Chapter 26: Chapter 26: Advantages of a bad reputation
....
The Royal Carriage passed through the roads. Even though evening was a time when roads were supposed to have many people and carriages, but at the moment, the streets appeared to be mostly empty.
In fact, by now, many people knew that there was some kind of event in the Royal Palace that was going to be attended by many great existences of the Dynasty.
It was because of that, so few people were outside. They didn't want to accidentally offend any noble by blocking their path.
The other roads were still working somewhat normally, but the path that led from the Third Prince's Palace to the Royal Palace was so empty that not even a single person could be seen!
"I must say, sometimes it's really beneficial to have a bad reputation. Don't you think so?" Xu Shan was sitting inside the carriage, gazing at the empty streets outside, when he suddenly asked.
Next to him, a woman was sitting. Unfortunately, that woman could only be seen by him.
As for Zi Huang, he couldn't sit in the carriage next to a Royal like Xu Shan. He was on a horse that led the path in front of the Third Prince's carriage.
....
The Royal Palace, where the Emperor resided, was really lively tonight. Many carriages could be seen outside the Palace, bearing the insignia of the Four Great Families.
The four great families were majestic and dignified to the others. However, when it came to the Royal Decree, even they didn't dare delay. They didn't want to be late. In fact, some of them even arrived before the time mentioned in the Royal Decree.
Some Royal Carriages could also be seen, occasionally stopping before the Royal Palace as the Princes and the Princesses arrived one after another. Unlike the Third Prince, the other Royals were very diligent, even if it was just for show.
In fact, the Third Prince was the last person to arrive amongst everyone who was invited.
The Third Prince's carriage stopped before the Royal Palace. The Royal Eunuch who was responsible for welcoming the guests personally opened the doors of Xu Shan's carriage, welcoming him.
Xu Shan stepped out of the carriage, landing on the ground where not a single speck of dust could be seen, despite so many carriages arriving one after another in the last few hours!
He glanced at the Royal Palace. His expression didn't reveal it, but he was slightly amazed. He had seen the Emperor's Palace in the Third Prince's memories, but watching it with his own eyes was a completely different experience.
"Can you tell me what's the event in the Royal Palace? Why were we all invited so suddenly?" Xu Shan asked the Eunuch while following him inside the palace.
"Ah, it's because there's a special guest that came to the Dynasty today. His Majesty just wanted to welcome the guest properly as the host."
Since everyone was already there, the Eunuch directly told the Third Prince. "The only reason the others weren't informed about it before was because His Majesty didn't want the news to spread since the guest's identity was somewhat special."
'Don't tell me my guess about the Celestial Palace sending people here was true? But still, for father to throw a welcome like this? Could it be that their leader personally came?' Xu Shan couldn't help but frown.
He passed through the entrance of the Royal Palace with the Eunuch, feeling as if he had passed through a strange spatial barrier that led to a different world. However, now wasn't the time to be amazed by the mysteries of this world.
"Who is that guest? For my father to go this far? Did I overestimate the Eternal Dynasty?"
"Oh, it's because the guest holds a similar position as your father," the Eunuch responded.
"Similar position as my father?" Xu Shan directly wanted to ask if it was the Leader of the Celestial Palace, but if they were indeed here to investigate their Saintess, it could be too suspicious if he directly guessed their arrival.
"You'll know soon." The Eunuch smiled in response. "Anyway, we are already there. From this point on, you can go alone."
He stopped before a Spatial Portal. Since the Royal Palace was so enormous, it wasn't feasible for servants and guests to walk all the way. That's why the Emperor had created these Spatial Portals at different places to make the journey shorter for the others.
Xu Shan wanted to ask more questions from the Eunuch, but there was no time. After pointing him toward the portal, the Eunuch disappeared.
'Even he's as strong as Zi Huang. Who would've guessed...' Xu Shan shook his head lightly before he entered the spatial portal.
Even if it was the Celestial Palace head, so what? They couldn't do anything to him. As for letting them search his palace, no way in hell was he going to let that happen, even if he had to take some drastic steps.
.....
Passing through the spatial cracks was a really unique experience. Even though it lasted for only a brief moment, it felt as if an eternity had passed inside the Spatial Cracks when he came out.
At the same time, he also felt that his Celestial Spirit of Devouring had woken up on its own when he was inside the Spatial Cracks, Devouring some of the spatial elements. Unfortunately, his strength didn't increase.
As Xu Shan came out of the Spatial Portal, he found himself in the Royal Hall!
The Royal Hall was a splendid sight to behold. It was a vast chamber with high ceilings and ornate decorations. The walls were covered with tapestries and paintings that depicted the history and glory of the Dynasty.
The floor was made of polished marble and inlaid with gold and precious stones. The hall was illuminated by hundreds of candles that hung from elaborate chandeliers. The Royal Hall exuded an aura of elegance, power, and majesty!
It was so huge that it could easily accommodate over ten thousand people! Even with hundreds of guests present in the Royal Hall, it still looked so empty.
Not a single one of those guests was a weak person. Amongst the guests, he saw many people from the Four Great Clans. At the same time, he also saw Chen Rouyin in the distance, who was glaring at him as if she wanted to bite him to death.
Xu Shan shifted his attention from the other clans to the Royals at the far end of the hall, who each had a glass of wine in their hands.
Moreover, each of the Royal Princes and Princesses was accompanied by many people who wanted to get close to them. In fact, even Chen Rouyin was standing with the Eldest Princess.
The hall that was filled with chatter suddenly went silent as everyone noticed the Third Prince near the Spatial Portal!
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone