Chapter 85: Chapter 70 Welcome Ceremony_l
Translator: 549690339
The next day, Lin Yi wore the Outer Sect Spirit Farmer’s uniform distributed by the Sinong Palace and prepared to attend the welcome ceremony. The outfit was a very pale yellow, adorned with a small sprout pattern, markedly different from the full sheaf of rice sported by the spiritual field managers.
At that moment, the summoning bell rang. Lin Yi met with Old Huang who had just stepped out of the door and together they headed towards the assembly point. Subsequently, a melodious bell rang throughout the sect, and all the spirit farmers in area B, led by Meng Le Min, headed towards the mountain gate.
Upon reaching the mountain gate, a grand spectacle greeted their eyes. Hundreds of flying swords lined the sky, each tied with a buoyant red silk cloth inscribed with words celebrating the triumphant return of the Conquest Army.
All the Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators, standing on their flying swords, formed ranks in the sky above the mountain gate while below, a multitude of disciples at the Qi Refinement Realm were arranged neatly around the gate, their different professional roles readily distinguishable by the varied colors of their clothes.
The Sinong Palace occupied an admirable position – near the mountain gate. Hall Master Zhou Yun Feng, leading the Foundation Building Disciples of the Sinong Palace, stood on his flying sword, hovering above them.
At the very front of the mountain gate stood the high-ranking officials of the Liu Yun Sect. Sect Master Green Jade Zen Ren and a few others with the title of Sinong Palace, stood on his flying sword, hovering above them.
This victorious war not only established the reputation of the Liu Yun Sect but also brought in a wealth of cultivation resources.
Apart from the disciples of the Liu Yun Sect, there were also unfamiliar faces in the crowd, standing in the same layer as Green Jade Zen Ren and other high-ranking officials. Presumably, these were representatives from other reputable sects attending the ceremony.
Outside the mountain gate, many Loose Cultivators had flocked in to join the excitement. The Liu Yun Sect, having fought this battle, would undoubtedly enhance their reputation in the Heng Yuan Cultivation World.
After all, they had triumphed over an equal scale sect, the Xuan Yin Sect. Even if it was only a cease-fire, not a complete annihilation, it demonstrated the formidable strength of the Liu Yun Sect.
After approximately one hour, a series of colossal floating battleships appeared on the distant horizon. Green Jade Zen Ren summoned the Green Jade Treasure Mirror. It floated in mid-air, projecting a green mirror light extending all the way to the place where the floating battleships emerged.
Coming from inside the Liu Yun Sect were melodious bell chimes. As many as nine tolls echoed, followed by spirited drumming and trumpet calls celebrating the triumphant return of the Conquest Army.
Soon, one after another, the floating battleships slowly flew over the mountain gate, neatly aligned. One could see the numerous wounds and large patches of blood stains on the ships, symbolizing the brutality of war.
Lin Yi estimated that nearly a hundred ships had departed, whereas now, only a little over sixty had returned. This meant more than thirty floating battleships were completely destroyed in this war.
The moment the ships stopped at the mountain gate, lines of sword light appeared in the sky forming gigantic blossoms and burst open around them.
“Victory to the Cloud Sect.” All the disciples shouted out the departure slogan in unison, creating an overwhelmingly loud chorus.
At that moment, several sword lights flashed from the foremost floating battleship, stopping above the mountain gate. Leading them was a golden flying sword. Gold Sword Zen Ren, leading four other Golden Core Real People and some Foundation Building Disciples, bowed towards Green Jade Zen Ren and said calmly, “Sect Master, we are back.”
A smile spread across the face of Sect Master Green Jade Zen Ren. He swiftly flew up to assist and said, “Your efforts are much appreciated, brothers. Welcome back. You have sought justice for the disciples and Dao friends who have perished in the evil spirits incident.”
“It’s because of you that the name of Liu Yun Sect has echoed throughout Heng Yuan Cultivation World. Liu Yun is invincible!”
As Lin Yi saw the figure of Li Yuan Qing, standing behind Gold Sword Zen Ren in all seriousness with an even stronger air of solemnity than before they departed.
The moment he saw Li Yuan Qing and the others disembark from the battleship, he immediately noticed that their gaze was first drawn towards the direction of Sinong Palace, giving a slight nod towards Zhou Yun Feng’s position. One must admit, the prestige that Master Zhou holds among the disciples under the Golden Sword Master is truly high.
Amidst the cheers of all disciples, more than sixty floating battleships flew on a course underneath the mirror light projected by the Green Jade Treasure Mirror and into the Inner Sect. Nearly every battleship bore scars from battle, and the disciples on the warships were full of joy, like those who had survived a disaster.
From his perch on a hilltop, Lin Yi could clearly see the floating battleships passing by the Spiritual Field Planting District. Below was a golden sea of Spirit Rice waves, and above, the battle-weary ships, a stark contrast. It was a heartwarming scene—a field full of aromatic rice, family returning home.
The welcome ceremony ended with the Drunken Immortal departing while laughing heartily, “Today, both the Inner and Outer Sects of Liu Yun Sect will each hold a celebratory banquet. No one leaves until they’re drunk.”
By nightfall, Spirit Farmers from every region gathered to light fires with their spells for the celebration. The Affairs Hall of Liu Yun Sect distributed resources for the feast, including the exquisite wines brewed by Outer Sect disciples, Monster Beast meats, and various kinds of Spirit Fruits.
Those Outer Sect disciples that participated in the battle had been invited into the Inner Sect’s celebration.
In the direction of the Inner Sect, the Green Jade Treasure Mirror projected a giant illusion, displaying the grand scenes from the Inner Sect’s banquet.
Performance after performance unfolded before the audience, from displays of Swordsmanship to the female disciples’ song and dance, captivating the Outer Sect Spirit Farmers, filling their hearts with yearning.
Some Golden Core Real Persons also performed briefly. The Drunken Immortal called upon his gourd, launching it up into the sky, sucking up the surrounding clouds into his gourd, then spurting them out above the Inner Sect, forming the characters ‘Liu Yun is Invincible’.
Compared to the flashy performances of the others, Gold Sword Zen Ren’s was rather straightforward. A golden light flashed across the night sky, transforming into ten thousand golden sword beams of light. For a fleeting moment, the entire night sky seemed illuminated.
The Outer Sect Spirit Farmers cheered on, their eyes filled with longing as they watched the countless golden sword lights. This was the realm that many cultivators aspired to.
The feast continued until the early morning, and most Spirit Farmers didn’t use their spiritual power to sober up, preferring to maintain their drunken state.
Lin Yi was no different. Get drunk today, and put in even more effort in cultivation tomorrow. The war was over, meaning he no longer needed to continuously make talismans, freeing up more time for cultivation.
The next day brought a piece of good news. In order to celebrate their victory over the Xuan Yin Sect, the Liu Yun Sect decided to reward every disciple with a share of the spoils. The reward for the Outer Sect Spirit Farmers would be a waiver of their farm rent for the second half of the year.
What was originally a golden sea of the Spiritual Field Planting District was now a sea of joyous celebration. Happiness radiated from the faces of all Spirit Farmers.
A total annual output of a single acre farm is 350 jin, but they would have to pay 250 jin as rent, leaving only 100 jin for themselves.
With rent now waived, all 350 jin would be theirs. For someone with ten acres, this amounts to 3500 jin. Previously, after a hard year of farming and paying the rent, those with ten acres would only end up with 2000 jin of Spirit Grain..