The imperial palace's banquet hall was densely packed by people with great backgrounds. The ones qualified to attend the banquet were people who had significant strength and authority within the Celestial Sword Empire. Even the Adamantine-Rank mercenaries and some peak itinerant cultivators were invited.
Don't look down on these itinerant cultivators. Although they didn't have any solid backing, some of them were still able to cultivate towards the realm were even most of the highly talented nobles were unable to achieve.
If not for their ordinary background, they would have long since exceeded those so-called genius nobles.
A rough-looking man with average facial features glanced excitedly at the bustling entrance of the banquet hall. He was wearing a straw hat and plain and coarse clothing.
"I, Wenren Wushuang can finally step inside the imperial palace. This is the dream place of all the itinerant cultivators. I wonder why the crown prince invited some of us in this banquet? If my conjectures are correct, then it should be related to the war a few days ago." His expression turned calm as he walked towards the entrance.
His sword qi then vanished and his excited eyes returned to normal. He fished out the invitation token given to him by one of the empire's messengers and gave it to the guard.
"Oh, I didn't know that some trash was also invited inside to join this banquet. Truly an eye-opener for me, Pu Ta" A mocking voice resounded behind Wenren Wushuang, but the latter ignored the contemptuous glances from the people around him.
"Brother, can I go inside now?" Wenren Wushuang calmly spoke towards the guard, but the latter felt a chill run down his spine after hearing the former's calm voice.
He then studied the rough and coarse-looking man in front of him.
"Ah... Of course, yo-you may go inside, Sir." The guard hastily spoke after sensing the man's extraordinariness. For someone with ordinary background to be invited in the banquet, his strength should not be weak.
"Many thanks." Wenren Wushuang cupped his fists.
"Halt! How dare you lowly commoner ignore the young lord, Pu Ta?!" Shouted a guard beside the haughty-looking noble wearing luxurious clothes.
After hearing the noble's name, everyone became alarmed. How could they not know the rumored unruly son of Count Pu Lutan, Pu Ta? It appears that the rumors were not exaggerated at all.
Even before entering the banquet hall, he already made such a ruckus just because an itinerant cultivator was invited to the banquet.
Pu Ta glanced condescendingly at Wenren Wushuang, his lips curved to form a disdainful smile.
Although this Pu Ta was a bully, he was also not weak and easy to knead. His strength was already at the peak of the Divine-Class level. It might not be much compared to those true geniuses, but his strength was still within the medium-rank among the younger generation of the Celestial Sword Empire. Aside from his strength, his father Pu Lutan was also an initial stage Immortal-Class level expert.
With his father and the Pu Family behind his back, Pu Ta had no need to fear anything. As long as he does not provoke the imperial family and the four dukedoms, then everything would be fine.
"How about pledging allegiance to this young lord? I promise that you will obtain riches and power. Even the Pu Family will cover your back. What do you think?" Pu Ta said conceitedly. The mocking smile on his face became even more apparent.
Wenren Wushuang really wanted to kill the bastard, but he did not want to bring calamity to himself just to quench his anger. He forcefully suppressed the fury inside his heart and turned around to look at Pu Ta's face. When he saw the latter's mocking expression, he could not help but gnash his teeth in anger.
"You are not qualified to become, my, Wenren Wushuang's master! Just because you have the Pu Family behind your back and now you dare provoke me?" He was after all a mid stage Saint-Class level. And for a Divine-Class level brat to dare act arrogantly in front of him truly touched his nerves.
Pu Ta's smiling face darkened after hearing Wenren Wushuang's words.
"What did you say?!"
Wenren Wushuang smiled faintly and said.
"You are unqualified to become my master."
Pu Ta clenched his fists tightly and pointed his finger towards Wenren Wushuang.
"You are courting death! You are the first one to defy this young lord! Beat him up for me! Make sure he can't walk again!" Puta shouted angrily.
His subordinates immediately took action and surrounded Wenren Wushuang.
The crowd gave them space and continued to watch the scene in amus_e_m_e_nt. Does someone actually dare to confront the unruly, Pu Ta? What great guts!
The guard was about to go inform the crown prince, but he was stopped by a man with long silver hair wearing a silver wolf mask that covered half his facial features.
"Don't worry. If something happens, I will shoulder the blame." The masked man spoke calmly while looking intently at the confrontation.
"This... I wonder what's your relationship with the crown prince, milord?"
Cale glanced at the guard and merely smiled in response.
Meanwhile, Wenren Wushuang was already exchanging blows with Pu Ta's guards, but everyone was confused since he still did not unsheathed his sword. But even without his sword, he was still able to fight equally against the six guards who were wielding their weapons.
"What an arrogant man. If you don't wish to die, then pull your sword!" One guard said while slashing his axe towards Wenren Wushuang.
Wenren Wushuang sidestepped and evaded the axe with ease. He then forced the six guards to take a step back.
"If my sword is unsheathed, then I can't guarantee your lives." Wenren Wushuang said proudly. He was not boasting at all. Among the itinerant cultivators, he was one of the few sword experts.
Hearing him, the guards wore ferocious expressions and pounced at him. They already exchanged dozens of blows, but they were unable to hit Wenren Wushuang. On the other hand, Wenren Wushuang's punches and kicks did quite the damage to them.
"What's the commotion here all about?" A familiar voice reverberated beside everyone's ears. They involuntarily turned their heads sideways and saw the crown prince looking at the confrontation with a calm expression.
After seeing the crown prince, the six guards ceased their attacks and stood behind their young lord respectfully.
"I incurred your ridicule, your highness. And it seems that this lowly one is not qualified to join this banquet for me to experience this kind of treatment at the entrance."
The crown prince was about to speak, but then he closed his mouth and frowned. Cale spoke towards him telepathically and told him about the events that transpired before he arrived.
"Pu Ta, it looks like you don't place this prince in your eyes anymore for you to harm someone I invited on this banquet," Elyon said icily while glancing at Pu Ta.
"I dare not, I dare not, your highness. It's just that this commoner... I mean this brother here... He ignored me when I spoke to him." Pu Ta sweated profusely while facing the crown prince's questioning, but he still refused to admit his mistakes. He really kicked his own foot this time for making a fuss during the crown prince's banquet.
"I don't want to hear any of your excuses. The next time you cause a ruckus here, then even if Count Pu Lutan becomes my enemy, I will still imprison you. Now scram!" Elyon said angrily.
Pu Ta did not dare get angry at the crown prince, but he still glared maliciously at Wenren Wushuang before he left.
"Let's go! Hmph!"
Pu Ta and his subordinates left with heavy strides, but they knew that the unruly Pu Ta would surely make things difficult for that itinerant cultivator after he steps out of the imperial palace's banquet hall.
"Everyone, I apologize for the unsightly scene. Please go inside the banquet hall." Elyon said amicably.
"Thank you, your highness." Wenren Wushuang bowed his head slightly before stepping inside the banquet hall. He was not a fool. He knew that Pu Ta will ambush him if left now, so the best thing to do was go join the banquet while thinking of ways to escape the Pu Family's eyes.
Elyon glanced at his resolute back with a smile. Someone that Cale takes a fancy on can never be ordinary.
"Your highness, let's go inside." A familiar voice traveled beside his ears. In front of him was the mysterious Cale who was still wearing his silver wolf mask. Behind him was a dainty figure wearing a beautiful white dress which was accentuated by her long icy-blue hair. Although she was wearing a veil, the crown prince knew that she definitely a peerless beauty.
"Brother Wolf King, I didn't know you have such a beautiful wife with you. This prince can only sigh in admiration at your charm." Elyon shook his head with a teasing expression, but he was inwardly moved by Aurora's beauty. Still, he did not dare have any thoughts towards her.
Cale just smiled lightly and did not correct the crown prince's words, but Aurora who was standing behind him blushed. But she hurriedly concealed it, replacing it with a cold and expressionless face.