# Chapter 1021: The National Lord's Birthday Feast
The Bingfeng Empire, bearing the name "Empire," naturally possessed formidable national power. Its territory was even larger than the entire Tian Xuan Continent, and it was recognized as the second strongest nation in the northern part of Yinxue Realm, second only to the Zisheng Empire that bordered it to the north.
Due to their shared border, there were occasional frictions, but the stronger party was always the Zisheng Empire.
However, after the Bingfeng Empire produced a Mu Hanyi, and rumors spread that Mu Hanyi was extremely likely to become the next Realm King's personal disciple, the Zisheng Empire no longer dared to act arrogantly before the Bingfeng Empire. In fact, every year they would even take the initiative to send envoys traveling millions of miles to present state gifts.
As a result, although the Bingfeng Empire's national power was inferior to the Zisheng Empire, in recent years it had gradually shown signs of becoming the leading great power in the north. And if Mu Hanyi truly became the Realm King's personal disciple, it would naturally become the foremost nation of Yinxue Realm in terms of national prestige.
The great hall was filled to capacity. The Bingfeng National Lord's first millennium birthday feast was considered a major event. Seated in the hall were Bingfeng nobles, Xuan Dao overlords, and envoys from various nations.
As soon as one entered the great hall, the most eye-catching figure was a young man in purple robes. He sat at the head of the hall, a faint smile on his face, carrying an innate air of exalted nobility. As he watched Feng Huituo and Feng Hange leave their seats, accompanied by the Situ family, Mu Hanyi, and Yun Che returning, his gaze swept quickly and meticulously over each person. Then he slowly stood up, a rather intrigued light smile appearing on his face.
"Oh? Is this not Domain Lord Situ? I have long heard that your daughter has outstanding talent, entering the Ice Phoenix Palace at a young age of just over ten and becoming a disciple of the Ice Cloud Immortal. Truly a cause for celebration."
At the sight of this young man in purple clothes, Situ Xiongying was visibly startled, his voice faltering: "Zi... Zi Sheng Crown Prince!"
This young man in purple was none other than the current Crown Prince of the Zisheng Empire!
The Bingfeng National Lord's millennium birthday was not a trivial matter within the Bingfeng Empire, but for other nations, sending an envoy to offer congratulations and gifts would suffice. Yet the Zisheng Empire, the most powerful nation in the northern part of Yinxue Realm, had sent its Crown Prince in person. This was truly excessive, and no wonder Situ Xiongying was astonished.
The Zisheng Crown Prince smiled faintly, but his gaze shifted to Mu Hanyi: "Thirteenth Prince, it has been a long time. Seven years unseen, and your aura truly far surpasses that of old. Just from your appearance, one can tell that the title of foremost youth of Yinxue Realm is not undeserved. However, it is truly a pity that you failed to become the Realm King's personal disciple."
"Besides Prince Hanyi, it seems there are also two distinguished guests from the Bing Huang God Sect arriving together. No wonder the Bingfeng National Lord personally came out to welcome you. My respects, my respects! It appears that the God Sect truly values your nation greatly."
The Zisheng Crown Prince spoke with a smile, gentle and courteous, displaying the bearing of a nation's crown prince. But there was no one present who was simple-minded; how could they fail to catch the meaning behind his words? Almost every single character carried derisive mockery and stinging barbs.
He was mocking the Bingfeng Empire for constantly proclaiming that Mu Hanyi would become the Realm King's personal disciple, only to end up with nothing. The deterrent effect on the Zisheng Empire that had lasted for many years naturally vanished into thin air.
And that line, "It appears that the God Sect truly values your nation greatly," was nothing short of blatant sarcasm.
Furthermore, earlier, after receiving Mu Hanyi's message transmission that "two distinguished guests from the Bing Huang God Sect are arriving together," Bingfeng National Lord Feng Huituo had been as if hearing celestial music. He excitedly announced it on the spot, then personally led people out of the hall in a flurry of haste to welcome them. This also stirred tension, anticipation, and envy among the guests from all directions... After all, having important figures from the Bing Huang God Sect attend one's birthday feast was an immense honor.
However, the two individuals beside Mu Hanyi, clad in the snow-white robes of the Bing Huang God Sect, were not only extremely young but also had profound force at only the Divine Origin Realm. They were hardly important figures; they were merely disciples, and rather low-level ones at that.
Sending two disciples who were far inferior to Mu Hanyi to attend the birthday feast... this was the most casual and dismissive gesture possible. It would have been better not to send anyone at all.
When the people in the hall personally witnessed these two "distinguished guests of the Bing Huang God Sect," their anticipation and envy instantly turned into shock and disappointment. As for the envoys from other nations or the domain lords and overlords, many inwardly sighed or even laughed to themselves.
After the news that Mu Hanyi failed to become the Realm King's personal disciple spread, the national prestige of the Bingfeng Empire had already plummeted. Now, at this millennium birthday feast of the National Lord, the Bing Huang God Sect had sent two low-level disciples... If this news got out, the Bingfeng Empire's prestige would undoubtedly take another heavy blow, possibly even becoming a laughingstock.
In previous years, because of Mu Hanyi, the Zisheng Empire had been quite cowering before the Bingfeng Empire. But now, by sending its Crown Prince in person, the Zisheng Empire was most likely here to gloat at the Bingfeng Empire's misfortune. The mockery he had just made in public was nothing short of unbridled.
Mu Hanyi returned the salute with a gentle, cultured smile, seemingly completely oblivious to the mockery in the other's words: "Thank you for your kind words, Zi Sheng Crown Prince. Hanyi is unworthy of such praise. My Sect Lord's deep affection for our Bingfeng Empire is something I can never repay. Today, with the Zi Sheng Crown Prince's personal visit, Hanyi is doubly delighted. After the banquet, we must have a good chat about old times."
"Ha ha ha ha ha!" The Zisheng Crown Prince let out a loud laugh, slowly sat back down, and said no more, but a meaningful smile remained on his face.
Although Feng Huituo was seething with anger inside, his expression remained unchanged. He waved his hand: "Hange, arrange seats for Domain Lord Situ and his family. This..."
When he turned to Yun Che, Feng Huituo's voice hitched. In his earlier disappointment and frustration, he hadn't paid much attention to Yun Che's name, and now he couldn't recall it at all. Fortunately, he quickly switched his speech: "This distinguished guest of the Bing Huang God Sect, shall I have you sit together with Domain Lord Situ and his family?"
Before Feng Huituo could finish speaking, Situ Xiongying had already turned directly and taken his seat at the place indicated by Feng Hange. He picked up a cup of water and drained it in one gulp... clearly refusing to sit together with Yun Che.
Feng Hange was embarrassed, momentarily unsure whether to step forward and invite Yun Che to take a seat. But then he heard Mu Hanyi say: "Imperial Father, it might be slightly inappropriate for Senior Brother Yun Che to sit with Domain Lord Situ."
As he spoke, he extended his arm: "Senior Brother Yun Che, please take the seat of honor. If you have any instructions, just tell Hanyi directly."
The seat Mu Hanyi indicated was, surprisingly, right next to the royal throne — alongside Bingfeng National Lord Feng Huituo!
His actions and words stunned everyone. Feng Huituo was heavily startled, then asked in shock: "Hanyi, what is this... Did you just call him... Senior Brother?"
Whether intentionally or not, Mu Hanyi suddenly put on an expression of realization: "Ah, ah... Your son has been away from the nation for so long, and was so overjoyed to see Imperial Father that I actually forgot such a major matter."
He stood beside Yun Che, his expression extremely serious: "Imperial Father, Senior Brother Yun Che is not only Your Son's senior brother. You must already know that the Great Realm King accepted a new personal disciple half a month ago. And that personal disciple is none other than Senior Brother Yun Che."
Mu Hanyi's words caused the great hall to fall into instant dead silence. The words "Realm King's personal disciple" in particular struck like a thunderbolt from a clear sky, stunning everyone into wide-eyed disbelief.
Even as a nation's sovereign, Feng Huituo was so shocked that it took him a long moment to come to his senses. His originally imposing and majestic face instantly became filled with panic. Even his body, bearing the dignity of an emperor, quickly bent forward, and he spoke with trepidation: "Yun... Yun Wise Nephew... So you are... Ah, no no, this little king was blind and failed to recognize a mountain of Tai. Not only did I fail to welcome you from afar, but I was also quite discourteous. Please forgive this little king's transgression, Yun Wise Nephew..."
In his panic, Feng Huituo became somewhat incoherent, and before he finished speaking, the back of his head was already drenched in cold sweat. He shifted his gaze and berated in rapid succession: "Hanyi, with such an immensely important guest as Yun Wise Nephew, how could you... how could you not inform me in advance!"
If he had known that the Realm King's personal disciple was coming, he would have not only greeted him in person but would have traveled tens of thousands of miles to welcome him.
Mu Hanyi smiled and said: "Imperial Father, it's not that Your Son was being inconsiderate. Although Senior Brother Yun Che holds an exalted status, he is humble and gentle, never bullying others with his power, and always thinks of others. He feared that informing in advance would overshadow the host and affect Imperial Father's birthday feast, so he asked me not to announce it beforehand. I had no choice but to obey Senior Brother Yun Che's instructions... However, in my excitement, I failed to immediately inform Imperial Father of Senior Brother Yun Che's identity. That is indeed my fault, and I am willing to accept Imperial Father's punishment."
Yun Che said courteously: "Bingfeng National Lord, there is no need for this. This junior came on the orders of my Master to offer birthday congratulations. This instead makes me uneasy."
Although Yun Che only offered a simple junior's salute, it startled Feng Huituo so much that he stepped back and hurriedly returned the salute: "Yun... Wise Nephew, what words are these? It is this little king... who has been remiss in hospitality. Quickly... please take the seat of honor, the seat of honor."
Feng Huituo was still sweating profusely, his voice and body trembling uncontrollably. It wasn't that he was weak-willed, but... the person before him was the Great Realm King's personal disciple! The status of a nation's sovereign was indeed exalted, but compared to a Realm King's personal disciple, they were not even on the same plane of existence. In his presence, he could only be called a "minor national lord."
Not to mention a millennium birthday feast, even a ten-thousand-year birthday feast would not dare to hope for such a figure's personal arrival. Even a single hall master attending would be considered an immense blessing. Amid his excitement, shock, and panic, his overwhelming feeling was one of disorientation and disbelief.
And Feng Huituo was not the only one shocked and disoriented. Crown Prince Feng Hange stood frozen like stone, not daring to move or speak. All the guests in the hall had already risen to their feet, their gazes fixed on Yun Che with profound fear and reverence.
The news that the Yinxue Realm King had accepted a new personal disciple had already spread throughout the Yinxue Realm. Although his name was unknown, everyone knew he came from the lower realm, and his profound force had only just entered the Divine Dao. But with talent that could be called unprecedented, he had utterly defeated Mu Hanyi and Mu Feixue in the assessment, with limitless prospects for the future... But they never imagined, and dared not believe, that he had come to this National Lord's birthday feast and was standing right before their eyes.
The Zisheng Crown Prince had also risen to his feet, but his face no longer bore even a trace of his earlier smug smile. His rather handsome face was now clearly deathly pale. Under immense terror, he had completely lost all of his crown prince's dignity and arrogance. Every pore of his body was exuding bone-chilling cold air.
No one would forget that just moments ago, he had brazenly uttered those mocking words right in front of Yun Che.
"He... he's actually... the legendary Realm King's personal disciple." Situ's wife's mouth gaped wide open, taking a long while before she finally closed it: "We actually made him walk behind us, that was... truly discourteous. Huh? Xiongying? What's wrong with you?"
Situ Xiongying stood rigidly, his face as pale as wax paper. His pupils would sometimes dilate, sometimes contract. His entire body trembled like a sieve. The wine cup he unconsciously gripped in his hand had long since spilled wine all over his clothes, yet he remained completely oblivious.
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[Returned to the home country. Returning home tomorrow, will slowly make up for missed updates (flag+1)]