Sorry but I only accept female disciples!

"DEMON??!!"

Ming Yuelin screamed in shock and Xue Hua facepalmed herself, looking at her yelling.

"Senior Sister.. don't shout."

Ming Yuelin hurriedly closed her mouth and nodded her head "Hm... B-But a demon?"

Nodding her head, Xue Hua replied "Yeah.... I sensed a faint demonic energy while first I entered the palace."

Ming Yuelin frowned slightly "But what is a demon doing inside the Royal palace.. maybe it came in disguise to kill someone?"

"Maybe sent by the enemy spies to kill the King?"

Xue Hua shook her head "How can we tell? We can only guess... but the energy is so faint."

Zhang Yuan sat on his bed as he casually laid back "Don't fret about it... take a nap and we can see what is happening during the banquet."

"Hehe.." Smiling, Ming Yuelin hurriedly went beside him and hugged him "Master~"

Xue Hua was not bothered to see them so close, as she knew that this level of kinship was normal between Zhang Yuan and Ming Yuelin.

...

The grand doors of the royal palace creaked open, as Zhang Yuan, Ming Yuelin, Xue Hua, Jin Wei, and Chen Zin, entered the lavish banquet hall.

The room was filled with the warm glow of golden chandeliers, and the rich aroma of food wafted through the air.

Nobles, ministers, and esteemed guests filled the vast hall, their chatter quieting as the group made their way in.

Ming Yuelin's eyes sparkled as she took in the splendor of the royal banquet. "Wow... This is incredible," she whispered, nudging Zhang Yuan.

The hall was opulent, with high ceilings decorated in detailed frescoes, long tapestries draped along the walls, and the finest linens covering tables.

At the far end of the hall sat King Tian Ming, ruler of the Northern Bei Kingdom.

Standing beside him were the Queen and two young men, the princes of the kingdom.

As soon as the group entered, the King rose to his feet, raising a hand to address the hall.

"Welcome, heroes of Pearl City!" King Tian Ming's voice boomed with a powerful but welcoming tone.

"You stand here today not just as esteemed guests of the kingdom but as saviors of our people! For it is through your bravery and skill that the beast tide was defeated, and our lands spared from destruction!"

The hall erupted in applause, the sound of cheers and admiration filling the air.

Nobles and ministers alike clapped and nodded in approval, their faces filled with gratitude and respect.

Zhang Yuan sighed in his heart 'It is just killing some beasts and he is throwing a party like this...'

"Please," the King gestured toward the grand table at the center of the room, "take your seats as honored guests. Tonight, we celebrate not just your victory but the hope you have restored to this kingdom."

Hearing his exaggeration, Ming Yuelin smiled dryly and all of them took their seats.

The table is filled with the finest porcelain dishes, gleaming silverware, and crystal goblets filled with the richest wines.

As they sat down, servants dressed in elegant uniforms began to move gracefully between the tables, offering trays of delicacies and pouring drinks.

Ming Yuelin, with a slight smirk, whispered to Xue Hua, "Do you think they'll have that roasted beast we tried last time? That was the best thing I've ever eaten!"

Xue Hua couldn't help but giggle faintly "I wonder..."

As they settled in, the King raised his glass, signaling for the room's attention once again.

"Let us drink to these heroes! Their deeds in defending our kingdom will not be forgotten!"

The clinking of glasses echoed across the hall as everyone drank in unison, toasting the saviors of the Northern Bei Kingdom.

The guests began to murmur in admiration, some rising from their seats to approach the table where the five heroes sat.

As the banquet progressed, more sect leaders, ministers, and nobles came to speak with the heroes.

Each praised their actions during the beast tide, their words filled with respect and admiration.

The banquet continued, servants gracefully weaved between the tables, serving dishes of roasted meats, glazed vegetables, and exotic fruits.

Wine flowed freely, and the atmosphere was filled with laughter and conversation.

The royal orchestra played soft music in the background, setting a tone of celebration and camaraderie.

At one point, the King stood once again, his expression serious but filled with warmth. "This banquet is not just for celebration but to remind us all of the strength that lies within unity. These brave warriors are a testament to what we can achieve when we stand together."

He paused, raising his glass once more. "To the continued prosperity and safety of the Northern Bei Kingdom!"

The hall erupted in cheers once again, and the feast carried on late into the night.

Sect leaders, ministers, and nobles continued to approach Zhang Yuan and his companions, offering their praise and words of admiration.

Chen Zin clicked her tongue. 'All this for killing some beasts? This is really getting annoying now.'

Meanwhile, Xue Hua's eyes darted around the room trying to find the source of the dark energy she felt during the afternoon.

After taking a good look, she sighed in her heart 'No, none of these in the room is the demon...'

As she was contemplating, the huge door opened again and Zhang Yuan turned his eyes to look at the handsome middle aged man who just entered in.

The man's cold eyes swept over the people who were sitting in the grand hall and Tian Meng stood up from his seat.

He quickly walked toward the man and slightly bowed his head "Your Highness!"

The man, Long Xian, the Emperor of the Haoshu dynasty, gave a faint nod and uttered "Seems like the banquet is going well..."

Tian Meng hastily nodded his head and gestured his hand to the table where Zhang Yuan and the others were sitting "Your Highness, these are the people who saved the Pearl City from the beast tide."

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I hope you guys liked this chapter!