386: Chapter 386 The Banquet

After a small episode, Chen Xuan and the others returned to the banquet square.

Dongfang Li had already taken her leave early. Fang Yusheng looked at Chen Xuan, a gentle smile spreading across her lips as she said softly, "Peak Master Chen, I shall take my leave then. Once your Sect has reached a decision in the future, you need only inform me via a communication talisman."

"Thank you for your trouble, Miss Fang."

Chen Xuan raised his hands in a cupped-fist salute to express his thanks.

Although there were no strict rules for the seating at this banquet, it tacitly reflected the foundations of the various powers.

Dao Seeking Sect had only just made a name for itself, so its seats were arranged in a corner; meanwhile, Tiangong Pavilion and the Medicine Hut were both established powerful Sects presided over by Heavenly Venerables, so their seats were naturally placed in prominent positions at the front, looking exceptionally grand.

However, Chen Xuan didn't care about this at all. At this moment, his mind was entirely focused on those four heaven-rank magic treasures.

The Yin and Yang Rings gifted by the Tianque Sect were capable of both offense and defense, and could be given to that girl Wanqing.

The remaining four heaven-rank magic treasures each had their own mysteries.

The first was a green oil-paper umbrella. The canopy was woven from the feather silk of an unknown Blue Luan, and its ribs shimmered with spiritual light. Chen Xuan planned to give it to Xiao Lingxian.

Although this oil-paper umbrella didn't suit her Cultivation Technique and Spiritual Root as well as the Fire Dragon Bracelet, it had the advantage of being highly versatile—anyone could use it. Moreover, its style was pleasing; perhaps in the future, a legend of a Fairy in a red dress holding a green umbrella would be heard across the Nine Provinces Continent.

Wouldn't that be wonderful!

The second was a silver bell. Its body was carved with intricate cloud patterns, and it emitted a faint silvery glow. A gentle shake produced a clear and ethereal sound. It was an exquisite control-type Magic Treasure, perfect for that girl Shu Shichan.

The third was a Flying Sword. The blade was small and pitch-black, and its scabbard was covered in star patterns. It was practically tailor-made for Xie Xingchen.

As for the last one... "Sect... Peak Master!"

After the two of them sat down, Qi Yue gently lifted her skirt, revealing a wrist as white as jade.

She picked up the wine pot, her slender fingers steadily supporting its body as the clear wine slowly poured into the cup before Chen Xuan. Her movements were gentle and elegant.

"Do you have a decision in mind? Which power do you intend to ally with?"

Chen Xuan picked up his wine cup and took a small sip. The wine was mellow with a sweet aftertaste. He set down the cup, his gaze falling on Qi Yue's face, and asked in return, "Which side do you think is more worth befriending, Tiangong Pavilion or the Medicine Hut?"

Qi Yue pondered for a moment before slowly speaking, "Powers with such deep foundations like Tiangong Pavilion and the Medicine Hut must have something to gain by taking the initiative to show us goodwill and extend an olive branch. It's just that for now, we cannot guess what they truly want."

She paused, her clear eyes staring intently at Chen Xuan. "Perhaps they truly see potential in our Dao Seeking Sect and want to place their bets early; or perhaps, they have some other hidden agenda."

Changing her tone slightly, she added, "Or... they have seen through your identity as a banished immortal, Sect Master."

Chen Xuan: "..."

He laughed in spite of himself. "That flattery was a bit stiff; it can't even compare to that girl Wanqing."

"Then do you think that if we choose one side, we will end up offending the other?"

Qi Yue lowered her head in thought for a moment before shaking it decisively. "Tiangong Pavilion and the Medicine Hut are not enemies; in fact, they have dealings in certain fields. Therefore, even if we make a choice, it shouldn't lead to a complete breakdown in relations with the other side."

Hearing this, Chen Xuan's tone was calm. "No rush. Since there's still some time before the Secret Realm opens, we might as well wait and see for a while and deliberate slowly."

As he spoke, he casually took out a golden hairpin!

The head of the pin was engraved with a lifelike Phoenix pattern, and the body was inlaid with tiny iridescent crystals. It was luxurious yet exquisite—the final heaven-rank magic treasure.

"This item is for you today. After we return to the Sect, I'll need you to take a trip to Rain God Continent to gather information on these two major Sects."

"Thank you, Sect Master!"

Qi Yue's eyes flickered. After taking the golden hairpin and thinking for a moment, she tucked it into her hair bun.

She hesitated for a moment, then looked up at Chen Xuan and asked softly:

"What do you think, Sect Master?"

...Inside the grand hall of the Wansheng Dao Court, the building was majestic and vast. The pillars were all carved from thousand-year-old profound jade, and the air was filled with a faint scent of sandalwood, making it quiet and solemn.

An Elder dressed in a navy-blue Daoist robe stood bowing in the hall. His expression carried a hint of trepidation, yet he dared not overstep in the slightest. He spoke slowly, keeping his voice extremely low:

"Reporting to Immortal Venerable, someone has already comprehended the Divine Ability within that glazed lamp."

On the main seat of the hall, Great Love Immortal Venerable leaned back on a cloud-patterned jade throne, his eyes slightly closed. A faint, ethereal light surrounded him, as if he were one with heaven and earth, carrying a natural majesty that looked down upon all living beings.

Hearing this, his eyelashes twitched slightly. After a moment, he slowly opened his eyes and spoke in a flat, emotionless tone, "Oh? I didn't expect that someone would truly have such capability."

His fingertips lightly tapped the armrest of the jade throne. "Bring the cultivation insights here. Let this venerable one see exactly where the oversight occurred."

Hearing this, fine beads of cold sweat broke out on the Elder's forehead, and his throat bobbed. "Re... Reporting to Immortal Venerable, there are no cultivation insights to present."

"Hmm?"

A soft hum, not loud, yet it sounded like a clap of thunder exploding in the hall.

Great Love Immortal Venerable's gaze darkened slightly as it fell upon the Elder. There was no trace of anger in that look, yet it made the Elder feel as if he had fallen into an ice cellar.

He didn't say much, merely waiting for what came next.

The Elder dared not delay and hurriedly explained with a fast yet organized pace, "It was Elder Li Xuantong... In a moment of confusion, he took it upon himself to make a bet in front of everyone at the banquet. In the end, he not only lost the glazed lamp but also had to pay extra with the Dream-Gathering Butterfly, the spirit rune stone tablet, the wine bamboo, and other items!"

After finishing, the Elder didn't dare to breathe loudly, keeping his head bowed low as he awaited the Immortal Venerable's judgment.

Above the hall, Great Love Immortal Venerable just sat quietly, his eyes closing again. "Setting a bet in one's own Sect in front of everyone and then losing... it truly adds a joke to today's banquet."

"Bring Li Xuantong here."

"Yes, Immortal Venerable!"

The Elder felt a sense of relief and hurriedly bowed to take his leave, turning to go.

"Wait," Great Love Immortal Venerable suddenly spoke.

The Elder's figure stiffened, and he immediately turned back to stand respectfully. "What are your orders, Immortal Venerable?"

"Who was it that comprehended the Divine Ability of the glazed lamp?"

"Reporting to Immortal Venerable, it was Peak Master Chen of the Dao Seeking Sect's Butian Peak."

"Dao Seeking Sect again?" The rhythm of Great Love Immortal Venerable's fingers tapping the jade throne paused slightly before resuming. The crisp "tap-tap" echoed through the hall.

The Elder added from the side, "This person not only comprehended the God-Tier Divine Ability within the glazed lamp but also used it to suppress and kill an Elder of Biyou Palace in public. Furthermore, he seems to have connections with the Cultivators of the Medicine Hut and Tiangong Pavilion, and their interactions are quite harmonious."

Hearing this, Great Love Immortal Venerable opened his eyes slightly, a trace of surprise crossing his expression, and then ordered, "Tell me the details of what happened at that time."