200: Chapter 200 The Sect Hosts a Banquet

Atop the mountain peak, a middle-aged man dressed in a blue-gray long robe slowly rose into the air.

The Elders of the Qingyun Sect, led by Yun Jian, stepped forward with looks of pleasant surprise to pay their respects: "Congratulations to the Sect Master on his Breakthrough to the Golden Core!"

The middle-aged man laughed heartily, his demeanor elegant. He waved his hand and said, "Elder Yun Jian, there is no need for such formalities. Today is the day of my Breakthrough and also the day the Qingyun Sect finds stability. Send someone to arrange a banquet; our Qingyun Sect must celebrate properly!"

Now that the Qingyun Sect finally had the Golden Core Cultivator it had been lacking, the surrounding Sects would surely show more respect. Hosting a banquet was also intended to announce this to those immortal Sects and finally hold their heads high.

Yun Jian naturally understood the Sect Master's intent and cupped his hands, saying, "Yes!"

He then went down to organize the banquet; it had been a long time since the Qingyun Sect had been so lively.

The mountain gates were thrown wide open, and almost all Inner Sect Disciples, except for those in critical Cultivation, were required to attend.

Inside the banquet hall, the fragrance of Immortal Wine wafted through the air, and a festive atmosphere permeated the entire Qingyun Sect.

Ye Tianyao was finally able to see her brother, whom she hadn't seen in a year, and was immediately overjoyed: "Brother!"

Ye Tianhao looked at his sister, who was still as impulsive as ever, and felt a bit helpless: "Yaoer..."

By now, Ye Tianhao was already a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Combined with his youth, his appearance had already secretly attracted many gazes.

"Brother, you're so amazing, you're already a Foundation Establishment Cultivator! I'm so envious!" Ye Tianyao's way of speaking was still direct, showing no sign of distance despite the gap in their cultivation levels.

After the siblings exchanged some pleasantries, they stood together.

The banquet had not yet begun, and the surrounding Elders were busy running back and forth, getting everything in order.

Amidst the activity, Yun Ling saw that the Inner Sect Disciples had arrived. Seeing them all with profound spiritual power and a vibrant spirit, his eyes were full of gratification.

His gaze lingered for a moment on the two siblings from the Ye family, whom he had heard much about, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Ye Tianhao's perception was keen; knowing that Yun Ling was watching them, he immediately pulled Ye Tianyao to bow slightly in greeting, his expression respectful but not timid.

The composure of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and the handsomeness of a youth complemented each other perfectly in him.

Ye Tianyao also restrained some of her playfulness and followed her brother in bowing. Her almond eyes were lively; though her cultivation was not as high as her brother's—being only at the Qi Refining Stage—she was filled with Spiritual Qi. One could tell her Heart-Nature was pure and her talent was not to be underestimated.

"No need for formalities." Yun Ling raised his hand in a supportive gesture. His voice was gentle yet carried the unique pressure of a Golden Core Cultivator, though he had deliberately restrained it so as not to harm the two Juniors.

"Ye Tianhao, Ye Tianyao, I have long heard that you two siblings are diligent, hardworking, and possess outstanding talent. Seeing you today, it is clear your reputation is well-deserved."

Ye Tianhao lowered his head and said, "The Sect Master overpraises us. I am merely doing my best. It is entirely thanks to the Sect's cultivation that I have made even this small amount of progress today."

Seeing the youth's neither humble nor arrogant manner, Yun Ling felt a bit more fond of him.

"Today's banquet is both a celebration of my Breakthrough to the Golden Core and a day for our Qingyun Sect to show its strength. You two siblings shall join me at the table, so the various Sects can see that the younger generation of our Qingyun Sect is by no means ordinary."

Ye Tianhao's heart jolted. He understood the Sect Master's intention; this was not just recognition for the siblings, but also using today's banquet to showcase the Qingyun Sect's young power to the various Sects, deterring those forces stirring in the shadows.

He immediately replied, "This Disciple obeys!"

Although Ye Tianyao didn't understand the deeper meaning, she knew the Sect Master held them in high regard. She obediently followed her brother and Yun Ling toward the main banquet table.

The other Disciples were extremely envious to see the Ye siblings so favored by the Sect Master. Among them, Lu Shaoyou's gaze fell upon Ye Tianyao, his lips curling upward.

This caused Ye Tianyao's cheeks to flush slightly.

After they were seated, the banquet began.

Seated below Yun Ling's main seat were several other Sect Masters, almost all of whom were at the Golden Core level. The most powerful among them was Sect Master Fan Lang of the Lingxiao Sect, who was already at the Golden Core Middle Stage and sat in the most prominent position.

The Lingxiao Sect and the Qingyun Sect were located close to each other. Because the Lingxiao Sect was powerful, it often suppressed the Qingyun Sect. Now, facing a Qingyun Sect that had a Golden Core presiding over it, they showed a bit more politeness.

Fan Lang held a glazed wine cup, a half-smile on his lips. His voice wasn't loud, but it was enough for those nearby to hear clearly.

"Sect Master Yun Ling, congratulations on your Breakthrough to the Golden Core. From now on, the Qingyun Sect can be considered to have a foundation to stand on. Truly worth celebrating!"

These words sounded like a congratulation, but the contempt hidden in his tone was unmistakable. In the past, when the Qingyun Sect had no Golden Core Cultivator, the Lingxiao Sect always had the final say.

Now that Yun Ling had made a Breakthrough, Fan Lang was polite on the surface, but in his heart, he might not be willing to accept the reality of the Qingyun Sect's rise.

Yun Ling's expression remained unchanged as he smiled gently. "Sect Master Fan overpraises me. I hosted this banquet today, firstly to celebrate the Breakthrough, and secondly to discuss the path to immortality with all of you Fellow Daoists. As neighbors, we should help each other in the future."

These were just diplomatic pleasantries, and the other Sect Masters also laughed and chimed in. Any sincerity or falsehood was masked amidst the clinking of glasses.

Sitting by Yun Ling's side, Ye Tianhao's hands slowly clenched within his sleeves. He clearly felt a Golden Core pressure testing him, causing him to feel a sudden, intense sense of oppression.

The source was none other than Sect Master Fan Lang of the Lingxiao Sect, and Yun Ling, by his side, did not offer any resistance, seemingly allowing Fan Lang to test him quite calmly.

Next to him, Ye Tianyao also felt a sense of oppression.

But soon, Yun Ling used his spiritual power to interrupt Fan Lang's testing, his expression showing nothing.

Seeing this, Fan Lang set down his wine cup and said casually, "Sect Master Yun Ling, is this that Genius Disciple of your Qingyun Sect, Ye Tianhao? To already be a Foundation Establishment Cultivator at such a young age is indeed rare. I just wonder if he is merely famous in name, or if he truly has ability?"

The noise in the banquet hall instantly quieted down, and all eyes were focused on Ye Tianhao.

Yun Ling looked up and smiled faintly. "Sect Master Fan must be joking. My Disciple merely has decent Aptitude."

"Hmph, in that case, why not have him spar with my young Disciple? It would be a good exchange," Fan Lang said immediately.

As soon as he spoke, a man in blue robes stepped out from behind him. He had a handsome face and a steady aura, faintly possessing the cultivation of the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

"This is my Personal Disciple, Ruan Xiao. Let him spar with Little Friend Ye; just a friendly exchange will suffice."

"Ruan Xiao?" As soon as the name was mentioned...

Ye Tianhao and Ye Tianyao were startled. This Ruan Xiao seemed to be the Foundation Establishment Cultivator who had fought their grandfather many times. They hadn't expected to face him directly.

Ruan Xiao, with a proud face, bowed to Fan Lang, then turned his gaze toward Ye Tianhao, his tone carrying a hint of contempt: "Little Friend Ye, please."

Ye Tianyao couldn't help but feel nervous, looking at Ye Tianhao with concern.

Ye Tianhao saw his sister's worry and said calmly, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

With that, he rose and cupped his hands toward Yun Ling and Fan Lang. "Seniors, please guide me."

In the center of the banquet hall was a large open space, and everyone turned their attention to watch.

Yun Ling held his wine cup with a calm expression, but in his heart, he was already prepared. If Ye Tianhao were in danger, he would act secretly. He could neither let his Disciple be humiliated nor completely fall out with Fan Lang.