Elder Zuo believed that even if this were the Eastern Taizhong Palace, Yin Fengxue would let him act. In terms of power, the Three Demonic Factions were ranked above the Seven Sects. One Religion, Two Alliances, Three Demonic Factions, Four Families, Five Sword Clans, Six Sects—this ranking wasn’t based on numbers alone, but also on strength.

But when he heard Elder Zuo’s words and realized the target of his murderous intent was Wu Tian, Yin Fengxue was stunned. He quickly snapped, "Shut up! The other Immortal Seekers may call our Heavenly Demon Palace demonic, but we are not! How could we engage in the senseless slaughter of the innocent?"

Elder Zuo was taken aback, feeling that the Palace Master was not acting like his usual self. He then noticed Lin Fa, and a thought struck him. The Palace Master has always disliked the Second Young Master. It seems he favors this boy and doesn’t want to make a bad impression on him!

Thinking this, Elder Zuo smiled and said, "I understand, I understand."

What could you possibly understand? Just as Yin Fengxue was about to ask, a voice boomed from within the Eastern Taizhong Palace.

"Everyone, please come inside!"

Amid the chorus of congratulations, Yin Fengxue lost his chance to question the elder. "Come," he said. "Let’s go in, too."

Within the Eastern Taizhong Palace, Heavenly King Zhufu was seated on the main throne, flanked by a host of elders and disciples standing in neat rows. Guests were shown to their seats to enjoy the banquet.

Dong Bai entered with the disciples selected from Peach Blossom Spring and immediately bowed to the man on the throne. "Master, I have brought the new batch of disciples."

"Are they from Peach Blossom Spring?" Heavenly King Zhufu asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," Dong Bai nodded.

"Good, good, good." Heavenly King Zhufu’s face broke into a smile far brighter than before. He couldn’t help but ask, "Which one is Wu Tian, and which is his daughter?"

Dong Bai pointed toward Wu Tian and the little one.

At that moment, everyone’s gaze snapped toward them. The elders, knowing Heavenly King Zhufu’s intentions, had long coveted Wu Tian’s supreme Fire Spiritual Root and the little one’s Five Elements Spirit Root. Unfortunately, they did not yet know that Wu Tian also possessed the legendary Earth Spirit Root. This was a Spirit Root that was only theorized to exist. No one had ever possessed one. Had they known, they likely would have made their move already, unable to conceal their greed. But alas, they remained ignorant.

The other disciples, however, were oblivious to the thoughts of their Palace Master and elders. They only saw Wu Tian and the little one standing there without bowing their heads in respect, and they all frowned in unison.

"How audacious!" shouted Xiao Mu Zi, the Second Senior Brother of the Eastern Taizhong Palace. "In the presence of the Palace Master, you are not honored guests but new disciples! Why do you not bow?"

He was not a direct disciple of Heavenly King Zhufu, nor did he possess a prestigious background like Dong Bai, who was, after all, a descendant of the great Dong Zhongshu. But he was desperate to attract attention, especially from the Heavenly King. He hoped to leave the Great Elder’s faction and be officially accepted as the Heavenly King’s own disciple.

At that moment, Yin Fengxue and his contingent arrived. Seeing Xiao Mu Zi speak to Wu Tian in such a manner, Yin Fengxue grew furious.

Noticing Yin Fengxue’s expression, Elder Zuo chimed in, "This man knows nothing of propriety. His lack of respect for Heavenly King Zhufu is infuriating indeed."

"Scoundrel!" Yin Fengxue roared, furiously slapping Elder Zuo so hard it sent him flying.

This scene immediately captured the attention of everyone in the hall. They didn’t understand what was happening. Even Elder Zuo, his face a mask of bewildered injustice, had no idea what he had said wrong.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone in the hall, Yin Fengxue approached Wu Tian and asked, "Are you alright?"

Wu Tian shook his head, signaling he was fine.

Yin Fengxue’s actions puzzled everyone. All eyes turned toward Wu Tian, their gazes growing strange. Who is this man? Could he be connected to Yin Fengxue somehow? Otherwise, why would a Demon Cultivator like Yin Fengxue treat him so well?

But Heavenly King Zhufu and his Great Elders didn’t see it that way. In their eyes, Yin Fengxue was a Demon Cultivator. Absorbing Spirit Roots for cultivation was commonplace for their kind. They believed Yin Fengxue must have learned of the superior quality of Wu Tian’s Spirit Root, which was why he was being so solicitous.

No! A Spirit Root of this caliber cannot fall into Yin Fengxue’s hands! The Great Elders exchanged a look, their thoughts perfectly aligned.

Heavenly King Zhufu felt the same. Wu Tian was the prey he had set his sights on. How could he let Yin Fengxue get there first? Wu Tian must remain by my side. It’s the only way.

With this thought, the Heavenly King looked at Wu Tian and broke into a broad smile. "What spirit! What spirit! This old man hasn’t seen someone with such personality in a long, long time."

Then, turning his gaze to the people around him, he declared, "For many years, I have had only one disciple. Today, I shall take another!"

Xiao Mu Zi’s expression grew excited. I’m ranked second in talent within the Eastern Taizhong Palace. If the Heavenly King is taking another disciple, surely it must be me, right?

But to everyone’s surprise, Heavenly King Zhufu pointed directly at Wu Tian. His next words left the entire hall dumbfounded.

"You, from this day forward, shall be my second disciple!" he announced. "Dong Bai is your senior brother. However, he has no interest in managing the Sect’s affairs and yearns for freedom. In the future, you will also be the heir to the Eastern Taizhong Palace—the future Palace Master."

BOOM!

This declaration left the elders and disciples of the Eastern Taizhong Palace, as well as the guests who had come to celebrate the Heavenly King’s thousandth birthday, utterly stunned. Even the elders hadn’t expected such a pronouncement, but after a moment’s thought, they decided it was the right move. This way, they could keep Wu Tian close and wait for an opportunity to absorb his Spirit Root. If Wu Tian stayed, the little one would surely stay as well. How could the Five Elements Spirit Root possibly escape then?

At that moment, one person in the Eastern Taizhong Palace voiced his dissent. It was Xiao Mu Zi. He was normally a rational person, but the shattering of his dreams drove him into a mad, unthinking frenzy. He shot to his feet, shouting, "No! This cannot happen!"

"Palace Master, I have admired you for so many years! Why won’t you choose me?" he pleaded. "No, you can’t choose him! And you promised..."

Before Xiao Mu Zi could say more, Heavenly King Zhufu acted. He swiftly pulled a talisman from his sleeve and slapped it onto Xiao Mu Zi’s mouth, immobilizing him completely and rendering him speechless. The Heavenly King could not allow Xiao Mu Zi to continue. He had often hinted that if Xiao Mu Zi worked for him, he would be taken in as a disciple. This, however, was merely a ruse to plant a spy near the Great Elder.

The Heavenly King then looked at Yin Fengxue and said with a laugh, "Brother Yin, he is my disciple now. You’d best not get any funny ideas."

Yin Fengxue didn’t understand the implication. What funny ideas?

But he still replied firmly, "Brother Zhufu, you are not worthy to be his master."

What?!

This statement made everyone who had come to offer congratulations pause once again, and the people of the Eastern Taizhong Palace were in an uproar.

How could Yin Fengxue say such a thing? Being accepted as the Heavenly King’s disciple was an incredible honor for someone who had just awakened his Spirit Root. How could Yin Fengxue possibly say that Heavenly King Zhufu was not worthy of being Wu Tian’s master?