Chapter 663: The Barren State’s Experts Gather

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

A Crouching Dragon Feast had been prepared on the Crouching Dragon Mountain and it was absolutely grand. Today, countless people had scaled the mountain to visit, including many of the Barren State’s elite factions. The White Cloud City and Zhuge Family’s alliance through marriage that had the Holy Zhi Palace’s involvement. Who in the Barren State would not give them some face? Moreover, the main character of today’s engagement was the Barren State’s most prominent person in the younger generation, Bai Luli.

“Taixuan Mountain has arrived to send its regards,” someone reported loudly at the foot of the mountain. Immediately, members from the Zhuge Family went forward to welcome them. Now, all the maidservants in the Crouching Dragon Mountain had been activated to welcome the guests from the peak of the mountain all the way to the bottom, it was a sight to behold.

“The Demon God Clan has arrived.”

“The Vermillion Bird Sect has arrived.”

“Mount Duantian has arrived to send its regards.”

“The Mortal World has arrived.”

“The Nantian House has arrived.”

“The Sovereign Family has arrived.”

“…”

Voice after voice continued to sound on Crouching Dragon Mountain. The entire Barren State had been alarmed because of this, it was even grander than the triennial Palace admission examination. Although the Palace’s admission examination was only once every three years, the elite influential figures would not appear during the admission examination. However, today was different; elite figures from all over the State had arrived.

“The Alchemy City’s Emperor Family has arrived.”

“The Sacred Fire Sect has arrived.”

“The Alchemy City Lord Office has arrived.” An even louder voice sounded out and the elite factions from the Barren State’s western region had arrived as well. The White Cloud City was one of the two strongest cities in the Barren State’s western region, so the other factions naturally had to respect it. Moreover, the Alchemy City Lord You Chi, who had not appeared at such events for a very long time, had come personally. His daughter and son-in-law were now in the Zhuge Family, so he had come to join in the fun.

This time, the elite figures from all over had come to visit. The Zhuge Family members were all excited to partake in their family’s glory. This was the influence of this marriage. The entire Barren State had gathered to offer their congratulations for this event that was the focus of the entire State.

The Zhuge Family Leader Zhuge Family and the older generation all welcomed them personally. Today, many influential people from their generation had arrived, including many high rankers on the Barren Sky Ranking. With him being sixth on the Barren Sky Ranking, he could not give face to perhaps one or two of them, but with so many of them arriving, even Zhuge Qingfeng had to put down his pride and welcome them.

“Congratulations, Brother Zhuge.” At that moment, Zhuge Qingfeng and Zhuge Canyang were standing there welcoming the guests, when a slim person dressed in plain black robes cupped his hands and extended his congratulations. Although he was smiling, he gave people a dangerous feeling. This was naturally related to the ability that he had cultivated. One’s cultivation techniques could affect their aura, after all.

This person was ninth on the Barren Sky Ranking, the House Master of the Tingxue House, Xu Shang. Beside him, Xu Que stood there smiling.

“Brother Xu, you have taken time out of your busy schedule to grace our event today. What an honor,” Zhuge Qingfeng smiled and replied. The Tingxue House Master rarely ever attended any events.

“It’s such a joyous occasion, how can I not be here?” Xu Shang smiled and replied.

“Xu Que is pleased to meet Senior,” Xu Que extended his greetings as well.

“I’ve heard that nephew Xu Que has already entered the top ten of the Law Rank. It looks like he’s perfectly capable of taking over Brother Xu in the future,” Zhuge Qingfeng smiled and commented.

“He’s only in the top ten, that’s not worthy of praise.” Xu Shang shook his head lightly.

“Senior, Ye Futian should be in the Zhuge Family now. Where is he?” Xu Que asked.

“He’s in the Moon Tower, you can ask the maidservants to bring you there,” Zhuge Qingfeng replied. Xu Que cultivated with Ye Futian in the Palace, so they naturally knew each other.

“Alright, thank you, Senior.” Xu Que nodded in thanks.

“Xu Que,” behind him, a voice sounded. Xu Que turned around and saw the Sovereign Family’s Huang Jiuge standing there.

“You’re here too,” Xu Que said.

“Yes.” Huang Jiuge nodded. “I also want to meet him, let’s go together.” As he said that, he also stepped forward and bowed to Zhuge Qingfeng, saying, “Huang Jiuge is pleased to meet Senior.”

“Do not act like a guest during this ceremony, nephew,” Zhuge Qingfeng smiled and replied while taking a look at the majestic figure in yellow robes who was walking over. The Sovereign Family Leader, fifth on the Barren Sky Ranking, Huang Xi.

“Brother Zhuge, how have you been?” Huang Xi smiled and asked.

“Brother Huang Xi’s aura is even stronger than before,” Zhuge Qingfeng replied. The two of them were long-time rivals. After all, the two of them held fifth and sixth on the Barren Sky Ranking respectively and were influential figures of their time.

People continued to arrive in succession. At that moment, a couple walked over with their teenage daughter. The middle-aged man had an eminent dragon aura while the woman was dignified.

“Long Ao is pleased to meet Senior Zhuge.” The middle-aged man cupped his hands and saluted Zhuge Qingfeng.

“The West Mountain Dragon Clan’s Long Ao, younger brother of Long Yitian?” Zhuge Qingfeng asked.

“That is correct.” Long Ao nodded.

“You’re also a figure on the Barren Sky Ranking, there is no need for the formalities. Please enter,” Zhuge Qingfeng smiled and replied. Back then, Long Yitian had risen as the shining star of the Barren State’s Eastern Region with his exceptional combat ability and outstanding potential. If he had not died, he would have had the chance to enter the top ten of the Barren Sky Ranking. Long Ao was his younger brother, so it would be appropriate for him to address him as Senior, but Long Ao had already entered the Barren Sky Ranking, albeit not completely for his combat ability. Long Ao’s cultivation level had not reached the pinnacle of the Sage Plane and there were many people stronger than him in the Barren State’s Eastern Region, but the Barren Sky Ranking combined both combat ability and potential. Evidently, Long Ao had immense potential.

In the Barren State’s Eastern Region Divine Sky City, Long Ao was the only person on the Barren Sky Ranking.

“Senior, are my big brother Futian and sister Jieyu here?” the teenage girl beside smiled and asked.

“They’re in the Moon Tower,” Zhuge Qingfeng replied. Long Ao and Long Ling’er brought the rest and went in. Afterward, there were still people asking about Ye Futian, causing Zhuge Canyang to mutter, “Today is the marriage between the Zhuge Family and the White Cloud City, but there are many people looking for him.”

“This is his charisma,” Zhuge Qingfeng replied as he remembered the sight he saw yesterday. Ye Futian was still so young, but he was already leading an entire generation. Even geniuses like the Sovereign Family’s Huang Jiuge and the Tingxue House’s Xu Que all seemed to admire him. On the other hand, Bai Ze and Zhuge Xing were also in the Zhuge Family, but nobody had asked anything about them.

At that moment, Zhuge Mingyue was no longer in the Moon Tower but was in the Wind Residence. Ye Futian could clearly see how crowded Crouching Dragon Mountain was from the quiet Moon Tower. The voices penetrated the air and echoed throughout the all of Crouching Dragon Mountain. Whenever an elite figure or faction appeared, the reporting would sound, and with each voice, Ye Futian would feel his pressure mounting.

This marriage had indeed alarmed the entire Barren State. Yesterday, he had sent back his Third Brother’s blood letter and conveyed his message. He did not know what his Third Brother would decide, but if he really decided to come, what kind of pressure would he have to face?

“Why are you here?” Ye Futian looked at Huang Jiuge and Xu Que and asked.

“We heard in the Palace that you had come with Yu Sheng to the Zhuge Family. Wuchen was worried and told us some of your matters. He asked us to bring you a message: don’t be rash,” Xu Que replied.

“I know.” Ye Futian nodded. Wuchen naturally knew the relationship between him and his second sister and third brother. He must have been afraid that Ye Futian would cause himself trouble by being too rash.

“Bai Luli and Zhuge Mingyue’s marriage has alarmed the entire Barren State. Your objection will probably be useless,” Huang Jiuge also said. Although Ye Futian was now the first on the Law Rank, he still had no right to interfere with this matter.

“Let’s go,” Ye Futian replied with a heavy heart.

At that moment, the guests had all made their way onto the mountain. The Crouching Dragon Feast began and Ye Futian first visited the Alchemy City Lord You Chi, then saw that Long Ling’er and Madame Long and involuntarily walked forward.

“Big brother Futian!” Long Ling’er called out to him.

“Ling’er, why are you here?” Ye Futian asked.

“My father came to take a look and paid a visit to the Palace as well. I asked him to bring me here.” Long Ling’er looked at the middle-aged man behind her and Ye Futian’s gaze followed. He then bowed and said, “Ye Futian is pleased to meet uncle.”

“Oh, thank you for taking care of Ling’er all these years,” Long Ao smiled and replied. Although this was his first time meeting Ye Futian, he had already heard too much from his daughter and wife.

“Uncle, you are too polite. I have always treated Ling’er like my younger sister,” Ye Futian smiled and replied.

“This little one is too unruly, it must have been tough on you.” Long Ao then asked softly, “I heard that you don’t approve of this marriage?”

“Yes.” Ye Futian nodded.

“Back then, my brother headed to the land of Orthodoxy to pursue the Divine Path. Now, the Palace is attempting to pave the road for Bai Luli; their Will will not be doubted,” Long Ao reminded him softly.

“I understand.” Ye Futian nodded his head. Everyone already thought that the matter was decided and could not be changed.

Long Ao patted his shoulder and said softly, “Ling’er, accompany Futian for a while.”

“Sure.” Long Ling’er nodded. Long Ao and his wife then walked further up the Crouching Dragon Feast. Experts on the Barren Sky Ranking naturally had the right to sit at the top; Ye Futian and the other younger generation figures had seats on the bottom. As for the younger generation from normal families, their seats were even further back.

Ye Futian saw many familiar faces. Di Gang, Li Futu, Xiang Zhiyan, and many of the experts from the Western Region had arrived. Of course, there was Yan Jiu from the Sword Saint Villa, the people from the Nantian House and the Mortal World. These peoples’ attention was all on Ye Futian. Now, Ye Futian was the first on the Law Rank and had defeated Di Gang in Alchemy City. He had made it to the top of the Barren State’s Nobles and no one could stand up to him. However, Ye Futian was not in the mood to care about them. He found a seat by himself, then sat and waited quietly.

“They’re here,” at that moment, a voice sounded and countless gazes turned towards a pair walking from afar. The White Cloud City Lord and Zhuge Family Leader both walked all the way to the top of the mountain. Many people stood up and saluted them while Bai Luli followed behind them.

The group walked to the main seats on the Crouching Dragon Feast and turned around, their gazes looking at the vast crowd standing below.

“The Holy Zhi Palace has arrived to send its congratulations,” at that moment, a voice sounded from the foot of the mountain. The White Cloud City Lord Bai Gu and Zhuge Qingfeng both stood there, watching in the distance. Soon, they saw many figures walking towards them. The person at the front was the third on the Barren Sky Ranking, Liu Chan. Beside him were the Tianxing Palace Lord and Sage Zhusong.

Ye Futian raised his head and looked at Liu Chan. The Holy Zhi Palace had personally come to witness this grand event!