âIs the birthday celebration tomorrow?â
Li Xiaobaiâs heart skipped a beat. He had just been wondering how to get closer to the higher echelons of his family, and wasnât this the perfect opportunity?
The sovereign and the Grand Emperor must be the highest-ranking individuals within the Great Flame Dynasty. Itâs possible to hear from them about the whereabouts of his wife and fellow disciples.
âThen I must show my utmost filial piety to the old man. Many thanks for the reminder, Ninth Brother!â
Li Xiaobai chuckled.
âHehe, my dear brother, no need for courtesy. I have many treasures here. If you canât come up with a birthday gift, I can lend you one,â
the Ninth Prince said, lightly fanning himself, and with a slight smile returning to his previous serene demeanor, gestured toward a large bell being played by the musicians outside.
In his view, even if Li Xiaobai had some fortuitous encounter, it was absolutely impossible for him to offer it as a birthday gift. Gathering a satisfactory birthday gift within a day was by no means easy.
After all, tomorrow there would be no shortage of guests coming and going; if Li Xiaobai were to give a poor gift, not only would it embarrass the Grand Emperor, but it would also be like slapping the face of the Great Flame Dynasty in front of the whole world.
At that point, no matter what changes the young man had undergone, he only had one path leftâdeath.
âHehe, Ninth Brother, you really have original ideas, planning to gift a bell on the Grand Emperorâs birthday. Itâs quite mischievous, but your little brother has made his own preparations, so thereâs no need for Ninth Brother to bother,â
said Li Xiaobai.
âItâs a trivial matter, hardly worth mentioning. Take it, and if you donât need it, just keep it as a gift from your Ninth Brother!â
âIn that case, I would be remiss to decline. When Ninth Brotherâs birthday comes, I will surely offer this treasure with both hands,â
Li Xiaobai said with a light smile, pocketing the large bell. Its surface glimmered with light, seemingly not an ordinary object. Later, he could sell it off for a few Immortal Stones as a little bonus.
Watching him walk away, the Ninth Prince was so furious that his Three Corpses Spirits nearly burst out, almost unable to restrain himself from slapping Li Xiaobai.
Not to mention killing him, he even planned to attend his funeral?
The audacity was truly not small.
He had completely changed his countenance.
âEighteenth Brother, such courage and insight. I originally thought you were just a worthless wretch, but it seems I have underestimated you!â
âHowever, youâve picked the wrong opponent. Not everyone can be provoked just by being ruthless. Sometimes, doing the wrong thing comes at a price, and that price is your life!â
âI look forward to seeing how you die tomorrow!â
The Ninth Princeâs face twisted, his eyes flashing with endless murderous intent. Today, his eighteenth brother had been sharp-tongued and managed to get the better of him, and even killed many of his men. That debt was something he was determined to reclaim.
âWhat are you standing there for? Keep playing the music, keep dancing!â
âYes!â
âGranted!â
âAs you command!â
â¦
The next morning came.
The old beggar and his group seemed to have all entered a state of seclusion. Yesterday, Li Xiaobai had briefly explained to them about the banquet happening today. They wouldnât need to exert any effort, only needing to reach the Human Immortal Realm sooner to be able to help a little in future conflicts.
Ergouzi was still reciting scriptures in the bathhouse, completely enamored with this feeling, with the value on his head already increasing to five hundred points.
Li Xiaobai thought that if he shared his attribute value system with it, this creature would probably subject itself to non-stop beatings day and night.
As for Ji Wuqing, she had already disappeared without a trace yesterday. According to Ergouzi, she took the Purple Gold Gourd with her. She didnât listen to a word of his instructions. As for what she went off to do, it didnât need to be saidâit was surely to capture the Saint Heir and the saintesses.
However, given his undying traits, thereâs no need to worry too much. Even if he offends some bigwig, at worst heâll die once, and two hours later, heâll be as good as a new chick.
âLetâs go, weâre off to the banquet to celebrate the old manâs birthday.â
Li Xiaobai gathered Ergouziâs scriptures and stood up to head towards the Imperial Palaceâs main hall.
Today was not only attended by the upper echelons of Yan City, but also the masters from the surrounding sects and the other two dynasties.
The experts from the Li Dynasty and the Sword Dynasty sat at the very front, while the masters from the other sects were seated just behind them, with the younger generation at the rear. To showcase the Great Flame Dynastyâs hospitality, the eighteen Princely Heirs were specially seated at the very back, highlighting the dynastyâs etiquette and style.
This move elicited endless praise from the cultivators.
As the eighteenth Princely Heir, Li Xiaobaiâs seat was naturally behind everyone else.
When he arrived with Ergouzi, almost no cultivator noticed him, nor did the other Princely Heirs pay him any attention.
Even though he had caused a significant stir in Yan City the day before, people still didnât take him seriously today; or perhaps, they were specifically looking forward to laughing at him.
âToday is this old manâs birthday; I have widely invited guests and friends, and I thank everyone for giving me this face by coming here to celebrate, hoping in the future, we families and powers can become closer!â
Atop the high seat, an elder with white hair and beard stroked his beard, speaking with a warm and kind smile on his face.
âWhat are you saying? For Elder Yanâs birthday, no matter how important the matters we face, we must rush over to offer birthday congratulations. This is a small token from Iron Sword Sect, and I hope you wonât take it as abrupt on our part!â
âThis is a treasured sword forged by our sect with Thousand-Year Cold Iron, capable of cutting through any obstacle effortlessly and is the optimal choice for a Sect Disciple.â
These words came from the Sect Leader of a certain sword cultivation sect, a small power, who showed keen insight. Knowing his gift was of little weight, he took the initiative to step forward, setting a leading example.
âHmm, the Sect Leader is thoughtful.â
The Grand Emperor nodded subtly, speaking indifferently, his gaze sweeping over the sword without a ripple of interest.
âGrand Emperor, our Sword Dynasty has brought you something truly good this time, something you will definitely find useful.â
âThe Seven-Star Green Cloud Sword, personally drawn from the Sword Tomb by Saint Lord Li of our Sword Dynasty as a gift for you, hoping youâll like it!â
An elder from the Sword Dynasty said, bowing and smiling as he presented his gift.
An attendant next to him brought over a longsword, adorned with seven jewels of peculiar shape, with the Immortal Spirit Qi inside it surging so powerfully that casual swings could unleash Sword Qi. Indeed a rare treasure.
âOh?â
âThat really must have troubled Saint Lord Li. Relay to your master my thanks for this kind intention, and I will surely visit to express my gratitude another day!â
The eyes of the Grand Emperor brightened, clearly recognizing the value of the gift.
âThe Li Dynasty knew that the Sword Dynasty would bring a weapon, so we have come bearing the Li Dynastyâs unique elixir, the Muscle Strengthening and Bone Forging Pill!â
âThis pill is such that a cultivator may only consume one in their lifetime, but this very pill can purge impurities from the body and return one to the peak of their physical condition. As the Grand Emperor is in his prime, with such a pill, itâs like adding wings to a tiger!â
The cultivator from the Li Dynasty said with a laugh, offering a brown-colored elixir.
âGood, this item is marvelous. The Li Dynasty has also gone to great lengths; I thank you sincerely!â
The Grand Emperor laughed heartily, his eyes revealing his excitement. Who wouldnât want to rejuvenate their body and live a few more years at the twilight of their life? This pill was precisely to his liking.
Li Xiaobai, standing by and silently observing, was speechless. The cultivator from the Li Dynasty seemed mighty and straightforward, but even he was cunning enough to speak such flattering nonsense. Calling the Grand Emperor in his prime and likening him to a tiger with wings?
If you asked him, he was sending charcoal in snowy weather to a man about to die!
But such words could not be recklessly spoken; saying them could lead to losing oneâs headâ¦