However, most of the gazes were directed at Lu Chen.
An originally frustrated and nearly forgotten prince had, in almost no time at all, won the Azure Emperor's favor, received reward after reward, and practically been spoiled rotten.
The reason came down to Lu Chen's astonishing cultivation talent.
When Lu Chen had tested his talent, people from the four major sects and two academies had been present.
On top of that, the Azure Emperor had not deliberately concealed the matter.
Thus, nearly every high-ranking figure in Great Qian knew about Lu Chen's situation.
The Supreme Sword Body, the Nine-Colored Spirit Root, and terrifying comprehension.
With such talent, as long as nothing unexpected happened to Lu Chen, he would at least reach the Land Immortal Realm in the future.
It could even be said that the Land Immortal Realm was merely a starting point.
Everyone looked at Lu Chen with complicated expressions.
At that moment, the Azure Emperor, the Empress, the Duke of Zhenguo, and the Duchess of Zhenguo entered the venue.
The entire scene instantly fell silent.
Afterward, the Azure Emperor and the others entered, followed by the master of ceremonies, and the ceremony officially began.
Although it was called an engagement, the ceremony was actually extremely simple. It could hardly be considered an engagement.
It was merely an announcement to the world that Luo Li and Lu Chen were betrothed.
In the Azure Emperor's words, Luo Li was already his imperial family's Lu Chen's woman.
All you ill-intentioned people, stop keeping your eyes on little Luo Li.
Otherwise, I will let you know whether this Emperor's fists are hard enough.
Lu Chen and Luo Li first bowed to Heaven and Earth, then to both sets of parents. After exchanging tokens, the ceremony was considered complete.
Afterward, everyone headed to Tianyuan Hall.
In Tianyuan Hall, table after table of sumptuous delicacies had already been served.
With the Azure Emperor at the head, the guests took their seats according to their factions and strength.
The Azure Emperor said a few casual words, and everyone began eating.
On the surface, it was a banquet, but everyone present was harboring their own schemes.
Ling Xuntian of the Ling family attended the feast with his fifth son, Ling Baijian. Ling Baijian, however, was trembling all over.
The mysterious Underworld organization had struck today, and it was highly likely that Ling Baijian would be the one to fall.
Thus, Ling Baijian's entire body was shaking.
At that moment, Ling Xuntian picked up his wine cup and rose, walking first to the Azure Emperor at the foremost main table.
Ling Xuntian was the first to stand, immediately drawing everyone's attention.
"Your Majesty, congratulations on the Eleventh Prince's joyous day. Ling Xuntian offers a toast to Your Majesty!"
Facing the Azure Emperor's meaningful expression, Ling Xuntian tilted his head back and drained the wine in his cup.
Not far from the Azure Emperor, Spirit Consort saw her father take the lead, but worry appeared in her eyes.
"Your Majesty, strictly speaking, I should not bring this up on the Eleventh Prince's joyous day. However, there are some things I must say!"
"Haha, my father-in-law, you're too courteous. You are my father-in-law, after all. We are family. What could you possibly be unable to say?"
The Azure Emperor chuckled lightly and spoke in an unhurried tone.
"Your Majesty, have you heard of the mysterious and terrifying assassin organization known as the Underworld? The day before yesterday and yesterday, my seventh and sixth sons were both killed by the Underworld. Your subject is heartbroken."
Ling Xuntian was shameless to the extreme. In front of so many people, he immediately began wailing loudly.
At the Azure Emperor's left, Lu Chen, who had been eating with great relish, paused while holding a chicken leg upon hearing this. He then lowered his head and continued eating.
Mm, it tasted even better this time.
"The murderer was precisely the mysterious Underworld organization. I dare guarantee that the Underworld has a Land Immortal Realm expert presiding over it."
Yet Ling Xuntian's next words plunged the entire scene into dead silence.
Disbelief appeared on every face.
A Land Immortal Realm expert?
When had such a terrifying assassin organization appeared? It actually had a Land Immortal Realm expert at its helm, putting it on the same level as the Azure Emperor?
Even the unconcerned Azure Emperor's eyes flashed with light upon hearing this. He straightened up and narrowed his eyes.
"Are you certain it was a Land Immortal Realm expert?"
"Your Majesty, I am certain. I am at the Ninth Heaven of Heavenly Phenomenon Realm, yet I was no match for that assassin in a single exchange. That assassin killed my sixth son right before this old subject's eyes. How could I be speaking nonsense?"
Ling Xuntian spoke in grief.
Hearing this, the Azure Emperor frowned slightly, and a solemn expression appeared on his face.
Below, the top factions and experts from every corner of Great Qian, as well as envoys from other countries, began discussing animatedly.
At that moment, the assassin organization known as the Underworld had entered the sights of the entire Eastern Cang Region's upper echelons.
Meanwhile, Lu Chen, who was devotedly eating with Luo Li, revealed a hint of a smile.
Well, Ling Xuntian was actually a pretty good person.
He had just been worrying about how to raise the Underworld's fame and attract business.
And Ling Xuntian had directly seized the opportunity to promote it for him free of charge.
At this thought, Lu Chen found the chicken leg in his hand even more delicious.
However, at that moment, a Semi-transparent Panel appeared before Lu Chen once more.
The Reversal Mission appeared again.
To complete the Main Quest, subduing or eliminating the Four Great Families would be a difficult task. Before that, he could also test the strength of the Four Great Families and learn more about them. Only by knowing both himself and his enemy could he win every battle.
Reversal Mission issued: Kill a core member from any one of the Four Great Families in full view of the public, allowing the people of the Four Great Families to witness your strength.
Mission reward: Heaven-Grade Supreme Growth-Type Special Treasure: Myriad Souls Banner!
"Uh... the Myriad Souls Banner?"
A Heaven-Grade Supreme Growth-Type Special Treasure, the Myriad Souls Banner?
Seeing the reward for this Reversal Mission, Lu Chen was extremely tempted.
However, killing a core member of any one of the Four Great Families—and doing so in full view of the public—
Wouldn't that inevitably expose his strength?
Lu Chen felt a headache coming on.
And know both yourself and your enemy to win every battle.
System, you're really something. This isn't helping me understand the Four Great Families better.
You're clearly letting the people of the Four Great Families understand me better!
Don't you know you're supposed to develop sneakily?
Lu Chen was somewhat helpless. Which side was this Reversal System actually on?
He sighed.
But the Myriad Souls Banner was a Heaven-Grade Supreme Growth-Type Spiritual Treasure.
Lu Chen grew restless.
It seemed he would have to find an opportunity to openly beat up someone from the Four Great Families.
"Your Majesty, according to the Underworld assassin, that assassin will also be coming for my fifth son, Ling Baijian, today. I beg Your Majesty to save his life!"
Ling Xuntian was weeping bitterly.
The Azure Emperor frowned slightly. His gaze at Ling Xuntian held a trace of coldness, as well as confusion.
His confusion came from the fact that an assassin organization called the Underworld had appeared out of nowhere, and even possessed a Land Immortal Realm expert.
His coldness, however, was directed at Ling Xuntian.
Ling Xuntian had brought his fifth son straight to the imperial palace. He had clearly assumed that in such a setting, the Azure Emperor would not stand by while Ling Xuntian's son was assassinated.
Being passively maneuvered into a trap left the Azure Emperor extremely displeased.
The Azure Emperor merely sat where he was, staring blankly at Ling Xuntian's performance.
When Spirit Consort saw that the Azure Emperor remained unmoved by her father's plea, a resentful look appeared on her face. The next moment, Spirit Consort also rose and dropped to her knees before the Azure Emperor.
Seeing this, the Azure Emperor's expression turned furious.
Before you continue