895: Welcome Banquet

"It's nothing."

True Lord Wang Chen looked at Bai Yuliang with a subtle gaze, feeling a surge of emotion.

The soul pearl method was truly too sinister.

Who would have thought that the Xuantian Holy Land's method of protecting its Disciples and deterring outside villains concealed such a secret door?

It allowed Grand Elder Qing Yunzi of the Xuantian Holy Land to directly occupy Bai Yuliang's body with a Divided Soul, while Bai Yuliang remained completely unaware.

"In the future, when encountering Disciples from these major powers, it seems I need to be more cautious. Who knows if the person standing there is himself or some old geezer."

Pondering in his heart, Wang Chen waved his hand and put away the wooden box containing the Enlightenment Tea:

"Please Senior Bai Shengzi, thank Senior Qing Yunzi on my behalf, and inform Senior Qing Yunzi that I agree to this transaction."

Although he had already finished discussing with Qing Yunzi, Wang Chen still instructed Bai Yuliang to relay the message.

After all, Bai Yuliang had no idea about Qing Yunzi's arrival, and their previous conversation was a shared secret between Wang Chen and Qing Yunzi.

"Senior, you are too kind. Junior will certainly relay the message truthfully."

Bai Yuliang's face lit up with joy, then he said with utmost respect:

"Senior has been traveling tirelessly these past few days. Junior has already prepared a grand banquet to welcome Senior. Would Senior be so kind as to grace us with his presence?"

As he spoke, Bai Yuliang felt a little uneasy.

He had his own little agenda for holding this welcoming banquet.

Befriending a Ninth-Order True Lord would greatly enhance his prestige and solidify his position as Saint.

As long as Wang Chen participated in this welcoming banquet today, it would significantly reduce the challenges he faced within the Xuantian Holy Land.

Wang Chen originally wanted to refuse Bai Yuliang's invitation, as he disliked crowds, but considering his transaction with Qing Yunzi required him to appear more in public, he thought about it and nodded in agreement.

...

The moon hung high in the sky.

In a magnificent palace in the eastern district of Wanshou City, lights blazed brightly.

Bai Yuliang held a welcoming banquet for Wang Chen here, and almost all the high-ranking officials of the Xuantian Holy Land stationed in Wanshou City, along with representatives from other major forces, attended the banquet.

Wang Chen scanned the room and found that most of the attendees were cultivators of the Eighth-Order. Although each of them had an extraordinary demeanor, there wasn't a single Ninth-Order.

This made Wang Chen somewhat puzzled. Wanshou City's geographical location was extremely important, serving as a vital transportation hub between the eastern and central regions of the Netherworld. While smaller forces might not be able to station Ninth-Order powerhouses, it was impossible for major forces, especially the Xuantian Holy Land, not to attach importance to this place.

"It seems Bai Yuliang's situation within the Xuantian Holy Land is truly difficult. Senior Qing Yunzi also has a wicked sense of humor; he clearly values Bai Yuliang so much, yet he provides almost no support."

"If he were to say a word, who within the Xuantian Holy Land would still dare to covet Bai Yuliang's Saint position?"

Wang Chen pondered, glancing at Bai Yuliang, who was circulating among the tables like a social butterfly, and secretly shook his head.

Today, he was essentially showing support for Bai Yuliang.

None of the banquet attendees, whether in terms of status or strength, could compare to him. He was clearly the guest of honor at this welcoming banquet, yet he was now "unattended."

However, Wang Chen didn't blame Bai Yuliang for this; he was content with the peace and quiet of not being disturbed, and it allowed him to quietly savor the unique delicacies of Wanshou City.

However, just then...

"I am Huang Zhongming, and I toast to True Lord."

"True Lord, you have reached the Ninth-Order before the age of thirty, a feat unmatched in the Netherworld throughout history. May I be so fortunate as to know your lineage, True Lord?"

A middle-aged man wearing a long gown embroidered with Four Symbols patterns raised his wine cup and respectfully toasted Wang Chen.

As soon as he finished speaking, the lively atmosphere at the banquet suddenly quieted, and pairs of eyes turned to look.

This person was Huang Zhongming, the Inner Elder of the Four Symbols Holy Land and its representative in Wanshou City, a Peak Eighth-Order powerhouse.

Seeing Huang Zhongming, many people's eyes immediately became playful.

No one had expected Huang Zhongming to be so bold!

Although they were all very curious about Wang Chen's background, they only dared to suppress their curiosity, never expecting Huang Zhongming to directly ask.

However, as an Inner Elder of the Four Symbols Holy Land, Huang Zhongming indeed had the confidence.

Although the Four Symbols Holy Land had declined in recent millennia, a lean camel was still bigger than a horse, and it still firmly held the status of a Holy Land, not something that the various forces below could challenge.

Moreover, not long ago, an Elder of the Four Symbols Holy Land ambushed Bai Yuliang, the Saint of the Xuantian Holy Land, and his Dao protector in the Demon Beast Forest, only to be counter-killed...

Although the fallout from this incident did not escalate, almost everyone present was a high-ranking official from a major force, and they all had some understanding of it.

For a moment, many people showed expressions of watching a good show.

"Elder Huang, you're a bit drunk."

Bai Yuliang frowned, his tone somewhat cold.

He had anticipated some twists and turns at this welcoming banquet, but he hadn't expected the first one to jump out to be someone from the Four Symbols Holy Land.

After the ambush in the Demon Beast Forest, the Four Symbols Holy Land had not yet given an explanation.

With new and old grudges combined, Bai Yuliang's perception of Huang Zhongming had long since dropped below freezing point.

"Bai Shengzi is joking. I am a dignified Peak Eighth-Order; how could a mere bit of turbid wine make me drunk? Rather, Bai Shengzi, you interrupted True Lord Wang Chen before he even spoke. Do you perhaps think you can make decisions on his behalf?"

Huang Zhongming sneered, casting a sarcastic glance at Bai Yuliang.

Upon hearing this, the expressions on the faces of the banquet attendees immediately became playful.

Huang Zhongming was going to clash with Bai Yuliang!

There was a show to watch today!

For a moment, although everyone dared not look around randomly, their attention was already focused on Wang Chen.

"You..."

Bai Yuliang opened his mouth to retort, but at that moment, Wang Chen waved his hand to stop him.

"You seem to have a strong opinion of me?"

Wang Chen looked at Huang Zhongming with deep eyes, asking with a half-smile.

He naturally knew why Huang Zhongming had jumped out; the Four Symbols Holy Land had already formed a grudge with him.

Moreover, after Qing Yunzi's earlier reminder, Wang Chen suspected that Huang Zhongming might also be someone colluding with the Dead Spirit Race.

"True Lord Wang Chen misunderstands. I am merely curious. To reach the Ninth-Order and become a True Lord before the age of thirty is a feat unprecedented in the Netherworld throughout history. True Lord's lineage must be extraordinary."

"After all, as far as I know, such rapid cultivation advancement seems only achievable through Demonic Path methods. Those Demonic Path fiends are inherently cruel, often resorting to blood sacrifices and massacres, and everyone should seek to eliminate them!"

Huang Zhongming still respectfully held his wine cup, but his words carried a clear sting.

Although he didn't explicitly say it, everyone present understood his meaning: he was suspecting Wang Chen of being a Demonic Path practitioner, and that his current achievements must be stained with blood.

At this moment, after Huang Zhongming's words fell, many people present's eyes flickered, and their faces showed suspicion.

What Huang Zhongming said seemed to make sense.