Brilliant lights, lavish food, fine wine. When all those elements gathered together, they created one of the highest-level banquets on the continent. Wu Ling, dressed in formal attire, was unquestionably the protagonist of that night.
After refusing yet another invitation to dance from a young lady, Wu Ling carried a glass of wine out to the balcony, slightly bored.
Looking at the bright moon in the sky, Wu Ling murmured to himself, "No matter how I look at it, as someone who was half a shut-in in my past life, I still do not fit this kind of banquet. And according to the usual plot development, should the heroine appear now?"
As soon as Wu Ling finished speaking, a voice sounded behind him.
"Brother Wu Ling, it has been several years. Not only have you become Holy Son, but your strength has also grown even more unfathomable."
The voice was so crisp and pleasant that one felt happy just hearing it. Wu Ling did not even need to turn around to know who it was.
"Hahaha. Brother Xue, I hope you have been well. No, I should call you Crown Prince now."
As he spoke, Wu Ling smiled and raised his glass toward Xue Qinghe, who had come to stand beside him.
Xue Qinghe politely raised his glass in return, then leaned on the railing beside Wu Ling.
"Drinking alone beneath the moon. Brother Wu Ling has fine taste.
"Add your handsome appearance, powerful strength, and mysterious creative ability, and it is no wonder the Pope's second disciple, Poison Sage's granddaughter, and several other young ladies all wanted to invite you to dance. If I were a girl, I would probably be so charmed I lost my soul."
Hearing Xue Qinghe tease him, Wu Ling instead sensed a faint trace of jealousy.
"Brother Xue is joking. They are only acquaintances."
Hearing Wu Ling actually explain himself for once, Xue Qinghe's smile brightened a little.
The two chatted back and forth for a while. Once enough time had passed, Xue Qinghe stopped at the proper point. To prevent outsiders from thinking they were especially close, he finished the last of his wine and used that as an excuse to leave Wu Ling's side.
Of course, that excuse was not for Wu Ling. It was for people like Alistair Jewel.
Xue Qinghe's current identity as crown prince was sensitive. That was clear from the fact that many young ladies at the banquet dared invite Wu Ling to dance, but none dared invite Xue Qinghe.
In terms of status, Crown Prince Xue Qinghe and Spirit Hall's Holy Son Wu Ling were roughly equal. But in most people's eyes, Spirit Hall was still an organization, while the Polaris Empire was a true state power.
Dancing with Wu Ling was not a big problem. Admiring the strong was the nature of Spirit Masters.
But if a woman danced with Xue Qinghe, then she would be marked with the Polaris Empire's label.
This might also be a product of the continent's conservative thinking. Such matters were not spoken of openly, but in certain people's minds, once that woman was mentioned, they would begin guessing at her relationship with the Polaris Empire.
The same applied even to men.
For example, "Why are you always staying by the crown prince of the Polaris Empire? What, you think the crown prince is a good person? Hmph. You are just coveting his status. How low."
Of course, Alistair Jewel was different. He was the crown prince's teacher, and that relationship had already been brought into the open. He could stay as long as he wished.
Indeed, Alistair Jewel had been paying attention to the balcony the entire time. His target, however, was not Xue Qinghe. It was Wu Ling, who still stood there.
"Your Highness, you seem to have a good relationship with His Highness the Holy Son," Alistair Jewel said to Xue Qinghe after he returned.
Xue Qinghe reacted instantly. A trace of admiration appeared on his face.
"His Highness the Holy Son and I got along at first sight. That also has something to do with us having known each other several years ago.
"Still, although I thought highly of him back then, the speed of his growth truly surprised me."
Alistair Jewel did not doubt him. After all, this was the crown prince he had taught for several years. Naturally, he trusted him completely. After asking a few more questions about Wu Ling's habits and preferences, Alistair Jewel took a glass of wine and walked over.
"Your Highness is so young, yet you already possess such strength. Fengzhi's horizons have truly been broadened."
Alistair Jewel was very clever. He did not approach Wu Ling as an elder. Instead, he placed Wu Ling on the same level as himself, and his tone carried sincere respect beneath its calmness.
Being able to defeat Spirit Meisters and even Spirit Leaders without using his Martial Soul truly deserved that respect.
After the two chatted for a few lines, Alistair Jewel suddenly asked, "May I ask a presumptuous question? What are Your Highness's current age and Spirit Power level? Of course, if it is inconvenient to say, please treat it as if I never asked."
Generally speaking, asking a person's Spirit Power level shortly after meeting them was extremely rude. It could even lead to breaking ties on the spot. Alistair Jewel naturally knew this. But Xue Qinghe had told him about Wu Ling's personality, and after their brief exchange, he decided to test him directly. If it succeeded, excellent. If it failed, it did not matter much. They did not have any personal relationship to damage. Later, he could use gifts and favors to close the distance, and the matter would pass.
Wu Ling's eyes remained on the star-filled night sky. Hearing Alistair Jewel's question, he casually answered, "Fifteen. Spirit Power level fifty-six."
Even though Alistair Jewel had made predictions, this astonishing combination still made his eyes tighten slightly. A moment later, he recovered.
"A Spirit Leader's realm, combined with that level of technique. Below the Spirit King tier, this Holy Son may have no opponent." After estimating Wu Ling's strength inwardly, Alistair Jewel continued drawing the conversation along.
Five minutes later, the real purpose arrived.
"Your Highness's spirit tools have truly amazed the entire continent. For us support-type Spirit Masters especially, their impact is of the utmost importance. For this alone, on behalf of all support-type Spirit Masters, please accept my bow."
As he spoke, Alistair Jewel bowed to Wu Ling. Several people at the banquet saw the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect bowing toward Spirit Hall's Holy Son. Shocked, they began guessing what the two were discussing.
Wu Ling simply watched Alistair Jewel bow there, neither accepting nor refusing.
"Sect Master Jewel, no matter what, you are the master of a sect. Do not act so fake. If you want something, say it directly. I believe in equivalent exchange. If your terms move me, agreeing is not impossible."
Listening to Wu Ling, Alistair Jewel straightened without the slightest embarrassment. The smile on his face was so radiant that it seemed as if he had not been the one bowing just now. Inwardly, however, he had already begun cursing.
"It is exactly as Qinghe said. This Wu Ling is a pure martial artist and Spirit Master. He cares very little about etiquette and ceremony. Forget him, this is the first time I have bowed and no one stopped me or helped me up."
Alistair Jewel quickly adjusted his mood and spoke with extreme sincerity.
"Your Highness, to celebrate support-type Spirit Masters being strengthened through your help, I sincerely invite you to visit our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, so I may host you properly."
To be honest, I am not good at writing daily banquet chapters. Also, several readers said these recent chapters feel a little watery, so I will not dwell on the details. These transition chapters will pass quickly.