I Really Am A Villain
Ch. 454 - Gathering of Powers

“When did you buy me candied hawthorn?” Wenren Yao looked at Xu Zimo in surprise.

She quickly said, “You obviously stole mine and ate it!”

“Don’t make a scene,” Xu Zimo scolded lightly. “Are you upset because I didn’t buy you more? You can’t eat too much of that stuff, it’s bad for your teeth, kid. If you really want some, after Grandpa’s birthday celebration, I’ll take you again tomorrow.”

Without giving Wenren Yao a chance to argue, Xu Zimo looked up and smiled at Uncle Yao.

“Uncle, if there’s nothing else, I’ll go now. Cousin Suo is looking for me.”

“Sure, go ahead,” Wenren Yao nodded slightly.

Xu Zimo quickly left the scene, feeling a little awkward.

Even though it wasn’t a big deal, stealing candy from a little kid wasn’t something he wanted others to talk about.

“Daddy, he’s lying,” Wenren Yao said, almost crying again.

“Don’t cry. Today is Grandpa’s birthday,” Wenren Yao picked her up and comforted her with a smile.

“Didn’t your cousin say he’ll take you tomorrow?”

The little girl pouted unhappily and muttered, “Who wants to be that guy’s cousin anyway...”

…

Not long after dawn, guests were already lining up at the gates of the Wenren Clan estate.

Wenren Yao and Wenren Zhao were outside welcoming them.

Grandfather Wenren Jingshi and Uncle Wenren Teng were inside the main hall.

Over a dozen members of the younger generation stood neatly at the side.

In the spacious courtyard, dozens of tables made of Enlightenment Wood were set up.

Enlightenment Wood was known to enhance one’s comprehension abilities, clearly, the Wenren Clan had gone to great lengths for this birthday celebration.

On the tables were freshly made dishes, not from ordinary ingredients.

There were dishes made with Southern Flower Paste, Purple Peony Soup, braised meat from Black Flame Dragon Beasts, cold dishes from Nine Nether Ice Lions…

Extremely rare celestial herbs and exotic beast meats that most people would never see in their lifetime were now casually laid out.

All the herbs used were at least of the Star-grade, with none below that.

…

“Brother Yao, Brother Zhao, long time no see.”

At the gate, more and more guests arrived, and a line had already formed.

People were greeting one another.

“Brother Zhuo, it’s been several years since we last met on Mount Heaven-Flame,” Wenren Zhao said with a smile.

After accepting the gift and a few polite exchanges, a branch member led the guest into the estate.

Usually, birthday gifts would be announced aloud by servants.

But the Wenren Clan chose to keep a low profile. They didn’t announce the gift details, only the names of the guests were reported.

After all, everyone attending was already a person of status, there was no need to compare.

Not just anyone could be invited here.

“Sect Master Zhuo Bufan of the Heaven-Moon Sect, along with his disciples, has come to celebrate. Wishing Elder Wenren a long and prosperous life!”

“Prince Ji Changyu of the Phoenix Perch Empire, along with his son, has come to offer blessings. May Lord Wenren’s Path to Immortality be eternal and everlasting!”

…

As more and more people arrived, the entire Wenren estate became increasingly lively and harmonious.

Wenren Jingshi sat at the highest seat, occasionally chatting with guests who came forward to greet him.

Everyone was talking when another loud announcement came from outside.

“Tranquil Prince, Yue Yunfei, along with his son, has come to offer birthday wishes to Elder Wenren…”

The moment this announcement was made, it drew everyone’s attention.

Even Xu Zimo looked toward the gate, curious about this Tranquil Prince.

“The Wenren Clan’s influence is strong. I didn’t expect even Tranquil Prince to show up. He’s been living in seclusion since the Heretic God Cult was wiped out.”

People around began murmuring.

“What’s so strange about that? Back then, the Wenren Clan helped him destroy the Heretic God Cult. He couldn’t have done it alone.”

Amid the discussion, a middle-aged man and a young man walked in through the gate.

The middle-aged man had a noble air, wearing a gray-white robe, though his face was slightly pale.

His hair was half black and half white, tied neatly at the back of his head.

He had a short beard and looked like a scholarly gentleman, elegant and approachable.

When he approached Wenren Jingshi, he bowed slightly and said, “Greetings, Elder Wenren. I will never forget the kindness you showed me at Crane Mountain.”

Wenren Jingshi waved his hand with a smile and said, “It was nothing. You’re far more capable than my useless sons. Back then, you were the one I thought had the most promise among your generation.”

Tranquil Prince gave a small bow in gratitude and sat down nearby.

Perhaps sensing Xu Zimo’s gaze, he turned and made eye contact with him from afar.

It was hard to believe that this refined man was once the martial god who nearly wiped out the Heretic God Cult.

As more people arrived, not just from the Phoenix Perch Empire but also from other empires, the celebration drew a wide audience.

Even the old master of the Wan family brought a gift.

Guests kept arriving one after another, and when the final announcement came, everyone straightened up.

“His Majesty Ji Yunzhou of the Phoenix Perch Empire, along with Empress Tianshang and their three princes, has come to celebrate Elder Wenren’s birthday.”

This announcement marked the arrival of the most important guests.

The name Ji Yunzhou was known across the entire Northern Continent.

Five figures slowly walked in under everyone’s gaze.

Leading them were two people.

The man wore a yellow robe embroidered with several eight-clawed golden dragons.

He exuded power, his deep eyes seemed to hold the stars of the universe.

Unlike Tranquil Prince’s scholarly air, this man’s presence was overwhelmingly domineering.

It carried a sense of "submit or perish."

Beside him was a woman in a luxurious red silk gown, with light makeup and the aura of an empress.

They were none other than the Emperor and Empress of the Phoenix Perch Empire.

Behind them followed three elegant young men, the three princes.

Though their clothes weren’t overly ornate, they naturally carried a regal presence.

Unlike others, all three had reached the Imperial Meridian Realm, true prodigies.

Everyone in the empire knew the royal family had a complicated relationship with the two great clans.

The dynasty sought full control of the empire, and its greatest obstacle was the Wenren and Wan Clans.

Yet the three sides had never openly turned against each other.