Chapter 102: This Sect Is Not Simple
Checking the information was not difficult, as Xie Lingyu had actively registered Chu Xingchen's name for the banquet. The simplest method was to check the guest list.
The Ten Thousand Sword Sect leader did not have to wait long; the dispatched disciple soon returned, handing him a piece of paper. He lowered his head to read it.
"Hmm?" Yu Zhou City Sect? Tianyun Sect Special Invitation?
Just these simple eight characters? The sect's name couldn't possibly be just Yuzhou City, could it?! That would mean he hadn't even found the name.
The Ten Thousand Sword Sect leader looked at the disciple, his expression questioning—is that all? The disciple lightly nodded, indicating—that is all.
The Ten Thousand Sword Sect leader transmitted his voice, harshly scolding him, "Go back and check more carefully! Get the information clearly!" This Junior Brother generation is truly difficult to lead! They are too foolish!
The Ten Thousand Sword Sect disciple bowed in acknowledgment and retreated once more. However, he was not the only one to retreat; a disciple from the other sect also cupped his hands, bowed, and stepped back.
It was evident that his intelligence also failed to satisfy his own leader. Approaching the palace entrance, the two silently exchanged glances, both understanding what the other was setting out to do.
A feeling of mutual understanding arose in their hearts. However, they each departed in different directions; though they sympathized, they still had their own masters to serve.
Chu Xingchen, however, was not concerned with these minor actions. In essence, he was truly just here to eat a meal.
Seeing Chen Baiqing's eyes were practically glued to the table, Chu Xingchen reached out with his chopsticks, picked up the pastry she was staring at, and, under her moved gaze, placed it into her mouth.
Chen Baiqing tasted the delicious pastry—Master is truly good! Chu Xingchen smiled and said, "Eat if you want to. Since we're already here, getting full is what matters."
Li Yingling and Li Xingtian cooperated by also picking up the appetizers on the table and tasting them.
They did not wait long. A handsome young man wearing a dragon robe, accompanied by palace maids in red, entered the hall.
He casually scanned the room and noticed that one of the Central State sects had not arrived, but he was well aware of the common occurrence. He gently cupped his hands: "The nation's ceremonies are small and sparse; please do not take offense, honored guests."
Chu Xingchen looked over.
[Target: Zhao Xuan]
[Cultivation: Qi Refining stage, Perfection]
[Purple Trait: Destiny of the Nation]
[Blue Trait: Deep Schemer]
[Blue Trait: Supreme Sovereign] [White Trait: Perseverance]
[Gray Trait: Destiny of the Nation, Cultivation Restriction]
[Does Not Meet Discipleship Requirements]
Chu Xingchen instantly understood. This was probably the restriction: if you were to be the Emperor, you could not cultivate immortality. Deep Schemer and Perseverance?
As Zhao Xuan finished speaking, the Tianyun Sect disciples were the first to stand up, bowing slightly toward the Emperor. Following them, all the officially invited sects rose, cupped their hands, and then took their seats.
They did not exchange even a single polite word. To them, he was merely a minor emperor in a remote region, and if the sect did not have a rule requiring attendance at such banquets, this group of Tianyun Sect disciples would likely have already returned to the Central State.
The sect whose table was empty had likely already reached the Central State by this time. If they had time to eat here, they might as well return to cultivate sooner. The core disciples of Central State sects are the ones who truly overworked.
Zhao Xuan smiled lightly and nodded, then walked forward and took the main seat.
As Zhao Xuan sat down, eunuchs from outside the hall began slowly serving dishes, holding platters of food. Dance maidens also stepped into the hall with light steps and began to dance gracefully.
Musicians began to slowly play their instruments in cooperation. Zhao Xuan was not participating in this kind of banquet for the first time, and he understood well that he was merely a backdrop.
These Central State Immortal Sects all had eyes set high above them, and truly expecting them to look favorably upon him would be difficult enough.
At this point, they could only go through the motions. Not making a mistake was the greatest fortune.
Having considered this, Zhao Xuan looked over. He saw three sects staring intently at one sect... This was the first time he had witnessed such a situation. What was going on?
Zhao Xuan also looked over. He saw a handsome young man, picking up food and feeding the little girl beside him, completely disregarding the stares from the other three parties. The other two disciples were also quietly eating their dishes.
When Zhao Xuan arrived, he had memorized the invitation list. The position they were occupying should belong to... Yu Zhou City Sect, Tianyun Sect Special Invitation?
Zhao Xuan immediately felt it was strange. A special invitation from the Tianyun Sect was normal; perhaps they just wanted to support a favored sect. But why were the Tianyun Sect disciples staring so intently?
It was as if they were watching some kind of entertainment. It was even stranger that the other two sects were also staring at them like that.
Was the graceful dance of the maidens in front of them not captivating enough? Something was wrong... something was wrong...
This special invitation from the Tianyun Sect likely had a different significance! Could this be related to something important in the Central State?
Otherwise, why would the other two parties be looking at him? Moreover, the handsome young man seemed completely at ease, unconcerned by all this attention.
How could they possibly be an ordinary Yu Zhou City Sect? Zhao Xuan's mind quickly turned, and then a flash of insight suddenly struck him!
This must be a secret piece intentionally set down by the Tianyun Sect! Furthermore, laying down this secret piece was extremely important to the Tianyun Sect.
The Tianyun Sect staring so intently right now was likely a way of declaring that this sect was under the protection of the Tianyun Sect! Only this explanation made sense.
Zhao Xuan sighed softly in his heart, recognizing that it truly was an eventful time recently.
Chu Xingchen placed another piece of food into Chen Baiqing's bowl, and then finally could not help but glance up at the other sects. Seriously, what are you all looking at me for?!
Chu Xingchen cupped his hands and asked, "Fellow Daoists, do you have something to say?"
The Ten Thousand Sword Sect was the first to move its gaze away, followed immediately by the other sect. Only the Tianyun Sect people were still watching.
Hearing this, the Tianyun Sect leader picked up a cup of wine from the table and addressed Chu Xingchen: "It is merely that Fellow Daoist is exceptionally handsome, supremely talented, and truly a dragon among men."
This flattery was genuinely unexpected. But since it was Xie Lingyu's sect, they were being very courteous.
Chu Xingchen also picked up his wine cup, stood up, and returned the gesture: "You flatter me."
"Oh... not at all, not at all," the Tianyun Sect leader said, looking somewhat admiringly. "Brother Chu is able to do things ordinary people cannot. I will drink this cup first."
Having spoken, the leader drank the cup dry in one gulp. Chu Xingchen accompanied him with a drink and then slowly sat down.
Following the leader's words, he now understood the situation. Were they... truly mistaken?
He and Xie Lingyu were still very pure, weren't they? Never mind. He would just eat and leave, without offering any explanation. The more he explained, the worse it would look.
Chu Xingchen picked up another piece of food for Chen Baiqing.
Outside the door, the two disciples who finished their intelligence gathering turned and walked toward their respective sects after cupping their hands in greeting to Zhao Xuan.
Soon, even more eager gazes came from the two sects. Because they discovered that the detailed information they dug up was exactly the same as what was on the list...
Even the sect's name was still untraceable. All they could confirm were the names of the few people present, but if the sect name couldn't be found, were these people's names even real?
Truly worthy of the Tianyun Sect; their information blockade was simply astonishing.
Zhao Xuan, sitting in the main seat, observed this scene and immediately felt that his own guess was indeed correct! His gaze focused on Chu Xingchen.
Since the Tianyun Sect chose to support them, there must be a reason. If he couldn't connect with the Tianyun Sect, could he perhaps establish a connection through this Yu Zhou City sect?
Zhao Xuan pondered briefly and felt there might be an opportunity. Anyway, showing goodwill couldn't possibly be wrong, could it?
Hey readers! Want to stay 40 chapters ahead of free members? Join our Patreon today! You'll instantly unlock 20 chapters the moment you sign up to start closing that gap.
You'll enjoy 14 new chapters every week. Plus, we have 3 other exciting fics with the same release rate, giving you a massive 42 chapters per week total! Stop waiting and join the adventure now!
Patreon: https://patreon.com/Alex_Cruise