118: Chapter 118 The Grand Gathering Begins

Luoxuan City, the City Lord's Manor.

Above the vast central square floated three towering white jade banquet platforms, as bright as moonlight and shimmering with a soft glow.

The central core platform was the most magnificent, where the Immortal Officials of Great Wei sat. The smaller platforms on either side were the gathering places for the Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining forces, respectively.

On the white jade platforms, tables and chairs were neatly arranged, with fine spiritual wines filling the cups and beast meats and spiritual fruits piled high like a feast.

Today was Great Wei's once-in-a-century grand gathering; Luoxuan City was bustling with noise as tens of thousands gathered.

After verifying their identities, Cultivators from various forces took their seats on the white jade platforms via the teleportation array within the City Lord's Manor.

All the Cultivators marveled at the grand spectacle before them; even for the local Cultivators of Luoxuan City, such a scene was a rare sight.

Su Yang and the others found empty seats in the area belonging to the Qi Refining forces.

Su Yang's gaze swept across, spotting Jiang Linyuan mingled among the Li Family, as well as Patriarch Yuan Chongde, who raised a cup to him.

Su Yang smiled and raised his cup in response, then his gaze found the location of the Lingxi Sect.

The Auras of five Qi Refining Perfection Cultivators gathered together, as blazing and eye-catching as flames in the night. The Lingxi Sect Disciples were all high-spirited, appearing full of confidence for the grand gathering's combat.

Among them, a white-haired old man accompanied by a young girl seemed to sense something; he turned his head, met Su Yang's gaze, and actually took the initiative to smile and nod in greeting.

Su Yang felt quite surprised and immediately cupped his hands to return the gesture.

Besides them, he also found the Cultivators of the Iron Hoof Society. Each one was full of bandit-like air, carelessly resting one leg on their chairs as they picked up wine jars and poured them into their mouths, the golden wine drawing a long, thin stream straight down their throats.

Beside them were the Cultivators of the Canghai Society, their brows furrowed in disgust at the crude behavior of the Iron Hoof Society, showing expressions of disdain.

Then, Su Yang found the Shi Family Cultivators, but their head was not on this platform; instead, he was on the platform of the Great Wei Immortal Officials. He immediately locked onto this Head of the Shi Family—that Face was indeed the same Immortal Official he had seen in Lanshui County.

He calmly and silently memorized the Faces and Auras of these Cultivators.

"The imperial court is truly generous! We can actually eat the spiritual wine and spiritual fruits on the table as we please."

Su Xuanxiao showed no restraint, grabbing a spiritual fruit from the table and devouring it. The flesh melted upon entering his stomach, and as the warm nourishment spread, all the pores of his body relaxed.

While enjoying the food, he didn't forget to observe his surroundings, doing so even more carefully than Su Yang.

"These things are very precious to us, but to Great Wei, they are just a drop in the ocean."

Su Yang smiled as he grabbed two spiritual fruits, taking a bite of one and handing the other to his wife beside him.

Seeing this, the members of the Su Family began to feast heartily.

At a time like this, Cultivators who still put on airs and acted reserved for the sake of Face were all fools.

Many Cultivators still wanted to maintain their decorum, but seeing the Su Family sweep through half a table of delicacies like a whirlwind, they eventually couldn't resist the temptation and joined the ranks of those feasting heartily one after another.

Seeing this scene, the Great Wei Immortal Officials on the central platform were all smiles, though deep in their eyes lurked mockery and disdain.

Country bumpkins are indeed country bumpkins; just some food containing Spiritual Qi is enough to make these people ecstatic.

If better treasures are brought out later, won't they go mad on the spot?

"Luoxuan City welcomes you all!"

As the atmosphere of the gathering gradually heated up, a sonorous voice echoed through the heavens and earth, accompanied by the spreading Aura of a Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivation.

City Lord City Lord stood up, standing with his hands behind his back as he said:

"Floating platforms in the sky, the fragrance of spiritual wine in the air—on this occasion of Great Wei's centennial grand gathering, the heroes gather in Luoxuan City!"

"Fellow Daoists should set aside sectarian prejudices and freely spar and discuss the Dao here between heaven and earth, verifying the mysteries of Daoist techniques. At this gathering, you may speak freely and challenge others from all directions to display what you have learned in your lives."

As his voice fell, Cultivators immediately landed on the central square, inviting others to spar and compete in techniques.

Su Xuanheng was eager to try and couldn't help but ask, "Father, can I go down and spar with them?"

"Spar my foot!"

Su Yang rolled his eyes at his eldest son. "Going down to spar is nothing but a monkey show. Look at those down there; how much skill do they actually have? The real battle is the Secret Realm combat. The priority now is to eat and drink your fill so you'll have the strength to fight later."

Su Xuanheng was left speechless by the rebuttal, and upon closer inspection, it really was so!

Those participating in the sparring were all mediocre people, praising and complimenting each other, creating a false atmosphere of profundity. Anyone who didn't know better would think they were great experts discussing the Dao.

Looking up again at the platforms where the Foundation Establishment forces and Great Wei Immortal Officials were, the contempt and disdain in their eyes were unconcealed, casting toward the square like pricks of a needle.

Su Xuanheng immediately understood; the person who had just gone down to challenge others was clearly a plant to warm up the crowd and provide entertainment.

City Lord City Lord and the group of Great Wei Immortal Officials, seated high on the core platform, were now leisurely sipping spiritual wine and enjoying delicacies.

They looked down at the Dao discussions and sparring on the square as if it were a monkey show, letting out bursts of laughter. Their posture was condescending, as if they were toying with the common masses.

"These Immortal Officials are completely treating us as entertainment. The Secret Realm combat later... it won't be exactly like this scene, will it?"

Su Xuanxiao's gaze turned slightly cold as he spoke via voice transmission.

Qin Jiangmei replied with a light laugh, "It shouldn't be. The Secret Realm combat offers generous rewards, and the experts of various forces will all join the fray to compete. You and Henger must not let your guard down."

Su Yang nodded slightly. "Your mother is right."

When the entertainment sparring ended, the clamor at the banquet finally reached its peak.

The Great Wei Immortal Officials took the lead in applauding and cheering loudly.

City Lord stood up again, saying with a Face full of smiles, "The sparring of you Fellow Daoists just now fully displayed the mysteries of our Great Wei Cultivators' Daoist techniques! However, the gathering is just getting into full swing, and I'm sure you all haven't had your fill. For this, the imperial court has specially prepared a Combat Secret Realm!"

Rumble!

The earth trembled, and a towering stone gate several zhang high slowly rose from the central square.

City Lord City Lord and several Foundation Establishment Immortal Officials flew down from the platform, each landing at a position around the stone gate. They formed hand seals, and the light of Daoist techniques flowed.

In an instant, the stone gate blazed with golden light and was suddenly pushed open by an invisible force. Inside the gate, a blue light rippled, slowly rotating like an ocean vortex.

City Lord waved his hand casually, and streaks of radiant pure white jade plaques accurately hovered before every Cultivator present.

"The Combat Secret Realms were established in each prefecture city by the late Emperor of Great Wei. They contain special Yao Beasts and spirit plants imbued with star energy. Hunting or gathering them will accumulate points on your jade plaques."

"In this ranking, those who make it into the top hundred will be rewarded with one foundation establishment pill! If you enter the top ten..." His voice, like a booming bell, suddenly rose, "You will be bestowed with the 'Lesser Five Elements Art'!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the Cultivators throughout the venue gasped in unison.

Before they could recover from their shock, spiritual light rose from City Lord's fingertips again. "The points obtained here can also be exchanged for the aforementioned treasures!"

The moment the hand seal rippled through the air, ten thousand feet of golden text unfolded with a roar!

The names of countless Heaven And Earth Treasures, Daoist techniques, Medicinal Pills, and Magic Treasures fell like a galaxy, reflecting in the eyes of thousands of Cultivators.

The entire white jade banquet platform instantly boiled with excitement!