Douluo Continent: Dark Demon God Biao, inheriting the position of an evil god

Under the attentive guidance of Steward Xu An, Dai Yuntian and his two companions passed through numerous palaces and finally arrived at the heart of tonight's banquet.

In front of the Imperial Banquet Hall.

The palace was magnificent, its glazed tiles shimmering under the light of the palace lanterns. The vermilion gates were wide open, and from inside came the melodious sounds of string and bamboo instruments and the faint sounds of laughter, exuding an imperial atmosphere.

"Duchess of White Tiger, Young Master Dai, Miss Zhu has arrived!"

As the master of ceremonies outside the hall announced the arrival of guests, the laughter and conversation inside the hall subsided slightly, and countless eyes turned to the entrance.

With a polite smile on her face, Zhu Yun'er stepped in first, her graceful and composed demeanor instantly attracting the attention of many noble ladies and court ladies in the hall, who began to whisper and praise her.

Dai Yuntian lagged half a step behind, walking alongside Zhu Lu, and calmly stepped into the magnificent hall.

The hall was brightly lit, and eyes darted around.

Emperor Xu Jiawei sat in the main seat, with the Empress sitting beside him. To his left and right were core members of the royal family, several high-ranking officials, and a few important ministers.

Everyone looked at the three people who had just entered with scrutiny and curiosity, especially Dai Yuntian, who was walking in the middle.

"Hahaha, Duchess, Nephew Yun Tian, ​​Miss Zhu Lu, we've been waiting for you!"

Xu Jiawei laughed loudly, breaking the brief silence. His tone was as warm as if he were truly welcoming his own nephews and nieces: "Please take your seats! We've been waiting for you to begin the feast!"

"Your Majesty and Your Highness have kept you waiting; it is my fault."

Zhu Yun'er gave a graceful bow, her manners impeccable and flawless.

Dai Yuntian and Zhu Lu also bowed, behaving appropriately and neither servilely nor arrogantly.

“Ah, Dai Hao and I are as close as brothers, so we don’t need to stand on ceremony.”

Xu Jiawei waved his hand and pointed to the seats that had been reserved in advance, which were located very close to the front: "Sit down, everyone, sit down!"

That seat was the first one to the right of the emperor, alongside the seats of several royal princes and princesses, and even better than the seats of some older members of the royal family.

This "favor" is undoubtedly immense.

The three expressed their gratitude and took their seats.

Zhu Lu was still young, and it was her first time experiencing such a formal royal banquet. Facing the gaze of everyone in the hall, she was inevitably a little nervous, and her palms were slightly sweaty.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here."

Dai Yuntian gently squeezed her hand under the table. A warm current seemed to flow through her palm, making her feel much more at ease.

"Tsk, is this the legendary Dai Yuntian? He doesn't look like he has three heads and six arms."

Across from him, a pale-faced young prince in a python robe swirled his wine glass and spoke to the person next to him in what he thought was a very low voice, his tone tinged with a hint of sour disdain.

He is Xu Jiawei's cousin. He inherited his father Yu Yin's hereditary princely title and has always been arrogant.

"Cousin, be careful what you say."

A person next to him quickly whispered a reminder, gesturing for him to look at the emperor's expression.

Fortunately, the sound was so quiet that it didn't reach anyone else's ears.

While the Xu family members chatted warmly with Zhu Yun'er, they inquired about Dai Hao's recent situation on the frontier. Their words were full of concern, but the conversation always inadvertently veered towards Dai Yuntian's experiences at Shrek Academy.

Zhu Yun'er handled the situation appropriately, neither being impolite nor making any mistakes, cleverly glossing over the sensitive questions or leaving the answers to Dai Yuntian himself.

"Shrek Academy is indeed full of outstanding talents. It is Yun Tian's good fortune to be nurtured by the academy."

Zhu Yun'er smiled and said, "As for the champion of the freshman assessment, it was just a friendly competition among children, and it was just a fluke. It doesn't deserve such high praise from Your Majesty."

"Oh, Duchess, you are too modest."

Xu Jiawei smiled, his gaze finally turning to Dai Yuntian, who had been sitting quietly since entering, except for bowing, and had even leisurely sipped his imperial tea:
"Nephew Yun Tian, ​​I have heard of the renown of Shrek Academy. A Soul King at the age of twelve, tsk tsk, truly a formidable young talent! If the younger generation of Xingluo had even a tenth or a twelfth of your talent, I would be content."

This statement came out.

The expressions of many young members of the royal family in the hall immediately became somewhat subtle.

Dai Yuntian put down his teacup, looked up at Xu Jiawei, and smiled faintly:

"Your Majesty flatters me. The path of a Soul Master is long and boundless. Yun Tian merely started earlier and has only a little bit of cultivation, which is not worth mentioning. Xingluo is a land of outstanding people and talents. Your Majesty is too kind in praising me."

His voice was clear and bright, his attitude was respectful, and his answers were so standard that they were flawless.

But the words "not worth mentioning," coupled with his nonchalant and calm expression, made the young disciples who were still striving for Soul Master and Soul Sect feel a tightness in their chests.

This is called "not worth mentioning"? Then what are we?
Are they not even worthy of carrying my shoes?

"Haha, my dear nephew, you are too modest."

Xu Jiawei's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he laughed, "I heard that my nephew revealed three 100,000-year soul rings during the assessment? Such an earth-shattering event has stirred my heart, and I wish I could see it with my own eyes! I wonder if today, I and all of you here will have the privilege of witnessing it?"

See the picture poorly.

This is one of the highlights of tonight!

The hall fell silent instantly, even the sounds of string and wind instruments seemed to have dropped a few notes.

Everyone held their breath, their eyes fixed intently on Dai Yuntian. Even the younger disciples who had initially been somewhat unconvinced now stared wide-eyed, filled with curiosity and… a hint of disbelief. After all, three 100,000-year soul rings?
Are you just bragging?

I have to see it with my own eyes today!
Zhu Yun'er frowned almost imperceptibly as she looked at the emperor.

Zhu Lu also nervously gripped the hem of her clothes.

Faced with the expectant, questioning, and inquisitive gazes of the entire hall, Dai Yuntian simply smiled.

He put down his teacup, his movements unhurried, then looked up at Xu Jiawei, his tone still calm:

"Your Majesty, today is a royal family banquet. It is only right that the guests and hosts enjoy themselves. The 100,000-year soul ring is powerful and explosive. If it were used here, it would damage the magnificence of this hall and spoil everyone's enjoyment. It is just a little external enhancement. It is better not to look at it."

He paused, and amidst the disappointed or "I knew it" looks from the crowd, he continued:
"However, since Your Majesty and everyone else are so curious, I have a clever way that might make Your Majesty smile and not disappoint Your Majesty's inquiry."

Oh?
Are there other ways to avoid directly displaying the spirit rings?

Everyone's curiosity was piqued once again.

Dai Yuntian casually picked up an empty white jade bowl from the table in front of him, a bowl used for chilling fruit.

There was still a small half bowl of clear, imperial-grade cold spring water in the bowl, with wisps of cool air rising from it.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please look at the water in this bowl."

Dai Yuntian placed the white jade bowl in the center of the table.

All eyes were focused on that bowl of clear water.

The next moment, there was no sign of any soul power fluctuation on Dai Yuntian's body, nor did any dazzling soul rings appear.

He simply extended his right index finger and gently touched the clear water with the tip of his finger.

hum-

A very faint, crisp sound, like ice crystals freezing, could be clearly heard in the silent hall.

Under everyone's stunned gaze, the small bowl of cold spring water, starting from the point where Dai Yuntian touched it, instantly became crystal clear at a speed visible to the naked eye.

It wasn't freezing, but rather... it was as if the entire bowl of water had been instantly replaced by a piece of flawless, pure ice!

Even more amazingly, this "ice block" is not still.

Inside, there seemed to be a very faint ice-blue radiance, flowing slowly as if it had a life of its own, breathtakingly beautiful, yet exuding an extreme chill that made one's soul tremble!

Throughout the entire process, there was no leakage of soul power, no burst of aura, and not even a speck of frost formed on the table beneath the bowl.

All the power and all the cold were perfectly locked within that small "ice block," without a single bit wasted or dissipated.

This requires an incredibly precise and terrifying level of control over one's soul power, especially one's own ice attribute!
"hiss--"

Inside the main hall, a chorus of gasps filled the air.

Those royals who had initially harbored doubts and were waiting to see the joke unfold now had their eyes practically bulging out of their sockets and their mouths agape enough to fit an egg.

Xu Jiawei's smile froze for a moment, and his pupils contracted slightly.

"call……"

Even the worshippers who had been resting with their eyes closed suddenly opened their eyes, took a deep breath, and stared intently at the bowl of "ice," their faces showing disbelief and shock.

They are titled Douluo, so they understand this even more deeply!

The chill contained within that ice block was pure, refined, and extreme, as if it could freeze the soul!
This is an effect that cannot be achieved by ordinary soul skills!

Could it be... the ultimate ice?!

Upon considering this conjecture, the expressions of the several worshippers immediately changed.

Dai Yuntian withdrew his finger as if he had only done a trivial matter, smiled slightly at Xu Jiawei, and spoke in a relaxed tone:

"A little trick about controlling soul power, Your Majesty, please forgive my folly. This bowl of 'Ice Spring' will keep you from melting for three days if placed on your desk, and it will bring coolness even in the height of summer. It's quite an interesting little gadget. As for the power of the 100,000-year soul ring..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room before finally settling on the bowl of glistening ice, and casually added:
"The power is too great. Although this palace is nice, it is made of wood and stone. I'm afraid it can't withstand the damage. Let's just forget about it."

The hall was completely silent.

The pale prince who had previously made sarcastic remarks now had a face even paler than his python robe, and his hand holding the wine cup was trembling so badly that he didn't even notice the wine spilling out.

A petty trick? Who plays such a petty trick?!

Let it go?
That tone... it sounds even more suffocating than direct boasting!

Xu Jiawei was the first to react, clapping his hands and laughing heartily, his laughter filled with "sincere" admiration: "Good! What a clever trick! My nephew's control over soul power has reached a state of perfection, truly divine! I have truly broadened my horizons today! Hahaha..."

Only he himself knows how much of that laughter was genuine admiration, and how much was shock and fear.

Dai Yuntian nodded in acknowledgment, picked up his teacup again, as if the "little trick" that had just stunned everyone was truly just a casual gesture.

Just then, a loud voice rang out from outside the palace: "Princess Jiu Jiu has arrived!" (End of Chapter)