"Hahaha."
"Old Ninth, we're brothers of the same family. Don't talk as if we're strangers."
"Now that you've returned, all of us elder brothers and sisters are happy for you."
"Consort Shi and Father Emperor have missed you for many years. Now that you're back, one of their wishes has finally been fulfilled," Fourth Prince Chu Shen said with a smile.
"Yes, Ninth Brother."
"We're family. There's no need for such formalities."
"If anything happens in the city from now on, just come find Sixth Sister," Sixth Princess Chu Xinyan added.
"Thank you, Sixth Sister." After setting down his wine cup, Chu Yun sat back down.
"Ninth Brother, Eldest Brother arranged today's banquet mainly for you."
"Shouldn't you show us elder brothers and sisters what you can do?"
Chu Yuan, disguised by the Sky Demoness, spoke leisurely.
This had been arranged by the Crown Prince from the very beginning, and the Sky Demoness had long since informed Chu Yun in secret.
What arrangements this banquet would make against him today.
Chu Yun smiled without changing expression. "What does Third Brother mean?"
Chu Yuan smiled. "Our Great Xia Dynasty has always revered martial strength above all else. As Imperial Princes, we must be even more diligent in the martial path."
"Ninth Brother has been back for several days now, yet we still know nothing of his talent or strength. Why not take advantage of this grand feast and let Ninth Brother demonstrate a little?"
Upon hearing this, most of the nobles present revealed meaningful expressions.
Clearly, the Third Prince wanted to probe exactly what level the Ninth Prince's cultivation and strength had reached.
"Third Brother, Old Ninth has only been back for a few days."
"He may not even have had the chance to learn most of the royal family's cultivation methods and divine abilities. Why rush him now?"
What surprised Chu Yun somewhat was that the one speaking up for him was actually Eighth Prince Chu Hao.
At the Misty Rain Pavilion auction, Chu Hao's people had taken part in auctioning intelligence regarding the defensive forces of his Prince's Mansion.
Whether Chu Hao harbored murderous intentions toward him was still questionable.
Eighth Prince Chu Hao possessed an elegant, scholarly temperament, looking much like a refined scholar. His emotions were exceptionally calm and steady.
Just from reading his features, Chu Yun could sense that his thoughts ran deep. He was absolutely not as simple as he appeared on the surface.
"Old Eighth, that's not right."
"As Imperial Princes, I merely want Old Ninth to display the growth he has gained over these years outside."
"Whether he is strong or weak, as his elder brother, how could I possibly say a single harsh word to him?" Chu Yuan replied.
As the host of this banquet, the Crown Prince simply held his wine cup and sat leisurely in his seat, watching.
Chu Yun understood that if he did not accept now, they would find all sorts of excuses later.
Since that was the case, what harm was there in accepting?
"Eighth Brother, I appreciate your goodwill."
"However, Third Brother's words make sense as well. Since today's banquet was arranged by His Highness the Crown Prince for me, I should indeed put on a display." Chu Yun slowly rose to his feet.
The Crown Prince said courteously, "There's no need for so many formalities. If Ninth Brother doesn't wish to, we can simply continue chatting and drinking."
Chu Yun shook his head, inwardly mocking Chu Rong's hypocrisy even more.
He would not show himself, instead using the Third Prince as his mouthpiece, yet in the end he still wanted to play the good man.
"But if I am to demonstrate, there should at least be an opponent, shouldn't there?"
Chu Yun stood in the center of the hall. All the singing girls had withdrawn. He swept his gaze around before looking at the Crown Prince.
"Then let me experience Ninth Prince's brilliant techniques."
Among the aristocratic nobles, a young woman dressed in blue slowly stood and walked over.
"This is?"
Before Chu Yun could ask further, the Crown Prince immediately introduced her. "I nearly forgot."
"Come, let me introduce her."
"This is County King Guanshan's treasured daughter and the adopted daughter of our dynasty's current Imperial Advisor, Commandery Princess Guanshan, Bei Lanqi."
Chu Yun looked at her and smiled. "So it is Commandery Princess Guanshan. I have long heard of you."
"You flatter me, Ninth Prince."
"Today, Lanqi will have the honor of witnessing Ninth Prince's abilities. Please show mercy," Commandery Princess Guanshan said with a faint smile.
Chu Yun was not polite in the slightest. "Of course, of course."
"Ninth Brother, Commandery Princess, this is merely a simple spar. Do not let it harm the harmony between you," the Crown Prince hypocritically reminded them.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Rest assured, Eldest Brother."
The two immediately took up opposing positions, only five paces apart. Everyone in the hall fixed their eyes tightly upon them.
Bei Lanqi's cultivation was at the peak of the Qi Gathering Realm. Among the talented youths of the Imperial City, she was not considered particularly outstanding.
However, everyone knew that Chu Yun had been missing for over twenty years. Having lacked the royal family's resources and training since childhood, and having returned only a few days ago, he was bound to suffer a crushing defeat in this match.
There was not the slightest suspense.
"Ninth Prince, excuse me."
"Five-Star Divination!"
Bei Lanqi struck first. Spiritual energy transformed in her hand into five spirit orbs resembling stars, which crashed down from five different directions.
Chu Yun looked up and merely smiled faintly.
The next second, Chu Yun's body became like a phantom, easily dodging the five spirit orbs.
"What fast speed!"
The Eighth Prince's pupils contracted slightly. The other princes, upon witnessing Chu Yun's speed, instantly sensed it.
Their Ninth Brother was likely far from simple.
Seeing Chu Yun evade her attack, Bei Lanqi did not panic. With a manipulation of her spiritual energy, the five spirit orbs shot out hundreds of radiant spirit rays, raining down like a torrential storm.
Chu Yun raised his left palm. The spiritual energy in his palm surged forth, condensing into a Blood Rainbow before him.
"Break!"
The Blood Rainbow shot through the air, fierce and swift like a Blood Dragon devouring everything in its path. Blood rays splashed outward, shattering those radiant spirit rays.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The Blood Rainbow pressed on in one unbroken charge, piercing through Bei Lanqi's five spirit orbs in succession.
By the time she reacted, the Blood Rainbow had already stopped directly before her brow.
If it advanced even half a step further, her life would be in danger!
At this sight, the entire hall fell silent as a graveyard.
Bei Lanqi's face had turned pale, and she was so frightened that even her breathing seemed to stop.
As for everyone else, their faces were filled with shock.
Even the Crown Prince had a trace of profound astonishment in his eyes.
"You weren't frightened, were you, Commandery Princess?"
Chu Yun withdrew his power and walked over to her, a faint smile on his face.
"N-No, I'm fine."
"Thank you, Ninth Prince, for showing mercy." Bei Lanqi let out a deep breath.
"That's good." Chu Yun then looked toward the Crown Prince.
"Eldest Brother, I wonder whether you and everyone present are satisfied with my demonstration?"
"Ninth Brother, you've truly given Eldest Brother quite a surprise."
"I never expected Ninth Brother to have already reached the early Qi Transformation Realm. Eldest Brother is happy for you!"
Though Chu Rong was thoroughly displeased inwardly, he still maintained a smile on the surface.
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