At the Domain Chief’s Manor, it was a scene of total prosperity; it was the most prosperous the Donghua Domain had been in 50 years. All the major figures of the Donghua Domain were here, with many emperors in attendance. Those whose cultivation was lower than the Renhuang Realm could only observe the ceremony from below.
The chief looked at the Donghua Palace cultivators and said, “Everyone, please take a seat wherever you please.”
Everyone nodded as they found a seat and sat down. The seats in the Donghua Palace were not distinguished by rank; otherwise, it would be difficult to arrange.
“Ning Hua, go down and take care of our guests,” the Chief said to Ning Hua, who was behind him.
“You go as well,” Taihua Skylord said to Taihua Goddess, who was next to him. With the vice chief mingling with all the top figures, it would be inappropriate for his daughter, the Taihua Goddess, to stay here. Even if the others said nothing, it was better to follow the protocols.
Ning Hua nodded as he walked down next to Taihua Goddess and said, “Goddess, please.”
“Thank you,” Taihua Goddess nodded and followed Ning Hua. They walked to a platform under the stairs outside of Donghua Palace, where Ye Futian and the others were seated. At this moment, everyone’s eyes focused on Ning Hua and Taihua Goddess, looking at these two peerless figures.
Both of them were extremely well-known in the Donghua Domain, especially Ning Hua. Although not many people had seen him before, his name was known throughout the domain. Likewise, Taihua Goddess enjoyed fame by reputation. Now that everyone saw the two standing together, they saw that they were a match made in heaven. If they could become path companions, it would be a great story for posterity.
“Goddess, please take a seat,” Ning Hua said as Taihua Goddess found a seat to sit down. Unlike the attendees, she was by herself. After all, Taihua Mountain was not a principality but just a place where her father happened to conduct his cultivation. In a way, it was similar to Turtle Deity Island as a place where Emperor Xi chose to cultivate. This time, her father brought her along for the occasion.
Ning Hua walked to the area where the cultivators of Donghua Academy were and sat down. He did not call attention to his own status by sitting in the high seat by himself. This was a detail that did not go unnoticed. Obviously, even in the Domain Chief’s Manor, Ning Hua still regarded himself as a disciple of the academy rather than the vice chief. This was something that only increased approval from those in the academy.
“It is a pleasure every time I see the vice chief, who might be more accomplished than his father in the future,” the palace lord of Lingxiao Palace commented with a smile. The Chief might not be so pleased if it were any other else, but it was high praise for his son to be more accomplished than him.
“I do have such expectations, but it all depends on him.” The Chief smiled and said, “Enough about him. Today is the first time everyone in the Donghua Domain had the good fortune to meet the treasured pearl of Taihua Skylord. I myself am quite amazed. I am envious of Taihua Skylord for having such a wonderful daughter.”
“Chief is most generous.”
Several people in Donghua Palace laughed. It was natural for cultivators to wish for their descendants to inherit their craft.
“Since the Great Emperor unified the Divine Prefecture, there have been more and more outstanding cultivators over the years. In another hundred years, maybe these youngsters will be able to replace us,” the Chief said while looking at those seated below the stairs. Many people nodded in agreement. Emperor Xi said, “Indeed, in the hundreds of years after the unification of Divine Prefecture, there have been many changes. In the future, more cultivators will inevitably spring up, and old guys like us will have to retire. But I am looking forward to the next era of prosperity.”
Everyone looked at the group below and saw that the eyes of Thunder Punishing Skylord fell on Ye Futian as he nodded at him with a smile.
When Ye Futian saw Thunder Punishing Skylord nodded to him, he felt compelled to get up. He bowed slightly to him. A Skylord who was showed such friendliness deserved to be treated according to regular etiquette. Last time at Turtle Deity Island, it was also Thunder Punishing Skylord who told him what Ling He had done. At the edge of the cliff, Thunder Punishing Skylord showed him that he had a good impression of Ye Futian. Such a character would never be motivated by anything other than pure appreciation. Ye Futian understood this very well.
Emperor Xi’s gaze also stayed on Ye Futian for a moment before moving away. Obviously, he remembered Ye Futian. In the battle of Turtle Deity Island, Ye Futian had demonstrated his powerful strength.
Around the Nine Heavens, countless people focused their attentions on him, Emperor Xi, who had survived the first major divine tribulation. There were rumors that his current strength may be comparable to that of the chief and that he was one of the most powerful people in the Donghua Domain today. It was even possible that he might be the stronger of the two between him and the chief.
It was rumored that when he experienced the divine tribulation, the Divine Ocean Continent was swept through by the divine tribulation, causing the waves to be swallowed back so that even the entire continent itself was shaken up and affected by it.
However, at this moment, even though his temperament was outstanding, he appeared very easy-going and made those around him feel at ease. Unfortunately, Emperor Xi was not accepting disciples right now. Only if they could be accepted under his tutelage… Many Renhuang had the same thought.
Anyone who could become a disciple of Emperor Xi would probably become a powerful figure in the Donghua Domain.
At this time, the chief looked down below at the Nine Heavens and the cultivators beneath the Domain Chief’s Manor. He smiled and said, “Today, we host Donghua Banquet at the Domain Chief’s Manor, and we are so glad that everyone can attend and observe the ceremony. 50 years have passed since the festivities last time in the Donghua Domain. Over the years, the cultivation world of the Donghua Domain has become stronger, so I want to take this opportunity to get together with my old friends, have a drink, and catch up. Then, I want to see the state of cultivation in the Donghua Domain and see how many excellent characters have come into existence. Lastly, there is the matter concerning the Domain Chief’s Manor. Over the years, quite a few cultivators have left the Manor, so there is a need to recruit another group of people to enter the Manor for cultivation. This is a great opportunity for selecting a group of Renhuang to enter the Domain Chief’s Manor.”
In the Nine Heavens, many cultivators in Renhuang Realm were thoughtful when they heard what the Chief had to say. They had guessed that the Domain Chief’s Manor would be accepting disciples and was the purpose for so many Renhuang cultivators being at the banquet.
Strictly speaking, the Domain Chief’s Manor was considered a force in and of itself, and a top-notch force at that, as it was backed by the Great Emperor. Anyone who could enter the Domain Chief’s Manor to cultivate would experience a completely different world.
Of course, they would also be sent on some missions.
“More than 300 years have passed since the Great Emperor unified the Divine Prefecture. Over the past 300 years, the Great Emperor has brought a renaissance of martial arts and command the world’s cultivators to preach in Divine Prefecture, so everyone has the opportunity to cultivate. The Divine Prefecture has emerged from an era of chaos, and order has been restored. As it is getting stronger, many superior cultivators emerged, such as Emperor Xi, who had crossed the divine tribulations. Or like Thunder Punishing Skylord, who broke through the realm and proved the way. Perhaps because of the time factor, there are still very few top figures existing amongst us. 300 years is not a short period of time, but neither is it a long one to us cultivators. Therefore, I hope that in the future, the Divine Prefecture will be able to produce more powerful cultivators and give birth to extraordinary individuals with the emergence of more peak forces, such as the ancient royal families.”
The Chief continued to speak. Although his voice was not loud, it had spread across the boundless space so that everyone in the Domain Chief’s Manor could hear him clearly.
The chief of Domain Chief’s Manor was appointed by the Great Emperor himself, whose purpose was to execute the will of the Great Emperor. The Great Emperor had the desire to nurture martial arts to its fullest potential, and it was the duty of the chief to work hard and make it a reality.
Of course, all these words were just formality. It was expected for the chief, as the host of the Donghua Banquet, to clarify his position at a grand gathering like this. After all, whatever happened here could easily be known by the imperial palace.
“Here, I would like to drink to our cultivators of Donghua Domain.” At this moment, the Chief raised his glass and drank up. Countless cultivators cheered and shook the Nine Heavens.
The chief waved his hand, and everyone quieted down again. He continued, “All of you probably already know those around me, so I will forego the introduction, as they are all top cultivators from Donghua Domain. If you have the opportunity in the future, you may seek them for spiritual guidance and cultivation. Perhaps this banquet will provide such an opportunity.”
With that said, the Chief raised his cup to the powerful figures in Donghua Palace and said, “A toast to you all.”
Everyone raised their cups and said in unison, “Chief is too generous.”
With that, they drank the wine in their cups.
“Although some of you are not accepting disciples, the banquet has attracted every top figure in the Donghua Domain. If someone catches your eyes, why not accept them? Perhaps not as disciples, but to cultivate under your tutelage. Domain Chief’s Manor will not be competing with you,” the chief said with a smile.
His words tempted many Renhuang. This time, not only did they have the opportunity to enter the Domain Chief’s Manor, but they may even have the opportunity to follow these powerful people in cultivation?
“Sure, if I have cultivators that I like, I will definitely invite them to cultivate in Lingxiao Palace as long as they are not vying to enter the Domain Chief’s Manor,” the lord of Lingxiao Palace said with a smile. Lingxiao Palace and the Domain Chief’s Manor were both located in the Donghua Heavens. And judging from his demeanor and speech, the palace lord of Lingxiao Palace had a good rapport with the Domain Chief’s Manor and favored the chief.
“Being able to follow all of you in cultivation is much better than coming to the Domain Chief’s Manor,” the Chief said with a smile.
“If there are suitable candidates, the Fluttering Snow Palace would be willing to recruit them as well,” the Sword Goddess also joined in. However, it would require an extremely excellent candidate to meet her high standards and requirements.
After that, many expressed their agreement to such suggestions, which pleased the Chief. He said, “Every one of you has heard that this banquet. It is a huge opportunity. Don’t miss it.”
