Chapter 24: The Ye Family Prodigy's Thoughts

The Jun Family, as one of the top powers in the Desolate Heaven Immortal Domain, could send ripples throughout the region with any action. All the more so for this banquet’s focal point—the mysterious God Child of the Jun Family. As the son of the White-robed God King, Jun Wuhui, Jun Xiaoyao had naturally drawn attention from every quarter. And this tenth-birthday banquet marked his first appearance in worldly affairs, inevitably causing a sensation.

…

Among the three thousand Dao Provinces, one of them is Qingzhou. Qingzhou is the ancestral land of the Jiang Family, an ancient lineage from antiquity. Jiang Rou, Jun Xiaoyao’s mother, hailed from this very household. She had once been the Jiang Family’s divine maiden, enjoying considerable status.

At that moment, in a blessed paradise veiled in drifting mists and dazzling lights within the Jiang Family territory, a young woman of peerless beauty dressed in snowy white stood waiting for something. Her entire being was immaculate, radiating an ethereal grace. Her fair, slender figure was tall and elegant, with black hair cascading like a waterfall down her back. She possessed a face as perfect as a painting, with arched brows, limpid autumn-like eyes, rosy lips, and flawless teeth. At a single glance, she looked every bit like a celestial maiden, exquisite to behold.

“My nephew is throwing a tenth-birthday banquet, yet I’ve never even met him,” the woman murmured, before smiling softly. She was a distant cousin of Jiang Rou, though they shared little direct blood relation. Yet in name, she was still Jun Xiaoyao’s maternal aunt, and her name was Jiang Shengyi. She was the youngest in Jiang Rou’s lineage—only twenty-four, in the prime of her radiant youth.

Just then, a voice as crisp as silver bells sounded from the distance. “Shengyi, you called me over—what’s going on?” With these words, a girl around twelve years old flickered through the air, landing lightly on her feet. She was petite and graceful, wearing her hair in two pigtails that bounced with her every movement. Her long lashes framed bright, lively eyes; her nose was delicate, her lips pink as a cherry blossom. When she smiled, two dainty tiger teeth showed, along with a pair of small dimples, giving her a mischievous and winsome look. She seemed a sprite favored by heaven—smart, spirited, and full of playful cunning.

“Luoli, you possess the Yuan Spirit Dao Body, the physique closest to the fundamental source of heaven and earth. Why aren’t you training more diligently?” Jiang Shengyi rolled her eyes at Jiang Luoli, tapping her on the forehead with a slender finger.

“Heh heh, Shengyi, you’re the divine maiden of our Jiang Family. You have the Innate Dao Embryo, so if you’re here, why should I even bother practicing?” Jiang Luoli covered her forehead with a little hand and blinked in feigned innocence, a playful grin on her face. This girl was indeed the cherished jewel of the Jiang Family that Jiang Rou and Jun Zhantian had previously mentioned.

“You sly little thing. Enough of that. I called you here about something important. In a while, you’re coming with me to the Jun Family for the tenth-birthday banquet,” Jiang Shengyi said.

When Jiang Luoli heard, she asked, “Is it the banquet for the Jun Family’s God Child?”

Jiang Shengyi smiled. “That’s right. You’ll finally get to meet your future husband.”

“What husband? Don’t talk nonsense!” Jiang Luoli stomped her foot, her cheeks growing warm. She had never met that so-called God Child, so how could she be so hasty?

“My nephew must be a remarkable individual. You’re so quick to oppose it now, but just wait—you might regret it later,” Jiang Shengyi teased.

“Hmph! I refuse arranged marriages! Even if I have to jump off a mountain, I’ll never just casually accept such a thing!” Jiang Luoli declared vehemently, puffing out her cheeks.

Jiang Shengyi covered her mouth to hide her laughter. “All right, all right. I recall Cousin Jiang Rou mentioning that my nephew is said to be handsome and refined, like an otherworldly immortal.”

“Really?” Jiang Luoli’s eyes sparkled at the thought.

“I’m only kidding. I don’t actually know,” Jiang Shengyi said with a giggle. She was well aware that Jiang Luoli cared a lot about appearances. Anyone who didn’t look good stood little chance with her. Perhaps it was related to her Yuan Spirit Dao Body, which sought utter perfection in all things.

“Hmph, if any man wants to catch my fancy, he has to be the most handsome in the entire Immortal Domain!” Jiang Luoli jutted out her small chest and pouted. She was already wondering how the mysterious Jun Family God Child would measure up in looks.

“Don’t worry. You’ll find out soon,” Jiang Shengyi said, patting Jiang Luoli’s little head with her smooth, jade-like hand.

…

The Jiang Family was hardly the only prominent household the Jun Family had invited. Other ancient families, supreme clans, and immortal dynasties had all received invitations as well. Lower-tier powers would also be informed, though in a less formal capacity. As for even lesser second-tier forces, they weren’t qualified for official invites, but the Jun Family wouldn’t forbid them from attending on their own. Still, those groups could only watch from outside the main hall.

As time went on, the entire Desolate Heaven Immortal Domain and its three thousand Dao Provinces were alight with excitement. A year passed, and at last, the tenth-birthday banquet for the Jun Family God Child began in earnest.

That day, the whole Desolate Heaven Immortal Domain seemed to shake. Ancient warships, flying boats, and various mounts from countless factions rose into the skies in a flood of brilliant streaks of light, all heading toward one place: the Imperial Province, home of the Jun Family.

The Great Shang Dynasty was an ancient imperial lineage of the human race, boasting deep foundations and a long heritage. One by one, its opulent ships lifted into the air, sailing toward the Imperial Province.

“Look, that’s the Princess of Great Shang’s vessel. She’s on her way to the God Child’s banquet too!”

“It’s only natural. This tenth-birthday banquet is an opportunity for everyone. Who wouldn’t want to forge ties with the Jun Family?”

“No doubt…”

Generally speaking, once someone turned ten, their family could start arranging prospects for Dao Companions. Although the God Child of the Jun Family had never shown himself, his status alone was enough to set many princesses, divine maidens, and renowned beauties aflutter, eager to present themselves as potential partners. If the God Child took a liking to any one of them, that would be a swift rise in fortunes indeed, not only for the chosen individual but for their entire faction.

As a result, many from various powers prepared their most elegant representatives, hoping to attend and test their luck.

From the Great Yan Holy Land, ceremonial carriages likewise soared into the air, bound for the Jun Family. “The last time the Jun Family held a tenth-birthday banquet on such a grand scale was for their First Sequence prodigy. But this time, for the God Child, it’s even more magnificent…”

Within the ancient Leaf Family, a divine bird was harnessed to a chariot taking flight. “I’ve heard that Luoli is going too,” a young man seated within commented. “In that case, there’s no way I’m missing it.” His face was handsome, with sword-like eyebrows and bright starry eyes. A certain flicker of resolve shone within them.

He was referring to Jiang Luoli, the cherished jewel of the Jiang Family.

“Young Master Xingyun,” said a stern-faced elder sporting a goatee and exuding a faint quasi-saint aura, “the lord has instructed us that we’re simply attending the banquet, not stirring up trouble. If you cause any mischief at the Jun Family banquet, not even the lord will protect you.”

“Don’t worry, Fu Bo, I know better. I’m only going there for Luoli, not to provoke the Jun Family’s God Child.” The blue-clad youth burst into hearty laughter.

His name was Ye Xingyun, one of the Leaf Family’s top geniuses. He bore the Star King Physique, ranked among the top five hundred constitutions out of the three thousand. It allowed him to merge the power of the celestial bodies into himself.

He had once caught a glimpse of Jiang Luoli during a secret-realm exploration and had never forgotten that spirited, enchanting girl. Only, he hadn’t found an opportunity to meet her again—until now. The Jun Family banquet presented the perfect chance to reintroduce himself.

“Luoli, you will be mine,” Ye Xingyun declared, eyes shining with unwavering confidence.