"Your Majesty, the people from the Seven Kill Sect and the Clear Sky Sect have arrived."
"Only..."
The imperial palace, the imperial study.
Star Luo Emperor Dai Li sat behind his desk, reading memorials, when a guard hurried in to report. His brows furrowed at once. "Speak!"
"Only... Chen Jianjun of the Seven Kill Sect and Tang Cang, the Clear Sky Sect's young sect master, haven't come."
"Who did come?"
"Chen Xin, the Seven Kill Sect's guardian, and its new sect master, Chen Fan."
After a pause, the guard continued, "The Clear Sky Sect sent their eldest young master, Tang Xiao, and their First Elder, Tang Wei."
Everyone knew that Tang Cang of the Clear Sky Sect was being groomed by Tang Chen to become the next sect master.
However, Tang Cang had two sons, and it was still uncertain which of them would become the future young sect master. Since both were legitimate heirs of the Clear Sky Sect, they were respectively called the Clear Sky Sect's First Young Master (Tang Xiao) and Second Young Master (Tang Hao).
"Very well."
Dai Li showed little emotion as he casually ordered, "Issue my decree. Tonight, hold a banquet in Taihe Hall to entertain the esteemed guests from the Seven Kill Sect and the Clear Sky Sect."
"Yes!"
By the time Chen Fan and Chen Xin reached Star Luo City, dusk had fallen.
As soon as they arrived at the city gate, they saw a collateral member of the Dai Family waiting there. "Are you Sect Master Chen of the Seven Kill Sect and Your Excellency Chen Xin?"
It was common practice in the Soul Master World to address Titled Douluo as "Your Excellency."
"That's us."
"This way, esteemed guests. His Majesty has prepared a banquet. Please follow me."
Soon, the two entered the imperial palace under the guidance of the Dai Family kinsman.
Compared with Spirit Hall's ironclad majesty, the Star Luo Imperial Palace seemed rather crude, almost like a military camp.
"Your Majesty, the sect master of the Seven Kill Sect and Your Excellency Chen Xin have arrived!"
"Show them in!"
The moment Chen Fan and Chen Xin stepped into the hall, the noisy discussions within subsided somewhat.
The hall was already full of guests, all seated at round banquet tables.
Among them—
Star Luo Emperor Dai Li sat at the head of the main table, clad in a bright yellow dragon robe. His face was solemn, his eyes sharp as torches as he sized up the two who had entered.
The empress sat beside him, graceful and dignified.
Two people seated to his right soon caught Chen Fan's attention.
One was a middle-aged man who looked to be in his fifties.
He wore a gray robe, his aura restrained and his features square. His eyes were as sharp as a hawk's, and his presence ran deep as the sea. He was every bit the equal of Chen Xin, who stood behind Chen Fan.
The other had a youthful, rather delicate face, but stood tall and wore the standard uniform of a Clear Sky Sect disciple. When he met Chen Fan's gaze, his eyes held an air of arrogance and disdain.
"Please, take your seats over here!"
Guided by one of Dai Li's personal guards, Chen Fan and Chen Xin sat down to Dai Li's left.
"Sect Master Chen, allow me to introduce them."
Dai Li said nothing. The graceful Empress Zhu smiled and gestured toward the two on the right. "This is Your Excellency Tang Wei, the Clear Sky Sect's First Elder."
"And this is Tang Xiao, the Clear Sky Sect's First Young Master."
Chen Fan looked surprised. "People from the Clear Sky Sect?"
He wasn't surprised that people from the Clear Sky Sect were here. It was... how could Tang Xiao be so young?
Then the timeline had to be much, much earlier than he'd thought.
Empress Zhu was just about to introduce Chen Fan when Tang Wei suddenly cut her off. "I've long heard of Sect Master Chen's outstanding talent at such a young age. Having met you today, I see the rumors were true."