Chapter 1078: Princess's Banquet Invitation

After Ye Liuyun and the others emerged, Yuan Datou immediately took out the primordial pill of the Fifth Creation realm and tossed it to the old ape.

"Now I can leave, right? I'll come back once I reach the Fifth Creation realm!" Yuan Datou said proudly.

The old ape glanced at the Fifth Creation primordial pill and asked Ye Liuyun for confirmation: "Did he obtain this himself?"

Ye Liuyun nodded in confirmation.

The old ape still said, "I somehow don't believe it!"

Seeing this, Yuan Datou lifted his iron staff and struck directly at the old ape's front.

The swing was plain, with no flourish, pure release of force.

"Boom," Yuan Datou's strike smashed a deep pit into the ground before the old ape.

The old ape inspected the pit, then nodded, carefully pocketed the pill, and asked Yuan Datou, "It was Ye Liuyun who taught you the staff technique, right?"

"Um... he gave me some suggestions, and I refined it myself!" Yuan Datou said somewhat embarrassed.

Ye Liuyun thought inwardly, "Even the old ginger is still sharp! The old ape could tell at a glance that I instructed Yuan Datou!"

The old ape smiled at Ye Liuyun and said, "I originally wanted the kid to figure it out on his own, to see when he would awaken!"

"Well... that was me meddling!" Ye Liuyun quickly bowed to apologize.

"No problem! It's bound to happen sooner or later anyway!" The old ape was unperturbed.

He only instructed Ye Liuyun, "After Yuan Datou leaves, he'll rely on you for extra care! Keep an eye on him, lest he cause trouble."

Ye Liuyun instantly felt the old ape's trust, which put great pressure on him.

"What I do is dangerous; I'm afraid if I can't look after him, Yuan Datou might slip up. Perhaps he should stay and train a while longer!" Ye Liuyun suggested to the old ape.

"Boss, you can't do that! You tricked me back and now won't let me go! Old ape, it's all your fault! I was fine, why do I need his care?" Yuan Datou protested.

"Hahaha! Right, it's all my fault!" the old ape admitted it was a bit excessive.

"Go ahead, if you want to become accomplished, you must venture out. If you're killed, I'll personally avenge you."

The old ape said generously.

"Now that's more like it!" Yuan Datou was finally satisfied.

Ye Liuyun also promised the old ape, "I will do my utmost to keep Yuan Datou safe!"

"Hmm, I absolutely trust you! You go, young ones, you must go out and explore! Back in the day..."

Yuan Datou didn't wait for the old ape to finish, and grabbed Ye Liuyun and ran.

"Hurry, if he starts talking, he'll go on for a day and night without end!"

"That stinky kid..." the old ape chuckled, watching Yuan Datou and Ye Liuyun run off, feeling very pleased that Yuan Datou had made a good friend.

Bai Hu and Shi Yuan, seeing the old ape not angry, dared to follow Ye Liuyun and the others.

After returning to the entrance to the secret realm of Jueqing Valley, Ye Liuyun placed the others into the Space World, said farewell to Lan Wangxin, and then directly teleported back to the Feng Clan residence.

He had just returned when he heard shouting and scolding outside.

He immediately went out to investigate.

It turned out that the Second Elder was shouting at a maid.

"What's wrong?" Ye Liuyun asked, puzzled.

"Eh, you're in the room?" the Second Elder was startled.

The maid also stared in disbelief, eyes wide.

"Oh, I just got back. Is there something?" Ye Liuyun said without further explanation.

The Second Elder immediately thought Ye Liuyun might possess a treasure that enables spatial movement, so he didn't ask further.

Martial Cultivators each have their own secrets and Trump Cards; even if he asked, Ye Liuyun would not tell him.

"Someone from the palace just delivered an invitation, inviting you to a banquet at the palace."

The Second Elder said, handing Ye Liuyun an invitation.

It turned out that after the Second Elder collected the invitation for Ye Liuyun, he couldn't locate Ye Liuyun, so he blamed the maid.

The invitation only listed the banquet's location and time.

The handwriting was indeed Xia Tianqiong's, but Ye Liuyun had not received any prior message from Xia Tianqiong.

"This invitation wasn't given to me by Xia Tianqiong! Someone must have forged her handwriting, or she's being controlled!"

Ye Liuyun immediately realized something was wrong.

The Second Elder continued, "Prince Ye, do you intend to attend the banquet? If so, I can arrange a carriage and find someone to guide you."

Ye Liuyun nodded, "Then I'll trouble you, Second Elder!"

Regardless, Ye Liuyun had to go and see the situation.

His split self had already begun using Transmission Talismans to contact Xia Tianqiong and Ling Shuang, but neither replied.

"It seems the two are being controlled; this must be Emperor Xia wanting to see me! I'll go meet him!"

Ye Liuyun made up his mind and returned to his room to start preparing.

Then he recalled the Fourth Prince and immediately contacted him.

"Come if you're invited. Don't worry, nothing will happen to you!" the Fourth Prince said simply, then fell silent.

Ye Liuyun instantly understood that something was definitely amiss, and the Fourth Prince was unwilling to explain.

Ye Liuyun had no choice. Emperor Xia wanted to find him, and he couldn't escape, so he might as well face it calmly.

He put on the divine artifact protective garment, and his split self had also prepared a scepter, ready to release poison at any time.

Just as night fell, the maid came to remind Ye Liuyun that it was time to set out.

Ye Liuyun boarded the carriage the Feng Clan had prepared for him and hurried toward the palace.

Entering the palace required passing through a dedicated Teleportation Array.

Ye Liuyun presented the invitation and was then granted entry.

So tight, I'd say getting out once you're in won't be easy!

Ye Liuyun kept the route in mind, but after seeing the teleportation array, he knew that once he entered the imperial palace, fighting his way out would be as hard as climbing to heaven.

After leaving the teleportation array, they arrived directly in front of the imperial palace gate.

Immediately, guards came up to designate where to park the carriage, then they took Ye Liuyun into the palace. Others could only wait outside.

The imperial palace guards' cultivation level wasn't high; they were all Zao Hua Realm imperial guards.

But Ye Liuyun clearly felt that powerful divine senses were sweeping back and forth.

According to that density, on the stretch just inside the palace gate, there were at least twenty-plus Martial Cultivators at the mid-to-late Earth Sovereign realm hiding in the dark.

The guards led Ye Liuyun to the banquet hall, handed him over to the attendants here, then withdrew, and the attendants brought Ye Liuyun inside.

Before they even entered the door, Ye Liuyun saw Ling Shuang.

Ling Shuang also immediately went up to meet him.

Seeing Ling Shuang safe and sound, even smiling, Ye Liuyun felt a bit confused.

"I thought you guys were imprisoned!"

"No imprisonment, but as soon as we came back, our transmission talismans were all taken away!" Ling Shuang smiled, had the attendant go receive others, and she accompanied Ye Liuyun.

"What on earth is going on?" Ye Liuyun asked Ling Shuang.

"It's a good thing!" Ling Shuang still kept them in suspense.

Seeing her so relaxed, Ye Liuyun also relaxed quite a bit.