Young Noble Be Monster Slaying

Chapter 598: Father and Daughter

With the announcement of names on the Dragon Terrace complete, the ceremony took a brief pause and the members of the immortal sects dispersed.

Those from the immortal sects who had no interest in staying began their return journeys, while those in the mood to look around could explore the areas around the capital of Yu.

The disciples of the Mount Shu Sect returned to the residence prepared for them by the imperial court. However, their celebration was far from over.

The next evening, they would enter the palace to join the emperor at the Qinghong Banquet, famed as the finest feast in the mortal world.

Their names had been proclaimed upon the Dragon Terrace, but the championship ceremony would only be complete after they were honored at the Qinghong Banquet.

Not only would the disciples of Mount Shu Sect be invited to the Qinghong Banquet, but the event would also feature musical and dance performances. The finest musicians and dancers of the Yu Dynasty had already been invited in advance.

In past years, the South Melody Conservatory would have already selected an exceptional disciple to perform at the banquet. This year, however, they hadn't, as they were one of the rare top ten sects to participate in the Battle at the Imperial City. Such an occurrence was rare, and there had even been a faint hope they could seize the championship.

Anyone eligible to sit at the Qinghong Banquet would naturally not perform as a guest artist. Therefore, it wasn't until after the champion's name was proclaimed on the Dragon Terrace that the leading elder of the South Melody Conservatory team decided that Shen Qingyan would perform at the palace.

The imperial court had always shown favor toward Shen Qingyan, openly expressing their hopes for her to marry the Second Prince and become the future empress. While the South Melody Conservatory was willing to create such opportunities, they remained respectful of their disciple's decision. Sending her to perform at the palace was just another chance for her to interact with the Second Prince.

Shen Qingyan herself was not particularly keen on interacting with the Second Prince again, but this was a task assigned by her sect. Traditionally, only the most exceptional disciples were selected for this honor, and refusing it would only create unnecessary awkwardness for everyone.

Besides, having participated in the Battle at the Imperial City and achieving the best results in decades, the sisters of the South Melody Conservatory were in high spirits and eagerly planned to celebrate together that evening.

However, the city remained swept up in the excitement of the Assembly of Immortal Sects. The streets were bustling with activity, and if the disciples of the South Melody Conservatory ventured out, they would undoubtedly attract a mob of onlookers.

Thus, they took a carriage out of the city to an estate in the countryside, a familiar and quiet place where they could relax, eat, drink, and enjoy themselves without worry.

The carriage slowly rolled out of the capital, coming to a halt before a garden estate adorned with a plaque that read "Serene Elegance Villa."

What was meant to be a pleasant outing took an unexpected turn the moment Shen Qingyan stepped down from the carriage!

A shadowy figure emerged stealthily from the bamboo forest surrounding the estate, creeping closer with each passing moment. The girls remained blissfully unaware until a sudden, commanding voice rang out from within the carriage, "Who dares lurk here?"

Ever since Shen Qingyan had been the target of a stealthy attack, the South Melody Conservatory had assigned an experienced elder to join the team as an additional safeguard alongside the supervising elder. It was this battle-hardened elder that immediately detected the stealthy enemy.

A sharp, resonant twang of strings echoed through the air, and the shadowy figures crawling along the ground were suddenly flung back, as if colliding with an invisible wall.

With a few sharp cries of pain, the black-clad figures were flung into the air, crashing heavily onto the ground.

As the core disciples exited the carriage, they immediately went on high alert, grabbing their instruments and surveying the area with sharp focus.

In an instant, a whirlwind of dust and debris swirled into the air. A streak of yellow wind shot past, and a shadowy figure surged forward like a violent gale, suddenly materializing before Shen Qingyan.

"How dare you!" The elder inside the carriage bellowed, leaping into action without hesitation!

Shen Qingyan raised her hands in an attempt to defend, but the shadowy figure's palm strike came as swift as lightning, giving her no time to dodge.

Bang—

Shen Qingyan was hit with overwhelming force, flung through the air as blood spurted from her lips before she crashed heavily to the ground.

Silently, the shadowy figure turned and vanished into the darkness, retreating without a trace.

The elder of the South Melody Conservatory swiftly plucked her strings four times, unleashing four sonic blades that shot toward the retreating figure. However, with a sweep of his wide sleeve, the shadowy figure conjured a black vortex that swallowed the blades whole, causing them to vanish without a trace.

He delivered a single strike and departed without any intention of continuing the fight.

"As a seventh-realm Eminent One, how shameless of you to launch a stealthy attack on a disciple of my sect!" the elder spat furiously.

The opponent's ghostly movements made it clear he was also at the seventh realm. In such a situation, with one attacking and one defending, it was exceedingly difficult for her to fully protect all the disciples.

She could only watch him leave, shifting her focus immediately to check on Shen Qingyan's condition.

The elder placed her fingers on Shen Qingyan's wrist, checking her pulse. With a slight frown, she said, "Fortunately, the attack only injured your meridians. It's not serious; rest and proper medicine will ensure a full recovery."

At the same time, a sense of puzzlement arose as she thought to herself, What could these men be after? Why would a seventh-realm Eminent One be sent to harm Shen Qingyan? Could it possibly be some crazed admirer of Xue Lingxue or Yu Xiang'er?

The thought occurred to her because such absurd incidents had happened before—instances where an obsessive fan of one core disciple attacked another. These occurrences, while unusual, were not unheard of. However, it was very rare for someone of such high cultivation to be involved.

"I'm fine, don't worry," Shen Qingyan said weakly after taking a moment to regulate her breathing and confirming her injuries weren't severe. "But I probably won't be able to perform at the palace tomorrow."

...

"Slurp. "

"Slurp."

In the always-empty Divine Fire Hall, a copper hotpot bubbled and steamed at its center. Two figures sat facing each other, each taking up vermicelli noodles from a bowl and slurping it down with enthusiasm.

"Ss-haaa."

"Ss-haaa."

"Why are you copying me all the time?" Di Nufeng shot an annoyed glare at her father across the table.

"I'm not," Mingde replied as he set down his chopsticks. "It's just... really tasty."

"Right?" Di Nufeng said confidently. "With the bond we share, would I ever lie to you? With our Mount Shu broth base and my secret dipping sauce, it's impossible for anything not to taste amazing."

"Agreed," Mingde said with an approving nod.

"This is a family secret passed down through generations," Di Nufeng proclaimed. "It's taught only to the daughters in the family and never to the sons. If I didn't need something from you, I wouldn't even be sharing it today."

Hearing this, Mingde couldn't help but feel puzzled.

Traditionally, shouldn't he, as the father, be the one passing down family secrets? Yet here she was, saying things that contradicted the very tradition she was describing.

But he still asked, "What do you need?"

"With this delicious sauce, I need you to sneak into the Qinghong Aviary tonight and steal a Qinghong bird. Tomorrow, we'll have hotpot, and I guarantee it'll be delicious," Di Nufeng answered.

"..." Mingde was stunned into silence for a moment. "You're still hung up on that?"

"If I'd never tasted it, fine. But I had it once back then, and the flavor was unforgettable," Di Nufeng said, smacking her lips in fond remembrance.

"The Qinghong Banquet has been a tradition for years," Mingde chuckled. "Aside from the emperor, I've never heard of anyone trying to sneak back for seconds."

"That's true." Di Nufeng suddenly paused, lost in thought. "If I became the emperor, I could rightfully eat it every twelve years."

"That's entirely unnecessary," Mingde quickly interjected, cutting off her train of thought.

The idea of wanting to become emperor just to eat the Qinghong Banquet might sound absurd, but knowing Di Nufeng, she could very well be serious.

"Hehe, don't worry," Di Nufeng said with a laugh. "I gave up on wanting the emperor's position a long time ago..."

Just as Mingde began to breathe a sigh of relief, she added, "What I want is yours."

"Haaaaa..." Mingde couldn't help but let out a sigh.

Such misdeeds! the words echoed bitterly in his mind.

Di Nufeng said, "You agreed, didn't you? You're not planning to go back on your word, are you?"

She was, of course, referring to their agreement—should the Mount Shu Sect win the championship at the Assembly of Immortal Sects, she would have the right to challenge him for control of the Great Dao of Incinerating Heavens.

"Of course," Mingde replied with a bitter smile.

In truth, no one believed Di Nufeng would succeed in fighting for control of the Great Dao of Incinerating Heavens.

The members of the imperial family tried to stop Di Nufeng because they were worried that Mingde, overcome by fatherly love, would willingly hand over the Great Dao of Incinerating Heavens. After all, Mingde's past as the guardian of the imperial family showed that he wasn't particularly reliable.

Fortunately, the emperor later confirmed with Mingde that he had no such intentions.

As long as he didn't willingly relinquish it, no matter how many people tried to contend for the Great Dao—be it ten or ten thousand—they would never succeed.

This was why the emperor had no reservations with assisting Chu Liang, even going so far as to gift him immortal arts to enhance his strength. He wasn't worried about the Mount Shu Sect winning the championship, because as long as Mingde didn't want to give up control of the Great Dao of Incinerating Heavens, Di Nufeng's efforts to take it were meaningless.

It was nearly impossible for a seventh-realm cultivator to challenge and seize control of a Great Dao that already had a master.

Seeing Di Nufeng's smug expression, as if she had already won, Mingde couldn't help but feel helpless.

This daughter of his truly was...

He could completely understand why her reputation in the immortal cultivation world was so terrible.

After all, not everyone would put up with her as if they were her father.

She was even willing to take on her own father in a fight. Truly, she spared no one.

"When the time comes, don't hold back or go easy on me," Di Nufeng said firmly. "We're family, but we'll settle this fair and square. No mercy."

"..." Mingde felt a vein throb at his temple.

As he grappled for a response, a resounding dragon's roar suddenly echoed from outside.

"Raaaaaaaar!"

The dragon chant carried immense spiritual energy, shaking the entire Imperial City, including the Divine Fire Hall. The resulting tidal wave of energy rippled outward, toppling countless pedestrians in the streets.

Mingde stomped his foot, grounding himself like an unshakable pillar. A powerful force surged from him, halting the tidal wave before it could sweep through the entire capital of Yu.

"What's going on?" Di Nufeng squinted, looking in the direction of the dragon chant.

Mingde had already risen abruptly. "It's the Dragon-Keeping Pool!"