Chapter 855 – Worship and Celebration
When the envoys' eyes, many of which remained fixedly on Ye Qingyu and Yu Xiaoxing, saw that the two Heaven Wasteland leaders' expressions were not at all grave and even revealed smiles, they lit up almost immediately.
Have we passed?
They made guesses internally.
However, because of the tremendous importance of this outcome, they did not dare jump to conclusions.
The tension of this moment was such that nobody dared to believe their own judgments.
They would only believe the outcome announced personally by Her Highness and Lord Ye Qingyu.
Outside of the crowd's attention, Qin Hui and her son quietly followed the white-robed divine guard, Xiao Lin, and deplaned. They stood behind the duo, with Tian Ning tightly holding on to his mother's hand as his dark and large eyes curiously peered at the crowd on the square.
Ye Qingyu was in no hurry to announce what had already been established.
Turning his body to express his thanks to the white-robed divine guards who escorted him, he said, "My brothers, sorry for troubling you to make this trip. Thank you so much for sending us back."
"You're welcome. Commander Lin instructed us to take good care of you all, and I'm glad we managed to do just that. Now that our mission is complete, we shall head back to report." The divine guards saluted respectfully at Ye Qingyu and then turned to board the airship.
Subsequently, the airship rose slowly into the air and disappeared into the rosy clouds in the direction of the congress divine temple.
After the Alliance's airship left, the Green Xuan Hall suddenly became quiet.
For some time, the rippling sounds from the waterside pavilions on both sides of the courtyard became especially clear and melodious.
Everyone stood quietly on the spot, seemingly holding their breaths as they nervously gazed at Empress Yu Xiaoxing.
"Everyone, we passed the grading." The empress announced as she looked around at the crowd and smiled. At this time, she did not hold back the outcome which concerned the fate of the Heaven Wasteland Domain any further.
Boom!
The crowd instantly erupted into thunderous cheers.
Some people shouted ecstatically, some cried tears of joy, some hugged and bawled together, some sang the Heaven Wasteland folk songs aloud, while even more people tightly held on to the relics of those perished warriors, with tears covering their entire faces…
"Wonderful! Just wonderful!"
"We've passed the grading! Our domain is safe!"
"Haha, the storm is finally over! All of our suffering has paid off!"
"Haha, I long knew that we'd definitely pass the grading and have already made preparations for this. Your Highness and Lord Ye Qingyu, I took it upon myself to arrange a celebration banquet for tonight. We must certainly celebrate all we can!"
"Haha… time to get drunk for three days and three nights. What a torture this period of time has been!"
Many people were so excited that they acted unrestrainedly.
Watching the crowd and seeing that many people had forgotten themselves, Yu Xiaoxing simply remained silent.
…
For a period of time subsequently.
The entire Green Xuan Hall was in a state of fanatical joy.
Seeing that every envoy was excited like never before, Yu Xiaoxing's mood surged high as well, and her eyes became slightly moist.
By her side, Ye Qingyu seemed to vividly feel the joy of the crowd and exhibited the biggest smile he had made since the grading.
Having finally removed a huge rock that had been weighing down on his heart, he could breathe a little easier.
To one side.
"Mama, these uncles are so weird. Why are they roaring and cheering yet shedding tears at the same time?" Standing among the crowd, Tian Ning looked at his mother puzzledly.
When Qin Hui looked all around, she seemed to be infected by the mood, with a hint of excitement flashing across her eyegrounds. As she gently caressed Ning'er's hair, she said, "That's because these uncles have achieved something very noble and difficult, and are simply too excited and happy."
"Oh… Fairy elder sister and elder brother Ye Qingyu, congratulations!" Although Tian Ning did not understand what his mother meant, he could tell that this was a joyous occasion worth celebrating.
"Ning'er, you're such a good boy." Yu Xiaoxing smiled and nodded.
Ye Qingyu took a look at Ning'er, whose hair was somewhat messy and clothes were heavily wrinkled, while on his chubby little face remained some juice from the divine fruits.
As for his mother Qin Hui, although her clothes were neat and clean, her expression betrayed her exhaustion and fluster.
"Luo Yi." After thinking for a moment, Ye Qingyu summoned his personal bodyguard.
"My lord!"
When Luo Yi, who was cheering among the crowd, heard the summon, he immediately ran over, with his eyes still containing an irrepressible excitement.
"Go and arrange a place for Swordswoman Qin and her son to stay and also prepare all daily necessities. Make sure to be attentive to them," Ye Qingyu instructed.
"Yes, my lord, don't worry," Luo Yi respectfully replied.
After a brief revelry on the square of the Green Xuan Hall, Ye Qingyu was first to head back to his accommodation to rest.
After making simple personnel arrangements for the nighttime celebration banquet, Empress Yu Xiaoxing gathered a few messengers and swiftly dispatched them to send news of the grading back to the Heaven Wasteland Domain.
Meanwhile, Luo Yi brought Qin Hui and her son to the female quarters at the eastern side of the Green Xuan Hall.
That night.
The moon shone brightly over the Green Xuan Hall as if it had also received an invitation.
On the northwestern side of the Green Xuan Hall was a palace named [Azure Sky Pavilion], which could accommodate several thousand people to dine.
This palace was made of a jade-like blue rock which was cool and moist. Its four walls were engraved with myriad motifs which were as vivid and smooth as drifting clouds, appearing exquisite and magnificent.
At present, the [Azure Sky Pavilion] was decorated with countless festoons and bright lanterns of all kinds of shapes which resembled blooming, fiery flowers.
The middle of the palace was already neatly arranged with hundreds of large round tables, on which were spread out many varieties of delicacies and good wine.
Several dozen logistics personnel and maids were shuttling busily throughout the hall, every one of them wearing a jubilant and cheerful expression on their faces.
A large altar of ten meters in length was placed at the front of the large hall. It had a black tablecloth as its base, covered by a white-and-silver-striped table runner, while various tributes and treasures were neatly arranged on both sides.
As time flew by, the envoys slowly arrived from different directions and gathered in the [Azure Sky Pavilion]. Every one of their faces had on a joyful smile.
Less than an hour later.
Completely devoid of empty seats, the hall was bustling and boisterous.
"Her Highness and Lord Ye Qingyu have arrived!" someone suddenly shouted from among the crowd.
Everyone turned their heads and saw Empress Yu Xiaoxing and War God Ye Qingyu walking into the [Azure Sky Pavilion] together.
Because this was a celebration banquet exclusive to the envoy mission, both of them were dressed casually and ordinarily.
The empress was wearing a light-yellow palace dress while her hair, which was tied in a bun, was only adorned by a simple golden ornament. Ye Qingyu, meanwhile, was wearing a white brocade robe, while his black hair was gently tied behind him.
"Greetings, Your Highness! Greetings, Lord Ye Qingyu!" The crowd stood up and saluted.
Yu Xiaoxing's expression, not quite as dignified as it used to be, carried a faint smile. "This is a celebration banquet and so there's no need to be polite."
"Your Highness and my lord, everything has been prepared," Luo Yi came forth to report.
Nodding, Ye Qingyu looked at Yu Xiaoxing, saying, "Then let's begin."
Thereafter, the duo walked toward the altar together.
In keeping with the Heaven Wasteland Domain's customs, the martyrs who had died on the grading journey must be honored before the celebration banquet could officially begin.
"Left Minister Qu Hanshan, Brute Race warrior Shi Potian, Jin Tuodao, Logistics Minister…" Holding a top-grade joss stick in his hands and maintaining a solemn and respectful expression, Ye Qingyu read out the names of the martyrs one by one, sincerely acknowledging their sacrifices.
Beside him, Yu Xiaoxing was similarly holding a top-grade joss stick and maintaining a solemn expression.
Below the altar, the near-thousand envoys, too, could not be any more attentive and solemn. As they gazed in the direction which the smoke drifted, they seemed to be inwardly telling those fallen heroes about the good news that was passing the grading.
It took roughly an hour before the ceremony concluded.
When Yu Xiaoxing and Ye Qingyu sat down on the seats of honor, the celebration banquet officially began.
Breaking into cheers once more, the crowd dropped the woes in their hearts and returned to a lively and excited state.
The large hall of the [Azure Sky Pavilion] again became a bustling scene.
At this moment, on the corridor in front of the large hall.
Bringing Ning'er along, Qin Hui stood far away in the shadows as she watched the toasting of glasses in the large hall, sniffed the fragrance of the wine, and heard the songs and laughter that pervaded the banquet. She could not help feeling sentimental and seemed to slip into memories of the past.
Not too long ago, the atmosphere in the Ancient Sky Dragon Sect was as united and vigorous as the Heaven Wasteland Domain was currently.
Unfortunately, that all could not last…
It was only when she came to the Green Xuan Hall that Qin Hui found out about Ye Qingyu's and Yu Xiaoxing's real identities.
She had heard stories about the [Ice Sword Killing God] and Lunatic Ye in the course of fleeing. However, she completely did not expect that this amiable, handsome, and gentle youth would actually be the bloodthirsty Killing God who was said to kill people like flies. After understanding everything about this, she became much more relaxed about her and her son's safety. Certainly, having obtained the protection of the [Ice Sword Killing God], they did not have to be afraid of the rebels from the Ancient Sky Dragon Sect.
It's just that…
Sighing lightly, Qin Hui remained a tad worried.
After all, Ye Qingyu had only just made a name for himself on the Road of Chaos, and was not from an upper domain or one of those super large forces, instead coming from a newborn lower domain. As strong as he was individually, his power was ultimately lacking.
Subsequently, however, she thought from a different perspective. Although she and her son had encountered a tragic disaster, the heavens took pity on them and allowed them to meet Ye Qingyu, and as a result, they were able to survive safely, and even had a temporary place to stay in.
She dared not predict what she would face next.
The final hope for the mother and son pair to survive had been entrusted to Ye Qingyu.
"Never thought you two would be here. Why not you enter the banquet and grab a bite? I've been finding you on Lord Ye Qingyu's behalf for some time." Luo Yi suddenly spotted Qin Hui and her son on the corridor and walked up to them.
