The banquet hall lay in ruins, its floor sunken and shattered from Jixia's Sky Azure Seal and the powerful divine techniques unleashed by eight or nine Divine Ability Realm experts. Yet, the destruction seemed to do little to dampen the Sixth Prince's spirits.
He casually tapped the table, and immediately, three black-robed individuals adorned with embroidered sigils materialized out of thin air. They moved with silent precision—one traced sigils in the air, another retrieved jade talismans, and spiritual energy surged as the ground rose to repair the sunken floor. A gentle breeze swept through the hall, dispelling all traces of dust.
Servants promptly entered, replacing the broken tables, carpets, dishes, and goblets. Within moments, the grand hall was restored, pristine and untouched by the battle.
Jixia was astounded by the sudden appearance of the black-robed figures. Despite his sharp senses and keen spiritual perception, he had failed to notice them beforehand.
"Each one of them is at least in the fifth tier of the Divine Ability Realm," he mused, his surprise tempered by his growing familiarity with Dafu's overwhelming might. The sheer number of Spirit Commanders in their ranks spoke volumes about their profound heritage.
The number of Divine Ability youths at the banquet was halved due to Jixia's earlier attack, which left eight or nine of them unconscious. The remaining attendees now gazed at him with newfound respect. Among the younger scions of noble families, some even avoided his gaze entirely, intimidated by his fiery temper and decisive show of power.
"Brother Qin, your strength is truly remarkable," the Sixth Prince said with a broad smile, raising his cup toward Jixia.
"In the history of Dafu, no one so young has ever displayed strength comparable to our seasoned commanders."
Jixia responded with a genuine smile. "Your Highness overpraises me."
The prince shook his head firmly. "This is no exaggeration. I've long heard from Shangyang, our honored Spirit Commander, that a distinguished guest had arrived in Dafu. I've been eager to meet you but was tied down by the affairs of my realm. Fortunately, thanks to Fanzhu's banquet, I now have the honor."
At the mention of Shangyang, an esteemed Spirit Commander, the other attendees were visibly shaken. In Dafu, Spirit Commanders were as revered as sovereigns or high ministers; even a prince would bow before them. For such a figure to describe the silver-robed youth as a "distinguished guest" carried significant weight.
Jixia noticed a profound shift in the gaze of those around him. Where there was once doubt or skepticism, there was now genuine reverence. Compared to the fear inspired by his earlier battle, this acknowledgment from a Spirit Commander commanded far deeper respect.
The prince then leaned forward, his tone curious. "Brother Qin, may I ask—what is your lineage? Earlier, when you exchanged blows with those unruly youths, the golden spiritual energy you unleashed was incredibly dense and refined. Even among those at the fourth tier of the Divine Ability Realm, such spiritual energy is exceedingly rare."
Jixia smiled and replied, "My lineage is called Daxia. We are but a small clan, with few in number, far outmatched by Dafu's vast bloodlines."
The prince's eyes gleamed with interest. "I've always enjoyed hearing tales of unique clans. Brother Qin, could you share some of the stories from your Daxia lineage?"
Jixia thought for a moment. "What sort of stories would Your Highness like to hear?"
The prince's expression lit with pride. "Allow me to begin with the feats of Dafu's ancestors," he said, rising from his seat. Moving to the center of the hall, his delicate features glowed with enthusiasm.
"Our Dafu forebears once arrived on the lands of the Fengfu. There stood two great mountains, and our ancestors spent over two centuries moving them."
"The First King of Dafu rose from obscurity, slaying a thousand-year-old serpent on the banks of the Chong River. The serpent's gall was refined into a sigil, becoming the artifact of our nation."
"We have Spirit Commander Zhaoyuan, who cultivated an eighty-three-zhang Spirit Embryo. When Heaven grew envious of his power, it sent down thunderous punishment. Zhaoyuan endured the heavenly strikes, perfecting the True Body of Thunder, an indestructible physique immune to lightning."
The prince recounted these tales with fervor. "And there are countless other legendary figures whose deeds stir the soul. Tell us, Brother Qin, do the ancestors of Daxia possess such sagas?"
All eyes turned to Jixia, including those of Fanzhu and Shiyu. Each awaited his tale with bated breath.
Jixia took a sip of spirit wine, feeling the heat rising in his chest. A current of spiritual energy emerged from him, forming vivid images in the air. He stood tall, laughing heartily. "Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes on this!"
The first image materialized—a towering mountain that pierced the heavens, dwarfing nearby peaks a hundredfold. It stood as a celestial pillar until a divine figure appeared, ramming into it with fury. The pillar crumbled, rivers flooded, and the earth sank into chaos.
"This is Gonggong of my Daxia, who, enraged by the reign of the Fire Emperor, struck the Buzhou Mountain, the celestial pillar of Heaven and the Fire Emperor's capital. The pillar broke, the earth's axis tilted, and the heavens leaned to the northwest, leaving the southeast desolate."
The second image followed—a fearless warrior, his form towering thousands of feet. Armed with a shield and axe, he battled legions of celestial warriors. A streak of sword light severed his head, but the warrior, undeterred, continued to fight, using his chest as eyes and his navel as a mouth.
"This is Xingtian, who rebelled during a civil war in Daxia. Even after the Emperor beheaded him, he fought on with undying resolve."
The third image depicted five divine figures amidst rolling clouds and towering mountains teeming with monstrous beasts. Among them stood mountain spirits, their colossal forms vigilant. With a single stroke, the divine figures leveled the mountains, erased the beasts, and forged a vast plain.
"These are the five sages of Daxia: Canzong, Baiguan, Yufu, Duyu, and Bieling. When their path was blocked by ten thousand mountains and countless demons, they cleaved the land to create a new domain, a tale forever known as The Five Lords Splitting the Mountains."
Jixia exhaled deeply after narrating three tales. The hall fell into stunned silence. Some guests dropped their utensils, oblivious to the clatter. Even the prince, Shiyu, and Fanzhu were utterly awestruck.