39: Amidst the turmoil in all directions, the Crown Prince hosts a banquet!

Sacrificial Altar Square was deathly silent.

The breathing of a hundred thousand people seemed to be choked by an invisible hand at the same moment.

The wind stopped, the clouds paused, leaving only two newly revealed, sharp characters on the golden list, searing everyone's eyes.

[Myriad Dao Divine Sect, Ye Chenfeng!]

No one knew how long passed; perhaps it was just an instant.

The silence was broken by the sound of someone gasping, followed immediately by an uproar like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami raging!

“One... one sword...”

“I didn’t see that wrong, did I? Li Piaoxue’s Swift Snow Sword was defeated before the sword move could even fully unfold?”

“What kind of sword technique was that? I couldn’t even clearly see how he drew his sword!”

“Myriad Dao Divine Sect... what kind of Sect is this? Why have I never heard of it!”

The crowd completely erupted, like a pot of boiling water.

Those Prodigies who were previously high and mighty and looked down on others now looked at the retreating figure in green robes slowly walking down the altar with no trace of contempt, only deep apprehension and shock.

Zhao Wuji, the Crown Prince of Zhao Kingdom, suddenly stood up from his seat, gripping the armrest tightly until his knuckles turned white from the effort.

Beside him, an old man in black robes with profound Qi suddenly shot out a terrifying gleam from his turbid eyes.

“Your Highness, this young man... is not simple,” the old man’s voice was hoarse.

“More than just not simple!” Zhao Wuji’s breathing was ragged. “I have personally witnessed Li Piaoxue’s sword; it is as swift as a startled swan. But that one sword just now, I... couldn’t even capture the trajectory of the sword!”

He turned around, the composure and arrogance belonging to the royal family completely gone from his face, replaced by unprecedented solemnity.

“Eunuch Fu!”

“This old servant is present.” The black-robed old man bowed.

“Immediately send a message to Father Emperor!” Zhao Wuji’s voice was decisive and urgent. “Report today’s events without missing a single word! Also, mobilize the ‘Dragon Guards’ and spare no expense to investigate the background of this Myriad Dao Divine Sect!”

He paused, then added.

“Send people to make contact, and keep your posture humble! If such a Prodigy cannot be used by my Great Zhao, we must absolutely not become enemies with him!”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

...On the other side of the square.

The Disciples of the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect frantically carried the unconscious Li Piaoxue away, their faces filled with humiliation and fear.

A leading Elder, his face ashen, watched the direction Ye Chenfeng had departed, took out a Communication Jade Talisman from his robe, and frantically poured his Divine Thought into it.

“Report to the Sect Master immediately! Piaoxue was defeated and severely wounded by one sword! The opponent is named Ye Chenfeng, claiming to be a Disciple of the Myriad Dao Divine Sect, cultivation at Nascent Soul Middle Stage. His Sword Dao is bizarre and extremely fast! This Sect's origins are unknown, its strength unfathomable, suspected to be a reclusive Great Sect, we absolutely must not act rashly!”

...“Investigate!”

“Win them over!”

“Test them!”

Almost at the same time, all the Sects and Influential Families on the square made similar decisions.

Communication Jade Talismans transformed into streaks of light, flying from Tianjing City to all directions of the Eastern Barrens.

Myriad Dao Divine Sect.

This name, which no one had ever heard of, today forcefully and shockingly entered the view of all major powers.

And the mastermind behind all this, Chu Xuanjin, was mingling in the chaotic crowd, looking relaxed, as if he had merely watched a somewhat amusing acrobatic show.

His gaze seemingly casually swept across the entire venue.

Deep in his eyes, the radiance of the Heavenly Dao Dharma Eye quietly circulated.

His gaze landed on Zhao Wuji, the Crown Prince of Great Zhao.

[Name: Zhao Wuji]

[Root Bone: immortal grade (Human Emperor Sacred Body)]

[Luck: Gold (Carrying the Dynasty's Dragon Qi, Possesses the Appearance of an Emperor)]

[Affiliation: Great Zhao Imperial Family]

[Status: Mind shaken, Eager for talent.]

Chu Xuanjin's eyebrows twitched.

“The Human Emperor Sacred Body, quite a good sapling.”

His gaze then turned to the other side of the square, towards a stunningly beautiful young girl wearing a long dress adorned with a hundred flowers.

[Name: Hua Jieyu]

[Root Bone: immortal grade (Hundred Flower Dao Embryo)]

[Luck: Pink Gold (Affinity with all living things, potential to become a giant in the Pill Dao in the future)]

[Sect: Hundred Flower Sect]

[Status: Has developed intense interest in the Myriad Dao Divine Sect.]

“Hundred Flower Dao Embryo, a born Alchemist.”

Chu Xuanjin's gaze continued to move, sweeping over several other Prodigies with exceptional Luck and Root Bones all above the immortal grade.

Every single one was a peerless unpolished jade that ordinary Sects would fight tooth and nail for.

What a pity... “A pity, they are all flowers with owners.”

Chu Xuanjin sighed softly in his heart and withdrew the Heavenly Dao Dharma Eye.

Without exception, these Prodigies were all tied to Great Sects and Great Dynasties; their Karma was too deeply intertwined, and their Luck was already firmly bound to the forces behind them.

Forcibly taking them as Disciples would not only be troublesome but also violate his principle of “Overlooked Treasure Hunting.”

What he wanted were those dust-covered divine pearls, those latent Dragons.

Not these treasures that had already been polished brightly and displayed in the open.

“Revered Master! Senior Brother is too handsome!”

Wang Duojin squeezed next to Chu Xuanjin, his face flushed red with excitement.

“One sword! Just one sword! That Li Piaoxue guy, his face turned green! Hahaha, that was so satisfying!”

Su Linger also walked over. As she looked at the figure in green robes slowly walking back in the distance, a faint smile surfaced in her icy blue eyes.

Ye Chenfeng walked back in front of the three of them and bowed slightly toward Chu Xuanjin.

“Revered Master.”

“Mm.” Chu Xuanjin nodded. “Not bad, you have shown some potential.”

He didn't offer any more praise, merely glancing around at the still noisy crowd.

“There’s nothing left to see here.”

He turned and walked out of the square.

“Back to the Inn.”

“Alright!” Wang Duojin immediately followed.

The crowd automatically parted to both sides, like Moses parting the sea, clearing a wide path.

A myriad of complex gazes—awe, scrutiny, fear, greed—were fixed on the four figures slowly walking away.

They didn't walk fast, yet every step seemed to land precisely on everyone's heartbeat.

Until their figures completely disappeared at the end of the street.

Only then did the invisible pressure on the square quietly dissipate.

Everyone, without prior agreement, let out a long breath... Inside the Private Room of Tianxia Tower.

Chu Xuanjin was still sitting by the window, as if he had never left.

Wang Duojin was excitedly recounting the magnificence of that sword strike to Su Linger, even picking up his chopsticks to gesture when he reached an exciting part.

Ye Chenfeng sat quietly in the corner, resuming the task of wiping his ordinary Iron Sword.

The qingshuang sword had been put away by him.

In his view, that Immortal-Grade Spirit Sword was far less intimate than the mundane iron he held, which had accompanied him in comprehending the Dao.

Chu Xuanjin ignored them.

His fingers tapped lightly on the table, making a rhythmic sound.

“The Eastern Barrens is still too small.”

He muttered to himself.

“The true Prodigies are probably all gathered in the Central Continent Sacred Domain.”

On Azure Cloud Continent, the Eastern Barrens is only the most barren region.

Above it are the Southern Wilderness, Western Desert, and Northern Plains.

And the center of these four regions is the essence of the entire continent—the Central Continent Sacred Domain.

That is the true den of Dragons and lair of Tigers, where Prodigies emerge in droves.

“It seems the next stop should be the Central Continent.”

He made a decision in his heart.

Just then, the door was gently knocked.

“Who is it?” Wang Duojin asked warily.

“This humble one is the Manager of Tianxia Tower.”

A humble voice came from outside the door.

“Just now, His Highness the Crown Prince sent someone with an Invitation, requesting that the distinguished guests attend a banquet in the palace tomorrow night.”

Wang Duojin was stunned and subconsciously looked at Chu Xuanjin.

Chu Xuanjin didn't even lift an eyelid.

“Tell him we’re busy.”

The Manager outside the door clearly hadn't anticipated this response and fell silent for a moment.

After a long time, his fearful voice of dismissal came through.

Wang Duojin made a face at the door.

“What Crown Prince? He's not qualified enough to invite our Revered Master to dinner!”

He leaned closer to Chu Xuanjin and chuckled.

“Revered Master, we've become famous after this battle. Countless people will surely want to come and Pay Respects, and the gift-givers might even wear down the threshold! This is all business opportunity!”

Chu Xuanjin glanced at him.

“We will depart early tomorrow morning.”

“Ah?” Wang Duojin's face instantly fell. “So fast? I haven't even had time to survey the market!”

“If we don't leave soon, trouble will come knocking.”

Chu Xuanjin picked up his teacup, looking at the sky outside the window that was gradually darkening.

“Fame is a double-edged sword.”

“It can bring you awe, but it can also attract covetousness.”

“Your current strength is not enough to handle real trouble.”