Beneath the firmament, the Divine Firmament Immortal Dynasty had set up a grand reception, with all manner of dignitaries gathered.
Xiao Fan’s brows were tightly furrowed, his expression gloomy.
His voice was extremely soft, but the words within it exuded a strange, inexplicable Aura.
As the Prime Minister’s son, he was naturally on the guest list for this welcoming ceremony and was able to attend in person.
Moreover, the matters of the Ancient Immortal Domain had long since alarmed the court and the public, and as the descendant of a powerful minister, he had received intelligence at the first opportunity.
But the more he observed the current situation, the deeper the unease in his heart grew.
The Aura of the nine-Dragon carriage, the composure of the black-robed youth, and the sight of Shen Luowan standing shoulder to shoulder with Jiang Ye—all stirred waves in his heart.
According to his original memories, Jiang Ye should still be cultivating in seclusion within the Longevity Jiang Clan at this time and would not be coming to the Divine Firmament Immortal Dynasty.
“This isn’t right.”
He murmured softly, his gaze growing increasingly grim.
According to his memories from before his Rebirth, at this point in time, Jiang Ye should still be in secluded cultivation within the Longevity Jiang Clan, making his appearance in the Divine Firmament Immortal Dynasty utterly impossible.
More importantly.
“Shouldn’t Shen Luowan have been killed in the Ancient Immortal Domain?”
This was a scene he had witnessed with his own eyes in his previous life. Yet now, she was not only unharmed but had even appeared with Jiang Ye, and was being received with such high honors by Shen Baiyun?
Everything seemed to be in disarray.
Xiao Fan’s eyes narrowed slightly, and a thought subtly emerged in his mind:
“Could it be… that my Rebirth has caused some critical nodes to deviate?”
This thought made him even more silent. He tightly clenched his knuckles within his sleeve, his gaze fixed on the two figures in front.
Jiang Ye and Shen Luowan stood shoulder to shoulder, their Auras merging as one, like deities walking side by side.
Standing before them was the Seventh Princess Shen Baiyun, dressed in formal attire for the reception, her white robes giving her an immortal demeanor, her attitude respectful, and her smile radiant.
But the more he saw this, the stronger the unease in Xiao Fan’s heart became.
He looked at Jiang Ye and Shen Baiyun, and a surge of anger rose within him.
He suppressed his emotions, his expression calm as usual, but his fingertips had already turned slightly pale.
“Divine Son Jiang, you have endured a long journey, traveling countless miles. It is truly an honor for our Immortal Dynasty, and our humble abode is illuminated by your presence.”
She bowed slightly, her eyes warm with a smile, and continued:
“Why not accompany me to the Imperial Palace for a banquet? This humble one would be pleased to host a welcoming feast for you.”
These words were spoken with grace and familiarity, not only showcasing the Immortal Dynasty’s etiquette but also subtly hinting at a reserved gesture of goodwill.
Everyone was astonished.
Even many noble scions looked at Shen Baiyun with a mix of surprise and doubt.
When had she ever treated any other man with such deference?
Shen Luowan stood quietly beside Jiang Ye, turning her head to glance at Shen Baiyun, her expression calm, but her eyes revealing a hint of coldness and disdain.
She could naturally see that Shen Baiyun’s attire, words, and demeanor today were all meticulously prepared.
As for Jiang Ye, he surveyed the grand display around him, his eyes narrowing slightly.
It had to be said that Shen Baiyun’s arrangements were indeed well-planned; the scene was magnificent, with all the Immortal Dynasty’s high-ranking officials present. The scale of the event was even grander than some royal wedding ceremonies.
Shen Baiyun was very adept at leveraging influence.
If it were anyone else, they would probably be overwhelmed by the honor by now and would have long since followed her into the palace.
But Jiang Ye merely walked forward with his hands behind his back, his expression calm, and his tone cool and indifferent: “Thank you for the Princess’s kind intentions.”
“However, This Divine Son has other important matters to attend to on this trip to the Taicang Dao Domain, so I’m afraid I will not have time to impose, and thus will not accompany you.”
With a single sentence, light as a breeze, polite but utterly devoid of warmth.
The scene instantly fell silent for half a breath.
Many people’s expressions shifted slightly.
This scene was too abrupt.
The dignified Seventh Princess of the Immortal Dynasty had personally come to greet him, offering a banquet and showing such deference, even revealing a hint of intimacy in her tone.
Yet Jiang Ye had directly refused, without even a subtle polite excuse.
And Shen Yangping, the former Divine Emperor, now had a hint of suppressed anger in his cloudy eyes.
Shen Baiyun stood rooted, the smile on her lips faltering slightly.
But very quickly, she returned to normal, her eyes shifting, her smile unwavering, and she said softly:
“If that is the case, then I shall not insist.”
Her tone remained gentle and generous, as if she didn’t mind at all, and instead adopted a more reserved and yielding posture.
But the more she acted this way, the more disdainful Shen Luowan became.
She knew in her heart that this was merely Shen Baiyun’s usual trick.
Using a cold facade, feigning weakness and yielding, to gain others’ goodwill and sympathy.
At this moment, Jiang Ye, however, was utterly indifferent and composed, taking Hong Yan and Qing Xuan with him as he slowly departed, as if the confrontation between the two princesses held no importance to him whatsoever.
He was the Divine Son of the Jiang Clan!
Even in this Divine Firmament Immortal Dynasty, not even a royal princess would dare to say too much to him.
Etiquette?
Rules?
If he was unwilling to abide by them, who would dare to speak out?
The gazes of those behind him fell upon him, with shock, awe, and a deep sense of trepidation.
And Shen Luowan remained where she was, looking at the gradually receding figure, a meaningful smile appearing on her face.
A certain emotion that had long been stirring in her heart finally settled completely at this moment.
This person was worth her betting everything on.
She was even more convinced that her choice had never been wrong.
Even if Shen Baiyun had rallied all the Old Ancestors in the Immortal Dynasty, even if she had countless schemes and vast connections, what could it ultimately achieve?
As long as Shen Luowan stood by Jiang Ye’s side, even if she didn’t obtain that lofty imperial throne, no one could harm her in the slightest!
...Tianxia Tower.
This was one of the oldest and most distinguished restaurants in the capital city of the Divine Firmament Immortal Dynasty; successive imperial families often held banquets here, and it had long been renowned throughout the entire Divine Domain.
The entire restaurant was constructed from ten-thousand-year-old Flying Cloud Spirit Wood, like a place where rosy light soared into the sky.
Every day at Chenshi , the entire building would be bathed in brilliant rosy light, like the rising sun, hence its reputation: “The morning glow cannot compare to a single drink at Tianxia.”
At this moment, outside Tianxia Tower, several maids were leading the way, having already arranged a top-floor private room for the distinguished guests.
As soon as Jiang Ye and his party arrived, a graceful proprietress personally came out to greet them, smiling radiantly as she led them into the uppermost room of the restaurant.
Inside the room, fragrant mist permeated, Spiritual Qi gathered, the floor was covered with Spirit Beast fur rugs, and outside the window, one could gaze upon the entire splendid view of the capital city.
Jiang Ye sat in the main seat, his gaze calmly sweeping around, his expression serene, his eyes deep.
He knew.
In this vast capital city of the Divine Firmament, those thriving, perennially successful restaurants and shops mostly had powerful figures backing them.
Perhaps influential court officials, perhaps descendants of the imperial family, or even the eyes and ears of a mysterious Dao lineage.
But he didn’t care.
Whose property Tianxia Tower was, he couldn’t be bothered to find out.
What was important was that his deliberate choice to appear here today itself represented an attitude.
He had not yet decided whether to form an alliance with the Divine Firmament Immortal Dynasty.
He, Jiang Ye, was not someone Shen Baiyun could casually leverage.
Moreover, Jiang Ye had already gained his greatest reward today.
Just moments ago, amidst that grand display, the System had suddenly provided a detection feedback.
【Name: Xiao Fan (23)】
【Realm: Unity Realm First Level】
【Physique: None】
【Treasure: Ancient Time Wheel Plate】
【Luck Value: 300000 / 300000】
A full three hundred thousand points of “leek,” and only at the Unity Realm—this was a Protagonist of Destiny who had not yet fully developed.
A faint, eerie light flashed across Jiang Ye’s eyes.
Protagonist of Destiny?
Very good, he loved to “take care” of such people the most.
He immediately dispatched Heaven Guards to secretly investigate this person’s identity, background, social connections, and master’s lineage.
Night fell, and on the top floor of Tianxia Tower, spirit lamps illuminated the space, and fragrant mist swirled.
Qing Xuan was softly serving Jiang Ye spirit tea, her expression gentle.
Hong Yan sat to one side, massaging his shoulders and back.
Jiang Ye reclined on a cloud brocade soft couch, closing his eyes to rest.
These two women were already accustomed to attending to his daily needs.
The night passed without incident.
