After his advancement in cultivation, Ling Chen was in a great mood. He could finally take a breather.
However, this did not mean he could let his guard down. He was still in danger. Whether it was the Divine Intent Sect or the perils within the hunting grounds, he didn’t know who was pulling the strings from behind. But it was certain that the enemy was extremely powerful; of that, there was no doubt.
As Ling Chen was deep in thought, an attendant entered from outside.
"Lord Ling Chen, the Crown Prince sends an invitation to the royal banquet tonight," the attendant said.
The attendant took out a letter from his sleeve and presented it to Ling Chen.
Ling Chen had now been conferred the title of Earl, hence his address as ’Lord’.
The ranks of nobility in the Wind Country were Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron. The status of an Earl was just below that of a Marquis. In the Wind Country, only those who had made truly outstanding contributions could be enfeoffed as a Marquis. Ling Chen being conferred the title of Earl at the age of fifteen was extremely rare.
Ling Chen took the letter, glanced through it, set it down, and then nodded. "Go and inform the Crown Prince that I will attend the banquet on time."
The attendant withdrew.
Once the attendant had left, Ling Chen picked up the letter again and read it carefully before putting it away. This royal banquet is probably just a gathering of the Wind Country’s nobility. My attendance doesn’t matter much. However, the Crown Prince might very well be the next Emperor of the Wind Country. If I were to blatantly reject his invitation, it would be a great disrespect to the future monarch.
On the Tianyuan Continent, the Imperial Court’s power was limited and far from comparable to that of the major sects. However, the court was not without its experts. The major martial arts aristocratic families throughout the Wind Country still revered the royal family as the foremost aristocratic family and held positions within the Imperial Court, so their collective strength was not to be underestimated.
The banquet was to be held in the Cui Yu Building, located in the southeastern district of the capital. Its prime location, bustling surroundings, and magnificent architecture were said to be second only to the Imperial Palace itself; in some aspects, it even surpassed the palace.
This was because the owner of the Cui Yu Building was none other than the Crown Prince himself.
The entire capital was magnificently constructed, with city walls built from massive stone blocks, each five meters square, and topped with arrow towers and formation arrays.
The Crown Prince’s residence was especially bustling today. Dignitaries, nobles, the scions of aristocratic families, and most of the young warriors who had participated in the hunt were expected to gather here, all having received invitations.
However, the most distinguished guest of the day was still the young palace master of the Sky Void Palace, Xu Ruoyan.
"Ling Chen, have you advanced to the Martial Artist First Layer?"
Ling Chen and Xiao Muyu were sharing a carriage. She could sense the surge in Ling Chen’s aura, which clearly indicated he had reached the First Layer Martial Master stage.
"With the aid of a Void Spirit Pill, it would be impossible for me to remain stagnant," Ling Chen responded with a smile.
"That’s true. With your talent, you should have reached this stage long ago if not for those unexpected setbacks." Xiao Muyu nodded gently. Ling Chen’s title as the Martial World’s number one genius was not unearned. In terms of talent, the other three of the so-called ’Four Young Geniuses’ of the Divine Intent Sect were still a fair bit behind Ling Chen.
And indeed, the facts proved this.
As Ling Chen and Xiao Muyu’s carriage pulled up outside the Cui Yu Building, a young man of about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, dressed in green robes, came forward to greet them and speak with Ling Chen.
"It’s you, Senior Brother Dai Chao."
Ling Chen recognized the young man. This was Dai Chao, also a disciple of the Divine Intent Sect. However, Dai Chao had left the Sect several years ago and taken up a post in the capital, serving as the Divine Intent Sect’s liaison here.
When Dai Chao was in the Divine Intent Sect, it coincided with the period when Ling Chen’s father, Ling Tianyu, was at the zenith of his influence within the Sect. Consequently, due to Ling Tianyu, Dai Chao and Ling Chen had always shared a rather close relationship.
But due to the many recent events, Ling Chen had momentarily forgotten about this old acquaintance in the capital.
"Junior Brother Ling Chen, Junior Sister Muyu, it’s been several years! You’ve both grown so much. If I hadn’t seen you both at the hunting grounds, I might not have recognized you," Dai Chao said.
He was slightly rotund, a smile on his face. It seems he hasn’t been diligent in his cultivation during these years in the capital, Ling Chen thought. After all, in such a place of wealth and splendor, it’s difficult to maintain a pure and dedicated heart for the Martial Arts.
"Senior Brother, you’ve changed quite a bit as well," Ling Chen remarked. "We are disciples of the same Sect. In such a bustling place, it’s crucial to maintain a heart as clear as a mirror."
Ling Chen could see Dai Chao’s circumstances. He offered this reminder out of goodwill. Had it been anyone else, he wouldn’t have bothered to say something potentially unwelcome.
"Junior Brother Ling, you’re absolutely right."
Hearing Ling Chen’s words, Dai Chao was momentarily stunned, then nodded gravely. His expression, however, was complex. He sighed. "But in such a hotbed of conflict, maintaining a pure heart for the Martial Arts is truly difficult."
The capital... what a place of strife. It’s the very nexus of power struggles, rife with deceit and silent assassinations. Once you’re in a place , it’s impossible to remain unstained by the mire.
Dai Chao himself had accepted this assignment precisely because his cultivation progress had faltered.
Xiao Muyu nodded in agreement; such an environment was indeed unsuitable for cultivation.
"Success depends on individual effort," Ling Chen stated, his expression still calm. He continued, "The ancients said, ’Lesser hermits seek seclusion in the wilds; greater hermits find it in the city.’ Places , all the more, test a person’s Martial Will."
"You truly speak like Sect Leader Ling. You’re indeed worthy of being his son." Admiration flickered in Dai Chao’s eyes. "Actually, I went looking for you a couple of days ago, but I heard you were in seclusion for cultivation, so I didn’t disturb you. I figured you would attend this banquet, so I waited for you here."
"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Brother Dai."
Ling Chen and Xiao Muyu both cupped their fists in acknowledgement.
Dai Chao led the way, entering the Cui Yu Building first. Ling Chen and Xiao Muyu followed.
"Esteemed guests," a maid said as the three entered the building, "the Crown Prince has prepared exclusive seats for our two honored guests. Please follow me."
Following the maid further into the establishment, the three of them arrived before a particular pavilion.
It was a three-story Glazed Tile Pavilion. Due to its elevated foundation, when viewed from a distance, it seemed to float like an ethereal abode of immortals, wreathed in mist.
Indistinctly, the melodious sounds of stringed and wind instruments drifted from the Jiantian Pavilion within. The music was exceptionally pleasing, like celestial tunes wafting down from the nine heavens.
"This place is truly extravagant."
Ling Chen and Xiao Muyu couldn’t help but be astonished by the scene before them. This place is a bit too luxurious, they thought.
Dai Chao, however, seemed unfazed, evidently accustomed to such an atmosphere. He found a seat by a window and began to observe his surroundings.
There were about twenty-odd tables occupied by warriors, mostly young individuals. Some were dressed in lavish attire, while others wore uniform martial robes. Each person exuded vigor and was clearly a martial arts expert; the weakest among them possessed cultivation at the Seventh Realm or higher.
In the center of the first floor, ten stunning women in vibrant, flowing robes were dancing gracefully. Their beauty was captivating, each like an immortal maiden descended to the mortal world.
Noticing Ling Chen’s gaze lingering on the ten dancing beauties, Dai Chao leaned closer to him and whispered with a knowing smile, "What do you think, Junior Brother Ling? Has your heart been stirred? These beauties are all virgins, meticulously selected by the owner of this Cui Yu Building from all over the Wind Country, and even from the other four neighboring kingdoms. Their role is to grace grand royal banquets and add to the festivities."
"The Cui Yu Building certainly has its ways."
Ling Chen merely spared the ten beauties a glance before retracting his gaze. These beauties are indeed exceptional, he mused. But no matter how beautiful, they are ultimately just pink-hued skeletons.