Chapter 96: Chapter 96: The Divine Dynasty Banquet Begins, All Factions Gather, Ten Thousand Phoenix Spirit Mountain’s Celestial Pride Emerges (First Update)
After finalizing his subsequent plans, Jun Xiaoyao departed from the Jun Family alone, taking a palanquin drawn by the Nine-headed Lion, heading towards the Panwu Divine Dynasty.
He did not bring along Jun Zhangjian and the others, nor did he bring Jun Linglong.
This time, Jun Xiaoyao wanted to act alone, making it inconvenient to bring them.
Just as Jun Xiaoyao left the Jun Family.
Waves began to stir throughout the Immortal Realm.
The Panwu Divine Dynasty announced that in half a month, a grand banquet would be held in the Forbidden City within the Imperial City of the Panwu Divine Dynasty.
The Panwu Divine Dynasty planned to invite various forces from the Desolate Celestial Immortal Realm.
At that time, the Panwu Divine Dynasty would select a Prince Consort for Wu Mingyue from the young talents of various forces.
This news caused a great sensation, and innumerable forces set out, with tower ships, palanquins, and flying ancient beasts frequently soaring across the sky toward the Panwu Divine Dynasty.
Being a powerful Immortal Divine Dynasty, marrying the Eldest Princess and becoming the Prince Consort would almost amount to forming an alliance.
Those top-level Daoist lineages sought to ally with the Panwu Divine Dynasty to elevate their status.
The Immortal Influences also wanted the Panwu Divine Dynasty as their ally.
After all, it was difficult to sing alone; even powerful Immortal Influences, without friendly forces, risked being besieged by other Immortal Daoist Lineages.
For these reasons, many forces were motivated and prepared to let their disciples try their luck.
Moreover, the Eldest Princess of the Divine Dynasty, renowned for her peerless beauty, was already a famous beauty in the Desolate Celestial Immortal Realm.
The combination of these reasons made the Panwu Divine Dynasty’s banquet incredibly grand in scale.
But just as this news spread, the Champion Marquis’s Mansion issued a statement from Yang Pan.
He said that if the Jun Family’s Divine Son did not dare to accept the challenge, he would personally ascend to the Jun Family Mountain Gate to issue a challenge.
This explosive news caused an even greater sensation.
Many thought this Champion Marquis was too arrogant.
How dare he stand at the Jun Family Mountain Gate to block others.
The grass on Long Haotian’s grave, who challenged the Jun Family Mountain Gate last time, was already five meters tall.
Many female cultivators who admired Jun Xiaoyao were enraged.
"This ugly fool of a Champion Marquis is just jealous of our Brother Xiaoyao’s stunning beauty!"
"Exactly, so what if he’s powerful, doesn’t he know this is an era where looks matter?"
"And our Brother Xiaoyao is invincible among his peers, so what does that Champion Marquis count for?"
...
In the Desolate Ancient Jiang Family, within the clan territory.
"Outrageous, utterly outrageous, infuriating!"
A petite and delicate figure stomped her jade foot in anger, causing the twin ponytails behind her little head to spring up.
Her cute, sprightly face was also adorned with a fierce and adorable expression.
"Luo Li, if you don’t focus on your cultivation, you’ll be locked in the clan territory forever." Not far away, Jiang Shengyi in a snow-white robe walked over, looking at Jiang Luoli with a face full of adorable fierceness, feeling a bit of a headache.
"Hmph, Luo Li can’t swallow this anger, that Champion Marquis dared to spread such rumors to tarnish Brother Xiaoyao’s name!" Jiang Luoli pouted, her face full of indignation.
"It’s just the antics of a petty person, that Champion Marquis is notoriously malevolent, no need to mind him; Xiaoyao doesn’t care, either," Jiang Shengyi said.
The news of the Champion Marquis’s challenge to Jun Xiaoyao was spreading wildly in the Immortal Realm.
Even though Jiang Luoli was in seclusion within the clan territory, she could still receive news through her maid.
"No, I must leave seclusion and go to the Panwu Divine Dynasty!" Jiang Luoli said.
"Why would you go, to compete for the title of Prince Consort?" Jiang Shengyi teasingly asked.
"I want to suppress that Champion Marquis, stamp on his face to vent, and see if he dares to challenge Brother Xiaoyao again!" Jiang Luoli declared righteously.
"Oh? Is that all?" Jiang Shengyi smiled slightly, seemingly seeing through Jiang Luoli.
Hearing this, Jiang Luoli’s face turned slightly red, and she lowered her head in embarrassment, intertwining her jade fingers.
"Of course, although I know Brother Xiaoyao isn’t likely to compete for the title of Prince Consort, but just in case..." Jiang Luoli stammered.
It was clear Jiang Luoli was afraid Jun Xiaoyao might attend the banquet and compete for the position of Prince Consort, thus marrying Wu Mingyue.
After all, Wu Mingyue was a renowned peerless beauty, and almost no man could see her without being moved.
"That’s your main reason, right?" Jiang Shengyi laughed.
Even before any union, Jiang Luoli had become like a little mother hen guarding her exclusive meal.
Jiang Luoli felt extremely embarrassed, her translucent earlobes turning bright red.
"Alright, I’ll take you there then." Jiang Shengyi smiled helplessly, rubbing Jiang Luoli’s little head.
"Yay, Sister Shengyi is the best!" Jiang Luoli laughed, her eyes bending into crescents.
Jiang Shengyi also smiled slightly, but deep in her eyes, there was a trace of imperceptible dimness.
"This girl really likes Xiaoyao..."
...
Meanwhile, in the Desolate Ancient Ye Clan Territory.
On the summit of a towering mountain stood a boy in a blue robe with a handsome face and starry eyes, sitting cross-legged.
Above his head, the sky appeared like a night curtain.
A brilliant river of stars flowed within that curtain, breathtakingly beautiful yet carrying an aura of extreme danger.
This boy was none other than Ye Xingyun.
Ever since the banquet of Jun Xiaoyao’s tenth birthday, Ye Xingyun had been humiliated by Jun Xiaoyao, losing face greatly.
However, Ye Xingyun found fortune in misfortune and awakened a certain memory.
Since then, Ye Xingyun’s personality seemed to undergo an imperceptible change, becoming more steady and restrained.
No longer as conceited and ostentatious as before.
"Panwu Divine Dynasty, Champion Marquis’s challenge; with Jun Xiaoyao’s personality, he will definitely not miss it." Ye Xingyun’s eyes narrowed slightly as he pondered.
Though his personality had changed somewhat, his hatred had not altered.
He sought revenge against Jun Xiaoyao.
And he also sought to win Jiang Luoli.
"Never mind, let’s go to the Panwu Divine Dynasty this time, just right to probe Jun Xiaoyao’s true strength."
Ye Xingyun made a decision, instructing Uncle Fu to prepare the carriage.
...
Chizhou, a vast and boundless ancient Spirit Mountain.
The entire Spirit Mountain spanned a wide area, shrouded in mist with divine radiance everywhere.
There were steep cliffs, strange pinnacles, colorful phoenixes flying, and phoenix birds circling.
At a glance, one could not see the end of the mountain range.
This place was the clan territory of one of the Ancient Royal Families, the Ten Thousand Phoenix Spirit Mountain.
Ten Thousand Phoenix Spirit Mountain stood on par with Ancestral Dragon Nest as a top-tier Ancient Royal Family, rich in heritage and powerful in strength.
At this moment, an ancient voice echoed from within a mountain range.
"Huang Xuanyi, Feng Qingling, the two of you, go to the Panwu Divine Dynasty. Remember not to lose the prestige of our Ten Thousand Phoenix Spirit Mountain."
"Yes, we will follow the Great Elder’s command!"
Within the mountain range, a man and a woman were enveloped in blazing divine radiance, soaring into the sky.
In the sky above, two golden phoenix birds pulled two palanquins.
The two figures swiftly entered them.
"I really wonder if we’ll see the rumored Jun Family’s Divine Son this time?" Feng Qingling said inside the palanquin.
"Heh, I also want to see what kind of person Jun Xiaoyao is, who has repeatedly shamed the Ancestral Dragon Nest," Huang Xuanyi said.
"But we are certainly not like Long Haotian and Dragon Jade Pool." Feng Qingling let out a light laugh.
"If Jun Xiaoyao underestimates us, he’ll likely face a lot of trouble..." Huang Xuanyi said in a relaxed tone, with a calm and confident demeanor.