Chapter 76: Officially Engaged to Vina! Xuanzi Sees Liu Yuan Again?
In the blink of an eye, three days passed quickly.
Over the next three days, the atmosphere in Tianhun Imperial City became exceptionally lively due to the approaching birthday banquet of Princess Vina.
As the apple of the eye of the Heavenly Soul Empire, Vina's coming-of-age ceremony and birthday banquet attracted dignitaries and sects from all over the continent.
The once magnificent and solemn streets of the imperial city are now adorned with festive decorations, patrolling soldiers are dressed in splendid armor, and carriages come and go in a constant stream through the city gates.
Liu Yuan did not travel alone.
To demonstrate the importance the Body Sect attaches to this banquet, and to protect Liu Yuan's safety, Long Aotian, Chen Lu, Wang Yanfeng, Gu Tong, and other core disciples, along with Elder Chen, all accompanied him.
When the group arrived at the imperial city, the city was far more bustling than usual.
The streets were lined with vendors hawking their wares, and various soul-guided lamps gleamed with metallic luster in the afternoon sun.
As Wang Yanfeng walked along, he joked that the red carpet in the imperial city probably stretched for ten miles, all prepared for Liu Yuan, the "prospective son-in-law."
Liu Yuan originally planned to take everyone to a top-tier hotel arranged by the royal family to rest and wash away the dust before formally attending Vina's birthday banquet in the evening.
However, as soon as they stepped into the hotel lobby, several powerful figures dressed in the uniforms of the royal court guards came forward and bowed respectfully to Liu Yuan.
"Mr. Liu Yuan, His Majesty has decreed that you be invited to the palace for a discussion."
Although Liu Yuan was somewhat surprised, he did not refuse.
He left Long Aotian and the others at the hotel, and led by the imperial guards, boarded a specially made royal soul-guided carriage and headed towards the magnificent palace in the center of the imperial city.
After passing through numerous corridors and crossing a heavily guarded white marble square, Liu Yuan stopped in front of a side hall called "Hidden Dragon Hall".
The palace doors slowly opened, and a faint scent of sandalwood wafted out.
Liu Yuan stepped into the main hall, his eyes scanning the surroundings. He was surprised to find that the atmosphere inside was much more private than he had expected.
Above the main hall, the Heavenly Soul Emperor, dressed in a bright yellow robe, sat upright on the dragon throne, his face refined yet dignified.
Meanwhile, on the side below, the Sect Master of the Body Sect, Poison Undying, sat casually, holding an exquisite jade cup in his hand, sipping his tribute tea.
Vina stood quietly beside the Poison Immortal.
She was dressed up carefully today, and her light gold court dress made her look both noble and graceful. When she saw Liu Yuan enter, a bright and beautiful light flashed in her eyes.
"Disciple Liu Yuan greets Your Majesty the Emperor." Liu Yuan walked to the front of the hall and bowed respectfully without being humble or arrogant.
The Heavenly Soul Emperor looked at Liu Yuan, a hint of undisguised admiration flashing in his eyes.
He had already learned from Du Busi about Liu Yuan's latest achievement—level 45 soul power, and that he had defeated Long Aotian, who had awakened to silver level, in a head-on sparring match.
This talent can no longer be described as monstrous.
"Rise, please take a seat." The emperor waved his hand, his tone gentle.
Once Liu Yuan was seated, the Heavenly Soul Emperor didn't beat around the bush but went straight to the point.
"Liu Yuan, I have summoned you here today not for matters of state, but for matters of family." The emperor leaned forward slightly, his gaze piercing.
"Our Heavenly Soul Royal Family has been intermarrying with the Body Sect for generations over the past ten thousand years. This is both a continuation of tradition and a powerful alliance."
"You are the most outstanding disciple of the current Body Sect and the future successor to the sect leader. Vina has always been in love with you. You must know this in your heart."
Emperor Tianhun paused, his tone becoming more solemn: "I have always believed that, although marriage is a major matter that is decided by parents, the thoughts of the young people should also be taken into account."
"Therefore, taking advantage of Vina's birthday today, I would like to ask you for a definite answer."
"Do you take Vina to be your lawfully engaged today?"
After he finished speaking, the hall fell into a brief silence.
Du Bu Si put down the jade cup in his hand, his emerald green eyes fixed on Liu Yuan;
Vina held her breath, nervously fidgeting with the hem of her dress, her beautiful eyes filled with tension and anticipation.
Liu Yuan did not feel offended or coerced when faced with the Heavenly Soul Emperor's question.
In fact, he was quite satisfied with Emperor Tianhun's approach.
As the supreme ruler who holds the life and death of a country in his hands, the other party did not impose their will by forcibly arranging a marriage, but instead asked for his opinion in the manner of an elder, which in itself is a great respect.
As Liu Yuan recalled all the things Vina had done for him along the way, and the feelings between them that had long since transcended the boundaries of ordinary fellow disciples, he felt very calm.
"Your Majesty," Liu Yuan stood up, his voice clear and firm echoing in the hall, "I am willing."
"Hahaha! Great! That's awesome!"
Emperor Tianhun let out a hearty laugh, clearly extremely satisfied with Liu Yuan's answer.
Sitting to the side, Du Busi chuckled. He had been worried that his aloof disciple, Liu Yuan, might hesitate because of his concerns about cultivation.
In that instant, Vina's previously tense shoulders completely relaxed.
Her eyes, as clear as autumn water, were filled with joy, and her gaze towards Liu Yuan even carried a hint of dazedness and longing.
"Now that the matter is settled, I can rest assured."
"I will personally announce the details of tonight's banquet. You may all leave now; the young people should go and have some fun." The emperor waved his hand, signaling them to leave.
As soon as Vina stepped out of the Qianlong Palace, she completely shed the composure she had maintained in front of her father.
She practically ran to Liu Yuan's side, grabbed his arm, and clung to him as if she were glued to him.
"Liu Yuan, now we're legal!" Vina kept laughing, ignoring the stares of the servants around them, and insisted on following Liu Yuan to the hotel.
Looking at her like this, Liu Yuan asked with some puzzlement, "Don't you need to stay in the palace to greet the distinguished guests who arrived early? Aren't you the main character today?"
Vina smiled and waved her hand, replying confidently, "No one else is as important as you."
"My father has granted me permission to retire. My most important task now is to stay with my future husband."
Clearly, after receiving official approval and officially establishing a relationship with Liu Yuan, Vina became even more passionate towards him than before.
In the blink of an eye, the sun set, and night quickly arrived.
Vina's birthday celebration was held at the largest state guesthouse in the capital.
Because it was the princess's coming-of-age ceremony and birthday, the banquet was extremely grand.
The civil and military officials of the Heavenly Soul Empire, the regional governors of the major provinces, and the leaders of the various sects affiliated with the royal family were all present.
Countless noble soul masters who came to participate moved about in the hall, presenting the royal family with precious congratulatory gifts that they had prepared long ago.
Liu Yuan changed into a black outfit specially made by the Body Sect, with gold thread embroidered on the collar, making him look heroic and spirited.
As the banquet reached its climax, Emperor Tianhun slowly walked onto the high platform.
He had not revealed a word of it before, but now that the time was ripe, he stood up and used his soul power to announce the engagement between Liu Yuan and Vina.
The entire room fell into a deathly silence for a moment, followed by a tidal wave of shocked discussion.
"Liu Yuan? That disciple of the Sect Master of the Body Sect? That genius with the incredible achievements on the border?"
"My God, the marriage between the royal family and the Body Sect has indeed fallen to the strongest person of this generation!"
"Congratulations! You two are a perfect match, a match made in heaven!"
However, in a dark corner of the banquet hall, a figure draped in a gray-brown cloak, whose aura was extremely concealed, seemed completely out of place amidst the surrounding liveliness.
It was Xuanzi.
He secretly infiltrated the banquet.
Because of his super cultivation level of 98, no one in the arena could detect his presence unless he wanted to.
However, at this moment, Xuanzi was even more nervous than Liu Yuan and Vina, the two parties involved.
His hands were hidden beneath his wide sleeves, his knuckles white from straining. His gaze roamed frantically throughout the banquet hall, scanning each young male guest.
"We're engaged…we're getting married…" Xuanzi gritted her teeth, letting out a low, labored breath.
His heart was beating incredibly fast.
He was waiting, waiting for the boy named Liu Yuan to officially step onto the stage to receive the blessings.
"Isn't it time to make my appearance? Isn't it time to make my appearance!"
Xuanzi's eyes were bloodshot as he stared intently at the steps leading to the high platform.
"Liu Yuan!"
"Just one look... just one look at your face!"
"I'd like to see if you really are Liu Yuan from Shrek Academy!"
Xuanzi's breathing became extremely heavy.
If it really is that person, then today's birthday celebration will be the death knell for him, plunging him into an abyss.
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