471: Cangwu arrives

The palace banquet's festivities were at their Peak. Within the Taiqian Hall, the music of string and wind instruments lingered around the beams, the clear notes blending with the tassels hanging from the corners of the hall and drifting leisurely.

Dozens of dancers dressed in rosy-cloud shawls and silk skirts, with gold bells adorning the corners of their sleeves, moved with lotus steps. Their dancing sleeves fluttered with a crisp tinkling sound, like rolling clouds or dancing fireflies.

As they swirled, their hemlines swept across the polished White Marble floor, carrying a subtle fragrant breeze that mingled with the aroma of delicacies and sandalwood filling the hall.

A hundred gilded palace lanterns hung from the ceiling, their warm candlelight illuminating the yellow glazed tiles and vermilion pillars of the palace, making them appear even more grand and brilliant. The light and shadows fell upon the smooth White Marble floor, breaking into a shimmering golden wave. Even the green jade cauldrons and coral trees on display glowed with a gentle luster within the halo of light.

The crisp clinking of jade cups was clear and melodious, and the soft laughter of the guests intertwined with the music and the ringing of the dancers' bells. A harmonious warmth spread throughout the entire hall, finally dispersing the slight, unspoken tension that had lingered when Situ Jun left his seat earlier.

The entire hall was filled with the clinking of cups and joyful laughter. The officials of the Tianqi Dynasty and the envoys from various countries and Sects were engaged in pleasant conversation. Even the air was thick with the fragrance of wine and delicacies, presenting a scene of prosperity and celebration.

Li Xuan, the Lord of Tianqi, was holding his cup and laughing with the Great Qin envoy, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the rim of his mutton-fat jade cup.

Situ Jun's departure brought a sense of relief to his heart, making him feel a few degrees less constrained while dealing with the envoys of various nations.

But before this ease could spread, it was interrupted by a figure approaching in haste.

A young eunuch dressed in sapphire-blue Cloud Brocade attendant robes bowed low. His steps were swift yet silent as he bypassed the officials and musicians, arriving steadily beside the imperial steps. He bowed deeply to Li Fu, the head eunuch standing by the Dragon Throne, and whispered urgently into his ear.

Li Fu had been bowing his head with a smile, but as he listened, his expression suddenly changed. The smile in his eyes vanished instantly, and even his fingers gripping the Horsetail Whisk tightened imperceptibly.

Not daring to delay, he quickly stepped to Li Xuan's side, knelt on one knee, leaned in slightly, and reported the attendant's words into his ear without missing a single syllable.

"Your Majesty, urgent news from outside the palace. Elder Cang Wu of the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty's Imperial Astronomical Bureau is passing through our Tianqi Royal Capital with his Disciples and has come specifically to pay a visit. He is currently outside the Vermilion Bird Gate."

"Elder Cang Wu?"

Li Xuan's hand holding the wine cup suddenly froze, his knuckles tightening. The mutton-fat jade cup nearly slipped from his fingers, and the clear wine within sloshed, barely avoiding being spilled.

A flash of caught-off-guard astonishment first flickered in his eyes, but it was gone in an instant, replaced by a heavy solemnity. Even the smile at the corners of his lips faded, and his imperial majesty naturally emanated from him.

On the Divine Beast Continent, the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty was a top-tier powerhouse, with national strength so immense it was far out of reach. Within its borders, Sects were as numerous as trees in a forest, and experts were as common as clouds, governing over a dozen surrounding dynasties.

And his Tianqi Dynasty was one of the many vassal states of the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty, paying tribute every year and reporting every matter, never daring to overstep in the slightest.

Furthermore, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau of the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty held immense power, overseeing the Dynasty's astrological deductions, ancestral temple sacrifices, Cultivation scriptures, and the appointment of vassal states. It was one of the core forces of the Imperial Dynasty.

The Elders of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau were all powerful beings with unfathomable Cultivation. A common Elder would already be at the Peak Nascent Soul stage, and Li Xuan had long heard of Elder Cang Wu's reputation—it was rumored that his Cultivation had reached the Soul Transformation stage, and he was a person of significant authority within the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, one of the prominent figures of the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty.

For such a figure to pass through a small vassal state like Tianqi and even make a special visit was certainly no accident.

If the hospitality was lacking and offended Elder Cang Wu, it would be equivalent to incurring the dissatisfaction of the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty. A mere vassal state like Tianqi could not possibly withstand the wrath of the Heavenly Dragon.

Moreover, with envoys from various countries and Sect messengers present in the hall, Elder Cang Wu's arrival concerned Tianqi's reputation, and there could not be the slightest mistake.

Li Xuan's mind raced, and in an instant, he suppressed all his astonishment.

He raised his hand to straighten the Twelve Ornaments on his ceremonial robe, and a solemn yet humble smile slowly spread across his face. He nodded slightly to the Great Qin envoy beside him, his tone apologetic yet retaining his imperial poise.

"Envoy, please wait a moment. I have an external matter to attend to and will return shortly."

After saying this, he turned to Li Fu at his side and said in a deep voice, his words carrying an unquestionable command:

"Quickly, open the Vermilion Bird Gate wide and order the Imperial Guard to form a line of welcome. I shall personally go outside the hall to receive him! Also, immediately send someone to City Lord Situ's residence to invite him back to the Taiqian Hall. With Elder Cang Wu's grand arrival, all officials in the palace must accompany him to show Tianqi's sincerity and etiquette."

Situ Jun was the City Lord of Tianqi's Northern Border City, and his Cultivation was profound, unmatched by anyone within Tianqi. He was also an unignorable force in the current Tianqi court. With such a powerful figure as Elder Cang Wu arriving, having Situ Jun by his side would give Tianqi a bit more confidence.

Just as Li Xuan finished speaking, Mysterious Clarity Master, who was sitting nearby, frowned slightly and slowly stood up.

Mysterious Clarity Master was the State Preceptor of Tianqi. He wore a plain Daoist robe, his hair and beard were slightly white, and he was surrounded by a faint spiritual energy, exuding an air of transcendent grace.

He bowed to Li Xuan and said:

"Sovereign, there are many matters to attend to in the hall. Sending someone else might cause a delay. Why don't I, this old Daoist, go personally?"

Mysterious Clarity Master was the State Preceptor of Tianqi. Although his Cultivation was suppressed at the Late Golden Core Stage, he acted swiftly and got along well with Situ Jun. If he went to extend the invitation, it would naturally be much more reliable than an ordinary palace servant.

Hearing this, Li Xuan's expression brightened with joy, the solemnity on his face relaxing slightly, and he immediately nodded in agreement.

"Then I shall trouble the Imperial Advisor to make the trip. It would be for the best if the Imperial Advisor goes."

"This old Daoist obeys."

Mysterious Clarity Master nodded in agreement. A faint white spiritual energy instantly surged around him, enveloping his body. His figure became like a wisp of light smoke as he passed directly through the palace doors and vanished, flying out of the Taiqian Hall toward the side courtyard on the west side of the palace.

After Mysterious Clarity Master left, Li Xuan turned and laughed loudly to the guests in the hall, his voice carrying clearly to every corner over the music.

"Envoys and messengers, please wait a moment. Elder Cang Wu of the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty's Imperial Astronomical Bureau has graced our Tianqi with his presence. I shall personally go outside the hall to welcome him and return in a moment."

As soon as these words were spoken, the noisy Taiqian Hall fell silent for a moment.

The silence, so profound that a dropped needle could be heard, lasted only a few seconds before erupting into an uproar.

The envoys of various countries put down their jade cups one after another, and the Sect messengers also set aside their wine goblets. All of them wore looks of surprise, and as they whispered to one another, their eyes were filled with disbelief.

An Elder of the Heavenly Dragon Dynasty's Imperial Astronomical Bureau!

That was a figure who could make the entire Divine Beast Continent tremble with a stomp of his foot. To think he would pass through a small vassal state like Tianqi and even make a special visit?

Such an honor was something even some middle-tier dynasties might not receive.

Everyone had their own calculations, and the gaze they directed at Li Xuan held a few more hints of unavoidable awe.

Tianqi was merely a vassal state of Heavenly Dragon, yet it could receive the favor of such a great figure. There was likely even deeper support behind it. In the future, when dealing with Tianqi, they would have to be even more cautious.

Liu Airu, on the Phoenix Throne, also slightly retracted the smile from her lips. She raised her hand to gently straighten the cloud-patterned collar of her Huiyi, sitting up straight with a composed posture. Her phoenix eyes were as calm as water, and her features displayed the full dignity and elegance of the Mother of the Nation, though only the fingers hidden in her sleeves curled slightly.

She thought to herself that the timing of Elder Cang Wu's arrival was far too coincidental. It happened right during the palace banquet to invest the New Empress, and right when envoys from various countries and Sects were gathered. The reason behind this was likely not that simple.