Imperial Palace Banquet

God Realm.

Endless Sea, Sea God Hall.

As a main god of the God Realm, the Sea God possessed a Super Divine Artifact that only God Kings could wield: the Sea God Trident. Thus, even among the main gods, the Sea God ranked among the strongest.

Throughout the entire God Realm, there were only a handful of gods beneath the God Kings who possessed Super Divine Artifacts, and the Sea God was one of them.

It was precisely because of the Sea God's formidable strength that he held an exceptionally lofty status in the God Realm.

Within the divine hall, the Sea God sat in the seat of honor with his eyes closed, resting his mind. The moment he received a message from his Divine Sense, his eyes snapped open.

"Found a young girl capable of withstanding the Vast Sea Power."

A trace of delight appeared on the Sea God's face, and he looked immensely pleased.

After all, his requirements for an inheritor were extremely demanding. Only someone capable of enduring the Vast Sea Power could trigger his Divine Sense, and in all these years, this was the first time it had been activated.

But before long, the Sea God's expression darkened.

From the message sent by his Divine Sense, he had learned some unwelcome news: that young girl carried the aura of another god.

Moreover, even his Divine Sense could not determine which god the aura belonged to.

"Has the young girl capable of enduring the Vast Sea Power already become another god's inheritor?"

The Sea God stroked his chin, a thoughtful look appearing in his eyes.

"The presence of another god's aura doesn't necessarily mean she has become that god's inheritor. Perhaps she has merely drawn the attention of some god."

"However, if she really has become another god's inheritor, openly snatching an inheritor would seem to violate the rules of the God Realm."

"Should I ask Shura God, the Enforcer?"

The Sea God muttered to himself, though a sharp glint flashed through his eyes.

The Sea God rose to his feet and walked straight out of the divine hall, heading for Shura God's divine hall.

Meanwhile, on the continent.

Ye Xi, Tian Yao, and Ling Yuan walked out of the Hotel. Before them stood a carriage bearing the emblem of the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.

Xue Qinghe stepped out of the carriage and walked straight up to Ye Xi.

"The palace has prepared a banquet. Father Emperor asked me to escort you to the imperial palace."

Xue Qinghe's voice was gentle, giving others the feeling of a spring breeze.

"Then we'll trouble you, Xue Dage."

Ye Xi smiled and nodded before following Xue Qinghe into the carriage.

Only after the two of them had entered did Tian Yao and Ling Yuan board the carriage.

Once everyone was inside, the carriage set off toward Tiandou Imperial Palace.

The carriage did not travel quickly; it could even be said to be moving somewhat slowly. Naturally, this was the result of Xue Qinghe's deliberate arrangement.

"The dishes at the banquet are all rare delicacies. I heard from Miss Ye Xi that Miss Tian Yao has quite the appetite, so you may eat a little more later."

Xue Qinghe turned his gaze toward Tian Yao, a faint smile on his refined face.

Hearing this, Tian Yao looked blankly at Xue Qinghe, then at Ye Xi beside her, confusion filling her eyes.

Though she knew her appetite was somewhat large, she did not think it was something that needed to be specifically mentioned.

"Miss Tian Yao, what he means is that later, you should eat as much as possible and speak as little as possible."

"Leave the talking to Second Young Lady."

Ling Yuan's lips moved, but no sound emerged. Instead, she conveyed the words to Tian Yao through sound transmission.

Tian Yao nodded seriously, indicating that she understood what to do.

Before long, the carriage stopped before Tiandou Imperial Palace, and under Xue Qinghe's lead, the group headed toward the imperial palace's main hall.

Upon entering the hall, the first thing they saw was Xue Ye seated in the seat of honor. Below him were four tables, each laden with all manner of delicacies.

"Greetings, Father Emperor."

Xue Qinghe stepped forward two paces and bowed.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Ye Xi looked at Xue Ye above and gave a slight bow, her voice neither servile nor overbearing.

Ling Yuan and Tian Yao likewise bowed to Xue Ye as a sign of respect.

"No need for such formalities."

"This banquet is mainly to have my disappointing son, Xue Beng, apologize to you."

Xue Ye rose to his feet. After gesturing for Ye Xi and the others to take their seats, he began to examine them.

"Your Majesty is too kind."

"We were also somewhat improper in our actions at the time. We only hope Your Majesty will not hold it against us."

After Ye Xi took her seat, she turned her gaze toward Xue Ye. Though she was merely being polite, her tone was calm and composed.

"No matter. What you did was entirely understandable. It was good that you taught Xue Beng a lesson, otherwise he would have become completely lawless."

Xue Ye waved a hand, looking utterly unconcerned. But then his tone shifted. "You all carry yourselves extraordinarily. You must be disciples of some great sect, aren't you?"

"May I ask who your elders are?"

As Xue Ye spoke, he paid particular attention to the changes in Ye Xi and Tian Yao's expressions.

But Tian Yao merely gazed silently at the delicacies before her, with no intention of speaking.

"We are from the Secluded Sect. The elders of our sect retired into seclusion many years ago."

As Ye Xi spoke, her Sapphire Blue eyes surveyed the arrangement of the hall.

"They went into seclusion many years ago?"

"What a pity. I had originally hoped to pay them a visit."

"And this Ling Yuan Mianxia is...?"

Xue Ye looked toward Ling Yuan and asked softly.

"She is an Elder of our sect."

"Our elders were worried that it might be unsafe for us to travel and train outside, so they arranged for Ling Yuan to protect us."

Ye Xi answered very directly.

"I see."

Xue Ye nodded, then lightly waved his hand. Palace Maids immediately came forward carrying drinks.

"You are still young, so I had some fruit juice with a rather nice flavor prepared for you. I wonder if you like it."

"You need not stand on ceremony here. Just eat as much as you like."

As Xue Ye spoke, he was the first to pick up his bowl and chopsticks and begin tasting the food.

"Your Majesty, then we will not stand on ceremony."

Ye Xi picked up her chopsticks and began eating at an unhurried pace.

"No need for ceremony."

"If you need any help in Heaven Dou City in the future, feel free to seek out the Crown Prince."

Xue Ye pointed toward Xue Qinghe below with a faint smile on his face.

"Mm, Xue Dage already told me about that this morning."

"If I truly need help, I will naturally go to Xue Dage."

Ye Xi looked toward Xue Qinghe, a smile on her delicate face.

Hearing Ye Xi's words, Xue Ye cast Xue Qinghe an approving look.

He had just been wondering how to appropriately draw closer to Ye Xi and the others, yet his son had already settled the matter that morning.

Just listen to how warmly she called him Xue Dage, one after another.