Night, cool as water, yet the entire Snow Country capital is ablaze with lights, bustling with life, presenting a scene of grandeur. Tonight marks the birthday of the Snow Country Emperor, and the whole nation celebrates. Simultaneously, families from across Snow Country and sealing border officials have returned to the Imperial City to wish the Emperor a happy birthday.

Soldiers in guard armor stand like rows of straight poplar trees along the wide streets, exuding a chilling aura of killing intent. Lavish carriages glide slowly towards the Imperial Palace along the spacious avenues.

A man and a woman sit inside a luxurious carriage.

"Mr. Lin, I haven't seen such a lively scene in a long time," Zhou Xinyue gazed at the bustling sights outside, a hint of joy emerging on her delicate face.

"Indeed, I also haven't seen such a bustling scene in a long time."

Lin Mo nodded. For cultivators, it's either constant cultivation or honing skills through experience; there are few opportunities to witness such lively scenes. This time, it was only by the Second Prince's invitation that Lin Mo and Zhou Xinyue could attend the Emperor's birthday celebration in the Imperial Palace.

Lin Mo lay on the soft snow leopard fur inside the carriage, a slight smirk playing at his lips. He couldn't shake the feeling that tonight, Snow Country would hardly stay peaceful and that something grandly eventful was bound to happen. The Imperial City was majestic and imposing, resplendent in gold and jade. Carriages flowed like streams into the Imperial Palace, where the birthday banquet was being held at the 'Mystic Turtle' Plaza. The plaza was vast enough to accommodate over a thousand guests, with low tables and embroidered cushions already set up.

Lin Mo and Zhou Xinyue followed the Second Prince and his entourage inside, the crowd surging, many greeting the Second Prince, showing his widespread connections in Snow Country.

"Elder Hua!" The Second Prince wore a silver robe, his demeanor scholarly with a gentle air, his face adorned with a humble smile.

Given the noble status of a Prince, one as genial as the Second Prince was rare, affecting the ministers of Snow Country positively.

Duyan led his group towards another group clad in white robes, then bowed.

These people were naturally from the Holy Medicine Pavilion, where Elder Hua, Hua Yun, and Hua Zheng were present; the pavilion held esteemed status in Snow Country, akin to the imperial physicians.

"Second Prince." Elder Hua bowed slightly to the Second Prince, a slight smile on his face, though he soon glanced at Lin Mo, nodding slightly towards him.

Lin Mo nodded back, acknowledging him. Elder Hua likely knew about Hua Yun acquiring the Qiankun Array, changing his attitude considerably.

"Elder Hua, Mr. Lin, I'll have Shi Zhong escort you to your seats first as I still need to wait here for the Heavenly Beak Martial Arts Hall Master." Duyan nodded to Shi Zhong.

"That's good. For the Second Prince to honorably wait for the Heavenly Beak Martial Arts Hall people, I'm sure Master Cheng will be greatly appreciative." Elder Hua said with a smile.

Shi Zhong said, "Elder Hua, Mr. Lin, let's go and wait for the Second Prince."

Subsequently, Lin Mo, Elder Hua, and others followed Shi Zhong to the banquet spots. Each Prince, minister, and guest had a designated area where they could bring family or servants, as the Prince's place was naturally in the first row.

Just after sitting down, Lin Mo was pierced by a gaze of resentment, which he turned to face, unsurprisingly it was Hua Zheng. Since the previous confrontation in the Holy Medicine Pavilion, Hua Zheng had grown even more discontented with him.

Yet, this discontent did not anger Lin Mo; given his current abilities, Hua Zheng was like an ant in his eyes. Would a person care about an ant's gaze?

"Mr. Lin." Elder Hua directly sat beside Lin Mo, smiling as he respectfully bowed, showing quite a friendly demeanor.

Responding to a smiling face with kindness, Lin Mo also smiled. "Elder Hua, what is it?" Elder Hua smiled and softly remarked, "Mr. Lin, Yun'er has already revealed the trade between you two to me. The Qiankun Array's value far exceeds that of a single Soul Burning Flower. I, Hua, shall remember Mr. Lin's kind intentions deeply. From now on, Mr. Lin, you are a distinguished guest of our Holy Medicine Pavilion. Should you require anything, feel free to visit me anytime."

"So, it's about the Qiankun Array. Actually, it's not forbidden to share. Elder Hua, being an alchemist, we share some affinity, so passing the Qiankun Array to Elder Hua is no issue," Lin Mo responded casually.

Qiankun Array is not rare to Lin Mo, but to Elder Hua, it is extremely precious. "Mr. Lin helped the Second Prince last time, showing profound alchemy skills at such a young age. Should you remain in Snow Country, you're bound to accomplish great feats, attaining high fame and fortune," Elder Hua continued, glancing at Hua Yun with a side-eye, smiling.

"I wonder if Mr. Lin has a wife yet. Xiao Yun is not young and has yet to marry..."

Lin Mo was sipping his tea, hearing this, he almost spat it out.

"Grandpa..." Hua Yun knitted her brows, a soft blush gracing her tender cheeks, stamping her foot lightly, fully displaying the coy and charming demeanor befitting a young maiden. Hua Yun herself was exceptionally beautiful and was Elder Hua's most beloved granddaughter, of high status, and an object of admiration for many talented young men of Snow Country, causing many youths around to look heatedly.

"Master, is he worthy of Junior Sister? In my view, only Brother Cheng Yang from the Heavenly Beak Martial Arts Hall is worthy of her." Hua Zheng interjected, a trace of severity on his face.

"Senior Brother!" Hua Yun glared fiercely at Hua Zheng.

Seeing this, Lin Mo cautiously smiled. "Elder Hua, I already have two wives, though they're not here now."

"Is that so? Such a pity, such a pity..." Elder Hua appeared somewhat downcast, sighing repeatedly. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Even Hua Yun lowered her head slightly at this, disappointment flashing in her eyes, feeling a subtle sorrow, though she didn't like Lin Mo, it seemed like a misperception.

"Just now, I heard someone mention Brother Cheng's name?" Suddenly, a hearty laugh resonated. Everyone turned to see a group striding over with a vigorous air, led by the Second Prince accompanied by a burly middle-aged man emitting a powerful suppressive aura, dressed in black tight clothes, a crocodile-headed snake pattern embroidered on his chest, undoubtedly the Heavenly Beak Martial Arts Hall Master.

"Master Cheng." Elder Hua rose, bowing to the middle-aged man.

"Elder Hua." The middle-aged man also bowed.

"Both are my friends, please be seated. My father's birthday ceremony is about to commence." Duyan smiled, invitingly. As everyone took their seats, a sharp glare suddenly landed on Lin Mo. He similarly sensed the fierce gaze, looking up to see the young man behind Master Cheng, none other than Cheng Yang, who'd clashed with him at the Holy Medicine Pavilion. The Heavenly Beak Martial Arts Hall, led by Cheng Hai with his son Cheng Yang, stands as a top three martial arts hall in all of Snow Country, with power comparable to the Holy Medicine Pavilion.