Nine Dragons Saint Ancestor
Chapter 328: Second Prince invites you at three hundred twenty-eight!

Chapter 328: Second Prince invites you at three hundred twenty-eight!

A loud voice, accompanied by the sound of bells, rang out. As the crowd caught sight of the figure emerging from the inner hall, their murmurings abruptly ceased, replaced by a wave of excitement.

The King of the Xuanyue Empire, Haoran Xuan, was advanced in years. In recent years, most of the Empire’s major affairs have been handled by Crown Prince Jiuding Xuan, who managed the empire so efficiently that his governance was almost comparable to his father’s.

However, the attendees were all prominent figures of the Xuanyue Empire, either Family Heads from major families or Sect Masters from powerful sects, and they had their speculations about certain rumors.

For instance, Yu Shu, Sect Master of the Jade Pot Sect, had a significant change of opinion about Jiuding Xuan because of the incident that occurred in the Jade Pot Cave.

That day at the Heavenly Moon Pavilion, although Jiuding Xuan firmly denied involvement in the affairs of the Jade Pot Sect, what kind of person was Yu Shu? How could Xuan Zhi, merely the Third Prince of the Empire, possibly have the Xuantie Army’s Commander secretly infiltrating the Jade Pot Sect for many years without Jiuding’s instigation behind it?

However, relatively speaking, for those like the Jade Pot Sect who had direct vested interests, even if the other Sect and Family Heads knew that Jiuding Xuan wasn’t as mild-mannered as he appeared, they also understood that governing a country could not be achieved with just a compassionate heart.

Even Haoran Xuan, known as a wise monarch, couldn’t claim that he had never acted in self-interest throughout his life. It was just that such matters were often overshadowed by his public persona.

As long as one wished to remain influential within the Xuanyue Empire, it was impossible to show any disrespect towards this future monarch, and even the Masters of the three great sects wouldn’t dare openly break ties with Jiuding Xuan.

Therefore, at this moment, even though Yu Shu wanted to question Jiuding Xuan, he had to hold back since he lacked solid evidence. Additionally, Xuan Zhi and Yan Chun were not present—essentially leaving no witnesses to the acts suspected.

"Haha, welcome everyone to the Xuanyue Imperial Family’s gathering. Here, on behalf of my father the Emperor, I greet every one of you!"

Jiuding Xuan exuded pride and confidence as his gaze swept over the numerous guests in the Moon Embracing Hall, pausing briefly on Yun Xiao, which made Li Yue of the Qingshan Sect quite uncomfortable.

Indeed, Li Yue couldn’t help but feel irked by Yun Xiao. You’re just a mere late-stage Meridian Rushing Realm cultivator; why would the Crown Prince give you an extra glance?

Yun Xiao naturally ignored these senseless thoughts. Compared to Li Yue, who was easily readable, Yun Xiao was more concerned about Crown Prince Jiuding Xuan, considering him to be his foremost rival in the Xuanyue Empire.

In front of everyone, Jiuding Xuan couldn’t do much to Yun Xiao, so after his glance, he again spoke loudly: "Ladies and gentlemen, I apologize. My father has some urgent matters and might be delayed a bit longer. Thank you for your patience."

"Hehe, His Majesty is busy with important matters. We are just here to enjoy the birthday feast, so waiting a bit longer is no issue at all."

This response came from Li Feng, Sect Master of Qingshan Sect, whose words seemed to satisfy Crown Prince Jiuding Xuan as he turned his head, smiling and nodding appreciatively at Li Feng’s understanding.

However, aside from sect leaders like those from Qingshan Sect who were deliberately courting favor with the Royal Family, others like Yu Shu and Jia Yi frowned slightly.

Today was supposed to be King Haoran’s birthday celebration. This wasn’t an imperial government affair; there was surely no need for Jiuding Xuan to handle everything, could it be that something happened to the King?

With this thought, Yu Shu and the others turned their gazes towards the Crown Prince, but all they saw was Jiuding Xuan, smiling and greeting the guests, showing no sign of grief.

Under such circumstances, Yu Shu and Jia Yi naturally couldn’t say much and could only wait patiently. However, even after two hours, the King of Xuanyue still hadn’t appeared, which started to seem rather strange.

Just as the crowd was becoming increasingly anxious, a figure dressed as a guard suddenly entered through the doors of the Moon Embracing Hall. The guard went straight to Jiuding Xuan, bowed, whispered something, and upon receiving a nod from the Crown Prince, turned around.

"May I ask, which one of you is Young Master Yun Xiao?"

The guard asked politely, but the underlying meaning puzzled the attendees. The previously noisy hall quieted down instantly, and all eyes simultaneously fixed on a young man in simple attire.

Who Yun Xiao was, was no longer unfamiliar to everyone in the hall, but what they didn’t expect after painfully waiting two hours for the King of Xuanyue, was this sudden appearance of a guard specifically asking for Yun Xiao. What this implied was somewhat baffling.

"I am Yun Xiao. What is it?"

Seeing everyone’s eyes on him, Yun Xiao too was filled with doubt. He stepped forward and spoke, affirming his identity.

"Master Yun Xiao, the Second Prince requests your presence!"

The guard’s face remained respectful as he quickly approached Yun Xiao and bowed. The words that left his mouth relaxed the crowd but also sparked new speculations.

The "Second Prince" the guard referred to was undoubtedly the Second Prince Xuan Jing. Unlike the guesses of others, Yun Xiao realized the truth in an instant.

After all, back in the Meridian Treasure, Yun Xiao and Xuan Jing had interacted, even forming a life-saving camaraderie; later on in Luocheng, Xuan Jing had saved his life, and even escorted him back to the Jade Pot Sect, preventing countless troubles.

Thus, Yun Xiao had no doubts about what the guard had said, presuming that the Second Prince who knew of his arrival at the Royal Family summoned him in hopes of catching up.

"Hehe, Brother Yun Xiao, since it’s my younger brother who invites you, why not go and meet him? I’ve heard that you two share quite a friendship!"

Just as the crowd was pondering, Crown Prince Xuan Jiuding had already spoken with a light smile, though no one saw the fleeting sharpness hidden in his eyes — this matter was probably not as simple as it seemed.

"Teacher, I shall go then!"

Yun Xiao had this intention, so he directly turned to Yu Shu and bowed, and after speaking, he followed the guard and left the bustling Moon Embracing Hall.

Yu Shu also heard about the camaraderie between Yun Xiao and Xuan Jing and hence did not say much—maintaining a good relationship with the Empire’s Second Prince could ease the strained situation between the Jade Pot Sect and the Royal Family.

Watching Yun Xiao’s disappearing figure at the entrance of Moon Embracing Hall, Crown Prince Xuan Jiuding’s eyes shimmered even more intensely with a hint of cold laughter, too subtle to be noticed.

Ding!

However, at that moment, the Moon Embracing Hall rang once again with a bell sound, and when everyone turned around, a very majestic figure had already walked out from the inner hall.

"His Majesty the King, arrives!"

The loud announcement left no room for doubt as the dragon-like, tiger-striding figure in a golden robe, showing old yet undiminished authority, was indeed the leading figure of the Xuanyue Empire, King Xuan Haoran.

For some reason, the moment King Xuan Haoran appeared, all prior discontents among the crowd instantly vanished, replaced by a profound reverence.

Xuan Haoran, who had steered Xuanyue Empire for nearly two hundred years, had lifted a declining empire back into prosperity, achieving a resurgence of the empire.

Even though Xuan Haoran had not been actively managing affairs in recent years, the powerful aura of his heydays, and the striking feats he had accomplished were things no Cultivator of Xuanyue Empire could ever forget—the commanding respect of a revitalizing monarch.

Even Sect Master Yu Shu of Jade Pot Sect, upset over the Sect Treasure being seized by the Royal Family, had to put aside his thoughts upon seeing the King; discussing such grievances during this birthday celebration would be rather disrespectful.

"I apologize for making all of you wait; there were some urgent matters that needed my attention. Later, I shall personally drink three cups as an apology!"

King Xuan Haoran expressed his apologies, but at this moment, he seemed to lack some of his usual commanding presence and instead appeared to be burdened with worries, as if he was troubled by unresolved issues.

Since the King himself had said so, the many guests naturally could not persist in the matter, but some adept at reading expressions like Yu Shu and Jia Yi guessed the hint from Xuan Haoran’s demeanor.

With the looming end of Xuan Haoran’s time, the annual birthday celebration he always punctually attended had never seen him late.

Today, not only was Xuan Haoran two time periods late, but he also bore a hint of worry on his face—what could possibly trouble the authoritative King of Xuanyue Empire to this extent?

While it was true that in recent years, the empire’s affairs had been managed by Xuan Jiuding, no one believed that Xuan Haoran had stepped aside from power; his word was law in the Xuanyue Empire, and there was nothing he couldn’t accomplish.

But little did people know, some things couldn’t be resolved by sheer power alone, like the imminent deadline of Xuan Haoran’s two hundred-year reign without advancing to the Earth Rank Third Realm—he wouldn’t survive that moment.

And issues such as the illness of Second Prince Xuan Jing, despite having numerous Spirit-grade Advanced Pulse Refining Masters from all over the Imperial City and Baiyue City, none could alleviate his symptoms—surely, power couldn’t mediate this?

Indeed, Xuan Haoran had rushed to the side hall because a servant of the Empress reported a worsening of Xuan Jing’s condition, delaying him by two time periods.

Perhaps for Xuan Haoran, his second son’s life was far more critical than his annual birthday, which this year would likely be spent in sorrow.