Chapter 4 – The Banquet of Ten Thousand Immortals

The Heavenly Realm had no concept of seasons.

Flowers bloomed without withering.

Snow fell only where it was admired.

The sun and moon shared the same sky whenever the Heavenly Emperor willed it.

Yet there was one day every thousand years that all immortals anticipated.

The Banquet of Ten Thousand Immortals.

It was not merely a feast.

It was a gathering where the rulers of the countless immortal domains came to pay their respects to Heaven.

This year...

It held even greater significance.

For the first time, the Crown Prince would appear before the Heavenly Realm.

---

Long before dawn, the Celestial Palace stirred with quiet activity.

Palace attendants walked through endless corridors of white jade, carrying robes woven from starlight and ornaments carved from heavenly crystal.

Inside the prince's chamber, three elderly attendants stood in respectful silence while the Moon Empress gently dressed her son herself.

"My Empress..."

One attendant bowed.

"We can attend to His Highness."

The Moon Empress smiled without looking up.

"You may."

"But today..."

She carefully adjusted the small collar around her son's robe.

"...allow me the privilege of being his mother."

The attendants immediately lowered their heads.

"As Your Majesty wishes."

The prince stood quietly upon a small platform.

His white hair had grown longer, reaching just below his shoulders.

His sapphire-blue eyes reflected the morning light like polished gems.

The robe chosen for him was simple by heavenly standards.

White silk embroidered with faint golden dragons.

No excessive jewels.

No dazzling crown.

Only a small jade pendant gifted by his mother rested against his chest.

He looked at himself in a mirror.

"...Do I really have to wear so many layers?"

The Empress laughed softly.

"One day, you shall wear armor heavier than these robes."

The boy sighed dramatically.

"I suddenly appreciate simple clothes."

Her laughter filled the room.

---

Outside...

The sound of celestial bells echoed throughout Heaven.

One by one...

Immortal sovereigns arrived.

Ancient dragons descended from the skies.

Phoenixes folded their brilliant wings upon palace terraces.

Cloud ships larger than mountains floated above the capital.

Each visitor was someone whose very name could shake lower realms.

Yet every one of them stepped down from their carriage before reaching the palace gates.

For within the Heavenly Palace...

None entered as equals.

All entered as subjects of Heaven.

---

The Hall of Supreme Harmony was vast beyond imagination.

Golden pillars supported a ceiling where entire constellations slowly revolved.

Rows upon rows of jade tables stretched into the distance.

Thousands of immortals had already taken their seats.

No one spoke loudly.

Even conversation carried restraint.

Then...

A voice announced,

"His Majesty, the Heavenly Emperor."

Every immortal stood.

The great doors opened.

The Heavenly Emperor entered with calm, measured steps.

Each movement carried effortless authority.

No aura was released.

No pressure descended.

Yet merely standing before him caused countless powerful immortals to lower their gazes instinctively.

He ascended the throne.

Only after he was seated did everyone else dare return to their places.

Moments later...

The herald's voice rang out once more.

"Her Majesty, the Moon Empress."

She entered with serene elegance.

At her side...

Walked the little Crown Prince.

The hall fell silent.

Some immortals had expected a proud child.

Others expected arrogance befitting Heaven's heir.

Instead...

They saw a young boy curiously observing everything around him while trying very hard not to stare.

His innocent expression made several elderly immortals smile.

"So..."

An old Immortal King whispered.

"This is the child whom Their Majesties treasure."

Another nodded.

"Indeed."

"His eyes resemble the heavens themselves."

---

The prince reached the foot of the throne.

He first bowed respectfully toward his father.

Then toward his mother.

Only afterward did he turn to face the gathered immortals.

The Heavenly Emperor's voice echoed through the hall.

"My son."

The prince looked up.

"Today, those gathered before you are the guardians of Heaven."

"They have protected countless worlds long before your birth."

"Offer them your respect."

The boy nodded earnestly.

He placed his small hands together and bowed.

"I greet all my honored seniors."

His voice was youthful.

Clear.

Sincere.

The entire hall remained quiet for a heartbeat.

Then...

An elderly immortal with a beard reaching his waist suddenly laughed warmly.

"Good!"

"A child who knows respect before power shall never lack followers."

Many immortals nodded in agreement.

---

As the banquet began, heavenly music drifted through the hall.

Immortal wines were poured.

Spirit fruits were served.

The prince looked curiously at a glowing peach resting upon his plate.

"May I?"

He glanced toward his mother.

The Moon Empress nodded.

"You may."

He took one careful bite.

His eyes widened immediately.

"...It's sweet!"

The nearby Immortal Kings couldn't help smiling.

He was still just a child.

---

Halfway through the banquet...

A commotion arose near the entrance.

A young man in crimson robes strode confidently into the hall.

He appeared no older than twenty.

His cultivation, however, radiated immense strength.

The herald frowned.

"Young Master Yan of the Vermilion Immortal Clan."

The young man offered only the slightest bow.

"My apologies."

"I was delayed."

Several elders exchanged glances.

To arrive late before the Heavenly Emperor...

And offer only such a shallow greeting...

It bordered on disrespect.

The Heavenly Emperor merely regarded him calmly.

"Be seated."

No anger.

No displeasure.

Only composure.

Yet the calmness itself made the hall feel heavier.

Young Master Yan took his seat, though pride remained evident upon his face.

His gaze drifted toward the Crown Prince.

"So..."

"This is Heaven's heir."

The prince politely nodded.

"Greetings."

Yan smiled faintly.

"Your Highness."

"I have heard many speak of your extraordinary talent."

"I wonder..."

His smile sharpened ever so slightly.

"...whether reputation has exceeded reality."

Several immortals frowned.

The prince blinked.

"I... don't understand."

Yan chuckled.

"Forgive me."

"I simply enjoy testing gifted individuals."

Before anyone could speak...

The Heavenly Emperor set down his cup.

The soft sound echoed throughout the immense hall.

Instantly...

Silence descended.

The Emperor's gaze rested upon Yan.

His expression remained composed.

His voice remained gentle.

Yet every word carried the weight of Heaven itself.

"A child."

He said slowly.

"Has no obligation..."

"To prove himself."

Yan's smile stiffened.

The Emperor continued,

"His worth is not determined by your curiosity."

The hall grew still.

The pressure was invisible.

Yet every immortal present could feel it.

Even breathing became difficult.

Yan's face paled.

He immediately rose and bowed deeply.

"I have spoken without proper consideration."

"I ask Your Majesty's forgiveness."

The Emperor regarded him for another moment.

Then simply replied,

"Reflect upon your words."

The pressure vanished.

The entire hall quietly exhaled.

The prince looked toward his father.

There had been no shouting.

No threat.

Yet one sentence had been enough to silence a proud genius.

So...

This is what true authority looks like.

Inside his mind, the familiar blue screen appeared.

【Observation Complete】

Lesson Learned: Authority requires neither anger nor noise.

Reward: +10 Wisdom

The prince smiled faintly.

Perhaps...

That lesson would remain with him for far longer than the banquet itself.

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