Chapter 075
Chapter 75: Take Them Straight to the Banquet Hall
At the Main Peak, on the mountain behind.
Near the artifact refining room, there was an open clearing. When Shi Zi Chu arrived, Xing Lan was forging a spirit sword there.
His rolled-up sleeves revealed arms lined with firm, smooth muscle, strong yet beautifully sculpted, without any trace of exaggeration. Matched with his sharply defined, cold features, his appearance gained a rare, wild sharpness.
Shi Zi Chu moved a few steps and leaned casually against the bamboo behind her, eyes quietly admiring.
Xing Lan’s figure was truly outstanding—tall and upright yet not overly bulky, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. His muscles, shaped by years of sword training, were firm without being bulky, hidden beneath clothes yet clearly defined when uncovered.
As for his face, it was flawless. The clean, sharp lines of his features, coupled with his deep, indifferent gaze, only made him appear colder and more austere.
At this moment, Xing Lan held a heavy hammer, precisely striking the half-shaped spirit sword. Not far away, beneath the forge, an alien flame burned bright blue.
Because of the intense heat, fine beads of sweat gathered on Xing Lan’s forehead, trickling down his sharply chiseled face.
Shi Zi Chu found the alien flame too hot, so after watching from afar for a short while, she returned to the bamboo hut to meditate and recover.
Knowing Shi Zi Chu had safely returned, Xing Lan no longer felt worried.
All arrangements for the banquet had been discussed thoroughly with Sect Master Meng. In the time left before the banquet, Xing Lan intended to devote himself fully to forging the spirit sword.
As for Chu Zhi Rou’s fate—it was beyond his control, decided only by the heavens.
…
Two days later, news spread like wildfire throughout Jade Void Sect: Chu Zhi Rou had been angered to the point of spitting blood by Shi Zi Chu.
Shi Zi Chu learned of this incident only through Yao Ruo Ruo.
At that time, Shi Zi Chu had taken Yao Ruo Ruo and a few others fishing by the stream halfway up the main peak of Rising Succession Peak.
Upon hearing this news, Shi Zi Chu merely smiled lightly.
Before the banquet, Shi Zi Chu spent most of her time resting, meditating, and cultivating. Occasionally, she took Yao Ruo Ruo and the others sightseeing around Jade Void Sect.
As for Xu Zhou Ye and his group, whenever they sought Shi Zi Chu for revenge, they simply couldn’t find her.
…
The day of the banquet finally arrived.
Many venerable guests who had arrived early at Jade Void Sect saw that it was nearly time and made their way to Rising Succession Peak.
Part of the front mountain’s restriction had been lifted, but entry still required an invitation.
Elder Zheng Lian of Rising Succession Peak was standing at the entrance, carefully checking each guest’s invitation.
From afar, Chu Zhi Rou looked at the long line of guests, eyes filled with eager excitement and envy.
Guests attending Master’s banquet were all rich or distinguished!
This banquet was her perfect chance to become famous throughout the cultivation world!
“Master is hosting a banquet, so we personal disciples naturally must attend,” Chu Zhi Rou’s sweet voice rang out, a charming smile gracing her recently healed face. “I’ve just recovered from a serious injury, so I can’t offer much help, but my senior brothers surely can share Master’s burdens.”
Though she hadn’t obtained an eighth-rank spirit healing pill, she had a fortunate encounter and received a mysterious inheritance instead!
In fact, she had Shi Zi Chu to thank for this!
If not for Shi Zi Chu injuring her severely, she wouldn’t have activated the jade pendant brought back from the Green Mountain Secret Realm!
Having healed from her injuries, Chu Zhi Rou’s cultivation had stabilized at the early Golden Core stage. Now, she appeared innocent and lovely yet brimmed with the confident spirit of a talented young maiden.
Xu Zhou Ye raised his brows proudly, his tone filled with confidence, “Of course. I’m Master’s eldest disciple; at such an occasion, naturally, I must share Master’s responsibilities.”
“But why did I hear the Young Sect Master is handling the entire banquet?” Hua Ting Li spoke up teasingly.
For some unknown reason, Master hadn’t asked any of the disciples for assistance with this banquet. Instead, the Sect Master, overwhelmed by tasks, had passed everything onto the Young Sect Master who had just emerged from seclusion!
Seeing Xu Zhou Ye’s face suddenly darken, Hua Ting Li pretended not to notice and continued, “Why did Master choose the Young Sect Master instead of Eldest Senior Brother?”
Just as Xu Zhou Ye was about to scold Hua Ting Li, Chu Zhi Rou quickly intervened with her sweet voice, “I wonder where Second Senior Sister is. I visited her residence early this morning, but no one answered.”
On such an important day, Shi Zi Chu was nowhere to be seen. [Hmph, today I must make Master completely despise Shi Zi Chu!]
At the mention of Shi Zi Chu, several men immediately united against a common enemy.
“Who knows where that kind of person ran off to!” Xu Zhou Ye sneered with undisguised disgust. “Forget about her. Let’s find Master.”
Chu Zhi Rou nodded softly.
When the group approached the entrance gate, Elder Zheng Lian stopped them.
Chu Zhi Rou didn’t recognize him, but Xu Zhou Ye certainly did. Surprised, he called out, “Elder Zheng Lian?”
Elder Zheng Lian?
Chu Zhi Rou, who had only heard his name but never seen him before, was inwardly astonished. Yet outwardly, she maintained her sweet smile and respectfully bowed, “Disciple greets Elder.”
“Invitation card,” Elder Zheng Lian stated formally.
Xu Zhou Ye paused, “Elder, we’re Master’s personal disciples. Do we still need invitations?”
They were personal disciples—Master’s very own direct disciples—not ordinary inner disciples or mere honorary disciples!
Seeing Xu Zhou Ye’s incredulous expression, Elder Zheng Lian remained unmoved, saying calmly, “If you have a message from Peak Master, that would also suffice.”
Peak Master had already instructed him clearly—no exceptions. He wasn’t foolish enough to jeopardize his position.
Helpless, Xu Zhou Ye took out a communication talisman to contact their Master.
Inside the banquet hall.
Xing Lan sat in the main seat, casually conversing with various venerables.
Dressed in a long robe of cream-white silk trimmed with silver embroidery, the man appeared cold and distinguished, exuding an ethereal nobility. His jet-black hair was neatly tied up with a jade crown.
Though Xing Lan appeared no older than thirty, his powerful and imposing presence, coupled with his cold, authoritative air, made him seem dignified and somewhat unapproachable.
Facing Xing Lan, who had reached Tribulation Crossing stage, even the venerables spoke cautiously, careful in their words. Yet, thanks to their tactful conversations, the hall’s atmosphere remained comfortably cordial.
Suddenly, a communication talisman flew inside. Xing Lan reached out two fingers to catch it, his icy spiritual power instantly crushing the talisman before Xu Zhou Ye’s voice could emerge.
Shortly afterward, Elder Zheng Lian at the mountain gate received Xing Lan’s transmission talisman.
“When the banquet begins, take them directly to the banquet hall.”
That cold, authoritative voice was unmistakably dignified yet ruthlessly indifferent.
Elder Zheng Lian’s stern gaze fell upon Xu Zhou Ye and his companions as he declared firmly, “You’ve heard Peak Master’s order. The banquet will begin at noon.”
Right now, it wasn’t even the hour of the Snake. Did they really have to wait outside for an entire hour?
Xu Zhou Ye’s group all wore unpleasant expressions, especially as they watched guest after guest enter smoothly.
What was wrong with Master lately? Why did it seem as though he no longer valued them as before?
Meanwhile, inside the banquet hall.
When Shi Zi Chu stepped gracefully over the threshold, holding up the hem of her luxurious trailing gown of wisteria-purple silk, all friendly chatter immediately ceased. Every gaze turned toward her in unison.
Shi Zi Chu wasn’t dressed in disciple robes. Instead, she wore the opulent gown prepared specially by Xing Lan, her silky black hair styled elegantly into a spirit snake bun adorned with priceless jeweled hairpins.
Her lightly powdered face looked exquisite and radiant. Her smiling eyes held warmth and serenity, her aura graceful and poised, while the purple wisteria silk accentuated her innate nobility.
The banquet today gathered esteemed guests from far and wide.
They were familiar with Shi Zi Chu’s face, yet watching the stunning woman walk gracefully and serenely into the hall shocked them all.
Hadn’t rumors claimed Shi Zi Chu had a heart of poison?
Who, then, was this gentle and gracious woman before them?
Hadn’t they heard Shi Zi Chu often harmed her fellow disciples and was frequently punished by Venerable Xing Lan, who held no fondness for her?
At such an important event, how could Shi Zi Chu possibly attend without Venerable Xing Lan’s explicit permission?