355: Chapter 355 After a hearty meal and drinks, shall we have a fight?

The celebratory banquet lasted from dusk until late at night.

In the open space in the center of Qixia Valley, a roaring bonfire illuminated everyone's faces with a reddish glow.

On the grill, several prepared Spirit Beasts were sizzling with oil, their aroma wafting everywhere.

Beside them sat over a dozen empty wine jars—Spirit Wine gifted by the Taihu Clan, a rare delicacy not easily enjoyed on ordinary days.

The Disciples of the Hehuan Sect sat around the bonfire, passing cups and exchanging toasts, their laughter continuous.

The stifling oppression they had endured at the hands of the Taihu Clan Disciples seemed to vanish into thin air on this night.

Someone started singing an old song of the Hehuan Sect, a tune they would sing during every celebration back when the Sect still stood.

The singing was a bit rough at first, but gradually, more and more people joined in, and the song grew louder, echoing throughout the valley.

"The Hehuan flowers bloom, the Hehuan flowers fall, under the Hehuan Sect is my home..."

As some female Disciples sang with deep emotion, they couldn't help but feel their eyes redden.

They thought of their former home and remembered their fellow Disciples who had died during the sneak attack by the Meiying Sect.

But looking at the roaring bonfire before them and the living Junior Brothers and Senior Brothers around them, a wave of warmth surged in their hearts.

It is good to be alive.

As long as people are here, home is here.

Leng Ningshuang and the other three were surrounded in the center, accepting toasts and congratulations from everyone.

Zhao Yan refused no one, downing bowl after bowl.

He was naturally a bold and unconstrained person, and having achieved a Breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage, he was in high spirits, drinking until his face was flushed red, even his neck turning crimson.

He slapped his chest and laughed loudly, "Brothers, rest assured! From now on, with me here, if anyone dares to bully our Hehuan Sect members again, I'll punch their dog head into pieces!"

Someone jeered, "Senior Brother Zhao, you're at the Nascent Soul stage now, so you must keep your word!"

Zhao Yan slapped the table, "Of course! When I, Old Zhao, say something, it's as solid as a nail!"

Ning Caihe remained taciturn, sitting in a corner, clutching his sword, occasionally raising his cup to respond to those offering toasts.

Yet, the corners of his mouth were also, for once, slightly upturned.

As a Sword Cultivator, he was never good with words, but his heart was filled with joy at this moment.

Achieving a Breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage meant his Dao of the sword had advanced another step.

Qingyan took small sips of fruit wine, her cheeks flushed, resembling a ripe apple.

She stole glances at Xu Ruyu from time to time, and every time their gazes met, she would quickly lower her head, her ears turning bright red.

A Senior Sister teased her, "Qingyan, what are you looking at? Are you looking at our Sect Master? I heard from the Fifth Elder that the Sect Master used to peek at you while you were bathing?"

Qingyan was so embarrassed she wished she could burrow into a crack in the ground, drawing a burst of good-natured laughter.

Leng Ningshuang sat in the seat of honor, maintaining her usual cold and indifferent demeanor.

But upon closer inspection, the softness in her eyes was a rare sight in many years.

She occasionally raised her cup, only taking a shallow sip, then continued to watch everyone quietly.

As the Senior Sister of the Hehuan Sect, she was known for her strictness, but looking at these laughing Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters now, a wave of gratification surged in her heart.

These days have not been easy for everyone.

And now, they finally saw hope.

Xu Ruyu sat in the main seat above the bonfire, with Yue Ling and the Taihao Clan beside him.

Yue Ling did not drink wine, simply accompanying him quietly, refilling his tea and handing him grilled meat.

Her movements were gentle and natural, as if she had grown accustomed to this role.

Occasionally, when Disciples came to offer toasts, she would slightly turn to the side, making space, but her gaze never left Xu Ruyu.

The Taihao Clan, however, had completely let go.

She clutched a wine jar, drinking more happily than anyone else, her face rosy; there was no trace of the Saint Realm Artifact Refiner left in her.

She pulled at Xu Ruyu, insisting he explain the design concepts of those Array Pattern. When Xu Ruyu spoke a few words, she interrupted, "No, no! Why is the elevation angle of that spiral pattern 23 degrees? Wouldn't 22 degrees work? Or 24 degrees?"

Xu Ruyu gave a bitter smile, "Senior Taihao, could you wait a while before asking? I'm drinking."

The Taihao Clan glared, "How is drinking more important than Artifact Refining? Speak!"

Yue Ling covered her mouth and chuckled softly from the side.

This Disciple of hers was good at everything, but once she touched Artifact Refining, she was like a completely different person.

After three rounds of drinks and the feast was underway, the bonfire burned brighter, and the laughter of the crowd gradually subsided.

Some began to recount interesting stories from the past, some lamented their current life of living under another's roof, and others dreamed of the vision of rebuilding the Sect in the future.

Listening to this, Xu Ruyu felt a surge of emotion.

He knew that in the hearts of these Disciples, there was both hope for the future and unease about the current situation.

After all, no matter how good Tianyin Mountain was, it was still someone else's territory.

No one wanted to taste the bitterness of living under another's roof for long.

He set down his wine cup and stood up.

The crowd quieted down, their gazes falling collectively upon him.

Xu Ruyu scanned the crowd, a faint smile on his face, and spoke slowly, "Everyone is happy tonight, and everyone has drunk to their heart's content. However—"

He paused, his gaze falling on Leng Ningshuang and the other three, a mischievous glint flashing in his eyes, "After being full of food and drink, shouldn't we stretch our muscles a bit?"

The crowd was stunned, then someone laughed, "Sect Master, are you planning to spar with us?"

Xu Ruyu shook his head and pointed at Leng Ningshuang and the other three, "Not with you, but with them."