88: Each with its own unique gift

He had long known that the reputation of "Chu Ye the Lecher" rang loud and clear outside, but he hadn't expected it to reach such a level that it had become "hard currency" for these people to climb the ladder of advancement.

Was this even gift-giving?

It was clearly various forces bidding for the status of "bedside companion," competing to see whose "local specialty" better suited his taste.

"Heh..." Chu Ye chuckled inwardly, feeling a sense of absurdity and amusement. "As expected, as long as one is strong enough, there will always be scholars to justify my actions. Lecherous?"

"That is merely making the mistake that every man in the world makes. No, that's called being compassionate, wanting to give a warm home to all the pitiable, lovely, and homeless beauties of the world."

Looking at the eager, apprehensive, and even fawning gazes below, he suddenly felt that if he didn't accept, these people might instead become terrified.

They would feel their "gifts" weren't good enough or failed to move him, and they would return to rack their brains for something even more "unique."

"Fine, fine," Chu Ye shook his head with feigned helplessness. He gave a slight nod to the protocol official standing beside him, and his calm voice echoed through the hall: "I appreciate everyone's kind intentions. This Highness... accepts. Let the gifts be registered and properly settled."

He didn't explicitly say he would take the "people," but the words "registered and properly settled" were already a tacit consent.

Immediately, the representatives of the forces that had presented "special gifts" showed expressions ranging from relief to wild joy, as if they could already see a prosperous future for their families and Sects.

A birthday banquet had turned into a massive "concubine selection" site and a talent-and-beauty delivery convention.

Chu Ye sat firmly on the high platform, watching this bizarre scene that aligned with human nature. He picked up his wine cup and drained it in one gulp.

This world was truly quite interesting.

As the "special gifts" from the second- and third-rate forces of the Central Region came to an end, the atmosphere in the hall carried a hint of indescribable ambiguity and absurdity.

Next, the true top-tier forces of the Central Region stepped forward. Everyone's spirits lifted, wanting to see how these deep-rooted giants would perform.

The first to appear was the Divine Craft Workshop.

The representative was still that Elder Yun of the Heavenly Fragrance Hall. Behind her, besides several exquisite Disciples, were several elderly men who looked like craftsmen, carrying an object over ten feet tall covered in red silk.

The red silk was pulled back, revealing a miniature model of the "Heavenly Craft Martial Arts Stage" that could be called a masterpiece of divine workmanship.

The model was constructed from countless rare metals and spiritual woods, complete with pavilions, terraces, mountains, and gardens. More wonderfully, it contained numerous mechanisms.

It could not only simulate various battlefield environments and evolve offensive and defensive Formations, but it also featured many "refined pleasure" mechanisms, such as jade beauty Puppets that could dance to music, machinery that could automatically brew tea and play the zither, and even secret chambers hidden with soft warmth and adjustable lighting... Elder Yun's words remained respectful, yet she couldn't hide a hint of deliberateness: "This stage is a painstaking creation of our workshop, integrating Cultivation, martial arts practice, and leisure. It has three thousand six hundred variations, with a special emphasis on the wonder of 'harmony of body and mind.'"

"When Your Highness has leisure time, you may invite friends inside to spar and discuss the Dao, or... relax and rest, experiencing a different kind of charm."

The gift was priceless and the craftsmanship was peak, but the intent of "catering to his tastes" or even "encouraging his habits" was even more naked and "Advanced" than those of the previous second- and third-rate forces.

This caused many who knew the inside story to curl their lips secretly, lamenting that the Divine Craft Workshop, in order to establish a connection, had truly carried "pragmatism" to the end, discarding much of the dignity expected of a top-tier force.

Next was the Myriad Spirits Heavenly Sect.

Lady Hua Yu did not come in person but sent a trusted Elder to present a box made of Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Jade.

The moment the box opened, a clear yet surging fragrance of vitality filled the hall. Inside the box lay a single miraculous flower.

The flower had only three petals: one as white as the moon, one as red as fire, and one as deep blue as the sea. Three-colored light flowed endlessly, and at the center of the flower was a speck of misty Chaos, as if it were evolving the scene of the creation of heaven and earth.

"This is one of our Sect's guardian flowers, the 'Three-Light Reincarnation Stamen.' It blooms once every ten thousand years, and today just happens to be its blooming period."

The Elder's voice was steady. "This flower can gather the essence of the sun, moon, and stars to temper the Physical Body and Divine Soul, and balance Yin and Yang and the Five Elements. it is of immense benefit to Cultivation and can even nourish all things and enlighten living beings. It is specially presented to Your Highness to congratulate you on your birthday."

The gift was precious and rare with extraordinary effects, perfectly matching Chu Ye's fundamental need to increase his strength. The posture was neither humble nor arrogant, showing the positioning of the Myriad Spirits Heavenly Sect as a force that, after being "subjugated" by Chu Ye, maintained a certain independence while accurately contributing core value.

However, the following gift from the Myriad Dao Alliance caused the atmosphere in the hall to change abruptly.

A solemn-faced Daoist Elder with a hardened aura stepped forward, holding a sheathed longsword in both hands. Even before the sword was drawn, a chilling Sword Qi emanated from it, faintly clashing with the peaceful atmosphere of the hall. The scabbard was ancient, engraved with the two words "severing delusion."

"This sword is named 'severing delusion.' It was forged by the Ancestral Master of our Myriad Dao Alliance using Nine Heavens Profound Iron and fused with a wisp of Innate Destruction Sword Qi."

The old man's voice was loud and his eyes were like lightning, seemingly sweeping over the high seat intentionally or otherwise. "The Sword Intent is upright and rigid, specializing in severing delusions, evil spirits, and heterodox demonic thoughts. I hope Your Highness will hold this sword to see your true nature, maintain integrity, and ward off evil. Do not be misled by external things, so that you may remain upright and govern all directions!"

These words, combined with that sharp weapon, were less of a birthday greeting and more of a warning and admonishment!

It was a veiled hint that Chu Ye's "lecherousness" was being "misled by external things" and that he needed this sword to "sever his delusions"!

In an instant, the hall fell into a dead silence. Many people held their breath, looking at the high seat and then at the Myriad Dao Alliance representative. The atmosphere instantly shifted from ambiguous and absurd to tense and hostile.

But at this tense moment, another middle-aged Daoist with a friendly smile quickly stepped out from the Myriad Dao Alliance camp.

He first frowned imperceptibly at the solemn Elder, then gave a deep bow to Chu Ye. "The Artifact Refining Hall of our Alliance heard of Your Highness's birthday and has specially prepared another small gift. We hope Your Highness will graciously accept it."

What he presented was a set of the "Zhou Tian Starry Chessboard."

The chessboard was based on star fragments, and the pieces were carved from spiritual jade. When playing, it could draw in a faint power of the stars to nourish the Divine Soul and Cultivate one's character. It was an elegant treasure beneficial to Cultivation.

"The 'severing delusion' presented by Elder Li earlier was the sentiment of our Alliance's War Hall, symbolizing their wish for Your Highness's Dao path to advance bravely and sever the thorns on the road ahead."

The middle-aged Daoist chuckled as he smoothed things over. "This chessboard is the sentiment of our Alliance's Hall of Rites. We wish for Your Highness to enjoy moments of peace in your leisure time, to strategize and be free and easy."

This scene immediately made everyone realize that the Myriad Dao Alliance was full of internal factions and their opinions were not unified!

The hardline War Hall tried to give a warning and show of force, while the pragmatic Hall of Rites wanted to ease the relationship. The two sides were actually "playing against each other" directly at the birthday banquet, a massive display of a split personality.

This also exposed the internal Chaos and disagreement within the Myriad Dao Alliance when facing pressure from Chu Ye.

Just then, the protocol official outside the hall announced loudly: "Guanghan Immortal Palace has arrived—!"