Banquet

"Are you an idiot, we could get into trouble for that, we will pretend as if we saw nothing. We are not qualified to get involved in these kinds of feuds"

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'Oh shit I forgot about the magma heart, will get it done quickly'

Long Chen quickly made his way towards Bei Youer's place before quickly dragging her to an isolated room.

"Blockhead what do you want ?".

Bei Youer asked all flustered, with her face reddened and her hands covering her chest.

Her mind was going haywire, Long Chen out of nowhere just grabbed her and took her to an isolated place before laying down a couple of arrays.

Long Chen was amused seeing Bei Youer act this way.

"At ease, I have a gift for you"

"Really what is it" Bei Youer asked with her eyes shining like the stars.

"Here" The temperature of the room exploded, as soon as Long Chen took out the magma heart.

It was still beating and pulsating heat waves.

"This is a magma heart you can use it to break through essence gathering realm"

"Really blockhead can I use it anytime ?"

"No use it when you are at the peak of qi condensation, almost half step into essence gathering realm.

You are slowly supposed to absorb all of its essences before fusing it with your heart.

Your comprehension and cultivation will skyrocket".

Long Chen then safely stuffed it in the back of the room, as now that there are so many strangers in the city, all hell would break loose if this got exposed.

"Alright, now what do I get," Long Chen asked while scratching his chin.

"You- what do you want ?" Bei Youer almost shrieked a little when she saw Long Chen slowly walking towards her.

"Shush"

Before She could say anything else Long Chen put his finger on her lips.

Before lightly holding her waist and pulling her towards him.

For a moment the 2 of them just looked into each other's eyes.

As moments passed Bei Youer face started turning redder and she started shaking a little.

Long Chen just smashed his lips into hers.

"Mhmm"

Bei Youer moaned but Long Chen kept holding onto her, his tongue invading her mouth.

Tasting every part of her mouth, feeling the orchid breath.

After 5 minutes he let go of her.

Bei Youer ran towards her room without looking back, with a sweet smile plastered on her face.

"Don't forget about the banquet in a couple of hours"

Bei Youer almost fell hearing Long Chen's words.

"Insensitive jerk" She mumbled in a low voice.

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Long Clan estate,

The former city lord estate's harem mansion, which also happens to be the biggest mansion of the estate is completely revamped.

A lot of parts are deconstructed to make it look grand.

Currently, it's adjourned with golden color decorations, with every inch of the mansion been covered with gold.

Some big glass chandeliers are helping to bring out all of the design of the group.

The entrance of the mansion is being guarded by the forces of Long and Bei Clan.

The mansion can host 2000 people and currently about 1000 people are in there.

Long Aotian and Long Linger are at the center of it all.

They are adjourned in black golden garments with the symbol of Long Clan being depicted by a blue dragon, at the behest of Long Chen this is the new design they have adopted.

The guests include the first-rate clans of the Southern Phoenix City, some special commoners of the city.

They also include other top clans of the top 8 cities of the Grand Xia Empire.

Even the descendants of the subordinates under Long Aotian are there. Some 20 or so people, usually they would avoid Long Chen like a plague because not only did he make them work as his lackey, he even gave them no benefits whatsoever.

This kind of thankless job which even ruins their reputation is not something they could tolerate. Still, they were all smiles today, but behind that seemingly ordinary smile was a bit of stiffness.

They are worried if Long Chen decided to hold a grudge or whatnot.

There is an elevated platform in which Long Aotian is receiving his guests and collecting their gifts.

Grandpa Nie is responsible for storing and after a while he makes eye contact with Long Aotian, and the both of them smile.

They are receiving a ridiculous amount of resources.

Fang Qian is also in the mix chatting up beauties, but unlike before this time he is getting quite the response from these women.

Not only was Fang Qian together with Long Chen, but he is also his blood relative.

He could be used as a good way to establish a connection with Long Chen.

Some people might frown at this behavior of these clans, who are doing everything in their power to connect with Long Clan, because the power of Long Clan is equivalent to theirs, or at least they think so.

The fact is the moment a soul transformation cultivators hop in a clan, it makes them almost untouchable.

At this stage beating them is one thing, but killing them is a whole different level of a ballgame.

The top clans dread this endeavor, especially because, if they fail they might get a target on their entire clan's back.

Worst case scenario they might get a second 'Bloody Forge Accident'.

Long Story short, after getting a soul transformation realm expert their clansmen can walk unhindered the entire country.

They will probably get a share of the spirit stone mine.

They can claim tons of other resources as well, moreover, if they are not from the imperial city, they can establish dominion in their city.

Long Chen reaching the essence gathering realm at 16 is the youngest essence gathering realm cultivator of the Grand Xia Empire ever.

According to most people, the resources Long Chen received would be obviously a lot fewer than what other top clans received.

A disadvantage which would be null and void the moment he joins a sect.

He also has the support of the Huang Clan and a mysterious entity.

So him reaching the soul transformation realm is a done deal, that is why the clans are enthusiastic about establishing connections with the Long Clan.

His name has shaken the secular world of the Skydawn continent, even traveling to neighboring nations.

"Young master Qian I heard you fought well in the nether realm"

"hahaha of course this young master had a lot of feats in the realm"

"Really then why did we not hear much about them"

A cynical girl asked in a sweet voice.

"Well this lord is a king of keeping a low profile you know. I like to keep my cards hidden. If you wish to know, hahaha you will have to get to know me better"

"Is that so fatty" a monotone voice came from afar, but listening to it all of Fang Qian's hair stood up.

"What are you talking about boss I was just joking" Fang Qian had black lines on his forehead.

The guests all dropped their conversations and looked at the man of the hour.

A tall man adjourned in black golden clothes is walking along with a girl, who seems like a goddess descended from heaven.

The Man with his platinum blonde hair and golden eyes are giving off a sense of exoticness.

One black cat and one white fox are resting on his shoulders.

The Man is radiating a frigid and predatory aura, while the girl is giving a sense of fieriness, albeit much weaker.

They appear to be a match made in heaven.

Seeing Long Chen's aura a lot of strong cultivators are surprised, he seems like someone very powerful and not someone who just broke through the essence gathering realm.

'What cultivation method is he practicing it is certainly not the Long Clan's Purple Dragon Sutra.'

Many people thought to themselves.

"Everyone please this is the foolish son of mine, don't hype him up too much lest he becomes arrogant hahaha"

Long Aotian made his way and spoke in a flamboyant manner and just seeing his smug face made some people wanna punch him in the face.

"Nephew Chen you might go to Grand Xia Empire bring glory to our city"

"Hahaha, young master Chen would probably join a sect soon bringing glory to the entire empire."

Long Chen was very respectful and humble, making him appear more pleasing to the eye.

After about half an hour some important guests started popping up.

"Haha young nephew Long Chen congratulations on becoming the youngest essence gathering cultivator in the empire"

A booming voice resounded in the estate before Huang Fan, his son, and some elders of the Huang Clan entered the clan estate.

"You flatter me, senior, I am just an inexperienced kid.

To happy cooperation"

Saying that Long Chen raised his cup and toasted to the Huang Clan people.

Huang Fan toasted back and the two had a jovial conversation.

From the corner of his eye, Long Chen noticed an ordinary-looking man was snooping around.

At the moment their eyes met he whispered something inaudibly before he disappeared.

Apart from Long Chen, no one else noticed him coming leaving.

"Brother Long the Grand Xia competition would be in your bag if you were given a year or two more. I suggest you don't let your guard down"

Huang Guan suggested in a serious voice.

Long Chen nodded and agreed with Guan. Long Chen was aware that the Grand Xia competition would not be so simple especially considering the fact that this generation is arguably the most talented.

He will only truly understand the situation after he goes to the imperial capital.

"Ting-ting everyone" Long Chen rung his glass once.

"Everyone I am grateful that all of you made your way, especially to congratulate me.

Everyone my success is indicative of the fact that a lot of you can achieve your own greatness, the people of the 8 top cities are often told that we aren't equal to imperial capital folks.

I call that bullshit, there is a sky beyond a sky and heaven beyond heaven. Don't let anyone dull your ambitions based on your birth and talent".

There was a pin drop silence for a second before everyone broke into massive cheers.

"Yeah we will show them what we are capable of"

"Yeah we can"

A lot of young practitioners felt their blood boiling and some tears welling up in their eyes.

Only Huang Fan had a stiff smile on his face. He felt Long Chen might have gone too far with that statement. He was actively driving us vs them narrative with the top 8 cities and the imperial capital.

'This brat is too anxious…or maybe I have underestimated his appetite.

Well fuck it this is the pirate ship I have boarded, I wanna play risky for once'.

"Everyone I have been considering that we people often lack pills, thus halting our progress,

Recently our clan came in contact with an alchemist and I would like to show some pills, which I believe might be useful to y'all".