The next morning, Yang Lingrui emerged from meditation.
A minor official from the Immortal Patrol Office stood waiting outside the courtyard.
"Master, this way please."
Guided through clusters of courtyards, Yang Lingrui joined other invited cultivators heading to the event site.
Most cultivators appeared in their twenties, all at mid-stage Gathering Qi. A few possessed depths Yang Lingrui couldn’t gauge – undoubtedly late-stage practitioners.
Though not exceptional in cultivation level, Yang Lingrui attracted curious stares. Being the youngest attendee and possessing striking features as Li Qingwan had noted, his pale complexion now added frost-like elegance.
Fellow cultivators marveled at his fourth-level achievement despite his youth, but soon furrowed brows appeared.
"Chaotic energy flow. Blocked meridians."
"He’s got a pretty face, but that aura reeks of shortcuts."
"Pity. Killing the goose that lays golden eggs, this fool."
"Songshan Yang Family? Never heard of them."
Young cultivators exchanged silent judgments, most concluding he’d abused elixirs for breakthroughs.
Yang Lingrui remained unfazed under their scrutiny. Others’ opinions never troubled him – what mattered was cultivation progress.
The Golden Scales Ceremony unfolded beyond Moon Watching City’s walls. Condensing Essence cultivators had hollowed a western mountain to create a heavenly cave.
Even steady-natured Lingrui felt awed. Snow-white stones paved floors while glowing lamps adorned walls. Spiritual incense perfumed air shimmering with iridescent light.
Pavilions and towers clung to rock walls, connected by floating jade bridges snaking upward. Walking through this suspended wonderland felt like wandering celestial realms.
Spiritual energy density spiked immediately.
"Gathering Qi efficiency trails Immortal Master’s," Lingrui noted internally. "Threefold amplification, but covering this massive scale…"
Chen Yang achieved fivefold concentration limited to ancestral halls. This cave maintained fourfold energy across its entire expanse – extravagant setup only possible for special occasions. Neither Moon Watching City nor Solitary Moon Mountain could sustain such expenditure routinely.
Li Cheng waved while conversing with companions, spotting the young cultivator’s arrival.
"Greetings, Young Master Li, friends."
Yang Lingrui stepped forward and bowed to the group.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Lingrui."
These people came from powerful Moon Watching City families who’d grown up with Li Cheng. Their households all had Gathering Qi full-level cultivators, though none matched the Li Family Elder’s cultivation level.
They’d heard Li Cheng pushed hard to get a small family into the gathering. Now they examined Yang Lingrui with curiosity.
"Fellow Daoist Lingrui, don’t mind me asking – how’d you get those injuries?" someone inquired.
Yang Lingrui gave a bitter smile. Li Cheng answered for him.
After hearing the explanation, the group nodded slowly, exchanging meaningful looks.
"The ceremonial gathering’s starting soon. Young Master Li, Fellow Daoist Lingrui, we’ll return to our family towers now."
They left after saying farewell.
Though Li Cheng meant well by explaining, it sounded like he was making excuses for Yang Lingrui.
When out of earshot, one muttered, "Why’s Li Cheng favoring that family?"
"Who knows? The boy’s decently talented, but this whole situation…"
"Probably the Yangs finally got one promising kid after generations. Now they’re throwing everything at him."
Their talk made clear they saw the Yangs as upstarts not worth noticing.
They didn’t realize this was exactly what the Yangs wanted.
As Yang Lingqing said, their family needed to stay low and grow quietly.
Looking weak served their purpose.
The gathering’s first event – Condensing Essence demonstrations – was beginning. First-time invitees like the Yangs normally stood in the lower plaza.
But Li Cheng brought Yang Lingrui to the Li Family’s mid-mountain tower. The view here beat the plaza below.
Even meeting Condensing Essence cultivators was rare. Watching them perform? That showed the Golden Scales Ceremony’s importance. Gathering Qi cultivators could learn much here.
"Elders are inside. We’ll watch from this outer platform," Li Cheng said.
"Young Master Li, this spot’s perfect already."
After settling, Li Cheng added, "Don’t mind yesterday. My sister’s not bad, just stubborn. If she was rude, I apologize for her."
The lotus curtain had blocked their talk. Li Cheng only knew she’d refused marriage.
"No need, Young Master Li. Young Miss Li was polite. Our paths just don’t align," Yang Lingrui replied.
Li Cheng almost blurted out his suspicions. But remembering his sister’s warning, he stayed silent.
Drums announced the start.
A mist-made cloud platform descended from the peak, hovering mid-air. Moon Watching City faction leaders sat there, including Li Family Elder Li Yuande. All were Perfected Gathering Qi Realm cultivators, some showing Condensing Essence signs.
"Welcome all!" A voice boomed from above.
Four figures descended.
City Lord Song Kaiyang floated down in blue-green robes, true essence swirling around him. Beside him, 15-year-old Li Qingwan rode a cloud ship. Behind came two Condensing Essence cultivators – the long-bearded Immortal Patrol Office head (mid-stage), and a burly City Lord’s guard (early-stage).
Yang Lingrui sighed. "Young Master Li, your family has Elder Li Yuande and Young Miss Li learning from high-level cultivators. Truly admirable."
Yet he wondered – what could threaten such a strong family?
Hearing "admirable," Li Cheng twitched. "Yes… truly…"
As Song Kaiyang landed, the crowd rose. "Greetings, City Lord Song!"
Song scanned the crowd. Twice as many young cultivators came this time – good for finding Zhuhu Dynasty talents.
"The time’s come. We three will now demonstrate."