A jade cup flew from Ji Xia's hand, hurtling straight toward the face of the burly youth before him.
The banquet hall fell silent, every guest holding their breath. Many were too stunned to react, unable to believe that this unfamiliar young man dared to act so brazenly.
The burly youth, Fan Tian, was equally taken aback.
Fan Tian hailed from the Fan family, a prominent clan in Da Fu. Though not on par with the great families that boasted Supreme Rune Generals, like the Fu Zhao, Fan, or Fu Ji clans, the Fan family still boasted many adept cultivators. As the eldest son, Fan Tian's strength surpassed all his peers within the family. Even among the Sixth Prince's inner circle, he was a trusted figure.
The elite youths from various noble families of Da Fu, witnessing this scene, were equally astonished.
They had noticed this unfamiliar face seated at the table below Shi Yu—a seat reserved for heirs of immense power and influence. Foreign royalty would rarely have the status to occupy such a place.
Yet this stranger not only sat there but also brought along an ordinary human girl, devoid of any spiritual energy or innate runes. This had piqued their curiosity and raised doubts.
However, as members of Da Fu's upper echelon, they knew better than to question the status of someone shown such respect. Many even raised their cups to toast the silver-robed youth from afar.
But now, they couldn't help but reconsider.
"Is he an imbecile? I thought he might be a hero."
"Ninefold Heaven cultivation, and he dares insult Fan Tian like this? He's courting disaster."
"This wasn't just impulsive—it's a clear provocation. What's more, the jade cup he threw doesn't even carry a trace of spiritual energy! Is he just trying to humiliate Fan Tian outright?"
Their thoughts raced as Fan Tian's fury boiled over.
Fan Tian sneered, summoning a sliver of spiritual energy from his Spirit Wheel. In an instant, he sketched a complex rune—a Starshift Rune—to form a defensive barrier in front of him.
"That's a Starshift Rune!"
"He plans to return the attack with even greater force!"
The jade cup, lacking any visible spiritual energy, shot toward the rune. To everyone's utter disbelief, the cup shattered the rune and struck Fan Tian squarely on the forehead, forcing him back three steps.
Blood trickled from Fan Tian's brow, a thin red line tracing its way down his face and onto his shoulders. The hall fell deathly silent.
Fan Tian's fingers trembled as they touched the blood on his face. Around him, others exchanged stunned glances.
Ji Xia, unfazed, picked up his chopsticks and gently placed some food in the bowl of the frightened girl beside him. "Don't mind them," he said softly. "Go ahead and eat."
The girl, clearly shaken by Fan Tian's towering presence and deep voice, was on the verge of tears. Comforted by Ji Xia's words, her eyes glimmered with relief as tears welled up.
Fan Tian finally snapped out of his shock.
Stepping forward, his voice trembled with suppressed anger. "I underestimated you. I didn't expect your physical strength to be so formidable. My rune only carried thirty percent of my spiritual energy."
Ji Xia didn't even glance at him, casually ordering a servant behind him to bring another cup. He spoke calmly, "That throw just now? I used only ten percent of my strength. Care to try again?"
Fan Tian clenched his fists, his gaze darting toward the Sixth Prince. However, the prince continued to dine, as though oblivious to the commotion.
"I'll tear you apart," Fan Tian growled.
Ji Xia's chopsticks paused mid-air. He slowly set them down, meeting Fan Tian's eyes for the first time. "And if I refuse?" he asked coldly.
"You insolent wretch!"
Fan Tian's outburst emboldened other youths, who stood up in unison.
"How dare you speak so arrogantly in Da Fu? Do you think we are without warriors to put you in your place?"
A tiger-bodied young man bared his fangs, his spiritual energy radiating as he roared, "Human tribes are a lowly species. Even if your status is high, you have no right to insult us. Apologize to everyone here immediately!"
Turning his gaze to the trembling girl beside Ji Xia, the tiger youth sneered, "And as for this girl, I'll spare everyone the disgrace and devour her myself!"
The girl, terrified by the savage threat, covered her eyes with trembling hands, suppressing her sobs.
Ji Xia sighed, gently patting her back as he stood. "Why does eating a meal have to be so troublesome?"
Fixing his cold gaze on the tiger youth, he said, "In Da Xia, creatures like you are the lowly ones. We flay your hides for rugs, feast on your meat, and boil your bones for broth. And here in Da Fu, you dare sit with me at the same table? Is this some sort of mockery?"
"You dare!" roared the tiger youth, his spiritual energy surging.
More Da Fu youths rose, declaring their intent to fight Ji Xia.
Ji Xia's lips curled into a faint smile. "Why don't you all come at me together? I'll show mercy and leave you with your lives."
Fan Tian summoned three thunderous blades of spiritual energy, their edges crackling with purple lightning. "Die!" he roared, launching them at Ji Xia.
Ji Xia remained seated, raising one hand to summon an enormous spiritual energy palm. The palm crashed down with overwhelming force, obliterating the lightning blades and throwing the banquet hall into disarray.
The group of nine Da Fu youths mustered their combined powers to resist the falling palm but were effortlessly swept aside. When the dust settled, their broken forms lay scattered across the ruins of the banquet hall.
Ji Xia raised his cup toward the Sixth Prince in a mocking toast. The prince paused, then burst into laughter. "Bring forth my finest vintage from the Green Ant Kingdom! Let us toast this young hero!"