Douluo Continent: From Blue Silver Grass to Nine-Leaf Sword Grass

Chapter 39 Birthday Banquet (Part 3)

"Rise."

Emperor Xueye smiled as he looked down at the spirited young generation.

"It's cold outside. Even though you're all young, please come inside."

Everyone knew that the main event of the banquet was about to begin.

The palace appeared brilliantly lit from the outside, but the interior was even more magnificent. Upon entering, one was immediately struck by its opulent gold and jade decorations, making even the rare gems found outside seem like mere ornaments. The seating tables were arranged with remarkable order, and despite the large number of people, the space did not feel crowded at all.

Emperor Xueye, the host of this banquet, slowly took his seat on the most magnificent throne at the head of the table, which was also the chief seat. Then came the six seats closest to the chief seat. To the left were seats two, four, and six, and to the right were seats three, five, and seven, arranged according to the guests' status, position, and relationship to the host.

To Jiang Li's surprise, the second seat was not held by Xue Qinghe, the crown prince, but by an old man in a gold robe, of medium build, slightly overweight, and with a dignified appearance.

"This should be Prince Xuexing, the younger brother of Emperor Xueye."

Jiang Li pondered for a moment, then looked at the other seats. The third seat undoubtedly belonged to the Crown Prince. Next was the fourth seat, occupied by a middle-aged man in white robes with a refined appearance and an elderly man in equally impeccable white robes. The middle-aged man was also holding a mischievous-looking little girl in his arms.

Seemingly noticing Jiang Li's gaze, the middle-aged man smiled and nodded at him.

Jiang Li nodded slightly.

Having already made a judgment in his mind, Ning Fengzhi, the sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, and Sword Douluo Chen Xin possessed astonishing auras.

On the right sat an elderly man who appeared to be the oldest at the banquet. He was covered in a long, bright red robe and wore a five-pointed white gold crown. His eyes were slightly closed, as if he were asleep. His shoulders were narrow, and his slender body resembled a javelin.

Jiang Li didn't recognize this person, but judging from his clothes, he should be from the Spirit Hall.

On the left, not next to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, stood a middle-aged man and two teenagers. Their dark blue robes were adorned with dragon patterns, suggesting they were representatives of another of the three upper sects.

Finally, there's Dugu Bo, a Title Douluo, still dressed in a simple gray robe. Indeed, even though Title Douluos hold a prestigious position, they are still somewhat inferior to the Spirit Hall and the Three Upper Sects.

The banquet began, and many so-called dignitaries, around forty or fifty years old, stood around the tables, though their female companions were much younger. Young women followed their elders to interact with other dignitaries—a common pastime among the aristocracy.

Regardless of the era, even on this unreal continent, although things have changed, the core content has not.

Most of these powerful figures looked at the outstanding young people present with gentle eyes.

Youth is an asset. Although these youngsters are still quite inexperienced in many ways, the future of the empire ultimately depends on the young people. Of course, the people who came this time are all quite influential, but it would be beneficial to get to know them better, mentor the younger generation, and foster or enhance friendship between the two families.

However, this is something that will only be done after the seventh seat is reached. For those people ahead of them, or rather, the four most powerful forces in the world, even if they don't understand, many elite talents will come knocking on their door.

Unless they are exceptionally outstanding, they will not lower themselves to such a status.

"How is it? How do you feel?"

Jiang Li looked back and realized that Dugu Bo had arrived at some point.

"Not very good, it feels a bit hypocritical." Jiang Li shook his head and expressed his feelings.

"Hehe, that's how nobles are, all show and no substance," Dugu Bo said with a faint smile.

Jiang Li nodded. Nobles are indeed like that. You can see it from Xue Beng. If he hadn't brought up Dugu Bo's name, Xue Beng would have mocked him a lot. But that won't happen. There's Dugu Yan.

"But Master, are you sure others won't notice if we do this?" Jiang Li looked up at Dugu Bo and asked.

"Why should we care about them? Do you think they'd dare lay a hand on you?"

"Some etiquette is still necessary. Look, quite a few people are looking this way now." Jiang Li Dugu Bo poured himself a glass of wine before slowly sitting down.

Their thoughts were clear without even needing to be considered. The title of Douluo itself signified a pinnacle of power on this continent, commanding respect even from emperors, let alone Dugu Bo, a royal retainer. Though he was a loner, he had a connection with Prince Xue Xing, the emperor's younger brother, a figure second only to the emperor in the empire's power.

Dugu Bo narrowed his eyes and looked at those people.

That look in his eyes...

That's freaking amazing!

Like a sharp sword, everyone instantly dodged it.

Dugu Bo raised his wine glass, took a sip, and said slowly, "If it weren't for giving Xue Ye some face, these people would all be dead."

"I believe you."

"What, do you know all the people up there? Shall I introduce you?" Dugu Bo asked.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Li looked up at the person in the main seat. He did not recognize many people, and then said, "Indeed not many. Then I will trouble you, Master."

"Haha, you rascal." Dugu Bo laughed, then began to introduce everyone to Jiang Li: "The first seat doesn't need an introduction, he is today's birthday star, the second seat is Xue Ye's younger brother, who saved me back then, his name is Xue Xing, the third seat is Crown Prince Xue Qinghe, the fourth seat is Ning Fengzhi, the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, and Sword Douluo, the little girl in his arms is Ning Fengzhi's daughter, the fifth seat is the Platinum Bishop of the Spirit Hall, Salas, and the sixth seat is Yu Luomian of the Blue Lightning Tyrannosaurus and their generation's Blue Lightning Twins."

Jiang Li nodded. It was just as he had expected. Those who could sit with Xue Ye were basically representatives of their respective forces, either the second-in-command, the sect leader, or the Platinum Bishop.

Meanwhile, on the high platform.

"Daddy, who is that young lady?" The little girl in Ning Fengzhi's arms asked, pointing in the direction of Dugu Bo and Jiang Li.

Upon hearing this, Ning Fengzhi looked in the direction Ning Rongrong was pointing and saw that it was where Dugu Bo was. He replied, "I don't know either. Would Rongrong like to go and meet him?"

"Yes!" Ning Rongrong nodded without hesitation, after all, Jiang Li was good-looking.

Not only Ning Fengzhi saw it, but everyone else saw it too, and they were all curious as to why Dugu Bo was talking to a young man.

"Uncle Sword, can you sense it?" Ning Fengzhi secretly transmitted his voice to Sword Douluo.

Sword Douluo closed his eyes and sensed for a while, then shook his head, meaning he couldn't sense anything.

The same was true for everyone else; they tried to sense it with their eyes closed for a while but couldn't detect it.

Because Jiang Li found it troublesome, he used his disguise ability to conceal his presence as soon as he arrived at the venue, so of course they couldn't sense him.

The group then exchanged glances and decided to go and see, since there weren't many people who could attract Dugu Bo's attention, especially a young man.

Then Ning Fengzhi, Sword Douluo, along with Ning Rongrong, Xue Qinghe, and Yu Luomian, headed towards Dugu Bo's direction.

P.S.: Two chapters, still feverish, can't finish the third chapter, the banquet is too hard to write...

(End of this chapter)