Shou’an coughed softly as everyone turned to him, straightening his crown. “Junior Wu Liang Shou’an.”
“Ah, a disciple of the Celestial Lord Yuzhen,” the Yiren King’s expression softened. “Indeed, the selection method for the third Heart Fire’s host was personally determined by the Jin Yao Celestial Throne. Does Shou’an have doubts?”
“I would not dare,” Shou’an quickly replied, “It’s just that the Wu Tong Martial Banquet has always been a competition between celestials and demons. This time, however, the people of the Foreign City are involved, which puzzles me, so I dared to ask…”
Under the Yiren King’s gaze, Shou’an’s voice trailed off, his once-proud face paling as a thin layer of cold sweat formed on his forehead. The oppressive aura from the throne was palpable, causing an immediate silence in the hall.
The celestial and demon disciples couldn’t help but scoff inwardly. While the Yiren race might be looked down upon, the Yiren King was nonetheless a ruler at the pinnacle of power, only a step away from demigodhood. For Shou’an to challenge the Yiren King so openly, he must have had more courage than sense.
Just as the tension was about to reach a breaking point, a sigh came from the throne, and the atmosphere in the hall relaxed slightly as the Yiren King spoke.
“Wu Liang’s curiosity is shared by many of you, I imagine. In truth, the Wu Tong Martial Banquet was set in the Foreign City at my request to the Jin Yao Celestial Throne. Today, as I see so many of you here, I cannot help but feel envious. The talent among the young celestials and demons is like waves surging from the sea, while our Yiren race lags far behind.”
At these words, the audience was taken aback, looking at the Yiren King in unison.
“After tomorrow, I have decided to remove the boundary set around the Foreign City by Twilight Sovereign, allowing the Yiren to step into the world.”
The announcement was like a thunderclap, leaving the audience exchanging shocked glances.
Yiren are unable to cultivate spiritual energy and are viewed by celestials and demons as uncivilized. If not for the city’s protective barrier, they might have already faced extinction. Yet the Yiren King was planning to let them enter the world?
“Due to our origins, the Yiren cannot cultivate spiritual energy. Our younger generation, confined within the Foreign City, lacks the experience and cultivation that all of you possess. I am old, and someday the Foreign City will need to be led by our youth. This is why I petitioned the Jin Yao Celestial Throne to hold the Wu Tong Martial Banquet here, to give all of you a chance to visit the Foreign City and witness its people firsthand. The three realms have many misconceptions about the Yiren, seeing them as savage and violent. Through this banquet, I hope you will abandon such prejudices. In the future, when my people venture out into the world, I ask that you, for the sake of this connection, protect and assist them, rather than make their lives difficult.”
The Yiren King’s words, filled with earnestness, were directed at the entire hall. Now they understood why they had been invited into the Yiren King’s palace before the final selection of the Wu Tong Heart Fire’s host. The Yiren King sought to break the thousand-year-old standoff and secure a future for his people.
Bai Shuo gazed at the Yiren King, who seemed deeply worried. Could it be that she had misjudged him? The Yiren King’s sincere tone did not appear feigned. How could someone who cared so deeply for his people allow evil spirits to run rampant within the city? Perhaps he was unaware of the strange happenings in the Foreign City. Should she tell him about the demonic aura clinging to the crown prince?
“Your Majesty, your words are too kind. Should any Yiren walk the three realms in the future, Kunlun will certainly offer its protection.” In the hall, Bei Chen, who had remained aloof, suddenly spoke.
The Yiren King looked at the Kunlun sword cultivator. Seeing Bei Chen’s serious expression, his gaze softened slightly.
Nan Wan, surprised by Bei Chen’s unexpected show of support, muttered inwardly about his hypocrisy and quickly bowed. “Yun Xiao will also do the same.”
Others followed suit, and the Yiren King smiled, offering a toast in thanks.
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