The Young Prince

Chapter 294: The Young Prince

Prince Xin watched the cheering crowd with a pleased smile.

Once upon a time, cultivators had frequently appeared in wealthy and noble households, among the great clans and powerful families. But for reasons unknown, they had gradually vanished, ceasing contact with mortals. Now, figures like Immortal Masters had all but become legends. Even Prince Xin, a member of the imperial family, was seeing a true cultivator for the first time.

The old Daoist’s display of magic had stunned the entire gathering, naturally filling Prince Xin with a great sense of pride.

Of course, Prince Xin had no way of knowing that the period when cultivators frequently appeared in the mortal world was long before the Ascension Assembly had emerged in the cultivation world.

Back then, some rogue cultivators who were utterly hopeless for Foundation Establishment, along with low-level cultivators from immortal families, would give up on their cultivation and descend into the mortal world to enjoy a life of wealth and luxury. But once the Ascension Assembly appeared, all cultivators had a chance to strive for Foundation Establishment. Naturally, they all retreated deep into the mountains to bitterly train their techniques. Who would still show themselves in the secular world?

Of course, cultivators like Yu Zitong—those who couldn't hold onto their cultivation heart and fell into depravity while tempering themselves in the mortal world—were exceptions. But such cultivators were few. Even if one did become a guest elder of a powerful or wealthy clan, they would do everything to hide it, not wanting outsiders to know.

After all, to be a cultivator and yet serve as a retainer for mortals was an extremely shameful thing in the cultivation world.

As a result, although there were quite a few cultivators in the secular world, those willing to associate with nobles were few and far between. The few who did become honored guests of wealthy families were kept strictly secret by those households, to avoid being mocked by other cultivators they knew.

None of the attending guests had ever truly interacted with another cultivator before. Naturally, they were utterly awestruck by the old Daoist’s exquisite flame manipulation, viewing him as a celestial being!

And so, under the crowd's reverent gaze, the white-haired old Daoist returned to the hall with a hint of pride on his face.

Those who hadn’t yet been tested immediately clamored, crying out "Immortal Master," and surrounded him again, eager for this Immortal Master Wu to examine their immortal roots.

The white-haired old Daoist, seemingly full of vigor, accepted everyone without refusal and inspected each of the remaining candidates one by one.

Unfortunately, among those still untested—including the elderly Mr. Hua and Qin Yan’s younger generation—none possessed Spiritual Roots. They were all merely ordinary mortals.

The news hit the newly examined people hard. They listlessly drifted away from the old Daoist.

It seemed that immortal destiny was not so easy to come by!

This only served to further highlight the rarity of "Tong Jing’s" Spiritual Roots, making the fat youth the target of everyone’s envious stares. The father and son standing beside the old Daoist were grinning from ear to ear, their mouths unable to close.

Han Li, his expression unchanged, watched as Qin Yan led the dusty Qin clan young master and young lady back to his side. When they saw Han Li, they looked slightly embarrassed.

"I still can’t accept it. Why does that useless lump get Spiritual Roots while we don’t? Which of us isn’t a hundred times better than him?" The petite Qin clan young lady muttered discontentedly.

"Enough. Stop talking nonsense. You don’t have the fortune—what’s there to complain about?" Qin Yan’s face darkened. He turned and scolded the girl before sitting down.

His words made the Qin family’s famous little firecracker pout, still looking indignant.

Meanwhile, the elderly Mr. Hua led the pair of young men and women over and sat silently beside Qin Yan.

The two old friends exchanged a glance and then both let out bitter smiles, looking like brothers in misfortune.

"Brother Qin, it seems that fat Tong is about to have his day," Mr. Hua remarked, half joking.

"Hmph, it’s only natural. When a man has a son like that, the Immortal Masters become his backing," Qin Yan sighed, his tone carrying a hint of resignation.

"But..."

The two elders chatted back and forth.

But though their mouths were busy, they kept half their attention on Immortal Master Wu and Prince Xin.

Prince Xin, seeing that all the guests’ younger generations had been tested, turned and whispered something to a maidservant beside him.

The young maidservant immediately withdrew from a side door, apparently carrying out some order.

Prince Xin then turned back, coughed a few times, and spoke slowly, a smile on his face:

"Now then, to celebrate my beloved consort’s recovery from her strange illness, and the acceptance of my son and this young Tong into Immortal Master Wu’s tutelage—let us celebrate! "

With that, Prince Xin unhesitatingly raised his hands and clapped twice.

Slap! Slap!

As the applause echoed, pairs of neatly dressed servants and maids filed in through the main entrance, carrying black-lacquered trays laden with dishes and bottles of fine wine.

They expertly laid everything out on every table, filling each cup to the brim with a pink wine as smooth as fat and dew. The aromas of food and spirits filled the hall in an instant.

"Come, this prince first offers a toast to everyone!" Prince Xin raised a goblet a servant had promptly delivered, holding it high as he spoke loudly.

"To the Prince!"

...

With everyone toasting together, the atmosphere in the hall quickly heated up.

Soon, the guests were exchanging cups and clinking glasses.

The feast had finally begun!

Prince Xin and his concubine, the one called Qing’er, mingled among the tables, chatting and laughing with close friends. He didn’t put on any airs at all.

No wonder his reputation was so good among people like Qin Yan!

As for Immortal Master Wu, he did not take a seat. Instead, when Prince Xin raised his glass, the old Daoist silently slipped away.

Many who had hoped to curry favor with the Immortal Master during the feast were deeply disappointed.

But thinking it over, it made sense. Why would a living Immortal, a true deity, partake in the mortal pleasures of wine, women, and fine food like them?

Once they came to this realization, these people gave up, truly letting loose and indulging in eating and drinking.

When the banquet reached its midpoint, Prince Xin even summoned a troupe of palace dancers from his household. They swayed gracefully, performing a court dance to liven things up, pushing the atmosphere to its peak.

It was at this moment that a white-robed youth, about twenty years old, emerged from within the hall. He was refined and gentle, with a slender, well-proportioned build. Every move he made was cultured, polite, and elegant—the very image of a dream suitor for most young maidens.

"Er—Ming'er, come and meet these uncles!" Prince Xin spotted the youth and immediately called him over cheerfully.

As luck would have it, Prince Xin was standing right by the table of Qin Yan and his group. The refined youth smiled and approached.

"Ming'er pays his respects to both uncles," the youth said, his manner impeccable.

"You flatter us! The Young Prince is too courteous."

Qin Yan and Elder Hua did not dare to presume. They quickly rose and returned the greeting.

"Ah! These two are his elders. It is perfectly proper for Ming'er to pay his respects to you. Why be so formal?" Prince Xin frowned slightly, as if displeased.

Qin Yan and Elder Hua exchanged a glance, looking a little awkward.

That was all fine in theory, but how could they truly treat a member of the imperial clan as their junior?

Still, the two were seasoned old foxes. They effortlessly changed the subject with a few casual remarks, then took the opportunity to introduce their own younger generation to this unusually generous Prince. This was a rare chance for their juniors to gain some face.

Han Li, of course, was included in Qin Yan’s introductions.

When Han Li was brought up, Prince Xin’s eyes lit up. He studied Han Li with a profound gaze, his expression carrying a hint of a knowing, ambiguous smile. Clearly, he too was privy to some of the rumors.

This made the embarrassment that had just faded from Qin Yan’s face well up again.

"Ming'er, come here. Greet this young friend Han."

For reasons unknown, Prince Xin, still smiling, had the Young Prince step forward to meet Han Li.

The Young Prince approached. He very politely addressed Han Li as "Brother Han" and gave a respectful bow, a gentle expression never leaving his face.

Every move this elegant Young Prince made captivated the hearts of several young ladies nearby, leaving them utterly infatuated.

Han Li, on his part, returned the greeting with a flustered, bumbling air, as if he was simply too nervous to know how to act. But in his heart, a storm was raging. He could no longer maintain his composure.

When this Young Prince had come close to offer his greeting, Han Li had felt the same dangerous sensation he had from the Palace Steward. Though it was far less powerful and oppressive, it was unmistakably the same kind of danger.

"What is this about?"

Han Li was shocked, his mind sinking into confusion.