Yan Duo shook his head and said, "If that’s the case, Zhenxiang, go and order the banquet to begin."
Yan Zhenxiang replied, "Understood."
He was about to instruct the fairies to start the music when, from above the clouds, a streak of sword light tore through the sky and arrived outside the golden ship in an instant. As the tunneling light dispersed, a young Daoist of extraordinary bearing emerged, standing with auspicious clouds beneath his feet and his Daoist robe fluttering gracefully, heading straight for the colorful silk-adorned archway.
Witnessing the sword escape light slicing through the atmosphere, both Yan Duo and his son were taken aback. Yan Duo, unsure due to his lack of interaction with sword cultivators, saw the young Daoist stride forward and hastily approached with caution, cupping his hands in greeting, "Please forgive my poor eyesight, may I ask which fellow Daoist is gracing our sect with your presence?"
The young Daoist smiled faintly and returned the gesture, "I am Zhang Yan, Island Master of Mingcang Sect’s Spiritual Paper Island and an acquaintance of Daoist Yan Zhenhua. I’ve come here today at his invitation to celebrate his birthday."
These words made Yan Duo’s heart tremble slightly, and he quickly cupped his hands again, "So it’s Immortal Master Zhang from Mingcang Sect. Forgive my rudeness. I will call my nephew to come and greet you immediately."
Zhang Yan smiled gently, handing over the gift list while shaking his sleeve and producing a three-zhang-long colorful boat.
During his five-day stay at the Flying Boat Immortal Market, Zhang Yan acquired several rare and unique treasures admired even within Xuanmen. Among them was an exceedingly rare Xuanhuang Immortal Life Stone, which, regardless of one’s cultivation level, could extend one’s lifespan by simply placing the stone in the cave mansion and breathing its energy day and night.
Yan Duo scanned the gift list and instantly recognized the value of the offerings, which rivaled or exceeded those from Linqing Temple and Bi Yu Xuan. He immediately ordered a child servant to play guest-welcoming music.
Yan Zhenhua, who had been feeling dejected, couldn’t hide his joy upon hearing from his uncle that Zhang Yan had arrived. He hurried out to meet him, bowing and greeting along the way, "Brother Zhang, you’ve truly arrived! Please, come inside! Please, come inside!"
His face was adorned with smiles, and Zhang Yan’s arrival this time had given him considerable prestige.
Zhang Yan also smiled, cupping his hands in return, "Brother Yan, long time no see."
Yan Zhenhua caught the astonished looks of his usually dismissive cousins, and felt a surge of pride, walking with even greater confidence.
It had been a year since they last met, and Yan Zhenhua himself had achieved Opening Meridians and Breaking Through, stepping into the Ming Qi Realm. However, seeing Zhang Yan’s profound and restrained aura, he sensed that Zhang Yan’s cultivation had far surpassed his own and likely advanced to the Xuan Guang Realm. Inwardly, he thought, "Brother Zhang indeed lives up to being a disciple of a great sect, progressing in cultivation at a speed unimaginable to most."
Leading Zhang Yan inside while the guest-welcoming music played, Yan Zhenhua couldn’t suppress his sense of pride.
Yan Zhenxiang observed the pair leaving and approached his father, asking perplexedly, "Father, although Mingcang Sect is certainly a great Xuanmen Sect, isn’t this person merely a disciple? Surely he’s not more impressive than the notable guests from Bi Yu Xuan and Linqing Temple. Why treat him with such high regard?"
Yan Duo gave him a sidelong glance, clasped his hands behind his back, and remarked, "Child, you underestimate people. Not only does this Daoist Zhang have a cultivation equal to mine within the Xuan Guang Realm, but he also claims to be the Island Master of Spiritual Paper Island. That is no small matter."
Yan Zhenxiang paused and asked, "Why is that? Does Spiritual Paper Island have some notable background?"
Yan Duo shook his head slowly, "I am not certain of Spiritual Paper Island’s significance, but within Mingcang Sect, anyone who holds a personal cave mansion is undoubtedly a true disciple. How could I afford to neglect him?"
Yan Zhenxiang was momentarily stunned and sighed, "I understand now."
True disciples within Mingcang Sect typically had exceptional origins. Even if they weren’t from noble families or great clans, they were likely under the tutelage of Cave Heaven True Masters. Their sect’s highest cultivators were merely two Nascent Soul Elders; how could they dare act superior?
Yan Zhenxiang silently mused, "I wonder how Zhenhua came to know this true disciple of Mingcang Sect. This time, Zhenhua is sure to gain considerable recognition."
After waiting for a moment, Yan Duo saw that most of the named and notable guests had arrived, and, unwilling to wait further, gave the command to start the music and commence the banquet.
Yan Zhenhua led Zhang Yan to the seat of honor, a solitary table with two maids attending to him.
Zhang Yan was seated not far from Yan Xiyue and her brother from Bi Yu Xuan. Seeing him seated above them, and noticing Yan Zhenhua’s respectful and deferential demeanor, her beautiful eyes couldn’t help but gaze curiously at him several times. Nearby, her spirit-bright child companion tugged at her sleeve and asked, "Elder sister, who is that man? Why is he seated above us?"
Yan Xiyue gently shook her exquisite head and replied, "I don’t know either. Perhaps he’s a disciple from some noble family within Xuanmen."
The child scrunched up his small nose, his eyes rolling mischievously before secretly pulling an item from his sleeve and clutching it tightly in his palm. Sneaking a glance at Zhang Yan, he seemed to think of something, giggled softly, then opened his hand and whispered, "Little Cloud, come out."
Sitting opposite Yan Xiyue was Song Hong from Linqing Temple. He had recognized Zhang Yan at first glance. That day, Shaoqing Sect’s Chou Kun had behaved arrogantly, forcing everyone present to yield. Yet Zhang Yan stepped forward, refusing to give Chou Kun any face. Afterward, Chou Kun not only refrained from retaliating but even came to visit him voluntarily. This left a deep impression on Song Hong, filling him with admiration.
Now, seeing Zhang Yan seated just a few meters away, drinking wine, Song Hong felt a spark of inspiration and thought to himself, "That Han Ye Xuanzhen Grass is sufficient to share among three people. I wonder if Brother Zhang might need some. If I approach him now to build rapport, perhaps he’ll be willing to share a portion and I can save my master-uncle’s life."
Nonetheless, being a third-generation disciple of Linqing Temple, Song Hong felt it inappropriate to act overly eager and deliberated on finding a suitable pretext to approach Zhang Yan.
While he pondered this, the child nearby grew impatient. A tiny white snake began slithering under his feet, apparently ready to leap forth and startle Zhang Yan. However, despite repeated urgings, the normally obedient spirit beast hesitated to approach Zhang Yan, seemingly repelled by an overwhelming fear.
The child, concerned that the delay would reveal his mischief to Yan Xiyue, puffed his cheeks in frustration before raising his finger and chanting a mantra. With the activation of the spell, the little white snake reluctantly launched itself, flying toward Zhang Yan’s table.
...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)