“Lin Yun, this is the top-tier immortal brew of the Star Martial Empire, something the Star Martial Emperor uses to entertain his guests. We can only taste it during this Ten Thousand Flowers Banquet,” Elder Mei Gu explained.
“Let me see just how top-tier it is.”
Lin Yun picked up the wine cup and took a sip.
As the immortal brew flowed down his throat, Lin Yun felt a warm sensation spread through his body. His spiritual awareness and cultivation seemed to improve slightly, and even his internal organs, meridians, and muscles felt a bit strengthened.
However, the improvement was minimal. It would likely take tens of thousands of cups to see any significant effect.
“If I could drink enough of this immortal brew, the boost to my abilities would definitely be noticeable,” Lin Yun remarked.
During the previous Thousand Sects Assembly, Lin Yun had also tasted the empire’s immortal brew, but the one he just drank was on a completely different level.
The sect master chuckled and shook his head. “This is a top-tier immortal brew that the imperial family has put great effort into producing. It’s extremely valuable. We’re lucky to get a cup or two. The six eternal beings up front, however, have an unlimited supply. For them, it’s not about the brew’s effects but its exquisite taste.”
At the front of the banquet hall.
The six eternal beings present all raised their cups to toast the Star Martial Emperor, offering their congratulations.
“Come, let’s drink together,” the Star Martial Emperor raised his cup and drank with them, a rare smile on his face.
These six eternal beings were old friends of the Star Martial Emperor who had traveled from afar to celebrate his birthday.
The Star Martial Emperor was clearly in high spirits today.
After finishing their drinks, the Star Martial Emperor announced, “Next, let’s begin the Ten Thousand Flowers Competition. As we eat and drink, let the young talents of the empire put on a performance for us.”
For the Star Martial Emperor and the eternal beings, this competition was merely a form of entertainment, a spectacle to enjoy during the banquet.
“Excellent. Let me see what this generation of young talents in the Star Martial Empire is capable of. If anyone impresses me, I might even take them as my disciple,” said an eternal being who appeared as a middle-aged man with sharp eyebrows and a brocade robe.
“Brother Zihe, your standards are incredibly high. It’s unlikely anyone will catch your eye,” the Star Martial Emperor replied with a smile.
Then, the Star Martial Emperor turned his gaze to the crowd below and spoke in a calm yet commanding voice, “All young talents under the age of 300 who wish to participate in the Ten Thousand Flowers Competition, please rise and gather at the center of the square. The top 100 will be rewarded with a thousand-year spirit fruit. The top 10 will receive a Saint-level weapon. As for the first-place winner, they will be granted a great opportunity. What that opportunity is will be revealed later.”
The crowd erupted in murmurs upon hearing the rewards.
For the major sects and super families, a Saint-level weapon was an incredibly valuable treasure, and yet the Star Martial Emperor was offering it as a prize.
After all, this was the Star Martial Emperor’s 30,000th birthday celebration, and the Ten Thousand Flowers Banquet was a once-in-a-millennium event.
Of course, for disciples of major sects, breaking into the top 10 would be an almost impossible feat.
This competition was filled with formidable talents!
As for the first-place prize, although the Star Martial Emperor didn’t specify what the “great opportunity” was, it was undoubtedly something extraordinarily precious.
One thing was certain: it would far surpass the rewards from the previous Heavenly Thunder Pool competition.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Young figures began flying toward the center of the square.
“Junior Brother Zhijin, Junior Brother Daniel, are you two participating?” Lin Yun asked his companions.
“At this level, it’s unlikely we’ll make it into the top 100, but we can still use this as a training opportunity,” Zhijin and Daniel replied.
“Alright, let’s go.”
Lin Yun soared into the air and landed in the open area at the center of the square.
Zhijin and Daniel followed suit.
In no time, over a thousand people had gathered in the area, and more were still arriving. Those who dared to step forward naturally had some confidence in their abilities.
Among the crowd, Lin Yun spotted some familiar faces.
“Huh? He’s here too?” Lin Yun was surprised to see a particular man.
It was Gao Yuan from the Soul Refining Sect.
Lin Yun had crossed paths with him during a previous expedition to an ancient ruin, where they had clashed. At the time, Lin Yun hadn’t been strong enough to defeat him, but with Little Qinglong’s help, they had crushed him. In the end, Gao Yuan had begged for mercy on his knees, and Lin Yun had let him go.
“The competition age limit is 300 years old. He should be over that, right?” Lin Yun frowned.
Lin Yun wasn’t far from Gao Yuan, and the latter also noticed Lin Yun.
“Lin Yun, last time you only won because of your pet. This competition is about personal strength. If I run into you, I’ll make sure you regret it!” Gao Yuan’s gaze was venomous, his voice icy.
“Referee!”
Lin Yun immediately raised his hand.
His action drew the attention of many, including the surrounding competitors.
A deputy commander of the imperial guards approached Lin Yun. “What is it?”
“The competition rules state that participants must be under 300 years old. He’s over the limit,” Lin Yun pointed directly at Gao Yuan.
Gao Yuan’s expression shifted slightly.
Whispers broke out among the crowd.
“Isn’t that the Blood Calamity Lin Yun? He’s openly accusing someone from the Soul Refining Sect.”
“Really? Someone dares to break the rules at the Ten Thousand Flowers Competition?”
The deputy commander walked over to Gao Yuan.
“Extend your hand for a bone age test,” the deputy commander ordered coldly.
Gao Yuan calmly extended his hand, allowing the deputy commander to check his bone age, seemingly unbothered.
“Under 300 years old. He is eligible to compete,” the deputy commander announced after the test.
This result sparked another wave of murmurs.
“Lin Yun falsely accused someone? That’s a pretty low move.”
…
Gao Yuan smirked at Lin Yun. “Lin Yun, are you so scared of me that you’d resort to false accusations? There are plenty of strong competitors here who could crush you. Why don’t you accuse all of them while you’re at it?”
His words stirred even more discussion.
Everyone’s eyes turned to Lin Yun. Even those who hadn’t known him before now recognized him as the Blood Calamity Lin Yun!
Lin Yun frowned but then chuckled coldly. “Since you insist on competing and digging your own grave, you’d better pray you don’t run into me!”
Lin Yun was certain that Gao Yuan was over the age limit. As for how he passed the bone age test, it was likely due to some underhanded method.
No wonder Gao Yuan had been so confident after Lin Yun accused him.
Since the age test was based on bone age, as long as the test showed he was eligible, he would be allowed to compete.
“Lin Yun, what’s the point of making empty threats? Last time you only won because of your pet. This competition is about personal strength. You know exactly how big the gap between us is!” Gao Yuan sneered.
Lin Yun didn’t bother responding further. Empty words meant nothing. If they truly crossed paths in the competition, Lin Yun would let his fists do the talking!
At that moment, Mo Qing also flew from her seat to the center of the square, landing beside Lin Yun.
“Lin Yun,” Mo Qing greeted with a smile.
Lin Yun smiled back. “Senior Sister Mo Qing, I knew you’d come. I was worried when you didn’t meet us at the inn earlier. I thought you might not make it to the banquet.”
