174: uninvited guest

Zhou Xiuqi turned around and quietly mouthed a word to Zhou Xiuzhi.

It was the word 'Great'.

"Great-Grandfather!"

Zhou Xiuzhi understood, and his mind recalled many legends about his Great-Grandfather.

Among them were some rumors about his Great-Grandfather attending a banquet at the Heavenly Star Sect.

Zhou Xiuzhi made up his mind and nodded at Zhou Xiuqi.

Without a sound or attracting attention, the two discreetly took a cup of spiritual dew, overflowing with Spiritual Qi, from the Dao platform and quietly began to sip it.

Although Zhou Leyi was conversing with the other Foundation Establishment Cultivators, he was perfectly aware of their actions.

He didn't stop them, only feeling a slight sense of emotion.

"They're much stronger than I was back then..."

The atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly lively, and later, more Foundation Establishment Cultivators arrived.

The Heavenly Star Sect also sent a newly advanced Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and everyone's reaction was somewhat similar to when Zhou Leyi first arrived.

The Heavenly Star Sect Foundation Establishment Cultivator was seated below Sect Master Chang's right, opposite Zhou Leyi.

Other Golden Core Level Factions and Foundation Establishment Factions from outer prefectures also sent Foundation Establishment Cultivators to offer congratulations.

Among them was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator from the Artifact Refining Pavilion, whose seat was in the same row as Zhou Leyi.

Time flowed on.

Another ten-odd days passed.

During this period, if anyone wished to rest, the Xuanqing Sect naturally had arrangements; they only needed to follow the Xuanqing Sect Disciples attending in the hall.

However, most of those who left their seats midway were the young Disciples brought by various families.

Zhou Xiuqi and Zhou Xiuzhi were among them.

The two not only ate many spiritual fruits and spiritual dew but also made acquaintances with many other young Disciples from various families.

Fortunately, each of them had a sense of propriety and did not overeat.

This day, the Golden Core Banquet had arrived.

The various factions who came to offer congratulations to the Xuanqing Sect had also successively arrived.

"Dong dong dong..."

Within the Xuanqing Sect, bells rang continuously, immortal cranes flew in unison, myriad rays of light shone, and clouds and mist swirled, creating an extraordinary and magnificent scene.

"Fellow Daoists, please move."

As the bell rang,

Sect Master Chang of the Xuanqing Sect, seated at the head, stood up and bowed to the many Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the hall.

Zhou Leyi quickly stood up and, along with the other Foundation Establishment Cultivators, responded in unison.

After Sect Master Chang finished speaking, he exited through the central aisle. Zhou Leyi, along with everyone else, led Zhou Xiuqi and Zhou Xiuzhi, following Sect Master Chang out of the hall.

Outside the hall, many young Disciples' eyes lit up. At this moment, a rainbow bridge spanned across the various peaks of the Xuanqing Sect, reaching directly to their feet.

"What a grand sight!"

Zhou Xiuqi and Zhou Xiuzhi, along with Zhou Leyi, stepped onto this rainbow bridge, walking as if on level ground.

Gazing at the Xuanqing Sect, which resembled a fairyland, they expressed heartfelt admiration.

Following the rainbow bridge, everyone arrived at an open-air plaza, which had already been perfectly arranged.

This was the main venue for this Golden Core Banquet.

By the time everyone arrived, many Qi Refining Stage Cultivators who had come to offer congratulations were already seated in the arena.

Seeing the group, they all stood up and bowed.

"Fellow Daoists, please take your seats."

Sect Master Chang took the lead, arriving at the head of the table. He did not sit in the main seat but, along with several Foundation Establishment Stage Elders of the Xuanqing Sect who were already waiting there, took seats before the Dao platforms on either side.

The main seat was left empty.

At this time, Xuanqing Sect Disciples had already stepped forward to guide them. Everyone followed the Disciples' guidance and took their seats in order.

"Ding ding ding ~"

Before they could observe much, crisp and pleasant zither music entered everyone's ears.

The zither music was melodious and graceful, clear as a bird's song.

"This is..."

"The Yuefu's musicians..."

"What a grand gesture!"

After taking their seats, a knowledgeable Cultivator, hearing the zither music, exclaimed.

Seeing everyone's confused expressions, the person slowly explained.

This Yuefu is a Nascent Soul Sect in Guanghan Prefecture of the Nancang Domain, and naturally has a Nascent Soul True Lord overseeing it.

However, the Yuefu's power is transcendent and detached; they rarely engage in conflict with outsiders and seldom appear in the outside world.

Most Cultivators within the manor entrust their Dao to musical instruments, entering the Dao through music, flowing water, and elegant ease.

The outside world often refers to the Disciples of the Yuefu as musicians, but this title is an honorific and not entirely the same as mortal musicians.

The Yuefu has rare interactions with the outside world, and few Cultivators are fortunate enough to hear a piece from a Yuefu musician.

"I heard that a single piece from a musician can cleanse the dust from one's Dao Heart. To be able to hear it here today is truly one of life's great fortunes."

The person's tone was emotional, and his joy was evident on his face.

Hearing this, everyone immediately calmed their minds, seized this Opportunity, and carefully began to comprehend.

The zither music flowed gracefully like a clear spring, passing through their hearts, seemingly sweeping away all the turbidity of this mortal world.

Under this melodious zither music, the plaza immediately fell silent.

"..."

"Ding ~"

After a long while, the piece concluded, and the zither music faded. Everyone slowly opened their eyes, as if reborn. Some Qi Refining Cultivators had slightly surging Qi around them, showing signs of a Breakthrough.

This was where the Opportunity lay.

Zhou Leyi carefully comprehended for a while, only feeling his Soul lighten, as if floating detached from the world, his mind and body empty, clearly having gained no small benefit.

"Hmm?"

As everyone was lost in their own thoughts, someone let out a soft exclamation.

The soft exclamation startled everyone. Following their gaze, they saw that a figure had unknowingly sat quietly in the main seat beside Sect Master Chang, smiling as he looked down at the crowd below.

"We pay our respects to Immortal Master Gu."

Everyone was startled and promptly stood up to pay their respects.

This person was none other than Immortal Master Gu Li, the newly advanced Golden Core Immortal Master of the Xuanqing Sect.

"Fellow Daoists, there's no need to be so polite, please sit."

Immortal Master Gu gently waved his sleeve, like a spring breeze caressing their faces, lifting all the Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining Cultivators present.

"Thank you, Immortal Master."

Everyone responded loudly.

"Fellow Daoist He, for such a joyous occasion, how could you not invite me to attend?"

Just then, a voice, rolling like thunder, came from outside the Xuanqing Sect, resounding across the sky.

Immortal Master Gu, who had been smiling gently, had a drastic change in expression.