Smoke Fills the Air

"The Empress Dowager has arrived."

Following a loud shout, a woman descended from the Phoenix Sedan, accompanied by eight maidens who slowly stepped forward to assist her.

As the woman alighted from the sedan, all the men and women present immediately knelt on the ground, chanting in unison:

"Greetings, Empress Dowager."

However, among those kneeling was not Long Chen. According to imperial rules, martial artists at the Blood Condensation Realm and above were exempt from bowing to princes.

But upon seeing the Empress Dowager, regardless of one's cultivation level, as long as they were still a subject of the empire, they were required to bow.

Long Chen, however, held the status of a Pill Apprentice, which allowed him to choose whether to bow or not. Naturally, Long Chen chose not to. Moreover, amidst the crowd, Long Chen was seated, making it impossible for him to be noticed.

"A shallow bow is sufficient."

As expected, the Empress Dowager merely glanced briefly at everyone before raising her hand slightly.

Only then did everyone slowly rise. Long Chen looked at the woman who embodied the full power of the empire.

She appeared to be in her late thirties or early forties, but it was rumored that the Empress Dowager was already over fifty. Long Chen knew that she was not the Emperor's biological mother but the Crown Prince's mother.

Originally, the Crown Prince's mother should have been called Empress. However, the Emperor had been in seclusion for many years, and the Crown Prince was already thirty.

This situation could not continue indefinitely. After deliberation among the ministers, it was finally decided that the Crown Prince would ascend the throne next year. Therefore, this year, the Empress could only be referred to as the Empress Dowager, otherwise, the seniority would be in disarray.

Assisted by her attendants, the Empress Dowager slowly took the central seat. As soon as the Empress Dowager sat down.

The seven princes came out in succession, each taking a seat beside the Empress Dowager. This was the first time Long Chen had seen all seven princes gathered together.

He took them in one by one. He had already met the Crown Prince. Among the other princes, he only recognized the Seventh Prince. At this moment, the Seventh Prince appeared much more subdued, his eyes no longer darting around.

Long Chen finally found the person he was looking for – the Fourth Prince. It had to be said that the Fourth Prince was handsome and refined, always wearing a gentle smile that exuded approachability.

After a brief look around, Long Chen noticed many young women whose eyes were sparkling, clearly captivated by this handsome prince.

As for the other princes, Long Chen couldn't help but shake his head. Although they appeared steady, the arrogance in their eyes was impossible to conceal.

Long Chen couldn't help but think of Chu Yao. Among these princes, who was not wearing a mask? Or perhaps, were they all wearing masks? Or how many layers of masks were they wearing?

A mocking smile flickered across Long Chen's lips. This was the imperial court. The greater the power, the more corrupt it became. It was far less satisfying than the struggles of the martial world, with its clashing swords and flashing blades.

He disdained those battles where no blood was seen, and schemes were hatched in secret. With that much effort, why not focus on improving one's own strength?

"Master Yun Qi has arrived!"

To Long Chen's surprise, Master Yun Qi's aged figure actually appeared at the banquet, causing a stir.

Everyone was shocked. In the many years the Phoenix Cry Lantern Festival had been held, it seemed this was the first time someone of Master Yun Qi's stature had appeared.

Long Chen was also taken aback. As soon as Master Yun Qi arrived, the Empress Dowager quickly rose from her seat and bowed to him:

"Greetings, Master."

"Your Majesty flatters this old man," Master Yun Qi replied with a slight bow.

After their greetings, Master Yun Qi took his seat, which was next to the Empress Dowager's but at the same height, indicating his extraordinary status.

After Master Yun Qi sat down, his gaze swept across the crowd. He suddenly spotted Long Chen hiding in a corner and gave a slight nod.

Master Yun Qi's action immediately drew everyone's attention. Following his gaze, they quickly found Long Chen.

"It seems the rumors are true. Long Chen has gained Master Yun Qi's favor and may have been taken as a disciple."

Someone couldn't help but exclaim. Just a while ago, Long Chen was a nobody bullied by everyone. Now, having gained Master Yun Qi's appreciation, he had transformed into a distinguished Pill Apprentice, causing much murmuring.

Seeing Master Yun Qi nod at him, Long Chen inwardly cursed, knowing everyone's attention would now turn to him, making him the center of attention.

Long Chen secretly lamented. He didn't want to be the focus, but now that it had happened, trying to keep a low profile was useless.

Seeing Long Chen rise and bow respectfully to Master Yun Qi from afar, the Empress Dowager glanced at Long Chen and smiled, "It seems the Master's heart, dormant for many years, has finally stirred. Are you planning to pass on your legacy?"

Upon hearing the Empress Dowager's question, everyone fell silent. It was rumored that Master Yun Qi was extremely arrogant and had never taken a disciple in his life, so they were all curious about how he would respond.

"This child has great potential. I do wish he could become my disciple," Master Yun Qi responded calmly.

Although Master Yun Qi did not answer directly, everyone was astonished. Master Yun Qi's arrogance was known to almost everyone; it was said he never praised anyone.

Master Yun Qi thought so highly of Long Chen; what was it about him that garnered such high regard? Countless questions filled their minds.

"Long Chen must possess exceptional alchemy talent, otherwise, with your discerning eye, Master, ordinary Pill Apprentices would hardly catch your attention," the Fourth Prince praised.

Yun Qi glanced at the Fourth Prince and chuckled, "Alchemy talent is only part of it. Ultimately, it comes down to perseverance and willpower. Your Highness's willpower is equally admirable."

The Fourth Prince smiled slightly, "You flatter me, Master."

After saying this, the Fourth Prince remained silent. However, Long Chen keenly noticed a slight abnormality in the Fourth Prince's expression.

"Could Master Yun Qi's words have a hidden meaning?" Long Chen's mind stirred.

"Master Wei Cang, Prince Changfeng, and Princess Baichi have arrived!"

As the announcement concluded, Xia Changfeng and Xia Baichi escorted a lean man in his forties, sporting a goatee and wearing an alchemist's robe.

On the chest of the robe was an exquisite pill cauldron, adorned with three patterns, indicating that he was also a Pill Master.

Long Chen also owned such a robe, but the material was clearly inferior. Furthermore, the pill cauldron on Long Chen's robe only had one pattern.

One pattern signified a Pill Apprentice, two patterns a Pill Scholar, and three patterns a Pill Master. Long Chen's eyes narrowed. Who was this person? How did he end up here?

"Yun Qi, it's been many years. You look much older," Wei Cang said to Yun Qi, his voice calm.

As soon as Wei Cang spoke, the entire place fell silent. Master Yun Qi held a respected position in the Phoenix Cry Empire; no one had ever dared to speak to him like that before.

"Wei Cang, why aren't you staying put in Great Xia? Are you having a last burst of energy before you die, wanting to walk around more before the end?" Master Yun Qi replied calmly.

"Even if it's a last burst of energy, it's better than having a dead wife. At least I've had a harem of wives and concubines for years and lived quite comfortably."

Wei Cang laughed heartily. Whether intentionally or not, Xia Baichi held onto Wei Cang's arm, pressing it very close to her chest. To be precise, it was stuck in the cleavage.

Long Chen's expression turned slightly cold. The clothes Xia Baichi was wearing today were exactly the same as the woman in the painting Yun Qi had shown him.

If Long Chen guessed correctly, that goatee-wearing zombie-like man was very likely Yun Qi's enemy. Furthermore, the death of Yun Qi's wife might even be related to him.

Today, this person had clearly come for Master Yun Qi, using Xia Baichi to provoke him. Thinking of this, an inexplicable rage surged within Long Chen.

Although he hadn't interacted much with Master Yun Qi, Yun Qi was tranquil, composed, and upright—a respectable elder. To see him schemed against like this, Long Chen couldn't help but retort coldly:

"Just an old pervert. He's got no meat on his bones. Be careful one day you don't die of sudden death from intercourse on a woman's belly."

The entire place was already in dead silence, and Long Chen's voice carried clearly to every corner. Everyone looked at Long Chen in shock.

"How dare you, lowly commoner, be disrespectful to the Master!" Xia Baichi saw Long Chen and her eyes seemed to spew fire.

"Give it a rest. That 'Master' is about to drown in your cleavage, and you think I'd bother being disrespectful to an old lecher?" Long Chen said disdainfully.

Hearing Long Chen's veiled remarks, the crowd quickly looked at Xia Baichi. Indeed, one of the 'Master's' arms had fallen into her chest.

Xia Baichi quickly let go of Wei Cang's arm and stared fiercely at Long Chen, pointing at him for a long time without being able to speak.

"Are the Crown Princes of your Phoenix Cry Empire so ill-mannered?" Wei Cang glanced at Long Chen and snorted coldly.

Just as the Empress Dowager was about to speak, Yun Qi had already said calmly, "Long Chen is a Pill Apprentice at our Alchemist Guild."

"Old pervert, did you hear that? I'm from the Guild. Who do you think you are?" Long Chen said dismissively.

"How dare you! Master Wei Cang is the President of our Great Xia Alchemist Guild!" Xia Baichi said angrily.

"So he's not from here. I knew it. Our Phoenix Cry Empire's land is fertile; it couldn't possibly raise such a pathetic pervert," Long Chen said, relieved.

Long Chen's remark caused great distress to everyone. They wanted to laugh but dared not, yet they couldn't hold it in. The clever ones simply lowered their heads.

As for those who didn't react quickly enough, they "pfft"-ed and quickly covered their mouths with their hands, but their appearance was even more embarrassing than outright laughter.

For a moment, the entire scene was extremely awkward. The most miserable weren't the people below, but the princes. They dared not laugh and had nowhere to hide, their faces contorted from holding it in.

"Ahem, today is a festive occasion. Master Wei Cang, please take a seat. The performances will begin shortly."

The Empress Dowager was also in a difficult position. Both sides were powerful figures she couldn't afford to offend, so she could only try to smooth things over.

"In that case, I shall impose."

Wei Cang said politely, snorted at Yun Qi, and slowly walked to his seat. After sitting down, he coldly swept his gaze over Long Chen in the center of the hall.

Seeing the old pervert glaring at him, Long Chen thought he was trying to put him in his place. He quickly raised a fist, palm facing up, and gave a high middle finger.

As Long Chen made this gesture, everyone present, regardless of gender, tightly covered their mouths, their faces filled with shock.

Wei Cang's face immediately turned ashen, killing intent overflowing in his eyes. Seeing this, the Empress Dowager quickly shouted:

"Let the lantern festival begin!"

As the Empress Dowager's words fell, a melodious musical sound rang out. Countless people had already begun lighting the lamps, illuminating the entire square as if it were daytime.

Suddenly, a huge string of lanterns appeared on the stage.