"Go on, stop spouting nonsense." Qin Xuanji stepped forward and waved his hand as if swatting flies before looking at Qin Wangchuan. "Since you're out, let's go."
"Ninth Brother shouldn't get lost, right?"
Qin Wangchuan laughed mutely. "Second Brother, it's only a short walk from the Side Hall to the main hall. How could I possibly get lost?"
"That's hard to say..." Qin Xuanji smiled meaningfully, but before he could finish, Qin Wudao's sword sheath was already pressed against his back.
Qin Xuanji immediately straightened his expression and shut his mouth.
Third Sister Qin Qingni loved to stir up trouble, and she said with a giggle, "Hey! Someone really can get lost!"
"At Eldest Brother's tenth birthday banquet, everyone had arrived, but he was nowhere to be seen for ages. Guess where they found him?"
"Eldest Brother, why are you pushing me?"
Qin Wudao coughed twice expressionlessly, but Qin Qingni paid him no heed and continued, "By the pool in the Rear Hall! He even insisted he was admiring the fish!"
"The funniest part was—" She clapped her hands. "There weren't any fish in that pool at all! Hahaha!"
"That was when this custom began, with all the Young Masters entering together."
Qin Zhaoer burst out laughing. Qin Xuanji shook his head while holding back a laugh, and even Qin Wangchuan could not help curling his lips.
Only Qin Wudao remained expressionless. "...Let's go."
Ye Jianwei lowered her head without laughing aloud, though the corners of her lips secretly curved upward—so these lofty Young Masters of the Qin Clan also horsed around like this in private.
Qin Wangchuan held Ye Jianwei's hand with one hand as he listened to them recount their childhood embarrassments, slowly making his way toward the rear entrance of the main hall.
Inside the hall, his mother had already begun presiding over the occasion.
"Thank you all, fellow Daoists, for honoring us with your presence to celebrate my son's tenth birthday. My husband is still away traveling, so I shall preside in his stead. I hope you will forgive any shortcomings." Yun Qiuying was also a Prodigy of the Yun Clan. Facing so many influential figures, she spoke with ease, her eyes brimming with confidence.
"Madam Yun is too courteous!"
"It is said that the Ninth Young Master possesses a Longevity Immortal Body. Is that true?"
After several rounds of greetings, the topic naturally turned to Qin Wangchuan.
Just as Yun Qiuying was about to say something, a maid suddenly approached and whispered in her ear.
With a light laugh, she looked toward the crowd. "Since everyone has so many questions, why not ask the person concerned yourselves?"
As her words fell, the hall doors opened in response.
Fourth Young Master Qin Kuangge and Fifth Young Master Qin Qingzheng stood on either side. One pushed open the doors, while the other raised a hand in invitation.
Qin Kuangge grinned and said in a low voice, "Ninth Brother, don't get stage fright."
Qin Qingzheng merely nodded slightly. "A sword hidden for ten years is drawn for one moment of entering the world. Go."
Qin Wangchuan smiled faintly, handed Ye Jianwei over to Fifth Sister, and entered alone.
Inside the hall, the previously boisterous guests instantly fell silent.
Everyone's gaze focused upon Qin Wangchuan as he entered.
Even the Holy Lords and elders who had been conversing fell quiet one after another, as if even their breathing had halted for a moment.
The youth was exceptionally handsome, but not in the gentle, jade-like manner—his brow bones were high and sharp, his nose bridge straight as if carved by a blade, and his thin lips pressed into a stern line.
Most captivating were those eyes, black as ink and unfathomably deep, as though they could see through the human heart.
He approached at an unhurried pace, his dark robe surging like the night as he walked.
The Dragon Patterns embroidered in dark thread along the hem appeared and vanished with his steps, flowing with dim golden light beneath the candlelight.
A White Jade pendant at his waist swayed gently with each step, letting out clear chimes that sounded especially distinct in the silent hall.
"So this is... the Ninth Young Master's true appearance?" A female cultivator's round fan slipped from her hand with a clatter, its sound especially piercing in the deathly still hall.
Even Eldest Princess Jiang Xuanli's lips curved into a satisfied smile.
Yet to Li Qingluan, who was seated within the hall, none of this felt pleasant.
She felt as though something of hers had been violated.
Yun Qiuying stepped forward and pretended to straighten his collar, but whispered into his ear, "Why are you wearing this outfit?"
He should originally have been dressed all in white, making the youth seem like an Exiled Immortal, pure and unworldly.
Yet Qin Wangchuan wore a Black Gold Xuan Robe, its domineering air on full display.
Though it suited the Qin Clan's style of dress, it was clearly inappropriate for this banquet.
"I think this one looks good," Qin Wangchuan replied softly.
Yun Qiuying nodded upon hearing that and said nothing more.
After patting his mother's hand to reassure her, Qin Wangchuan proceeded onward alone at a measured pace.
It seemed as though invisible steps supported his feet. With every step he took, an ancient lamp in the hall lit up, illuminating his deep-set features.
At last, he stopped before the seat of honor, his gaze sweeping across everyone in the hall.
"Everyone—"
His voice was not loud, yet it rolled forth like heavenly thunder, reaching every ear with perfect clarity.
"Thank you for your kindness in attending today's banquet."
"Now that you have all taken your seats, then—"
The corners of his lips lifted slightly, yet there was not the slightest trace of mirth in his eyes.
"Let the banquet begin!"
The hall immediately erupted with congratulations. The various factions rose one after another, raising their cups in celebration.
The great figures discussed great matters, while the lesser figures fixed more of their attention on Qin Wangchuan.
There was no other reason—the youth's aura was simply far too extraordinary.
Longevity Immortal Body + Supreme Dao Heart + years of nourishment from Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures + twenty-five times the Origin Source.
With so many enhancements layered together, his aura had reached an inconceivable level. It was not the sort of pure, unworldly grace, but rather—
"Intimidation."
That was right.
Even simply sitting there, even with everything fully restrained, an unimaginable pressure still rushed toward them, constantly proclaiming his existence.
The oppressive bearing of one who inspired awe without anger.
Yet at the same time, that aura left most female cultivators utterly entranced, as though their souls had been drawn away, leaving them staring blankly at him.
Even Jiang Xuanli, who had seen countless handsome men in the world, had her gaze briefly stall and could not look away.
"The Ninth Young Master has already become so heaven-defying upon entering the world. It is simply unimaginable what the future will bring..." Someone noticed this and sighed softly.
Putting strength aside for now, this sight alone showed that he would surely have no shortage of beauties in his future.
Amid all this clamor, Li Qingluan's gaze never left Qin Wangchuan.
Her fingertips lightly tapped her wine cup, and the corners of her lips lifted in a smile that was not quite a smile.
Only after the guests had more or less finished coming forward to greet him did Li Qingluan step over and take a seat at Qin Wangchuan's side.
Qin Wangchuan was not surprised to see her approach, though his gaze kept drifting to the side.
The members of the Li Clan were currently chatting merrily with the Qin Clan elders.
Watching this scene, he asked Li Qingluan without turning his head:
"Why does it seem like I heard that the one betrothed to me is from the Li Clan?"
"Don't you have any information?"
Before you continue