Yi Tianxing didn't mind at all.
He had been born to be seen by others. These were just glances, after all—hardly worth mentioning. Eyes belonged to others; was he supposed to gouge them out? He wasn't that sensitive.
"Your Majesty Yi, please take your seat!"
A mermaid maid respectfully stepped forward, her manners impeccable, and invited Yi Tianxing forward.
Yi Tianxing nodded and followed her lead.
His seat had been arranged at the highest level, where individual seats were prepared—unlike the lower levels where two or three guests shared a bench. Here, each seat was set apart, highlighting the nobility and status of its occupant.
There were a total of eight such top seats, all equal in status.
Led by the maid, Yi Tianxing picked one and sat down.
"From the Myriad Beast Royal Court, King Behemoth has arrived…"
Before long, a familiar announcement echoed. As the words fell, King Behemoth strode in with a mighty gait. He spotted Yi Tianxing seated high above and narrowed his eyes but said nothing. He simply took his own seat among the high-ranked guests.
As time passed, more and more guests arrived.
With invitation scrolls opening teleportation portals, their arrival was swift. No one wanted to miss the Dragon Palace Banquet. Miss it once, and the opportunity might never come again. Attending such an event was the dream of countless beings.
Yi Tianxing noted that a large number of the guests were powerful cultivators.
Most were top-tier powerhouses.
Some had reached the Dharma Phase Realm, and even more impressive, there were Nascent Soul Realm experts among them. These were formidable and unfamiliar even to Yi Tianxing. The Human Race alone had many strong representatives—some from sects and factions he had never heard of before.
For instance, Jinguang, the sect master of the Xuanxin Orthodoxy.
And Qiye, ruler of the mysterious Yinyue Dynasty.
All of them had received invitations.
Representatives of other races were present too. Among them was the Golden Lion King, whose aura was on par with Nascent Soul cultivators. He carried a natural royal air, projecting invisible majesty. Radiant like the sun, his presence was intimidating.
Ding—ding—ding!
Suddenly, a clear chime echoed.
A loud announcement rang out: "The Dragon King arrives!"
Just then, the Turtle Prime Minister appeared from seemingly nowhere and made the declaration. Instantly, silence swept across the Crystal Palace. All conversations ceased. Every gaze turned toward the entrance.
A middle-aged man in a blue dragon-embroidered robe emerged. The dragon horn on his forehead made it obvious—this was no illusion. He was a genuine Dragon Clan member. The overwhelming aura of command he exuded made hearts quiver.
One glance, and it was clear—he wasn't angry, yet he still inspired fear.
The Crystal Palace itself seemed to respond to his presence, echoing with silent reverence. Here, he was the absolute master—the Dragon King of the Vast Sea.
"What a majestic Dragon King!"
Countless guests secretly admired him.
No one could gauge his strength. He was like an unfathomable abyss.
"So powerful... This is definitely beyond the Nascent Soul Realm. He must be a true great power."
Yi Tianxing felt a chill within.
He instinctively sensed that if the Vast Sea Dragon King so desired, none of the guests—no matter how many—would leave this place alive. He was that formidable. Even standing still, without speaking, he radiated crushing pressure. Yi Tianxing had no confidence he could escape or survive if the Dragon King turned hostile.
Of course, the Dragon King was still bound by the heavenly seal, and unable to leave the Dragon Palace.
But within its boundaries, he could act freely—the seal would not interfere. This entire domain was under his jurisdiction.
That said, the Dragon King was not likely to strike without cause.
Every guest here was a top-tier elite or a prodigy of their people. If he attacked them, the karmic backlash from the world's fate energy would be immense. The stronger one's cultivation, the deeper their understanding of karma and fate, and the more dangerous such consequences became. Heavy karmic burdens could lead to calamities and even death.
The higher one's cultivation, the more they avoided such debts.
Moreover, it was the Dragon Palace itself that had extended these invitations. Anyone could start trouble—except the Dragon Clan. If they did, they'd disgrace the Dragon Palace, and nothing mattered more to Dragons than their pride.
"We greet the Dragon King of the Vast Sea! May your fortune be eternal and your life as boundless as the heavens!"
Everyone in the Crystal Palace stood and respectfully saluted the Dragon King.
After all, it was his birthday celebration. Offering blessings was the least they could do.
"No need for such formality."
The Dragon King nodded and smiled. "Though today is my birthday, the true purpose is to bring together the rising talents within my domain, to foster connections and friendship. If that goal is met, then this banquet will have been worthwhile. Today, drink and feast freely—there is no hierarchy here, no measure of strength. All present are honored guests of my Dragon Palace. Enjoy the music, the dance, and the food!"
His voice seemed to carry a mystical power, influencing everyone's mood. The atmosphere shifted from stiff and formal to relaxed and cheerful.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
At the Dragon King's signal, dancers entered from all sides—mermaids, clam women, serpent women, and others. Dressed in brilliant costumes, they stepped into the center of the hall. Their waists swayed like willows in the wind, silks fluttered, movements graceful and mesmerizing. The performance stirred the heart, uplifting the spirit.
Around them, musicians played enchanting melodies that drifted through the hall.
It was a truly soul-refreshing experience.
Yi Tianxing smiled, appreciating the dance while sampling the rare delicacies and spiritual wine laid before him. One such drink instantly caught his eye.
It was completely azure blue, like the color of the sea.
So radiant, it was hypnotic.
This was no ordinary spiritual wine, but the Dragon Saliva Wine—unique to the Dragon Palace. Brewed primarily from Dragon Saliva Grass, along with various underwater spiritual herbs and fruits, it wasn't just delicious—it possessed astonishing effects.
Most notably, it had a powerful tempering effect on the body, especially the bones. The medicine was gentle, slowly releasing over a month. Just one cup could increase a cultivator's physical strength by over 10,000 jin.
An astonishing number.
This spoke volumes of its value and rarity.
Yet here in the Crystal Palace, everyone had it, and in generous quantity. That alone revealed how extravagant the Dragon Palace was.
Other aquatic specialties were also served, such as Fish Dragon Fruit, blue grapes, and more—completely unlike anything on land.
Each dish emitted a radiant glow.
As he ate, Yi Tianxing silently activated the Life Aperture of the Food Cauldron, refining the essence of the food. His blood and qi surged wildly, but it was immediately suppressed and absorbed by the Refinement Cauldron within him. From the outside, nothing appeared abnormal.
This was a true feast of indulgence.
Feeling his physical strength rapidly rise, Yi Tianxing secretly wished such banquets happened more often. He certainly wouldn't object—in fact, he'd encourage it.
Before anyone noticed, the first round of dance had ended.
"Everyone, what did you think of my Dragon Palace's performance? Was it to your liking?"
The Dragon King smiled as he asked.
"Magnificent and mesmerizing—truly a joy to witness!"
"Indeed, it's the most stunning dance I've ever seen!"
...
The hall echoed with praise.
And it wasn't just flattery. The Dragon Palace had arranged the show to near-perfection.
"Haha, I once thought the Dragon Palace's dancers were unparalleled. But after meeting a certain Daoist friend, I understood what a true performance of unmatched resonance truly looks like. Today, I was fortunate enough to invite her to perform for us. We are all blessed to witness it."
At some point, a woman appeared in mid-air, descending slowly into the Crystal Palace. Her robes billowed gracefully as she floated down, holding a sword in her hands. Her face was veiled, concealing her features, but her figure and bearing were beyond compare—clearly a woman of peerless beauty.
Just from her presence and elegance, one could guess: remove that veil, and even the heavens would pale in comparison.
It was evident—this woman was the mysterious guest the Dragon King spoke of. That he addressed her as "Daoist friend" said much about her status in his eyes.
She was no ordinary performer.
Ding—ding—ding!
With a twist of her wrist, her sword rang free of its sheath. And just like that, in midair, she began to dance with her sword.
The sword was born for killing. In every era, its original purpose was always the same—to slay.