.
The empty table likely belonged to a sect already en route back.
Why waste time at a banquet when they could be cultivating?
The core disciples of Central Continent sects were on another level of dedication.
Zhao Xuan smiled faintly and nodded before proceeding to the head seat.
As he settled in, eunuchs began filing into the hall with trays of dishes.
Dancers glided in, their movements graceful, while musicians played softly in accompaniment.
This wasn’t Zhao Xuan’s first such banquet. He knew his role—a mere formality.
These Central Continent sects looked down on everyone. Expecting their respect was a fool’s hope.
The best he could do was avoid mistakes.
His thoughts were interrupted when he noticed something unusual—three sects staring intently at one.
This was a first. What was going on?
Following their gaze, he saw a striking young man feeding a little girl beside him, utterly indifferent to the scrutiny.
The two other disciples at the table ate quietly.
Zhao Xuan had memorized the seating chart.
This spot belonged to…
The Yuzhou City sect, specially invited by the Tianyan Sect?
He found it odd. A Tianyan Sect invitation wasn’t unheard of—perhaps they’d taken a liking to this sect. But why were the Tianyan disciples watching so keenly?
Almost as if amused?
The other two sects were even stranger. Why were they fixated too?
Were the dancers’ enchanting movements not captivating enough?
Something was off… very off.
This "special invitation" had to mean more.
Could this involve Central Continent affairs?
Otherwise, why would the other sects care?
And that composed young man, utterly unbothered by the attention—no way he was from some ordinary Yuzhou City sect.
Zhao Xuan’s mind raced until—aha!
This had to be a hidden piece placed by the Tianyan Sect, and a crucial one at that.
The Tianyan Sect’s intense gaze was a clear message: This sect is under our protection.
That was the only explanation.
Zhao Xuan sighed inwardly. Truly, these were turbulent times.
Chu Xingchen added another dish to Chen Baiqing’s bowl before finally looking up at the other sects.
Seriously, what’s with the staring?
He cupped his hands. "Fellow cultivators, is there something you wish to say?"
The Ten Thousand Swords Sect averted their eyes first, followed by the other sect.
Only the Tianyan Sect kept watching.
Their leader raised a wine cup toward Chu Xingchen.
"Merely admiring your exceptional bearing and talent. Truly, a dragon among men."
The flattery came out of nowhere.
But since this was Xie Lingyu’s sect, and they were being courteous, Chu Xingchen reciprocated with his own cup. "You flatter me."
"Not at all, not at all." The Tianyan Sect leader’s expression turned admiring. "Brother Chu accomplishes what others cannot. This cup is for you."
He downed the wine in one go.
Chu Xingchen drank as well before sitting back down.
Now he understood.
Were they… seriously misunderstanding things?
His relationship with Xie Lingyu was still purely platonic, wasn’t it?
No matter. Eat, leave, and avoid explanations—they’d only dig the hole deeper.
He served Chen Baiqing another helping.
Outside, the two investigating disciples bowed to Zhao Xuan before returning to their respective sects.
Soon, even more intense gazes locked onto Chu Xingchen’s table.
Their deeper inquiries had yielded… the exact same information as before.
They still couldn’t uncover the sect’s name.
All they had were the names of the people present—but if even the sect’s name was hidden, could these names be trusted?
The Tianyan Sect’s information control is truly impressive.
From his seat, Zhao Xuan observed everything and felt his theory confirmed.
His gaze lingered on Chu Xingchen.
If the Tianyan Sect was backing them, there had to be a reason.
If he couldn’t forge ties with the Tianyan Sect directly, perhaps this Yuzhou City sect was the key.
After some thought, Zhao Xuan saw an opportunity.
Showing goodwill couldn’t hurt, could it?
close your eyes and open them again, only to find yourself transmigrated into the role of a villainous male supporting character. Readers familiar with urban wish-fulfillment novels know that it is only through the relentless antics of the villainous male supporting character that the plot between the male and female leads can progress. As the villainous male supporting character, Long Aotian not only has to bully the female lead, harass the second female lead, and flirt with the third female lead, but he also has to go all out to antagonize the male lead. In the end, when his body is discovered, he is still clutching half a moldy fried dough stick in his hand. Fully aware of the plot, Long Aotian is determined to change his fate, starting with the female lead! In the beginning, the female lead lacks confidence: "Big brother, I hope I didn't scare you?" In the middle, the female lead treads carefully: "Brother Long, please don't hit me, okay?" Later on, the female lead becomes coquettishly clingy: "Aotian, it's time to pay the 'public grain' tonight." Long Aotian's legs go weak, and he feels like crying: "I taught you to be thick-skinned, not shameless!"
【Prologue: The Beginning of It All – Use holy water to heal the saintess tainted by demonic energy, then converse with her.】 Shen Nian stared at his older sister sipping yogurt, lost in thought. So you’re telling me my sister is the saintess, and yogurt is the holy water? 【Main Quest 1: Brave Youth, Become an Adventurer! Reward: Rookie Adventurer Title.】 【Side Quest 1: Find the Adorable Kitty! Reward: 1000 Gold Coins.】 Shen Nian: "Wait, I’m a high school senior here—did some guy who got isekai’d accidentally bind his system to me?" Hold on, completing quests gives gold rewards? Titles even boost stats? Is this for real? (A lighthearted, absurd campus comedy—not a revenge power fantasy.)
e school belle recognized by the whole school, a genius girl from the kendo club. She also has a hidden identity, the youngest legendary demon hunter. Chen Shuo just transmigrated and found himself turned into a weak, helpless little vampire. He was caught by Su Xiyen and taken home at the very beginning. Since then, Chen Shuo's life creed only had two items. "First, classmate Su Xiyen is always right." "Second, if classmate Su Xiyen is wrong, please refer back to item one." Many years later, Chen Shuo, who had turned back into a human, led a pair of twins to appear in front of all the vampires to share the secret of how he turned back into a human. "It's simple, I tricked a female demon hunter into becoming my wife!"
th】 【No prior gaming knowledge required】【The First Cultivation + Game Design Novel on the Platform】 In a world where the righteous path dominates and crushes the demonic sects, Lu Ze unlocks the "Son of the Demon Path" system. Killing righteous cultivators now grants him power-ups. Wait—deaths in illusions count too? As a former game designer, Lu Ze decides to give the cultivators of this world a little—no, a massive—shock... Sect Elders: "What is this 'Escape from the Demon Sect' game? Why have all our disciples abandoned cultivation to play it??" Elite Disciples: "You're saying... mastering 'Demon Slayer' can help us counter demonic schemes?" Reclusive Masters: "Why did I leave seclusion? Ask that backstabbing rat who ambushed me in 'Eternal Strife' yesterday!" Rogue Cultivators & Civilians: "'Immortal Abyss Action' is addictive! You can even earn spirit stones by loot-running..." Sect Prodigy: "My Dao heart is unshakable... except for that cursed black hammer." Royal Scions: "Can skins have stat boosts? I’ll pay 10,000 spirit stones for one!!" Sect Leader: "WHO IS CORRUPTING MY DISCIPLES?!!!"
