Chapter 114: The Banquet

As she spoke these words, the scene before her began to descend, and she felt the spirit vessel lowering.

Before long, the spirit vessel touched down on the ground.

Bai Shengyun was the first to step off the vessel. Upon seeing the assembly of elders, he furrowed his brow slightly, his gaze notably cold and sharp.

Next came Huo Tianqing. When he saw those elders, his expression mirrored Bai Shengyun’s—icy and distant—but beneath that chilling facade lay an overwhelming murderous intent.

Elder Qi Si, standing at the front, snorted coldly upon seeing him, clearly looking down on him with disdain.

Elder Bahu, however, showed no reaction. He simply observed each person disembarking in turn, quietly pondering Huo Tianqing’s current cultivation level.

After a few had stepped forward, Elder Bahu and the other elders all bowed respectfully to Bai Shengyun and Bai Qirui, addressing them in unison, “Young Emperor, Young Lord.”

Bai Shengyun ignored them. Recalling Huo Tianqing’s earlier words, he cast them a contemptuous smile.

“I never asked you to come, yet you’re the first to step forward. Tell me, is this basic etiquette or a case of mistaken identity?” he said coolly, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

Bai Qirui looked on, puzzled about what had transpired between him and the elders.

The elders trembled slightly at Bai Shengyun’s words, lowering their heads and exchanging furtive glances, clearly feeling guilty.

After a brief moment of surprise, Elders Bahu and Qi Si regained much of their composure.

Elder Bahu, especially, maintained a steady expression, lightly stroking his beard as he said, “It is our fault. We should have consulted with Your Highness and Young Lord first.”

Bai Shengyun snorted coldly and grabbed Xie Yingying’s hand beside him.

Xie Yingying looked at him in confusion, then tried to pull away.

But Bai Shengyun’s grip tightened, his fingers forcing their way between hers. Though bewildered, she clenched her hand, but in the end, she was compelled to intertwine her fingers with his.

Then, Bai Shengyun’s gaze toward the elders grew more warning and colder still.

The elders’ expressions varied at this.

Elder Qi Si’s anger was so fierce that even his beard seemed to bristle.

Xie Yingying, seeing their reactions, felt a surge of hope, but Bai Shengyun’s next words left her utterly stunned.

“I am going to marry Xie Yingying. Tomorrow, we shall set the date immediately and announce our union to the world as the Young Emperor of the Celestial Fox Clan and a disciple of the Immortal Sect. Prepare yourselves well,” he declared. A warning gleamed in his eyes as a cold smirk curved his lips. “Should any mishap disgrace the Celestial Fox Clan, I will personally report to His Majesty and punish you all!”

Their faces paled at Bai Shengyun’s declaration.

This meant Xie Yingying would be rightfully recognized, and she would have to follow the proper procedures to join the Immortal Sect. If others found out that the Celestial Fox Clan’s young consort was “Xie BuXiu,” it would be utterly humiliating. After the wedding, they would likely have no chance to harm her.

Elder Qi Si was the first to object, “Impossible!”

“Oh?” Bai Shengyun looked at him with a light laugh. “Elder, do you not respect my status as Young Emperor?”

“You can’t marry her! She—she is just a—”

Huo Tianqing’s wicked smile interrupted him abruptly. “Just a what?”

Hearing that voice, Elder Qi Si almost forgot there was an evil sect disciple present. Trembling with anger, he swallowed the rest of his words.

“Yingying is a beauty who could have had better matches. Yet she is to become your evil sect’s young consort at such a young age. Not to mention me, her master, but the other elders of my sect would be furious if they knew. Why is your Celestial Fox Clan still looking down on her?” Huo Tianqing crossed his arms and slowly approached Elder Qi Si, his oppressive aura instantly surging. “Besides, my cultivation stands right here. By that measure, you owe me the respect of calling me ‘Revered One.’ Yet you treat me like air, skipping that title altogether, and still dare to speak ill of my disciple before me?”

With his words, his aura grew even more terrifying, his once carefree, wicked smile deepening into a cold, deadly chill, the intent to kill intensifying fourfold.

The nearby Celestial Fox elders, except for Elder Bahu, were drenched in cold sweat, unable to remain steady. As for Elder Qi Si, he nearly dropped to his knees, only held back by Elder Bahu’s silent support.

Bai Shengyun noticed this and formed a spiritual seal behind his back, cutting off the spiritual energy Qi Si was receiving.

Qi Si barely felt the loss of energy before collapsing to his knees. The other elders’ expressions shifted as they hurried to help him up.

Elder Bahu lifted his eyes toward Bai Shengyun, reluctantly withdrawing his own spiritual power.

“Tsk tsk,” Huo Tianqing chuckled lightly.

Still radiating his oppressive aura, Qi Si was repeatedly helped up by the elders, only to fall back down again.

Huo Tianqing leisurely stepped aside, and the one kneeling was replaced by Xie Yingying.

Startled for a moment, Xie Yingying quickly dodged away.

Seeing this, Bai Qirui sighed helplessly, worried that before even reaching Gufeng Mountain, a fight might break out between the two sects. He silently transmitted to Huo Tianqing, “Enough playing, it’s time to stop.”

Huo Tianqing deliberately responded loudly, his voice piercing into Qi Si’s ear, “Fine, I’ll give you some face.”

Immediately, his oppressive aura vanished, and the elders helped Qi Si to his feet.

Once standing, Qi Si glanced at Xie Yingying with a smile full of satisfaction.

Bai Shengyun looked at him with even greater disdain, then prepared to lead the group toward Gufeng Mountain.

But after taking two steps, a figure suddenly flashed before him.

Sensing danger, he quickly turned to see Elder Qi Si, standing resentfully before Xie Yingying, raising a hand charged with spiritual energy, ready to strike.

Bai Shengyun’s eyes narrowed, his spiritual power erupting. Qi Si was instantly blasted away.

Bo Meng gasped, then saw Qi Si slam heavily onto the ground.

Elder Bahu, seeing Qi Si’s rashness, chose not to intervene further.

“She is my young consort! I have already served tea to you before. Now you dare to defy me? Do you think I am not here?!” Bai Shengyun roared with fury.

Qi Si got up from the ground as if nothing had happened.

Hearing Bai Shengyun’s words, he hurriedly said, “I only wished to uphold your honor and that of the Celestial Fox Clan!”

“Mind your own business!” Bai Shengyun’s eyes narrowed, frosty cold. “Since you have only recently taken your seat as elder and your temperament is still immature, and considering your years of diligence for the clan, I won’t punish you severely this time. But if you act like this again, the consequences will be far worse than a mere injury!”

“Young Emperor!”

Bai Qirui, seeing Qi Si about to retort, quietly silenced him, tapping his forehead with a calming fan as he said softly, “Elder Qi Si, calm yourself. I will handle Shengyun’s side.”