Chapter 1025: National Lord's Birthday Banquet

The Ice Wind Empire, true to its name, was naturally a powerful nation. Its territory was larger than the entire Profound Sky Continent, and it was widely recognized as the second strongest power in the northern Snow Song Realm, surpassed only by the neighboring Violet Sanctuary Empire to its north.

Due to their shared border, occasional skirmishes occurred, but the Violet Sanctuary Empire was always the dominant party.

However, after Mu Hanyi emerged from the Ice Wind Empire, and it was widely rumored that he was highly likely to become the Snow Song Realm King's next direct disciple, the Violet Sanctuary Empire no longer dared to act arrogantly in front of the Ice Wind Empire. They even proactively sent envoys annually, traveling millions of miles to present national tributes.

Consequently, although the Ice Wind Empire's national strength was not equal to that of the Violet Sanctuary Empire, in recent years, it had subtly begun to show signs of becoming the greatest power in the north. If Mu Hanyi were indeed to become the Realm King's direct disciple, it would be a natural progression for the Ice Wind Empire to become the foremost nation in the Snow Song Realm in terms of national prestige.

The grand hall was filled to capacity. The Ice Wind Nation Master's first millennium birthday was indeed a significant event, and those seated in the hall included high-ranking Ice Wind nobles, profound practitioners of immense power, and envoys from various nations.

Upon entering the hall, the most striking figure was a young man in purple robes. He sat at the head of the hall, a faint, unreadable smile on his face, exuding an innate, imposing noble aura. Watching Feng Huituo and Feng Hange return with the Situ family, Mu Hanyi, and Yun Che, his gaze swept quickly and meticulously over each person. Then, he slowly rose, a rather playful, faint smile appearing on his face.

"Oh? Isn't that Domain Master Situ? I've long heard that your esteemed daughter possesses extraordinary talent, gaining admission to the Ice Phoenix Palace and becoming a disciple of Fairy Ice Cloud at such a young age. Truly, congratulations are in order."

Upon seeing the young man in purple, Situ Xiongying was visibly startled, exclaiming, "The Violet... Violet Sanctuary Crown Prince!"

This young man in purple was indeed the current Crown Prince of the Violet Sanctuary Empire!

The Ice Wind Nation Master's millennium birthday was a significant event within the Ice Wind Empire, but for other nations, sending an envoy to offer congratulations and gifts would suffice. The fact that the Violet Sanctuary Empire, the most powerful nation in the northern Snow Song Realm, had sent its Crown Prince in person was truly an exaggeration, and it was no wonder Situ Xiongying was surprised.

The Violet Sanctuary Crown Prince smiled faintly, his gaze turning to Mu Hanyi: "Thirteenth Prince, it's been a long time. Seven years have passed, and your demeanor is indeed far superior to what it was then. Just by looking at your face, one can tell that your title as the foremost young talent in the Snow Song Realm is no exaggeration. It's just a pity you couldn't become the Realm King's direct disciple."

"Besides Prince Hanyi, there are also two esteemed guests from the Ice Phoenix Divine Hall who have arrived together. No wonder the Ice Wind Nation Master personally came out to greet them. My apologies for the oversight! It seems the Divine Hall truly holds your nation in high regard."

The Violet Sanctuary Crown Prince maintained a polite and gentle smile, fully embodying the demeanor of a nation's Crown Prince. However, no one present was an ordinary individual; how could they fail to grasp the underlying meaning of his words? Every single word was laced with playful mockery and stinging sarcasm.

He was mocking the Ice Wind Empire for constantly proclaiming that Mu Hanyi would become the Realm King's direct disciple, only for it to amount to nothing. The years of deterrence it had held over the Violet Sanctuary Empire had naturally vanished.

And the phrase, "It seems the Divine Hall truly holds your nation in high regard," was an outright, unmistakable taunt.

Furthermore, earlier, after the Ice Wind Nation Master Feng Huituo received Mu Hanyi's message about "two esteemed guests from the Ice Phoenix Divine Hall arriving," he was overjoyed, as if hearing celestial music. He immediately announced it with great excitement, then personally led a group out of the hall in a rush to greet them, causing the guests from all corners of the hall to become quite tense, expectant, and envious. After all, having important figures from the Ice Phoenix Divine Hall attend one's birthday celebration was an immense honor.

However, standing beside Mu Hanyi, the two individuals in Ice Phoenix Divine Hall's snow-white robes were not only extremely young but also only at the Divine Origin Realm in terms of profound energy. They were far from important figures; they were merely two disciples, and relatively low-ranking ones at that.

Sending two disciples who were far inferior to Mu Hanyi to attend the birthday banquet... This was an incredibly casual and perfunctory gesture, almost worse than sending no one at all.

When the attendees in the hall personally witnessed these two "esteemed Ice Phoenix guests," their anticipation and envy instantly turned into astonishment and disappointment. Many of the foreign envoys and domain masters secretly sighed or even chuckled to themselves.

After the news of Mu Hanyi's failure to become the Realm King's direct disciple spread, the Ice Wind Empire's national prestige had already significantly diminished. Now, with the Ice Phoenix Divine Hall sending two low-ranking disciples to the Nation Master's millennium birthday... if this news were to spread, the Ice Wind Empire's national prestige would undoubtedly plummet further, potentially even becoming a laughingstock.

In previous years, due to Mu Hanyi, the Violet Sanctuary Empire had appeared quite timid in front of the Ice Wind Empire. This time, the Violet Sanctuary Empire sending its Crown Prince in person was very likely to witness the Ice Wind Empire's humiliation. His public taunts just now were more than just brazen; they were utterly unbridled.

Mu Hanyi returned a bow, a gentle smile on his face, seemingly oblivious to the sarcasm in the other's words: "Thank you for your kind words, Violet Sanctuary Crown Prince. Hanyi is undeserving of such praise. The Sect Master's profound affection for our Ice Wind Empire is something we can never fully repay. Your personal attendance today, Crown Prince, is a pleasant surprise to Hanyi. After the banquet, we must have a good chat and reminisce."

"Hahahahaha." The Violet Sanctuary Crown Prince laughed heartily, then slowly sat back down, saying no more, but a meaningful smile lingered on his face.

Although inwardly fuming, Feng Huituo maintained a composed expression. With a wave of his hand, he said, "Hange, please arrange seating for Domain Master Situ's family, and this..."

Facing Yun Che, Feng Huituo's voice hitched. In his previous disappointment and dejection, he hadn't paid much attention to Yun Che's name and couldn't recall it for a moment. Fortunately, he quickly shifted his words: "How about this esteemed Ice Phoenix guest joining Domain Master Situ's family at their table?"

Before Feng Huituo had even finished speaking, Situ Xiongying had already turned directly, taken his seat at the spot indicated by Feng Hange, picked up a water cup, and drained it in one gulp... clearly refusing to share a table with Yun Che.

Feng Hange felt awkward, momentarily unsure whether to approach Yun Che and invite him to a seat. However, he then heard Mu Hanyi say, "Father, it might be slightly inappropriate for Senior Brother Yun Che to share a table with Domain Master Situ."

As he spoke, he extended his arm: "Senior Brother Yun Che, please take a seat at the head table. If you have any requests, you can simply tell Hanyi."

The seat Mu Hanyi indicated was none other than beside the imperial throne—sharing a table with the Ice Wind Nation Master Feng Huituo himself!

His actions and words stunned everyone. Feng Huituo paused, utterly bewildered, then asked with surprise and doubt, "Hanyi, what is this... You just called him... Senior Brother?"

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, Mu Hanyi suddenly adopted a look of realization: "Oh dear... Your son has been away from the nation for a long time, and upon seeing Father, I was so overcome with joy that I actually forgot such an important matter."

He stood beside Yun Che, his expression exceptionally solemn: "Father, Senior Brother Yun Che is not just your son's senior brother. You must have heard that the Great Realm King recently accepted a new direct disciple half a month ago, and this direct disciple is Senior Brother Yun Che."

Mu Hanyi's words instantly silenced the grand hall. The phrase "Realm King's direct disciple" in particular struck like a bolt from the clear sky, leaving everyone dumbfounded and utterly pale with shock.

As the emperor of a nation, Feng Huituo was so startled that it took him a full moment to regain his senses. His once valiant and majestic face instantly became filled with panic, and even his body, which usually carried imperial dignity, quickly stooped. He spoke with utmost trepidation, "Nephew Yun... So you are... Your Majesty... Oh no, no, this humble king was ignorant just now and failed to recognize a truly great presence. Not only did I fail to greet you properly from afar, but I also showed considerable disrespect. Please, Nephew Yun, forgive... forgive my transgression..."

In his terror, Feng Huituo became momentarily incoherent. Before he could finish speaking, the back of his head was already drenched in cold sweat. He turned his gaze, repeatedly chiding, "Hanyi, such an incredibly distinguished guest as Nephew Yun, you... why didn't you inform me beforehand?"

If he had known it was the Realm King's direct disciple arriving, he wouldn't have just personally greeted him; he would have gone ten thousand miles to welcome him.

Mu Hanyi smiled faintly: "Father, it's not that your son is ignorant. Although Senior Brother Yun Che's status is highly esteemed, he is humble and gentle, never relying on his power to oppress others, and always considers others first. He feared that informing you beforehand would overshadow the occasion and affect Father's birthday celebration, thus he instructed your son not to inform you in advance. Your son had to obey Senior Brother Yun Che's command... However, in my excitement, failing to inform Father of Senior Brother Yun Che's identity immediately was indeed your son's mistake, and I am willing to accept Father's punishment."

Yun Che politely said, "There's no need for this, Nation Master of Ice Wind. This junior came to offer birthday wishes on behalf of my master. Such deference makes this junior uneasy."

Although Yun Che merely offered a casual junior's bow, it startled Feng Huituo, who stepped back and hastily returned the gesture: "Nephew Yun... what are you saying? This humble king... has been a poor host. Please... please take the head seat, please take the head seat."

Sweat continued to pour from Feng Huituo's head, and his voice and body trembled uncontrollably. It wasn't that his composure was weak, but rather... the person before him was the Great Realm King's direct disciple! A nation's master holds an esteemed position, but compared to the Realm King's direct disciple, they simply aren't on the same plane of existence. In front of him, Feng Huituo was only fit to be called a "mere nation master."

Forget a millennium birthday; even for a ten-thousand-year birthday, he would never dare to hope for such a figure to attend in person. Having even a Hall Master present would be considered a tremendous blessing. Amidst his excitement, shock, and panic, he felt more bewilderment and disbelief.

And it wasn't just Feng Huituo who was bewildered and shocked; Crown Prince Feng Hange stood there, petrified, daring neither to move nor speak. All the guests in the grand hall had already risen, their gazes fixed on Yun Che with deep fear and reverence.

News of the Snow Song Realm King accepting a new direct disciple had already spread throughout the entire Snow Song Realm. Although his name was unknown, it was known that he came from a lower realm, had just entered the Divine Dao in profound energy, and possessed unprecedented talent, having completely surpassed Mu Hanyi and Mu Feixue in the assessment, with limitless potential for the future... But they had never imagined, nor dared to believe, that he would actually appear at this Nation Master's birthday banquet, standing right before their eyes.

The Violet Sanctuary Crown Prince had also risen, but not a trace of his earlier triumphant faint smile remained on his face. His rather handsome countenance was now distinctly pale, and under immense fear, he completely lost all semblance of princely dignity and composure. Every pore on his body seemed to be exuding an icy chill.

No one could forget that he had just brazenly uttered sarcastic remarks directly in front of Yun Che.

"He... he's actually... the legendary Realm King's direct disciple." Madam Situ's mouth hung open for a long moment before finally closing. "We actually made him walk behind us earlier, that was truly... too rude. Eh? Xiongying? What's wrong with you?"

Situ Xiongying stood rigidly, his face as pale as wax paper. His pupils dilated and constricted intermittently, and his entire body trembled like a sieve. The wine glass he unconsciously clutched had long since spilled wine all over him, but he remained utterly unaware.