“The head of the Zhou family has arrived!”
Another resonant voice rang out, and a new group approached the banquet.
“Congratulations, Elder Feng!” Zhou Moyi strode forward, his smile not reaching his eyes.
Behind Zhou Moyi were eight others, one of whom was a young man bearing a striking resemblance to him.
Clearly, this was Zhou Moyi’s grandson, Zhou Xiong.
“Third-stage Martial King?” Lin Xiao was slightly surprised, sensing Zhou Xiong’s cultivation.
Three years ago, Zhou Xiong was only at the fourth stage of Heavenly Martial. Now, in just three years, he had broken through to the third stage of Martial King.
To reach this level before the age of thirty was a rare feat in the Lanlan Empire’s past.
Zhou Xiong’s talent was undeniably exceptional.
After all, not everyone had the extraordinary miracles and crises that he and Hu Yue had experienced, nor the high-grade dantian phenomena.
Zhou Xiong’s demeanour also appeared much calmer, no longer as brash and bear-like as before.
Beside Zhou Xiong stood seven others, all Martial King experts.
It was evident that this banquet held great significance, with each faction’s representative backed by a group of powerful figures.
“Thank you, Master Zhou, for coming to offer your congratulations!” Feng Yuntian clasped his hands, smiling at Zhou Moyi before ushering Zhou Xiong to a seat on the right side of Empress Dowager Meng Xi.
Zhou Xiong was seated at the same table as Zhou Ruoyi and Meng Sheng, and upon sitting, he began chatting casually with his sister and brother-in-law.
“The leader of the Spirit Controller Alliance, Master Ye Fenghua, has arrived!”
Not long after, another clear voice announced, and a new group approached the crowd.
Leading them was a strikingly handsome man.
He appeared to be in his mid-twenties, his face even more refined than a woman’s, with crescent-shaped brows, deep eyes, and a flowing white robe that gave him an ethereal, immortal-like grace. He exuded an intangible charisma.
In that moment, all other men seemed to pale in comparison. Truly a peerless beauty, his presence was otherworldly, his elegance unmatched.
The moment this extraordinary man appeared, he sparked fervent discussions and adoring cheers, alongside the infatuated sighs of countless women.
This was none other than the Lanlan Empire’s top Spirit Controller, Ye Fenghua.
“Fifth-grade advanced spiritual power?” Lin Xiao was astonished.
Fifth-grade advanced spiritual power, equivalent to a ninth-stage Martial Venerable in terms of yuan force.
With the unique techniques of Spirit Controllers, a fifth-grade advanced level could even hold its own against a Martial Monarch.
Three years ago, Ye Fenghua was only a fourth-grade advanced Spirit Controller. With Lin Xiao’s elixir formula, he had broken through to early fifth-grade. Now, in just three years, he had advanced two levels to reach advanced fifth-grade.
At just over forty, becoming a fifth-grade advanced Spirit Controller was a remarkable achievement, even across the entire Southeast Region.
The Lanlan Empire had never seen such a high-level Spirit Controller. A fifth-grade advanced Spirit Controller could elevate the empire’s strength significantly.
This highlighted the importance of Spirit Controllers.
The crowd’s admiration for Ye Fenghua was understandable.
Beside Ye Fenghua were four elders, two of whom Lin Xiao recognised as deputy leaders of the Spirit Controller Alliance, Le Zheng Hongmao and Situ Guang.
Three years ago, both were only mid-fourth-grade Spirit Controllers. Now, they had advanced one level to become advanced fourth-grade Spirit Controllers.
They had lingered at mid-fourth-grade for years, and their breakthrough in just three years was likely due to Ye Fenghua’s influence.
The other two were former elders of the Spirit Controller Alliance, once the empire’s only two early fourth-grade Spirit Controllers. They, too, had advanced one level to mid-fourth-grade.
Among the group, Lin Xiao spotted several familiar faces.
Wu Sha, Xuanxuan, Ye Yu, and Wu Gong.
Now in her mid-twenties, Wu Sha’s beauty had matured into a fuller, graceful allure, her stunning face radiating a natural charm, making her an irresistibly captivating woman.
Yet, despite her beauty, she wore simple clothing, unusually understated for a woman.
Even so, her innate beauty was impossible to conceal.
Countless gazes were drawn to her.
To Lin Xiao’s shock, Wu Sha’s spiritual power had reached mid-fourth-grade.
In three years, she had leapt from early third-grade to mid-fourth-grade, crossing a major realm and advancing one level.
Wu Sha’s spiritual talent was truly extraordinary, perhaps even rivalling his own.
After all, he had only reached advanced fourth-grade through spiritual energy.
Beside Wu Sha was Xuanxuan, only eighteen or nineteen, with red lips, bright eyes, and a delicate, round face that was utterly adorable.
In front of everyone, Xuanxuan boldly held the hand of a man who resembled Ye Fenghua, displaying an endearing, infatuated charm.
This man was clearly Ye Yu, Ye Fenghua’s nephew.
Both Xuanxuan and Ye Yu had made significant strides in their spiritual power. Xuanxuan was now a mid-third-grade Spirit Controller, while Ye Yu had reached mid-fourth-grade, matching Wu Sha.
Once nearly hailed as the top genius of the younger generation of Spirit Controllers, Ye Yu’s talent was indeed remarkable, crossing a major realm in three years.
Additionally, Wu Gong, who had excelled in the alchemy competition, had now reached early fourth-grade Spirit Controller.
These four were likely among the brightest stars of the Lanlan Empire, their names renowned.
Their arrival sparked waves of discussion.
“The capital’s new four great beauties: Meng Ying, Zhou Ruoyi, Wu Sha, and Xuanxuan. Zhou Ruoyi paired with Prince Meng Sheng, one of the new five great gentlemen, and Xuanxuan with Ye Yu—what a perfect match!”
“Who knows if Meng Ying or Wu Sha will end up with Zhou Xiong, Feng Wushuang, or perhaps Wu Gong?”
“Unlikely. The royal family’s alliance with the Zhou family through Meng Sheng and Zhou Ruoyi is enough. Though Zhou Xiong is less reckless now, Meng Ying wouldn’t choose him. As for Feng Wushuang, he’s only eighteen, not fully matured, and Meng Ying wouldn’t consider him, nor is a Feng family alliance likely. Wu Gong, despite his spiritual talent, has no background, so the royal family wouldn’t choose him, and Meng Ying has no connection with him.”
“As for Wu Sha, have you forgotten three years ago? She liked *that person*, and he’s still alive. She wouldn’t choose anyone else.”
“True, I almost forgot. That person’s talent and strength outshone the former four great gentlemen and beauties. Who knows how far he’s grown now? Compared to today’s five great gentlemen and four beauties, could he still dominate?”
“That person was a prodigy in both spiritual and yuan force. If he appeared, he wouldn’t be weaker than them, would he?”
Whispers rose and fell, and Lin Xiao could faintly hear some lamenting about him, likely due to the shock he caused three years ago.
But in the Feng family’s presence, even whispers were cautious, and no one dared mention his name.
