"Oh, Third Brother, you are here too." As several figures entered the main hall, the one in the lead glanced at everyone before his gaze settled on Feng Lingxiao, who was sitting aside.
"I merely learned that Brother Li was in the Zeng manor, so I came to pay a visit. I have no other intentions," Feng Lingxiao said, rising and bowing slightly. After all, this person was his elder brother and the Crown Prince of the Tianyun Kingdom.
Brother Li!
A hint of solemnity flashed in Feng Yunlong's eyes upon hearing this. Feng Lingxiao addressed Li Xuan as an equal? Feng Yunlong knew this was a signal Feng Lingxiao was sending. The other three princes who had come with him also had shifting gazes, clearly sensing something unusual.
"Feng Yunlong pays his respects to Senior Li."
"Feng Qingyu pays his respects to Senior Li."
"Feng Zhiqin pays his respects to Senior Li."
"Feng Xiaotian pays his respects to Senior Li."
Feng Yunlong retracted his gaze and then bowed deeply towards Li Xuan. The people behind him also bowed in unison and called out.
Throughout the vast continent, Spiritual Masters were revered. Although the Tianyun Kingdom had quite a few cultivators at the Martial King realm, there were few who were also great sword cultivators. Moreover, such a young great sword cultivator compelled Feng Yunlong and the others to adopt a junior's etiquette.
"No need for such formality. I am, after all, a citizen of the Tianyun Kingdom. All of you are princes, and such a grand gesture makes me rather uncomfortable. Tell me, what is your purpose in coming here?" Li Xuan waved his hand. Zeng Ruxue, who had arrived earlier, was now also looking at Feng Yunlong and the others with curiosity.
"We wish to invite Senior to become a patron of our royal family," Feng Yunlong and the others exchanged glances, then bowed towards Li Xuan.
Seeing the three princes following Feng Yunlong's lead, Feng Lingxiao and Feng Jiuge's pupils contracted. Feng Yunlong had already won over the other three princes. No wonder the four of them came together; they had clearly reached an agreement beforehand.
Li Xuan naturally saw that Feng Yunlong was the leader among them. He then smiled and glanced at Feng Lingxiao before turning to Feng Yunlong and shaking his head, "We cultivators in this life aspire to advance further. To be entangled by worldly affairs is akin to tying our own hands. I appreciate your kind offer, but I must decline."
"You actually refused?" A man standing beside Feng Yunlong was stunned and looked at Li Xuan in disbelief.
The position of a patron for the Tianyun Kingdom offered unparalleled status and resources. All that was required was to act when the Tianyun Kingdom faced a crisis. Among Spiritual Masters, this was a highly coveted position. They had assumed that, given Li Xuan's age, he would readily accept, but Li Xuan had refused without a second thought.
"What, I can't refuse?" Li Xuan chuckled and looked at the man. Li Xuan thought for a moment, the man had introduced himself as Feng Xiaotian earlier.
"Fifth Brother, do not be rude," Feng Yunlong immediately reprimanded him.
"Yes!" Feng Xiaotian nodded in agreement, but a hint of killing intent flashed in his eyes.
"Please forgive us, Senior. Fifth Brother is merely speaking his mind impulsively," Feng Yunlong bowed towards Li Xuan.
Li Xuan nodded slightly and then smiled, "It's not that I'm targeting you. Even if the King himself came to invite me today, I would refuse. I understand your intentions. If you have nothing else, please leave."
"Are you truly not going to reconsider, Your Excellency? You must know that becoming a patron of our Tianyun Kingdom grants you at least one million low-grade spirit stones annually. All you need to do is act appropriately when the Tianyun Kingdom faces a crisis, with no further obligations," Feng Yunlong frowned slightly.
"One million low-grade spirit stones a year, that is indeed quite enticing," Li Xuan smiled, then shook his head, "Even so, I still refuse. Esteemed sirs, please return."
"We bid you farewell." Hearing Li Xuan's somewhat cold tone, Feng Yunlong felt a surge of anger but suppressed it. He then bowed to Li Xuan and turned to leave.
"Brother Li, I apologize for the unpleasantness." After Feng Yunlong and his entourage departed, a hint of joy flashed in Feng Lingxiao's eyes as he clasped his hands. From what he could see, Li Xuan had not shown any particular favor to Feng Yunlong's group. This was undoubtedly the best news for Feng Lingxiao.
Feng Lingxiao also felt fortunate at this moment. He was glad he had listened to Feng Jiuge's advice from the beginning and hadn't tried to win Li Xuan over. Otherwise, he might have been driven away like his other brothers.
"It's nothing," Li Xuan waved his hand and then, with a thought, looked towards the back wing. "All of you, prepare yourselves. Elder Zeng is about to emerge from seclusion."
Zeng Nuo and the others' eyes lit up upon hearing this. They then all rose, bowed to Li Xuan, and hurried towards the back wing.
Buzz!
At this very moment, a humming sound suddenly rang out. A robust aura then spread in all directions. Li Xuan's eyes widened slightly in surprise. Elder Zeng had clearly absorbed more than just the Spirit Nurturing Yin-Yang Pill.
Vast amounts of spiritual energy surged from all directions and rapidly flowed into the area where Zeng Ming was in seclusion. A dozen breaths later, Zeng Ming's figure directly appeared in mid-air.
"Congratulations, Elder Zeng," Li Xuan appeared before Zeng Ming, his eyes filled with smiles. The Tianyun Kingdom would soon gain another Martial Emperor realm expert. Zeng Ming's lifespan had also significantly increased.
Li Xuan had also guessed the reason for Zeng Ming's breakthrough. Previously, Zeng Ming had been preoccupied with the future of the Zeng family after his passing and what would happen to Zeng Ruxue. In essence, these had become Zeng Ming's inner demons. Now that his lifespan had increased and with Li Xuan's presence, his inner demons naturally receded. The breakthrough was then a natural progression.
"Young friend, thank you. I, Zeng Ming, owe you a debt of gratitude!" Zeng Ming was also overwhelmed with emotion. He hadn't expected to break through. But ultimately, it was all thanks to Li Xuan. Without Li Xuan, in a few more years, he would have been nothing but dust.
"You are too kind, Elder Zeng. Your breakthrough is, in a way, a good thing for me as well. At least, after I leave, I can rest assured about my junior sister's safety," Li Xuan said with a smile. With a Martial Emperor realm expert guarding her, Zeng Ruxue's safety within the Tianyun Kingdom was at least guaranteed.
"Eldest Brother, that is Zeng Ming," Feng Qingyu stopped at the gate of the imperial palace and looked towards the Zeng manor.
"I didn't expect Zeng Ming to have reached the Martial Emperor realm, and he is also a sixth-grade alchemist. Such a status is not inferior to that of Li Xuan," Feng Yunlong remarked.
"Eldest Brother means, are you planning to win over Zeng Ming?" Feng Qingyu asked.
Feng Yunlong shook his head. "Though we are princes, we are merely born into an imperial family. Martial Emperor realm Spiritual Masters will not serve under us. At this moment, I fear Father has already dispatched envoys."
"Eldest Brother, Zeng Ming has a very close relationship with Li Xuan. What if they both favor Third Brother? Then we..." Feng Qingyu frowned.
Feng Yunlong chuckled, a look of strong confidence on his face. "Although Third Brother remains in the Zeng manor, that is all. Li Xuan did not deign to accept our offer, so he will naturally not accept Third Brother's. As for Zeng Ming, can Third Brother contend with Father?"
"Let's go. Although we gained nothing from this outing, we have seen quite a lot. We have tried our best, and that is enough. By the way, do not make any moves against Li Xuan in secret. Our current relationship is still relatively peaceful. If we provoke him and push him towards Third Brother's side, that would be a real trouble for us."
"Yes!" Feng Qingyu and the others nodded. They then glanced at the Zeng manor before turning and entering the imperial palace.