Chapter 215: Announcement
The final words drifted across the banquet hall before slowly fading into silence.
For a brief moment, no one spoke.
The orthodox disciples seated throughout the hall narrowed their eyes, while many of the younger cultivators quietly shifted their hands toward the hilts of their weapons. Everyone recognized the Blood-Fiend disciple's intention. This was no casual taunt. It was a deliberate probe, designed to force Ye Jun into revealing either his temperament or a portion of his true strength before the banquet had even begun.
Since it was a matter concerning the younger generation, and no one had crossed the line, the elders saw no reason to interfere. Such matters were left for the younger generation to resolve.
Song Liangxue's expression remained unchanged.
She neither glanced toward the crimson-robed youth nor showed the slightest intention of responding. Her trust in Ye Jun was absolute. A mere disciple from Blood-Fiend Valley was hardly worth her concern.
Ye Jun came to a stop at the foot of the staircase. His gaze swept calmly across the banquet floor before settling upon the crimson-robed youth. There was no anger in his eyes nor any amusement.
There was only the quiet composure of a man looking upon someone who had yet to understand the consequences of his own words.
"You've confused arrogance with confidence," Ye Jun said indifferently. "If you seek to gauge my worth, do so with your sword, not your mouth."
A faint ripple passed through the hall. The Blood-Fiend disciple's smile stiffened ever so slightly.
Ye Jun continued before the other man could answer. "You've spent several breaths questioning whether I'm worthy of the reputation others have given me."
His tone remained calm.
"I've spent those same breaths wondering whether Blood-Fiend Valley has become so impoverished that it sends children to speak on behalf of its elders."
Several orthodox disciples failed to suppress their smiles. Even a few neutral cultivators quietly lowered their heads to hide their expressions.
The crimson-robed youth's eyes immediately darkened. "You—"
Ye Jun raised a hand, cutting him off without so much as raising his voice.
"If you're curious about my speed, my strength, or my sword..." His lips curved into the faintest smile. "...the ironstone plaza outside will still be there after the first course. If you come, I'll answer every question you have."
A brief pause followed.
"Should you survive long enough to ask them."
The smile vanished from the Blood-Fiend disciple's face entirely.
An oppressive aura erupted from his body as crimson Qi surged around him in violent waves, carrying the pungent scent of iron and blood. The jade wine cup in his hand shattered into powder, while the sandalwood chair beneath him splintered from the pressure of his rising cultivation.
"Arrogant fool!" He took a step forward. "You think surviving a some heavenly tribulations makes you invincible?"
Several elders from Blood-Fiend Valley remained silent. None moved to stop him. Instead, they watched Ye Jun with keen interest, clearly curious how the Song Clan's newest heir would respond.
The atmosphere within the hall grew taut.
Many of the younger disciples quietly circulated their Qi, while servants stationed along the edges of the hall instinctively retreated several steps. Although everyone knew fighting inside the Song Clan's ancestral palace was forbidden, no one doubted that a clash between two geniuses could erupt in an instant if neither side yielded.
Before either man could take another step—
Click.
A soft tap rang through the hall as a jade cup was placed on the table. The sound was gentle, almost insignificant. Even so, the suffocating killing intent dissolved in an instant. Space itself seemed to grow heavier.
The surging Qi surrounding the Blood-Fiend disciple abruptly froze. Even the flames burning within the surrounding spirit lanterns flickered.
Prince Zhao slowly withdrew his hand from the jade cup resting before him.
Dressed in imperial-yellow robes embroidered with golden dragons, he remained seated, his posture relaxed and unhurried. There was no need for him to release his aura in full. The natural pressure of a late-stage Ruler Realm expert quietly spread through the hall, suppressing every unstable fluctuation within several dozen meters.
His calm gaze first settled upon the Blood-Fiend disciple.
"Sit."
That single word was devoid of anger or disdain. It was nothing more than an order.
The crimson-robed youth's expression fluctuated.
For a fleeting instant, unwillingness flashed across his face. Yet under the weight of the prince's cultivation, even circulating his Qi became difficult. After several silent breaths, he reluctantly cupped his fists before returning to his seat, though the hostility in his eyes remained undisguised.
Only then did Prince Zhao turn his attention to Ye Jun. His gaze betrayed no emotion as he quietly sized Ye Jun up. It was the look of a ruler assessing someone who might one day stand among the realm's greatest powers.
"Young Master Ye." His voice was calm, carrying naturally throughout the hall. "Tonight is a banquet held beneath the banner of the Northern Hegemony. It is meant to celebrate new beginnings, not to settle personal grudges."
Ye Jun inclined his head slightly. "This junior understands."
Prince Zhao studied him for another moment before giving a faint nod. "I've heard much about you. Whether the rumors do you justice remains to be seen."
He lifted his jade cup.
"The Imperial Court acknowledges the Song Clan's authority over the North."
Several elders immediately focused their attention upon him.
Prince Zhao continued. "The Vermilion Throne also looks forward to seeing how the Northern Hegemony's newest talent performs once he steps in the wider world.."
Although his tone remained courteous, the meaning behind his words was unmistakable.
The Imperial Court had acknowledged Ye Jun, but acknowledgment came with expectations. If he failed to live up to the reputation surrounding him, the entire continent would bear witness.
Ye Jun merely smiled. "I'll do my best not to disappoint."
Prince Zhao returned the smile, saying nothing further.
The tension within the hall gradually eased.
Conversations had only just begun to resume when a deep, ancient horn echoed from beyond the palace walls.
Bwoooooom—
The solemn note rolled across the heavens like distant thunder.
A second horn answered.
Then a third.
The immense crystal dome overhead trembled almost imperceptibly as the sound reverberated through the palace complex, while the countless spirit lanterns lining the walls simultaneously shifted from brilliant silver to a beautiful mix of blue and white, the official color of the Northern Hegemony.
Every cultivator present immediately rose to their feet.
The banquet had truly begun.
Behind the northern dais, the towering leather curtains slowly parted as Song Yanyan stepped onto the elevated platform.
She wore robes of midnight-black silk embroidered with the image of a coiling dragon ascending a frost-covered mountain, each scale woven from shimmering silver thread that reflected the light surrounding the hall. The playful warmth she occasionally displayed before those close to her had vanished entirely.
What remained was the sovereign of the North.
She crossed the hall with quiet, measured steps before stopping beside the ancient ironwood throne.
She remained silent. Yet as her aura spread through the hall, the silence grew heavier still. It spread through the hall in silence, subtle as the tide. There was no violent surge of Qi or dazzling display of power. Even so, everyone felt its presence.
The restless ambitions that had quietly stirred among the younger generation settled. Hidden killing intent disappeared. Even veteran elders unconsciously straightened their backs.
This was the pressure of a true Ruler Realm sovereign who had governed the Northern Hegemony for decades.
Only after the hall had fallen completely silent did Song Yanyan begin to speak.
"Honored guests." Her clear voice carried effortlessly to every corner of the hall.
"Representatives of the Imperial Throne, esteemed elders of the great sects, distinguished leaders of the ancient clans, and honored friends who have journeyed from afar...
"The Song Clan welcomes you."
Her gaze swept slowly across the assembled dignitaries.
"You have crossed mountains, rivers, and kingdoms to stand within these ancestral halls. You have come seeking answers."
She let her gaze linger for a moment.
"Tonight, you shall have them."
A brief silence followed. Many expected her to introduce Ye Jun. Instead, her expression turned solemn.
"Before I speak of my family's future, there is another matter, one that concerns the future of the entire Xuanwu Continent."
The hall fell silent.
"The ancestral arrays guarding the Heaven Opening Chasm have reported that the ancient seal is collapsing at an accelerating pace."
A ripple of surprise spread through the audience.
Song Yanyan continued before anyone could speak.
"According to the latest calculations, the Heaven Opening Chasm will fully reopen in three months."
This time, even several elders exchanged astonished looks. The Chasm opening ahead of schedule was no trivial matter. It would reshape the movements of every major power across the continent.
Song Yanyan allowed the murmurs to continue for only a single breath before her gaze sharpened.
Silence immediately returned.
"This cycle differs from every previous one as the spatial fractures have widened. The concentration of heaven and earth Qi within the Chasm continues to rise. And..."
Her voice lowered slightly.
"The ancient remnants sealed within have begun responding to the outside world."