Oh wait, I mixed up the two names. Well then, let's wait and see.
Oh wait, I mixed up the two names. Well then, let’s wait and see.
Hearing these words, Empress Yao Xi came back to her senses, and her gaze followed, landing on that blue-robed man.
Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, then relaxed, and she said, “This man is named Jun Fan. He is the third son of the Quelling Chaos King, and in today’s Demon World, he counts among the most dazzling prodigies.”
“However, in previous years he was kept hidden away by the Quelling Chaos King, and only recently has he begun to make a name for himself.”
As the Empress of the Demon World, her informants were spread across every region, so she naturally had a clear understanding of the many young prodigies.
Prodigies like Song Youwei and Jun Fan had actually fallen within her sights long ago.
The purpose behind her founding of the Black and White Academy back then was precisely to gather talented young prodigies from all across the Demon World, to eventually be used by her.
If nothing unexpected happened, Jun Fan was bound to claim a spot in the top three at today’s Banquet of Prodigies.
Thinking of this, her mood was rather good. It had been a long time since she had seen such an outstanding prodigy; in the future, he was bound to make a name for himself in the Demon World.
Hearing this, Gu Changge said with some interest, “The Quelling Chaos King’s third son... that name is rather... special. Jun Fan.”
“What relation does he have to Jun Bufan?”
Hearing these words, Qing Zhu, who stood with her head lowered in attendance behind Empress Yao Xi, turned slightly pale. Fortunately, her head was bowed, so no one could see.
Empress Yao Xi glanced at Jun Fan, nodded, and said, “When I first learned of all this, I was also somewhat surprised.”
“However, the Quelling Chaos King was promoted by my own hand, and I am clear about the origins of his children, so I did not pay much mind to this matter.”
The Quelling Chaos King was someone she knew inside and out.
Therefore, she harbored no suspicions about this very similar name of his offspring.
Moreover, Jun Fan’s cultivation talent was truly dazzling, which stirred in her a cherishing of talent.
She assumed Gu Changge was suspicious of something, which was why she offered this extra explanation.
Gu Changge smiled and continued, “Then from the looks of it now, this man named Jun Fan is indeed somewhat extraordinary. From what I see, his strength is a great cut above the rest of his peers.”
“Jun Fan and Youwei... they have truly... given me a pleasant surprise.”
Empress Yao Xi also smiled, looking toward the other equally dazzling prodigy, Song Youwei.
Her speed in climbing the mountain was not much slower than Jun Fan’s...
Moreover, she seemed to not be using her full strength, appearing calm and unhurried, her dress fluttering, carrying an air of scholarly refinement.
She never fought for position, remaining a fair distance behind Jun Fan.
The many prodigies who had made a move against her had all tumbled back down, their hearts filled with shock.
Song Youwei’s strength could not be underestimated either.
“I think it’s more than just a pleasant surprise...”
Gu Changge’s gaze remained full of interest, his words carrying a deeper meaning.
In the vicinity of the Sacred Mountain, everyone watching this scene could not help but sigh in admiration.
Especially Jun Fan’s father, the Quelling Chaos King, whose face could hardly conceal his joy.
He had never imagined that Jun Fan would leave everyone in the dust, crushing his peers, already stepping onto the one hundred and eighth step. Many of the Demon World’s prodigies had been suppressed by him, none of them his match.
This gave him great face, and listening to the compliments and envious voices of his many colleagues around him, his smile never stopped.
“Fan’er truly has not disappointed his father!”
His heart was filled with boundless emotion. Behind him, Jun Fan’s eldest brother and second sister also wore smiles, sharing in the glory.
“Lian’er-jie, are you saying that young man is the person we’re looking for?”
Hidden within the crowd, Bai Hua and Bai Lian’er were also staring intently at the many scenes atop the Sacred Mountain.
The one speaking was Bai Hua, his face full of shock.
Bai Lian’er’s expression was cold as she said, “There’s no mistake. That person is definitely him. Other than him, no one among the Demon World’s current younger generation could possess such strength.”
Hearing the certainty in Bai Lian’er’s words, Bai Hua’s expression changed several times.
“Then why would he climb to the summit of the Sacred Mountain at a time like this? By all reason, isn’t Empress Yao Xi the person he hates most? Why would he do this?”
“Isn’t he afraid Empress Yao Xi will discover his identity?”
He said somewhat incredulously, unable to comprehend Jun Fan’s actions.
Bai Lian’er said indifferently, “It’s nothing more than... wanting to prove himself. Even having returned from the dead, he is just as outstanding...”
“Love turned to hatred. Right now, his heart is surely filled with nothing but hatred and fury. He will go find Xi Yao for revenge.”
However, her words could not conceal a cold, disdainful sneer.
Having grown up together with Jun Bufan, she naturally understood his temperament.
Bai Hua listened thoughtfully and asked, “Then Lian’er-jie, do we still hand the item over to him as Shifu instructed?”
Hearing this, hesitation appeared on Bai Lian’er’s face.
She had naturally also seen Gu Changge at the summit of the Sacred Mountain, chatting and laughing at ease with Empress Yao Xi—this man whom she could not see through at all.
As for why Gu Changge had appeared in the Demon World...
She guessed it was for her—or rather, for the Brocade Bag in her possession.
After all, her father had fallen into Gu Changge’s hands. With even a little effort, Gu Changge could easily torture the information out of him.
Otherwise, how could the timing be so coincidental? She had just arrived in the Demon World, and Gu Changge followed right after? So now she actually had two choices. The first was to follow her father’s request and deliver the Brocade Bag to Jun Bufan.
The second was to find Gu Changge and make a deal with him, asking him to spare her father, while she would give him that... Brocade Bag.
So right now, her heart was torn over which choice to make.
Was Gu Changge someone worth trusting?
If Gu Changge could be trusted, she would choose to hand the Brocade Bag to him in exchange for her father’s life.
Jun Bufan was now nothing more than a stranger to her.
Once, the two of them had practically grown up together. Though not blood siblings, their bond was no less than that of real siblings.
But all of that changed after he met Xi Yao.
She had held great hopes for Jun Bufan, wanting him to become a Demon Overlord of his generation like the Solar Demon Overlord, dominating all directions.
Yet Jun Bufan’s many actions had deeply hurt her.
Even though she had warned Jun Bufan many times that Xi Yao’s heart was impure, that she was not as innocent as she appeared on the surface, Jun Bufan never listened to her advice. He loved without regret, and in the end, he died just as predicted.
During that time, Jun Bufan had even maliciously slandered her multiple times over matters concerning Xi Yao.
Things like this—far too many to count.
In the end, she, the one who cared about Jun Bufan the most, became the person he loathed most.
Thinking of all this, a mocking smile could not help but appear at the corners of Bai Lian’er’s mouth. Back then, she truly had been too foolish—so much so that even now, she wished she could cross the River of Time and strangle her former self with her own hands.
If not for the fact that this was her father’s final entrustment, how could she possibly have agreed?
And just as everyone’s thoughts wandered in different directions, at the summit of the Sacred Mountain, as Jun Fan’s entire body radiated light and countless Divine Chains of Order swirled around him, his final step landed.
The one hundred and eight steps immediately began to hum and tremble.
Finally, a brilliant radiance shone forth from that place.
Orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, violet—every color interweaved, rosy clouds flowing, incomparably dazzling and eye-catching, displaying his first-place ranking.
In an instant, commotion erupted in all directions, a sound like a roaring tsunami.
All the Demon Race citizens, watching that blue-robed man walking toward the summit of the Sacred Mountain, revealed expressions of amazement, reverence, and envy in their eyes.
“It’s him!”
“The Quelling Chaos King’s third son! That speed—he’s probably broken the record of the past several thousand years, hasn’t he?”
“Too terrifying! His strength is so great, he’s completely... crushing everyone behind him!”
“Even the Grand Tutor’s only daughter, Song Youwei, fell behind him. Simply unbelievable...”
Everyone watched in shock. No one had expected that someone would actually break the six-thousand-year record at the Banquet of Prodigies.
What was witnessed today would likely cause no small stir in the Demon World!
“He actually broke the record...”
A rare smile appeared on Empress Yao Xi’s face in front of outsiders as she looked at Jun Fan, who was walking toward her.
This level of talent was indeed rare, truly giving her a pleasant surprise.
Gu Changge’s face showed not the slightest change, though his heart was full of interest. The higher Jun Fan stood now, the harder he would fall when the time came.
Jun Fan maintained an expression that was neither servile nor overbearing as he quickly landed at the summit of the Sacred Mountain.
Looking at Empress Yao Xi and Gu Changge seated together at the same table ahead, his heart was more or less clouded with gloom.
Just now, from below the summit, he had actually been paying attention to the movements above the whole time, aware that Gu Changge and Empress Yao Xi were having a delightful conversation.
Although their behavior had shown no intimacy or impropriety...
It still made him deeply uncomfortable. That was why he had revealed a bit of his true cultivation, breaking the Banquet of Prodigies’ record in one fell swoop.
For the moment, his limelight was... second to none.
Still, Jun Fan maintained a somewhat humble demeanor as he walked over.
“Jun Bufan, is it?”
However, in the next instant, Gu Changge’s smiling voice came over, causing Jun Fan’s heart to shake violently.
His mind buzzed, as if struck by a great bell, rumbling and roaring, going completely blank.
His expression changed drastically, even turning somewhat pale. His first reaction was... to go on full alert, intending to crush the Jade Talisman in his sleeve and order his subordinates lying in ambush everywhere to strike.
He simply could not believe it.
How did Gu Changge know his identity? Could it be that Qing Zhu had betrayed him and confessed everything?
“Oh, no wait—you’re called Jun Fan. I mixed up the two names.”
However, just as countless thoughts flashed through Jun Fan’s mind, his heart trembling violently as he prepared to act...
Gu Changge’s voice came from ahead once more, carrying a tone of realization and slight apology.
Hearing these words, Jun Fan was first stunned, then breathed a sigh of relief, though his heart remained somewhat uncertain and suspicious.
He had not expected that he had been too cautious and tense, reacting so strongly to a single sentence from Gu Changge.
Jun Fan also did not know whether his reaction just now had revealed anything unusual.
Normally, he would never be like this.
The main problem was that Gu Changge’s question had come too suddenly, catching him off guard—especially being asked like this right in front of Empress Yao Xi.
“Jun Fan greets Young Master Changge, greets Her Majesty the Empress.”
Quickly, Jun Fan regained his composure and saluted the two of them, his manner returning to natural.
Gu Changge looked at him with an inscrutable expression, then smiled and said, “No need for formalities. Witnessing such a prodigy today has truly opened Gu’s eyes. I must say... this trip was not made in vain.”
Hearing this, Jun Fan revealed an expression neither servile nor overbearing and said, “Young Master Changge flatters me. Before you, how could Jun Fan possibly be worthy of the word ’prodigy’?”
Empress Yao Xi glanced at Gu Changge, not knowing why he had just addressed Jun Fan as Jun Bufan.
Could it be some mischievous teasing? However, she had also taken note of Jun Fan’s drastic change and sudden tension just now, and found it somewhat amusing in her heart.
In her view, Jun Fan’s reaction was perfectly normal.
After all, anyone who knew of Jun Bufan understood what that name represented.
Suddenly hearing Gu Changge call out like that, Jun Fan’s first reaction would naturally be alarm and unease. That he displayed such emotions—she found nothing strange about it.
“Young Master Changge, stop scaring him.”
Empress Yao Xi smiled, casting a sidelong glance at Gu Changge, rarely showing a smile before outsiders, then waved her hand to signal the female official beside her to grant Jun Fan a seat.
Jun Fan’s eyelid twitched. He respectfully voiced his thanks, then sat down, eyes on his nose and nose on his heart, gradually calming down inside.
That sidelong glance Xi Yao had just given Gu Changge had fallen completely within his sight.
He could hardly believe it.
Xi Yao was now the Empress of the Demon World—how could she show such an expression toward a man, appearing so intimate? Thinking this, Jun Fan grew even more restless.
Still, he pondered Gu Changge’s intention just now—had he truly mixed up the names, was it mischief, or something else? Then, he secretly glanced at Qing Zhu.
Seeing Qing Zhu shake her head slightly at him with no other meaning, he could not help but breathe a sigh of relief. It seemed Empress Yao Xi had not yet discovered anything unusual.
And soon, listening to the content of the conversation between Empress Yao Xi and Gu Changge...
Jun Fan’s expression grew faintly unpleasant, though he forcibly suppressed it with all his might, revealing no abnormality.
In his ears, some of the exchanges between the two were the kind only people very familiar with each other would have.
Especially Empress Yao Xi—normally cold, dignified, and unsmiling, keeping strangers at a distance—yet now she was chatting and laughing so merrily with Gu Changge.
Jun Fan took a deep breath, quickly steadying himself.
A small impatience spoils a grand plan.
And soon, several more figures appeared on the white jade steps, all of them young prodigies with profound cultivation and powerful talent, including Song Youwei.
Jun Fan had broken the six-thousand-year record of the Banquet of Prodigies, which shook their hearts. Amid their envy, unwillingness also arose.
However, before Empress Yao Xi, they dared not say anything. After paying their respects one by one, they took their seats, waiting for Her Majesty the Empress to personally bestow the imperial wine, as well as the many palace-exclusive spirit delicacies...
These things all contained unimaginable energy and Dao-rhyme fortunes.
Besides... the imperial wine, the spirit delicacies laid out at the Banquet of Prodigies were also divine items they could never normally come into contact with, priceless treasures that could help them break through further.
However, the Banquet of Prodigies had only one hundred and eight seats. In other words, among tens of thousands of prodigies, only the first one hundred and eight were qualified to sit—one could see how brutal the competition was.
“The strength Jun Fan-xiong displayed today truly astonished Youwei.”
After taking her seat, Song Youwei looked at Jun Fan, who was not far from her, revealed an astonished expression, and said with a smile.
Jun Fan smiled and replied, “After all, this is a rare opportunity to display my strength before Her Majesty the Empress. Naturally, I must grasp it firmly.”
His words earned the approval of many prodigies, who all looked toward Empress Yao Xi at the head seat at this moment, infatuation showing in the eyes of quite a few young men.
Although Empress Yao Xi’s face was concealed behind a layer of chaotic mist, impossible to see clearly...
Just from this simple bearing and appearance alone, she was already beautiful enough to intoxicate the heart, making one willingly sink into it.
Song Youwei did not ask much more about... Jun Fan’s answer.
It was just that she felt the Jun Fan she saw today was slightly different from the one she had seen before.
The Jun Fan of the past would not be so ostentatious; he would plan before acting.
However, she did not think too deeply about it.
After all, this was the Banquet of Prodigies, a chance to make one’s name known across the world. As young people, they would naturally seize it firmly.
Soon, at the summit of the Sacred Mountain, all one hundred and eight seats were filled.
Everyone looked toward Empress Yao Xi at the head seat with respectful expressions.
“The banquet is full. Serve the feast.”
Empress Yao Xi rose, her gaze sweeping across all directions, finally landing on the faces of Jun Fan, Song Youwei, and the others, before she spoke indifferently.
The remaining prodigies, who had not yet made it up, heard the female official above announce the end, and immediately withdrew, their faces full of dejection and regret.
All the Demon World citizens in the nearby mountains, as well as the many great figures, craned their necks in anticipation, watching this scene with boundless envy.
At every Banquet of Prodigies, though they were merely observers, they could still feel the many fortunes contained within.
Boom!!! Boom!!! Boom!!! Accompanied by three great bell tolls, the sound spreading in all directions, the Banquet of Prodigies officially began.
Throughout the banquet, dish after dish of spirit delicacies, gleaming with luster and flowing with rosy light, were brought up by numerous maidservants.
Their fragrance assailed the nose, containing unimaginable divinity, making one’s very pores seem about to stretch open in bliss.
First came the spirit delicacies, cooked from the flesh of various ferocious beasts with powerful blood vitality, supplemented with many spirit herbs, with astonishing effects.
Many prodigies, upon taking their first bite, had blood essence bursting from their pores, forming a small expanse of continuous crimson mist.
The power of their blood vitality surged like mighty rivers, vast and boundless, and they hurriedly sat cross-legged on the spot to refine it, not daring to waste a wisp.
Jun Fan imperceptibly observed Empress Yao Xi’s movements.
Seeing that she first had the female official beside her test for poison before eating—such caution and care—did not... surprise him.
However, all this at the front was trivial. The main event came later.
“The Banquet of Prodigies is divided into three courses: first the meat course, then the fruit course, and finally the wine course...”
At the head seat, Empress Yao Xi revealed a trace of a smile as she explained to Gu Changge.
Gu Changge nodded and praised aloud, “These... meat dishes are indeed extraordinary, containing unimaginable energy and fortune. If one tried to refine them ordinarily, it would be... rather difficult, but after being cooked, they have become much gentler.”
He sampled a few bites, not worried in the slightest that these... meat dishes might contain poison.
He could casually refine and devour even the Source of the Eternal Overcast, let alone the various poisons of this world.
Meanwhile, in the venue, with only the first meat course begun, many young prodigies were already unable to hold on, sitting cross-legged on the spot to refine what they had eaten. The subsequent fruit course and wine course would have nothing to do with them.
After all, they could blame no one else—they themselves could not absorb so much fortune.
Soon, the second course, the fruit course, began. What was brought up were all crystalline spirit fruits containing abundant Dao-rhyme.
Their shapes varied, rosy light bursting forth. Some surfaces were even wreathed in divine light, bearing strange patterns that faintly carried an enlightenment-inducing effect.
The moment they saw these fruits, many prodigies’ eyes went wide, their hearts shaken, unable to calm down.
All the great figures watching from afar were also envious and jealous, wishing they could take their place.
“It seems Her Majesty the Empress truly spared no expense in preparing this Banquet of Prodigies—she even brought out Bodhi Dao Fruits.”
“Even for the imperial palace, suddenly producing so many of them must have required long deliberation.”
The many great figures sighed with emotion, envy arising in their hearts. Even at their level of cultivation, they thirsted endlessly for Bodhi Dao Fruits.
Because this thing... could help them achieve enlightenment and breakthrough. If they encountered a bottleneck, there was a great possibility of breaking through and stepping into another realm entirely.
That Empress Yao Xi would actually bring out such a good thing truly shocked them.
Soon, the many prodigies did not hesitate in the slightest, picking up the Bodhi Dao Fruits in their hands and beginning to swallow and refine them.
Even Song Youwei accepted hers carefully, a rare solemn expression on her face.
Jun Fan’s expression remained unchanged as he also quickly swallowed the fruit, not wanting anyone to notice anything unusual about him.
In an instant, a rich, pure fragrance began to permeate the area, rosy light interweaving, illuminating the sky, the sound of the Dao echoing, resounding in all directions.
“After the meat course and the fruit course end, is the main event this wine course?”
Looking at the many prodigies sunk into states of enlightenment, Gu Changge could not help but ask with interest.
Empress Yao Xi nodded, a trace of mystery in her smile, and said, “For this wine course, I specially prepared for a long time.”
Gu Changge looked at her, his smile somewhat inscrutable, and said, “Then I shall wait and see.”
Recommend, share!