Chapter 1014: Pool Heir, Wan Commandery Princess
The size of Ming Emperor City was comparable to the Eastern Domain Sacred City, divided into multiple city districts. Each district was separated from the others, each equipped with its own city-protecting grand formation.
The Cai Clan was a medieval aristocratic clan and also a prestigious family. Their clan territory was located in a city district with extremely abundant spiritual energy.
Within the district, dozens of massive spiritual mountains were scattered, with palaces clustered together and spiritual mist drifting. Many saintly gatekeeper clans were also located here.
Being neighbors with the Cai Clan was undoubtedly a matter of great honor.
The Cai Clan's ancestral mansion, like an imperial palace or sacred hall, was extremely grand and imposing, occupying half the city district.
Tonight, the Cai residence was especially lively, with countless ornate carriages arriving in an unending stream.
The beasts pulling the carriages were at least fifth-rank savage beasts, comparable to human cultivators at the Fish-Dragon Realm, also indirectly proving the noble status of the figures within the carriages.
Among them, some carriages were pulled by sixth-rank savage beasts.
Whenever such a carriage appeared, it caused a stir, and then important figures from the Cai Clan would emerge to personally welcome them inside.
Zhang Ruochen, wearing a Phantom Gold Mask, stood beside Chu Siyuan and said, "Can you really help me obtain a fifth-grade Saint Origin Pill?"
"Rest assured, with this old man's status, obtaining a fifth-grade Saint Origin Pill is a trivial matter." Chu Siyuan cast a disdainful glance at Zhang Ruochen.
Zhang Ruochen said, "But I feel like the Cai Clan doesn't value you very much? Logically, shouldn't the clan leader personally welcome a figure of your stature?"
Chu Siyuan stroked his beard and smiled, "This old man has always kept a low profile. They have no idea I would visit the Cai residence tonight."
Feeling that Zhang Ruochen doubted his identity, Chu Siyuan decided to show off a bit. "This old man will now send a message to my second disciple to come out and welcome us. Be mentally prepared—don't let the spectacle frighten you."
"Wait."
Zhang Ruochen immediately stopped Chu Siyuan. "Senior, haven't you always kept a low profile? Let's stay low-key today. After all, we're here to witness the talents of Sacred Ming City. Being too flashy wouldn't be good."
Chu Siyuan pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Makes sense."
Zhang Ruochen looked at Chu Siyuan's back, smiled, and then followed unhurriedly.
The two waited in a long line before reaching the Cai residence's main gate.
A golden-armored warrior, three meters tall, extended a thick metal arm to block Chu Siyuan and said in a deep voice, "You must have an invitation to attend tonight's banquet."
When had Chu Siyuan ever needed an invitation to enter the Cai residence?
Chu Siyuan, never a calm-tempered person, snorted coldly, "That carriage that just drove in—why didn't you ask them for an invitation?"
Cai Mingliang stepped out from behind the golden-armored warrior. He had a mustache, a slightly plump face, and saintly light flickering around him—he was actually a first-order Half-Saint realm expert.
Cai Mingliang glanced at Chu Siyuan. Seeing his plain clothing and that he didn't seem to be a martial arts cultivator, his gaze grew even more contemptuous. He laughed, "That carriage that just passed belongs to the Yuansheng Gatekeeper Clan, and the person inside is a Half-Saint realm prodigy of that clan. How can you two compare to him?"
Other guests arrived in ornate carriages, symbols of their noble status.
Zhang Ruochen and Chu Siyuan both wore plain cloth garments, so naturally, the Cai Clan cultivators looked down on them and barred them at the gate.
"When has this old man ever needed an invitation to enter the Cai residence?"
Chu Siyuan had a foul temper and tried to force his way in.
Cai Mingliang's eyes turned cold. He pushed Chu Siyuan back with a palm and said sternly, "If you want to scam a free meal, at least pick the right place. Today is the Sixth Young Master's joyous occasion. I don't want to stain it with blood."
The Cai Clan's banquets served at least Half-Saint True Liquid, or even Saint Liquid.
The food was also rare delicacies that even Half-Saints coveted, capable of enhancing cultivation, aiding in comprehending sacred dao rules, or tempering the body.
Therefore, at every Cai Clan banquet, there were always some freeloaders trying to sneak in. For them, attending one medieval aristocratic clan feast could save ten years of bitter cultivation.
In the past, some rogue martial artists had actually managed to sneak in and reap real benefits.
Later, word spread, and more rogue cultivators came to try their luck.
If they got in, it was a huge gain.
Even if they didn't, the Cai Clan wouldn't kill them on such a happy day—at most, they'd be driven away.
Clearly, Cai Mingliang and the golden-armored warrior had mistaken Chu Siyuan and Zhang Ruochen for such freeloaders.
The surrounding guests also stared at Zhang Ruochen and Chu Siyuan with mocking eyes.
"People actually try to freeload at a medieval aristocratic clan's feast? I never believed it before."
"These people are just shameless. Even the leftovers from a medieval clan's banquet would cause a frenzy if thrown to them."
...
Zhang Ruochen remained calm, ignoring the guests' words.
But Chu Siyuan was so angry that white smoke rose from his head. He wanted to announce his name and intimidate these disrespectful juniors.
Zhang Ruochen immediately sent a voice transmission: "Senior Chu, you'd better hold back. If the Painting Saint is mistaken for a thieving freeloader, once word gets out, many will mock you."
Chu Siyuan's expression changed drastically. He immediately shut his mouth, realizing Zhang Ruochen had a point.
He knew that if those old rivals of his found out, they'd definitely come running to mock him.
That mockery would last at least a hundred years.
This concerned his dignity—he had to be careful.
Behind Zhang Ruochen and Chu Siyuan, two Golden Winged Roc Kings pulled a jewel-encrusted carriage that had been waiting for a long time.
From within the carriage came an annoyed voice, "Chief Steward Cai, how long are you going to make us wait? If you're not convenient to deal with those two thieves, this heir can do it for you."
Then, a handsome, spirited young man stepped out of the carriage. He looked about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, wearing a golden python robe and a golden cape, with fierce killing intent swirling around him.
Such killing intent could only be cultivated through countless slaughters.
Additionally, a purple-clad beauty slowly emerged from the carriage.
She had an extremely slender figure, long black hair, and purple saintly light flowing around her delicate body, giving her a lively, graceful beauty.
"So it's Heir Chi and Commandery Princess Wan visiting the Cai residence. Please, come in."
Cai Mingliang immediately walked to the bottom of the carriage, clasped his hands, and respectfully bowed to the man and woman.
For a first-order Half-Saint to bow—how noble must their status be?
Zhang Ruochen couldn't help but look over, fixing his gaze on Heir Chi and Commandery Princess Wan. They were indeed worthy of being called proud sons and daughters of heaven.
Both had stepped into the Half-Saint realm and had extraordinary bearing—clearly not ordinary people.
The surrounding guests were also discussing.
A Taoist-robed elder with an immortal air asked curiously, "Who are these two? Even Chief Steward Cai bows to them?"
Beside him, a man from some saintly gatekeeper clan poked his head out of his carriage and said, "You don't know them? Those two have huge backgrounds. That young man is a member of the imperial Chi Clan."
"Know of the Lingxiao Heavenly King Manor? He is one of its four great young masters, Chi Yutang."
The immortal-looking old Taoist thought for a moment, then shook his head. "The Fourth Young Master of Lingxiao Heavenly King Manor? Chi Yutang? I... really haven't heard of him."
The man from the saintly gatekeeper clan grew impatient. "Chi Wansui—you must know him, right?"
"Chi Wansui? One of the Nine Realm Sons, Chi Wansui?"
The old Taoist showed a shocked expression, his eyes nearly popping out.
The man grinned slyly. "Chi Wansui is the foremost of the four great young masters of Lingxiao Heavenly King Manor, and he's also Chi Yutang's younger brother. Now do you understand how terrifying Chi Yutang's status is?"
"Being Chi Wansui's elder brother is indeed a bit frightening," the old Taoist admitted.
The man's gaze shifted to the woman called Commandery Princess Wan, his expression turning infatuated. "And that Commandery Princess Wan's status is even more extraordinary."
"Oh?" The old Taoist seemed unconvinced.
"She is the second beauty of Sacred Ming City, named Wan Huayu. Wherever she goes, countless prodigies and talents follow behind her—a true proud daughter of heaven."
The old Taoist sneered. "Isn't she just beautiful? That only attracts young people like you."
"She is the only daughter of Little Saint Heavenly King Wan Zhaoyi," the man added.
The smile on the old Taoist's face immediately vanished. He said awkwardly, "Frightening... truly frightening again..."
The old Taoist fumbled around on himself, then knocked on the man's carriage door and said sheepishly, "This old Taoist suddenly remembers he left his invitation at his cave dwelling. Could you possibly take me into the Cai residence?"
The man from the saintly gatekeeper clan looked wary. "You're not a rogue martial artist trying to freeload, are you?"
The old Taoist's face darkened. He puffed out his chest and said with full authority, "Youngster, this old man is at least a figure of some status. I won't tolerate such insult."
Seeing the old Taoist's immortal bearing and confident tone, the man grew a bit uncertain.
Afraid of offending a super-strong expert and bringing trouble to his clan, he let the old Taoist into his carriage.
At the Cai residence's main gate, a different scene unfolded.
"This old man must enter the Cai residence today. Driving me away is impossible."
Chu Siyuan was a stubborn old man with a foul temper. He stood in the middle of the gate, ready to fight to the death with the Cai Clan.
Cai Mingliang's fingers trembled with anger. He had never encountered such a shameless old geezer. He ordered, "Immediately... throw this old man out."
"Who dares come near? Believe it or not, this old man will smash his head against the Cai residence's gate!" Chu Siyuan roared.
This was Zhang Ruochen's idea—to threaten the Cai Clan with suicide.
After all, the Cai Clan wouldn't want someone to die at their doorstep on such a joyous day. How unlucky would that be?
Of course, only Zhang Ruochen knew it was actually a terrible idea.
"A thief wanting to die is easy enough. This heir can send you on your way."
Chi Yutang's face turned cold and sharp. He spread his form and flew down from the carriage. A hand wearing a metal fist glove reached for Chu Siyuan's neck, producing a piercing wind sound.
With Chi Yutang's strength, crushing Chu Siyuan's neck would be easier than crushing tofu.