Chapter 11: The Grand Banquet and Unexpected Encounters

As the most celebrated figure in the current dynasty, Yun Tianqi, who was destined to shoulder the future of the Cloud Firmament Royal Family, would undoubtedly stand as one of the most captivating protagonists of this banquet.

Clad in a brilliant yellow robe, adorned with an embroidered golden dragon that seemed to surge forth from tempestuous, sky-high waves, Yun Tianqi exuded an undeniable majesty. His eyes, dark as polished obsidian, shimmered with sagacious light, while his handsome visage, catching the dawn’s glow, radiated an inherent nobility and the awe-inspiring presence of a king destined to rule the world.

Having already ascended to the Golden Core realm at the tender age of eighteen, an indomitable aura permeated his very being, instantly conveying to anyone who beheld him that he was no mere fish in a pond.

“Greetings, Third Prince!”

In a synchronized motion, everyone present bowed to the faintly smiling Yun Tianqi. The assembly included numerous powerful young cultivators, all keenly aware that the entire Cloud Firmament Royal Family stood as Yun Tianqi’s formidable support. While befriending him might prove challenging, it was unequivocally wise to avoid incurring his displeasure.

[Beep! Key mission character detected. Host, please prepare to provoke them, then decisively defeat them to showcase your villainous charm.]

“Will you just shut up? Please, stop talking…”

Yun Tianqi returned their greetings with a courteous bow, a gesture that graciously afforded everyone due respect, before speaking with a soft, amused chuckle.

“Greetings, everyone. There’s truly no need for such deference. I’ve been informed that Father King has extended invitations to numerous young talents from the cultivation world for this banquet, a prospect that deeply intrigues me. I have come specifically to seek guidance and engage in friendly sparring with fellow Daoists, hoping to further sharpen my own Dao heart.”

The instant these words escaped his lips, a pall descended upon the faces of every cultivator present. It was unequivocally clear that this individual was issuing an open challenge. While the young generation of cultivators at this banquet might not embody the full might of their respective powers, they were, without exception, figures of some renown within their own factions. A defeat at the hands of the prince would, without question, inflict a significant blow to the prestige of their backing forces.

‘I knew it wouldn’t be that simple. It seems this banquet is nothing short of a feast at Hong Gate.’

‘Well, this is it. I’ve truly gotten myself into a mess. Soon, the system will undoubtedly manipulate me into provoking him, and should he decide to show no quarter, it would not only be a grave affront to the Xuanniao Mansion’s reputation, but a true case of misfortunes compounding upon each other.’

“What’s gotten into you? He’s merely the Third Prince. Are you truly so intimidated?”

Noticing Lan Wu Xi’s abrupt silence, his gaze intently fixed on the distant Yun Tianqi as if lost in contemplation, Huang Yao Yue playfully nudged his ribs, finally rousing him from his reverie.

“Hiss~, that stings! Would you please stop prodding me so carelessly?”

“It’s all because you were staring at him so intently; your gaze was practically transfixed. Could it be that you, of all people, harbor a predilection for men?”

As if unearthing some profound secret, Huang Yao Yue’s small hand flew to cover her mouth in utter astonishment, her eyes glinting with a peculiar light. Her gaze upon Lan Wu Xi became increasingly odd, tinged with a strange mix of disbelief and curiosity.

“What ‘predilection for men’ are you even talking about? What outlandish notions are you conjuring at such a tender age? I, Lan Wu Xi, am unequivocally male, and my affections lie with women. Cease your wild imaginings at once!”

“Hmph~, you’re barely older than me. Spare me the parental lectures.”

“My apologies, but being older still means being older. That is an undeniable fact you cannot alter.”

“Can you say anything else besides that?”

“The fact that I am your fiancé still remains unchanged.”

And so, even amidst the Third Prince’s esteemed presence at the banquet, these two contentious lovers found themselves locked in their customary endless squabble. In Lan Wu Xi’s estimation, since Huang Yao Yue had so decisively claimed him as her fiancé today, he simply couldn’t permit her to grow overly complacent. After all, she was now, undeniably, his fiancée.

With the Third Prince’s arrival, the banquet proceeded, yet beneath the surface of apparent harmony, hidden currents began to stir as each guest, nursing their own agenda, quietly calculated their next moves.

“Miss Huang, so you’re here! I am the eldest son of the Hao family. We have, in fact, met at previous banquets; do you still recall me?”

True to form, it wasn’t long before a brazen young master from a prominent family advanced, two cups of wine in hand, clearly intending to invite Huang Yao Yue to share a drink.

“Help me fend him off. I don’t drink.”

“Ahem, ten spirit stones to block one drink.”

“Are you truly a brigand? Demanding payment even from your own fiancée!”

“Then don’t bother. I’m perfectly content to perform such a charitable act for someone else.”

“You… very well! Six spirit stones per instance.”

“Deal!”

With matters having reached this point, Lan Wu Xi could only curse his misfortune, yet he resolved to at least extract some benefit. After all, he was, for the moment, this woman’s fiancé.

As soon as their agreement was struck, Lan Wu Xi finally embraced his role as a diligent protector, effectively warding off the various young masters with their ulterior motives, and in doing so, inadvertently accumulating a fair share of resentment…

Over time, the rumor that the Huang family’s esteemed daughter had a fiancé swiftly swept through the entire banquet. Speculation regarding Lan Wu Xi’s identity ran rampant: some whispered he was the scion of a reclusive clan, others, the illegitimate son of a powerful dignitary, while an audacious few even posited that he was the Cloud Firmament King’s long-lost, wandering illegitimate child.

It truly was a testament to the sheer audacity of those proposing the third theory; the Cloud Firmament Prince himself was present. Should such a rumor ever reach his ears, would it not cast an indelible stain upon the honor of their Cloud Firmament Royal Family?

“Your Royal Highness, now you believe what I’ve said, don’t you?”

Unbeknownst to many, Wang Lang had, at some point, materialized by Yun Tianqi’s side. Their familiarity suggested a long-standing acquaintance. Yun Tianqi, for his part, maintained a serene, unruffled demeanor, while Wang Lang’s face was marred by a sinister malice and an unmistakable expression of schadenfreude.

“Are you implying that the esteemed Miss Huang of the Huang family already has a paramour, and you desire for me to intervene and complicate matters for them?”

Yun Tianqi’s gaze flickered towards Wang Lang, a piercing glint momentarily illuminating his eyes.

“This lowly subject… this servant would not dare.”

Sensing the faint, almost ethereal killing intent, Wang Lang, a mere mortal, felt his legs buckle beneath him, nearly sending him to his knees. His head bowed low in deference, he spoke with a voice trembling uncontrollably, utterly unwilling to meet Yun Tianqi’s gaze, which seemed to penetrate the very depths of his soul.

Alongside Yun Tianqi, and distinct from Wang Lang, stood an elderly man, seemingly well past his sixtieth year, appearing as if he could, at any moment, embark on his final journey. Though the spiritual energy emanating from him was almost imperceptible, only Yun Tianqi and a privileged few were aware that this elder’s prowess was unrivaled across the entire Cloud Firmament Kingdom, a clear testament to the Cloud Firmament King’s profound esteem for the Third Prince.

“Heh heh, how could this prince possibly be unaware of your meager machinations? Nevertheless, count yourself fortunate. I’ve heard that the Huang family’s fiancé is also a cultivator, and his strength is reputedly not to be underestimated. It perfectly aligns with my desire to find someone to impress upon these younger cultivators the profound truth that there are always those more capable, and always a greater height to aspire to.”

Yun Tianqi advanced without hesitation, leaving behind a profoundly relieved Wang Lang, who felt as if he had just been granted a reprieve from death.

“Heh heh, now let’s see how you plan to contend with me.”

Wang Lang, reveling in the quiet satisfaction of his successful machinations, remained entirely oblivious to the subtle shadow of grimness that had, in fact, descended upon Yun Tianqi’s otherwise unperturbed countenance.

Only the venerable elder by his side perceived the subtle shift in the Third Prince’s mood. While to the eyes of the public, the Third Prince appeared an unassailable paragon, a true dragon among men, he was, in actuality, an undeniable ‘lolicon’.

“Brother Yun, this is the banquet hall. There’s no need to be nervous; with your Yan’er by your side, there’s absolutely nothing to fear.”

At that very moment, the banquet hall received yet another esteemed guest: Yun Feiyan, the Fifth Princess of the Cloud Firmament Royal Family. Yet, it was not solely her presence that captivated the onlookers, but rather the somewhat flustered man she was intimately escorting, his arm nestled closely in hers.

“Princess, Yun Jingping is deeply touched by your thoughtfulness. However, this is a formal banquet, and should others witness us in such a manner, I fear it might cast an unfavorable light upon your esteemed reputation.”

As it happened, Yun Jingping, the esteemed young master of the Yun family, was also included on the guest list for this evening’s banquet. With two of the three prominent families—the Huang, Yun, and Lin—already in attendance, it undeniably signaled the extraordinary significance of this gathering.

More significantly, Yun Jingping’s renown had already permeated every corner of the Cloud Firmament Kingdom. His dramatic transformation from a once-maligned wastrel into a cultivation prodigy had long since become a common tale, a staple of idle chatter among the populace.

“What is there to fear? I am a princess! Let any dare to spread malicious gossip; if I ever discover their identities, I shall personally bash their heads in!”

As she spoke, Yun Feiyan playfully extended a tiny fist, making two adorable, emphatic gestures. This sight sent a shiver down the spines of several curious individuals who had been attempting to eavesdrop, causing them to break into a cold sweat before discreetly retreating.

Yun Jingping observed these antics, offering nothing more than a resigned smile. With a tender, doting gaze, he gently stroked Yun Feiyan’s small head. She, in turn, closed her eyes, luxuriating in his touch like an affectionate kitten, a display of sweet obedience that utterly astounded every single person in attendance.

As the saying goes, the Yun family possesses Yun Feiyan, and the Huang family boasts Huang Yao Yue.

The combined might of these two individuals was akin to a human-shaped, self-propelled missile, guaranteed to unleash a considerable catastrophe wherever they ventured. Yet, precisely because of their exceptionally unique statuses, both still commanded a multitude of audacious suitors, each deluded enough to believe they could claim these two thorny roses.

“Indeed, Young Master Yun, please do enjoy this banquet to its fullest with Her Royal Highness. You must understand, upon learning of your burgeoning talent, our Princess was so utterly overjoyed that she found herself unable to sleep a single wink all night, ceaselessly yearning for the opportunity to meet you again.”

The maid attending Yun Feiyan chuckled softly, a sound that brought a flush of embarrassed shyness to Yun Jingping’s cheeks, while Yun Feiyan’s face became a canvas of delicate blushes. Ultimately, she cried out in a fit of flustered indignation.

“Who permitted you to speak so freely? Retreat at once!”

“Yes, yes, of course~. Then, Young Master Yun, this servant shall take her leave. I wish you and Her Royal Highness a most wonderful banquet.”

Whether intentionally or not, the maid emphasized the word ‘wonderful,’ causing Yun Feiyan’s face to flush with renewed shyness. She lowered her head, clutching Yun Jingping’s arm like a peeved young wife, and remained silent.

As a princess, Yun Feiyan naturally once again captured everyone’s attention. Lan Wu Xi was no exception. After marveling at the princess’s uncommon beauty, he also noticed the youth walking intimately with her, a boy of similar age to himself, who turned out to be Yun Jingping!

“You, come out!”

[Beep! What is the Host’s command?]

“Tell me, why is the protagonist here too?”

[Beep! Due to the Host’s failure to complete the previous mission, the plot trajectory has deviated. This encounter was not originally part of your life story; it occurred because history has changed, leading to your meeting with the protagonist.]

“You are definitely messing with me!”

[Beep! My loyalty to the Host is witnessed by heaven and earth.]

“I’ll believe you when pigs fly!”

Realizing that he himself had altered history and brought himself into a new timeline, Lan Wu Xi finally understood that he was now deeply entrenched in an entirely new plot. And so, Yun Jingping, who was already destined to attend this banquet, had once again encountered Lan Wu Xi, who had been temporarily thrust into the event.

“Isn’t that Sister Feiyan? I wondered why such a grand banquet would be missing her.”

Yun Feiyan and Huang Yao Yue were known as the “Yun-Huang duo,” naturally sharing a good relationship. Seeing Yun Feiyan being so intimate with a man in public left Huang Yao Yue speechless with shock.

“She’s actually so close to a man? Could he be the beloved that Sister Feiyan often spoke of?”

‘What is this? Huang Yao Yue couldn’t help but feel a mix of amusement and exasperation. What was happening today? Just earlier, they were both lamenting how all men were no good, yet now both of them had a male companion. This was certainly one of the most talked-about topics at the banquet.’

Yun Feiyan had, for her part, already spotted Huang Yao Yue in a corner. Before even entering, she had heard rumors that her Sister Yao Yue, who had always disdained men, had actually brought a fiancé to the banquet. She hadn’t entirely believed it then, but now, seeing Lan Wu Xi by her side, she finally accepted that it was no mere rumor.

After carefully scrutinizing Lan Wu Xi, Yun Feiyan thought to herself:

‘So that’s Sister Yao Yue’s fiancé? He looks decent enough, though certainly not as handsome as my Brother Yun. Still, he’s barely adequate for my sister.’

“Yan’er, what’s wrong? Did you see someone you know?”

Yun Jingping also noticed Yun Feiyan’s unusual behavior. Following her gaze, his eyes once again met those of Lan Wu Xi, whose expression was difficult to describe.