The morning sun spread over Mingyuan City, draping it in a crimson garb.

The sun had just risen, and Mingyuan City was already teeming with people.

Today was the day of the Mingqian Banquet, and the venue was right at the central plaza of Mingyuan City.

Yesterday, a massive arena, stretching a kilometer in diameter, was erected at the plaza. On it, Ning Yuan, the foremost Array Master in the open of the Mingqian Realm, set up a defensive array that isolates power but does not obstruct people.

"Have you heard? That arena hosts a defensive array that Senior Ning Yuan spent a month constructing, capable of withstanding a full-power strike from a Virtual Refinement Realm Peak expert!"

"Can it withstand a full-power strike from a Virtual Refinement Realm Peak? Amazing!"

"Indeed, with Senior Ning Yuan around, we can safely watch the Mingqian Banquet!"

"The Domain Lord truly mingles with the people, allowing us to watch. The matches at the Mingqian Banquet feature top experts from various realms, from whom we can also learn some combat experiences!"

The east, west, and south sides of the plaza were already crowded, mostly by cultivators from Mingyuan City and the surrounding cities. These people weren't eligible to participate in the Mingqian Banquet, but that didn't stop them from watching.

In full view, those ascending the northern three-tier platform, built specifically for the forces participating in the Mingqian Banquet, could also satisfy a bit of the vanity of these forces.

The northern three-tier platform was nearly ten meters wide on each level, and the entire platform's length matched that of the arena.

On the three-tier platform, tables and chairs had already been arranged. Below the platform, guards from the Domain Lord's Mansion maintained order, and several young maidens stood by, ready for service.

"Isn't it about time?"

"It should be soon!"

"Here they come! Here they come!"

Amidst the cries, everyone looked toward the Domain Lord's Mansion.

Swish, swish, swish!

Hundreds of figures flew out from the Domain Lord's Mansion; these were representatives of the top and first-rate forces of the Mingqian Realm.

Whoosh!

Leading the charge, one person swiftly leaped to the central position of the topmost tier, turned around to the others, clasped his fists, and spoke in a clear voice, "Everyone, please!"

"Thank you, Domain Lord!"

Everyone shouted in unison and then distributed themselves across the three-tier platform.

After everyone was seated, many seats remained empty on the platform. Nearly ten seats on both sides were unoccupied.

"Everyone interested in participating in the Mingqian Banquet, please take your seats!"

Zhang Yubo glanced at the crowd on three sides, his gaze lingering slightly on several spots.

In the places where Zhang Yubo's gaze lingered, there were discreetly powerful presences hidden within the crowd. These were reclusive experts in the Mingqian Realm, and those dozen or so empty seats were reserved for them.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Just as Zhang Yubo finished speaking, several figures leaped out from the crowd and landed on the three-tier platform, sitting obediently at the corresponding positions.

"Haha! I didn't expect today's Mingqian Banquet to even disturb Brother Ku Zhu; it's truly my fault!"

Sweeping a glance at the several elders who jumped onto the highest platform, Zhang Yubo's eyes shone as he greeted a gaunt elder with a smile.

"Domain Lord, you're too kind. I came this time just to see if my unworthy disciple could rank among the peers in the Mingqian Realm!"

The gaunt elder spoke indifferently, glancing at a young man on the lowermost platform.

"Oh? I didn't expect Brother Ku Zhu to have taken in a disciple. To be taken as a disciple by Brother Ku Zhu, they must indeed be extraordinary!"

Zhang Yubo glanced at the young man and spoke with a light smile.

"Is that Ku Zhu Elder?"

"I heard that back in the day, Elder Ku Zhu contended with the Shadowless Sword Emperor for the title of the foremost in the Mingqian Realm. That battle back then was legendary; they fought for five days and nights, and in the end, Elder Ku Zhu lost by a single move, disappearing from the Mingqian Realm thereafter!"

"Yes! I heard about that battle too. They say that after that fight, Elder Ku Zhu died from his severe injuries, but I can't believe he's still alive!"

"He should now be considered the number one in our Mingqian Realm, right?"

Listening to the exchange between Zhang Yubo and Ku Zhu, everyone looked toward the latter with interest.

Hmm?

Jian Cangqiong, seated near the center, suddenly furrowed his brow. His gaze swept westward, passing over an old man and a young one in the crowd when he glanced toward Elder Ku Zhu.

In the crowd, Sun Peng noticed Jian Cangqiong's gaze. His old face revealed a bitter and guilty expression, as he saluted Jian Cangqiong from afar before averting his eyes, avoiding direct contact.

"Dean Jian, I heard that your Changlin Academy produced a student with a top-tier Five Elements Great Path Affinity. Could it be that girl?"

Beside Jian Cangqiong, a tower-like middle-aged man spoke with a light laugh, glancing at the first-tier platform below Jian Cangqiong.

"Top-tier Five Elements Great Path Affinity?! Family Head Lin, are you referring to one of the five great paths or all five? You better not scare us!"

An elder seated next to the tower-like man looked at him in surprise.

Lin Zhonghu, the Family Head of the Lin Family, a top power in the eastern Mingqian Realm, at the Mid Integration Realm Stage.

Behind him sat an elder with closed eyes, dozing, who was the Great Elder of the Lin Family, a Late Integration Realm expert.

"Haha, Sect Master Liu, what Family Head Lin speaks of is indeed five great paths. I have heard of this too, though it seems that person hasn't arrived!"

On the other side of Jian Cangqiong, Zhang Yubo spoke with a light laugh, "Dean Jian, are you planning to hide the person from us?"

"Dean Jian, that's indeed not fair! The Mingqian Banquet is the grandest event in our Mingqian Realm. By keeping it secret, aren't you somewhat disrespecting the Domain Lord and the attending forces?"

An elder to Zhang Yubo's right spoke with a light laugh, his eyes flashing with a sinister look.

His words seemed teasing, but his intentions were quite malicious!

While the Mingqian Banquet is indeed a major event in the Mingqian Realm, there's no rule mandating that the disciple with the best talent must be brought here. The elder's remark was intentionally trying to embarrass Jian Cangqiong.

Jian Cangqiong didn't bother with the sinister elder and turned to Zhang Yubo, cupping his fists, "Jiang Chen recently had an unexpected breakthrough and can no longer participate in the Divine Infant Realm Early Stage competition. Additionally, he has obtained the Rejuvenation Flame and is currently in seclusion, refining it, so he won't be able to attend this Mingqian Banquet! I ask for the Domain Lord's understanding!"

Zhang Yubo's smile froze momentarily before quickly reverting to normal, a shadow flickering in his eyes.

"A breakthrough in realm? That's truly a pity. Not seeing such a talented Jun Jie ascend the Mingqian Banquet's arena truly makes the event lose some of its charm."

Lin Zhonghu spoke with regret, genuinely wanting to meet Jiang Chen, to see how a top-tier Great Dao Affinity talent would perform.

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