Soon, the group of five arrived before the imperial palace.
When the palace guards heard that disciples of Hudao Academy had come, they hurriedly ran inside to report.
Moments later,
a middle-aged man, nearly three meters tall, with terrifying physical power pulsing through his body, came out.
This middle-aged man had coarse, rugged facial features, wore a golden crown, and his robes were embroidered with patterns of many Divine Beasts. Faintly, the sounds of beast roars and avian cries could be heard emanating from them.
This middle-aged man was the emperor of the Ten Thousand Beasts Empire.
By the emperor's side followed over a dozen princes and ministers.
"Welcome, young geniuses of Hudao Academy!"
Both the emperor and those princes and ministers were extremely warm and enthusiastic in their attitude.
Because the Ten Thousand Beasts Empire was merely a second-rate power within the Central Continent, while Hudao Academy was one of the top forces on the Tianxuan Continent.
Therefore, even though only a few disciples had arrived, the emperor and ministers of the Ten Thousand Beasts Empire did not dare to slight them.
The emperor welcomed Ye Yunfei and the other four into the palace, arranged accommodations for them, and then held a banquet in their honor.
During the feast, the emperor and all the civil and military officials of the Ten Thousand Beasts Empire participated, making the occasion extremely grand.
Among them, Dongguo Xiong was the most popular, being toasted in turn by the emperor and those officials, creating a very lively scene.
Furthermore, a large group of exquisitely beautiful and charming palace maidens stood in rows to serve them, like chattering orioles and swallows, the fragrance of various perfumes filling the air, making it a true gentle paradise.
The three senior disciples, emboldened by wine, constantly pawed at those palace maidens, embracing some on their left and others on their right.
Even Dongguo Xiong was no exception to this common indulgence, ordering several of the most ravishing maidens to attend to him closely, his hands roaming freely.
Only Ye Yunfei sat upright to one side, his eyes not straying, pouring and drinking his wine alone.
In fact, the emperor and those princes and ministers didn't pay much attention to Ye Yunfei either.
Because among the five disciples, Ye Yunfei's cultivation level was the lowest, being only at the early stage of the True Manifestation Realm.
Subconsciously, the emperor and those princes and ministers somewhat looked down on Ye Yunfei.
They focused most of their attention on Dongguo Xiong, constantly urging him to drink and striving hard to curry favor with him.
When the banquet was half over, suddenly, a tall and robust young man strode in.
"Haha, everyone, this is my eldest son, known as Prince Zhenshou.
Good boy, quickly greet the young geniuses from Hudao Academy!"
The emperor hurriedly introduced him.
After making polite remarks, Prince Zhenshou also took a seat at the banquet. His gaze kept sizing up Ye Yunfei, containing a hidden ferocity.
"This Prince Zhenshou seems hostile towards me."
Ye Yunfei noticed it immediately.
After several rounds of wine,
Prince Zhenshou threw a very subtle look to a large, powerfully built man standing by the side of the main hall.
The brawny man understood and abruptly stepped forward from the crowd.
"Five esteemed envoys from Hudao Academy, I am known as General Tuotianhu, a national guardian general of the Ten Thousand Beasts Empire. I am dedicated to the martial path. In my youth, I also dreamed of entering Hudao Academy.
Unfortunately, my aptitude was mediocre, thus I never qualified to enter Hudao Academy, a lifelong regret.
Today, five young geniuses have graced our humble country with your presence, I feel extremely moved.
I have an impertinent request. I would like to ask you five esteemed envoys to give me some pointers on my martial path."
The brawny man said in a clear, loud voice.
"Oh?"
Ye Yunfei and the other four were all taken aback, looking at the brawny man.
"Tuotianhu, what are you doing?
Do not be impudent!"
Even the emperor hurriedly said.
"Imperial Father, General Tuotianhu is truly a martial arts fanatic. Let these young geniuses from Hudao Academy give him some pointers. It can also add to the banquet's festivities. Why not do it?"
Prince Zhenshou said loudly.
"This subordinate is indeed a martial arts obsessive. Meeting five young geniuses from Hudao Academy today is a great honor. I hope the five young geniuses can give me some guidance."
General Tuotianhu added.
"Then which one of us would you like to instruct you?"
Dongguo Xiong asked blandly.
"I wish to ask for advice from this young genius!"
General Tuotianhu strode forward, pointing directly at Ye Yunfei, his gaze piercing.
Instantly, everyone's eyes fell on Ye Yunfei.
"Eh?"
Faced with General Tuotianhu's intense gaze, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but be startled.
"Haha, very well. Junior Brother Ye, go on and give him some instruction."
Dongguo Xiong said with a cold laugh.
That General Tuotianhu possessed strength at the mid-stage of the True Manifestation Realm!
Moreover, he was tall and robust, his muscles bulging with explosive power. His physical strength was surely terrifying.
In the eyes of everyone present, General Tuotianhu's combat prowess was undoubtedly greater than Ye Yunfei's!
Furthermore, as everyone knew, the true fighting power of warriors from the Ten Thousand Beasts Empire lay in their Warbeasts!
Every warrior had their own Warbeast, and the strength of a Warbeast was often even greater than that of the warrior themselves!
Yet now, he had specifically named Ye Yunfei for a challenge. This somewhat felt like bullying.
"Right, right. Junior Brother Ye, go and spar properly with this General Tuotianhu.
Remember, you must only win, not lose. You are a disciple of Hudao Academy. If you lose, it would be far too shameful."
The three senior disciples also urged in unison.
"Indeed.
Junior Brother Ye, you must not lose.
We disciples, when traveling outside, represent the entire Hudao Academy. So, even if you die, you cannot tarnish the reputation and dignity of our academy!"
Dongguo Xiong also said nonchalantly.
"Esteemed young genius, please grant me your instruction!"
General Tuotianhu appeared somewhat agitated, his eyes locked tightly on Ye Yunfei, seeming to burn with the flames of battle.
"Oh?"
The emperor and those princes and ministers also sensed something was off, especially seeing the attitudes of Dongguo Xiong and the three senior disciples, who seemed intent on excluding Ye Yunfei. They simply stopped trying to intervene.
Ye Yunfei's gaze swept coolly over General Tuotianhu. He understood now; someone must have instigated this, pushing General Tuotianhu to trouble him.
Otherwise, given his status as a Hudao Academy disciple, this General Tuotianhu shouldn't have provoked him on his own.
"Oh, someone wants to cause trouble for me and pushed you to the forefront?
Well, you should weigh your own capabilities. Acting recklessly on someone else's behalf has severe consequences."
Ye Yunfei looked calmly at General Tuotianhu and said evenly.
Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, General Tuotianhu's face stiffened.
"Junior Brother Ye, what do you mean?
Afraid?
We disciples of Hudao Academy travel the world without fear. I hope you will not disgrace our Hudao Academy!"
One of the senior disciples immediately spoke up.
This senior disciple was called Fang Tian.
Originally, General Tuotianhu had been instructed by Prince Zhenshou to deal with Ye Yunfei.
Unexpectedly, now, the senior disciples from Hudao Academy were forcing Ye Yunfei to fight.
Prince Zhenshou stood to the side, watching with relish.
"Junior Brother Ye, I heard that within the academy, you were quite the ruthless character. How come once you're outside, you've turned into a soft egg?"
Dongguo Xiong said with a cold sneer.
At this moment, Dongguo Xiong and the three senior disciples simultaneously shot subtle glances at Tuotianhu, hinting at encouragement.
Prince Zhenshou also signaled Tuotianhu with his eyes.
"Esteemed young genius from Hudao Academy, I humbly request your instruction!"
Tuotianhu steeled his heart and spoke to Ye Yunfei again, taking another step forward, his aura oppressive.
At this moment, Ye Yunfei had become the center of attention!