Dinner, Introductions!

Alchemists, by virtue of their status, were among the wealthiest and most powerful people, whether in the Jia Ma Empire or across the entire continent!

The Alchemist Association had gathered such people together, so its influence was self-evident.

This time, because they were celebrating President Fama's advancement to the sixth tier, all the top nobles and dignitaries of the Imperial Capital had come to the Alchemist Association.

The royal carriage slowly stopped before the association. Yaoyue was the first to jump down, followed closely by Yaoye and Jia He.

Just as Jia Xing Tian stepped out of the carriage, the Mite'er Family arrived as well.

When Jia He looked over, his gaze met that of one of the people in the Mite'er Family group.

Ya Fei looked at Jia He in surprise. She had originally thought he was some unknown young member of the royal family.

But now, it seemed that assumption had been completely wrong. Someone who could sit with the two royal princesses was certainly no ordinary person.

Seeing Jia He looking at her, Ya Fei nodded and smiled, considering it a greeting.

Yaoyue, who stood beside Jia He, suddenly reached out and hugged his arm, huffing jealously. "Who's that woman? She seems to be smiling at you."

Hearing Yaoyue's words, Yaoye also looked curiously toward the Mite'er Family. Among that group, Ya Fei stood out like a crane among chickens.

Ya Fei wore a pale red, form-fitting qipao that accentuated her alluring figure. Every movement she made was elegant and captivating.

Yaoye's gaze lingered on her for a moment before she turned to Jia He and asked, "You like that type?"

Jia He chuckled. "What are you talking about? Her name is Ya Fei, and she's from the Mittel Grand Auction House. I only got to know her because I went there to buy some things last time!"

"As for whether I like her or not, that isn't something I need to consider right now!"

Yaoyue rolled her eyes at Jia He. "Not necessarily. What if you really do like that type?"

"You're still young. Don't think about such things. Focus on cultivation!" Yaoye instructed Jia He as well.

Jia He smiled. "Why are you acting like you're guarding against thieves? Are you worried about me?"

Yaoye nodded. "Of course. There are too many temptations outside. We can't let you go astray. If others learn of your talent, who knows how they might try to deal with you!"

"Exactly, exactly! Xiao He, you'd better be careful!" Yaoyue chimed in from the side.

"Our royal family will inevitably have dealings with the Mite'er Family in the future, and I'll need to trade with them for certain things too. I'll keep what you said in mind," Jia He said slowly.

Yaoyue pouted, wanting to say more, but Yaoye stopped her. Then she said, "Mm, good. Just be more careful, alright?"

As the three spoke, the Mite'er Family group had already approached them.

Mitel Tengshan, who led the group, gave Jia Xing Tian a slight bow and respectfully said, "Jia Lao!"

Jia Xing Tian nodded slightly, then smiled. "You came quite early. Looks like you prepared plenty of gifts?"

Teng Shan chuckled. "A congratulatory gift for the president naturally cannot be too shabby. The family recently acquired a batch of medicinal herbs of fairly good quality, so we brought them as our gift!"

Jia Xing Tian said, "It seems we had the same idea. We both brought medicinal herbs!"

Jia He could not help rolling his eyes. Jia Xing Tian's medicinal herbs had been stolen from his own herb garden.

"Alright, let's not stand around chatting here. Let's go inside. It wasn't easy getting old Fama to bleed this much, hahaha!" Jia Xing Tian laughed loudly.

Teng Shan then followed Jia Xing Tian into the association.

At this moment, Ya Fei also came to Jia He's side. She first politely greeted Yaoye and Yaoyue. "Ya Fei greets the two princesses."

Yaoye smiled at Ya Fei. "No need for such formalities."

Yaoyue was much more willful. She gave a light snort, but after Yaoye glanced at her, she reluctantly greeted Ya Fei.

Naturally, Ya Fei would not fuss over Yaoyue's attitude. After spending so many years in the Mite'er Family, she was quite skilled at reading people's expressions.

Yaoyue was clearly jealous because Jia He, who stood beside her, knew Ya Fei. Little girls wore all their emotions on their faces.

But what did that matter? Ya Fei had never cared much about what others thought.

"Mr. Jia He, it's been some time since we last met. The Mite'er Family recently received some high-quality meteorite iron. Do you still need any?" Ya Fei asked at Jia He's side.

Jia He nodded with a smile. "Sure. Set all of it aside for me first. I'll come take a look when I have the time!"

"Alright, then Ya Fei will wait for you at the Grand Auction House!" Ya Fei said with a smile.

The group entered the Alchemist Association and soon arrived at the banquet hall.

By the time Jia Xing Tian and Teng Shan's group arrived, Nalan Jie and Nalan Su of the Nalan Clan were already present.

The Mu Clan had also sent people. Due to the empire's military orders, Mu Zhan had come this time. His father and several uncles had already led their troops away from the Imperial Capital.

Mu Zhan was sitting off to the side in boredom, drinking from a wine cup.

The injuries he had suffered from the beating a few days ago had mostly healed thanks to the Mu Clan's supply of medicinal pills!

"Why hasn't Ya Fei come yet?" Mu Zhan idly played with the wine cup in his hand.

Mu Zhan had originally been meant to go to the battlefield as well, but Mu Chen had refused. Furthermore, the Mu Clan needed someone to attend this dinner, and Mu Zhan happened to be suitable.

Mu Zhan still had designs on Ya Fei, so when he heard that the Mite'er Family would attend this gathering, he eagerly rushed over.

Just then, a group entered the hall. When Mu Zhan saw Teng Shan, his face immediately lit up.

If Teng Shan had come, that meant the Mite'er Family was here, and Ya Fei should have arrived too.

Mu Zhan stood up and looked toward the crowd behind Teng Shan.

Sure enough, Mu Zhan saw Ya Fei tilting her head as she spoke with someone. Just as he was about to step forward and greet her, he noticed that the young man standing beside Ya Fei was the very same youth who had someone beat him up last time!

Thinking of the savage beating he had received, Mu Zhan shuddered all over.

After being beaten that day, he had originally planned to have his father inquire at the royal family. He had never expected Jia Xing Tian to personally step in.

Now that he saw Jia He again, Mu Zhan's heart trembled slightly, and he suddenly wanted to flee this place!

Damn it, why hadn't I thought that this guy would attend the banquet too! Mu Zhan regretted it bitterly.

His injuries, which had only just mostly healed, seemed to start hurting again. He wished he were beside his father right now.

Nalan Jie and his son saw Jia Xing Tian and Teng Shan and immediately stepped forward to speak with them.

"Let's go over there and have something to eat. Great-grandfather said there's no need to be restrained. It's a good chance for young people to get acquainted," Yaoye said softly.

Yaoyue immediately brightened. "Then let's go!"

As she spoke, she pulled Jia He toward a table covered with pastries.

At the sight of all the delicious food on the table, Yaoyue temporarily forgot about Jia He.

Jia He, Yaoye, and Ya Fei each took a glass of wine from the table, then sat down on a nearby sofa.

Ya Fei casually swept her beautiful eyes across the hall and immediately noticed a familiar figure in the corner.

Mu Zhan, who normally clung to her like a stubborn plaster, was now cowering off to one side as though afraid someone would notice him.

Thinking of this, Ya Fei turned to look at Jia He and immediately understood that Mu Zhan was probably afraid of him.

"Pfft!" Ya Fei could not hold it in and burst out laughing.

Jia He and Yaoye looked at Ya Fei in confusion. Ya Fei hurriedly explained, "I just thought of something amusing and couldn't help myself. Sorry!"

"Something amusing?" Jia He raised an eyebrow.

"Mhm. Tell me, once someone has great strength, doesn't that mean others no longer dare bully them?" Ya Fei asked with a smile.

Jia He nodded. "You could say that."

"What if they have a powerful backer?" Ya Fei asked again.

At that moment, Yaoye said from the side, "Having a powerful backer may indeed achieve that, but one would probably have to pay some price as well."

"Yes. It's always better to be strong yourself than to rely on someone else's strength. Today, I finally understand that," Ya Fei said.

Jia He looked at Ya Fei and asked, "You saw that kid from the Mu Clan?"

Ya Fei looked at Jia He in surprise. "How did you know?"

"The only person who could make you feel this way is probably that kid. But he didn't harass you this time," Jia He said.

Ya Fei covered her mouth and laughed. "That's exactly right!"

Just then, another group entered the hall. The Misty Cloud Sect's leader, Yun Yun, and the Pill King, Gu He!

Jia He saw the young man and woman following behind the two of them.

Those should be Liu Ling and Nalan Yanran, Jia He thought to himself.

With Yun Yun and Gu He's arrival, the atmosphere finally became truly lively.

The top nobles and dignitaries of the Imperial Capital had now all gathered here.

Jia Xing Tian looked at Fama and said with a smile, "Old Fama, taking advantage of your occasion today, let me introduce someone to everyone. How about it?"

Fama naturally already knew whom Jia Xing Tian wanted to introduce, so he nodded. "Of course."

Everyone present grew curious. It was clear that Jia Xing Tian attached great importance to the person he was about to introduce.

Jia Xing Tian called in Jia He's direction, "He'er, come here!"

Hearing Jia Xing Tian call for him, Jia He knew what he intended to do. He rose to his feet and walked toward Jia Xing Tian.

Everyone's gaze gathered on Jia He. He showed no trace of timidity, his expression calm, his entire demeanor steady and composed.

"His name is Jia He. He is a prince personally invested by our royal family. I introduce him to all of you today, in the hope that everyone can get along harmoniously in the future!"

"Furthermore, beginning today, the empire will implement a series of reforms. I hope everyone will keep their clan juniors and sect disciples in check!" Jia Xing Tian said with a chuckle as he looked at the crowd.

Though Jia Xing Tian spoke pleasantly and with a smile, everyone could still hear the firmness and threat in his words. More importantly, it was clearly aimed at certain people among them!

Yun Yun's brows furrowed slightly. Did Jia Xing Tian's words seem to be directed at her?

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First update, three thousand words delivered!