Chapter 35

"The Empress Dowager has arrived."

With a long call, a woman descended from the phoenix carriage, and eight young girls slowly came forward to support her.

As the woman stepped down from the carriage, all the men and women present knelt to the ground, respectfully chanting:

"Pay homage to the Empress Dowager."

However, among those who knelt, Long Chen was not included. According to the empire's rules, martial artists above the Blood Condensation Realm did not have to kneel to the princes.

But when it came to the Empress Dowager, no matter how high one's cultivation was, as long as they were a citizen of the empire, they had to kneel.

However, Long Chen had the status of a Dantuo, so he could choose not to kneel. Moreover, among the crowd, Long Chen was sitting, making it impossible for him to be noticed.

"Rise."

Sure enough, the Empress Dowager merely glanced at everyone and raised her hand slightly.

Only then did everyone slowly stand up. Long Chen looked at this woman who wielded the full power of the empire.

She appeared to be around thirty-seven or thirty-eight years old, but it was said that the Empress Dowager was already in her fifties. Long Chen knew that she was not the emperor's biological mother but the mother of the crown prince.

Originally, the mother of the crown prince should be called the Empress, but the emperor had been in seclusion for many years, and the crown prince was already in his thirties.

If this continued, it would not be a viable solution. After discussions among the ministers, it was decided that the crown prince would ascend the throne next year. Therefore, this year, the Empress's title could only be Empress Dowager to avoid confusion in the hierarchy.

With the assistance of the crowd, the Empress Dowager slowly sat in the central chair. As soon as she sat down, the seven princes came out one by one and sat beside her. This was the first time Long Chen saw all seven princes gathered together.

He took a good look at each of them. He had already met the crown prince, and among the other princes, he only recognized the seventh prince. At this moment, the seventh prince seemed much more honest, not daring to look around.

Long Chen finally found the person he was looking for—the fourth prince. It had to be said that the fourth prince was a fine-looking man, always wearing a gentle smile, exuding a great deal of charisma.

Looking around, Long Chen noticed that many young girls were already starry-eyed, clearly captivated by this handsome prince.

As for the other princes, Long Chen couldn't help but shake his head. Although they appeared steady, the arrogance in their eyes was impossible to hide.

Long Chen couldn't help but think of Chu Yao. Among these princes, who was not wearing a mask, or perhaps everyone was wearing a mask, or how many layers of masks were they wearing?

A hint of mockery appeared on Long Chen's lips. This was the court, the higher the power, the more corrupt. It was better to have a straightforward battle in the world of martial arts, where the clash of swords and blades was more honest.

The kind of bloodless, underhanded struggles, Long Chen despised. If one had the mind, why not focus on improving their own strength?

"Master Yun Qi has arrived."

To Long Chen's surprise, the aged figure of Master Yun Qi actually appeared at the gathering. The appearance of Master Yun Qi caused a stir.

Everyone was shocked. The Phoenix Lantern Festival had been held for many years, and it seemed this was the first time someone like Master Yun Qi had appeared.

Long Chen was also taken aback. As soon as Master Yun Qi appeared, the Empress Dowager hurriedly stood up from her seat and bowed to him, saying:

"Pay homage to Master."

"Empress Dowager, you are too kind," Master Yun Qi replied with a slight bow.

After the formalities, Master Yun Qi sat in his seat, which was beside the Empress Dowager but at the same height, indicating his exalted status.

After Master Yun Qi sat down, his gaze swept over the crowd and suddenly caught sight of Long Chen hiding in the corner. He nodded slightly.

This action of Master Yun Qi immediately drew the attention of everyone. Following his gaze, they quickly found Long Chen.

"It seems the rumors are true. Long Chen has gained Master Yun Qi's favor and may have been taken as a disciple."

Someone couldn't help but remark. Not long ago, Long Chen was a nobody, but now, with Master Yun Qi's favor, he had transformed into a respected Dantuo, causing much astonishment.

Seeing Master Yun Qi nod at him, Long Chen inwardly cursed. Indeed, everyone was now looking at him, making him the center of attention.

Long Chen inwardly groaned. He didn't want to be the center of attention, but it was too late to be low-key now.

Seeing Long Chen rise and bow to Master Yun Qi from a distance, the Empress Dowager glanced at him and smiled, saying, "It seems Master's long-sealed heart has finally moved. Are you planning to pass on your legacy?"

Hearing the Empress Dowager's question, everyone fell silent, curious about how Master Yun Qi would respond, given his reputation for being highly proud and never taking a disciple.

"This child has great potential, and I hope he will become my disciple," Master Yun Qi replied calmly.

Although Master Yun Qi did not give a direct answer, everyone was surprised. His pride was well-known, and it was said he never praised anyone.

For Master Yun Qi to speak so highly of Long Chen, what made him so special? Questions swirled in everyone's minds.

"I suppose Long Chen must have exceptional alchemy talent. Otherwise, with Master's discerning eye, an ordinary Dantuo would not catch your attention," the fourth prince praised.

Master Yun Qi glanced at the fourth prince and smiled, "Alchemy talent is only part of it. Ultimately, it comes down to perseverance and determination. The fourth prince's determination is also admirable."

The fourth prince smiled, "Master flatters me."

After saying this, the fourth prince did not speak further, but Long Chen noticed a slight abnormality in his expression.

"Could Master Yun Qi's words have a deeper meaning?" Long Chen wondered.

"Master Wei Cang, Prince Changfeng, and Princess Bai Chi have arrived."

As the announcement was made, Xia Changfeng and Xia Bai Chi escorted a lean man in his forties with a goatee, dressed in an alchemist's robe.

The robe had a delicate alchemy cauldron embroidered on the chest, with three lines on it, indicating that he was also an alchemist.

Long Chen had a similar robe, but the material was clearly inferior, and his cauldron had only one line.

One line for a Dantuo, two for a Danshi, and three for a Dashi. Long Chen's eyes narrowed. Who was this man, and why was he here?

"Yun Qi, it's been a long time. You seem to have aged a lot," Wei Cang said casually.

Wei Cang's words caused a dead silence. Master Yun Qi held a revered position in the Phoenix Empire, and no one had ever dared to speak to him like that.

"Wei Cang, instead of staying in Daxia, are you just trying to make a last hurrah before you die?" Master Yun Qi replied coolly.

"Even if it's a last hurrah, it's better than being a widower. At least I've had a good life with many wives and concubines over the years."

Wei Cang laughed, and whether intentionally or not, Xia Bai Chi's arm was wrapped around his, her chest pressing against his arm, specifically, her cleavage.

Long Chen's face turned cold. Today, Xia Bai Chi was wearing the same clothes as the woman in the painting Master Yun Qi had shown him.

If Long Chen's guess was correct, the goateed man was likely Master Yun Qi's enemy, and possibly involved in the death of Master Yun Qi's wife.

Today, he was clearly targeting Master Yun Qi, using Xia Bai Chi to provoke him. Thinking of this, a surge of anger rose in Long Chen's heart.

Although he had not interacted much with Master Yun Qi, the man's calm and upright nature made him a respectable elder. Now, seeing him being manipulated, Long Chen coldly said:

"Just an old lecher, all skin and bones. Be careful, you might die on a woman's belly one day."

The entire hall was already silent, and Long Chen's voice echoed clearly in every corner. Everyone looked at him in shock.

"Rude commoner, how dare you be disrespectful to Master?" Xia Bai Chi glared at Long Chen, her eyes blazing.

"Save it. That old lecher is almost drowning in your cleavage. Why would I be disrespectful to an old pervert?" Long Chen said disdainfully.

Hearing Long Chen's words, everyone quickly looked at Xia Bai Chi, and indeed, her arm was already buried in her chest.

Xia Bai Chi quickly released Wei Cang's arm, staring at Long Chen with a look of intense anger, unable to speak.

"Is the prince of the Phoenix Empire so ill-mannered?" Wei Cang glanced at Long Chen and coldly snorted.

The Empress Dowager was about to speak, but Master Yun Qi calmly said, "Long Chen is a Dantuo of the Alchemist Guild."

"Old lecher, did you hear that? I'm from the guild. Who are you to talk?" Long Chen said disdainfully.

"Rude, Master Wei Cang is the president of the Alchemist Guild in Daxia," Xia Bai Chi said angrily.

"So you're not from around here. I thought so. Our Phoenix Empire's fertile land can't produce such a pervert," Long Chen said with relief.

Long Chen's words caused everyone to be in a dilemma. They wanted to laugh but didn't dare, and those who couldn't hold back either lowered their heads or covered their mouths, making the situation even more awkward.

The princes, who had no place to hide, were the most uncomfortable, their faces contorted with suppressed laughter.

"Cough, today is a festive occasion. Master Wei Cang, please take your seat. The show will begin soon."

The Empress Dowager, finding it difficult to mediate between two powerful figures, tried to smooth things over.

"Very well, I'll intrude then."

Wei Cang politely replied, coldly snorted at Master Yun Qi, and slowly walked to his seat, sitting down and coldly glancing at Long Chen.

Seeing the old lecher glaring at him, Long Chen quickly made a fist, palm up, and raised his middle finger.

When Long Chen made this gesture, everyone, regardless of gender, tightly covered their mouths, looking shocked.

Wei Cang's face turned ashen, and his eyes filled with murderous intent. The Empress Dowager, seeing the situation, quickly said:

"The lantern festival begins."

As the Empress Dowager spoke, a melodious tune played, and countless people began to light the lanterns, illuminating the entire square like daylight.

Suddenly, a large string of lanterns appeared on the stage.