Another kind of situation
The Dragon Empire was one of the most powerful empires located in the Phil Continent. The mortal realm.
In this world that was full of danger, although humans occupied most of the lands, they also received the rapacious gaze of the other race and evil sects.
Hence, the Dragon Empire established a law, clearly defining the rights and obligation of the nobles.
According to the law implemented, nobles who lost their territories would be stripped of their titles.
Because of this, nobles who's afraid of being stripped of their titles often recruited powerful cultivators. Offering high wages and bonuses. Even to the point that they offer people with high talent of cultivation to be nurtured and send in the top most powerful sects to learn martial cultivation.
After all, a successfully nurtured cultivator could add more safety to your territory.
And this would also help a lot when it comes to race invasion. The attacks of the other races. Defending the territory and the safety of their people.
Being the strongest empire, people lived peacefully.
Today, to celebrate the birthday of the ruler, many lanterns were placed along the sidewalks with all kinds of different colors. It was beautiful. Not to mention the green landscapes in the surroundings and the clear river banks in the countryside. They are definitely to be appreciated.
We could say that the Empire and its surrounding kingdoms are prosperous.
Inside the spacious grand hall located at the palace of the Empire's capital, was bustling with noise and activity.
Today, the grand hall was open to the important delegates attending the birthday party of the emperor. Many nobles gathered. They chatted and were filled with laughter. In fact, sect masters and elders together with their disciples around the empire gathered.
The grand hall was really lively.
Apolaki who was standing at the corner of the grand hall wearing an ancient grey hanfu couldn't help but feel amazed how grand this celebration is. In his past life he never got the chance to attend celebrations like this. If not battling at the frontlines he would focus his remaining time in his abode to learn and read knowledge about spell, incantations, and magic formations.
That's why this is his first time attending a party filled with important people. Actually, talking about important people, he saw the sect master of his Sect the Stone Crew Sect together with the elders and their disciples. To Apolaki's surprise Kana was here. It seems like Kana became an inner disciple judging by the robe that only the inner disciple could only wear.
Suddenly, many people saw the door of the grand hall open. Misha was the first to come in. He held the door open while the ruler of the empire Francis Momin stepped in. After seeing the emperor, all the delegates bowed down respectfully.
"Long live his majesty, the emperor!"
"Long live his majesty, the emperor!"
The voices echoed inside the grand hall at the same time. Apolaki could feel the weight held by the people's voices telling 'Long live his majesty, the emperor!'.
He sighed. Being a ruler is by no means simple. The one they call karma and virtues, Apolaki could feel them. Many had gathered after the emperor came in.
After the emperor was his two wives, the empress and his second wife the concubine. This time, Apolaki could finally see the face of his mother, the empress. She was beautiful. The empress was wearing a golden phoenix dress while the concubine wore a black dress with a golden dragon pattern.
Actually, the two women were beautiful.
The queen excludes a fiery temperament while the other was calm and gentle as water.
Looking at the two beautiful women, Apolaki couldn't help but shake his head and said, "No wonder they don't get along with each other."
After them were the princes and princesses.
Being born noble, it is not surprising that they were good looking. Good looking parents would commonly result in good looking children.
Because of this many teenagers, girls and boys, couldn't help but fall into trance once they saw them coming in.
Some boys couldn't help but mutter, "Goddess."
Even the girls gasped.
Five (Apolaki not included) princes and two princesses.
"What a bountiful harvest you have there, father." Apolaki jokingly muttered to himself.
The moment the emperor and his family arrived at the center, he raised his hands and said, "No need for formalities!"
The emperor's tone was indifferent, his eyes were cold and sharp as he swept his eyes over the crowd.
The atmosphere in the surroundings seems to fall drastically. No one made a noise or even made a slight movement.
His gaze then landed on Apolaki for a little while before saying, "Today's my birthday. It's worth celebrating. So, it's alright for all of you to enjoy! Come! Come! Enjoy! Eat! Drink to your heart's content!"
Then the atmosphere finally felt warm and cozy. It was a quick change.
Worthy of being one of the strongest in the empire. The emperor.
Almost everyone gulped their saliva. While the other sighs in amazement.
The power that the emperor releases is by no means weak.
Golden Core Realm!
The peak cultivation of the mortal realm.
In order for the mortal people to continue cultivating and reach into a higher realm than the Golden Core Realm, one must ascend into the immortal realm.
There, you could cultivate into a much purer qi than the qi produced by the mortal realm.
Almost all the people, especially the commoners knew that the Golden Core Realm is the peak of the cultivation path but nobles or higher statuses in the empire and kingdoms knew that it was just the beginning.
There's still stages higher than Golden Core Realm and that is Projection Soul Realm.
But ascending to the immortal realm is not as easy as walking or flying. One needs to cut the void in order to ascend to the place called the immortal realm.
Apolaki saw many of the people congratulating the emperor and his family at the center. They even bought valuable gifts. Judging by the mass of people attending the party, it seems like almost all the surrounding kingdom that the empire ruled had attended.
Of course, those important figures could actually attend in order for the people to be able to accommodate.
Suddenly, Apolaki felt someone approaching him. He turned around to see that it was Ken.
"Ehhh? You're here too?" Apolaki subconsciously muttered in surprise.
Although Apolaki's voice was low Ken who's already near him heard him.
"You're also here so why couldn't I be here, tsk!" Ken said as he rolled his eyes.
Then he continued, "To think that you were here. I've been waiting three months for you since your disappearance. I thought you had taken a mission in order to escape. But to think that you are so lucky to be here when I on the other hand used all means in order to attend the emperor's birthday. I already reached the sixth stage of the warrior phase. Reaching the ninth stage would probably take about a couple of years from now on if I'm lucky. How about you? Wanna spar?"
Hearing this, Apolaki couldn't help but twitch his lips.
'This guy…'
Apolaki took a deep breath and said, "Are you really hungry to battle that much?"
"No, correction. I am only interested in battling with you and nothing else."
"Why m- "
Before Apolaki could finish what he was going to say, Ken pointed something out.
"Look isn't that your so-called childhood sweetheart?"
Apolaki traced the direction where Ken pointed at. He saw the unconscious Kana being dragged away by a teenager. Then seconds later two other teenagers around the age of 18 followed suit.