454: Chapter 454 The Grand Yan Supreme Ranking Closing Banquet

It was the voice of the Imperial Dynasty Old Ancestor!

"Nangong Lie, take your people and get out of the Imperial Capital."

The Old Ancestor's voice continued to resound: "If you dare to make a move against Ye Tian within the territory of the Imperial Capital again, I will wipe out your entire Nangong Family."

"Do not say you were not warned."

Wipe out the family!

These two words fell like a thunderclap upon Nangong Lie and everyone else.

The Imperial Dynasty Old Ancestor had actually issued a threat of extermination against the Nangong Family just for Ye Tian!

What a tough stance this was!

Nangong Lie's body shuddered violently, and his face was instantly covered in fear.

He found that he could not utter a single word.

Facing the Imperial Dynasty Old Ancestor, all of his confidence vanished completely.

He gritted his teeth so hard that his gums bled, his eyes bloodshot, and he glared at Ye Tian with extreme resentment, a look that wished he could swallow Ye Tian alive.

But in the end, he dared not say another word.

"We... leave!"

Nangong Lie stumbled as he turned around. Ignoring the crippled Elder, he took the remaining Elders who were already scared out of their wits, along with the Nangong Family Disciples on the periphery who had also been frightened silly, and quickly disappeared at the end of the street.

Ye Tian silently sheathed his sword, his Thunder Gang completely receding from his body.

He stood in place and slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air.

Continuous Breakthroughs and breaking Formations had taken a heavy toll on him.

He turned his head and cast his gaze toward a corner at the edge of the square.

There, Li Xuanxiao, dressed in white, had already turned around at some unknown moment and was leaving in the opposite direction, leaving behind only a solitary, cold, and desolate back view.

Ye Tian nodded slightly toward that back view.

Then, he stopped lingering, turned around, and walked toward the palace gate.

Elder Qinglan and the others hurried to meet him, their faces filled with lingering fear and joy.

"Junior Brother Ye, are you okay?" Shui Qingdie was the first to rush to his side, her eyes red.

"I'm fine, just a minor injury." Ye Tian gave her a reassuring smile.

"Good lad! Well done!"

Xiahou Ba laughed heartily, the patch of green grass on his head bobbing: "You crippled an old geezer with one punch, that feels great!

Let's see if they dare to be arrogant again!"

The surrounding crowd also began to discuss, their gazes toward Ye Tian filled with amazement.

This youth not only possessed terrifying talent and strength, and was decisive in killing, but was also deeply valued by the Imperial Dynasty Old Ancestor. His future...

...is limitless!

Further out in the crowd, in a shadow that no one noticed, the Brocade-Robed Envoy had reappeared at some unknown moment.

He held a Jade Slip in his hand, his fingertips flickering as he recorded something.

He watched the back of Ye Tian, who was being surrounded by the Liuli Xuan Sect members as they walked toward the palace gate, his face still expressionless, just muttering to himself:

"Excellent combat instinct, Breakthrough in a desperate situation, extraordinary Comprehension Ability in Formations, decisive in killing, and even gained the full support of the Lower Realm Imperial Dynasty...

The growth speed far exceeds expectations.

The inheritor of the Chaos Dao Seal...

Interesting."

"It seems the plan needs to be slightly... adjusted."

He put away the Jade Slip, his figure turned into black mist, and then slowly disappeared from the spot.

The night grew deeper, and the lanterns were lit.

Deep within the imperial palace, inside the Linde Hall, which was specifically used for hosting grand banquets, it was now brightly lit, with pleasant music playing, wine cups clinking, and a lively atmosphere.

The center of the great hall was covered with a red carpet, and the tables on both sides were filled with fine wine and delicacies.

This was a grand celebratory banquet specifically set up by the Imperial Dynasty for the top ten Prodigies of this Supreme Ranking, as well as those who performed exceptionally well and representatives of major forces.

As the head of the Supreme Ranking and the focal figure who had killed Yin Wujiang, Ye Tian was naturally arranged in the upper seat on the left, the position closest to the main seat of Prince Rong.

Han Xiao, Ghost Girl, and Qin Pojun were all absent, and it was unknown where they had gone.

From the beginning of the banquet, people came in an endless stream to offer toasts, chat, and probe him.

There were those who genuinely offered congratulations, those who wanted to become familiar with him, and many representatives of forces who beat around the bush, trying to probe his relationship with the Imperial Dynasty and his future plans.

From beginning to end, Ye Tian wore a faint smile, raising his glass to socialize, his words watertight.

He was polite when necessary and perfunctory when needed, neither becoming overly close to anyone nor intentionally offending anyone.

After a few rounds, many people were whispering in their hearts:

This youth didn't look very old, but his social skills were very seasoned, not at all like an inexperienced greenhorn.

Shui Qingdie was sitting right next to Ye Tian.

Today, she had changed into a water-blue dress and applied light makeup. Under the illumination of the lamps, she looked peerlessly beautiful, attracting many admiring gazes.

But she seemed completely unaware, her focus mostly on Ye Tian.

Seeing that his wine cup was empty, she would unobtrusively pour him some warmed fruit wine.

When she saw someone coming to offer strong liquor, she would take the initiative and gently decline on Ye Tian's behalf, saying that Junior Brother Ye had injuries and should not drink too much.

When encountering certain representatives of forces with special status whom Ye Tian might not know, she would take the Opportunity to whisper a word or two to remind him of the other party's background and what to watch out for.

Her movements were natural, her eyes gentle.

Seeing this, Yu Miaoqing, who was sitting a bit further away, shook her head secretly, feeling a bit envious.

Yun Wuji looked at his nose and heart, drinking silently.

Feng Xuan was talking in a low voice with other Sect Disciples nearby.

Xiahou Ba didn't care about any of this. He sat diagonally opposite Ye Tian, one hand gripping a roasted golden beast leg, tearing into it with big bites, while the other hand didn't forget to pour himself wine, eating until his face was covered in juice.

"Senior Brother Xiahou, eat slowly, no one is snatching it from you."

Yu Miaoqing couldn't stand it anymore and picked up a silk handkerchief to helplessly wipe the grease from the corner of his mouth for him.

"Mmm... delicious! The palace chefs are just different!"

Xiahou Ba said indistinctly, then gulped down a large mouthful of wine and let out a comfortable burp, drawing a few low chuckles from nearby.

During the banquet, Ye Tian scanned the area and found that Lei Zhen, Luo Qiushui, Leng Feng, Liu Ruyan, and the not-so-familiar Jiang Chuxue were all absent.

In puzzlement, he asked Yun Wuji, who was beside him, in a low voice: "Senior Brother Yun, where did Senior Brother Lei Zhen and the others go? Why are they nowhere to be seen?"

He remembered that these few people had performed outstandingly in the early stages of the Secret Realm, but it seemed none of them had managed to enter the final core area.

Upon hearing this, Yun Wuji replied via voice transmission: "They might have gained something in the early stages of the Secret Realm, but suffered some injuries and needed to recuperate. They were already escorted back to the Sect in advance by another deacon from the Sect a few days ago.

The Elder said that their training this time could be considered a Perfection, and it would be safer for them to digest what they gained as soon as possible after returning to the Sect."

Ye Tian nodded slightly upon hearing this and asked no more.

Sweeping his gaze across the hall, the core true Disciples of the Liuli Xuan Sect who had come to the Imperial Capital this time, besides himself, were the ones present: Yun Wuji, Yu Miaoqing, Feng Xuan, and Junior Sister Shui Qingdie.

As for Dongfang Xinghe and Pei Tieshan...

His heart sank slightly.

Those two had entered the Fire Path with him, but were separated and trapped due to the sudden changes in the Furnace Cave, and there had been no news of them since.

He looked toward Elder Qinglan in the upper seat. The Elder sensed his gaze and looked back. Their eyes met, and Elder Qinglan shook her head slightly, signaling with her eyes to remain calm and patient.

Ye Tian knew that the Elder had tried to inquire through the Imperial Dynasty's channels, but for now, there was no definite news.

The Secret Realm was vast and strange. Although the two were trapped, they might not necessarily be in danger; perhaps they were just stuck somewhere waiting for rescue, or had encountered another Opportunity.

This matter could not be rushed; he could only note it for now and plan to search for them after the current affairs were settled.

Halfway through the banquet, the atmosphere became even more heated.

Prince Rong sat in the main seat, his face also wearing a smile as he chatted with the Elders of several major Sects.

Just at this moment, the music outside the hall changed, shifting from soothing to lively and agile.

A troupe of dancers dressed in colorful clothes, wearing light veils, and with graceful figures stepped to the beat of the music, fluttering into the hall like butterflies, and began to perform on the red carpet in the center of the hall.

Their dance movements were beautiful, long sleeves flying, slim waists swaying, leaving many young Disciples dazzled, and cheers rang out incessantly.

Ye Tian also watched casually, toying with his wine cup.

Although he had repelled the Nangong Family during the day, he knew clearly in his heart that they would absolutely not let it go.

This banquet, with so many people and mixed eyes, might not be absolutely safe.

He appeared relaxed, but in reality, his spiritual sense remained alert, especially toward the people and movements near his own area.

As the dance reached its climax, the lead dancer performed a magnificent spin and actually danced toward the main seat and Ye Tian's side.

The eyes above her veil seemed to contain autumn waters, brimming with charm, and her figure was soft and boneless, every movement filled with temptation.

Many people's gazes were attracted to her.