"Alright, let's set off!"

Jian Cangqiong smiled slightly, raised his hand and waved, and a longsword gleaming with cold light soared into the air, transforming into a giant sword over ten meters long and several meters wide.

Swish, swish, swish!

Everyone swiftly leapt up onto the giant sword.

Whoosh!

Standing at the tip of the giant sword, Jian Cangqiong controlled it as it flew towards Mingyuan City.

Sitting on the sword, Jiang Chen glanced at the people around him, a look of confusion in his eyes.

The group of people on this journey included Jian Cangqiong, Hu Yiqiu, Sang Zhenye, Instructor Lin, Yun Tao, Fire Phoenix, Sang Zhenglong, Jian Wuheng, Zhang Qian, Sang Zhirou, and Jiang Chen - eleven in total.

Are all these people going to participate in the Mingqian Banquet?!

Jiang Chen felt somewhat surprised.

"The Mingqian Banquet is a grand event in our Mingqian Realm. When the time comes, every eligible force will bring its outstanding disciples to participate."

"Firstly, to showcase the power of each force, and secondly, to let the elite young generation of their forces compete against the youth of other forces, accumulating more experience."

Noticing Jiang Chen's confusion, Hu Yiqiu smiled and said, "Moreover, each Mingqian Banquet selects some individuals to enter the Domain Lord's Mansion for cultivation. Therefore, it's not just the well-known forces; some reclusive masters will also send their disciples to gain experience. It's a good opportunity to enhance practical combat skills!"

Glancing at Fire Phoenix and a few others, Hu Yiqiu smiled and said, "Lei Kai and Feng'er are the two strongest students at the Virtual Refinement Realm Peak in the academy. They represent our academy in this competition, and Yun Tao and Zheng Long represent the Late Virtual Refinement Realm."

"Wuheng and Zhang Qian represent the Mid-stage of the Virtual Refinement Realm. Zhang Qian has awakened his Bloodline Power, and his strength has grown by leaps and bounds. You and Ruo Xue represent the Early Stage of Virtual Refinement Realm. After a year of training, Ruo Xue's control over her power has also reached a certain degree!"

"As for Instructor Lin Mingxiang, he represents the cultivators of the Virtual Refinement Realm in the academy to participate in the Mingqian Banquet."

Hu Yiqiu glanced at Instructor Lin, "The Mingqian Banquet is held once every ten years, and for the Virtual Refinement Realm, ten years might not even be enough to break through a small realm. Therefore, there is only one competition for the Virtual Refinement Realm - a peak-level showdown."

Jiang Chen was slightly taken aback and looked at Lin Mingxiang in surprise. If he could represent the academy at the Mingqian Banquet, it indicated that Instructor Lin was the top among the academy's instructors!

Noticing Jiang Chen's gaze, Lin Mingxiang smiled and nodded at him.

Jiang Chen smiled and nodded back in courtesy.

…

Mingyuan City.

At this moment, Mingyuan City was bustling with people, the streets crowded and festive.

However, if a strong person stopped to observe, they would notice that apart from the vendors, the vast majority of people crowding the streets were cultivators. These cultivators were gathered in small groups, each group having individuals with deep and profound auras.

"There sure are a lot of people attending this Mingqian Banquet!"

A man dressed as a scholar glanced at the pedestrians on the street, a wry smile on his face, "It seems I cannot avoid punishment, but why does the Domain Lord want me to win the championship of the Virtual Refinement Realm competition at the Mingqian Banquet?"

The man appeared to be only around thirty, but the weariness in his eyes indicated that his age was not consistent with his youthful appearance.

"Zhang Ling, City Lord?"

A voice called out, and the man turned his head to see a group of over ten people walking towards him from one end of the street.

Upon seeing Zhang Ling, Jiang Chen inexplicably felt a sense of closeness and immediately called out.

The group approached Zhang Ling, and Jiang Chen cupped his fists in salutation, "City Lord Zhang Ling, it's been a long time!"

"Mr. Jiang, I hope you've been well."

Zhang Ling glanced at Jian Cangqiong and the others, who were standing by nonchalantly, with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

"Have you been transferred to Mingyuan City, City Lord Zhang Ling?"

For some reason, Jiang Chen felt compelled to have a few more words with Zhang Ling.

Perhaps it was because of the Tai Chi diagram?

Jiang Chen was also baffled by his own spontaneous action.

"That's not it. I'm here upon the Domain Lord's command to participate in the Mingqian Banquet."

Zhang Ling gently shook his head.

Even though Jiang Chen was only an early-stage Divine Infant Realm cultivator, Zhang Ling showed no airs and felt a strange sense of familiarity towards Jiang Chen. Given the three strong individuals accompanying Jiang Chen with hidden powers, he answered all simple questions.

"Oh? It seems the Domain Lord has a high regard for you, Senior Zhang!"

Jiang Chen showed a hint of surprise, chuckling softly, although his eyes revealed a complex expression.

Perhaps Zhang Ling is a trusted confidant of Domain Lord Zhang Yubo; otherwise, he wouldn't represent the Domain Lord at the Mingqian Banquet. If I truly end up opposing Zhang Yubo in the future…

What is this feeling of closeness? He's not even from Yuan Star!

Jiang Chen frowned slightly.

Seemingly sensing Jiang Chen's unusual reaction, Zhang Ling glanced at Lin Mingxiang and said faintly, "Mr. Jiang, this old Taoist still has errands to run, I won't be staying!"

"Feel free, Taoist!"

Jiang Chen, bothered by that sense of affinity, replied along with Zhang Ling's words.

"What?"

Zhang Ling trembled slightly, looking at Jiang Chen with surprise.

"What's the matter?"

Jiang Chen, unaware, returned Zhang Ling's gaze with bewilderment.

"Oh, nothing."

Zhang Ling shook his head slightly, saluted Hu Yiqiu and the others with clasped fists, bowed to Lin Mingxiang, and then turned to merge with the crowd.

"Young Jiang, do you know him?"

Hu Yiqiu looked at Jiang Chen quizzically.

Jiang Chen hadn't introduced Hu Yiqiu and the others to Zhang Ling, indicating they were not well acquainted, yet his enthusiasm had been evident, leaving Hu Yiqiu slightly puzzled.

"He was the city lord of the city affected by our last subjugation of the Sea Tribe. We met once then."

Jiang Chen explained softly.

"I remember now. Junior brother, at that time, you mistook him for a compatriot of yours."

Yun Tao spoke softly.

Jiang Chen nodded, turning to look in the direction Zhang Ling had left, feeling as if he had missed something but unable to recall it clearly.

"Alright, let's head to the Domain Lord's Mansion first. He's also there, and if you wish to get acquainted, you can visit him."

Jian Cangqiong spoke softly, looking at Jiang Chen.

The group set off again, heading towards the Domain Lord's Mansion.

Domain Lord's Mansion Reception Hall.

"Haha, Dean Jian, Elder Wine-crazed, Elder Sang, I apologize for not welcoming you sooner!"

A burst of hearty laughter rang out, and a middle-aged man with a broad smile walked into the reception hall.

"Greetings, Domain Lord."

Jian Cangqiong and the others rose in unison and saluted.

Domain Lord? Zhang Yubo!?

Jiang Chen was slightly stunned, handing over his courtesy, scrutinizing Zhang Yubo carefully.

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