"That was scary."

Li Ming could not help but mutter as she let out a deep breath.

Her eyes followed Elder Quinying's figure as the latter returned to her seat beside her brother.

Wen Guiying looked at her with a soft smile on his lips but she barely had the energy to return that smile.

"How can this be scary? Sister Quinying is so polite and full of warmth. Then why are you looking like you escaped a death warrant?"

Zhang Yong actually dared to look genuinely confused as he asked the question.

Li Ming turned her attention towards the Shadow Lord as she replied, "Easy for you to say. It's not like you are the one meeting my family. I would have loved to ask the same question if it's the other way around."

A horrified look appeared on Zhang Yong's face as he imagined meeting the late Thunder Immortal as his daughter's bondmate.

"Alright! I kind of get it why you are so nervous about meeting the Great Empress Dowager of the Heaven Realm." Zhang Yong was quick to change his view and words.

Li Ming just shook her head at his words but decided to not comment.

She was in the middle of enjoying the rich taste of the wine that had been served when someone again reached her table to disturb her peace.

When she looked up to see who that person was, her eyes landed on the familiar figure of the man in white silk robes.

She stood up in order to stay polite as she waited for him to speak.

For a moment she thought that the young man appeared a little flustered as he rubbed his fingers together.

He was actually cute. Even appeared like someone who was either nineteen or twenty years old.

His cheeks were puffy and had a light pink touch to them due to the time that he had consumed.

She could tell that he was a high-level cultivator, properly just a few levels below her current cultivation level.

But even though his aura screamed power and strength, there was a hint of naiveness and innocence there too.

"Miss Li, I'm Gao Zhen from the Central Empire. It's a great honor of mine to finally meet you here at this banquet."

The young man finally spoke as he greeted her.

"Young Master Gao, the pleasure is mine. I have heard a lot about the Gao Clan that rules the Central Empire. Moreover, who doesn't know that Young Master Gao is a prodigy among the young generations?"

Li Ming very carefully returned the pleasantries with a soft smile on her lips.

Little did she knew that after seeing her beautiful smile and eyes full of life, the young man found his heart beating way too faster to be normal.

"Young Master Gao, are you alright?" Li Ming asked with a little confusion coating her voice as she looked at the dumbstruck expression of the young man.

"N-no! It's n-nothing. I was just not prepared for the praises. But looking at you, we are nothing. You have achieved such heights in such a small period. Especially when you have no one to support you. Your courage and strength are really impressive and worthy of every praise."

Li Ming just decided to accept his humble politeness, rather than starting a never-ending game of - 'You are better and No, you are better!'

She suddenly felt a chill running down her spine as she realized that she had become the focus of a few of the Immortals present in the hall.

She did not move her eyes away from the young man in front of her who was still going on about how much he respected her.

She already knew the identity of those who were currently staring at her and probably at the young man too with coldness.

Who else they could be other than her mates?

It took everything inside her to control the smile that was threatening to spill on her lips as she realized that her dear mates were jealous.

It was a new feeling but a great one. It was probably the first time when she found them jealous.

"Miss Li, when are you planning about visiting the Central Empire? It's really a great place. I'm sure you will enjoy your time there. I can personally show you around our city and you can stay at our Clan house. "

Young Master Gao looked at her with hopeful eyes.

Li Ming tried to think of a way to humbly decline the young man's offer when once again the guard standing behind the Empress Dowager pulled everyone's attention towards them.

"Since all of you are present here, I'll like to take advantage of this banquet to announce a few important matters."

The Empress Dowager said in a loud and powerful voice that traveled across the hall, bringing everyone's attention towards the said matters.

"The first important matter that I would like to bring to everyone's attention is the Ascension Ceremony of the new Thunder Immortal."

As soon as the Empress Dowager announced the first matter, the hall burst out into discussions.

Looked like no one was prepared to suddenly see someone taking over the empty position of the Thunder Immortal.

Li Ming had heard about all the Immortals who tried to grasp that position by going through the thunder trial.

However, no one succeeded in passing the trial and getting to the throne along with the Lightning Whip.

Until her!

She found her heart racing as the realization of what was happening dawned over her.

Her eyes landed on the woman who personally watched over her trial and was currently looking right back at her with prideful eyes.

"The Sacred Seven Elemental Deities Positions are the highest positions among the Immortals of the Heaven Realm, and it's also known that these positions are passed on to the next heirs of the previous holders unless there's no heir."

The Empress Dowager addressed and her eyes once again landed on Li Ming.

"Today, we have the sole heir of the late Thunder Immortal present in this banquet. She has successfully passed the Thunder Trial to earn the trust of Lightning Whip and position of the next Thunder Immortal."