Watching the expressions of the people around him, Yin Fengxue sneered with disdain. These people, Immortal Seekers just like me, are so immersed in Cultivation, seeking immortality, and chasing personal gain every day that they’ve long forgotten the ancient saying: "One cannot judge a person by their appearance, just as one cannot measure the sea with a bucket."

Wu Tian appeared frail, lacking even the strength to truss a chicken, but that was no true measure of his power. In Yin Fengxue’s opinion, Wu Tian’s strength was nearly on par with the absolute pinnacle of the Immortal Seekers.

Lin Fa noticed Yin Fengxue’s expression and chuckled. If Dad hadn’t seen Wu Tian in action himself, he’d probably hold the same ignorant views as these people.

"Brother Yin, is it not good for me to take him as my disciple?" the Heavenly King asked from the main seat, his voice firm and compelling. If I consume Wu Tian and absorb the Spirit Root inside his body, my power will surge dramatically. Then, it won’t be difficult for the Eastern Taizhong Palace to defeat the Heavenly Demon Palace.

"With all due respect, Heavenly King," Yin Fengxue said, "I think you should ask for his opinion first. Surely you can’t just decide someone is your disciple simply because you wish it, can you?"

The Heavenly King nodded in agreement. He didn’t think he would be refused and was confident Wu Tian would accept. His gaze fixed intently on Wu Tian as he said with a gentle smile, "Wu Tian, if you become my disciple, then when my time comes to pass, I will transfer all of my Yuan Force to you."

BOOM!

The statement hit the crowd like a bomb. To transfer one’s Yuan Force to another before death would subject the giver to immense pain, resulting in the utter annihilation of their soul. Some ancient Cultivation records even stated that one who did this could never be reborn.

No one had expected the Heavenly King would make such an offer to convince Wu Tian to become his disciple. How could this be possible? After all, even a dying father would be unwilling to endure such agony to transfer his Yuan Force to his own son. Yet the Heavenly King made such an offer? How... how could this be possible?

At that moment, everyone in the great hall stared at Wu Tian in unison. They couldn’t see anything special about him beyond his handsome features. What was it that made Yin Fengxue take notice of him and prompted the Heavenly King to make such a monumental decision? 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Dong Bai also found it strange. He respected his master greatly, but he knew his master was not a selfless or generous person who put others before himself.

"You may answer me now," the Heavenly King said, before being unable to resist adding, "Of course, think it over carefully. An opportunity like this is incredibly rare, a chance that comes once in a thousand lifetimes."

Feeling the gaze of the Heavenly King and the stares of the people around him, Wu Tian sneered with disdain. "First, I couldn’t care less about the position of next Palace Master of the Eastern Taizhong Palace.

"Second, I have no interest in your lifetime’s worth of Yuan Force.

"Third, you, Heavenly King, are not worthy to stand before me and be called my master.

"Have I made myself clear?"

BOOM!

As Wu Tian finished speaking, the entire hall exploded into a chaotic uproar. Everyone, from the disciples of the Eastern Taizhong Palace to the other guests, could hardly believe what they had just heard.

Wu Tian’s words were arrogant! His speech was outrageous! None of the people present, not even the leaders of the various sects, had ever encountered someone so brazenly insolent! What was the Heavenly King’s status? What was this place? What kind of birthday banquet was this? How could Wu Tian dare to act this way?

Everyone thought he had to be insane. Not only was he arrogant, but he had also rejected such an incredible offer! This man wasn’t just insane; he was an idiot.

Only Yin Fengxue, Lin Fa, and Qin Yuhan remained calm, as they felt Wu Tian’s words were perfectly reasonable. To anyone else, the Heavenly King’s offer was a generous gift, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. But to Wu Tian, it was nothing at all.

On the main seat, the Heavenly King was also baffled. He couldn’t understand why Wu Tian would refuse. It was completely illogical! Why would anyone reject such an opportunity?

"Since you don’t want to be my Direct Disciple, then what are you doing here?" the Heavenly King asked.

"I seek the methods of Cultivation," Wu Tian stated plainly. He didn’t want to simply learn them, but to build upon their foundation, further refining and integrating them with his Mystical Fantasy System.

"Haha, that’s simple enough," the Heavenly King said, feigning agreeability. "Stay behind after the banquet, and I will give them to you." As soon as he stays, I’ll extract his Spirit Root! I can’t delay any longer. I can’t let anyone else get their hands on Wu Tian and that other little one.

For now, however, it was more important to divert everyone’s attention and keep them from dwelling on the matter. "Everyone, today is my one-thousandth birthday. Let’s set aside these trivial matters for now." He then smiled slightly and continued, "A birthday should be a joyous and lively occasion! Elders, have you made the necessary arrangements?"

The Great Elders exchanged a glance and nodded, confirming they were prepared. "We have invited Guli Weileng, a very popular actress from the Surface World’s entertainment industry who starred in ’Three Lifetimes.’ She will be out shortly to perform a song and dance for everyone."

Some of the people from the Underground World had been to the Surface World, so they knew of Guli Weileng. Her portrayal of Jiu’er in ’Three Lifetimes’ was particularly beloved. At the announcement, some of the men under five hundred years old grew visibly excited.

"Excellent! The Eastern Taizhong Palace has made wonderful arrangements!"

"This is truly an extraordinary birthday banquet! We wish the Palace Master ten thousand years, another ten thousand years, and ten thousand times ten thousand years!"

"We wish the Palace Master ten thousand years, another ten thousand years, and ten thousand times ten thousand years!"

"We wish the Palace Master ten thousand years, another ten thousand years, and ten thousand times ten thousand years!"

The crowd shouted their birthday wishes in unison.

The Heavenly King, seated on his grand throne, was very pleased. Even so, his gaze still drifted back toward Wu Tian and the little one from time to time. He was determined to obtain the Spirit Roots of both individuals.

「The Plaza of the Eastern Taizhong Palace」

A high stage had already been constructed, and the entire plaza was decorated to the scale of a Surface World concert. A large poster of Guli Weileng hung prominently. The actress on the poster possessed an exotic charm. Her facial features were exquisite, and she looked both cute and enchanting, like a Fairy who had descended to the Mortal Realm.

Many guests had already followed the Heavenly King out to the plaza. Wu Tian walked alongside Lin Fa and the others.

Lin Fa suddenly thought of something and turned to ask Yin Fengxue, "Didn’t you say that people from the Surface World without the right qualifications or bloodline are forbidden from knowing about the Underground World’s existence? How could they invite Guli Weileng?"

"This..." Yin Fengxue hesitated before finally explaining. "Some people from the Surface World have indeed been to the Underground World, but their memories are erased afterward. Of course, we Immortal Seekers are not perfectly skilled in this kind of Daoist Magic. The process of erasing memories can also damage a person’s intellect, sometimes even turning them into an idiot."

Lin Fa was stunned. "But you told me the Eastern Taizhong Palace was a reputable and righteous sect!"

"Many powers in the Underground World do this, regardless of whether they are righteous or evil," Yin Fengxue said gravely. "It has become a tacitly accepted practice that no one dares to speak out against."