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The Mortal Emperor hadn’t arrived yet, and the Heavenly Emperor coughed, announcing the start of the banquet, preparing to bring on the musical performance.

Just in that brief moment, an ear-shattering dragon roar sounded from the sky.

Immediately afterward, a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon whirled within the clouds, swiftly flying toward the grand event.

As it got closer, everyone could finally see clearly that a person was sitting on the back of the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon.

Upon reaching the event, the Golden Dragon transformed into a poised young man, while the man who had been sitting on its back wore a long robe of dark hue embroidered with golden dragon patterns. His tall, lofty figure, paired with a cool and noble demeanor, made him appear quite majestic.

"Quan Shaoqing greets the Heavenly Emperor, I hope everyone has been well."

A deep, husky voice, alluring and sensual.

Everyone turned to look at Quan Shaoqing. It seemed that, in an instant, no one could avert their eyes.

For in the entire world, they had never seen such a handsome and attractive man.

His ink-black hair was like a waterfall, his skin fair, the arch of his delicate eyebrows like smoke, and a pair of deep black eyes were as profound as the ocean, yet sparkled like gemstones. His pale, thin lips were tightly pressed, with a subtle smile at the corners, making him seem inscrutable.

His features were proportionate just right, exhibiting the masculine vigor of a man while being refined enough to be unforgettable.

The innate elegance and cool, noble aura he carried had everyone present entranced by his extraordinary charm, unable to snap out of it.

The Heavenly Emperor was slightly startled, for he felt this young man before him seemed familiar!

Exactly why he seemed familiar, he could not recall at the moment.

"The Mortal Emperor is late, I suppose he should punish himself with three cups," the Heavenly Emperor chuckled and said.

Quan Shaoqing nodded slightly to the crowd, then seated himself beside Crown Prince Ya.

Now that everyone had arrived, the banquet officially commenced.

Until the high note of a musical instrument sounded, bringing the dazed crowd back to reality.

When Lan Xi came to her senses, the cup in her hand fell to the ground.

Meanwhile, Mi Xi also widened her eyes in shock, nearly dropping her eyeballs.

The Mortal Emperor before them looked exactly like Shaoqing.

Two thousand years ago, he used his life to exchange for Primordial Grass.

Could he have been reincarnated?

"Ah Qing!" Lan Xi was initially dazed, then a look of great joy surfaced on her face.

She was about to get up and walk towards Quan Shaoqing when Mi Xi grabbed her sleeve directly, making her fall back into her seat.

"Junior Sister, don’t get excited!" Mi Xi hurriedly explained, "First, make sure he is Shaoqing; what if he isn’t? It would be embarrassing if he doesn’t recognize you."

"Impossible, he must be Shaoqing. I won’t mistake it; he’s holding the Heavenly Sword." Lan Xi’s face was full of surprise and delight, her gaze fixated on Quan Shaoqing, unable to look away.

"Calm down, now’s the time for the banquet. You can meet him in private later." Mi Xi thought that if Shaoqing was reincarnated as the Mortal Emperor, it’s possible.

If Lan Xi rushed over to recognize him now, Shaoqing, of course, wouldn’t know her.

At this moment, Lan Xi’s gaze also attracted Shaoqing’s attention.

As their eyes met in the air, Lan Xi immediately waved happily at him, warmly calling out, "Ah Qing, you’ve been missing for two thousand years, today I finally see you again."

Quan Shaoqing raised an eyebrow secretly, feeling that the girl before him was extraordinarily beautiful, yet her familiar manner seemed odd to him. "Miss, you might have mistaken me for someone else. My lord is only twenty thousand years old."

"Twenty thousand years?" Lan Xi was stunned. Then he’s not her Ah Qing!

Her Ah Qing would never call her "Miss", nor would he not recognize her.

It was then the Heavenly Emperor started introducing the array of deities to Quan Shaoqing.

"Goddess Palace, the Divinity-wielding Your Highness Lan Xi." The Heavenly Emperor pointed at Lan Xi to explain to Quan Shaoqing.

Quan Shaoqing looked at Lan Xi, giving a slight bow, very polite, yet with a touch of icy reserve.

Lan Xi’s hand gripped the wine cup a little stiffly, only slightly nodding back to Quan Shaoqing.

"Demon Lord Gu Mo!"

"And this is Underworld King Buqiao."

It was Quan Shaoqing’s first visit to the celestial realm, and the Mortal Emperor’s desolation over these years made it his first time sitting equally with several lords.

Quan Shaoqing slightly bowed to all, and the other lords politely returned the courtesy.

For a while, everyone got along very harmoniously.

The singing and dancing commenced; Lan Xi was absent-minded, a sourness unexpectedly rising in her heart.

If he isn’t Ah Qing, then why does he possess Ah Qing’s Heavenly Sword?

If he is Ah Qing, why doesn’t he recognize her anymore?

Two thousand years ago, Ah Qing and Mi Xi went together to seek medicine. Why did only Mi Xi come back?

"Senior Brother... are you hiding something from me?" Lan Xi tilted her head, her gaze steadily landing on Mi Xi.

Mi Xi’s heart thumped rapidly a few times.

Indeed, he had lied to Lan Xi.

"Junior Sister, some words I’ll personally explain to you after the banquet," Mi Xi said awkwardly.

Lan Xi was preoccupied and distracted.

The young dragon clan member sitting behind Quan Shaoqing watched Lan Xi with playful interest.

"Master, I think the Your Highness from the Goddess Palace has taken a liking to you," Zhi Yi from the Dragon Clan whispered to Quan Shaoqing with a laugh.

Quan Shaoqing glared at Zhi Yi, softly reprimanding, "Stop fooling around; she’s merely mistaken me for an old acquaintance."

"But her gaze towards that old acquaintance is different though! Perhaps you are indeed her old friend." Zhi Yi chuckled, returning to his seat to continue munching on a peach.

The Heavenly Emperor made many perfunctory remarks; in short, this banquet aimed for peace, hoping the powers would form friendly ties.

During the banquet, Cui Luo also displayed her elegant dance skills to everyone.

Everyone present was deeply attracted by her beautiful dancing.

However, Cui Luo occasionally stole glances at Quan Shaoqing, her shy gestures full of admiration.

Lan Xi felt somewhat uncomfortable watching but consoled herself that the man before her wasn’t her Ah Qing, which made her feel somewhat better.

The banquet went on for most of the day; Lan Xi felt downcast, drank quite a bit, and eventually got drunk.

Lan Xi, rubbing her dizzied head, stood from her seat, saying to the Heavenly Emperor, "Your Majesty, Lan Xi may be slightly drunk. Let my Senior Brother accompany me to the garden to sober up."

"Go ahead!" The Heavenly Emperor naturally wouldn’t say much. This banquet aimed to let everyone have fun and to foster relations among the major forces.

So Lan Xi, supported by Mi Xi, left early.

Outside the Imperial Garden, the scenery was pleasant, it was the season of cherry blossoms in full bloom, spring filled the garden, petals drifting in the air.

Lan Xi sat beneath a cherry blossom tree, her gaze directly on Mi Xi.

In truth, there were matters that even if she didn’t ask, it didn’t mean she was oblivious.

Mi Xi didn’t tell her where Shaoqing went; perhaps he had perished back then.

The Heavenly Sword fell into the mortal world, inherited by the next Mortal Emperor.

Mi Xi felt at this point if he continued to deceive her, he clearly couldn’t carry on.

"Two thousand years ago, Shaoqing and I went to find the Primordial Grass together. But that Primordial Grass could only be taken by trading life for it; otherwise, it couldn’t be taken away.

Shaoqing chose to use his life in exchange.

He said he was a mere mortal; after dying, he could be reincarnated.

He asked you not to be sad, saying in a few years, he would come back to find you. "