Blue Wind Empire, Imperial Palace.
The imperial palace was pulsating with life amidst a boisterous celebratory atmosphere, as the Emperor had thrown a grand banquet in honor of his complete recovery from an illness that had nearly claimed his life. To express his gratitude, he announced a tax reduction for a full five years and ordered the distribution of vast quantities of food and drink to the common people, flooding the streets with songs of joy and delight.
The banquet hosted by the Emperor was massive, yet it was reserved for the major powers such as Heavenly Sword Villa, Frozen Cloud Asgard, Burning Heaven Clan, and Xiao Sect, along with numerous other prominent forces, nobles, and city lords.
As for the guest of honor, it was Xichen. He was the one who had brought the physicians to save the Emperor's life, and moreover, he was a prince of the Divine Phoenix Empire, holding a status that even surpassed that of the Emperor himself.
The Divine Phoenix Empire was the strongest empire on the Profound Sky Continent, surpassed only by the Four Great Sacred Grounds and those hidden clans.
Yet, this did not prevent the weakest empire from feeling proud of their ability to invite a prince of the Divine Phoenix Empire.
The imperial hall was extremely noisy, filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and laughter, as the major powers of the empire arrived one after another.
"Young Master Ling Yun and Young Master Ling Jie of the Heavenly Sword Villa have arrived, presenting ten Fire Spirit Pellets along with numerous other gifts," announced the gatekeeper, who was responsible for announcing the names of arrivals and the gifts they presented.
Upon hearing the announcement, the gazes of those in the imperial hall were drawn to the entrance to see a pair of elegant, noble brothers enter with steady, confident strides.
They wore light-blue silk cloaks embroidered with the crossed sword emblem of the Heavenly Sword, their movements flowing with the grace of seasoned knights, their faces marked by calmness and pride.
"It's Ling Yun and Ling Jie..." murmured one of the clan elders softly, watching them enter.
"The talented brothers of the new generation in the Heavenly Sword Villa, especially the elder one. It's said he entered the Core Formation Realm at just sixteen years old."
The brothers stepped forward and offered a respectful bow to the Emperor.
"We thank His Majesty for the gracious invitation and present these humble gifts for his health and safety," said Ling Yun in a steady voice, handing the guards boxes containing the rare pellets and gifts.
"We commend your loyalty and wish for the enduring ties between our empire and the Heavenly Sword Villa," the Emperor replied in a formal tone, though his eyes continued to watch Xichen with unconcealed appreciation.
"And now..." the gatekeeper interrupted again in a louder voice, "...the arrival of the representatives of Frozen Cloud Asgard, led by Fairy Chu Yuechan, who have presented seven bottles of Heavenly Snow Essence and a rare ice crystal from the depths of the Northern Chill Abyss."
The heartbeats of many young men in the hall quickened. Their eyes were now fixed on the procession of beautiful girls in snowy white garments, their faces nearly expressionless.
After presenting the gifts and exchanging pleasantries with the Emperor, Chu Yuechan headed towards the seats designated for Frozen Cloud Asgard and sat down quietly with the other disciples. Had it not been for the attendance of the prince of the Divine Phoenix Empire, she might not have come personally. Her master had instructed her to attend to avoid the matter being taken as an insult, and the same applied to the other major powers.
Following these two, the Xiao Sect and the Burning Heaven Clan also arrived, presenting their gifts—which were not of the same quality as the previous two—and took their designated seats.
After a short while, the clamor grew even louder as Xichen arrived with his entourage.
"The Thirteenth Prince of the Divine Phoenix Empire has arrived: His Highness Prince Xichen," the gatekeeper announced again, this time with obvious tension. "His Highness Prince Xichen has brought 5 Flame Fruits and 3 catties of Sacred Fire Metal, along with many other gifts."
Upon hearing the announcement, looks of greed and envy appeared in the eyes of many in the hall, especially members of the Burning Heaven Clan, who specialized in fire-element cultivation. These were extremely rare treasures that would allow them to deepen their understanding of the law of fire, restore their vitality, and easily expand their cultivation realms.
"..." A sudden silence fell over the imperial hall. Even the sound of clinking cups gradually faded, as if the entire place had held its breath in a single moment.
All eyes turned toward the tall, ornate palace gates, which opened slowly as if time itself had decided to slow down to make way for the one about to appear.
Then, a young man in his early twenties stepped inside. Tall, with a posture as straight as a royal spear carved to perfection, he was draped in a luxurious robe of black silk, embroidered with fiery golden threads that shimmered with every movement, as if burning with a life of their own.
His hair was blond like molten gold, its strands flowing smoothly down to the middle of his back. But what drew even more attention was the reddish hue gracing the ends of his hair, as if an eternal ember had been born with him and continued to burn quietly without fading.
As for his eyes... they were masterpieces of pure gold, radiant with a majestic aura that blended grandeur with calm, sovereignty with nobility. They were not merely eyes... but two gateways looking down upon everyone from a height, as if they did not belong to this world.
In that moment, many felt as if a second sun had risen inside the hall. It wasn't physical heat, but an immense, overwhelming, pure inner light... a sheer dominance that could not be explained in words.
Some inexperienced nobles fell into a state of complete stupefaction, while the eyes of elders and great masters widened with unconcealable astonishment. Even the senior representatives of the major sects felt faint tremors pass through their souls, their hearts growing heavy for a brief moment.
"He... is not someone one can look upon directly without preparing oneself," whispered one of the city lords, instinctively lowering his gaze.
And that was none other than Xichen, the prince of the Divine Phoenix Empire and its legitimate future heir.
His steps were calm, steady, neither arrogant nor hesitant. With each step he took, it seemed as if the earth breathed beneath him, responding to his unquestionably regal nature.
...
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