Chapter 40 - Powerful Guests

Ju Imperial City.

It was evening in the Ju imperial capital; everyone continued their daily lives as the city was crowded with people doing daily stuff. Some shops were still open as they prepared for the evening close down, while others were open twenty-four hours.

"Have you heard? the imperial guardians are hosting a feast inviting other empires and even sects?"

"Yeah, I heard it was because of a kid who was merely a Qi condensation realm cultivator."

"Merely a Qi condensation realm? you surely weren't there at the coliseum."

"What are you saying? Is he some kid from an influential background that even the imperial guardians honor him?"

"I don't know about that, but I heard apart from him being a genius, he's also a master alchemist."

"Hahaha, I think you drank too much wine for tonight for you to start spuing bullshit. A kid who is not even a spirit king, a master alchemist? haha, what a joke."

A group of men was drinking at a pub as they talked about today's events from the coliseum; while some witnessed the events and still find it hard to believe, others completely deny the rumors of this so-called Alex. Who would believe a grown man who's a Qi condensation realm cultivator to have caused all these rumors winding around?.

First off, a Qi condensation realm warrior is the weakest cultivator in the cultivation world, only stronger than a human; some humans can even beat Qi condensation realm warriors in rare cases. And it takes about years of practice before even one calls themselves an alchemist, let alone a master alchemist, which would take longer or even a lifetime.

Clang!

"Tell me more about this genius name Alex."

The men were enjoying themselves when suddenly, they heard a clang as, from the back tables, a tall skinny man covered in majestic robes asked while one of his guards laid a gold coin on the men's table.

"Huh? you want to know about this fake news?"

One of the men in the group who wasn't at the coliseum spoke as he quickly grabbed the coin. He kept the coin as he flicked his head, telling the man who was at the coliseum to go and explain. The man there stood and began walking towards the man's group.

The man sat as he felt uncomfortable; he felt the urge to leave this group. The asked group consisted of six men; four were in masked black uniforms, an old man in a more expensive black robe, with eyes closed, and their leader wore an expensive purple robe with a Galant demeanor.

After a couple of minutes, the man told what he knew and witnessed as he hurriedly headed for the large bar door; his friends followed as the group left.

"Master, are you going to believe that? From what I heard, this rumor seems too far-fetched."

"Far fetched? No, from what was said, this man's name is Alex? And he was seen by thousands of people, so the rumors are true, but not entirely."

"Has master discovered anything?"

"According to what was said, this man's name is Alex, which is a name never been heard in the Eastern continent. If my guesses are correct, then this person might be as strong as the rumors portray him to be; but this Alex might also be a master alchemist disguising as a young man due to unknown reasons."

"If master wishes, we will investigate this person named Alex."

"No need; he's the center of attention for today's banquet anyways; I shall uncover the true identity of this hidden master."

The man spoke as he drank his wine; while the master was calm, the four guards exuded extreme ominous Qi's; the old man stood to the right of their leader, hands cupped under his garments while his eyes remained closed.

"Let's head for the banquet; I have certain people to meet."

The leader spoke as his body began discharging dark, ominous energy when he said 'certain people' as he made a big smile. His guards didn't react as they stood with folded arms and double swords attached to their backs. It seems they understood their master well enough.

Far away from the Ju empire, two men floated in the air as one asked. "What has caused the Ju imperial guardians to hold the meeting this early?" The man floating below the other asked. "I think something happened to have made them change the date this early." The man floating above answered. Both men wore brown garments and exuded powerful suppressive energies.

Ju capital

The feasting hall is located at the center of the imperial city, next to the imperial tower. The usual insides of the hall had tables facing a higher stand where the leading person sat. The below tables didn't distinguish between the weak or strong; sitting in this hall alone represents a person's reputation and power as powerful on high evaluation.

Hours later, people could feel powerful energies coming towards the imperial city; the arriving guests weren't even releasing any oppressive Qi or force; their presence alone could pressure the weak.

"Welcome!"

Ju Han, the emperor, personally welcomed the arrived guests as he stood at the entrance of the imperial feast hall, greeting the flying cultivators.

"Huh? Is the imperial emperor of the Ju empire personally greeting us? What's going on?"

A woman in sexy clothes charmingly spoke as she alerted the other arriving cultivators.

Ju Han, hearing this sentence, almost raged; he is the emperor of the Ju empire for heaven's sake and an emperor realm cultivator, but he is merely a welcoming man when introduced to greater powers and powerhouses.

The others also wondered as they remained to hover in the air. Although Ju Han was the welcoming host, he maintained his dominance as the Ju emperor and a powerful cultivator.

"Why have your guardians called the meeting, which is months from now this early?" A man with an extremely arrogant demeanor asked while fingering his ears.

"This is something you will know later." Ju Han had his hands behind him as he answered the man's question; the next moment, Ju Shu appeared next to Ju Han with a smile as he spoke.

"Thank you for coming at a later notice like this; we truly appreciate your efforts; let's continue this conversation inside, shall we?"

Everyone heard Ju Shu as they followed him inside the feast hall, but upon entry, the usual settings of the hall had changed. Instead of one, there were three highly designed seats on the higher stands, and the lower tables also had magnificent designs.

Ju Han wasn't surprised; he had witnessed when they were preparing when suddenly, the entire feast hall's design and settings were transformed by an unknown entity; he guessed it must be the doing of the being named Alex.

The guest became suspicious but didn't consider it much; they were powerful cultivators, seeing changes like this didn't cause much reaction. Their adventures are full of dangers and mysteries and unknown encounters and treasures.

The Ju powerful families were the first to occupy their seats, followed by the sect representatives from the top sects in the eastern continent. They were also surprised by how magnificent the banquet hall was; even the designs seemed majestic and royal.

From all the families, Lou Min from the Lou family was the unhappiest; her daughter was facing a mental breakdown due to Alex, the imperial guest. The cultivators who arrived began occupying seats.

With the cultivators occupying their respective seats, the hall became tensed with strong energies from all corners. There were more than sixty cultivators in the hall in total. Moments later, servants came roaming around with food and wine as they served the best food in the empire.

"Hahaha, how come there's no one to welcome the untouchable twin brothers."

Suddenly, a loud voice bellowed as two men hovered over the guest hall; these two wore brown garments as they were the ones previously hovering fat away from the Ju imperial city.

"I don't think you need to cause such a disturbance to satisfy your pathetic egos of dominance."

A person flashed behind the twins as he spoke more authoritatively than the twins. Ju Shu flashed behind the two men as he spoke with an annoyed expression; he returned to the ground and headed inside the hall without waiting for the twins to reply.

But even after being surprised by Ju Shu with an antagonizing expression, the twins didn't even react, let alone turn their backs. They still held calm faces as they went down and headed inside the banquet hall.

With the food and wine passing around, everyone enjoyed themselves as the atmosphere began calming down slowly. But then, an ominous Qi was sensed by the cultivators as they raised their guards against this energy.

"Well, well, well, if it isn't the Ju imperial guardians hosting a banquet, what a surprise it is."

A group of six men walked into the hall as they drew all attention; their leader spoke as he put on a warm smile. Any cultivator in the hall could tell the smile wasn't genuine the least because of the energy the four masked men behind him exuded.

"Lu Fan." Ju Han was the first to speak as he held a folded fist and glared at this new guest called Lu Fan; he didn't act upon his anger but calmed himself seconds later. As an emperor, it is always important to maintain a calm and calculating perceptive.

Lu Fan walked towards Ju Han as his five men remained at their spot; they slowly reduced their energies as they calmed down, but every cultivator in the hall still kept their guards against this group.

"It seems you were fast enough to catch up on time." Ju Han spoke to Lu Fan with a sarcastic tone; from the tension between the two, one could guess there is a conflict between them.

"I wondered what caused the arrogant Ju emperor and his imperial guardians to host a sudden banquet in honor of some unknown guest; I am wondering who this imperial guest of the Ju empire is."

Lu Fan mockingly spoke as he confidently headed back to his group; he and his group occupied a table in the far back as they distanced themselves from the crowd. Being the arrogant person he is, Ju Han felt degradation, but the most annoying thing was that he couldn't do anything to this person as Lu Fan's power is not condoned.

Lu Fan is a half-immortal realm cultivator; his techniques made him an annoying opponent. He cultivates a technique that is considered the most annoying, giving everyone the reason not to initiate a fight with him.

The cultivators were enjoying themselves when suddenly a cultivator stood and asked. "When is this important guest of your Ju empire coming out? Who does he think he is?"

With this comment, most of the other cultivators also became curious. But then, they heard a loud bang as it drew all attention. From the outside, the voice of an old man boomed.

"Ju Fan, are you not coming to welcome me?"

Ju Shu and the cultivators inside saw the old man standing outside with a walking stick; this old man had grey hair and a long white beard. He stood at the height of 6'5''; he donned a red robe as it fluttered around.

Although everyone could see the old man, they couldn't feel his cultivation realm, indicating how powerful this old man was.

"Hahaha, it is not that I don't want to; it's just, you are still incapable of making me welcome you."

An arrogant voice rang out as Ju Fan appeared before the old man; the old man didn't react to Ju Fan's insult. He stood both hands on his stick as he asked.

"Whats has caused you to call for me like this?"

"There is someone you need to know before you spur trouble for us."

Ju Fan answered as he walked into the hall; the other cultivators saw the first imperial guardian and this unknown old man following behind with a walking stick. But from afar, Lu Fan wickedly smiled when he saw the old man as he spoke softly.

"You finally here."

"Now that everyone is here, I would like to introduce young master Alex, who is an imperial guest of our Ju empire and possibly the whole eastern continent."

Ju Fan spoke; most of the cultivators instantly comprehended the meaning behind Ju Fan's words. Everyone should watch their attitudes towards this imperial guest with the interpretation meaning. The mentioning eastern continent meant this young master Alex could affect the whole eastern continent with his power or background.

Some cultivators knew their abilities and strengths, but if a full-fledged immortal realm cultivator seriously summons most of the powerful cultivators in the eastern continent in honor of this person, it meant matters are serious.

"But where is this guest called Alex, and why is he making us wait for him?"

Among all the cultivators, the twins from earlier were the ones to interrupt with their questions; although they were rude, most of the other cultivators agreed with them. Just who is this young master Alex and where is he?

"Did someone mention my name?"

While everyone was busy looking at the twins, they suddenly heard a voice coming from the high stand not far from them.

"Huh? How did he?... When?..."

Most of the cultivators wondered and immediately took caution as they evaluated this person. The only ones to not react were Lu Fan and his group, the unknown old man, the twins, and an unknown womanly figure covered in a good robe sitting at the far back than Lu Fan's group.

The unknown old man sat at a table as he thought to himself. 'This person and those two women appeared on the stage without even making noise or distortion in the atmosphere; even my sense couldn't detect them. It seems Ju Fan was right; these people might be powerful masters in disguise as kids.'

"No need to be so tense; why don't we continue the banquet."

Patrick spoke as he sat at the magnificently designed chair; his left hand supported his chin and his right leg over the left. Athena and Anna sat at his sides and occupied their seats; Athena was on the right, and Anna was on the left.

All attention was on Patrick. This person named Alex was too handsome; even some of the female cultivators couldn't resist his charm. It was worse for the women beside him as most men couldn't even take their eyes off them.

Patrick sat at his chair as the servants roamed and served food and wine; Patrick saw a woman covered in white hood robes as she denied the food and drinks. Patrick smiled as he spoke softly.

"You are finally here, my dear wife."