249: Xingli

The night receded, and the morning sun rose.

From the Prefecture City Gate all the way to the Prefectural Governors Mansion's main road, a brand new red carpet had already been laid out.

On both sides of the road, the Elite Prefecture City Guards, clad in bright silver armor, stood holding halberds, eyes fixed straight ahead, radiating a chilling, murderous aura.

Furthermore, countless curious and reverent Yao Race commoners were kept far away, crowding outside the cordon, craning their necks to look, waiting for the legendary Goddess's Imperial Carriage.

At the second quarter of the You Hour,

A prolonged and majestic sound of horns rang out from outside the city, accompanied by the faint harmony of Luan and Phoenix birds singing.

Only to see streaks of rosy light appearing on the horizon as a procession of honor guards slowly drove through the city gate.

Leading the way were eight robust, snow-white Flying Cloud Leopards with wings sprouting from their ribs.

Following them were sixteen Goddess's Personal Guards clad in magnificent silver battle armor.

Next came a luxurious carriage pulled by nine Elk, each bearing jade antlers and covered in seven-colored scales.

The entire carriage was crafted from ten-thousand-year-old Agarwood, and the curtains were made of rare Star Cloud Shark Silk, thin as a cicada's wing yet capable of blocking Divine Sense.

Vaguely, a graceful, seated figure could be seen inside.

Faint starlight encircled the carriage.

Following the carriage were dozens of formidable Maidservants and several Gray-Robed Elders holding their breath in reverence.

The Imperial Carriage drove straight into the Prefectural Governors Mansion and stopped at the square in front of the Main Hall.

Prefect Mo Jiao had already led all the prominent officials in the prefecture, the Family Heads of the Four Great Top-Tier Families, and selected talents like Chen Yuan and Lion Frenzy, all dressed in the most solemn formal attire, standing respectfully with hands lowered.

The carriage curtain was gently lifted by a Maidservant with a beautiful appearance and a cold, solemn demeanor.

A jade-like foot, clad in Plain White Embroidered Star-Patterned Cloud Slippers, gently stepped onto the Purple Crystal Footstool prepared beforehand.

Following that, a figure slowly walked out of the carriage.

In that instant, it was as if the surrounding light had brightened several shades, and all sounds had quietly faded away.

She wore a Moon-White Palace Dress with a long skirt that trailed on the ground; her figure was tall and graceful, and her dark hair cascaded like a waterfall.

Her face was obscured by a veil, making her specific features indistinguishable, but her silhouette was already breathtakingly beautiful, especially the pair of exposed eyes, which caused many young talents to drool.

This woman was none other than the Goddess of the Demon Star Empire, the peerless Prodigy who carried the Bloodline of the Starfall Demon Emperor—Star Glass.

"Mo Jiao, Prefecture Governor of Black Rock Prefecture, leads the Subordinate Officials and gentry of the prefecture in respectfully welcoming Your Highness the Goddess's Sacred Presence! May Your Highness enjoy ten thousand years of peace!"

Mo Jiao was the first to bow, his voice loud and respectful.

"Respectfully welcoming Your Highness the Goddess! May Your Highness enjoy ten thousand years of peace!"

The crowd behind him simultaneously bowed down, their voices echoing across the square.

Star Glass calmly swept her gaze over the crowd, parted her crimson lips slightly, and spoke in a clear, cold, and pleasant, yet somewhat distant voice: "Prefect Mo Jiao, dispense with the formalities. Everyone, please rise."

"Thank you, Your Highness!"

Everyone rose, standing solemnly with hands lowered; no one dared to look directly at the Goddess's face again.

Mo Jiao stepped forward, respectfully guiding Star Glass into the Main Hall that had been prepared, to hold a brief Reception Ceremony.

Chen Yuan and the others, as representatives of the talents, were also permitted to attend the banquet at the end of the hall.

Throughout the process, Star Glass spoke very little; mostly it was Mo Jiao reporting on the prefecture's situation, while she only nodded slightly occasionally.

After the Reception Ceremony, Mo Jiao arranged a grand Evening Banquet.

During the banquet, wine cups clinked together.

Star Glass sat in the main seat, barely touching her chopsticks, only occasionally lifting a glass cup to sip a mouthful of Spirit Wine, her gaze calmly sweeping over those below.

Mo Jiao seized the opportunity, wearing a smiling face, pointed at Chen Yuan, Lion Frenzy, and the others at the far end of the table, and said to Star Glass:

"Your Highness, these few are the young paragons selected from our Black Rock Prefecture this time. Although they cannot compare to the Prodigies of the Imperial Capital, they are considered regional elites, and they have long admired Your Highness's grace. May I ask what Your Highness thinks of them?"

Star Glass's gaze slowly swept over Lion Frenzy and the others, following Mo Jiao's guidance.

Lion Frenzy and the others immediately held their breath in nervousness, trying hard to straighten their backs and display their best side.

However, Star Glass's gaze did not linger on them for long.

Finally, her gaze landed on Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan merely returned the gaze calmly, his eyes clear and upright, neither servile nor overbearing.

Star Glass's eyes seemed to freeze slightly for an instant.

She withdrew her gaze, moved her crimson lips slightly, and uttered two clear, cold words:

"Not bad."

Just two words! Yet they filled Mo Jiao's heart with great joy!

Along the way, the Goddess had either remained silent about the so-called talents of various prefectures, or given no comment. These two words, "Not bad," were already an extremely high evaluation!

After the Evening Banquet came the evening Performance Segment.

The location was set in an open Waterside Martial Arts Arena in the Prefectural Governors Mansion's Back Garden.

A beautiful White Jade High Platform had already been erected in the center.

Seats were arranged all around, hung with Glazed Palace Lanterns. The soft lamplight, starlight, and water reflections intertwined, creating an elegant atmosphere.

Star Glass sat properly in the main seat, Mo Jiao sat accompanying her below, and a few high-ranking officials, including the Family Heads of the Four Great Top-Tier Families, kept them company.

Chen Yuan, Lion Frenzy, Turtle Darkness, Red Heaven Progression, and Thunder True Feather, the five men, waited at the side of the platform as performers.

Lion Frenzy displayed a set of incomparably fierce Lion King Fist Arts; Turtle Darkness demonstrated an exquisite Dark Water Defensive Divine Ability; Red Heaven Progression's Red Serpent Shadow was cunning and tricky; and Thunder True Feather's Thunder Eagle Movement Technique was as fast as lightning.

All four brought out their best skills. The martial arts arena shone brightly, and demon power surged, drawing bursts of quiet applause from the audience.

However, Star Glass, in the main seat, maintained a calm expression and a faint gaze throughout.

Mo Jiao felt anxious. Seeing that the four performances were over and the Goddess remained unmoved, he quickly smiled and said to Star Glass:

"Your Highness, next is the most outstanding talent selected by our Black Rock Prefecture this time, Young Master Tian Yuan. Young Master Tian Yuan possesses exceptional talent, especially in the Dao of the Sword, and he surely won't disappoint Your Highness."

As he spoke, he winked at Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan immediately stepped onto the platform and began to perform his sword dance.

Damn it! I, a dignified Sword God, am actually performing tricks here. How humiliating!

Chen Yuan thought this internally, but the sword in his hand never stopped, moving with powerful momentum.

Just then, Star Glass, who had been silent, suddenly spoke on her own initiative.

Her voice was still clear and cold, but it distinctly entered everyone's ears:

"Acceptable."

"This child is indeed somewhat different."

Mo Jiao's heart pounded wildly. Just as he was about to seize the opportunity and ask the Goddess if she was pleased.

Star Glass had already withdrawn her gaze and whispered something to the beautiful Maidservant standing beside her.

A hint of surprise flashed in the Maidservant's eyes, and she couldn't help but glance again at Chen Yuan on the platform.

He was indeed extraordinarily handsome, and his bearing was particularly outstanding.

She immediately composed herself, took a step forward, and clearly announced:

"A decree from Your Highness the Goddess: After the performance concludes, Young Master Tian Yuan is requested to come to Your Highness's Moon-Embracing Chamber for a discussion."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue fell silent!

All eyes instantly focused on Chen Yuan!

There was shock, and there was envy.

Traveling here, passing through several prefectures and seeing countless so-called talents, Her Highness the Goddess had never shown favor to anyone, let alone granted a private summons!

Young Master Tian Yuan was actually the first! And he was summoned by name directly, even before the performance had concluded!

The Maidservant was greatly shocked internally.

Mo Jiao was first stunned, then overjoyed, feeling as if a great weight had been lifted from his heart?

It seemed that the substitution plan he had arranged earlier was completely unnecessary!

This Young Master Tian Yuan was indeed extraordinary, managing to directly prompt the Goddess to summon him!

Lion Frenzy and the other four looked at Chen Yuan with complicated expressions; besides envy, they completely understood the gap between them.

Night Blade watched from afar, his fists tightly clenched in excitement.

Night Owl was the same. Last night, his son returned and informed him of Chen Yuan's identity, making him so excited he couldn't sleep all night.