Jin Lingfeng gave a wicked grin and forcibly kissed her.
Qian Renxue blushed shyly. After resisting halfheartedly for a few moments, she gave up struggling. She had missed the boy she loved deeply as well, savoring this rare moment of warmth...
Half an hour later, Heaven Dou Hall.
On the imperial throne, Xue Ye held the Purple Crystal Scepter and spoke with authority:
"Invite the Holy Son!"
Immediately, Third Prince Xue Ying, standing to the left, narrowed his eyes slightly and looked toward the entrance of Heaven Dou Hall with an amused smile. Fourth Prince Xue Beng was also looking over, his expression curious.
On the right, the civil and military officials led by Prince Xue Xing all wore exceptionally grave expressions, making the atmosphere in the entire Heaven Dou Hall unbearably oppressive, as though a storm were about to break.
Soon, Jin Lingfeng, Qian Renxue, and Xue Zichang entered Heaven Dou Hall beneath everyone's watchful eyes.
"Reporting to Father Emperor, your son has brought the Holy Son to Heaven Dou Hall."
Qian Renxue and Xue Zichang bowed as they spoke.
Jin Lingfeng stepped forward, performed a formal bow, and called out:
"I, Jin Lingfeng, Holy Son of Spirit Hall, pay respects to Your Majesty Xue Ye!"
"May Your Majesty live as long as heaven and earth, with boundless longevity!"
Upon the imperial throne, Xue Ye nodded slightly and spoke with a dignified smile:
"Holy Son, there is no need for such formality!"
"You have come to my Heaven Dou Empire on behalf of Spirit Hall. Matters of exchange can wait until tomorrow."
"I have already ordered a banquet prepared in Xunyan Palace to welcome you."
Jin Lingfeng bowed again in return:
"Since Your Majesty is so gracious, I shall not refuse. I will certainly enjoy the fine food and wine!"
Though Jin Lingfeng appeared calm on the surface, he was secretly on guard. He had seen a trace of worry in Qian Renxue's eyes, making him even more certain that there was something suspicious about this banquet...
Soon, everyone arrived at Xunyan Palace.
At the head was the imperial throne belonging to Xue Ye.
To the left sat some members of the imperial clan led by Prince Xue Xing, while to the right sat the four princes led by the First Prince.
Yet Jin Lingfeng's seat was actually behind Fourth Prince Xue Beng!
Clearly, the purpose of this banquet
was to humiliate Jin Lingfeng, thereby intimidating the Spirit Hall behind him!
Jin Lingfeng's gaze narrowed slightly, but he did not reveal his dissatisfaction. His expression remained composed.
At that moment, upon the imperial throne.
Xue Ye raised his wine cup and smiled at Jin Lingfeng.
"Holy Son, you have traveled far to visit my Heaven Dou Empire."
"I offer you this cup of wine!"
Then, a strange glint flashed through Xue Ye's eyes.
Everyone below except Qian Renxue revealed mocking looks.
Jin Lingfeng sneered inwardly. He was certain there was something wrong with this wine, but he still raised his cup respectfully and said:
"Your Majesty praises me too highly!"
"I have come solely to exchange matters under His Holiness the Pope's orders."
"This cup should be offered by me to Your Majesty!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he raised his cup high and drained it in one gulp. At the same time, he activated the Primal Chaos Bead's ability to purify the wine.
Seeing this, Xue Ye revealed a smile as though his scheme had succeeded and likewise drank the wine in his cup.
He smiled approvingly.
"Holy Son, you can certainly hold your liquor."
"This is the finest wine of my Heaven Dou Empire, Heavenly Immortal Drunk."
"You drank an entire cup of Heavenly Immortal Drunk without even blushing or losing your breath. It is truly admirable."
"Qinghe, Zichang, Xue Ying, Xue Beng, why don't you four hurry and offer the Holy Son a drink!"
At once, the four princes answered in unison:
"Yes, Father Emperor!"
Immediately afterward, Xue Zichang, Xue Ying, and Xue Beng all raised their cups toward Jin Lingfeng and toasted him one after another.
As long as Jin Lingfeng drank five cups, he would collapse drunk. Then, no matter what they asked him, he would obediently answer!
Qian Renxue was greatly alarmed. She had heard of Heavenly Immortal Drunk's effects.
She understood that Xue Ye wanted to get Jin Lingfeng drunk and draw out the true purpose of his mission to the Heaven Dou Empire!
The key was that she could not warn him now. Otherwise, her identity would be exposed. What was she supposed to do?
Upon the imperial throne, Xue Ye watched with an amused gaze.
This was his test for Xue Qinghe. If she offered Jin Lingfeng a drink, she was merely being overly suspicious.
If she did not, then she was colluding with Spirit Hall!
Soon, the three princes had finished toasting him, and Jin Lingfeng had already drunk four cups of Heavenly Immortal Drunk!
Qian Renxue was frantic, but she still walked over to Jin Lingfeng and raised her wine cup.
After pausing briefly, she spoke with a smile:
"Your Highness the Holy Son, I offer you this cup!"
She drank first, then smiled as she looked into the young man's eyes.
Xue Ye's grave gaze softened, and he nodded to himself in satisfaction.
Everyone's attention shifted from Qian Renxue to Jin Lingfeng, watching with cold smiles and anticipation.
Jin Lingfeng knew that Qian Renxue's pause had been a warning that there was something wrong with the wine.
But his Primal Chaos Pearl Martial Soul could purify everything, so he did not fear this wine at all.
"The First Prince personally offering me a drink is truly an honor!"
Jin Lingfeng said with a smile. Under everyone's tense gazes, he drained the wine in his cup.
Yet he still looked utterly calm and unruffled, without even the slightest hint of daze in his expression!
Immediately, Xue Ye, the imperial relatives led by Prince Xue Xing, and the three princes aside from Qian Renxue all wore expressions as though they had seen a ghost!
After a brief moment of surprise, Qian Renxue secretly let out a sigh of relief.
She promptly refilled her cup and toasted Jin Lingfeng again.
"Your Highness the Holy Son, you truly hold your liquor. Come, Qinghe offers you another cup!"
Jin Lingfeng's eyes lit up slightly. Through the deep understanding between them, he received the message from the girl he loved: drink more and toast more people.
"Since the First Prince is being so gracious, Jin Lingfeng will keep you company to the end!"
He filled his cup, tipped back his head, and drank it dry. He even inverted the cup to prove to everyone that he had truly finished it.
Upon the imperial throne, Xue Ye nodded in satisfaction.
Clearly, Qian Renxue had seen that Jin Lingfeng remained standing after five cups of Heavenly Immortal Drunk and intended to keep making him drink!
It seems I misunderstood Qinghe. She is not colluding with Spirit Hall, and she is loyal to me.
Thinking this, Xue Ye saw Qian Renxue offering Jin Lingfeng a third cup and hurriedly signaled the other three princes with his eyes.
The three understood. Seeing that Qian Renxue had taken the lead in continuing to toast Jin Lingfeng, robbing them of their chance to perform before Xue Ye, they quickly picked up their cups and walked over.
Thus, Qian Renxue stepped back, and the other three princes began offering drinks. Jin Lingfeng accepted every toast. The way he drank Heavenly Immortal Drunk as though it were water left everyone dumbfounded.
Still, everyone believed he had to be forcing himself. With all the princes drinking together, could they really not outdrink one man?
However, a few minutes later.
All four princes had collapsed drunkenly onto the floor, while Jin Lingfeng remained completely unaffected, leaving everyone's jaws on the ground!
As for Qian Renxue, she had not completely passed out thanks to her Six-Winged Angel Martial Soul and Soul Power resisting the effects. She was merely pretending to be drunk.
Jin Lingfeng set down his cup and smiled up at Xue Ye.
"Your Majesty, the four princes truly cannot hold their liquor."
Everyone's mouths twitched. Was that even something a human should say?!
More than twenty cups of Heavenly Immortal Drunk would knock out even a ten-thousand-year soul beast, yet you were completely fine!
Suddenly, Fourth Prince Xue Beng, lying on the ground, actually called out in a daze:
"Father Emperor, this guy is too... too monstrous..."
"We can't... can't drink him under. What if we can't get... get him to talk..."
In an instant, the surroundings fell completely silent, quiet as the grave.
Upon the imperial throne, Xue Ye's mouth twitched violently. He nearly collapsed. What a useless fool who ruined everything...
Jin Lingfeng was slightly stunned.
The situation had developed beyond his expectations!
He sneered inwardly, but his face assumed an angry expression as he looked up at Xue Ye and said coldly:
"Your Majesty, I came under His Holiness the Pope's orders."
"I came to the Heaven Dou Empire as an envoy, yet I never expected you to tamper with the wine."
"Is this truly how you treat your guests?"
"Very well. Since I am not welcome here, I shall take my leave!"
"I will certainly report this matter truthfully to His Holiness the Pope! Hmph!"
With that, he flicked his sleeve and strode coldly toward the doors.
At once, Xue Ye's expression turned ugly.
All the imperial relatives and officials below lowered their heads together after meeting his sharp gaze.
Only Prince Xue Xing hurriedly explained:
"Holy Son, please stay!"
"The Fourth Prince spoke carelessly while drunk. How can his words be taken seriously?"
"His Majesty ordered this banquet prepared several days ago in order to welcome the Holy Son."
"How could there possibly be any intention of making you unwelcome?"
Upon the imperial throne, Xue Ye also rose to his feet and tried to keep him there.
"Holy Son, do not be angered. Xue Beng is drunk and speaking nonsense. I will certainly punish him!"
"Guards, take the Fourth Prince away and confine him in the cold palace for half a year of reflection! He is not to leave!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The golden guards on either side immediately stepped forward and escorted the drunken Xue Beng away.
Immediately afterward, the other three unconscious princes were also sent back to their respective palaces.
Before you continue