Chapter 822: The Grand Engagement Banquet
Today, Phoenix City had welcomed what could be called its most bustling day in history.
The vast Shenhuang City had been packed to overflowing several days ago, and every single person who had arrived was a figure of immense renown in their respective fields. Of the six kingdoms, except for Cang Feng Kingdom, every monarch had come in person. The major powers and sects had also sent their sect masters, gate masters, and overlords in person. The scale was so grand that even the long-time residents of Shenhuang City, who were used to "grand spectacles," were left dumbfounded.
Moreover, there were rumors that even the Four Sacred Grounds, unparalleled under heaven and existing like mythical entities, would have their Four Sacred Lords personally leading the Sacred Grounds' experts here today.
This was something that had never happened before in the history of Shenhuang.
If one did not know the inside story, just looking at the scene in Shenhuang City today, no one would have thought that all of this was merely for an engagement banquet.
Nineteen days ago, Mo Li had appeared on the Sea God Platform of the Supreme Sea Palace and left in less than half an hour, yet it had caused the entire Tian Xuan Profound Realm to tremble and brought about drastic changes to the barriers of the Tian Xuan Profound Realm. The Four Sacred Grounds, which had once sat high on the divine altar, had suddenly become something that could be trampled underfoot at will. Recalling the Heavenly Might Northern Domain that had been annihilated from seventy thousand miles away, the profound practitioners present still deeply felt as if they were still dreaming and hadn't woken up.
This was the result of absolute power... and a result that only absolute power could achieve.
Before nine o'clock in the morning, the originally quite spacious Phoenix City was already over half-filled, and distinguished guests from all directions were still arriving one after another. The main hall could accommodate thirty thousand people, and every person admitted into the main hall walked with straight backs and proud strides under the gazes of other guests, some even showing flattered expressions. Meanwhile, many sect masters who were renowned in their own regions, even ranking among the top in an entire kingdom, could only be seated in the side halls, yet they did not feel slighted in the slightest.
As for deputy sect masters and over eighty percent of the powers, they could only sit at the banquet tables outside the halls.
"Supreme Sea Palace—Sea Emperor Qu Fengyi, accompanied by Black Moon Guild Master Zi Ji, the Seven Venerables of the Sea Palace, Grand Elder Mo Chenfeng, Second Elder... Jade-faced Demon Lord Ji Qianrou, and twenty other distinguished guests arriving!"
The Phoenix disciples who announced the guests' names had been shouting for a full hour, yet their voices remained clear and sonorous, full of vigor. Coupled with their considerable cultivation, each shout could be clearly heard across half of Phoenix City. But when the Sea Emperor's name was shouted, his voice trembled noticeably.
The previously noisy Phoenix City fell into an instant silence, and all gazes focused on the entrance.
The Supreme Sea Palace had arrived, and indeed, the Sea Emperor had come in person. Accompanying him was the Black Moon Guild Master Zi Ji, whose status was almost equal to the Sea Emperor's and who was usually mysterious and rarely seen. Even the Seven Venerables were among the group, along with the top ten elders of the Sea Palace in terms of ranking!
This was without a doubt the most grandiose lineup the Supreme Sea Palace had ever assembled!!
Among them, Ji Qianrou was somewhat of an exception. But those in the know understood that Ji Qianrou had apparently saved Yun Che and Feng Xue'er on the Primordial Mystic Ark... Whether it was dispatching the most exaggerated lineup or bringing Ji Qianrou, it was all to curry favor with Yun Che.
Feng Hengkong strode forward boldly and welcomed the Supreme Sea Palace delegation at the front. Sea Emperor Qu Fengyi and Zi Ji were at the head. He immediately cupped his hands and said, "Welcome, esteemed guests of the Sea Palace! The Sea Emperor and Mr. Zi coming in person makes Hengkong feel immensely grateful and honored."
Feng Hengkong's face was flushed... this was not feigned but genuine excitement. In the past, on important occasions, if the Sea Palace sent someone like Ji Qianrou, who wasn't even considered a low-ranking elder, it was already a show of respect. He had never dared to dream that the Sea Emperor would come in person. But this time, for merely an engagement banquet, the Sea Emperor had brought over a dozen of the Sea Palace's top figures...
Although he had been the Phoenix Emperor for a hundred years, Feng Hengkong had never felt his backbone so straight.
At this moment, he even had a faint feeling... that his status was now almost on par with the Sacred Lords!
And all of this was brought about by Yun Che!
"You flatter me, Phoenix Sect Master. Such a joyous occasion—how could this emperor not attend? That would be a pity," Sea Emperor Qu Fengyi said with a faint smile. His words and actions were full of an emperor's bearing, yet here in Phoenix City, he was noticeably more restrained than usual.
"The Phoenix Sect Master has gained such an excellent son-in-law. Truly congratulations are in order, and everyone is envious," Zi Ji said with a chuckle. He then personally presented a jade box: "A humble gift—please accept it."
It was a top-grade Black Bodhi Jade box. Even the box alone was priceless and rare in the world, so the contents were certainly extraordinary. Feng Hengkong's heart surged with even greater excitement. He smiled and said, "For the Sea Palace's esteemed guests to come in person is already the greatest gift... Hengkong thanks you on behalf of my daughter. Ximing."
Feng Ximing stepped forward and respectfully received the jade box from Zi Ji's hands, but his gaze was wandering and he seemed somewhat absent-minded.
"I wonder if Palace Master Yun is already inside?" Zi Ji asked casually.
"Che'er has not arrived yet, but he is already in Shenhuang City. He will come naturally when the time draws near."
Calling Yun Che "Che'er" made Feng Hengkong feel his backbone stiffen by at least another eighty percent.
"Oh." Zi Ji nodded slightly, then took out a sparkling purple space ring: "Phoenix Sect Master, this is a modest gift from our Sea Palace for Palace Master Yun's master, as thanks for the forgiveness shown that day. I imagine it would be hard to see that senior in person, so I must trouble the Phoenix Sect Master to pass it to Palace Master Yun, who can then pass it to his master."
Feng Hengkong took it reflexively: "In that case, Hengkong will not fail your trust. When Che'er arrives, I will have him pass it to his master immediately. However..."
"Speak freely, Phoenix Sect Master." Zi Ji smiled.
Feng Hengkong said, "Che'er's esteemed master possesses abilities that can move heaven and earth. I fear there is hardly anything under the heavens that could catch their eye. I am truly curious—what grand gift has your Sea Palace prepared? Could it be that Mr. Zi already knows what that senior favors?"
"Hehehe," Zi Ji chuckled and lowered his voice: "There is no harm in telling the Phoenix Sect Master. I happened to learn some time ago that that senior may have a preference for deep red flowing immortal dresses. So I have been using the Merchant Guild's connections to search the world for the finest immortal dresses, hoping to earn a smile from that senior."
As someone whose status in the Supreme Sea Palace was almost equal to the Sea Emperor, he showed no hesitation in flattering Mo Li—and there was no need to hide it. And since they still didn't know Mo Li's name, they always referred to her as "that senior."
"I see. Thank you, Mr. Zi, for your generous information." Feng Hengkong committed it firmly to memory.
"Please enter the main hall and take your seats. The seats are already prepared." Feng Hengkong personally led Qu Fengyi and the others into the main hall. As they passed, the crowd fell silent. Those profound practitioners who had never dreamed of seeing the Sea Emperor in their lifetimes stared wide-eyed, not daring to make a sound, hardly daring to breathe.
"Sun Moon Divine Palace—Palace Master Ye Meixie, accompanied by Young Master Ye Xinghan, Qi Tian Divine Envoy, Chi Ri Divine Envoy, Zhu Yue Divine Envoy, Zhu Xing Divine Envoy, Fu Di Divine Envoy... a total of twenty distinguished guests arriving!"
Shortly after the Supreme Sea Palace had arrived, another loud shout drew everyone's attention. The people of the Sun Moon Divine Palace had also arrived, and like the Supreme Sea Palace, Heavenly Lord Ye Meixie had come in person, bringing the five Divine Envoys and the most senior elders.
Back then, Mo Li had left four nightmare scars on his body, tormenting Ye Meixie for a full seventy-two hours, making him wish for death but unable to die. Although he had been free of the nightmare for over ten days now, he was clearly a whole circle thinner, and his complexion was sallow—clearly not yet fully out of the shadow.
To have a Sacred Lord reduced to such a state in just a few days showed how terrifying the torment had been.
As a Sacred Lord, to protect his dignity, he should not have shown up in such a state when not fully recovered. But today, he dared not fail to come in person, and had to greet with a smile, not daring to show the slightest hint of negligence or dissatisfaction.
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After parting from Mo Li, Yun Che flew directly toward Phoenix City. As he drew near, he suddenly sensed an unusual aura. He stopped in midair, his gaze locking onto a slow-moving black shadow below.
The moment Yun Che looked at him, that black shadow suddenly raised his head, his gaze instantly shooting back to Yun Che's face. He stopped in his tracks, and a murderous aura, like a waking beast, surged around him.
"Fen Juechen? What are you doing here?" Yun Che descended and stood in front of Fen Juechen, thoroughly surprised. Because the aura on Fen Juechen was completely different from when he had seen him over ten days ago... It could be said to have undergone earth-shattering changes. Standing before him, Yun Che felt a bone-chilling coldness... Although he had felt a similar coldness before, it was now more than ten times stronger!
His pupils had also turned completely black, with not a trace of white visible.
"Killing people," Fen Juechen replied coldly. His eyes and words were devoid of life and emotion. On his back was strapped a large black sword—it was none other than the Heavenly Sin Divine Sword that Mo Li had thrown to him.
"Kill who?"
"First, kill Xuanyuan Wentian!" Every word from Fen Juechen's mouth seemed to come from the abyss.
"Has your demon blood awakened?" Yun Che suddenly asked. Because other than that reason, there was no explanation for Fen Juechen's aura to have skyrocketed so abnormally... Mo Li had said before that the demon blood in the Eternal Night Royal Clan could be awakened through the demon soul within the Heavenly Sin Divine Sword, just like Ye Mufeng back then. That was also the reason Fen Juechen wanted to retrieve the Heavenly Sin Divine Sword!
Mo Li had indeed said that the demon soul in the Heavenly Sin Divine Sword had not completely dissipated, and a very faint wisp remained. She hadn't bothered to erase it and casually threw it to Fen Juechen, even shouting publicly at the time: "With this sword, you might one day have the power to kill Xuanyuan Wentian..."
From the look of things, Fen Juechen had already achieved his wish through the Heavenly Sin Divine Sword!
"Get out of the way!" Fen Juechen said coldly.
"Today is my engagement day with Feng Xue'er. Xuanyuan Wentian will indeed come. If you want to kill him, wait until after the grand banquet. Don't ruin the mood for Xue'er and me," Yun Che said calmly. "Besides, although your strength has greatly increased, I don't think you can kill Xuanyuan Wentian. You are too impatient."
"Before I change my mind and kill you first, get out of my sight!" Fen Juechen growled in a low, furious voice.
"Hmph, suit yourself." Yun Che said no more, soared into the air, then turned back: "I want to kill Xuanyuan Wentian even more than you do. But if you don't want all your efforts so far to go to waste, then hold back! Wait until you have absolute certainty!"
"I don't need you to lecture me. Scram!" Fen Juechen punched the air, and the cold black aura darkened the light.
Yun Che vanished in an instant, no longer paying him any attention, and flew toward Phoenix City. The time for the grand engagement banquet was also drawing very close.