Chapter 455 - Imperial Duel

With the arrival of Emperor Ji Yunzhou, the crowd, after a brief commotion, quieted down.

“Congratulations to Elder Wenren on your birthday,” Ji Yunzhou said with a light smile as he approached Wenren Jingshi.

The Empress Tian Shang followed and offered her greetings as well.

Behind them, the three princes bowed slightly and also extended their congratulations.

“How has Brother Changli been these years?” Wenren Jingshi asked with a smile.

The "Brother Changli" he mentioned was the former emperor, Ji Changli.

Ji Yunzhou had been heavily groomed from a young age, and once he gained enough authority, Ji Changli passed the throne to him and went into seclusion, rarely appearing in public since.

“Father has entered closed-door seclusion,” Ji Yunzhou replied calmly.

Wenren Jingshi paused briefly. He knew Ji Changli’s cultivation level, they were from the same generation.

Now that he was in seclusion again, likely seeking a breakthrough, that statement carried some weight and couldn't be ignored.

In fact, the two major Clans had secretly been keeping an eye on the imperial court for years.

“Please, have a seat,” Wenren Jingshi said with a smile.

As everyone took their seats, guests from across the Phoenix Perch Empire chatted and socialized, they were all familiar with one another.

Three main factions were apparent: one led by the Wan Clan, one by Emperor Ji Yunzhou, and the last by Tranquil Prince, Yue Yunfei.

“I’m very grateful to everyone for attending this old man’s birthday celebration,” Wenren Jingshi stood and said with a smile.

“Since we all live in the Phoenix Perch Empire, I hope the Wenren Clan and all of you can continue to support one another. I won’t say too much, let the banquet begin.”

The crowd responded politely, though their true feelings remained unknown.

Branch Clan members of the Wenren Clan began bringing in the dishes.

Beside the banquet area, a newly built platform stood.

A group of performers in colorful costumes went up to the stage and began their act.

Their performance resembled acrobatics and common street tricks.

Yet even the martial cultivators in the crowd watched with amusement and gave occasional commentary.

At that moment, Emperor Ji Yunzhou suddenly stood.

He looked around at the audience and turned to Wenren Jingshi.

“Elder Wenren, I have a proposal, what do you think?”

Ji Yunzhou smiled, “We rarely get the chance to all gather like this. I have six princes and one princess. I won’t mention the rest, but the three princes here today rarely leave the palace and haven’t seen what true prodigies are like. The Wenren Clan is one of the top powers in our empire, and now that your juniors are all present for your birthday celebration, perhaps they could spar with my sons. Let them experience firsthand that there’s always someone stronger.”

The crowd grew interested and turned their eyes to the stage.

Before Wenren Jingshi could respond, Wenren Yao frowned and said uncomfortably, “Your Majesty, today is my father’s birthday. I ask you to please restrain yourself.”

“It’s fine,” Wenren Jingshi waved it off with a smile.

He said, “The three princes are well-known throughout the empire for their talents. If we’re to call this a challenge, it’s nothing more than a friendly exchange. My own grandsons may not even be their match.”

Seeing Wenren Jingshi’s squinting smile, Ji Yunzhou sneered inwardly, “Old fox.”

The two were clearly trying to outplay each other in front of the crowd.

Ji Yunzhou wanted to use this opportunity to let his sons gain prestige by defeating Wenren Clan members.

Wenren Jingshi, of course, wasn’t going to sit back quietly.

...

“Yongning, go give it a try,” Ji Yunzhou waved his hand.

The Crown Prince Ji Yongning stepped forward.

He held his head high and chest out, standing like a straight spear.

He cupped his hands and said boldly, “Which prodigy from the Wenren Clan will face me?”

“Have the performers step down,” Wenren Jingshi ordered.

The troupe quickly left the platform.

Wenren Jingshi paused a moment, then said, “Li’er, go give it a try.”

From among the juniors, Wenren Li stepped forward.

The two cupped their hands to each other, then rose into the air and landed on the stage.

“Cousin Zimo, do you think my big brother can win?” Wenren Suo asked nervously.

“How would I know?” Xu Zimo shrugged. “They haven’t fought yet, and I don’t know either of them.”

The crowd watched the duel with interest.

After all, the younger generation represented the future of each faction.

Observing them now could say a lot about what was to come.

...

“I heard the Crown Prince Ji Yongning was thrown into the army camps as a child. He never got special treatment and fought in real battles, he’s a killer who crawled out of a sea of blood.”

“Even so, Wenren Li was reportedly sent to the Heavenly Dao Academy in the Middle Continent when he was young. We don’t know much about him, but he likely has his own strengths.”

Ignoring the crowd’s chatter, the two figures on the stage stood facing each other.

Their auras began to rise steadily.

Though both were in the Imperial Meridian Realm, their auras felt very different.

Wenren Li’s aura was light and ethereal, surrounded by drifting green spiritual energy, sometimes gathering, sometimes flowing.

In contrast, when Ji Yongning released his aura, fierce, blood-red faces formed in the air, roaring with killing intent.

Thick, oppressive blood fog merged with his killing aura.

Wenren Li slowly drew his three-foot green blade from his waist.

He slashed, sending three afterimages toward Ji Yongning.

Ji Yongning, dressed in black, moved gracefully with the sword’s rhythm.

His fists clenched tightly, pulsing with blood-red energy.

Blade met fist, neither side giving an inch.

Then, Ji Yongning turned his right fist into a palm, grabbing Wenren Li’s sword directly.

With his left, he swung a heavy punch forward.

Explosive crackles echoed around them.

Wenren Li’s eyes narrowed slightly.

His sword suddenly burst with intense sword energy, shaking Ji Yongning’s hand away.

He then quickly retreated.

“That opening exchange, it looks like the Crown Prince has the upper hand,” someone in the crowd whispered.

With the probing done, Wenren Li no longer held back.