Alchemy Sovereign Against the Heaven
Chapter 161: The Center of Attention

Chapter 161: Chapter 161: The Center of Attention

"Mm?"

As Emperor Yun and Empress Yun approached, Jun Muqing quickly looked ahead. She also saw Mo Wangchen seated between Wan Quan and Elder Ling.

"Why is he here too?"

Yun Yi frowned, filled with confusion.

In fact, neither he nor Jun Muqing knew that Mo Wangchen and Elder Ling were acquainted. So at this moment, seeing Mo Wangchen sitting next to Elder Ling, Yun Yi naturally couldn’t understand why.

Jun Muqing, however, furrowed her brow, seemingly realizing something, "Mo Wangchen is a third-grade Alchemist. It’s not surprising that he would appear here with Elder Ling."

Given Mo Wangchen’s current age and his achievement as a third-grade Alchemist, he was already a rare genius in the Alchemy Dao in Yun Country, earning the Alchemist Alliance’s respect.

"Hmph! Mo Wangchen, I, Jun Muqing, am destined to be on a different level from you. After today, I will be officially announced as the Crown Princess Consort of Yun Country. What good is an Alchemy Dao talent? In the life-or-death battle a month from now, it will be your death date!"

Jun Muqing sneered coldly in her heart, glanced lightly at Mo Wangchen, then paid him no more attention, following Yun Yi and accompanying Emperor Yun and Empress Yun toward the forefront of the banquet.

Eventually, Jun Muqing and Yun Yi sat to the left of Emperor Yun and Empress Yun, directly across from Mo Wangchen and Elder Ling.

With Empress Yun supporting Emperor Yun, the two ascended the high platform. Standing there gave an aura of supreme authority.

"Today is my grand birthday. All civil and military officials of Yun Country are gathered, along with so many heroic seniors. I am greatly gratified, so let me first drink a toast!"

Empress Yun took a wine cup filled by a maid from the table, toasting everyone with a slight smile.

"May Empress Yun enjoy boundless longevity, long live, long live, long long live! And may Emperor Yun have the same health and longevity, long live, long live, long long live!"

Everyone stood up, raised their wine cups, and drank together.

"On the occasion of Empress Yun’s birthday and everyone’s presence, this emperor is very gratified. Besides celebrating Empress Yun’s birthday, there is also a joyous event to announce today." Emperor Yun stood up, smiling slightly, then looked at Yun Yi and Jun Muqing below.

"Now that the Crown Prince has come of age and reached the time for marriage, a virtuous girl should be chosen. By fortunate fate, Jun Family has Jun Muqing, who complements the Crown Prince, making it a perfect match. Hence, she shall be betrothed to the Crown Prince as the Crown Princess Consort, with all rites handled by the Ministry of Rites and the wedding to be completed on an auspicious day."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

"Thank you, Father!"

As Emperor Yun’s voice fell, both Jun Muqing and Yun Yi stood, bowing in respect.

"The Jun Family is marrying into the Royal Family?!"

"Truly unexpected! But Jun Muqing is Yun Country’s top genius. If she marries the Crown Prince, it’s not surprising..."

Hearing this, those who initially didn’t know began discussing, looking at Jun Muqing and the Jun Family with envy.

"Your Majesty, I’ve heard that Jun Muqing was once engaged to another man. Isn’t it inappropriate to betroth her to the Crown Prince now..."

Yet amidst all the discussions, a middle-aged man suddenly stood at the banquet’s forefront and spoke.

"What?!"

"Jun Muqing was engaged before?"

"Is that true? How have we never heard of it?"

Everyone was shocked, recognizing the speaker as none other than Yang Li, the Family Head of one of the five major families, the Yang Family!

"Hmm?!"

Not far from Yang Li, Mo Wangchen frowned, looking at Yang Xu, who sat beside Yang Li, watching him with a cold smile.

Perhaps Yang Li spoke these words encouraged by Yang Xu?

Indeed, after Yang Li’s statement, both Empress Yun and Emperor Yun frowned on the high platform, obviously displeased, unhappy that the Yang Family would bring this up now.

However, before Emperor Yun could speak, Jun Muqing stood beside Yun Yi, faced the audience’s doubts, and said loudly, "My previous engagement was arranged by my ancestors, not of my own will. Furthermore, I already went there to dissolve the engagement..."

"Who is this person? Is there evidence of their agreement to dissolve the engagement?"

After hearing Jun Muqing’s words, everyone was relieved, but officials from Yun Country’s Ministry of Rites stood up. To them, etiquette was paramount. If Jun Muqing wished to become the Crown Princess Consort, they needed clarity on this matter.

"Evidence..."

Jun Muqing frowned. Back when she went to the Mo Family, she did not receive any so-called evidence, only Mo Wangchen’s verbal promise.

In her dilemma, Jun Muqing’s beautiful eyes turned, subconsciously looking at Mo Wangchen.

Swoosh!

Now, Jun Muqing was the focus of everyone. Her every move naturally triggered reactions. Everyone subconsciously followed her gaze and saw Mo Wangchen sitting beside Elder Ling, drinking alone.

The crowd was puzzled, not understanding why Jun Muqing looked at Mo Wangchen.

"Hah!"

Mo Wangchen downed his cup, placed it on the table, and, after a moment of silence, stood up, looking at the Ministry of Rites officials who had just spoken.

"I am the one who was once engaged to Jun Muqing. What she said is true. Several months ago, we had already dissolved the engagement," Mo Wangchen said.

"It was him who was engaged to Jun Muqing?"

"Who is this boy? Sitting beside Elder Ling suggests he’s not ordinary. Did Jun Muqing request to dissolve the engagement?"

"Heh, in Yun Country, what status compares to the Crown Prince..."

Seeing Mo Wangchen stand, the crowd began to discuss, looking at Mo Wangchen with bewilderment.

By now, many still knew nothing about Mo Wangchen.

"No need to guess. I’m not a young master from some grand family, just a son of a small family in Fangtian City, Yun Country, insignificant in your eyes," Mo Wangchen said plainly in response to their doubts.

He then suddenly smiled, stood from his spot, and walked beneath the high platform where Emperor Yun and Empress Yun were, clasping his hands, "Empress Yun’s birthday coincides with the Crown Prince’s marriage, a double blessing. I, Mo Wangchen, on behalf of the Alchemist Alliance, present a gift..."

"On behalf of the Alchemist Alliance?"

"Is this young man named Mo Wangchen an Alchemist of the Alchemist Alliance?"

"No wonder he sits beside Elder Ling, such a young Alchemist attending here must mean his Alchemy Dao skill is profound!"

"I wonder what gift he’s presenting..."

Amidst the crowd’s discussion, Mo Wangchen took out the Youth Pill he received from Elder Ling.