Life is Like the Morning Dew

This grand banquet was, in essence, specifically hosted by the Xuanwu Kingdom to entertain sects arriving from the Central Continent.

There were always sect disciples who enjoyed lively gatherings and prestige—after all, when people made the journey, they expected some degree of recognition.

That way, if any major incidents occurred in the future, they would be more willing to lend their aid.

Generally speaking, this matter should have had little to do with Chu Xingchen.

Most likely, Xie Lingyu, upon learning that he had established his own sect, had pulled some strings to secure him an invitation.

With the Tianyan Sect taking the lead in acknowledging his presence, his sect would now be recognized within the Xuanwu Kingdom, making things easier should any trouble arise later.

The invitation was crafted from luxurious black gold, embossed with the Xuanwu Kingdom’s revered guardian deity—a majestic giant turtle.

It also bore the kingdom’s official seal.

Just the invitation alone exuded an air of prestige.

Naturally, to uphold such prestige, those invited were spared the indignity of waiting in long lines to enter the city.

Moreover, the invitation had a unique way of being used.

Li Xingtian stepped out of the carriage, gripping the invitation and channeling his spiritual energy into it.

The invitation erupted with a radiant glow, transforming into a streak of light that shot straight into the sky.

The guards at the city gates reacted the fastest, swiftly clearing a wide path and expertly rolling out a red carpet.

Two figures also came flying from within the city—a man and a woman, dressed in the pale-red official robes of the Xuanwu Kingdom, both appearing middle-aged.

They quickly landed before the carriage and promptly clasped their hands in greeting.

The male official spoke first, "We have long awaited your esteemed arrival. May we ask if you are—"

Then he abruptly stopped.

Each invitation emitted a distinct radiant pattern to identify the recipient.

After all, the guests were all important figures—mistaking someone’s identity could prove disastrous.

This official was no exception; he had memorized all the invitations sent out, but this particular one…

Indeed, it bore no sect name.

It simply stated: "Sect from Yuzhou City."

His mind raced, and he quickly amended, "You must be the honored guest from Yuzhou City?"

Li Xingtian swept his gaze over the two, his tone sharp.

"How much longer do you intend to keep us here like monkeys on display?"

The male official snapped to attention, hastily reaching out to take the reins of the spirit beast, personally guiding Chu Xingchen’s carriage forward.

"My apologies for the oversight. Esteemed guests, please proceed."

The female official naturally fell into step behind him.

Li Xingtian observed the male official. Both were at the Golden Core realm—clearly, the Xuanwu Kingdom took the art of flattery to the extreme.

He remained silent, allowing the official to lead the carriage into the city.

"During your stay in the capital, my colleague Wen Qing and I, Qiu Ling, will be at your service," the official said humbly.

Wen Qing added in an equally deferential tone, "Should you have any requests, please do not hesitate to inform us. We will do our utmost to fulfill them."

"Is that so?"

Chu Xingchen’s voice came from within the carriage.

Hearing this, Li Xingtian immediately composed himself, turning slightly toward the carriage with an air of deep respect.

Wen Qing swiftly noted this reaction. Li Xingtian’s aura was steady and profound—clearly a Golden Core cultivator—and his earlier words had been bold and unyielding.

Yet the person inside the carriage needed only a few words to command such deference.

Recalling the additional note on this invitation—"Specially invited by the Tianyan Sect"—Wen Qing’s tone grew even more obsequious, bordering on fawning.

"Of course, it is."

"Where have you arranged for us to stay?"

"To the left of the imperial palace lies the most luxurious Destiny Pavilion, where a grand courtyard has already been prepared for our distinguished guests."

A disdainful chuckle escaped Chu Xingchen’s lips:

"Destiny Pavilion? What a tacky name."

Wen Qing and Qiu Ling immediately fell silent, not daring to respond.

After all, others had already taken residence there.

If word got out that they had carelessly agreed with such a remark…

While they couldn’t afford to offend this lord, the same applied to the others.

Fortunately, Chu Xingchen didn’t press further and instead said,

"Attending the banquet is just incidental. Today, I’ve merely brought my disciple home for a visit. Let’s head to Marquis Li's Residence instead."

Marquis Li's Residence?

Wen Qing was momentarily stunned. The capital was vast, filled with countless nobles and royals—a mere marquis’s residence hardly stood out.

His memory was far too precious to waste on such trivial details.

Li Xingtian reminded him, "Marquis Li's Residence on Guiyi Street."

Realization dawned on Wen Qing’s face, and he promptly directed the carriage toward Guiyi Street.

Where to stay was a trivial matter—whatever the honored guest said, went.

Even if they tore down the residence upon arrival, Wen Qing would simply applaud and praise the demolition.

Inside the carriage, Li Yingling felt the vehicle change direction.

Yet she lacked the courage to lift the curtain and gaze upon the familiar streets outside.

Still, the familiar sounds reached her ears.

She glanced up at her master, who was already looking at her. For some reason, the unease in her heart instantly eased.

As the carriage halted, Wen Qing’s voice came through:

"Honored guests, we’ve arrived."

Chu Xingchen spoke softly, "Go on. We’re all behind you."

Chen Baiqing gave her senior sister’s hand an encouraging pat and added,

"Mhm, you’ve got this, Senior Sister."

Taking a deep breath, Li Yingling rose and pulled back the curtain.

The familiar vermilion gates came into view, the guards on either side staring at her in shock.

The court lady Qiu Ling instinctively stepped forward, scolding the stunned guards:

"Go and announce at once—the eldest young miss of the Li family has returned."

The guards gaped at the once-scorned runaway bride, the "bastard" who had eloped with a penniless Daoist, now suddenly addressed as the "eldest young miss."

But seeing the fierce, massive beast of burden and the two clearly high-ranking officials of the Xuanwu Kingdom, they swiftly turned and rushed through the side gate to deliver the message.

Chu Xingchen’s voice rang out again: "Announce? How needlessly formal."

Having spent enough time with his master, Li Xingtian understood his ways. Without hesitation, he raised a hand and unleashed a surge of spiritual energy, blasting the tightly shut vermilion gates to splinters.

Wen Qing and Qiu Ling stared in astonishment.

Damn, they really came to tear the place down?

Li Xingtian cupped his hands and said, "Senior Sister, let’s go."

Li Yingling gave a slight nod and gracefully stepped down from the carriage.

For the first time, she entered Marquis Li's Residence through its main gates.

Li Xingtian followed closely behind her.

Chu Xingchen took Chen Baiqing’s small hand and said,

"Remember to cheer your senior sister on later."

Chen Baiqing nodded firmly.

With a satisfied smile, Chu Xingchen led her down from the carriage, strolling leisurely inside.

Wen Qing and Qiu Ling exchanged surprised glances at the youthful-looking Chu Xingchen before hurriedly catching up.

Before they could utter a word of flattery or ask for clarification, a thunderous roar erupted from ahead.

"You wretched bastard, how dare you bring people to cause trouble!"

"You two useless fools couldn't even guard the gate properly—why are you holding me back?!"

Wen Qing and Qiu Ling no longer dared to follow behind Chu Xingchen. After cupping their hands in salute, they swiftly rushed forward.

Then, the scene that unfolded before their eyes left them utterly stunned.

Li Xingtian had fully unleashed the crushing pressure of his Golden Core cultivation, forcing the group of servants to their knees.

Before him, a middle-aged man trembled as he clutched his mouth, blood streaming relentlessly through his fingers.

A severed tongue lay discarded on the ground, coated in dust.

"Hold onto your head tight—when my senior sister comes to claim it, you’d better still have it. Consider this tongue a preview."

Li Xingtian swept a ruthless gaze across the crowd:

"If anyone else here doesn’t want their tongue, feel free to speak up now!"

Silence engulfed the scene.

Li Yingling stared at the former steward of Marquis Li's Residence, who had once flaunted his power over her, daily cursing her mother as a whore and her as a bastard.

Now, he cowered like a beaten old dog, too terrified to even whimper.