Chapter 146: A Labor of Love
That evening, the group was invited to a banquet.
It was hosted by the younger generation of the Sheng Yuan Dynasty, and many young people who had come to Zhong Jing City were invited. Mingyan and his three companions were naturally among them.
Speaking of which, the Yaochi Sacred Land and the Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sacred Land had not, strictly speaking, received an invitation to the crown prince’s wedding. But earlier today, a cultivator from the Sheng Yuan Dynasty had come to deliver the invitations, formally inviting Mingyan and Yue Qingying to represent the Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sacred Land at the banquet. And on the other side, Ning Feixuan had also received an invitation.
The Sheng Yuan Dynasty’s relationship with the outside world had always been lukewarm. They didn’t have many close allies among the Sacred Lands and prominent families. The relationship between the Huang family and the Sheng Yuan Dynasty was just that, a business connection due to the Huang family’s purchase of some mines in the northern part of the Sheng Yuan Dynasty.
But when the Sheng Yuan Dynasty learned that the Holy Son and Holy Maiden of the Wind Spirit Moon Shadow Sacred Land had arrived, and that the Yaochi Holy Maiden had also come, they had been quick to send the invitations, and were extremely polite. This gesture left Mingyan with a good impression of the Sheng Yuan Dynasty.
The four of them arrived at the banquet. It was a lively affair, with music and dancing, wine and lights. As they mingled, they saw some familiar faces.
For example, An Canhui, and for example… Ning Zetian.
Mingyan instinctively glanced at Ning Feixuan. Her brow was furrowed, and she stared at Ning Zetian for a moment before looking away.
He thought for a moment, then sent a mental message to Yue Qingying. “Senior Sister, what is Ning Zetian’s cultivation level?”
“Early Divine Gate Realm, same as me and Ning Feixuan,” she replied quickly.
Ning Zetian, seemingly noticing their gazes, looked over, a faint smile on his handsome face. He walked towards them. “Fellow Daoist Mingyan, we meet again.”
Ning Feixuan’s face was impassive. She said nothing.
“Hypocrite,” Huang Feiyan sneered.
Ning Zetian, hearing her, wasn’t offended. He was handsome, like Ning Feixuan, and his white robes made him look otherworldly. He smiled. “Miss Huang still has such a strong opinion of me.”
Mingyan ignored him. He had heard from many people about the enmity between Ning Zetian and Ning Feixuan. There was no need to doubt it. Whether from his own perspective or as Ning Feixuan’s friend, he didn’t like to associate with such a person.
Ning Zetian smiled faintly and turned to leave.
An Canhui stood in the distance, watching them, especially Mingyan. He narrowed his eyes, then turned and left.
“Holy Maiden.” Just then, another familiar face approached. He had long, flowing black hair, his eyes like lightning, his steps swift. He walked up to Ning Feixuan. “It’s been a while. The Holy Maiden is as graceful as ever. Congratulations on breaking through to the Divine Gate Realm.”
The little Kun Peng king, Bei Ming Ni.
Ning Feixuan took a step back, maintaining a distance from him, and nodded slightly.
His admiration for her was well-known. He had never hidden it. Seeing her step back, his eyes flickered. He then exchanged some pleasantries with Huang Feiyan and Yue Qingying, then glanced at Mingyan, his eyes narrowing slightly. He was surprised by Mingyan’s rapid progress to the Qi Sea Realm but didn’t show it. He said coldly, “Good. Now I don’t have to worry about killing you with a single punch.”
Mingyan sighed. Every time he met this foolish bird, it was nothing but trouble. “If you must fight, then let’s do it.”
Being provoked by him repeatedly, Mingyan was also angered.
Bei Ming Ni sneered and was about to say something when his face suddenly stiffened. His expression turned grim. He said something to Ning Feixuan, then turned and left.
“Someone sent him a mental message?” Huang Feiyan noticed the change and was curious.
She didn’t have a good impression of him and wouldn’t mind seeing Mingyan trample him.
“It was probably Jade Peony,” Ning Feixuan said softly.
Mingyan scanned the surroundings but didn’t see her.
If it was her, then for Bei Ming Ni to listen to her so readily, he must be afraid of her.
The four of them sat down and heard people discussing the Supreme Dao Hall, which led to the topic of the dark era.
“With the Empress reigning, there’s nothing to worry about. It’ll be like the previous times. It’s not like you or I will be the ones to die,” someone said, raising their cup and smiling.
“You heartless fool. In a dark era, everyone is in danger. Everyone should stand up and fight the invaders,” someone else cursed.
The first person’s face turned livid, but no one would speak up for him. Although some might have thought the same, few would say it out loud.
“This dark era is very different. We must be fully prepared,” Ning Feixuan said, her voice gentle and soothing.
“Yaochi Holy Maiden?” someone recognized her. “Does the Holy Maiden know what the Empress will say at the Peach Banquet in a year?”
Ning Feixuan shook her head. “The Empress hasn’t revealed anything. If you’re curious, you can go to Yaochi in a year. The Empress will surely appear then.”
There were already some clues about this dark era.
There were too many differences. For example, the appearance of the Supreme Dao Hall. It usually only appeared ten thousand years after a Great Emperor’s demise, but this time, it had appeared while Great Empress Qingzi was still young. This made many people uneasy.
Did this mean the current Great Empress would die in battle?
If even the Empress died, then they…
Although many special constitutions had appeared in this era, it was uncertain if they could rise to prominence before the dark era.
If the Empress died in battle, then they could only hope that these special constitutions could grow to the point where they could fight the Emperor-level invaders from the outer realms.
“I heard the Huang family’s Phoenix Blood Pool has dried up. Does that mean the Huang family will have to take in a son-in-law?” someone suddenly brought up the Huang family, smiling.
Huang Feiyan’s brow furrowed. She looked at the person. “It’s because of people like you that such rumors spread.”
“Rumors? Are they really just rumors?” The man, dressed in fine clothes, his face handsome, smiled. “Eldest Miss of the Huang family, you seem to be the last Huang family woman born, right? After you, the Huang family seems to have had no new births.”
Yue Qingying explained to Mingyan, “This person is the Holy Son of the Xing Ming Sacred Land. The Xing Ming Sacred Land is near the Sheng Yuan Dynasty and has had conflicts with the Huang family in the past. One of their Holy Sons died at the hands of the Huang family.”
Mingyan nodded.
“The Huang family once went a hundred years without a birth,” Huang Feiyan said coldly. “At that time, there were also rumors that the Phoenix Blood Pool had dried up and the Huang family’s lineage was about to end. But now, it seems those were just rumors.”
The Xing Ming Holy Son chuckled. “I hope that’s the case. Otherwise, the women of the Huang family, who have always prided themselves on their purity… Marrying in would be one thing, but to become someone’s private pet… If it’s true, I wouldn’t mind lending a hand and creating some descendants for the Huang family… Hearing the women of the Huang family call me ‘Daddy’ wouldn’t be so bad. Why don’t you start by calling me ‘Daddy’, Eldest Miss?”
“I think you’re looking for death!” Huang Feiyan said, her voice icy.
Ning Feixuan also frowned, her beautiful eyes staring at the Xing Ming Holy Son coldly.
Yue Qingying’s lips curved upwards. She wore a veil, so no one knew she was sneering.
Mingyan said, “Why don’t you come closer and say that to my face?”
Since his Sacred Land had a grudge with the Huang family, he was clearly trying to humiliate them.
Mingyan had a debt of gratitude to the Huang family, and they had been very good to him. His temptress sister’s care was something he would always remember. Someone daring to insult the Huang family, he naturally wouldn’t stand by and watch.
The Xing Ming Holy Son chuckled and actually walked up to him, looking at him with contempt. “You’ve come to my face. What can you do to me?”
Mingyan raised his hand and slapped him across the face. The Xing Ming Holy Son was sent flying, crashing into a stone pillar. The pillar glowed, a formation appearing, and remained undamaged.
The Xing Ming Holy Son coughed up blood. He got up, clutching his face, and looked at Mingyan with shock and anger. He hadn’t expected him to actually attack. “You dare to hit me?!”
He hadn’t expected Mingyan to be so bold, or so fast. He could see Mingyan’s cultivation was only at the early Qi Sea Realm, while he was at the peak of the Qi Sea Realm. He had thought that even if Mingyan attacked, he wouldn’t be able to do anything. But before he could even see him move, he had been slapped and sent flying.
Ning Feixuan was also surprised. She hadn’t expected him to be so decisive. A faint smile appeared on her lips.
Mingyan was speechless. What did this guy expect? He had walked right up to him. If he didn’t hit him, wouldn’t he be wasting his efforts?
