Chapter 109: Lin Yueyao

Bai Qiu’s words immediately made Ye Futian the center of attention. Even though, the two young men were the same, they both came in hopes of attending the Fenghua Banquet. However, despite this, many people only signed up to attend the banquet for the experience. How many people could actually display outstanding skills?

The Cangye Kingdom had no shortage of genius cultivators and now, they were all gathered here in the imperial city, the City of Cangye. But in the end, only ten people would be chosen by the emperor to be on the Fenghua Rank.

Bai Qiu of the Qin Clan, Zuo Qianfan and Yu Jiang of the Cangye College, the incredibly skilled Young Lord Ye Wuchen from the Ye Palace, the Hua family’s daughter, and Yun Di of the Demon Clan. These people were the ones who would stand out the most at the Fenghua Banquet.

Of course, Cangye Kingdom’s number one beauty could not be forgotten. She was known as the one of peerless beauty.

Because of this when Bai Qiu asked Ye Futian to be his musical attendant, no one thought of it as demeaning. As the Cangye Kingdom’s most outstanding young man, Bai Qiu was destined for a bright future. Even his musical attendant would have a chance to be a big shot in the future. This was an opportunity not everyone had. To offer Ye Futian such a position, it was evident that Bai Qiu was impressed by his gifts.

Even Cen Xia looked at Ye Futian in surprise. Ye Futian and his friends were all Seven-Starred Glory Plane cultivators. They came to sign up for the Fenghua Banquet and each showed their impeccable gifts. If Ye Futian was able to follow Bai Qiu into the Qin Clan, it would only do him good.

However, standing beside Cen Xia, Yu Sheng and Hua Jieyu did not think this way. They stared at Bai Qiu, shocked. To them, who knew Ye Futian, Bai Qiu’s words were nothing but a joke. He wanted Ye Futian to be his musical attendant?

“Where did he get that confidence from?” Yu Sheng could not help himself.

Cen Xia glanced at Yu Sheng but did not say anything.

On the battle platform, Ye Futian was taken aback. Cen Xia had said that Bai Qiu was a prodigy from the Qin Clan, a Dharma Plane Musical Sorcerer. It was no wonder that he was so confident.

Since the Qin Clan is so well-known in the Cangye Kingdom, then their musical sorcery should not be any less inferior to that of Elder Qin, but this did not mean that he would be willing to join the clan. He had only signed up for the Fenghua Banquet as a musical sorcerer because of Elder Qin. He was not going to let the elder down. However, to become Bai Qiu’s music attendant… The meaning of these two words should be similar to that of a study attendant: a servant who takes care of others.

“I don’t have such a habit,” Ye Futian smiled at Bai Qiu and calmly answered.

“Your music is pure and you possess an extraordinary mindset but your music is still not perfect. It is obvious that you don’t have a good teacher. Why not try it out?” said Bai Qiu. His gaze was calm. In Bai Qiu’s opinion, if Ye Futian could cultivate under his guidance for a couple of years, he was bound to improve. This was his reason for extending such an offer.

“No need,” chuckled Ye Futian. As a prodigy from the Qin Clan, Bai Qiu was indeed exceptional. What Ye Futian played on the guqin was not any specific musical piece but something he came up with on the spot. So, of course, it was not perfect.

Bai Qiu did not say much else. To him, this was only a small episode before the Fenghua Banquet.

Many of the females present looked toward Bai Qiu and thought he was indeed a gentleman, just as the rumors had it.

Ye Futian returned to stand beside his friends. Just then, Cen Xia’s name was called. The trio was not in a rush to leave, so they decided to stay behind and watch Cen Xia’s performance. It was an interesting duel.

When Cen Xia stepped off the battle platform, Ye Futian gave her a compliment, “You’re very powerful.”

“You guys are not so bad yourselves,” smiled Cen Xia.

“All we have to do now is to show up outside of the imperial palace in three days to attend the Fenghua Banquet, correct?” asked Ye Futian.

“That’s right. In three days, everyone will gather for the banquet and the emperor will grace us with his presence,” nodded Cen Xia.

“See you in three days,” Ye Futian said his goodbye and left.

Watching them leave, Cen Xia smiled. Three days later, young cultivators from all over the kingdom would gather outside of the imperial palace. Even though Cen Xia had incredible gifts, she only wanted to participate in the banquet. She had no hopes of stealing the spotlight. Those three were mere Seven-Starred Glory Plane cultivators, so even if they had great gifts, they would only be heads in a crowd.

Ye Futian followed the main road out of the Cangye College campus. Along the way, many more young cultivators arrived. He knew well and clear those who had the courage to sign up for the Fenghua Banquet would not be too weak.

Stepping out of Cangye College, there were many elders waiting outside. They had come from all over the kingdom with their juniors. Even if the younger cultivators were unable to become the star of the banquet, it would be a once in a lifetime experience.

From the skies, a Black Wind Eagle headed down for landing and stopped in front of Ye Futian and his friends. The three of them stepped on to the eagle and the creature lifted them away. Just as they took off, many others did so as well. They were all headed in one direction. There, a group of figures was approaching. They all seemed to be surrounding a single person. That person seemed to steal everyone’s attention. Very quickly, the trio also had their attention stolen, looking over to the crowd in the skies.

Far away, a magnificent Purple Gold Roc soared through the sky. It was an Arcana Plane beast. Its entire body was enveloped in a purple golden light, its wings spread out wide, creating great winds every time it flapped its wings.

“Purple Gold Roc…” Ye Futian’s eyes sparkled. It was an extremely rare beast. The roc possessed powers of three elements: thunder and lightning, metal, and wind. The beast had great growth potential and fearsome speed as well as extremely powerful attack abilities. Rumors said that the Purple Gold Roc was a distant relative to the Golden Roc and had the blood of the Golden Roc running through its veins.

On the Purple Gold Roc stood a beautiful young woman. She had an alluring body and beautiful skin. A sweet scent radiated from her person, and her eyes were captivating. In addition to the red dot in between her eyebrows, drawn on with cinnabar, she was a beauty only seen in drawings.

“So beautiful. Who is she?” asked someone in the skies.

“Cangye Kingdom’s number one beauty, Lin Yueyao,” answered another, gaze never leaving the young woman.

Lin Yueyao, also known as the Cangye Kingdom’s number one beauty, was at the most beautiful age of 18.

“Such a beautiful girl,” Ye Futian complimented the nearing figure.

“Yeah, you like?” asked a voice beside him. Ye Futian turned his attention over to Hua Jieyu who was smiling at him.

“But she’s still nowhere as beautiful as my Fox.” Ye Futian smiled. Hua Jieyu glared at him shyly, feeling satisfied with his answer. Although, she had to admit the young woman was indeed very beautiful.

The Purple Gold Roc called as it approached. The figure on its back looked towards Ye Futian and as if she could hear what he had said, she smiled. It was as if her eyes could speak. One look was enough to get one’s heart beating. Fortunately, Ye Futian was used to this type of teasing from Hua Jieyu. Lin Yueyao’s look had no effect on him.

With countless eyes glued on her, Lin Yueyao landed and walked into Cangye College. Many people followed after her.

“I want that girl as my wife,” said a young man. Everyone around him looked at him as if he were an idiot. He wanted to chase Lin Yueyao? What a dreamer. Maybe if he got on the Fenghua Rank, Lin Yueyao would spare him a glance.

“Haven’t gotten enough?” Hua Jieyu laughed at Ye Futian whose gaze had followed Lin Yueyao.

“Fox, why don’t you remove the veil. I wonder what kinds of expressions they will make when they find out that my girlfriend is way more beautiful in comparison to their number one beauty.” Ye Futian smiled. Hua Jieyu gave him a light pinch but, on the inside, she was melting at his words. He was such a sweet-talker.

Standing behind the couple, Yu Sheng averted his gaze. Ye Futian was still the same, shameless.

The Black Wind Eagle flapped its wings and flew away.

Not long after, they arrived at a lodging nearby.

In a court within the lodging, Hua Fengliu was basking in the sun. Nandou Wenyin was with him. The two of them together was a beautiful sight.

“You guys came back so quickly. Did it go well?” asked Hua Fengliu.

“Yes. Now we just have to wait three days for the start of the Fenghua Banquet,” nodded Ye Futian. Hua Fengliu and Nandou Wenyin were not surprised. With Ye Futian, Hua Jieyu, and Yu Sheng’s gifts, any one of them would be able to make it past the preliminary round without any problems.

“Master, Masteress, doesn’t it feel like we’re a family out on vacation? Parents, daughter, and son-in-law,” smiled Ye Futian.

Hua Fengliu laughed. It actually did feel that way.

“Then what am I?” just then, Tang Lan appeared and asked coldly.

Ye Futian stood frozen. “Uhm…”

“A concubine?” Tang Lan asked Ye Futian.

“Uh…” Ye Futian did not know what to say. Beside him, Yu Sheng threw him a look of pity, and walked over to Yi Qingxuan. There was no right answer to her question.

“Tang Lan, if you’re willing, I don’t mind,” said Nandou Wenyin. Ye Futian blinked. Nandou Wenyin was actually willing to agree to it?

Ye Futian looked at Hua Fengliu and thought, Master’s charisma is so much stronger than mine.

“Do you really think that’s what I’m after?” Tang Lan asked in a cold demeanor.

Hua Fengliu coughed and glared at Ye Futian.

Ye Futian chuckled and looked at Hua Jieyu. She smiled and asked him, “If I also don’t mind you taking a concubine, would you want to?”

“No, I only like you,” answered Ye Futian. He wasn’t stupid. If he had said yes, that would be the end of him.

“Hmph.” Hua Jieyu smiled lightly. “That’s more like it.”

Hua Fengliu and Nandou Wenyin watched the young couple as they bickered, and a soft smile spread across their faces. After all that had happened in the City of Donghai, they knew how difficult it was for Ye Futian and Hua Jieyu to be together. As parents, they only wished that the young couple could continue to stay by each other’s side.

“Alright, go cultivate now. The Fenghua Banquet is only three days away. It will be gathering of the best of the best in all of the Cangye Kingdom. It won’t be like how it was at Donghai Academy,” said Hua Fengliu. Donghai Academy was only a prefecture academy in the Nandou Nation.

“Okay,” Ye Futian nodded his head lightly. Naturally, he also understood that even though both his natural gifts and combat skills were very strong, amongst the people attending the Fenghua Banquet, there would be many Dharma Plane cultivators. He had to go above and beyond to get the emperor’s attention. It was his only way of getting on the Fenghua Rank!

Chapter 110: Fenghua Banquet

Three days later, early morning.

Ye Futian was practicing a fist form in the courtyard of the inn. His moves were slow, each punch seeming to contain an intriguing charm. His blood was bubbling through his body. One could faintly hear the rumbles, and amongst the rumbling blood, strands of the emperor’s mark lit up. It transformed into an air current of the emperor, making his every move contain the emperor’s intent.

Currently, he was cultivating a set of methods. It was the one given to him by the emperor’s will when he was forced into desperation that day. Ye Futian didn’t know who created this set of methods or what it was called. Therefore, he named it himself—Imperial Tactics.

It was a cliché name but very suitable. When he used this method, his blood would change and spread to every part of his body. It even affected his aura, making him imperial.

In addition, every time he practiced this set, he would achieve something. Cultivating with Emperor Ye Qing’s enhancement method, he could continuously strengthen his body. Even if he didn’t use any spells, he would still be an extremely talented warrior.

After training for a bit longer, Ye Futian stopped and looked at the sky.

“When do you plan on setting out?” Tang Lan walked over and asked him.

“I’m going now. Aunt Tang, are you all going?” Ye Futian asked.

“I’m not interested but your master wants to go. If I’m free, I’ll go too,” Tang Lan said indifferently. Ye Futian smiled without saying anything. This was how Tang Lan was.

“Then I’ll call Master and Masteress to get going,” Ye Futian said. After a short while, they grouped in the courtyard. Then they got onto the demon, soared into the sky, and left the inn. At the same time of their departure, demons and figures all over Cangye City shot into the sky. They were all going toward the same place—the palace. It seemed that all of the strong ones in the Imperial City were in the sky at once. It was a shocking sight.

As Ye Futian’s group continued advancing, they could vaguely see the various glamorous buildings. It was the palace of Cangye Kingdom. They continued, getting closer and closer to the palace. Many others were around them and they all looked excited.

“Is this the Fenghua Banquet? All the young talents of the kingdom are gathered here.”

“I will definitely display my skills at the banquet and have the emperor notice me.”

“I wonder how powerful the talents of the Imperial City are like. I really anticipate it.”

Voices streamed from all directions. Countless people came, some from the Imperial City, others from the various cities of the Cangye Kingdom. They were all the cream of the crop. Otherwise, they wouldn’t travel thousands of miles to attend the Fenghua Banquet.

Ye Futian followed the huge crowd forward. The Fenghua Platform outside the palace was already in view. This was where the Fenghua Banquet would be held.

At this time, a line of figures clad in white floated across the air. They were so handsome.

“It’s the Qin Clan. Bai Qiu is there.” Many looked over at the Qin Clan. They had to see Bai Qiu, who was the most popular contender for the Fenghua Rank in the Imperial City.

“The powerful ones of the Demon Clan are also here.” Many others looked to the back. There, they saw countless demons striding forward. In the center of the crowd was a youth. He was not yet seventeen-years-old but his face was filled with arrogance and aggressiveness. This was Yun Di, the most talented of the Demon Clan’s younger generation.

“Lin Yueyao.” At this time, a Purple Gold Roc flew past with a beautiful figure atop it, attracting many gazes instantly. She was extremely talented and was also known as the number one beauty of the Cangye Kingdom. Probably no one was as attractive as her. Even Bai Qiu of the Qin Clan and many members of the Demon Clan couldn’t help but look over at Lin Yueyao.

Hua Fengliu and the others observed quietly. At the moment, Ye Futian, Hua Jieyu, and Yu Sheng were not eye-catching. No one noticed them but Hua Fengliu knew that at the end of the banquet, they would shine the brightest. They would overwhelm the pride of the Cangye City.

Finally, they arrived at the Fenghua Platform. Many guards stood around the majestic platform, keeping the order.

This battle platform had a long history. It was where the emperor commanded the generals. It was also where the emperor tested the princes and officials.

The emperor’s royal seat was at an extremely high place directly before the Fenghua Platform. It was very majestic. Nobody who came, whether it be those who rode demons or flew on their swords, dared to be higher than that position. It was where the emperor sat. Who dared to be higher than the emperor?

Only the nobles and the most powerful talents of Cangye City were qualified to sit on either side of the royal seat. They had to be personally given the ability by the emperor to observe the Fenghua Banquet with him.

There were many outstanding men close to the royal seat. One of them was a youth. He gazed at the swarming crowd around the Fenghua Platform. His cool gaze had a slight tinge of arrogance. Many attendees saw him too.

“Is that the young lord Ye Wuchen?” many people murmured.

Ye Wuchen was one of the most popular contenders for this year’s Fenghua Banquet. He had already entered the second level of the Dharma Plane. It was difficult to find an opponent for him under the age of 20.

“Wuchen, you are a lord but you still must display your strongest abilities today. His Majesty will not help you cheat,” His father Lord Ye said beside him.

“I must win,” Ye Wuchen said.

“Very resolute.” Lord Ye smiled and nodded.

As more and more people arrived, the sky and ground were all filled with people. The Fenghua Banquet was the most important banquet of the Cangye Kingdom. The entire kingdom paid attention to it. The skies outside the palace were not off limits on this day so more people would witness the banquet.

The sun rose and sunlight shone down, falling onto the royal seat. A line of carriages rode out from the palace. The emperor and empress sat in the center. Everyone stared as soon as they appeared.

All the nobles besides the royal seat stood up. The figures sitting on their demons in the sky stood up too. They all looked in the direction of the carriage.

The emperor, empress, princes, and princesses descended from the carriage and walked forward. The emperor sat in the royal seat; the empress, princes, and princesses sat behind him.

“Greetings, Your Majesty and Your Highness,” the nobles all rose and greeted with a bow. After that, everyone else bowed down as well. The sound seemed to shake the world and was extremely spectacular.

The emperor of Cangye Kingdom seemed to be around thirty years old. He was not handsome but he had the aura of an emperor. Even when he smiled, he still looked distinguished. The empress was extremely beautiful. She was dressed glamorously but looked composed. She seemed to be around 25-years-old but was much older than that. Her looks were comparable to Nandou Wenyin.

The emperor smiled and waved at everyone. “Today is the Fenghua Banquet. The stars are the young talents of our Cangye Kingdom. There is no need for the formalities. Let us be relaxed.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” The people bowed once more. When the emperor took his seat, the others sat down as well.

“The Fenghua Banquet is where all the pride of the younger generation is gathered. Here, I hope everyone will forget their concerns. No matter who you are, please display your skills to the fullest. I hope to see the most brilliant of the younger generation. If anyone runs into trouble in the Imperial City due to their performance here, I will execute the culprit, even if he is a noble or a clan.”

The emperor spoke coolly but his words were powerful. There would definitely be many who would display extraordinary talents at the Fenghua Banquet. There would also definitely be those who earn hatred due to defeating a genius of a clan. Similarly, others would be invited to join a group because of their amazing ability but reject the invitation, resulting in some consequences. The emperor could not tolerate these. This was the banquet he held personally. Anyone who dared to make trouble would be offending the emperor and must be punished accordingly.

All the people from outside the Imperial City were reassured by these words. They could display their talents to their fullest at the Fenghua Banquet without any concern. The emperor was supporting them.

“In addition, I will name ten people for the Fenghua Rank. All will be rewarded. The top three can request something from me. Unless it is too harsh, I will fulfill your wishes,” the emperor continued. Then he laughed and said, “If you like any of the princes or princesses and wish to marry them, I might agree.”

With that, all the nobles laughed. Many looked to the princes and princesses beside the emperor. They were all extraordinary figures, especially the two beautiful princesses. Many felt ready to try. Maybe they really could become the princess’s husband. But remembering that only the top three of the Fenghua Rank were qualified, they could only smile bitterly. Indeed, those who could enter the top three were the best of the best. The emperor would not lose anything if they could marry the princesses.

“Should I try marrying a princess?” Ye Futian looked at a princess. She was so beautiful.

“Even if I don’t make top three, I can still marry a prince, right?” Hua Jieyu grinned at Ye Futian.

“I’m joking.” Ye Futian surrendered immediately. Even without looking at her talent, Hua Jieyu was more beautiful than the number one beauty of Cangye Kingdom. There was no competition.

“Alright, those attending the Fenghua Banquet, please step forward. Everyone else, please step back. Prepare to start,” the emperor said. Ye Futian, Hua Jieyu, and Yu Sheng quickly got onto the Black Wind Eagle and went forward. Every other attendee also approached the Fenghua Platform. The others retreated, making a clear division.

The Fenghua Banquet was about to start!