Chapter 65: The Banquet

Second Senior Brother Lin Tao had many friends he was close to outside the sect. As soon as the banquet began, he excused himself from Han Su and the others to join his friends. Senior Sister Lin Xiu also spotted some old acquaintances; seeing that Han Su was accompanied by Huai Yin, she felt at ease to go over and greet her friends as well. Han Su hadn’t yet had a chance to find Tu Qiqi and a few other old companions before she was stopped. The one who came was none other than Suo Yun, the beloved daughter of the Azure Sky Sect’s leader. Da Xi and Xiao Xi still trailed behind her as always, present in body but their minds clearly elsewhere; four eyes stared hungrily at the untouched dishes on the table.

“Little Sister Han Su! I heard you’ve formed your Core? Truly, one cannot judge a person by their appearance—so young and already a Golden Core, a heroine among women! And this person beside you… your friend?” Han Su was genuinely reluctant to mock this sister. Though Suo Yun came straight for her and was speaking to her, her lively apricot eyes remained glued to Huai Yin. It was likely that Suo Yun had come over to speak to Han Su out of consideration for Huai Yin.

Nevertheless, Han Su greeted this physically cultivated young lady with proper courtesy and replied as she wished, “Sister Suo, you’ve formed your Core too, and yet you praise me? You are the true heroine. Physical cultivation is no easy path; for someone your age to reach Golden Core is a rare feat indeed. This is my friend, Huai Yin. Huai Yin, this is Sister Suo Yun, the Azure Sky Sect leader’s daughter. Behind her are her fellow disciples, Da Xi and Xiao Xi.” She hesitated, then asked, “Sister Suo, would you care to sit and chat?”

Huai Yin, upon hearing this, paid no attention; she only cast a fleeting, indifferent glance and let out a barely perceptible hum. Suo Yun, undeterred by such coldness—so unlike her haughty demeanor toward Ji You in previous years—was delighted to accept the invitation and immediately sat down next to Huai Yin.

Seeing their senior sister seated, Da Xi and Xiao Xi cheered and quickly followed suit. Noting that their senior was completely absorbed in admiring the handsome man’s profile, leaving them unattended, they quietly began sampling the delicacies. Among the scholars present, many were well-read and knowledgeable about fine food and wine. They valued exquisite flavors and refined dishes, making this banquet the most sumptuous gathering in memory.

Cultivators cared little for sensual pleasures, but these dishes were all prepared from spiritual flowers, herbs, grains, and beasts—ingredients brimming with spiritual energy. Every aspect—color, aroma, taste, and presentation—was carefully crafted, each dish with its own theme and matching plateware. Even Han Su, usually restrained, found herself tempted to try a bite.

Yet Suo Yun’s intense gaze made escape impossible, and she kept prattling on, trying to learn more about Huai Yin. Huai Yin, under the scrutiny of this formidable woman, grew increasingly irritable and vented all her annoyance toward Han Su. With pressure from both sides and such exquisite food before her, Han Su found herself with no time to appreciate it.

Fortunately, Ji You and Shang Lechi from the Orthodox Unity Sect soon arrived. Since the incident at the He Xi secret realm, when Suo Yun’s overtures to Ji You were spurned, she had quickly cast him aside. Yet Ji You remained somewhat conflicted. Though he had no interest in romance, Suo Yun’s status was an excellent match for his own ambitions—the only daughter of the Azure Sky Sect leader would strengthen his claim to the sect leadership. Alas, a moment’s hesitation, and she was lost to him.

Ji You had tried to contact Suo Yun afterward, even wandering near the Azure Sky Sect’s territory on purpose, but she never spared him another glance. Now, seeing her seated with Han Su, lavishing attention on a man who seemed a demon cultivator, he could hardly bear it. He already regarded Suo Yun as his to claim; how could he watch her turn to another?

He quickly joined them, hoping to assert his presence. But clearly, he was mistaken; Suo Yun didn’t even spare him a look—so much for any claim he thought he had. After many bouts of rivalry, Shang Lechi had developed a grudging camaraderie with Ji You. Seeing Ji You’s position increasingly threatened in recent years, he felt a surge of loyalty and decided to support him however he could. So when Ji You sat down, Shang Lechi also joined Han Su’s table.

Their arrival soon attracted others—Jade Casket Mountain, Ning Xin, and a few more. Before long, the once-empty table was filled.

Han Su had been discreetly keeping an eye on Lu Tanxian. Previously, she had remained quiet, but once Ning Xin and the others arrived, Lu Tanxian slipped away by herself, her destination unknown. Han Su guessed she had gone to ingratiate herself with the new Dean Yu. Though anxious, she knew there was nothing she could do for now but watch.

Ning Xin, too, was distracted. Ever since she volunteered to investigate the slander against Su Yunmo, a servant from the Su family had contacted her, offering assistance. It made sense; the person most directly harmed was the servant who loved Su Yunmo, who was gravely injured and sent to a remote mine. His father and friends, still nursing their grievances, were eager to find the culprit.

With their help, clues quickly led to Lu Tanxian. But that wasn’t enough; after much effort, they finally gathered evidence of her dealings with ghost cultivators and her murdering fellow disciples to refine souls. These proofs had not yet been submitted. Ning Xin, having accepted the responsibility to give the servants closure, was considering how to maximize the benefit of this leverage.

That was why she and Su Yunmo had set up a separate table with an enchantment for a private conversation. Still, in a crowded place, even with a sound barrier, it was impossible to guard against all eavesdroppers. For high-level cultivators, such wards were nearly useless. So their exchange was brief, but both were sharp enough to grasp the essentials from a few words. However, Lu Tanxian refused the terms Ning Xin proposed.

What Ning Xin wanted was Lu Tanxian’s portable herb garden. Reporting Lu Tanxian would serve her little; though others might rejoice in her downfall, Lu Tanxian was no threat to Ning Xin, and her relationship with Su Yunmo was hardly friendly—there was no reason to go to such lengths for revenge. She sought only what benefited herself.

From the start, she had made efforts to be close to Jade Casket Mountain. From him, she learned the art of alchemy, obtaining many pills and spiritual herbs. Though the Su family and Daoist Miaozhen treated her fairly, she always wanted more than what they provided. She had gained some from Jade Casket Mountain, but it was not enough. Without support, how could she afford to rely on an unreliable man?

What cultivator does not seek the Great Dao? Especially one as gifted as she, destined for greatness. She once meant to rely solely on her own efforts. She could not recall when she first changed her mind—perhaps when her “Aunt” brought her to Lingyin Peak, where she witnessed the privileged life of true second-generation cultivators. Growing up with them, yet never enjoying such resources, her craving for power and resources only grew, until she longed for a shortcut.

Why take on tasks, or hunt spirit beasts, when a little coquetry could achieve the same result? Why tire herself to exhaustion, with barely enough spirit stones to support a single cultivation session? She had no interest in men, nor did she want to please or cater to them. She saw it all as an investment, and only invested in one. Though there were returns, nothing matched ruling one’s own domain.

Since discovering Lu Tanxian’s portable herb garden, she could not help but covet it. The thought of possessing endless ancient herbs set her blood racing; imagining Jade Casket Mountain bowing before her, she could hardly restrain herself.

Yet Lu Tanxian dared refuse! How could she? With her weaknesses exposed, as soon as the evidence reached the sect, everything she possessed would be confiscated and she would be cast into the Abyss of Nine Hells. How could she dare refuse? Did she have another card to play?

Setting aside Ning Xin’s many speculations, she was torn between immediately handing in the evidence and fearing she’d end up with nothing. She resolved to ponder her next move carefully. Lu Tanxian, however, was truly anxious.

Though she had feigned indifference before Ning Xin, how could she really be so calm? If only she hadn’t tried to help Granny Hua, but she owed her a great debt of gratitude… Alas, regret was useless now; she needed a solution quickly. She knew that after Daoist Yuheng once asked her about alchemy and she stammered while the child attending the furnace answered flawlessly, Daoist Yuheng had lost all confidence in her. Ever since she began helping Granny Hua ascend, most of her energy went there, leaving no time to study alchemy or win over men!

Daoist Yuheng, too—most men would have succumbed to her soft words by now, but he was impervious. She was certain that even if she were imprisoned or executed by the sect, it would not trouble him. She had loved him so deeply—why couldn’t he give her something in return?

Distressed, Lu Tanxian wandered into the garden. Scholars held an almost obsessive devotion to the art of gardens, and the Flying Star Academy’s garden was exquisitely crafted, refined and elegant. Every tree, every flower, every path was designed to perfection, with an air of literary grace that surpassed even Yaohua’s. Even one as troubled as Lu Tanxian felt refreshed in such surroundings.

She exhaled slowly, glanced up at the sky, and was about to return to the banquet when she saw someone. Loose robes with wide sleeves, a tall, graceful figure, features fair and delicate, with an easy elegance and scholarly charm rarely found among Daoist cultivators.

Author’s Note: Who is this person? What story awaits them?