Chapter 493: Chapter 292: Night Banquet at the Imperial Garden

This imperial palace is seamlessly integrated into the natural landscape, with pavilions and towers, arched bridges over flowing streams, and a blue lake with ripples here and there. Every ten steps reveals a new scene, with spirit trees swaying, and flying eaves and bracket sets outlined in a faint golden contour under the fiery glow.

There are many guests in the palace, including young women in fluttering feather robes, elders shrouded in a mysterious divine ring, and heroic men with silver wings. From the Human Clan to Alien Species, all are dressed in magnificent attire, wearing smiles, making the atmosphere harmonious.

Yao Ruoxian looked at Qin Ming and talked with him about the exploration of the Yin Earth Ghost Path relics. Clearly, she had recognized him, remembering that she had once hired him.

Though she was the Fourth Princess of Great Yu, she was gentle and graceful here, for all attendees were cultivators, each with their backgrounds. Some even had identities that the Great Yu Imperial Family dreaded.

“Every time there is a Great Exploration deep into the Yewu World, a genius will rise rapidly. This is a moment both cruel and brilliant…” Yao Ruoxian, with her supreme beauty and enchanting smile, invited Qin Ming to explore the Immortal Tomb Territory together.

She candidly stated that they had worked together before, so they were familiar with each other.

Qin Ming nodded with a smile, indicating he would seriously consider it.

He recalled clearly how her Taoist skills surpassed many higher-level Immortal Seeds. When she hired people back then, she was somewhat ruthless, forcing him to fight desperately with her Day Gold.

On Yao Ruoxian’s shoulder, the entirely crimson Four-winged Sparrow was rolling its eyes. It holds a grudge, already recognizing this as the fierce young man who trimmed its head with an Iron Arrow.

The host of today’s banquet, the Imperial Uncle of Great Yu, was personally entertaining a group of old folks, each a formidable character.

Other middle and young generation guests naturally fell under the care of Yao Ruoxian and other members of the Imperial Family.

At this moment, Wu Yaizu and Xiang Yiwu had already blended into the crowd, dispersing separately.

After a brief conversation with Yao Ruoxian, Qin Ming wandered about casually, knowing that if anyone from the Helian Family wanted to cause trouble, they would come to him now that he had shown up.

After several battles at the South Heavenly Gate, his reputation and status had skyrocketed, and many attendees recognized him, approaching to strike up a conversation.

Qin Ming clinked glasses with people from time to time, responding calmly, waiting quietly for his target to appear.

“Should I call you Qin Ming, or Li Ye?” a familiar face appeared—it was Tang Xumi, who had crossed paths with Qin Ming at the Luo Fu Immortal Mountain Ruins.

He had already guessed that the boy with the surname Li beside Li Qingyue back then was very likely the current Qin Ming.

“You still owe me a copy of the Divine Ape Scripture!” Qin Ming no longer concealed anything.

“That was a fragmented copy. I’ll gift you a complete Miracle Technique in the future.” Tang Xumi smiled.

“Congratulations on becoming an Immortal Seed, achieving your wish.” Qin Ming had a decent impression of him. When he wanted to buy Ba Wang’s Will back then, Tang Xumi had spoken for him.

“Before the Great Exploration, at least I have gained qualification.” Tang Xumi said. He had traversed many hardships, finally rising through raw strength.

“Qin Ming.” An exceptionally striking woman approached, with a dignified and beautiful appearance, her skin radiating with a luminous glow, exuding an extraordinary and sacred aura that made many young men who wanted to approach her feel inferior and retreat quietly.

She had a very unique spiritual aura, capable of affecting the minds of many young people.

“Miss Zhao,” Qin Ming recognized her.

Zhao Qingcheng held a very high status among her peers in the Esoteric Buddhism, on par with Cheng Cheng, as one of the most renowned Divine Seeds.

She didn’t say much but secretly conveyed a message: “Qingyue said she will handle those matters herself and advised you not to take any actions.”

Qin Ming knew that Li Qingyue was exceptionally capable, yet this time was different from the past. Who could shake such a colossal entity as the Immortal Control Sect?

Who dared to touch it? If the Immortal Control Sect emerged, it could silence an entire territory, suffocating many.

Li Qingyue was likely afraid that he would act impulsively, bringing doom upon himself.

Qin Ming sighed, “I know what to do. I’m only in the Second Realm. I won’t try to shake a tree as an ant. I showed up today just to test the pressure.”

He thought that the old monster in the Seventh Realm would surely not know who he was, as his gaze had never fallen on a young man like him.

Even the Great Grandmaster of the Immortal Control Sect would not know him unless he deliberately bowed his head.

If someone really wanted to cause trouble, it would most likely be the youth from the Helian Family.

Zhao Qingcheng, not very verbose and rather cool, told him and then retreated, her black hair fluttering, her beautiful silhouette blending into the crowd.

There were many guests on the scene, gathering in threes and fives, all talking about the Great Exploration, discussing the local customs and mentioning various dangers and opportunities.

The Sun Elf Clan present was very popular, surrounded by many. Who wouldn’t want to hear more valuable information from locals?

On the Immortal Road, there were naturally many channels for obtaining news. Some Ancestor Masters even traveled secretly for on-the-ground research, otherwise, who would dare to venture deep in?

The crystal chandeliers suspending from the dome refracted a blazing auspicious glow, like a vast sea of stars pouring down, illuminating the palace in splendid glory.

Qin Ming saw many familiar faces when a woman caught his attention, with jet-black hair and flickering eyes, seemingly born to smile, graceful and attractive as she approached.

“You shouldn’t have come here,” Wang Caiwei whispered.

Qin Ming remained silent, did everyone think he appeared to cause trouble?

“Nor should you have come,” he replied.

Because he noticed Cui Chonghe looking over.

He and Wang Caiwei had never shared much interaction, having few connections, yet he bore many unwarranted accusations.

“It’s okay,” Wang Caiwei smiled, pressing her lips.

What could Qin Ming do? He directly raised his glass to the stylish Cui Chonghe, and then drank first as a sign of respect.

Cui Chonghe glanced over calmly, showing no reaction, and then continued conversing with the Prince of Great Yu.

Qin Ming spoke, “Back in Chixia City, I received a secret manual wrapped in oiled paper.”

“I sent it, the Five Thunders Refining Technique,” Wang Caiwei admitted openly.

“Thank you!” Qin Ming said.

Wang Caiwei, with her fair jade-like fingers holding a crystal clear wine glass, took a light sip of the fine wine and said, “From what I know about Qing Yue, she is outwardly gentle but tough inside, unwilling to compromise. But this time, she will struggle. Even with her exceptional mindset and skills, she will feel powerless. The Immortal Control Sect has a powerhouse stepping into the Seventh Realm, like standing atop the clouds, overlooking the world. People say it’s easy to shake an immortal, but rattling that sect is extremely difficult!”

Qin Ming pondered that Qing Yue would likely not seek help or borrow strength from anyone. After all, if the Direct Lineage of the Helian Family insisted, anyone invited to intervene would be dragged into a terrifying quagmire.

He understood why Li Qingyue appeared exhausted now.

Wang Caiwei secretly transmitted a message: “It’s fine if this matter remains calm, but if it ultimately provokes the Old Heavenly Immortal Ancestor Helian, even other Ancestor Masters will be suppressed.”

“Heavenly Immortal?” Qin Ming was startled.

Wang Caiwei’s expression was serious and she said, “Yes, that’s the honorific for him. It’s best not to refer to him as an old monster here; it’s considered disrespectful. Even if it’s in secret transmission, it might trigger something.”

Qin Ming further realized how terrifying the Ancestor of the Immortal Control Sect was; he indeed had an aura that suppressed the world.

“Has Siqi arrived?” Qin Ming inquired about information on his friend, as the Lihuo Scripture, which was very important to him, was given by Ning Siqi.

Wang Caiwei informed: “My cousin is currently in seclusion over at the Esoteric Buddhism side. The Ning Family also values him, as they gifted him a purified divine substance from their ancestors.”

After a brief conversation, she gracefully left.

Afterwards, Qin Ming saw Pei Shuyan.

He was elegant and handsome, with an exceptional appearance, walking towards this side.

When Qin Ming received the bronze ring, he briefly thought it was Pei Shuyan making a move, as the Pei Family had quite deep roots in the Outer World.

“We can chat sometime if there’s an opportunity,” Pei Shuyan said.

“Sure!” Qin Ming nodded, at least the other party had no malice now.

Pei Shuyan said, “Seeing Luofu decline, some in the Immortal Control Sect have thoughts; how would the other Great Sects on the Immortal Road think? Before the Great Exploration, it’s not about to happen immediately.”

He spoke directly, surprisingly saying this.

Qin Ming secretly asked, “After the Great Exploration, would the Immortal Control Sect dare? Could the Old Monster Helian fully step into the Seventh Realm?”

“It’s possible!” Pei Shuyan nodded solemnly.

In the palace, the lights were bright and there were many guests; at this moment, there was a disturbance from not far away.

“The Helian Family’s display is not small. Even the old Imperial Uncle personally accompanied a youngster for a chat.” Pei Shuyan spoke.

What Qin Ming saw was that the Helian Family’s status was indeed somewhat high; a young person disturbed the high levels of the Great Yu Imperial Family.

It was a young man in white, very handsome, surrounded by many people, seeming to glow. Whether noble or cultivators from various paths, many stepped forward to chat willingly.

After a battle on the moon recently, Qin Ming’s fame greatly increased, but compared to that person in white, he paled in comparison.

The area was densely surrounded, with the Helian Family’s young member being very popular.

Qin Ming recognized that the person in white once stood atop a high building and looked down at him.

Soon after, a young boy walked in at the palace entrance, accompanied by a small group of people.

He was barely eleven or twelve, with jet-black hair, bright eyes, outstanding looks, and dressed with great care. His attire, jade pendant, and such seemed to be exotic treasures, faintly emitting a brilliant glow.

Qin Ming recognized this was the boy who had them removed from their residence on the moon.

Then, he heard the white-clothed man call him Helian Mingxu.

The Helian Family didn’t show up often, but now two people appeared at once.

The young man in white and the boy instantly became the focal point of this palace, shining like stars being adorned.

For a long time, people gradually dispersed from their area.

Once the atmosphere in the palace returned to normal, the young man in white stepped towards Qin Ming’s direction.

The rosy-lipped, bright-toothed young boy, Helian Mingxu, slightly frowned and glanced over, the jade at his waist clinking, also followed.

Qin Ming knew after many days in seclusion, once he revealed himself, those who wanted to pressure him would come forward.

But he did not expect that two would come at once.

The white-clothed man’s stature was tall, his black hair glistening, his eyebrows slender, eyes like black gems, quite spirited, and his facial features were defined.

Although Qin Ming had no goodwill towards the Helian Family, he had to admit this person was handsome.

“You are Qin Ming? Come with me,” the young man in white said, with a faint smile on his face.

Qin Ming had always restrained his emotions, but now he felt like exploding; his first contact with someone from the Helian Family and he experienced their domineering ways.

What kind of words were these? Upon meeting, this man in white wanted to “take” him!

Meanwhile, the brightly dressed youth Helian Mingxu, his eyebrows slightly raised, seemed somewhat displeased.

The actions and expressions of these two were indeed excessively outrageous; one blandly stated the fact of taking someone, while the other picked through it, not fully satisfied.

This scene made Qin Ming want to grasp them firmly, one in each hand, and crush them both.

“What, you don’t want to? Follow me into the Immortal Tomb Territory and excavate the Divine Tomb, there will be great benefits,” the young man in white said.

While speaking, he covered his mouth with his hand and laughed.

Qin Ming was suddenly surprised, what kind of “species” was this, even having a bit of a wench-like tone.

“I don’t want to.” He said calmly, feeling that the Helian Family was too bullying!

Meanwhile, Qin Ming activated the Newborn’s Eye, looked carefully ahead.

“Hmm?” He was suddenly taken aback.

This somewhat effeminate person in white seemed to be… a woman?

He looked again carefully, truly a young woman.

This white-clothed person wanted to dominate both men and women, demanding everything? Qin Ming was extremely indignant!