193: Chapter 193 Such a spectacle is truly rare!

This year's Hundred Flowers Banquet was exceptionally lively.

The reason was none other than Su Rui's betrothal ceremony, which was to be held on this day.

"The Prince of Langya has arrived!"

An announcement echoed through the courtyard.

Xiao Ruofeng entered with his attendants, followed by several large chests carried by men, looking quite grand.

"Senior Brother, have you been well lately?"

Seeing Lei Mengsha coming forward to greet him, Xiao Ruofeng laughed heartily, his expression relaxed.

The days spent guarding the borders of Southern Solitude seemed to have made him increasingly composed.

"Eating well and sleeping soundly!"

Lei Mengsha responded with a laugh, his face full of joy at seeing his old friend.

"Has there been any unusual movement on Southern Solitude's side recently?"

"It's fine. The last battle severely damaged their Origin Qi; they won't even think about recovering for three to five years."

Xiao Ruofeng waved his hand, having no intention of discussing military affairs further.

"Where is that future son-in-law of yours?"

He looked around but didn't see Su Rui's figure, so he couldn't help but be curious.

"I can't control him."

Lei Mengsha shook his head with a smile.

"Lei Hong, Lei Yunhe, and Lei Qianhu of the Lei Clan have arrived!"

Another loud shout rang out.

Lei Mengsha's eyes lit up.

The three people entering spotted him immediately, and their faces beamed with joy.

"Big Brother! I've missed you to death!"

Lei Hong strode forward and gave Lei Mengsha a big hug.

The Four Heroes of the Lei Clan had not gathered for a long time; reuniting today was truly heart-stirring.

The onlookers couldn't help but feel emotional.

Back then, Lei Mengsha being expelled from the Lei Family had caused a huge stir in the city.

Now that he had found a peerless son-in-law, many people sighed inwardly.

The current Lei Family likely regretted their past actions until their intestines turned green.

In fact, the Lei Family had long stopped mentioning past events.

Sending the three of them, including Lei Hong, this time was actually intended to invite Lei Mengsha back to the Family.

After all, he now held no official position, and returning to the clan would not violate ancestral teachings.

It was just that the three were embarrassed, and no one wanted to be the first to speak up.

"The Sect Master of Heaven Beyond Heaven, accompanied by the Left and Right Protectors, has arrived!"

This announcement instantly attracted the attention of the entire venue.

Cold glints flashed in many eyes, and killing intent flickered.

However, the White-Haired Immortal and Marquis Ziyi looked as usual, as if they hadn't noticed.

Yue Yao, walking at the front, was even more calm and composed.

Since being sent back to Heaven Beyond Heaven by Su Rui, she had completely embraced her identity over the past two months.

Her Aura had become increasingly profound, making people afraid to look directly at her.

Her cultivation was also far superior to what it once was.

"I heard that Heaven Beyond Heaven now completely follows the orders of the one from the martial arts hall!"

A well-informed Jianghu person spoke in a low voice.

"That is indeed the case.

With Ye Dingzhi dead, the thirteen Sects that originally broke away from Heaven Beyond Heaven now want to return, but they are being ignored!" Although Heaven Beyond Heaven was far on the border, the storm Ye Dingzhi stirred up was too great, shaking almost the entire Martial Forest.

Now that all the major forces had planted eyes and ears there, such a big matter naturally couldn't be hidden.

"But that one from the martial arts hall has never really set foot in the outer regions; I guess those Demonic Cult people approached him on their own initiative?" The speaker's tone carried a hint of bitterness.

"You'd like to climb that ladder too, but you should weigh whether you're qualified enough!" someone nearby immediately countered with a cold laugh.

Before their words even faded, a small-scale dispute quietly broke out.

"State Preceptor Qi Tianchen of Tianqi has arrived—"

As the announcement fell, the entire venue instantly became silent.

"Greetings, State Preceptor!"

Many people bowed in greeting.

In truth, the crowd didn't have much respect for the Northern Li imperial court; what truly commanded their respect was Qi Tianchen's own strength.

There were even recent rumors that after his battle with Ye Dingzhi, his Realm had progressed further, touching the threshold of the Divine Roaming Profound Realm.

Only he himself knew that with his innate talent and age, breaking through to Divine Roaming was almost an extravagant hope.

As for the outside rumors, they were merely a deliberate leak by the imperial court.

He knew very well this was Emperor Mingde's intention, so he hadn't come forward to clarify.

"There is no need for such formality, everyone. I have only come to observe the ceremony, so do not feel constrained."

Just as Qi Tianchen finished speaking, another loud announcement came from outside:

"City Lord of Muliang, Sword Immortal Luo Qingyang has arrived—!"

"Scholar Sword Immortal Xie Xuan has arrived—!"

With two consecutive shouts, the crowd immediately became restless.

Good heavens, of the four great sword immortals in the world, two had come today, and another was one of today's protagonists.

Except for Zhao Yuzhen on Qingcheng Mountain, who never left his doors, the other three were all gathered here.

Luo Qingyang entered the venue with a cold expression, clutching his longsword, while Xie Xuan looked gentle, cupping his hands to greet everyone in all directions with composed behavior.

Next, the Tang Clan, Wushuang City, and even the Dark River sent representatives.

Other small and medium-sized Sects also arrived in an endless stream.

Ji Ruofeng arrived with Xiao Chuhe, and the atmosphere became even more heated.

Looking around, experts of the Carefree Heaven Realm were gathered in groups, making the young Disciples of various Sects feel dazzled.

Such a lineup was truly rare.

"Sect Head of Sword Heart Tomb, King Li Su has arrived—!"

A booming shout came, and the old man was seen striding in with a face full of wrinkles from smiling.

Lei Mengsha hurried forward to meet him.

"Hahaha, where is my grandson-in-law? I've brought quite a lot of good stuff this time!" King Li Su was triumphant, his voice like thunder, instantly attracting everyone's gaze.

Everyone's eyes then fell on the Disciples behind him—each was holding a long, narrow wooden box.

At a rough count, there were exactly ten.

Sword Heart Tomb was a Holy Land for sword forging; could these boxes all contain swords? To be brought out on such an occasion, they must be at least Sharp Weapons that were famous far and wide.

The crowd discussed animatedly, their curiosity growing even stronger.

Just as everyone was speculating, a Snow Moon City Disciple announced loudly again, his voice almost cracking from the strain:

"Her Majesty the Empress of Great Zhou has arrived—!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole hall was shocked, and everyone looked toward the door in unison.

Empress Wu, dressed in magnificent attire, walked in slowly with an exquisite grace that combined the soft beauty of a city-toppler with the majesty of an Emperor, making people afraid to look directly at her.

"Greetings, Your Majesty the Empress!"

Not only because she was a sovereign, but also because she was the first Divine Roaming Profound Realm expert to arrive today—outside of Northern Li, people called them Land Immortals.

Furthermore, she was the first female Emperor in the history of the Central Plains.

With such a person visiting in person, everyone held their breath and stood dazed in place.

It wasn't until a light snort sounded that everyone suddenly snapped out of it, hurriedly lowering their heads and eyes, not daring to look up and offend her again.

"The City Lord has arrived—!"

Before people could settle their minds, another announcement came.

Li Changsheng had arrived.

Another heavyweight figure!

Although some had anticipated his appearance, seeing the man in person still left countless people shocked.

After all, even among Snow Moon City's own Elders, those who had seen the City Lord's true face were few and far between.

"Greetings, City Lord!"

"Greetings, Master!"

Lei Mengsha and Xiao Ruofeng hurriedly went forward to pay their respects.

"Enough, enough, let's just address each other however we like." Li Changsheng waved his hand, his expression somewhat helpless.

After all, he was currently Su Rui's Disciple, while Su Rui was Lei Mengsha's son-in-law, and Lei Mengsha was his Disciple... this seniority was so tangled that even he felt awkward.

A trace of strangeness flashed across his face, and Lei Mengsha clearly realized this too, his expression stiffening slightly in embarrassment.

"You two need to work harder; the younger generation is formidable now and progressing rapidly. If you remain stagnant, you'll eventually be left behind by those who come after you!" Li Changsheng said in a steady tone.

The two looked at each other, not knowing how to respond for a moment.

"The envoy of the Great Qin Empire has arrived!"

"Donghuang of the Great Qin Yin-Yang School has arrived in person!"

People from Great Qin had arrived too?

The crowd's minds instantly went blank.

These top figures, whose names were usually only heard but whose faces were never seen, were appearing one after another as if they had made an appointment.

Sikong Changfeng was busy arranging seats, fine beads of sweat already appearing on his forehead.

He had expected many guests today, but he hadn't expected such a massive lineup.

A youth dressed in a white robe walked in slowly, about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a gentle face and a soft smile like a spring breeze.

Beside him followed a figure in a black robe, walking silently with a deep Aura.

It was precisely the Great Qin Crown Prince Fusu and Donghuang Taiyi.

Behind Fusu, the Six Swords of the Net of Heaven followed with lowered eyes, not daring to be the least bit assertive.

Facing everyone's gaze, Fusu was composed in his behavior and appropriate in his speech, without a hint of arrogance.

As for Donghuang Taiyi, after stepping into the hall, his gaze immediately fell on Li Changsheng and Empress Wu, a trace of solemnity flashing in his eyes.

In a corner of the crowd, Tyrant had already arrived with his three Disciples and Yan Ying, who had insisted on following. He now stared wide-eyed at the scene before him.

"Truly extraordinary, to actually attract so many influential figures to gather here!"

"Immortal Master Zhang of Wudang has arrived!"

A round-faced old Taoist walked over slowly; he was slightly plump with a kind smile, followed by several Taoists who looked like Disciples.

"Greetings everyone, this poor Taoist is late, please do not take offense."

"Greetings, Immortal Master Zhang!"

Another one!

By the time Zhang Sanfeng appeared, the people around had actually calmed down.

After being shocked too many times, their minds had instead become numb.

After all, no matter how shocked they were, they didn't know how to react anymore.

Following Zhang Sanfeng's arrival, the Great Song imperial court also sent a representative.

It was Huang Shang, who had met Su Rui once before.

Looking at the top experts gathered in the hall, his heart felt incredibly heavy.

He hadn't expected that Su Rui alone could stir the world's winds and clouds to such an extent.

Where the four Divine Roaming Profound Realm experts were located, a large area naturally cleared around them.

No matter how crowded the venue was, no one dared to overstep this boundary of respect.

The others even kept quiet and gave way, not daring to utter a single word of complaint.

At a corner table, Zhu Wushi sat quietly with a few people.

"Godfather, we... might have underestimated this person," Shangguan Haitang whispered.

"It's fine. I didn't expect much anyway, and this situation is actually quite interesting," Zhu Wushi sighed lightly, his tone complex.

Sweeping his gaze over those four experts with overbearing Auras, he quietly calculated in his heart: would there be a chance to ask one of them to find a glimmer of hope for Su Xin?

At that moment, Su Rui, dressed in a scholar's robe, walked out slowly from the inner hall holding Li Hanyi's hand.

Seeing the hall full of guests, he looked indifferent, showing no sign of panic.

"Greetings, Mr. Su!"

Everyone rose in unison to pay their respects, their movements perfectly synchronized.

"There is no need for such formality, please be seated," Su Rui said with a smile, raising his hand in a gentle tone.

Just as he reached the center of the hall, his eyes suddenly narrowed, and his voice rang out clearly:

"Which expert has come? Why not show yourself and share a drink?"

Everyone was startled—was there actually someone watching from the shadows?

"As expected, you have already stepped into this Realm."

A voice drifted over leisurely, and immediately after, the Void Realm near Su Rui distorted slightly, and a person appeared out of thin air!