369: Victory celebration banquet

As her words fell, Fang Yusheng lightly raised her jade-like wrist and beckoned with her fair hand. A streak of shimmering white light spun out from her sleeve, and when it landed in her palm, it had become an exquisite invitation with gold-stamped cloud patterns, its cover faintly swirling with spiritual rhythm.

She moved with graceful steps, handing the invitation to Chen Xuan with a gentle and polite expression.

Chen Xuan reached out to take it, then raised his eyes and asked, "What invitation is this?"

Fang Yusheng lowered her eyes with a faint smile, her voice soft yet clear: "This is for a Celebration Banquet hosted by Great Love Immortal Venerable. Beyond the invitation itself, it is also a request to discuss a joint resistance against the Yao Race. Senior Chen's Dao Seeking Sect turned the tide in the Rain God Continent and protected countless lives, making you the primary contributor to this repelling of the Yao. Therefore, we specifically came to deliver this invitation."

A meeting to discuss fighting the Yao Race?

Chen Xuan hadn't expected such a follow-up. Should he go or not?

Standing to the side, Qi Yue frowned slightly, a hint of doubt arising in her heart.

Since it was a banquet personally hosted by Great Love Immortal Venerable and an invitation for Sect contributors to discuss matters, why wouldn't he send his own personal attendants? Instead, why were people from the Medicine Hut sent to deliver the invitation?

However, due to the occasion, Qi Yue did not voice her doubts and simply stood quietly to the side.

Chen Xuan nodded and said "Thank you," then placed the invitation into his storage ring.

He then looked up, his gaze sweeping over Fang Yusheng and the other two. "You have all come from afar and are honored guests of the Dao Seeking Sect. The wine shops in Qingqiu City at the foot of our mountain house some fine brews with a unique flavor. Today, I shall be the host. Please, do me the honor of joining me for a few drinks."

As for why he didn't invite them into the Sect...

Nonsense!

The Spiritual Qi within the Dao Seeking Sect was so abundant it was almost as thick as water. Such a foundation was far beyond what external Sects could match. If these three were to glimpse even a fraction of it, it would surely invite baseless covetousness and bring unnecessary trouble to the Sect. After all, for a Cultivator, abundant Spiritual Qi was the most fundamental treasure on the path of cultivation.

Moreover, these three all belonged to prestigious major Sects; a single move could affect everything. They were, in the end, different from the likes of Qin Tianxing.

It was like this: if a Qi Refining Cultivator said they had found a treasure land brimming with Spiritual Qi where the cultivation speed was a hundred times faster than the outside world, others would only treat it as a joke. But if the one saying this was a rising Deity Transformation Realm Great Cultivator, the credibility would be self-evident.

Sure enough!

After hearing this, all three shook their heads and politely declined.

Ruan Chuan took a step forward first, cupped his hands, and said, "Coming here this time, I also have an audacious request. I wonder if it would be convenient for Fellow Daoist to grant it?"

Chen Xuan's gaze narrowed slightly as he asked calmly, "Fellow Daoist, please speak freely."

"I have heard that the Dao Seeking Sect repelled the Yao Race with great force and possesses deep attainments in the Dao of Formations."

Ruan Chuan gripped the long sword at his waist and continued, "I admire this greatly and wish to spar with you. Although I am not skilled in Formations, I have practiced with the long sword in my hand to some degree of proficiency. Today, I am bold enough to ask for some guidance from Fellow Daoist."

Although Han Chen and the other were slightly surprised by their friend's words, they also had the intention of watching the show and stood quietly to the side without interjecting.

Listening to his words, Chen Xuan could only hear the word "testing" between every line.

He didn't know if it was the other party's own impulsive act or an intentional instruction from the Sect behind him.

Chen Xuan pondered for a moment and already had a decision in his heart. With the Mountain-Protecting Array in place, the Dao Seeking Sect didn't need to be too low-key. At worst, he could just close the doors and focus on cultivation afterward. Besides, if he didn't accept this challenge today, other forces might follow one after another to test them in the future, which would be even more troublesome.

Throw one punch to avoid a hundred.

What Chen Xuan wanted was to leave an impression of the "Dao Seeking Sect's unfathomable depth" in the minds of these top-tier Sect Cultivators.

Don't ask; if you do, it's because our foundation is profound. You should only dare to be friendly, not an enemy.

"Since Fellow Daoist has such an interest, then I shall fulfill your wish."

Upon hearing this, a flash of wild joy instantly crossed Ruan Chuan's eyes. He clearly hadn't expected Chen Xuan to agree so readily.

"Fellow Daoist, after you?"

Before his voice had even faded, his figure had already transformed into a streak of light, vanishing from the spot. Chen Xuan tapped his toes, his figure following closely behind like a drifting cloud, and in an instant, he too was gone.

Only Han Chen, Fang Yusheng, and Qi Yue remained.

Fang Yusheng lightly cupped her hands toward Qi Yue as a farewell, then turned to leave with Han Chen.

Just after stepping out of the Dao Seeking Sect's mountain gate, Fang Yusheng looked at Han Chen beside her and asked softly, "Aren't you going to watch that match?"

Han Chen shook his head, his tone certain: "There's nothing to see. Since the opponent could set up the Rain God Continent into an impregnable array, he is clearly no mere figurehead. Based on my understanding of Ruan Chuan, he will last a hundred moves at most before losing this match."

After a pause, a hint of regret flashed in his eyes: "Compared to that, I am somewhat disappointed that I didn't get to see the Sect Master of the Dao Seeking Sect. I wonder what kind of person he is to be able to take in such a figure as a Peak Master and establish such a Sect."

Hearing this, the feeling she had when she first saw Chen Xuan appeared in Fang Yusheng's mind. She nodded slightly, lost in thought... The next day!

Early the next morning, inside the main hall of the Dao Seeking Sect, sandalwood incense curled in the air, and the morning light filtered through the carved window lattices, casting mottled shadows.

Xie Xingchen, Xiao Lingxian, and Mu Wanqing stood side by side, their postures upright. Seeing Chen Xuan slowly walk to the main seat and sit down, the three of them bowed in unison, their voices respectful and orderly:

"Greetings, Revered Master!"

Chen Xuan's gentle gaze swept over the three of them, and he nodded slightly: "I have called you here today to inform you of two important matters."

He paused for a moment, then turned to look at the young girl in the green dress standing beside him, saying softly, "This is Yun Xuanxuan. From now on, she will be your Junior Sister. She has just entered the Sect, so please look after her."

"Greetings, Junior Sister." Xie Xingchen was refined and elegant, being the first to cup his hands in response.

"If you have any difficulties in the future, you can tell me. I will certainly do my best to help."

Xiao Lingxian's cold and beautiful face softened a bit, and she nodded as a greeting.

Mu Wanqing, being the most lively, laughed halfway through, then suddenly leaned in close to Yun Xuanxuan and whispered, "Junior Sister, what is your current Realm?"

Yun Xuanxuan was a bit confused but still told the truth: "I have only just reached the Fourth Level of Soul Out-of-Body Stage."

The... Fourth Level of Soul Out-of-Body Stage?

Why did you even add the words 'only just'?

The young girl's face immediately turned miserable. It seemed her title of Eldest Senior Sister would be in name only.

"Eldest Senior Sister?"

Yun Xuanxuan looked up blankly, not understanding what she had said wrong.

Xie Xingchen gave a polite smile of consolation: "Junior Sister, don't mind her. Eldest Senior Sister is just... a bit shocked by your cultivation base, and for a moment, she lost her dignity as the Eldest Senior Sister."

After the three had finished their greetings, Chen Xuan's expression turned slightly serious as he continued, "The second matter concerns the Ancient Secret Realm in the sea area of the Heavenly Tribulation Continent."

"That Secret Realm is somewhat unusual. I plan to take the three of you there for some tempering when the time comes. There are still four months before the Secret Realm opens. During this time, you must focus on your secluded cultivation to stabilize your Realms and improve your Cultivation Techniques. Do not be negligent. There are many variables within the Secret Realm; only with sufficient strength can you protect yourselves and seek opportunities."

The expressions of Xie Xingchen and the others turned solemn as they replied in unison, "We obey your command, Revered Master!"

Standing to the side, Yun Xuanxuan felt her heart stir. After a moment of hesitation, she pursed her lips and finally couldn't help but take a step forward, saying softly, "Revered Master, can I also go to the Ancient Secret Realm this time?"

Chen Xuan looked up at her and asked back, "You want to go?"

Yun Xuanxuan's cheeks flushed slightly, and she nodded gently. "I want to follow my Senior Brothers and Sister for some tempering. It's just... I'm worried that my identity might cause trouble for them."