Chapter 85: Ministers Present Gifts, Martial Competition for Birthday Celebration
"That kid looks somewhat familiar."
Bone Douluo Gu Rong sat beside Ning Fengzhi, glancing towards the place where the Martial Soul Hall group was seated.
His gaze naturally fell on Su Yun. The reason was straightforward - Su Yun was sitting right next to Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo, and a young person with such a status naturally caught Gu Rong's attention.
"Old Bones, have you forgotten? Three years ago, Bibi Dong of the Martial Soul Hall took in a new disciple," Sword Douluo Chen Xin spoke softly beside Ning Fengzhi, his gaze also inadvertently scanning the faces of the people from the Martial Soul Hall, but pausing slightly on Su Yun.
"Eh? This boyโฆ"
Ning Fengzhi, noticing Chen Xin's unusual behavior, followed his gaze and asked, "Uncle Jian, what's the matter?"
Sword Douluo Chen Xin stared at Su Yun and slowly said, "At such a young age, his vitality is so strong, like an ever-erupting volcano. His martial soul must be extraordinary."
Ning Fengzhi was slightly taken aback.
His soul power was limited to level 79 due to his martial soul's restrictions, naturally not as perceptive as the two Title Douluos beside him.
"Chen Xin is right, this boy must be the new disciple Bibi Dong took in."
"Tsk, tsk, has the Pontiff of the Martial Soul Hall changed her taste? The former female disciple was a fox charmer, and now the new one seems to be a fresh young lad, heh heh~" Gu Rong chuckled.
Hearing the implications in Bone Douluo's words, Ning Fengzhi showed a wry smile and said, "Uncle Gu, Rongrong is still here."
Sword Douluo Chen Xin also chimed in, "That's right, Old Bones, mind your words, don't lead our Rongrong astray."
"Come, Rongrong, sit next to your Sword Grandpa."
While speaking, Sword Douluo Chen Xin pulled Ning Rongrong to his side and had her sit down.
Bone Douluo Gu Rong watched his old friend snatch the little princess away, feeling somewhat displeased.
But Ning Rongrong was delighted to see her Bone Grandpa getting jealous for her.
At this time, more people entered from the outside.
The newcomers were not from sects but were civil and military officials, royal relatives, and nobles of the empire.
Among them, familiar to Su Yun were Prince Xue Xing and Xue Beng, the duo known for their hidden talents.
Dugu Bo was also following them.
Su Yun was mostly unfamiliar with the civil officials, except for the Tian Dou Empire's top marshal, Marshal Go Long, who once led the army against the Martial Soul Empire.
The sects and the official powers of the empire naturally didn't see eye to eye.
So, although there was visual contact, there was no verbal communication between the two sides.
As everyone settled in the banquet hall under the guidance of the palace servants, the hall was nearly full, with seats arranged in a circular pattern according to status.
Su Yun and his group naturally sat at the innermost side.
When everyone was seated, finally, a tall figure walked in from the main entrance of the banquet hall.
The newcomer was none other than the current Emperor of the Tian Dou Empire, Emperor Xue Ye.
Following behind Emperor Xue Ye was Qian Renxue disguised as Xue Qinghe.
"Long live the Emperor!"
As soon as Emperor Xue Ye appeared, everyone who had already sat down stood up again to show respect for the monarch.
Emperor Xue Ye smiled and waved at Su Yun and the others, saying, "You have come from afar to celebrate my birthday. There's no need for formalities, please be seated."
"All ministers and officials here today need not be overly formal either; just be at ease."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Everyone took their seats again, and Emperor Xue Ye also sat down in his place, with Qian Renxue seated beside him.
The birthday banquet proceeded as usual, with various forces and civil and military officials presenting their gifts.
To celebrate Emperor Xue Ye's birthday, everyone had prepared gifts months in advance.
The major sects naturally didn't hold back, each presenting their congratulatory gifts.
From the Martial Soul Hall, Hu Liena stepped forward to offer a highly valuable spiritual medicine.
However, after Hu Liena presented the spiritual medicine, Su Yun noticed that Qian Renxue, sitting far away beside Emperor Xue Ye, brightened up at the sight of the medicine in Hu Liena's hand.
"Senior Sister, who prepared this spiritual medicine?" Su Yun asked in a low voice after Hu Liena returned to her seat.
"It was given to me by our teacher before she went into seclusion. I don't know why she wanted to give something so precious to the people of the Tian Dou Empire," Hu Liena sighed, seemingly puzzled by Bibi Dong's intentions.
Thinking of Qian Renxue's reaction earlier, Su Yun immediately realized that the spiritual medicine they offered was probably what Qian Renxue needed to deal with Emperor Xue Ye.
Indeed, after Hu Liena stepped down, Qian Renxue stood up and also presented a valuable spiritual medicine for Emperor Xue Ye, earning praise and admiration from the civil and military officials who marveled at the Crown Prince's thoughtfulness.
Many of Qian Renxue's supporters even began to boast about how the Crown Prince had gone to great lengths to find this medicine.
Su Yun couldn't help but feel speechless at the scene.
'It seems that in any world, princes who want to build their own teams have to be good at boasting,' Su Yun thought.
After a round of toasting and drinking, the atmosphere in the venue gradually reached its peak.
Emperor Xue Ye's cheeks were slightly red, obviously excited.
At that moment, a military officer stood up.
"Your Majesty, I have heard that the guests present today have brought the younger generation from their respective sects and families. Why not let these youngsters compete in martial arts to entertain Your Majesty? What do you think?"
Su Yun's eyelids twitched at these words.
Indeed, any occasion to celebrate the Emperor's birthday was never without such activities.
"Good!"
Emperor Xue Ye nodded and looked towards his military officials, saying, "My loyal ministers, is there any young person willing to take the stage first?"
"No matter win or lose, I will have a reward."
Swoosh!
As Emperor Xue Ye's words fell, a figure suddenly darted out from beside Marshal Go Long.
As he appeared, his tall figure was already standing in front of everyone.
"Your Majesty, this is my son, Go Wuen. Let him take the lead to celebrate Your Majesty's birthday."
Marshal Go Long stood up, cupping his fists towards Emperor Xue Ye.
"Good! Go Wuen has taken the stage. Who else is willing to come forward?"
Emperor Xue Ye scanned the audience, waiting for the next young person to step up.
"Your Majesty."
"I am willing."
Swoosh!
Another figure appeared at the scene.
"Your Majesty, this is my eldest grandson, Hu Yanli. Let him fight young friend Go Wuen to celebrate Your Majesty's birthday."
The sect master of the Elephant Armored Sect, Hu Yan Zhen, stood up and cupped his fists.
"Good!"
Emperor Xue Ye's face showed excitement, naturally not refusing the exciting duel about to start.
(End of the Chapter)
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