When Things Go Wrong, a Demon Must Be Afoot

"Come in."

Shi Xuan showed no displeasure at the interruption of the banquet, and simply said something.

A guard rushed into the courtyard, knelt on one knee, and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty summons you to a banquet in the palace. He says that two princesses and a prince from the Holy Dynasty will be attending in person."

Shi Xuan narrowed his eyes and said calmly, "These guys really came at the worst possible time."

Chu Feng smiled and said, "Go ahead. After all, you're still the main character. If you don't show yourself, the world will almost forget you exist."

"I have failed to provide adequate hospitality; I hope my master will forgive me."

Shi Xuan said apologetically.

"It's alright, we'll drink it ourselves."

Chu Feng said nonchalantly.

It's not their turn to appear yet; let's let the dust settle for a while.

After Shi Xuan left, the banquet continued.

Zhangsun Residence, a five-carriage carriage was already waiting for Shi Xuan.

After he boarded the carriage, he closed his eyes to rest and waited for it to depart.

As the wheels slowly rolled, the carriage headed towards the imperial palace. Ice Phoenix Avenue was not far from the imperial city, especially since Shi Xuan's residence was only a few thousand steps away. Riding in a carriage was merely a symbolic recognition of his status.

After a cup of tea, the carriage entered the palace. As the carriage came to a stop, a respectful voice came from outside.

"Your Highness, we've arrived."

"Um."

After responding, Shi Xuan changed into a palace dress and slowly stepped down from the carriage.

Outside the carriage, a row of guards were already waiting respectfully. The head guard said, "Your Highness, this banquet will be held in the Imperial Garden. Please come with me."

"Lead the way."

Although Shi Xuan was curious as to why the Crown Prince and Princess of the Great Abyss Holy Dynasty would visit the palace ahead of time, he did not ask any further questions.

Now, as the direct disciple of the Great Sage of our time, I am far superior to those so-called princes and princesses.

After all, although the Great Abyss Holy Dynasty has countless powerful figures, on the surface only His Majesty the Emperor is a Saint, the Crown Prince is a Great Sage, and the other princes are just Nirvana experts. Most of their children have cultivation levels similar to their own, and those with talent are only at the level of Spirit Nurturing.

Such an important person would naturally not attend a small occasion like his engagement party.

Shi Xuan remained silent throughout the journey, while the head guard repeatedly glanced at him with a hesitant expression, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.

Shi Xuan could see through people's hearts at a glance, and then asked, "Is there a problem with today's palace banquet?"

"Your Highness, tonight's palace banquet was not hosted by His Majesty, but by the Ninth Prince. Moreover, in addition to the distinguished guests from Great Abyss, there were some people who shouldn't have been there."

After the head guard finished speaking, he gave a hesitant look.

This amused Shi Xuan, who said with a smile, "Then tell me, Your Highness, who are these uninvited guests?"

"Among them are your nine fiancées. According to custom, the engagement is in half a month, and they shouldn't be present at this kind of event. It's just that the princes of Great Abyss brought them along."

After the head guard finished speaking, he quickly lowered his head, unaware of what the prince was thinking.

After all, for the past year or so, there have been widespread rumors that His Highness the Great has been doing nothing at the Dao-Seeking Academy, and that this engagement is something His Highness the Crown Prince has done to secure his position.

Knowing His Highness's personality, he would surely be furious at the banquet if his nine fiancées behaved so rudely.

At that time, it won't just be His Highness the Grandson who loses face, but the entire Northern Wasteland Kingdom.

That's it?

Shi Xuan's lips curled slightly upward, revealing a meaningful smile, "I thought it was something serious. Since they were invited by distinguished guests, it's only right that they represent me in fulfilling my duties as hosts."

He naturally understood the principle that something unusual must be amiss, but now he was more interested in seeing how these clowns would put on their act.

After passing through several palaces, the two arrived at the Imperial Garden.

The guards at the door saw Shi Xuan appear and immediately shouted, "His Highness Changsun has arrived!"

With this loud shout, the cultivators who were whispering among themselves in the Imperial Garden stopped what they were doing and turned their attention to the entrance of the Imperial Garden.

Shi Xuan, dressed in a light yellow robe, walked calmly into the Imperial Garden.

"We pay our respects to His Highness the Eldest Prince."

No need for formalities.

Shi Xuan did not deliberately release his aura, but the pressure he had accumulated over the years gave people a sense of authority without anger.

He calmly swept his gaze over everyone present, finally settling his eyes on several members of the Northern Abyss Imperial Clan.

Shi Xuan then bowed and said, "Shi Xuan greets all distinguished guests."

The young man at the head of the group smiled slightly and said, "Junior Brother Shi, you're too polite. You are the host, and we are the guests. It's not right for the host to bow to the guests."

He said that, but he didn't lower his guard at all, still acting superior.

Shi Xuan smiled slightly, "Senior Brother Xu, you're too kind."

The two greeted each other so politely that anyone who didn't know them would think they had a good relationship.

Shi Xuan's arrival made the banquet incredibly lively, and he became the center of attention wherever he went.

The Ninth Prince strode up to Shi Xuan and said, "Xuan'er, now that you're here, this old man won't join in the fun with you young people."

Shi Xuan laughed and said, "Uncle Jiu is only five hundred years old, how come he's become an old man?"

Cultivators on the Profound Heaven Continent tend to marry and have children relatively late, especially powerful families like the Shi Clan. The clan's prodigies generally don't have children until they reach Nirvana.

It's quite normal for direct descendants to have a generational age difference of several hundred years.

The Ninth Prince laughed and said, "Don't tease me, young man. Take good care of your guest. Although you have entered the Dao-Seeking Academy, our Shi Clan is still under the rule of the Northern Abyss Holy Dynasty."

Shi Xuan said respectfully, "Uncle, don't worry, I know what to do."

"Okay, then I'm relieved."

After finishing his sentence, the Ninth Prince turned and left.

The palace servants quickly brought Shi Xuan wine and drinks. Shi Xuan carried the wine and drinks and greeted the princes and princesses of the Great Abyss Holy Dynasty one by one. While exchanging pleasantries, he also subtly inquired about the purpose of these people's early arrival.

However, the prince and princess who came this time were both very shrewd and did not reveal any information to Shi Xuan.

Just as Shi Xuan was chatting with the others, a figure walked towards them.

"Brother Xuan, Zhiruo has come to toast you."

Upon hearing the name Zhiruo, Shi Xuan subconsciously recalled information about this woman: a princess from a kingdom under the Great Wasteland, whose full name was Zhao Zhiruo, and the only one among his nine fiancées who hadn't cheated on him.

He immediately turned his head and saw a tall, slender woman in a flowing green dress, with delicate features and an ethereal air, holding a glass of wine and smiling sweetly at him...