Chapter 662 - 439: Going Against the Current, Emperor’s Rewards and Punishments! (Double - )
Entering the hall, some members of the imperial family were already seated.
Aside from the imperial family, many high-ranking officials from the Imperial City were also present, participating in this grand imperial gathering.
Of course, these high officials were not the main characters today; the thirty-six titled kings who came from afar were.
Song Changming’s gaze drifted to the palace walls.
Massive murals appeared before his eyes.
They depicted figures of ancient gods.
Such as the Fire God with red hair and blazing eyes, or the Water God wielding a steel fork, causing tumultuous waves, and the King of the Gods holding the sun and moon, treading upon the galaxy.
In addition, there were Giant Spirit God, Four-Eyed Vajra, Demon-slaying God, among others.
Some were deities well-known to the common folk, while others were ancient existences unknown even to Song Changming.
Whether due to the exquisite depiction or other reasons, Song Changming felt these murals added more majesty and solemnity to the palace.
The more he admired them, the more he felt a sense of awe for the place.
At Prince Cui’s gesture, Song Changming sat behind Prince Cui.
While Prince Xia sat next to Prince Cui.
In the hall, there were performers singing and dancing, and maids were attending to the tables, pouring wine and serving tea to the distinguished guests.
Everything was prepared in an orderly fashion.
No one dared to act recklessly or behave inappropriately here.
Even the great kings kept their conversation measured, much more restrained than they might be outside the palace.
Song Changming was quite insignificant among them, drawing no attention.
Yet, Song Changming enjoyed his freedom, quietly eating the spiritual food before him.
With the Witch Refining Technique, he quickly digested the spiritual food, transforming it into pure spiritual power, which nourished his body, making him feel entirely comfortable.
After the banquet ended, leaving this grand hall, where else could he taste such top-grade free food?
This thought urged Song Changming to eat even faster.
It was no exaggeration to say that a single large shrimp or crab could equate to a whole day’s body refinement achievements outside.
The maid beside Song Changming added dishes quickly, sweating profusely.
Looking across the entire banquet hall, no other maid seemed as busy as the one serving him.
The great kings, mindful of their dignity, accustomed to various spiritual foods, naturally would not indulge in eating openly at such an event.
And those accompanying the newcomers, like Hong Zhen at this moment, remained tense, not easing up yet, and had no intent to eat, fearing they might make a mistake.
"How does this lad still have such a good appetite..."
Beside him, Hong Zhen watched Song Changming, perplexed by his ability to relax and enjoy in such a setting.
DONG!
Again, a mighty bell toll signaled that noon had arrived.
All members of the imperial family and ministers instinctively paused their discussions, sitting up straight, some rinsing their mouths or wiping their faces.
The performers and musicians in the hall also ceased at this point.
Song Changming, seeing this, temporarily stopped eating.
The maid beside him immediately collected the stack of empty plates, quietly sighing with relief.
Not long after, an elderly man with bound hair appeared outside the hall’s entrance, his aged eyes scanning the room to confirm that everyone was present and proper in etiquette, before clearing his throat and speaking loudly.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
Upon hearing these words, everyone stood up.
In the next moment, under the escort of numerous personal guards, the legendary Emperor Yun made his appearance, stepping into the hall.
Song Changming noticed the emperor’s personal guard, estimating their number at around thirty, each with a formidable aura, clearly having opened their Purple Mansion and reached the Grandmaster Realm of the Martial Tao!
A guard consisting of thirty Grandmasters of the Martial Tao!
Such a spectacle in the entirety of Yun Province might be unique to the current Emperor Yun.
However, with all thirty Grandmasters combined, they paled in comparison to one individual.
That would be the Emperor Yun himself, who walked steadily into the hall.
He wore a dark robe adorned with sun, moon, stars, mountains, rivers, and beasts.
His head bore the emperor’s crown, his waist was belted with jade, and dragon boots adorned his feet, all exuding grandeur.
The brilliantly shining emperor’s crown was inlaid with twelve of the world’s rarest White Patterned Emperor Pearls, unmatched on this earth.
Song Changming had thought the ruler of the world, Emperor Yun, should be an older person, but he was surprised to find the person in the emperor’s robe looked as young as himself.
His skin was fair, his visage handsome, appearing somewhat delicate, not exuding powerful majesty but having a scholarly air of subtle refinement.
Though Emperor Yun did not show overt strength, for reasons unknown to Song Changming, he felt the emperor’s presence as scorching as the sun in the sky.
Impossible to overlook, yet one couldn’t dare to gaze directly, nor dare to have intentions of spying.
Thus he could only lower his gaze like everyone else.
"Salute His Majesty!"
The thirty-six kings, along with all ministers, uniformly performed the greeting of sovereign and subject to Emperor Yun.
It was only after Emperor Yun slowly walked past the hall, ascended the high level, and seated himself on the throne, did he speak.
"Everyone, be seated."
His voice sounded older than his appearance, booming like a mighty bell, carrying unique steadiness and inwardness, dignified and solemn.
Only then did everyone rise and return to their seats.
Emperor Yun’s gaze swept over everyone, his face carrying a slight smile, as he took the wine cup presented by the maid beside him.
"You have come a long way, let us all drink this wine, marking the commencement of this banquet."