The Villainesses Are All On My Side, How Can You Compete With Me? - Chapter 7:

Chapter 7: Pressure of the Emperor Weapon, Birthday Banquet, Eldest Prince Zhou Yu

After returning home, Liu Bai carefully took out the Emperor Weapon – Executing Immortal Sword to inspect it. 

Because it was a reward returned by the System, this Emperor Weapon had already automatically recognized Liu Bai as its master and could now be used by him. However, due to his current cultivation level, he couldn’t fully control it yet.

Even though he was already being extremely cautious, when the Emperor Weapon appeared, a trace of its pressure still leaked out and spread uncontrollably.

At that moment, the entire capital of Great Zhou was shaken like an earthquake. Countless cultivators revealed terrified expressions. 

Even a Battle King like Liu Jianglong couldn’t help the violent tremor in his heart. Some with slightly weaker cultivation were directly forced to the ground under the pressure, unable to resist the overwhelming might.

“What… what’s happening?!”

“Where did this sudden pressure come from?!”

“Damn it, what’s going on?”

The crowd was horrified.

Luckily, Liu Bai inside the room immediately sensed the spreading fluctuations and quickly stored the Emperor Weapon back into his sea of consciousness, finally isolating its pressure. Otherwise, if that pressure had continued for even a moment longer, no one in the entire capital would have been able to remain standing.

Even so, although he retracted it in time, many Warriors in Great Zhou were still in panic. Some were still lying flat on the ground, unable to rise.

“My heavens, what was that aura just now?”

“I felt like even my soul was trembling beyond control!”

“Could it be a Holy Son descending?”

“If it was really a Holy Son, then everything makes sense.”

“But why would such a Holy Son release this pressure without cause? Could he be dissatisfied with Great Zhou?”

“If that’s the case, then Great Zhou might be doomed.”

For a while, anxiety filled the hearts of all the Warriors.

Even the Empress of Great Zhou in the palace was deeply shaken. “A strange phenomenon appeared not long ago, and now such an unknown pressure! Is this a blessing or a curse for Great Zhou?”

She waited anxiously for a long time and only after seeing no disaster occur did she breathe a sigh of relief. “It seems this powerful individual might have simply passed through Great Zhou. A figure of that level would still be one of the top powerhouses across the entire Nine Dragons Continent.”

“If only Great Zhou had such a figure, even if we couldn’t dominate the continent, we could still become the overlord of the Azure Dragon Region.”

She was filled with longing and expectation.

At that moment, a young man in luxurious brocade robes walked in and respectfully greeted the Empress of Great Zhou, “Imperial Mother, I have successfully advanced to the Battle Spirit realm.”

Hearing this, the Empress of Great Zhou’s eyes lit up as she smiled, “Good, good. To reach the Battle Spirit realm at eighteen, you’re definitely the top genius in Great Zhou! My son, you did not disappoint me! In a few days, it will be the birthday banquet of Liu Bai from the Liu family, the number one family in Great Zhou. Represent me and attend the banquet.”

At the mention of Liu Bai’s name, a cold glint flashed in the youth’s eyes. “All these years, I’ve been constantly suppressed by Liu Bai. Now that I’ve advanced to the Battle Spirit realm, I must regain my honor and let everyone know who the true top genius of Great Zhou is!”

“The Liu family is the number one family of Great Zhou. You must not act too recklessly.”

“Don’t worry, Imperial Mother. I know what I’m doing.” After speaking, the young man turned and left.

Once he had left, a graceful figure slowly emerged behind the Empress of Great Zhou. She wore a flowing white dress and looked delicate and weak, yet her eyes held a cold and indifferent glint.

“Your Majesty, the Eldest Prince just advanced to the Battle Spirit realm, and he is still young and impulsive. I fear something might happen at Liu Bai’s birthday banquet.”

“Heh, let something happen then. What, could Liu Bai rebel?” the Empress of Great Zhou chuckled softly, then narrowed her eyes and said, “The Liu family’s reputation has been growing too strong these years. It’s time they were suppressed a little.”

“Qingqing, you will represent the Heavenly Sword Sect and attend Liu Bai’s birthday banquet as well. Liu Bai is the most outstanding genius of the Liu family. If you can get close to him and bring him under control, that would be ideal.”

Upon hearing this, Luo Qingqing’s eyes flickered slightly. “To be honest, I’ve secretly observed him before. Possessing a top-tier battle body, his talent is indeed excellent. Unfortunately, he’s too arrogant and self-opinionated. Someone like him isn’t worth my attention.”

“Controlling him wouldn’t be difficult.”

Hearing Luo Qingqing’s words, the Empress of Great Zhou smiled faintly. “Very well. Then I shall look forward to your methods. If you can use Liu Bai to suppress the Liu family, or even bring about their downfall, I will record it as a great merit!”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Luo Qingqing gracefully bowed, then turned to leave.

As she walked away, a trace of disdain surfaced in her eyes. “Just a mere Empress of Great Zhou, and she dares to give me orders? When my bloodline is fully awakened in the future, I’ll definitely take your place. The title of Empress rotates—next year, it will be mine!”

She was unwilling to remain just a pawn in the Empress’ hands. She wanted to replace her.

…

Liu Bai’s birthday soon arrived.

Before the banquet began, he took out the Flowing Immortal Skirt with Wide Sleeves, folded it carefully into a brocade box, and handed it to a maid. “Deliver this to the General’s residence. Make sure you hand it to A’Li personally, understand?”

The maid patted her chest and said, “Rest assured, Young Master. I’ll take care of it!”

She left with the brocade box.

Meanwhile, within the Liu residence, many servants and maids were already busy preparing for Liu Bai’s birthday banquet. Fine wine and delicacies were arranged, lanterns and decorations hung everywhere… the grandeur nearly rivaled that of a prince’s birthday.

At nightfall, the Liu residence was brightly lit.

One by one, distinguished guests began to arrive.

“Young Master of the Wang family, presenting two jade ruyi!”

“Miss of the Li family, presenting a thousand-year-old ginseng!”

“Eldest Young Master of the Bai family, presenting a mid-grade Battle Weapon!”

Since it was Liu Bai’s birthday banquet, most of the attendees were young elites. They gathered in small groups, drinking and chatting. Many offered toasts to Liu Bai, their words full of flattery and praise.

Most of these people weren’t Liu Bai’s true friends—some had only met him once or twice. They came to the banquet to build ties with Liu Bai, and more importantly, with the Liu family.

“The Eldest Prince has arrived, presenting a white jade bodhi statue!”

At that moment, a voice rang out.

Everyone turned to look and saw the Eldest Prince, dressed in splendid brocade, slowly entering the Liu residence, drawing much attention.

“I didn’t expect the Eldest Prince to come as well.”

“The Liu family really holds great face.”

“I heard the Eldest Prince had been in seclusion recently. I wonder if he gained anything from it?”

“I also heard that the Eldest Prince and Liu Bai don’t get along well. I wonder what his intentions are in coming to the banquet.”

“Let’s wait and see.”

Liu Bai narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked at the Eldest Prince.

The Eldest Prince’s name was Zhou Yu.

In the capital, his talent and cultivation were second only to Liu Bai’s. But precisely because of that, Zhou Yu had often clashed with him.

In the original Life Script of the Host, Zhou Yu’s appearance at the banquet was not with good intentions. He would challenge Liu Bai during the celebration.

But the original Liu Bai had defeated him by revealing his Battle Spirit cultivation.

That event dealt a blow to the royal family’s prestige and further elevated the Liu family’s influence, while also planting the seed for their eventual downfall.