"That's Miss Qianling. The head of the family is very happy to hear that he has returned safely."
"Of course, the two have always had a good relationship. Now that Miss Qianling is back, she can also share the burden with the head of the family."
"That unfamiliar face behind her, could it be that newly promoted S-class genius?"
"It seems so. He hasn't gone out these past few days, keeping a low profile, unlike the previous ones. I wonder what his abilities are; he became an S-Rank Heaven's Chosen without making a sound as soon as he arrived."
"Tsk tsk."
Several people whispered among themselves at the banquet, mostly out of curiosity, but also with a hint of disdain.
Those who could attend this banquet were either core members of the Soul Household, talented individuals from the Soul Household, or scions of prominent Lineage from Thousand Souls City who came to broaden their horizons. In short, none of them were ordinary people.
However, only a few people knew Han Xuanji's identity; most people were not well-informed enough.
At most, all that is known is that a new S-Rank Heaven's Chosen will be announced at this banquet, and even the family head attaches great importance to it and will attend in person.
Han Xuanji wasn't nervous at all in the face of this situation; to him, it was a minor matter.
He had neither the inferiority complex that comes from Primal Chaos, nor the arrogance of a prodigy.
Hun Qianling was clearly quite familiar with the family. As a direct descendant of the Soul Household, although her talent was not very high, her status was not low. After all, she was the biological daughter of the previous family head and was also the sibling of the current family head. Many people came to chat with her.
Whenever someone took the opportunity to inquire about Han Xuanji's identity or background, Hun Qianling would smile and stand in front of Han Xuanji, using phrases like "He's a friend I met while I was away, and we came back together this time" to deflect the question, thus neither revealing Han Xuanji's identity nor offending anyone.
Han Xuanji saw this and nodded slightly in his heart. Taking advantage of Hun Qianling blocking his way, he quietly retreated to a table in the corner of the main hall and sat down.
The table was laden with delicacies carefully prepared by the Soul Household, all of which were unique to the Eternal Continent. There were spirit fish containing pure Qi of Eternity, with tender flesh that melted in the mouth, and Soul Gathering Fruit that ripened only once every hundred years, with crystal-clear flesh and a sweet and sour taste.
The drinks are also excellent, all made with fine wine brewed from spiritual spring water, with a rich aroma and considerable value.
In the outside world, this single table of food would be enough for an ordinary Eternal Dao Master to earn for ten years without eating or drinking.
Han Xuanji didn't stand on ceremony. He picked up his jade chopsticks and slowly savored the delicacies he had never seen before. Occasionally, he would raise his wine cup and sip some spiritual wine, looking quite content and at ease.
He was dressed in blue, not the brocade robes of a core disciple of the Soul Household, and his aura wasn't strong. Plus, he was hiding in a corner, so he didn't attract much attention.
Before long, a young man dressed in a light blue brocade robe walked up to him with a cup of wine in his hand, looking a little awkward, and a shy smile on his face.
The man had delicate features, but his cultivation level was only at the Early Eternal Dao Master. His eyes held a hint of melancholy. He was none other than Wang Ping, a direct descendant of the Wang Household of Thousand Souls City.
The Wang Household is a prominent Lineage in Thousand Souls City, with Eternal True God presiding over the clan. However, Wang Ping, true to his name, has mediocre talent and is not valued in the clan. He came here with the elders of the clan to broaden his horizons, and most of the time he could only stay alone in a corner, watching others chat and laugh.
Wang Ping was unaware of Han Xuanji's identity. Seeing Han Xuanji was also a member of another Lineage in Thousand Souls City, just like himself, and that Han Xuanji was there to make up the numbers with his elders. Wang Ping immediately felt a sense of kinship with him.
True prodigies within the clan don't wander around with their elders; instead, they either cultivate in seclusion within the clan or are sent to cultivate in powerful forces. Only those with average talent but high status are taken out to make connections and become familiar with the clan.
He gently set down his wine glass, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Han Xuanji, and spoke with a slightly reserved tone:
"Brother, my name is Wang Ping, a member of the Wang Household of Thousand Souls City."
Seeing that you are alone, I suppose you have come with an elder. Why don't we have a few drinks together?
Han Xuanji looked up at him and saw that his expression was sincere, without the slightest malice or the arrogance of a typical Aristocratic Clan's son. She put down her jade chopsticks and smiled faintly.
"My name is Han Xuanji. Please have a seat, Your Highness."
Upon hearing this, Wang Ping's face lit up with joy. He quickly sat down at the table and poured wine for himself and Han Xuanji.
As for the Han Household?
Wang Ping assumed it was some Lineage from out of town and didn't think much of it.
The two chatted casually, with Wang Ping doing most of the talking and Han Xuanji listening, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
After a few rounds of drinks, Wang Ping gradually opened up and sighed, saying:
"Brother Han, to be honest, I am of mediocre talent in the clan and am not valued. I am only here to make up the numbers."
Judging from Brother Han's composed demeanor, his talent must be far superior to mine. Yet he remains alone in this corner; perhaps he prefers to avoid socializing?
Han Xuanji picked up her wine cup, lightly clinked it against his, and said in a flat tone:
"A few social engagements are rather boring; it's better to have something to eat quietly and enjoy some peace and quiet."
He didn't elaborate on his background, nor did he expose Wang Ping's embarrassment. He simply responded casually, occasionally listening to Wang Ping complain about trivial matters in the clan, and sometimes chiming in with a few words.
Just then, a commotion suddenly arose outside the hall, followed by the sound of steady footsteps. The once noisy hall fell silent instantly, and everyone's eyes turned to the entrance of the hall.
Before long, a dignified figure slowly walked in.
It was none other than Hun Qianxue, the head of the Soul Household. He wore a black robe embroidered with golden soul patterns, and his body was surrounded by a powerful aura of Eternal True God. His steps were steady, and each step he took carried an invisible pressure that instantly suppressed all the noise in the hall.
Seeing this, Wang Ping immediately sat up straight, his expression becoming respectful, completely unlike his previous slightly drunken self. After all, he was, after all, Eternal Dao Master. He whispered to Han Xuanji:
"Brother Han, the Soul Household Head is here. We must behave ourselves."
Han Xuanji looked up at the other person, somewhat speechless. He thought to himself that he had only been eating and drinking, and hadn't done anything improper.
However, this guy sometimes uses quite a bit of body language when he talks.
At this moment, Hun Qianxue walked to the main seat in the hall and sat down, Hun Qianling quickly walked to his side.
Once everyone had completely quieted down, Hun Qianxue slowly spoke, his voice carrying through the power of the Eternal True God to every corner of the hall:
"The primary purpose of today's banquet is to celebrate the safe return of my younger sister Hun Qianling."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone stood up and said hello. After all, Hun Qianling had been missing for nearly a thousand years. The Soul Household had sent people to search for her whereabouts, but to no avail. They never expected that she would return safely recently, which was a good omen.
Hun Qianling bowed slightly, glanced around, thanked everyone, and smiled gently.
Actually, she was looking for Han Xuanji. When she saw him, her eyes lit up and she smiled even more happily.
Hun Qianxue raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and continued:
"Although Qianling encountered dangers during her training trip, she also grew in some ways."
From now on, Qianling will serve under Elder Yulong, assisting in managing the Lineage's businesses in Thousand Souls City, which can be considered as sharing the Lineage's burdens.
Upon hearing this, everyone showed expressions of surprise.
The Soul Household's businesses in Thousand Souls City are all important sources of wealth for the Lineage, and management rights are always highly valued, making them powerful figures. The fact that Hun Qianling was given such a position as soon as she returned is enough to show Hun Qianxue's trust in her.
This is not surprising, though. For Hun Qianxue now, there are not many people he can completely trust, and his sister Hun Qianling is one of them.
If Hun Qianling's cultivation level weren't too low, she would have reached an even more important position.
Hun Qianling didn't show any surprise; it was all pre-arranged.
"Thank you for your trust, brother. Qianling to live up to your expectations."
Hun Qianxue nodded in satisfaction, his gaze slowly sweeping across the entire room, his tone becoming solemn:
"Besides this matter, there is another important announcement to make today—our Soul Household has recently introduced a prodigy from elsewhere, a genius in the Dao of Principle cultivation. From now on, he will be a core guest of our Soul Household, enjoying S-Rank Talent treatment."
As soon as the words were spoken, the hall erupted in chaos. Everyone's eyes searched the hall, curious about the identity of this S-Rank Heaven's Chosen who was so highly regarded by the Soul Household.