132: Chapter 132 My birthday gift is... a Wind God Stone!

The banquet proceeded in a subtle yet fervent atmosphere.

Amidst the clinking of glasses and exchanging of toasts,

the gazes of the crowd couldn't help but drift toward the excessively young boy at the main table, as well as the C-city magnates seated beside him, who were rarely seen on ordinary days.

After three rounds of drinks and five courses of dishes,

the Su Family Butler,

that middle-aged man, once again walked to the elevated platform at the front of the hall.

With a face glowing red, he announced loudly:

"The auspicious hour has arrived; the gift presentation segment begins! Thanks to everyone's deep affection and in appreciation of your camaraderie, we shall now display each esteemed guest's birthday gifts one by one, to highlight our bonds and share in the joyous atmosphere!"

As his words fell,

two rows of Su Family attendants in uniform attire,

holding various gift boxes, began to ascend the stage in an orderly fashion.

The butler took the gift list and began to announce and display them.

"The Li Family from the southern city respectfully presents a three-hundred-year-old Blood Jade Ginseng, wishing Patriarch Su longevity and eternal blessings!"

A low murmur immediately rose from below the stage.

"Three-hundred-year-old Blood Jade Ginseng! This is a precious herb that nourishes Qi and blood, worth no less than five million federal currency!"

"The Li Family has really gone all out this time!"

"The Wang Family from the western city respectfully presents one hundred jin of Deep Sea Cold Iron, wishing Patriarch Su advancement in cultivation!"

"Deep Sea Cold Iron! This is one of the main Materials for forging Gold-rank Spirit Beast equipment, extremely valuable!"

"Pavilion Master Chen Feng of the Myriad Beast Pavilion respectfully presents a Gold Rank Thunderbird Egg, wishing Patriarch Su prosperity for his Family!"

"Hiss! A Spirit Beast Egg with Gold Rank potential! Pavilion Master Chen is indeed wealthy and generous!"

One by one, the birthday gifts were displayed.

Most were Rare spiritual Materials, precious herbs, Ores, or valuable Spirit Beast items.

Their values ranged from several million to tens of millions of federal currency.

Eliciting waves of exclamations from the guests below, the atmosphere gradually heated up.

For ordinary families and factions,

these gifts were already extremely valuable tokens of sincerity.

Su Chengtian sat upright in the main seat,

wearing a warm smile.

He nodded slightly at each congratulatory gift.

Occasionally nodding in acknowledgment to familiar Family heads,

indicating he had received their sentiments.

After these relatively ordinary congratulatory gifts were displayed,

the butler cleared his throat.

His voice suddenly rose a few notches,

carrying immense respect.

"Next, we respectfully invite the gifts from the esteemed lords!"

As these words fell,

the entire hall instantly fell silent.

Everyone held their breath and focused intently,

knowing the main event had arrived!

The truly Rare and precious treasures,

the chance to feast their eyes,

were about to make their appearance!

"First, the birthday gift from Mayor Zhang Qing! A five-thousand-year-old Purple Mist Spirit Ganoderma!"

The butler's voice boomed.

An attendant carefully carried forward a jade box.

The moment the lid was opened,

purple mist swirled, and radiant light flowed.

A refreshing medicinal fragrance permeated the entire hall!

"Heavens! A five-thousand-year-old Purple Mist Spirit Ganoderma! This is a holy medicine that can extend lifespan and assist Amethyst-rank Experts in cultivating Beast Taming Power!"

"The Mayor is truly generous! This item is probably worth billions!"

Su Chengtian quickly stood up.

He cupped his hands solemnly toward Zhang Qing,

his face showing genuine gratitude.

"Mayor Zhang, this item is too precious; I am unworthy of receiving it. Thank you!"

Zhang Qing smiled slightly.

Raising his glass in acknowledgment,

"Patriarch Su, you are too polite. It is merely a modest gift to express my sentiments. May your Dao path be ever flourishing."

"Qingquan No. 1 Middle School, Principal He Tiangang's gift. A unique Ancient Scroll of Beast Tamer Notes!"

An attendant presented an ancient, weathered beast-skin scroll that exuded an aura of age.

"Ancient notes?! This might contain lost Beast Taming cultivation methods or advanced skills! Its value is immeasurable!"

"Principal He really knows how to cater to his preferences! Patriarch Su is sure to like it!"

Hearing this, Su Chengtian's eyes indeed lit up.

"Principal He! You truly understand me! This gift deeply resonates with my heart! Thank you!"

He Tiangang laughed heartily.

"As long as Brother Su likes it, I hope it provides you with some inspiration."

"The Xiao Family's Old Master, Old Xiao's gift. A drop of Amethyst Rank Earth Vein Dragon Marrow!"

Inside a transparent crystal vial,

a drop of golden liquid seemed to flow with life,

emitting vast and profound earth essence.

"Earth Vein Dragon Marrow! This is a top-tier treasure that can strengthen a Spirit Beast's Physical Body! It's even a heaven-and-earth wonder with a slight chance of enhancing Aptitude!"

"Old Master Xiao's gift is far too heavy!"

Su Chengtian's expression turned solemn.

He bowed deeply toward Xiao Zhan.

"Old Master Xiao, such a generous gift... I am endlessly grateful!"

Xiao Zhan stroked his beard and smiled, "Brother Su, no need for such courtesy. Our two families have been friends for generations; it is only right."

"Leiting Middle School, Principal Lei Lie's gift. A piece of Thunderstruck Wood Core!"

A piece of wood, charred black as coal,

but with faint lightning flickering within, was displayed.

It emitted a violent thunder energy.

"Thunderstruck Wood Core! Contains pure heavenly thunder power, a supreme treasure for thunder-attribute Spirit Beasts to temper and Cultivate!"

Although Su Chengtian was not of the thunder attribute,

he still knew its value and cupped his hands, saying, "Principal Lei, this item is Rare. Thank you!"

Lei Lie clasped his fists in return,

his voice booming like a bell.

"For Patriarch Su's birthday, just a small token of my regard."

"Panshi Middle School, Principal Pang Tong's gift! A piece of Wutu Essence!"

A fist-sized piece of Ore, entirely earth-yellow

yet shimmering with a metallic luster, was unveiled.

A heavy and steady aura washed over everyone.

"Wutu Essence Metal! A top-tier earth-attribute forging material that can greatly enhance the defensive strength of defensive Beast equipment!"

Su Chengtian expressed his thanks once more.

"Principal Pang, you are very thoughtful. Thank you!"

The congratulatory gifts from several Amethyst Rank big shots

were without exception Rare and extraordinary treasures hard to find in the world.

Each one elicited continuous exclamations from the entire hall, broadening everyone's horizons.

These treasures

were not only priceless,

but also represented the givers' status and their regard for the Su Family.

After all the congratulatory gifts were displayed,

the butler was just about to announce the end of the segment.

Right at that moment,

at the main table,

a figure stood up.

"Patriarch Su, this Junior also has a birthday gift that was not presented earlier."

Jiang Yun's voice was calm,

yet it instantly attracted the attention of the entire hall.

Only then did everyone realize

that among the gifts just displayed,

indeed, Jiang Yun's was not there!

So he hadn't given it yet!

Several of the big shots also looked at Jiang Yun with slight curiosity.

Su Chengtian was first taken aback.

Then, an even more amiable smile appeared on his face.

He quickly waved his hand, saying, "Young Friend Jiang Yun, your presence alone brings me immense joy; there is no need to prepare a gift. Your sentiment is heavier than any gift!"

He thought to himself,

Jiang Yun's Family background was Common.

He probably couldn't produce any presentable gift.

He didn't want this future prospective son-in-law to be embarrassed on such an occasion.

But Jiang Yun insisted, "For Patriarch Su's birthday, this Junior has prepared a modest gift, just a small token of my regard. Please accept it."

Seeing his sincere attitude,

Su Chengtian felt even more gratified.

To prevent Jiang Yun from being put in an awkward position,

he immediately laughed heartily.

His tone was filled with the magnanimity of an elder and the protectiveness toward a Junior.

"Good! Good! Whatever it is, as long as it's from you, even if it's just a stone, this old man will be happy! To be honest, with your Prodigy-like talent, if you could form a good match with my Qingxue, that would be the best birthday gift for this old man! Hahaha!"

As soon as he said this,

the crowd below also laughed understandingly.

They nodded one after another, showing comprehension.

"Patriarch Su is right; Jiang Yun's talent is the best gift."

"Indeed, having a Common Family background is understandable; the sentiment is what matters."

"Patriarch Su truly values Jiang Yun, protecting him like this."

The atmosphere became very harmonious for a moment.

Everyone felt that even if Jiang Yun presented the most ordinary gift,

it would be perfectly acceptable.

Su Chengtian looked at Jiang Yun with a beaming smile.

Following the atmosphere, he asked curiously, "In that case, this old man is curious. Young Friend Jiang Yun, what gift have you prepared for me?"

Instantly,

everyone's gaze focused on Jiang Yun once more.

With well-meaning curiosity and anticipation,

they wanted to see what this Genius youth would present.

Under the watchful eyes of all,

Jiang Yun's expression remained unchanged.

He flipped his palm.

A gemstone, roughly the size of an egg, entirely green and jade-like, with countless tiny storms seemingly endlessly rotating and condensing inside, appeared in his palm.

The moment the gemstone appeared,

the surrounding air seemed to become light and agile.

A pure and vast wind-attribute energy fluctuation

spread quietly like ripples.

Holding this gemstone,

Jiang Yun's voice clearly carried throughout the entire banquet hall.

"This Junior's birthday gift for you is..."

"wind god stone essence."

As his words fell,

the crowd below first fell into a slight silence.

Then, bursts of exclamations erupted!

"This is... such pure wind-attribute Origin energy! This seems to be a material that can write about wind-attribute evolution!"

"I feel my wind-attribute Spirit Beast becoming restless! This thing is not simple!"

"wind god stone essence? The name alone sounds impressive!"

"I never expected Jiang Yun to be able to produce a treasure of such quality! It seems his Family background isn't as Common as the rumors say!"

"This item must be extremely valuable!"

The crowd discussed animatedly.

Most were amazed by the gemstone's extraordinariness

and surprised that Jiang Yun could produce such an item.

They could sense the wind god stone essence's extraordinariness, but not everyone could discern exactly how extraordinary it was at a glance.

However,

unlike the astonishment of the crowd below,

at the main table,

those well-informed, steady Amethyst Rank big shots sitting at the pinnacle of C-city, upon hearing the words "wind god stone essence" and sensing that unique, Origin-like wind-attribute fluctuation, their composure and smiles instantly froze.

Mayor Zhang Qing's hand holding the wine glass paused slightly.

An unbelievable gleam shot from his eyes.

Principal He Tiangang's smile stiffened.

He abruptly sat up straight.

Old Master Xiao Zhan's hand stroking his beard halted mid-air.

His cloudy old eyes widened round.

Principals Lei Lie and Pang Tong even directly gasped in shock!

And the birthday star, Su Chengtian,

was as if struck by a paralysis spell.

The amiable smile on his face completely froze.

His mouth opened slightly uncontrollably.

His gaze fixed intently on the green jade-like gemstone in Jiang Yun's hand, as if seeing some unbelievable miracle!

The entire main table

fell into an eerie silence.

Forming a stark contrast with the gradually rising clamor below the stage.

wind god stone essence... it was actually wind god stone essence?!