Chapter 76: Officially Engaged to Vina! Will Elder Xuan Meet Liu Yuan Again?
In the blink of an eye, three days slipped away.
During this brief window, the atmosphere within the Heavenly Soul Imperial City swelled to a fever pitch. The impending coming-of-age ceremony and birthday banquet for Princess Vina had transformed the capital. As the undisputed jewel of the Heavenly Soul Empire, her celebration drew dignitaries, nobles, and powerful sect representatives from every corner of the continent.
The grand, solemn streets of the Imperial City now overflowed with vibrant festive decorations. Squadrons of patrolling soldiers marched in perfect unison, their magnificent armor catching the afternoon light, while an endless stream of luxurious carriages clogged the towering city gates.
Liu Yuan did not make the journey alone.
To highlight the immense weight the Body Sect placed upon this banquet and to ensure Liu Yuan's absolute safety, a formidable escort had been assembled. Long Aotian, Chen Lu, Wang Yanfeng, Gu Tong, and a cohort of elite core disciples rode alongside him, all under the watchful, protective gaze of Elder Chen.
Upon crossing into the Imperial City, the sheer density of the bustling crowds far surpassed the capital's usual prosperity. Hawkers lined both sides of the expansive avenues, their voices blending into a lively din. Overhead, carefully crafted soul tool lamps shimmered with a cold, metallic luster beneath the warm afternoon sun.
Riding beside him, Wang Yanfeng nudged his horse closer and let out a low chuckle. "I bet the royal family rolled out ten miles of red carpet just for you, Junior Brother. They have to make sure the future prince consort gets a proper welcome."
Liu Yuan merely offered a faint, noncommittal smile. His original plan was simple: lead the group to the top-tier royal hotel prepared for them, wash off the dust of their journey, rest, and then formally attend Vina's evening banquet.
However, the moment their boots touched the polished marble of the hotel lobby, a squad of imposing figures blocked their path. Dressed in the immaculate, heavy armor of the royal palace guards, the men immediately stepped forward and bowed deeply toward Liu Yuan.
"Mr. Liu Yuan," the captain spoke, his tone steeped in utmost reverence. "His Majesty has issued an edict. He requests your presence at the palace for a private conversation."
A flicker of surprise crossed Liu Yuan's eyes, but his expression remained placid. He did not refuse.
Leaving Long Aotian and the rest of the Body Sect disciples to settle into their quarters, Liu Yuan followed the guards outside. A specialized royal soul tool carriage awaited him. The vehicle glided smoothly over the paved roads, carrying him toward the towering, majestic palace complex situated at the very heart of the Imperial City.
He was guided through a maze of winding, crimson-pillared corridors and across a heavily guarded plaza paved entirely with white marble. Finally, his escorts halted before a secluded side structure named the Hidden Dragon Hall.
The heavy wooden doors groaned softly as they were pushed open. A faint, calming scent of burning sandalwood drifted out to greet him.
Stepping over the threshold, Liu Yuan scanned the interior. The atmosphere was remarkably intimate, entirely devoid of the oppressive formality usually associated with imperial summons.
At the head of the hall sat the Emperor of the Heavenly Soul Empire. Clad in bright yellow dragon robes, the ruler possessed a scholarly visage that did nothing to diminish his innate, crushing majesty.
Seated casually on a side chair below the throne was Du Busi. The Body Sect Master looked entirely at home, lazily swirling a cup of exquisite tribute tea in his jade cup.
Standing quietly beside Du Busi was Vina.
She had dressed with careful care today. A pale golden court gown draped flawlessly over her figure, accentuating her graceful curves while exuding a noble, gentle elegance. The moment her gaze locked onto Liu Yuan, a brilliant, unmistakable radiance flashed across her eyes.
"Disciple Liu Yuan greets Your Majesty the Emperor," Liu Yuan said, stepping into the center of the hall. He offered a measured bow, neither overly servile nor lacking in proper respect.
The Emperor studied the young man before him, making no effort to hide the deep admiration swimming in his gaze. Du Busi had already informed him of Liu Yuan's latest, terrifying combat record at the border. A mere level forty-five Soul Ancestor, yet he had brutally suppressed the Silver-Awakened Long Aotian in a direct, head-on clash.
Such monstrous talent could no longer be contained by a word as simple as prodigy.
"Rise, and take a seat," the Emperor instructed, his voice warm and gentle.
Once Liu Yuan settled into a chair, the Emperor discarded all royal pleasantries and cut straight to the core of the matter.
"Liu Yuan, I summoned you here today not to discuss the affairs of the state, but to speak of family matters." The Emperor leaned forward slightly, his gaze suddenly piercing, burning like a torch in the quiet hall. "Our Heavenly Soul royal family has shared a marriage alliance with the Body Sect for ten thousand years. This is both an honoring of our ancient traditions and a necessary union of our absolute strengths."
The Emperor's eyes softened slightly as he looked toward his daughter. "You are the most outstanding disciple of this generation's Body Sect, the undisputed future heir to the Sect Master's throne. And Vina has always held a deep affection for you. I trust you are well aware of this."
A heavy, solemn weight settled over the Emperor's tone as he paused. "I have always believed that when it comes to matters as monumental as a marriage contract, the orders of parents and masters hold weight. But a ruler must also listen to the hearts of the young. Therefore, taking advantage of Vina's birthday today, I wish to hear a definitive answer directly from your own lips."
The Emperor locked eyes with Liu Yuan. "Are you willing to officially become engaged to Vina today?"
The Hidden Dragon Hall plunged into a pin-drop silence.
Du Busi slowly lowered his jade cup, the ceramic clinking softly against the saucer. His sharp emerald eyes fixed intensely upon his disciple.
Vina held her breath. Her slender fingers unconsciously twisted the delicate fabric of her golden dress, her beautiful eyes swimming with a volatile mix of agonizing tension and desperate anticipation.
Facing the supreme ruler of an empire, Liu Yuan felt no offense. He felt no coercion.
In truth, he found himself quite satisfied with the Emperor's pragmatic approach. As a sovereign who held the absolute power of life and death over millions, the man had not resorted to imperial decrees or forceful ultimatums. Instead, he asked for Liu Yuan's consent with the grounded, respectful attitude of an elder. To a transmigrator who valued tangible respect and genuine bonds, this meant a great deal.
Liu Yuan's mind drifted to the quiet moments he had shared with Vina. He thought of the subtle, unwavering support she had offered him, the silent understanding that had long since eclipsed the boundaries of mere fellow disciples. His heart remained perfectly calm, his decision already forged in steel.
"Reporting to Your Majesty the Emperor." Liu Yuan stood up, his posture straight, his voice echoing with absolute clarity and unshakable conviction. "I am willing."
"Hahahaha! Good! Straightforward!"
The Emperor threw his head back and let out a booming, hearty laugh, thoroughly delighted by the boy's decisive answer.
Sitting to the side, Du Busi finally allowed a low chuckle to escape his lips. The old monster had genuinely feared that his cold, ruthlessly pragmatic apprentice might reject the offer out of a single-minded obsession with his martial cultivation.
In that exact moment, the rigid tension locking Vina's shoulders completely shattered.
Her eyes, shimmering like autumn water, overflowed with pure, unadulterated joy. The gaze she fixed upon Liu Yuan was entirely stripped of imperial decorum, leaving behind only a deep, intoxicating trace of infatuation and attachment.
"Since the matter is settled, my heart can finally rest easy," the Emperor declared, waving his hand dismissively. "I will announce it personally at tonight's banquet. You two may withdraw. Young people should spend more time together."
The instant the heavy doors of the Hidden Dragon Hall closed behind them, Vina shed every ounce of the dignified reserve she had maintained in front of her father.
She practically skipped to Liu Yuan's side, wrapping her arms tightly around his arm, pressing herself against him as if she intended to stick there permanently.
"Liu Yuan, now we are legitimate!" Vina giggled, the sound bright and musical. She completely ignored the wide-eyed stares of the passing palace attendants, insisting on clinging to him all the way back to the hotel.
Glancing down at her radiant face, Liu Yuan arched an eyebrow in mild confusion. "Don't you need to stay in the palace to greet the distinguished guests arriving early? You are the protagonist of the day, aren't you?"
Vina laughed, waving her free hand dismissively as she answered with absolute righteousness. "How could anyone else in this world be more important than you?"
She rested her head against his shoulder. "Father has already given me permission to withdraw. My most important task right now is to accompany my future husband."
It was glaringly obvious that, having received official recognition and securing her position by his side, Vina's passion for him had ignited into something far bolder than before.
In the blink of an eye, the sun dipped below the horizon, and evening descended upon the capital.
Vina's birthday celebration was hosted at the largest, most extravagant state guesthouse in the Imperial City. Because it served as both the princess's coming-of-age ceremony and her birthday, the scale of the banquet bordered on the absurd.
The highest-ranking civil and military officials of the Heavenly Soul Empire, powerful provincial governors, and the leaders of countless subordinate sects filled the sprawling venue. Noble Soul Masters handled the crowded hall, stepping forward one after another to present the royal family with priceless, painstakingly prepared gifts.
Liu Yuan had changed for the occasion. He wore a tailored black martial outfit crafted specifically by the Body Sect. complex gold thread patterns were embroidered along the collar and cuffs, perfectly highlighting his sharp, heroic spirit and broad shoulders.
As the evening banquet swelled toward its climax, the Emperor of the Heavenly Soul Empire slowly ascended the high stage.
He had kept the secret perfectly contained. But seeing that the atmosphere was ripe, the Emperor stood tall, channeling his soul power to project his voice across the massive hall, and officially announced the engagement between Liu Yuan and Vina.
For one breathless instant, the entire venue plunged into a deathly silence.
Then, the hall exploded. A tidal wave of shocked, deafening discussion tore through the crowd.
"Liu Yuan? That high disciple of the Body Sect Master? The monster with those heaven-defying combat records at the border?"
"Good heavens... the marriage alliance between the royal family and the Body Sect has actually fallen upon the absolute strongest genius of this generation!"
"Congratulations! A talented man and a beautiful woman, a match truly made in heaven!"
However, far away from the glittering lights and the roaring cheers, hidden deep within a dark corner of the banquet hall, stood a solitary figure.
Draped in a ragged, grayish-brown cloak, the man had restrained his aura to the absolute limit. He looked entirely out of place amidst the opulent liveliness of the royal celebration.
It was Elder Xuan.
He had secretly infiltrated the banquet. Relying on his terrifying level ninety-eight Super Douluo cultivation, as long as he did not actively wish to be perceived, not a single soul in the venue could detect his presence.
Yet, at this very moment, Elder Xuan was infinitely more nervous than the newly engaged couple.
His hands were shoved deep beneath his wide sleeves, his gnarled knuckles turning a sickly white from the sheer, bone-crushing force of his grip. His erratic gaze frantically roamed the banquet hall, sweeping over the faces of every young male guest, one by one.
"Engaged... Marriage alliance..." Elder Xuan gritted his teeth. A low, ragged wheeze tore its way out of his throat.
His heartbeat hammered against his ribs, ridiculously fast, bordering on painful.
He was waiting. Waiting for the youth named Liu Yuan to officially step onto the high stage to receive the crowd's blessings.
"It's time for him to appear, right? It's time for him to appear!"
Elder Xuan's eyes were bloodshot, the veins bulging against his sclera as he stared fixedly at the carpeted stairs leading up to the stage.
"Liu Yuan!"
"Just one look... just let me get one look at your face!"
"I need to see if you are really that Liu Yuan from Shrek!"
Elder Xuan's breathing grew extremely heavy, his chest heaving under the dirty cloak.
If it really was that person... if the monstrous genius of the Body Sect was truly the boy he had thrown away... then today's birthday banquet would not be a celebration.
It would be the death knell that plunged him completely, and irreversibly, into the abyss.
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