Within the black mist, a person clad in a black robe clutched their chest and handed a vine to the illusory figure before them.
The illusory figure took it, glanced at the black-robed man's injuries, and said indifferently, "Failed?"
The man in black robes looked grave. "Hmm, Qu Lü has made his move. If he goes all out, he might still have a fighting chance..."
"It's alright, it's good that we got the item back." The illusory figure toyed with the vine, sneering, "It's this kind of thing that's fought over by people from all the worlds..."
Then, the illusory figure looked at the man in black robes and said, "Go back and heal your wounds. Be prepared. Now that this thing has appeared, the Yin-Yang Heavenly Pool will likely reopen."
" The Yin-Yang Heavenly Pool?" The man in black robes was slightly taken aback. "That thing shouldn't be of much use to you anymore."
The illusory figure chuckled. "That's because no one truly understands the core of the Yin-Yang Heavenly Pool... Only I have seen through its true nature..."
now.
The matter at the Banan border has been temporarily resolved.
The remaining mess has been handed over to Ba Xiyue's Moon Shadow Guard to handle.
Those present were also invited to the royal city of the Banan Divine Kingdom.
Within the imperial city, the Divine Lord Ba Tianque personally hosted a banquet, attended by high-ranking officials of the Divine Kingdom, the Supervisory Sacred Hall, and the Chu Clan.
As for Mount Qingcheng...
Qu Lü and Han Shouyi were already qualified to represent Mount Qingcheng since they disliked such banquets.
The Imperial City, the Zichen Palace.
The magnificent hall was brightly lit, with white jade floors and carved beams and painted rafters. The sounds of string and wind instruments were melodious, and the dancers moved with graceful movements.
Long tables were arranged on both sides of His Highness.
On the left were the Grand Elder of the Supervisory Sacred Hall and high-ranking members of the Chu Clan, while on the right were Qu Lü Han Shouyi from Mount Qingcheng, as well as Ye Qiubai, Hong Ying, Ning Chenxin, Xu Yeming, and others. Ba Xiyue, Yang Shao, Qin Zhao, and Chu Ran were also present.
As if sensing something, Hong Ying raised her head to look at the long table opposite her. The person from the Chu Clan was also an elder, and sitting behind the elder was...
It was Chu Yan!
"Tsk, why is he here too?" Chu Ran, sitting not far away, frowned.
Chu Yan didn't even look at Chu Ran, but stared straight at Hong Ying Hong Ying. Only when their eyes met did he smile and wave.
"What, do you know her?" the Chu Clan elder asked casually.
Chu Yan smiled, making no attempt to hide his grin, and said, "How could I not recognize you? Third Elder, you know me. A woman who catches my eye..."
The third elder of the Chu Clan waved his hand and said, "The patriarch has always had issues with your carefree and irreverent nature. Why are you still like this after your return? Try to tone it down."
"This time I'm serious."
The third elder of the Chu Clan was taken aback, then turned his gaze to Hong Ying. " The Supervisory Sacred Hall, with its golden light shining through, possessing the Imperial Intent, such talent is top-tier even in the Soaring Realm. But you must understand that she has no bloodline."
Chu Yan grinned. "Bloodline? Elder, do you think I would care about that?"
The third elder of the Chu Clan remained silent.
On the other side, the Grand Elder of the Supervisory Sacred Hall nodded to Ye Qiubai and the others in affirmation.
Just then, a long, high-pitched announcement came from outside the hall:
"His Majesty has arrived! His Highness has arrived!"
As the chanting ended, the music in the hall ceased, and the dancers quietly withdrew.
Everyone stood up and faced the direction of the palace gate.
A heavy, mountain-like, and vast, oppressive aura, accompanied by the resounding footsteps, wafted in from outside the hall.
The first to step into the palace gate was none other than Ba Tianque, the current Divine Lord of the Banan Divine Kingdom.
He was not dressed in elaborate imperial robes, but in a simple black casual robe embroidered with dark dragon patterns in gold thread. His figure was as upright as a mountain, his face resolute, and his eyes seemed to hold the movement of the sun and moon, exuding an imposing aura without anger.
Ba Tianque's gaze swept calmly over everyone in the hall. When it landed on Ning Chenxin, he paused for a moment, a faint hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
He walked all the way to the dragon throne and sat down.
"Today's banquet is twofold: first, to celebrate the temporary pacification of the border troubles, and second, to thank all the outstanding individuals for their contributions in helping to quell the unrest. Please, take your seats." Ba Tianque's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.
Everyone expressed their gratitude and took their seats.
However, almost everyone's attention, after Ba Tianque finished speaking, subconsciously shifted to a spot half a step behind him.
There stood a young man.
He wore a crimson-gold python robe and a jade crown. His face bore a five or six-point resemblance to Ba Tianque, but he lacked some of the ruggedness and possessed a more effeminate handsomeness.
He was none other than Ba Tiance, the crown prince of the Ba Tiance Banan Divine Kingdom.
Beside Ye Qiubai and the others, Yang Shao said softly, " Ba Tiance, if nothing unexpected happens, this person will take over Ba Tianque's position in the future, but you should try to avoid getting involved with him."
Ye Qiubai raised an eyebrow slightly, "Why?"
Qin Zhao picked up where Yang Shao left off, explaining, "Ten years ago, the position of Crown Prince belonged to the Fourth Prince Ba Tianxuan. At that time, Ba Tianxuan not only displayed extraordinary talent, but also possessed exceptional abilities in commanding troops and managing internal affairs. Furthermore, in the struggle against the Blazing Sun Divine Kingdom, Ba Tianxuan used his intellect to seize back the nine cities and twelve territories that originally belonged to the Blazing Sun Divine Kingdom."
Upon hearing this, Hong Ying raised an eyebrow slightly. "There's no reason why someone like him shouldn't become the crown prince."
Qin Zhao smiled, "But Ba Tiance, in his quest for the crown prince position, orchestrated a trap for Ba Tianxuan during the struggle for fortuitous opportunity in the forbidden Nether River Abyss, rendering him a cripple. From then on, Ba Tianxuan never recovered and went mad, allowing Ba Tiance to naturally ascend to the position of crown prince."
Siblings killing each other.
It's an old, tired story about royal infighting.
"At that time, countless forces gathered in the Nether River Abyss, and the Supervisory Sacred Hall was also the observer of this fortuitous opportunity competition, but Ba Tiance did it flawlessly, and there is no concrete evidence."
Upon hearing this, Ye Qiubai and the others looked at Ba Tiance.
Ba Tiance still wore a polite smile, but to them, he was no different from a demon...
They seemed to have noticed their gazes.
Ba Tiance also looked over and said, "Thank you all for helping our Banan Divine Kingdom resolve the matter of the Sacred Church. If it weren't for you, the border would probably be devastated. On behalf of the millions of people on the Banan border, I thank you all."
After saying that, Ba Tiance lowered his waist deeply.
Every move he made, every word he uttered, revealed no pretense whatsoever.
But this precisely proves how cunning Ba Tiance is.
Ba Tiance stood up, his gaze falling on Hong Ying. He then changed the subject, saying, "I heard from Xiyue that you are also someone who cultivates the Intent of the Emperor. The Imperial Intent is not something that ordinary people can comprehend; it requires the ruler of a country or someone with royal blood to lead all under heaven."
"And Your Majesty's Imperial Intent likely extend to the realm of the mortals, where you are the ruler of a dynasty?"
Hong Ying said calmly, "I wonder why the Crown Prince asks this."
Ba Tiance glanced at Ba Tianque, Ba Tianque remained silent. Seeing this, Ba Tiance then approached Hong Ying. "After all, it is the position of Crown Prince. I only wish to learn from you. I wonder what your insights are regarding the Intent of the Emperor?"
Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall became slightly tense. This was no longer just a polite compliment, but also carried a sense of examination and inquiry.
Chu Yan's smile deepened, seemingly pleased with the outcome. Ba Xiyue's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. Ba Tianque, however, remained expressionless, as if he hadn't heard a thing.
Hong Ying met Ba Tiance's deep gaze. While everyone was still wondering how Hong Ying would answer, Hong Ying said, "I have no insight."
Everyone was taken aback by these words.
Even Ba Tiance was taken aback.
Chu Yan burst out laughing... No wonder she's the woman he's set his sights on!
Ba Tiance stared into Hong Ying's eyes for a long while, then suddenly smiled and said, "Three days from now, there will be a grand boat parade in the capital. I wonder if you would do me the honor of joining me to enjoy the spectacle?"
Upon hearing this,
Chu Yan could no longer laugh.