Chapter 334: Humiliation

Chapter 334: Chapter 334: Humiliation

Chapter 334: Humiliation

The moment Rhain stepped over the threshold, the bustling Imperial Banquet Hall fell utterly silent.

Hundreds of the most exalted figures in the Solathane Dynasty—Imperial Patriarchs, Royal Princes, Domain Masters, and elite ministers turned their heads simultaneously.

Every single pair of eyes in the colossal hall locked onto the dignified, middle-aged figure standing at the entrance.

Their gazes were filled with absolute reverence and awe.

"Welcome Grandmaster Korryn," Emperor Haldrion’s majestic voice broke the silence.

He extended his hand with a warm smile. "Please. Your seat is right here."

Rhain was escorted to the highest seat of the hall.

"I thank Your Majesty for the profound hospitality," Rhain replied evenly, offering a slight, dignified nod before taking his seat at the highest table.

The moment Rhain sat down, the true titans of the dynasty began to make their moves.

"Grandmaster Korryn," Emperor Haldrion spoke first, a warm, perfectly diplomatic smile gracing his regal features. "Your miraculous refinement today opened our eyes to the true vastness of the heavens. The Solathane Imperial Family toasts to your unparalleled brilliance."

From the adjacent tables, the Patriarchs of the Imperial Families also stood up, holding their wine cups.

Xarion, the Patriarch of the Draventhor Imperial Family, approached first, his face was plastered with a remarkably cordial smile.

"Indeed," Patriarch Xarion stepped forward, "The Draventhor Family has always revered true talent. Should the Grandmaster ever find the capital’s environment lacking, the Draventhor Family would be deeply honored to offer you the position of Supreme Elder. Our entire treasury would be open to you."

Aelthas, the elegant ruler of the Lytheren Imperial Family, also spoke up with a warm smile. "Patriarch Xarion speaks too hastily. Grandmaster, the Lytheren Family possesses the most ancient herbal gardens in the dynasty. We would gladly gift you a thousand acres of mountains, entirely without conditions, simply to form a friendship."

"The Galestorm Family values action over words," Patriarch Skyran added, "Whatever the Grandmaster requires, you need only speak it, and it shall be delivered."

They were ancient, cunning foxes who had ruled for centuries.

Each one of them were trying to probe his background and subtly extend irresistible invitations to pull this supreme alchemical god into their respective factions.

Rhain’s expression remained perfectly placid. He calmly raised his own jade cup.

"Patriarchs are far too generous," Rhain replied, "However, the path of Alchemy is a solitary path. I am but a humble wanderer seeking perfection. Celestial Elixir Pavilion exists to serve the world, not to be tethered to a single power. For now, my only allegiance is to my craft."

It was a polite, yet non-committal deflection.

The patriarchs of the Imperial Families exchanged subtle glances, inwardly frustrated.

They had thrown out bait that would have made anyone else drop to their knees, yet this Grandmaster hadn’t even blinked.

They were entirely unable to read his true intentions.

Just as the Patriarchs politely withdrew to their seats, a figure in imperial white robes glided gracefully toward the highest table.

Crown Prince Lucius.

His handsome features were illuminated by his signature charming smile.

To the outside observer, he looked like the perfect, gracious heir to the throne welcoming an esteemed guest.

But hiding deep beneath those glowing amber eyes was a venomous, bloodthirsty hatred.

"We finally meet face to face, Grandmaster," Lucius spoke, offering a respectful bow. "I have heard endless tales of your brilliance since the days your Pavilion first opened in Stormveil City. I dispatched my envoys, and even visited your establishment personally, hoping to catch a glimpse of your greatness... though you were deep in secluded refinement at the time."

Lucius smiled graciously, acting as though the repeated, humiliating rejections he had suffered at Vulcan’s hands were nothing more than minor misunderstandings.

"Now that you are finally here in the capital," Lucius continued, his amber eyes locking onto Rhain, "I would be immensely honored if the Grandmaster would grace my private estate for a quiet chat tonight."

Seeing Lucius step up, the other Royal Princes in the hall immediately panicked.

They could not allow the Crown Prince to secure the backing of the Celestial Elixir Pavilion!

If Lucius gained Korryn’s loyalty, his path to the throne would be unstoppable!

"Grandmaster!" the Third Prince rushed forward, practically shoving past a group of ministers. "I posses a powerful Beast flame! It is perfect for alchemy! Please, come to my palace tonight instead!"

Please, come to my palace tonight instead!"

"Grandmaster Korryn! I have acquired a ten-thousand-year-old Silver Dragon Plant!" the Fourth Prince shouted eagerly, swarming the table. "I would be honored to gift it to you in private!"

In the blink of an eye, the highest table was swarmed by the royal princes desperately extending their own lavish invitations, trying to block Lucius and carve out their own piece of the pie.

Among the desperate crowd of royals also stood Second Prince Arien.

Lucius’s smile stiffened slightly, his knuckles turning white as he clenched his fists.

"Brothers, please," Lucius said, his voice maintaining its velvet smoothness but carrying a chilling edge of warning. "Do not overwhelm our esteemed guest. I extended the first invitation."

Lucius turned his charming smile back to Rhain, fully expecting Rhain to accept his offer.

But Rhain simply remained seated, his expression as placid and unbothered as a still lake.

His gaze swept over Crown Prince Lucius, entirely disregarding the expectant, charming smile on Lucius’s face, and instead landed squarely on the young man standing slightly to the side.

"Second Prince Arien," Rhain spoke.

Arien’s eyes lit up in surprise. "Y-Yes, Grandmaster?" ℯ

"I have heard of your noble character," Rhain declared, his voice projecting for the Emperor, and every single Patriarch to hear. "I accept your invitation. I believe we have much to discuss regarding the future expansion of the Celestial Elixir Pavilion within the capital."

Hundreds of eyes were attracted by this competition between the princes, and they were surprised by the results.

Grandmaster Korryn chose Arien!

But Rhain was not finished.

Rhain slowly turned his head, looking at Lucius.

"I must decline your generous offer, Your Highness," Rhain said politely, "As you can see, I already have a prior arrangement."

SMACK.

It was a slap.

A brutal, ringing slap delivered directly to the face of the Crown Prince in front of the entire Imperial Court!

Grandmaster Korryn hadn’t just rejected the future Emperor. He had publicly thrown his weight behind the Second Prince, elevating Lucius’s greatest rival while treating Lucius himself like an afterthought!

Lucius’s face turned incredibly ugly.

The veins on his neck bulged, and the charming facade he had so meticulously maintained threatened to shatter.

The urge to tear Korryn’s head off his shoulders nearly consumed his sanity.

But he couldn’t.

Emperor Haldrion was sitting right there. The entire dynasty was watching.

He was forced to swallow his boiling rage whole in the depths of his stomach and continue to maintain the same polite smile.

Seeing the catastrophic shift in the room’s dynamic, Second Prince Arien didn’t miss a single beat.

He immediately stepped forward, parting the stunned crowd of his brothers.

A brilliant, victorious smirk spread across Arien’s face.

"Indeed," Arien spoke up, bowing respectfully to Rhain while making sure to cast a mocking, triumphant glance at his trembling older brother. "Grandmaster Korryn and I have much to discuss tonight. I am deeply honored that the Grandmaster kept his word."

Lucius’s face had turned red with anger and humiliation.

But under the countless, scrutinizing stares, he had no choice but to lower his head.

"I... see," Lucius forced the words through gritted teeth, "Then I shall not intrude on your arrangements, Grandmaster."

With a rigid bow, Lucius turned on his heel and stepped aside in shame.

Rhain watched Lucius’s back with a chillingly cold expression.

’Swallow it well Lucuis, this is just the beginning.’