Chapter 436: Dragon Lance Duel

Chapter 436: Dragon Lance Duel

"Greetings, Princess Qing Wei." Ji Xinghuo nodded in response, neither flattering nor pretending to be cold. "I am Jin."

Tai Coban Qing Wei examined his face and said generously, "Congratulations on becoming the Dragon Lord! You look so different from the Apocalypse Dragon Festival, so I didn't recognize you at first. Please forgive me."

"It's alright," Ji Xinghuo said, unfazed.

"As the host, it's impolite of me not to recognize my guests." Tai Co Ban Qing Wei said softly, "Let me offer you a drink as an apology."

Seeing her insistence, Ji Xinghuo agreed.

"Aunt Lan, Jin, please take your seats."

Tai Coban Qing Wei led the two of them into the venue and, amidst everyone's gaze, seated them in the adjacent seats in the same row as hers. She picked up a cup of wine from her table and came to stand before Ji Xinghuo, raising her cup in salute.

"It's an honor to have the Dragon Festival champion attend my banquet." Tai Coban Qing Wei said with a charming smile, her voice carrying across the room, "Let's toast to the Enders!"

"To the Enders!"

Some guests raised their cups in response, but their voices were sparse and their acknowledgment lukewarm.

Tai Coban Qing Wei drained her cup in one swig.

Watching Ji Xinghuo drink as well, she said softly, "I'll go greet the other guests first. We'll chat later."

With that, she turned and walked away.

Ji Xinghuo sat down again and turned to the woman beside him, Tai Co Ban Lan. "Lan, what's going on?"

"What's there to explain? Qing Wei has always been like this, meticulous in her manners and graceful in her actions. That's why she's so well-liked. Don't tell me you're having impure thoughts?" Tai Co Ban Lan said with a smile that was not quite a smile.

Ji Xinghuo was left speechless.

However, he knew exactly what was going on.

When he had received the invitation in the afternoon, he had sensed something amiss and sought Tai Co Ban Lan's advice. Obviously, she had realized something but refused to divulge it, and now she was pretending to be clueless at the banquet.

Tai Coban Qing Wei's attitude towards him was clearly abnormal.

She was overly enthusiastic.

As the most favored princess of the Tai Co Ban family, she was not just a beauty but also exceptionally talented. As the darling of the Tai Co Ban Dragon King, her status and position were extremely prominent. How could she lower herself so much towards a man she was meeting for the first time?

Not to mention that he was ostensibly just a lowly Wilder.

His true identity as a True Dragon Man was not recognized by most, and the gap between their identities was like the difference between heaven and earth.

When something is amiss, there must be a demon!

Just then, a group of attendants brought over delicious dishes and placed them on the table before Ji Xinghuo, who didn't stand on ceremony and dug in.

He extended his electromagnetic sensing to probe the surroundings.

One by one, the guests began to arrive, all of them young elites of the Yuan Magnet Collar, mostly members of the Tai Co Ban family. Almost every one of them was a Dragon Lord, and among them were several top-notch Dragon Lords like Tai Co Ban Lan.

Tai Coban Qing Wei personally greeted each guest and seated them, taking the time to exchange a few pleasantries with each, leaving a favorable impression.

Gu Xingli also arrived and took a seat in the front row.

Soon after, Cang Ya, Caixia Blade of Dawn, and Wukuchalang, geniuses who had ranked within the top thirty in this Apocalypse Dragon Festival, arrived as well, and the atmosphere gradually became lively with the clinking of cups and the murmur of conversations.

Ji Xinghuo could sense that many of them had changed, their auras now carrying the power of the dragon veins.

However, they couldn't sense his dragon vein aura in return.

This was one of the suppressive effects of the Primordial Dragon Vein.

Tai Co Ban Lan occasionally sent electromagnetic signals, introducing Ji Xinghuo to the brilliant Dragon Lords of the Tai Co Ban family.

They were all core members of the Tai Co Ban family, and some of them had talents that rivaled hers.

For example, there was Tai Co Ban Huixue, who was slightly older than Tai Co Ban Lan. She had awakened her dragon veins at the age of five and also possessed a Tai Co Ban Dragon, though it was of the Shock class. The two of them were known as the unparalleled dual beauties of the Yuan Magnet Collar.

There was also Tai Co Ban Xu.

He had originally been an ordinary True Dragon Man, but during the Dragon Lord selection process, he had displayed astonishing combat talent and an incredible speed of cultivation, earning him the honor of being granted the Tai Co Ban surname and inducted into the family. Now, he was a Triple Heaven King.

Tai Co Ban Lan, Tai Co Ban Huixue, and Tai Co Ban Xu, all three of them possessed Tai Co Ban Dragons.

In addition, there was Tai Co Ban Zhenhe.

Among the younger generation, these four individuals of the Tai Co Ban family had the greatest talent and potential, and their reputations were the most resounding. However, they were not the strongest, as there was also a large group of Dragon Lords who had been at the Sixth Stage for many years.

Ji Xinghuo committed all these names to memory.

"Jin."

A figure descended from the sky and landed beside him.

Ji Xinghuo saw an extraordinarily handsome man with a well-proportioned physique and a gentle smile on his face—it was Tai Co Ban Zhenhe.

He nodded slightly, unsure how to address the other man. Tai Co Ban Zhenhe took the initiative to introduce himself, "Friends usually call me Zhenhe, or you can call me Xiaohe like Aunt Lan does." Then he smiled at Tai Co Ban Lan, "Aunt Lan."

Ji Xinghuo said, "Zhenhe."

He had a good impression of this peerless genius of the Tai Co Ban family. He was neither arrogant nor impatient, with a proud spirit that he never revealed.

"I heard that you took the Extinction Dragon Egg from the Dragon Nursery and plan to hatch it?" Tai Co Ban Zhenhe asked curiously.

Ji Xinghuo admitted, "That's right."

"What a waste." Tai Co Ban Zhenhe shook his head. "I actually had the same idea, but my father stopped me, and in the end, I could only choose the Tai Co Ban Dragon. I still wanted to enter the Dragon Nursery again if I had the chance, but you beat me to it."

Ji Xinghuo was a little surprised to learn that he wasn't the only one with his eyes on the Extinction Dragon Egg.

"I hope you can hatch it successfully." Tai Co Ban Zhenhe patted Ji Xinghuo's shoulder, his face serious.

"Hahahaha..."

Suddenly, someone burst out laughing.

Everyone looked at the person who was laughing. He was a man in armor, with short silver-gray hair like needles and a well-developed body that exuded explosive power. His features were sharp and his eyes were electric, giving off a very domineering aura.

Ji Xinghuo recognized him; it was Tai Co Ban Xu, one of the leading figures among the younger generation of the Tai Co Ban family, whom Tai Co Ban Lan had just introduced to him.

Tai Co Ban Xu did not hide his ridicule.

He pointed at Tai Co Ban Zhenhe with one finger and laughed loudly, "Zhenhe, I find that you really have a talent for humor. A dead egg, and you actually think you can hatch a dragon from it. Anyone who thinks like that is either still asleep or brainless!"

The faces of those present twisted in odd expressions.

The news that Ji Xinghuo had chosen the Extinction Dragon's dead egg from the Dragon Nursery had spread a few days ago.

People had just treated it as a joke and didn't take it to heart.

It was normal for those who lacked exposure to not understand.

Many people had overheard the conversation between Ji Xinghuo and Tai Co Ban Zhenhe earlier, and they were all stifling their laughter to give Tai Co Ban Qing Wei face.

Only Tai Co Ban Xu had laughed outright.

Although he was speaking to Tai Co Ban Zhenhe, every sentence was meant to mock and ridicule Ji Xinghuo for being a fool.

"Brother Xu, I'm not joking." Tai Co Ban Zhenhe shook his head. "I really think so."

"Hahahaha..." Tai Co Ban Xu was amused again.

He laughed so hard that he bent forward and backward, as if he had heard the most absurd joke in the world and couldn't stop. His unrestrained laughter echoed throughout the banquet and reached the lake, causing many passersby on the lakeshore to look up.

Everyone's eyes fell on Ji Xinghuo, and they thought that if it were them, they would feel incredibly embarrassed right now.

However, Ji Xinghuo's face remained calm, as if it had nothing to do with him.

"Brother Xu."

Tai Co Ban Qing Wei gave a soft rebuke, "Have you laughed enough?"

"Sorry!" Tai Co Ban Xu immediately stopped laughing, but his face still held a mocking expression. "Qing Wei, you know I'm usually a very upright person and I don't usually lose my composure like this, but I really couldn't help it."

Tai Co Ban Qing Wei stared at him, her eyes gradually turning cold.

"Alright, alright." Tai Co Ban Xu seemed a little afraid of her and quickly raised his hands in apology. "I was wrong. I'll punish myself with three cups."

The attendant at the table quickly filled three cups for Tai Co Ban Xu, which he drank in succession.

Seeing that he had softened, Tai Co Ban Qing Wei let it go.

The banquet resumed its atmosphere.

Soon, all the guests had arrived. Tai Co Ban Qing Wei brought with her a fragrant breeze as she sat down at the table next to Ji Xinghuo and asked softly, "Jing, are you alright?"

Ji Xinghuo seemed not to have understood, "I'm fine."

"Brother Xu didn't mean any harm. After the banquet, I'll introduce you to each other and clear up any misunderstandings." Tai Co Ban Qing Wei thought that Ji Xinghuo was just not holding a grudge on the surface but actually resented Tai Co Ban Xu in his heart.

"I don't have any misunderstandings with him." Ji Xinghuo shook his head indifferently. "Thank you for your concern, Princess Qing Wei, but please don't worry about it."

Seeing that he didn't seem to be lying, Tai Co Ban Qing Wei finally relaxed.

She stood up again.

Clang!

Tai Co Ban Qing Wei knocked on the jade plate on the table, and the crisp sound penetrated the venue, attracting everyone's attention.

"Everyone." Tai Co Ban Qing Wei said in a loud voice, "I am very honored to be able to invite all of you here tonight. First, to celebrate the successful conclusion of the End Dragon Ritual, and second, all of you are outstanding young talents of the Yuan Magnet Collar, and even the Empire can count on its fingers. It's rare for all of you to gather in Tai Huan City, and as the host, I should fulfill my duties as a host."

She raised her glass, "This first cup, let's toast to the End Dragon!"

"To the End Dragon!"

The guests all raised their glasses and responded in unison before drinking.

"The second cup, a toast to the King!"

"To the King!"

Tai Co Ban Qing Wei raised the third cup, and after drinking two cups in a row, she seemed a little drunk, with a rosy hue on her beautiful face, which was indescribably charming. However, her eyes remained clear and bright as she said, "The third cup, a toast to ourselves, may we ascend the Dragon Vein and witness the End together!"

"Ascend the Dragon Vein and witness the End together!"

Everyone shouted in unison, their voices shaking the clouds, their blood boiling, and then they drank the cup.

Tai Coban Qing Wei gracefully navigated through the guests with her wine cup in hand, seamlessly joining each circle and engaging in conversation. She was the epitome of a gracious host, ensuring everyone felt included without being overly attentive or neglecting anyone, thus expertly enhancing the festive ambiance.

Ji Xinghuo, however, had little interest in socializing. Like many others, he was simply there to enjoy the fine food and drink.

Not everyone was keen on mingling, and the other guests understood this, leaving him undisturbed.

Ji Xinghuo put down his wine cup and belched contentedly.

He then turned to look at the clone of Gu Xingli sitting a table away. The clone, representing the False Dragon Man, no longer had the distinctive twin horns on his head, and the scales on his neck had disappeared, making him indistinguishable from a true Dragon Man.

Ji Xinghuo asked, "Have you become a Dragon Lord already?"

"Yes," Gu Xingli casually nodded.

"What kind of dragon is it?"

"Sky Feather Dragon."

Upon hearing this answer, Ji Xinghuo was not surprised. The Sky Feather Dragon was one of the fastest flying dragons and belonged to the Celestial Dragon species. It was a perfect match for Gu Xingli, as one of his eight clones was a Dragon Warrior possessing the Sky Feather Dragon's bloodline.

Unless it was a Divine Dragon species, Gu Xingli would not choose a dragon species outside of his eight clones' bloodlines.

A crisp and refreshing voice sounded from behind, "If Gu Xingli has already become a Dragon Lord, where is your dragon, Ji Xinghuo?"

Ji Xinghuo turned to face the deep blue eyes of Cang Ya.

Standing beside Cang Ya was Caixia, Blade of Dawn, both women possessing beauty that rivaled Tai Coban Qing Wei's. However, as guests, they did not shine as brightly as the hostess, and an undercurrent of competition flowed between them.

Hearing Ji Xinghuo's words, Cang Ya couldn't help but speak up, and Caixia's attention shifted as well. She asked, "I heard you're incubating a dragon egg?"

Only when it came to targeting Ji Xinghuo did the two women form a united front.

"Are we that close?" Ji Xinghuo suddenly asked.

"Hmph."

Cang Ya was taken aback by the question.

Caixia furrowed her brows slightly, "Just asking out of curiosity." Her True Dragon language had a peculiar accent, her voice ethereal and melodious as if she were singing. As she spoke, her pointed ears twitched slightly, drawing attention.

"Since we're not close, nor are we friends, why should I tell you about my dragon? If you're dissatisfied with your ranking in the Apocalypse Dragon Festival, I'll gladly accept your challenge anytime," Ji Xinghuo retorted.

With that, he turned his back on them.

Cang Ya and Caixia were both left speechless, but upon further reflection, they felt a sense of dejection. They had both witnessed the final battle between Ji Xinghuo and Gu Xingli, and to be honest, they knew that both of them were stronger than themselves.

They knew they would lose if they challenged him.

At least until they reached the Sixth Stage, they understood that they stood no chance against Ji Xinghuo, and they didn't want to embarrass themselves.

"Just you wait!" Cang Ya glared at Ji Xinghuo's back, her determination burning within her.

Caixia's eyes also glinted with determination.

As the banquet reached its midway point, the atmosphere was at its peak when someone suddenly shouted, "With so many gifted young talents gathered here today, why don't we have a dragon lance duel right here? The dragon lance arena is just next door!"

"Great idea!" someone immediately agreed.

A Dragon Lord stood up and exclaimed, "As Dragon Lords, we should showcase our skills and add to the festivities! Let's face off on the backs of our dragons!"

"Makes sense!"

"Drinking is boring, let's have a dragon lance duel and see who is the true dragon among dragons!"

"I agree!"

The guests chimed in, quickly reaching a consensus. They all turned to the hostess, Tai Coban Qing Wei, awaiting her decision.

Tai Coban Qing Wei's gaze swept across the guests, lingering briefly on Ji Xinghuo, their eyes seeming to convey a hidden message. She then smiled and said, "Since everyone is in favor of the idea, I won't be a spoilsport. Let's have a dragon lance duel!"

"Yes!"

The Dragon Lords erupted in enthusiastic agreement.

At the same time, dragon roars reverberated throughout Tai Huan City, and before long, hundreds of dragons of various shapes and sizes flew in from the distant starry night, landing on the empty ground by the lake.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Above the oval-shaped artificial lake, thousands of giant floating crystal lights illuminated the night sky, turning it into daylight.

A light curtain rose, enclosing the entire lake.

The Dragon Lords were eager to showcase their skills.

A Sixth Stage Dragon Lord took the initiative and flew into the air, overlooking the banquet venue. He threw a pile of etheric crystals onto the table and excitedly announced, "I'll go first! I bet a thousand etheric crystals. Who's up for the challenge?"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end