Rumors had it that Xie Zhenlan, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Xie family, was both well - versed in literature and martial arts. Now, she had even advanced to an intermediate - level cultivator. Initially, she was groomed to be the next head of the Xie family, but somehow, she ended up marrying Li Yuejin.
As soon as Nan Chaoyu opened her mouth, it annoyed this woman.
Xie Zhenlan stopped in her tracks, turned back, and gave Nan Chaoyu a sinister look. Her voice carried a threat, "Nan Chaoyu, since you've luckily regained your wits, don't go around causing trouble. Otherwise, you might go crazy again, and you won't be so lucky next time!"
Nan Chaoyu found this remark rather strange and replied, "I'll remember what you said, Lady Li. I'll surely return the favor if I get the chance."
Xie Zhenlan let out a sneer. The way she looked at Nan Chaoyu was as if she were some interesting plaything. "Nan Chaoyu, you're quite big - mouthed for your age. Aren't you afraid of straining your tongue?"
Nan Chaoyu rubbed the wine cup in her hand, thinking about whether to pour the wine over this Lady Li's head.
Just as she was about to act, she glanced to the side and happened to meet Li Yuejin's somewhat pleading eyes.
She sighed and tightened her grip on the cup.
Forget it!
The great city - lord Li had a hard time. If she were to splash Xie Zhenlan today and disrupt the banquet, it would probably make things even more difficult for this city - lord in the future.
After all, he had taken care of her body. She didn't want to do something that would embarrass others.
"Lady! Since you don't want to stay here, take Li Luo and leave!"
Seeing that Nan Chaoyu was being polite, Li Yuejin quickly took a step and blocked Xie Zhenlan's sight. His tone carried a hint of warning.
Perhaps Xie Zhenlan didn't want to be treated like a monkey for others to watch. She didn't refute Li Yuejin's words and didn't continue to pick on Nan Chaoyu. Instead, she took Li Luo and went to sit at the Xie family's position on the opposite side.
After this short delay, Li Yuejin raised a glass to everyone present as an apology.
Before he could speak, a shout came from the entrance of the hall.
"The envoy of the Holy Light has arrived!"
The voice, imbued with internal energy, spread out, reverberating through the doors and corridors. It rang out exactly eight times in the banquet hall.
Everyone in the hall turned their heads in unison and stared at the door.
Nan Chaoyu pursed her lips and turned to ask, "Do you know who this is?"
"Replying to my master, eight announcements mean it's the specification for a prince to visit his fief. Currently, the only prince without a mission in the Holy Light City is Prince Qing. If I'm not mistaken, the person coming must be Prince Qing."
Nan Chaoyu nodded and shifted her gaze disinterestedly.
But then she remembered the time when she was stuffed onto the Holy Light envoy's carriage from here.
Back then, the Holy Light envoys were notorious among the people of the five cities.
They wandered around everywhere, relying on the travel permits issued by the Holy Light Empire, and engaged in the business of abducting young girls.
Later, they abducted her to the Holy Light City. She exposed this shameful business, and the authorities of the Holy Light Empire came to know about this disgraceful trade.
After that, she spent three years uncovering this underground chain one by one. All those Holy Light envoys who had committed heinous crimes were thrown into the Soul - devouring Sea by her.
Later, the Holy Light Empire became much stricter in selecting envoys. Usually, they were the descendants of important court officials or those with royal titles.
The reputation of the Holy Light envoys had improved a lot. They were well - received everywhere they went.
Thinking of this, Nan Chaoyu took a sip of wine and wondered if she should ask the emperor for some rewards.
The people present had all seen big scenes. However, the eight announcements inevitably made them speculate about the identity of the visitor.
By the time Li Yuejin greeted the visitor at the door, the envoy had already arrived.
Seeing the person, the city - lord Li was stunned. "Yueqing, it's actually you?"
"Brother, long time no see. I hope you've been well!"
Prince Qing, as described by Tinglan, was a young man in his twenties, with a delicate appearance. Standing in front of the chubby city - lord Li, he seemed a bit thin.
Prince Qing didn't put on the airs of an envoy. He nodded to everyone present, then his gaze passed over the city - lord Li and landed on Nan Chaoyu, who was sitting inside with her head down.
"Yueqing, I didn't expect it to be you. I'm really surprised, brother. Please come in quickly."
Prince Qing didn't stand on ceremony. Walking side by side with Li Yuejin, he lowered his voice and said, "Brother has quite a lot of influence. You've even invited that person. I'm really envious."
Li Yuejin gave a bitter smile and didn't respond.
If he knew what had just happened, he probably wouldn't be so envious.
Li Yuejin led Prince Qing to the front and invited him to sit in the upper seat.
Prince Qing waved his hand, pointed at Nan Chaoyu, and sat in the seat where Li Luo had just been.
Seeing this, Li Yuejin had no choice but to sit in the upper seat next to Nan Chaoyu. He picked up a glass of wine and said loudly:
"Li is grateful to all of you for attending today's banquet. Tomorrow will be the day of the Soul - devouring Sea competition. At that time, a hundred people will be selected from among you to enter the restricted area of the Soul - devouring Sea.
This is the first time that Dream Sea City has held such a grand event. If there are any shortcomings in our hospitality, please forgive us. Li hereby raises a glass to all of you! I wish all of you a victorious start!"
After drinking the glass of wine, Li Yuejin spoke again. His gaze shifted to Li Luo on the opposite side. "My daughter, Li Luo, recently passed the assessment of the Holy Light Empire and was fortunate enough to obtain the title of Holy Light Princess. I invited all of you here to be witnesses. To show my gratitude,
Li will present five travel permits of the Holy Light Empire to the top five heroes ranked highest tomorrow. It's just a small token of my appreciation. Please forgive me!"
While Li Yuejin was giving this long speech, Prince Qing leaned towards Nan Chaoyu and whispered, "Princess Yu, I'm here on the emperor's order to deliver something to you!"
Nan Chaoyu didn't move and pretended not to hear.
Prince Qing didn't mind at all and continued, "The emperor heard that you're going to enter the Soul - devouring Sea. He's very worried about you."
Nan Chaoyu reached up to pick her ear and said, "So annoying!"
She didn't lower her voice, and the two people beside her both heard it.
Li Yuejin, who was in the middle of his passionate speech, was stunned for a moment, and Prince Qing also shut up.
Seeing that Li Yuejin had stopped speaking, Prince Qing was afraid of making Nan Chaoyu unhappy. He quickly stood up and waved his hand.
Soon, three people each carried a brocade box and walked up. Prince Qing said loudly, "Read it!"
"Li Luo, the daughter of the city - lord of Dream Sea City, is dignified and elegant..."
After a long list of praise, the announcing envoy placed a token and the imperial edict in the hands of Li Luo, who had stood up.
Li Luo took the token and the imperial edict excitedly and glanced in the direction of the Xie family.
It was as if this title was given by the Xie family, completely ignoring Li Yuejin, the city - lord.
Nan Chaoyu's heart skipped a beat. Her gaze shifted to Li Yuejin's face, and she happened to see the loneliness that he couldn't retract in time.
Suddenly, she felt angry. Her inborn sense of justice welled up. She let out a cold snort and suddenly spoke up.
"Prince Qing, I have a doubt. I'd like you to explain it!"