Yan Changlan remained silent.
…As expected, it’s cruel.
Miss Wei must have such courage to follow Master He, it should be that she has deep feelings for him. Now we can only hope that Miss Wei is talented, and that Master He will treat her with the same care.
Seeing him like this, Ye Shu comforted him, saying, “You don’t need to think too much. Both of us have spiritual roots, so we will be able to go to the so-called immortal paradise. If Miss Wei encounters any difficulties and needs help from others, it’s fine for us to lend a hand. Just don’t keep this matter in mind constantly, if you feel guilty, it will hinder your cultivation.”
Yan Changlan, seeing his misunderstanding, quickly said, “Brother Ye, rest assured, this is what Miss Wei desires, I won’t feel guilty because of her uncertain future. But thinking about the future, it’s inevitable to feel a little uneasy.”
Ye Shu glanced at him. “Are you afraid?”
Yan Changlan thought for a moment and said, “Being with Brother Ye seems to make everything less frightening.”
Ye Shu said, “Then rid yourself of distractions. Once you join the sect, focus all your thoughts on cultivation, and you won’t think too much.”
Yan Changlan smiled, “Brother Ye speaks wisely.”
While the two were talking quietly, Luo Ziyao and Second Master Fu couldn’t bear it any longer and immediately got up, saying, “Brother Ye, brother Yan, let’s go out first.”
Ye Shu had no objections.
Yan Changlan also felt uncomfortable listening to those juniors boasting here, so Luo Ziyao’s words were just what he wanted to hear.
Therefore, the four of them left the elegant pavilion.
Once outside, Luo Ziyao couldn’t help but say, “Those people really have no shame.”
Second Master Fu also sighed, “Regardless of whether we are chosen or not, it’s best not to associate with them in the future.”
Yan Changlan didn’t speak, but there was agreement in his eyes.
Ye Shu nodded silently.
Indeed, those who could sell their own sisters were heartless and unscrupulous individuals. While they might succeed in cultivation, associating with them could lead to harm or even death. Therefore, it was best to stay away from them.
Afterward, Luo Ziyao introduced Second Master Fu to Ye Shu and Yan Changlan.
Second Master Fu learned that both of them had saved Luo Ziyao’s life and immediately expressed his gratitude solemnly, showing his deep friendship with Luo Ziyao. This made Luo Ziyao feel a bit embarrassed.
Yan Changlan also admired people who valued friendship and loyalty. Seeing Second Master Fu’s demeanor, he was willing to befriend him.
Before long, the group became acquainted with each other.
Second Master Fu’s name is Fu Xuan. He grew up with Luo Ziyao, and they have a close relationship. He is cheerful by nature and more meticulous in his thoughts compared to Luo Ziyao.
Although he had never seen Ye Shu demonstrate his abilities, he could sense a hint of mysterious danger from him. Therefore, like Luo Ziyao, he treated Ye Shu with some respect and a reluctance to get too close.
However, despite this, Fu Xuan made an effort to include Ye Shu in their conversations with the others and never neglected him.
It wasn’t until they had dinner together in the evening that Fu Xuan bid them farewell and returned home.
It was fortunate timing for Luo Ziyao’s return, as not long after, the Qionghua Banquet began.
The banquet was held within the imperial city, and youths from families with invitations could attend, hoping to encounter immortal fate and see if they would be chosen by the immortals.
It was said that at the Qionghua Banquet, there would be fruits and fine wines brought by immortals. Just tasting them could prolong one’s life, so no one wanted to miss this opportunity.
In the Marquis of Zhenbei’s mansion, the Marquis of Zhenbei, Luo Ziyao, brought Ye Shu and Yan Changlan along.
In the backyard, many concubines were somewhat displeased, complaining about why they brought two strangers instead of their own brothers. However, the Marquis of Zhenbei had already made his decision and would not be swayed by their words. Instead, he rebuked those who caused a commotion, making them grit their teeth and dare not do anything further. Some clever concubines guessed the reason behind the Marquis of Zhenbei’s decision and deeply regretted their earlier scheming against the legitimate heirs. However, their previous malice was now futile.
The group from the Marquis of Zhenbei rode in carriages directly into the imperial city.
The venue for the banquet was the most grand and elegant Taiye Lake within the imperial city.
Upon arriving at Taiye Lake, they got off the carriages and saw the surroundings beautifully decorated, with every scene charming and appropriate. The palace maids passing by were graceful and slender, with smiles on their faces and graceful demeanor in their movements, serving with impeccable precision.
Everyone who arrived here felt extremely comfortable, especially when they were seated at their respective places and a cup of tea with a faint spiritual essence was placed in front of them. For cultivators, the tea had little effect, but for ordinary people, just a sip would be immensely enjoyable, as if both body and mind were being cleansed.
The Marquis of Zhenbei and the others raised their teacups and took a sip, sighing with contentment, their brows relaxed.
However, Yan Changlan felt indifferent after drinking — it was understandable. After all, he had been nourished by Hunyuan Water for several months, occasionally using wild plants irrigated with Hunyuan Water for rituals, and later even absorbed a large amount of Hunyuan Water. How could he still feel impressed by tea that even a Qi Refining cultivator might not regard highly?
However, the others were unaware of Yan Changlan’s thoughts, and Yan Changlan himself realized that brother Ye carried secrets with him but trusted him greatly. He must not disappoint him… He needed to keep his mouth shut even tighter, and all those speculations from earlier were just nonsense that should never resurface in his mind.
As the banquet attendees restrained their expressions, they were all attentive to the surroundings.
As more and more people arrived, about half an hour later, a group suddenly appeared in the corridor. The leader was dressed in a golden robe with a magnificent crown, accompanied by an elegant lady in a phoenix-patterned gown on the left and a Taoist with a clear and refined face and a beard under his chin on the right, who looked around forty years old. Behind them were many people, all dressed in luxurious clothes, exuding an air of nobility.
As the group approached, everyone stood up and bowed: “Greetings to Your Majesty, the Empress, Your Royal Highnesses, and Liu Immortal! May Your Majesty enjoy eternal longevity, may the Empress and Your Royal Highnesses live a thousand years! May Liu Immortal enjoy eternal blessings!”
The man in the golden robe smiled and said, “Everyone, please rise!” He then turned to the refined Taoist and said, “Immortal Liu, please take the seat of honor.”
The refined Taoist, with an air of superiority, gently stroked his beard and, under the warm invitation of the man in the golden robe, sat with him in the most prominent spot near the Taiye Lake. Then, he called over a few palace maids and brushed his finger across the table.
In an instant, the table was adorned with a pile of extraordinarily bright-colored fruits, each one plump and adorned with dewdrops, looking both fresh and fragrant.
At the sight, everyone’s mouths couldn’t help but water.
The banquet attendees were stunned.
This, this truly is the work of an immortal! To conjure these fruits out of thin air! And these fruits are clearly not ordinary!
The man in the golden robe was also surprised, but then his face beamed with a smile. He instructed the palace maids to distribute the fruits to all the attendees. There was a hint of pride on his face, feeling that Immortal Liu’s display had greatly enhanced his own prestige.
Ye Shu, upon the refined Taoist’s entry, had already seen through his cultivation.
He was merely a cultivator at the fourth level of Qi Refining, with a somewhat mixed aura. However, there were a few places where spiritual light flickered, likely indicating the talismans and magical tools the cultivator had prepared. In actual combat, as long as the opponent was of similar level, these would provide some defensive capability.
Of course, while Ye Shu saw many flaws in this cultivator, he currently lacked the resources to craft defensive or offensive items, so he could not contend with him for the time being.
Ye Shu then activated his cultivation technique, concealing his own power even more deeply.
The “Hunyuan Mystery Arts” was indeed extraordinary. Even though the Liu-named cultivator’s level was three realms higher than Ye Shu’s, he still couldn’t see through him. When his gaze swept over Ye Shu, it was no different from sweeping over anyone else.
Each table had a few fruits, enough for each person to have one.
Luo Ziyao looked at the fruit and said, “What kind of fruit is this? It seems we don’t have it here.” Saying this, he couldn’t resist picking up a red one and took a bite, juice splashing, “It’s crisp and sweet, tastes great.”
The Marquis of Zhenbei glanced around and saw everyone enjoying the fruits, then gave Luo Ziyao a light tap, “You greedy boy! Immortal’s things are naturally extraordinary. Just enjoy it without asking too many questions!”
Yan Changlan also took a bite, “Indeed, it’s quite good.”
Ye Shu picked up a fruit and examined it.
It was merely an inferior fruit from a spiritual tree grown in a spiritual field, lacking true spiritual essence. For cultivators, apart from the decent taste, it had no other use; it contained only a trace of spiritual energy. Now these inferior fruits were brought to the mortal world and became “immortal fruits.” For mortals, eating more might slightly enhance their vitality, but it offered no significant benefits.
However, he couldn’t reveal this truth. Otherwise, it would be embarrassing for both the cultivator and the attendees.
After the fruits were consumed, the man in the golden robe spoke, “Thanks to Immortal Liu’s favor, he is willing to select some disciples with immortal affinity from our Jindu country to go to the immortal paradise. Now, we invite Immortal Liu to display his skills and let our disciples try their luck at gaining immortal fate!”