The award banquet was arranged in Chenghua Hall within the inner city of Xitian Commandery's royal palace, a royal garden possessing quite an imperial air.
It was the height of summer. Towering green trees stood in every direction, strange flowers and exotic grasses competed in splendor, and jade and pearls were everywhere. Even the steps had been cast from gold.
The great hall had been ingeniously inlaid with over a thousand Mid-grade Spirit Stones. With the profound array activated, a gentle breeze drifted through, making it incomparably cool.
As the array operated, the spiritual power within the Spirit Stones gradually transformed into Worldly Essence and dispersed, turning the entire hall into something like an immortal realm. One breath of it could make one's bones feel three liang lighter.
Such luxury was simply unimaginable on the True Profound Continent.
The Primordial Continent revered black. The ruler of Xitian Commandery, Earl Xitian, wore a black robe embroidered with rampant bears. With a long beard beneath his chin, he appeared both domineering and somewhat refined.
When Ye Zhen was brought to Chenghua Hall by the Old Eunuch, Earl Xitian emerged from the hall with booming laughter. He seized Ye Zhen's left arm and strode into the hall with him.
"Warrior Ye, do you know that bringing Jieyou safely back was practically the same as saving this old man's life? I have no sons in this life, only one daughter, Jieyou, whom I cherish beyond measure.
"She is simply the treasure of my heart and liver.
"During the four-plus years Jieyou was missing, I could not sleep at night. I thought of her day and night, found food tasteless, and could only sustain myself with a few spirit fruits. The imperial physicians said that if this continued, I would not live another ten years.