After finalizing his subsequent plans, Jun Xiaoyao set off alone in a palanquin pulled by a nine-headed lion, leaving the Jun family to head towards the Panwu Divine Dynasty.
He did not bring along Jun Zhangjian or anyone else, not even Jun Linglong.
This time, Jun Xiaoyao intended to act independently, making it inconvenient to have them accompany him.
As soon as Jun Xiaoyao departed from the Jun family, ripples began to stir throughout the Immortal Domain.
News spread from the Panwu Divine Dynasty that in half a month, a grand banquet would be held in the Forbidden City of the imperial capital.
The Panwu Divine Dynasty would extend invitations to various forces from the荒天仙域 (荒天仙域, "Wild Heaven Immortal Domain").
At that time, the Panwu Divine Dynasty would select a consort for Princess Wu Mingyue from among the young talents of these forces.
Once this news broke, it caused a stir in all directions, prompting countless forces to set out. Various ships, palanquins, and flying ancient beasts frequently soared through the sky towards the Panwu Divine Dynasty.
As a powerful and well-established immortal dynasty, an alliance through marriage with their princess would be nearly tantamount to forming a coalition.
Top-tier sects sought to ally with the Panwu Divine Dynasty to elevate their status further.
Meanwhile, immortal forces aimed to turn the Panwu Divine Dynasty into their ally.
After all, a lone hand cannot clap; even the strongest immortal forces risk being besieged by other immortal sects without friendly alliances.
For these reasons, many forces were stirred to action, preparing to send their disciples to try their luck.
Not to mention the princess of the divine dynasty, whose beauty and grace were unparalleled, making her a renowned figure in the Wild Heaven Immortal Domain.
The combination of these two factors made the upcoming banquet of the Panwu Divine Dynasty exceptionally grand.
However, at the same time this news was released, the Champion Marquis's residence also made headlines.
Champion Marquis Yang Pan declared that if the Jun family's divine son dared not accept his challenge, he would personally confront them at the Jun family's mountain gate in the future.
This bombshell news stirred even greater waves.
Many felt that the Champion Marquis was being excessively arrogant.
He even dared to block others at the Jun family's mountain gate.
The last person to challenge at the Jun family's mountain gate, Long Haotian, had long since become a memory.
Many female cultivators who admired Jun Xiaoyao were furious.
"That ugly Champion Marquis is just jealous of my Xiaoyao's stunning beauty!"
"Exactly! So what if he is strong? Doesn't he know this is an era that values looks?"
"And my Xiaoyao is also invincible among his peers. What does that Champion Marquis count for?"
...
In the ancient Jiang family's ancestral grounds.
"How infuriating! So infuriating! It's maddening!"
A petite and delicate figure stomped her jade foot, her twin ponytails bobbing in anger.
Her charming and exquisite little face wore an adorably fierce expression.
"Luoli, if you don't focus on your cultivation, you'll be stuck in the ancestral grounds forever," came a voice from nearby.
Jiang Shengyi, dressed in white, with an ethereal presence, approached and looked at the pouting Jiang Luoli with a slight headache.
"Hmph! Luoli can't stand this! That Champion Marquis is spreading such rumors to tarnish Brother Xiaoyao's reputation!" Jiang Luoli huffed, her face filled with indignation.
"Just a petty person causing trouble. The Champion Marquis is notoriously ill-tempered, so there's no need to pay him any mind. Xiaoyao doesn't care either," Jiang Shengyi replied.
The news of the Champion Marquis challenging Jun Xiaoyao had spread like wildfire in the Immortal Domain.
Although Jiang Luoli was in seclusion in the ancestral grounds, she still received updates through her maid.
"I can't just sit here! I need to break my seclusion and go to the Panwu Divine Dynasty!" Jiang Luoli declared.
"What do you plan to do there? Are you going to compete for the position of consort?" Jiang Shengyi teased.
"I want to suppress that Champion Marquis and stomp on his face to vent my anger! Let's see if he dares to provoke Brother Xiaoyao again!" Jiang Luoli stated with righteous indignation.
"Oh? Is that all?" Jiang Shengyi smiled slightly, seemingly seeing through Jiang Luoli's intentions.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Luoli's face turned slightly red, and she lowered her head, her jade fingers twisting together.
"Of course! Although I know Brother Xiaoyao would never compete for the position of consort, what if..." Jiang Luoli's voice trailed off.
Clearly, Jiang Luoli was worried that Jun Xiaoyao might attend the banquet and compete for the position of consort, marrying Wu Mingyue.
After all, Wu Mingyue was also a renowned beauty, and hardly any man could see her without being moved.
"Isn't that your main concern?" Jiang Shengyi chuckled.
Even before a marriage alliance, Jiang Luoli had turned into a protective little hen.
Jiang Luoli felt quite embarrassed by this remark, her earlobes turning crimson.
"Alright, then I'll take you there," Jiang Shengyi said with a helpless smile, ruffling Jiang Luoli's little head.
"Oh yay! Sister Shengyi is the best!" Jiang Luoli beamed, her eyes crescent-shaped with joy.
Jiang Shengyi smiled slightly, but a hint of unnoticeable melancholy flickered in her eyes.
"This girl really likes Xiaoyao..."
...
Meanwhile, on the other side, in the ancient Ye family's ancestral grounds.
On a towering mountain peak, a handsome young man in a blue robe, with sharp eyebrows and starry eyes, sat cross-legged.
Above his head, the sky resembled a dark curtain.
A brilliant river of stars flowed within this night sky, breathtakingly beautiful yet exuding an aura of extreme danger.
This young man was none other than Ye Xingyun.
Years ago, at Jun Xiaoyao's tenth birthday banquet, Ye Xingyun had been thoroughly humiliated by Jun Xiaoyao.
However, Ye Xingyun had turned misfortune into fortune, awakening a certain memory.
Since then, his personality had subtly changed, becoming increasingly composed and reserved.
He was no longer the proud and ostentatious person he once was.
"The Panwu Divine Dynasty, the Champion Marquis's challenge—given Jun Xiaoyao's character, he will definitely not miss it," Ye Xingyun narrowed his eyes, deep in thought.
Though his personality had changed somewhat, his hatred had not.
Jun Xiaoyao, he would take revenge.
Jiang Luoli, he would also seize for himself.
"Very well, I shall make a trip to the Panwu Divine Dynasty this time. It will also allow me to gauge Jun Xiaoyao's true strength."
Resolutely, Ye Xingyun instructed his servant to prepare the carriage.
...
In Chizhou, a vast and ancient spiritual mountain stretched endlessly.
The entire spiritual mountain covered a wide area, shrouded in mist and clouds, with divine light illuminating the surroundings.
There were strange rocks and cliffs, colorful phoenixes soaring, and divine birds circling.
As far as the eye could see, the mountain range seemed endless.
This place was the ancestral grounds of the Wan Phoenix Spiritual Mountain, one of the ancient royal families.
The Wan Phoenix Spiritual Mountain was a top-tier ancient royal family, on par with the Zulong Nest, with profound heritage and immense strength.
At this moment, an ancient voice echoed from within a mountain range.
"Huang Xuan Yi, Feng Qing Ling, you two should head to the Panwu Divine Dynasty. Remember, do not tarnish the reputation of our Wan Phoenix Spiritual Mountain."
"Yes, we will obey the Great Elder's orders!"
Within the mountain range, a man and a woman, enveloped in blazing divine light, soared into the sky.
In the sky above, two golden phoenixes pulled two palanquins.
The two figures swiftly entered the palanquins.
"I really wonder if we will get to see that rumored Jun family divine son this time," Feng Qing Ling remarked inside the palanquin.
"Heh, I also want to see what kind of person Jun Xiaoyao is, the one who has repeatedly embarrassed the Zulong Nest," Huang Xuan replied.
"However, we are not like Long Haotian and Long Bi Chi," Feng Qing Ling chuckled lightly.
"If Jun Xiaoyao underestimates us, he might face some serious consequences..." Huang Xuan said, his tone relaxed and self-assured.