46: Crown Prince's Banquet

At dusk, the Heavenly Origin Palace Residence received an exquisite invitation, specially sent by the Crown Princes Residence.

Dongfang Yunbing elegantly opened the invitation and took a look.

It clearly stated an invitation to all major Sects to attend the celebratory banquet tonight.

"The five of you, tidy up and accompany this Palace Revered Master to attend the banquet at the Crown Princes Residence tonight." Dongfang Yunbing parted her red lips slightly and said in a gentle voice.

Yang Lingchen was actually quite looking forward to this banquet.

After all, this was a rare social gathering for the major powers, and it was also an opportunity to meet the Geniuses of the younger generation in the Northern Profound Region.

One must know that it is extremely difficult to gather all the major powers; only during the Northern Profound Region Grand Competition, held once every three years, would they all come together.

Upon hearing that they were to attend the banquet, everyone meticulously tidied themselves up; after all, attending the banquet represented the face of Heavenly Origin Palace.

Yang Lingchen put on the white brocade robes that Ling Yanyun and Lin Yurou had selected for him, then tied his thick, long hair up high.

Two strands of hair fell naturally on both sides of his forehead, making him look dashing and handsome. His refined features were as perfect as if carved, and his resolute eyes carried a hint of imperceptible melancholy, making him look like an unparalleled Young Master.

When Yang Lingchen walked out, he immediately caught the attention of Ling Yanyun and Lin Yurou, and even Dongfang Yunbing could not help but take a few extra glances.

As for Dongfang Jie and Sikong Jie, they glared at Yang Lingchen with displeasure; ever since Yang Lingchen appeared, he had stolen all the limelight from them in Heavenly Origin Palace.

The group of six boarded two luxurious beast carriages and slowly drove towards the Crown Princes Residence.

Along the way, Yang Lingchen took out some information collected by Heavenly Origin Palace and began to read it.

These materials contained detailed records regarding the major powers, but this time, Yang Lingchen focused on the information about the Northern Profound Empire.

In the Northern Profound Empire, the Emperor is Emperor, who has been in seclusion for the past few years.

All affairs of the Empire are currently being managed by Empress Xiao Qingyun.

The Emperor has over a dozen sons, but the most outstanding among them is the Crown Prince Zhou Yuxiang, followed by the Third Prince Zhou Yuhao, and the Ninth Prince Zhou Yuming.

Since ancient times, there has been no familial affection in the royal family. Because Zhou Xuanzheng has been in seclusion for many years and is rumored to be in poor health, his sons have all become restless.

In order to fight for the throne, these princes have been engaging in open and secret struggles, using all sorts of unscrupulous means, and the situation has become chaotic.

Fortunately, Empress Xiao Qingyun has been keeping things under control; otherwise, the Northern Profound Empire would have likely fallen into complete chaos long ago.

It is rumored that Xiao Qingyun has a very mysterious background and unfathomable strength, and she has only been married for less than ten years.

Moreover, as soon as she married over, she was directly crowned Empress.

Before long, the beast carriages stopped at the gate of an incredibly luxurious Residence.

Looking at this luxurious and noble Residence, Yang Lingchen sighed inwardly; rich people really know how to enjoy themselves.

Dongfang Yunbing took out the invitation.

Under the respectful guidance of the guards of the Crown Princes Residence, the group from Heavenly Origin Palace arrived inside a luxurious palace.

At this moment, the hall was already filled with various exquisite banquets and delicious dishes.

Unlike other places, the tables here were all single-person tables.

"Palace Revered Master Yunbing, your arrival is a great honor; please forgive the lack of a proper welcome." Just then, a hearty voice rang out.

Immediately after, a man wearing golden python-patterned robes, handsome in appearance, and about thirty years old walked over.

The aura on this person was like an abyss or the sea, and his eyes were deep and sharp. Yang Lingchen's first impression was that this person's strength was unfathomable, perhaps even surpassing his Revered Master.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince is too polite." Dongfang Yunbing said with a calm expression.

"Palace Revered Master Yunbing, please come inside." Zhou Yuxiang said politely.

Yang Lingchen could tell that this Crown Prince was likely interested in his Revered Master.

For some reason, at this moment, Yang Lingchen felt extremely displeased.

Perhaps it was because, in his subconscious, he did not like other men getting close to his Revered Master, because in his heart, Dongfang Yunbing was sacred and inviolable.

At this time, several Palace Revered Masters and Sect Masters from other Sects came to greet Dongfang Yunbing one after another.

Dongfang Yunbing responded elegantly one by one, then took the group from Heavenly Origin Palace to find an empty spot to sit down.

Not long after, several more Sects arrived one after another.

Only then did the banquet officially begin.

Yang Lingchen carefully examined the younger generation around him. These people all looked extraordinary, and their strength was at least at the ninth layer of the Void Seeking Realm, and many had even reached the Entering Profound Realm.

The Realms after the Void Seeking Realm are divided into: Entering Profound, Returning Profound, Spirit Profound, Spirit Sea, King, and Emperor.

Yang Lingchen couldn't help but sigh inwardly; compared to other Sects, the younger generation of Disciples in Heavenly Origin Palace was indeed much weaker.

The highest cultivation levels, belonging to Sikong Jie and Dongfang Jie, were only at the Peak of the Void Seeking Realm, while Ling Yanyun and Lin Yurou were only at the Late Stage of the ninth layer of the Void Seeking Realm.

"Palace Revered Master Dongfang, it has been three years, and you are as graceful as ever!"

"However, under your leadership, the Disciples of Heavenly Origin Palace are truly getting worse with each generation!"

At this moment, a middle-aged man wearing gray, luxurious robes with a cold gaze walked over.

"Huang Dingtian, whether the Disciples of my Heavenly Origin Palace are getting worse with each generation, your crippled nephew knows best." Dongfang Yunbing sneered.

"Hmph!"

Huang Dingtian snorted coldly, then bowed respectfully to the Crown Prince Zhou Yuxiang and said in a loud voice, "Your Highness the Crown Prince, the Northern Profound Region Grand Competition is imminent, and today, with the Geniuses of all major powers gathered here, wouldn't it be too monotonous to just drink?"

"I wonder what brilliant ideas Sect Master Huang has?" Zhou Yuxiang asked with a smile.

"Since the Geniuses of the major Sects are rarely gathered here today, why not let these great Geniuses spar with each other in advance? It would serve to liven up tonight's banquet, wouldn't that be wonderful." Huang Dingtian said with a smile.

"Sect Master Huang's words are very true." The Sect Master of the Diyin Sect, Feng Wuji, said.

"Since everyone has such refined interests, then it would be good to let the various Geniuses spar with each other. Everyone should stop at the point of contact and not harm the harmony." Zhou Yuxiang said with a faint smile.

Upon hearing that they were to spar, many young talents on the scene showed expressions of joy.

On such an occasion, if one could impress everyone, they might even gain the appreciation of His Highness the Crown Prince, and their future would be absolutely limitless.

Although the strength of the major Sects was not bad, compared to the Northern Profound Empire, there was still a significant gap.

This great hall was very large, and soon many Geniuses stepped forward to issue challenges.

Just then, a Disciple of the Rakshasa Palace walked towards the direction of Heavenly Origin Palace.

"I am Luo Haoyang. I wonder which Disciple of Heavenly Origin Palace is willing to come out and offer some pointers?" Luo Haoyang sneered.

"You are courting death. This Young Master will come to meet you." Dongfang Jie snorted coldly and stepped out with large strides.

"You have guts. You will be crying later."

Luo Haoyang sneered and suddenly struck a palm towards Dongfang Jie.

Dongfang Jie was not weak either and met the palm with one of his own.

Bang...

After the clash, Dongfang Jie retreated eight steps, while Luo Haoyang retreated six steps.

It was obvious that Luo Haoyang held the advantage in terms of strength.

Dongfang Jie also knew that he was inferior to his opponent in terms of strength, so this time he took the initiative to attack, using his Movement Technique to punch fiercely towards the opponent's chest.

The opponent did not expect Dongfang Jie's Movement Technique to be so fast, and for a moment, he was forced to retreat by Dongfang Jie's strikes.

Although it seemed that Dongfang Jie held the initiative, anyone with a discerning eye could see that Luo Haoyang's defense was airtight, and he had consumed almost no Profound Energy.

However, Dongfang Jie was attacking at high speed, so his consumption was still very high.