Chapter 82: The Banquet

Chapter 82: The Banquet

“I wish to tread the Pathway of Ascension. Maybe I am destined never to achieve anything, seeking the Dao. Maybe I am destined to turn into dust without ever catching the scent of success. But, I still wish to try!” Jaw set, Ye Lingxiang removed the blindfold and stared straight at Xiao Hong, orbs of cyan glittering like the purest gems.

“At the very least, I do not wish to regret not even trying!”

Yun Meng frowned and made to say something but was silenced by a look from his grandniece.

Xiao Hong raised an eyebrow, turned to the young girl and stared at her with narrowed eyes. The girl flinched slightly, a flicker of apprehension momentarily dimming the defiance in her cyan eyes. However, she quickly recovered and stared back, somewhat unsteady and quite unsure, but very, very unwilling to back down.

Xiao Hong let out a small smile. “Well, personally, I would recommend that you walk the Immortal Path. This might sound unbelievable but, even though the Martial Path has the lowest requirements for Cultivation, its demand for talent is actually the highest. And it places a far greater importance on vitality and age of the Cultivator.”

‘And that’s not even counting the abnormally strong Willpower required to become a Martial Artist.’ she added inwardly. In fact, Xiao Hong firmly believed that being a Martial Artist equated to being a serial Death Seeker!

All that was required for starting on the Martial Path was a normal body - one that wasn’t innately weak. Despite that, there were so few true experts in the Martial Path. This simply wasn’t intuitive!

Among the 13 Super Sects, there were only two that could be considered a proper Martial Sect: the Adamantine Fist Sect and the Flowing Cloud Sect. As for the True Martial Sect? Despite the name, their Path was actually quite different from the ordinary Martial Path. Xiao Hong had no idea why that was.

Outwardly, Xiao Hong continued, “And since you have the talent, you might as well cultivate Immortality. The Body Refining Stage of the Immortal Path is easier than that of the Martial Path - without any real focus on Martial Arts forms and such. So, you’d actually have a greater chance of attaining Qi Gathering than Blood Qi Awakening.

After a momentary pause, she continued, “Hmm, actually, you know what?”

She casually walked over to the table beside Ye Lingxiang’s bed and lightly pressed her palm against it. For a fleeting moment, a faint glow pulsed beneath her hand, casting an ethereal red glow across the occupants’ faces.

Then, she stepped back and pointed to it casually. “There. That’s a basic Cultivation Method. It is more than enough to reach the Qi Gathering Stage.”

Ye Lingxiang stared at the tabletop with wide eyes.

“I-I... Thank you, great benefactor, for your kindness! I will forever be-” She sniffled and tried to get up yet again, only to be pushed back down by a slightly flustered Xiao Hong. Why was this girl so jumpy? It was just a way of casually passing time for her. Why was she acting as if she had cured her from cancer or something?!

“It’s nothing much,” she waved her hand quickly. “There is no need to be so grateful...”

“But, Miss Xiao, not only did you waste your precious time for me in diagnosing my condition,” Ye Lingxiang interrupted, her orbs of cyan staring into Xiao Hong’s red ones with great intensity, “but you have given me an invaluable treasure - one I would probably never chance upon in my entire lifetime.

“Such a favour,” her voice raised slightly, “I would be an ingrate if I did not at least express my gratitude!

“I may not carry the Yun surname, but I shall conduct myself with nobility and honour!” She declared firmly.

Yun Meng squirmed uncomfortably in his place, while Yun Hua’s lips twitched upwards in a smirk.

Xiao Hong looked away somewhat flustered by the girl’s earnest reply. She quickly waved, “It’s nothing special. It’s only a Normal Grade Cultivation Method, that any Immortal Cultivator would know and very likely would have a copy of.”

Ye Lingxiang opened her mouth and was about to get up again but quickly withered under Xiao Hong’s glare.

After explaining a few basic things about Cultivation and promising to help her as long as she stayed with the Yun Family, the four of them left Ye Lingxiang alone.

Outside, Yun Qingfeng bowed deeply towards Xiao Hong, “I and Lingxiang will be eternally grateful to you, Fairy Xiao, for your help and kindness.”

“It isn’t much.” Xiao Hong shook her head. “I agreed to fulfil one request so I did. As for the Cultivation Method? That isn’t much either. I came to help your sister after all. Which kind of idiot doctor only diagnoses the patient without recommending cures?” She rolled her eyes.

“Miss Xiao, it may be nothing more than a casual gesture on your part but, for little Lingxiang, it is a life-saving miraculous elixir.” Yun Hua spoke softly. Xiao Hong’s casual gesture had not only given her a cure for her ailment but also a way for her to fight against her fate.

Xiao Hong fell silent before nodding toward Yun Qingfeng. “Very well, take good care of your sister, then.”

“I will!” He nodded firmly as the remaining three left.

‘It seems that this Immortal Fairy can only verify that sister has talent in the Immortal Path. But, she can’t tell exactly how strong it is.’ He stroked his chin thoughtfully, staring at a blue screen.

Name

Ye Lingxiang

Gender

Female

Age

16

Lifeform levelFiind updated novels at novelhall.com

Tier 0: Mortal

Titles

Sinner’s Spawn

Strengths

Incredible comprehensionImmense Spiritual Energy AffinityImmense Soul Power

Weaknesses

Naivete

Affiliation

Radiant Star Empire’s Royal Family, Yun Family

Special Abilities

Innate Divine Ability - Eyes of Essence: Can directly see through a person’s Life Force as long as they don’t exceed her by a whole Tier.

Potential

Immortal Path: 6 star [Blessed One]

??? [Unable to calculate]??? [Unable to calculate]??? [Unable to calculate]??? [Unable to calculate]??? [Unable to calculate]??? [Unable to calculate]

Affiliation

???, ???, ???

Special Abilities

??????

Potential

???

???

Danger Rating

Extremely Dangerous. Seriously, don’t offend her.

Remarks

A Mage in a strange state. Possibly self-imposed.

Currently, she can only exert the power of a Tier 2 being. Be thankful for that, mortal.

Extra Remarks: Do NOT appraise again. You don’t like being turned into a toad, ribbit - uh, right?

‘What in the Martial God’s sweaty underpants?!’ His internal scream nearly manifested in reality! ‘Since when did the Yun Family become a tourist hotspot for visiting overpowered monsters?!’

His soul was already writing its resignation letter! It seriously did not like the work environment of Keep Yun Qingfeng Alive Pvt. Ltd - worn out over having to deal with random bursts of panic, snarky appraisal systems, and living in constant fear of being vaporized by random overpowered women.

While Yun Qingfeng’s soul contemplated early retirement, Yun Meng nudged the First Elder with his elbow. The First Elder’s eyebrow quirked up inquiringly.

Consciously avoiding the massive zinger of a nose, he asked, “You too?”

The First Elder was confused for a moment before his eyes lit up and he quickly nodded, his head bobbing up and down vigorously, forcing into Yun Meng’s view his spectacular nose.

Immediately, Yun Meng recoiled in horror, feeling his eyes had been tainted by that damned eldritch horror! He wouldn’t be surprised if his eyes grew eyes!

‘I must do something about that foul thing. Otherwise, our family might be harmed!’ He nearly dropped back to the Blood Qi Awakening Stage from the single look. All his hard work and the great Fairy Xiao’s favour had been nearly sent down the drain single-handedly by that damned thing!

“Good! Good! Good!” The Second Elder who had been eavesdropping on their conversion exclaimed softly, his excitement nearly getting the better of him and sending him to the Netherworld. “Our Yun Family is going to rise-!

Before he could screw up everything, the rest of them hushed him.

***

Half an hour after the members of the Yun Family had gathered, Yun Meng walked over to the centre of the hall. He cleared his throat to gather attention.

“Welcome my dearest brothers and sisters. Today, we have gathered in honour of an Esteemed Guest of the Soaring Clouds Yun Family. A guest, whose help has single-handedly brought our Clan to greater heights!”

Yun Cheng raised a brow. Wow. That is quite the praise!

What was even more surprising was that the Elders nodded along vigorously, seemingly agreeing completely.

“Without further ado, let me introduce our Honoured Guest,” he gestured grandly towards the large main door, “Fairy Xiao!”

With a low ‘clang!’ the nearly three-storey tall gates opened, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful young woman.

A cascade of raven hair, blacker than a moonless night, flowed down her back, contrasting her fair, delicate skin that radiated a sense of pure vitality, giving it an almost ethereal glow. Her face was a masterpiece sculpted by divine beings, with delicate features that seemed too perfect for this world. A hint of a smile played on her lips, full and inviting. Each step she took possessed an ethereal grace as if she moved not on solid ground but on unreachable clouds.

An aura emanated from her deeper than the oceans, more mysterious than the starry skies; like an otherworldly Immortal descended unto the mortal world, gracing it with her presence.

The residents of the hall found their gazes frozen in her direction. Colour drained from the world around her.

For the several moments she took, walking to the centre of the hall, no one made a sound, for they were far too busy engraving the spectacle in their minds - whether they were men or women.

Yun Meng clapped his hands, shattering the quiet atmosphere and bringing everyone out of their reverie.

“Welcome, Fairy Xiao, once again, to our humble home. We are grateful for your presence and for the tremendous favour you have shown our family, and we will be eternally grateful...” Yun Meng burst into a speech so long that Xiao Hong nearly fell asleep! Fucking dammit! Even so far away from Earth, she could not escape these long-winded old men!

What was worse was that she knew if she simply got up and left, no one would be able to do anything to her, but for the sake of politeness, she had no choice but to stay! If she really left, it would mean disregarding Yun Meng and showing her dissatisfaction with him, which would spark dangerous thoughts in those who opposed Yun Meng.

All of this was subtly explained by Yun Meng over the past few days.

‘What a damn headache!’ She muttered to herself.

Bored as she was, she let her eyes wander, casually scanning the other attendees of the banquet.

The first people to fall into her eyes were several wrinkled oldies. Xiao Hong immediately turned away. What was the point of staring at a bunch of oldies? They weren’t exactly easy on the eyes.

Her eyes swept across the hall.

‘Oh, there’s the Qingfeng kid. What’s up with him though?’ She suddenly noticed a slightly pale Yun Qingfeng, who had quietly retired to the edge of the room. Occasionally, his gaze drifted to the other side of the hall, then shuddering slightly and looking away, which Xiao Hong found rather odd. Most of the people around were either staring at her or Yun Meng.

So, Xiao Hong also turned her gaze in the same direction, her eyes falling upon a burly man with a ponytail, radiating a robust vital force far stronger than the peak of Blood Qi Awakening. ‘Oh, that’s the genius of the Yun...’

‘Oh, my! What a beauty!’ Analytical Xiao Hong was kicked aside by the Jade Beauty Connoisseur Xiao Hong! Her eyes fixed themselves upon the slender figure beside the burly fellow.

She had never expected to see such a beautiful young woman here!

Rialda, who had also been discretely paying attention to the ‘Immortal Fairy’ nearly jumped in fright under that intense glare!

***