Chapter 1, Attending the Banquet

Unintentionally, Ling Chenzi revealed a hint of pride, "Many of the distant guests are old friends of the master, some even bring their children and disciples, the farthest come from Yuntai District, traveling over eighty million miles."

Ling Kongzi retreated several meters, almost back to the entrance, a flush of red appearing on his face, his heart filled with shock. He had come prepared, yet he was no match for the hurried counterattack of Haoran; the disparity was too great.

The fifth senior brother could not contain his excitement and grabbed the hand of the newcomer: "Younger brother has been waiting eagerly and has finally awaited the arrival of Senior Brother Haoran. Haha, we were just chatting about how Ye Ling and Ling Qing are like family. Since Master has sent out the invitation, Senior Brother Haoran cannot possibly be absent."

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Senior Brother Haoran, you flatter me. The birthday banquet is entirely organized by Senior Brother, and I am only responsible for welcoming the guests. Ling Chenzi landed behind Haoran, and the white crane flapped its wings rapidly, soaring into the sky and quickly flying towards the deep mountains

Haoran could no longer contain himself, and with a sudden leap, he stood up, shaking off Ling Kongzi's hand. He soared into the air, darting like lightning to the top of Sikong Bing's head, and struck down with his right palm towards the crown of her head

Senior Brother Haoran is joking. Ling Chenzi strode over, laughing heartily as he said: "We are all on the same side, and as fellow disciples of the Hundred Knot Patriarch, having one more friend means one more path. In the future, we can look out for each other."

The Training Hall is located in the eastern valley, serving as a venue for outer disciples to practice their skills. It is built against the mountain, grand and majestic. Haoran furrowed his brow slightly and reluctantly said, "Alright, as the guest, I will follow the host's arrangements. Since I am in your territory, I will comply with your plans."

Haoran stopped in his tracks, his face showing a look of doubt

Boom! Several loud noises echoed in the hall, followed by thunderous applause and bursts of laughter

Comparing people can lead to frustration. Ye Ling covers an area of less than 100 miles, with barren resources, while Ling Qing Ling stretches over 6,000 miles, characterized by vast lands and abundant resources. It is home to numerous great rivers, towering peaks, and perilous valleys, with countless lakes. Moreover, it possesses the largest spiritual vein in the Blue Wood region, rich in spiritual energy, encompassing all five elements, and is abundant in various rare materials, essentially achieving self-sufficiency.

Quiet, quiet, a new friend has arrived! Stepping through the hall door, Ling Kongzi clapped his hands, and the sound echoed throughout the entire hall, causing hundreds of pairs of eyes to turn in unison towards the entrance, falling into complete silence

"I am Ling Kongzi," the person floated in front of Haoran, his gaze piercing. "My master often speaks of you, Senior Brother Haoran. We have long heard of your great name; it is a pleasure to meet you." Suddenly, he struck out with a palm, and a beam of green light shot towards Haoran's chest.

"The despicable waste of a person dares to commit murder at the birthday banquet; kill him!" A dozen men drew their long swords and rushed towards Haoran

"Provocation, she is provoking!" Haoran clenched his fists tightly, the veins on his hands bulging, his tiger-like eyes wide open, exuding enough fury to kill.

This person has a robust physique, towering over the Fifth Senior Brother by a head. He possesses a tiger's back and a bear's waist, dressed in a light yellow short robe. A precious sword is slung across his back, and his waist is slightly bulging, unable to conceal his fierce aura. His forehead is covered with fine beads of sweat, and he appears somewhat fatigued. His eyebrows are connected, and he is none other than Ye Haoran

It is I! A powerful sound echoed from afar, and a figure rushed over, coming to a halt outside the mountain gate in the blink of an eye

The disciples exchanged a few glances, and one of them stepped forward and whispered, "Fifth Senior Brother, the guests are mostly here; only the Ye family from Ye Ling is left. I estimate the likelihood of their arrival is very low; they probably won't make it."

Ling Chenzi quickly introduced, "This is my second senior brother..."

From the moment he left his seat to the time he stopped, it was merely the blink of an eye. The crowd hardly had time to react when they saw He Tushu and Sikong Bing standing frozen, appearing three inches shorter. It turned out that his feet were stuck in the ground. "Puff!" He opened his mouth wide, blood gushed forth like a spring, and he fell straight down.

Haoran had visited Lingqing Ridge before, but that was before he turned five, and his memories are quite vague. Upon seeing the current scenery, he couldn't help but admire it in silence

Second Master... Ling Chenzi was taken aback.

The person was taken aback, hurriedly nodding: "What Fifth Senior Brother said is absolutely correct; I have learned from it." He slowly retreated to his original position

Get lost! Hao Ran waved his right hand, and Ling Chenzi had no choice but to step aside

The surrounding peaks have dispelled the illusionary formations, and at the summit of each peak, there floats a blazing torch. This fire is quite significant, known as "Heavenly Fire for Longevity," suspended a thousand feet in the air, reaching a height of one thousand meters, taking the shape of a cylinder, and as red as blood. Neither fierce winds nor torrential rains can extinguish it, nor can it drift even a little; the lower half remains completely still.

Forget it, I am a bit tired, I might as well go to the quiet room. Hao Ran shook his head; entering the training hall would certainly require him to showcase his skills, but having received no guidance since childhood, he was not proficient in any of the five arts and could not rely on his strength to harm others, leaving him constrained and unable to act freely

Ling Kongzi was momentarily stunned and sighed, "Brother Haoran, you have caused a great disaster!" He then stood up and walked towards Sikong Bing

Haoran's anger grew even stronger. The Sikong Gate is the only family sect of the Lanmu, second only to the Lingqing and Xueshan sects. When Ye Ling opened the mountain back in the day, the family head Sikong Qing had a conflict with the two elders, doing everything possible to obstruct them, resulting in extremely tense relations between the two sects

Haoran forced a smile; after all, he was a guest, and Ling Kongzi was a beloved disciple of the esteemed Ling Xu. Considering the old immortal's reputation, it was better to let it go. He secretly circulated the golden spiritual energy, causing the rainwater to rapidly vaporize

Everyone is very curious

"Is this the third junior brother?" One person walked out of the training hall, surprised, and said: "Who is this? ... ... Haha, it's Senior Brother Haoran from Yeling." Lianxin's eyebrows are the most distinctive mark of Haoran, and Lanmu is the only one of its kind.

"Our Blue Wood only has eight factions, and Ye Ling has long been expelled." The junior sister Bing spoke astonishingly, cupping her fists to those around her, her eyes sparkling with charm, capturing everyone's attention: "Brothers, you may not know, sixty years ago, Blue Wood indeed had Ye Ling, but it was short-lived and has been extinct for thirty years. Hehe, Kong Shixiong, did I say anything wrong?"

Hao Ran was caught off guard, but fortunately, having grown up among wild beasts, he maintained a wary attitude towards everyone, reacting extremely quickly. With an instinctive counterattack, a beam of golden light burst forth from his palm

A person on the left exclaimed, "Master said there are only eight sects in the Blue Wood District, so how did Ye Ling come about? If that's the case, wouldn't that make it nine sects?"

After waiting for more than half an hour, the cold moon rose higher and higher. He shook his head and sighed, then turned to enter the mountain. Just as he stepped through the mountain gate, he suddenly turned back and shouted loudly: "Is it Brother Haoran?"

The scale of this birthday banquet is quite large, with a total of one hundred and sixteen spiritual masters in attendance. As for the esteemed seniors from the Bluewood District, there is no need to elaborate; fifteen senior brothers and sisters returned from Wanling City half a month ago.

"The younger sister seems a bit confused. Can a sect be called a sect without the spirit mansion of a spiritual master?" Sikong Bing said triumphantly, casting a sidelong glance at Haoran, a hint of a cold smile playing at the corner of his mouth, a smile laced with mockery. "May I ask, Senior Brother Kong, who is the leader of the Ye Ling sect? Is it Ye Jian, who has been dead for thirty years? It is said... that this Senior Brother Haoran is about to become a waste of spiritual veins. Could it be that he is the leader of Ye Ling?"

Hao Ran had never experienced a grand occasion. After turning twenty, he had not even interacted with anyone. Suddenly, hundreds of eyes were fixed on him, and he did not know how to respond. He cleared his throat a few times to moisten his dry voice, forced himself to calm down, and made an effort to squeeze out a faint smile. He quickly cupped his hands in greeting and said, "I am Ye Hao Ran, pleased to meet all of you, fellow disciples"

Yet my heart is filled with sorrow, and I cannot help but think of Ye Ling. One rises while the other falls, a stark contrast, how great is the difference?

The first sect is indeed well-deserved of its reputation, having a legacy that spans 2,800,000 years. With a long history, it has produced talented individuals in every generation. Not only is the Bluewood headquarters thriving with nearly a thousand disciples, but there are also branches established in Wanling City, along with numerous offshoots scattered across various regions. It is undoubtedly deep-rooted and flourishing, with experts in abundance.

"In that case, I shall not insist any longer. Let us go to the quiet room in Beishan." Ling Chenzi hesitated for a moment, revealing a hint of disappointment

The white crane flies at an extremely fast speed, covering over two thousand miles in five to six hours, until the cold moon sets, gradually descending into a valley.

The spiritual energy of heaven and earth is divided into five elements: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. Disciples of the spiritual gate choose one to cultivate. Upon achieving one hundred energy nodes, one becomes a respected figure; one hundred and eight nodes signify great perfection. Further condensing into a spiritual core leads to a rebirth, allowing entry into the spiritual path. Among the five elements, the combat power of the metal vein is the strongest, yet the cultivation speed is exceedingly slow, making it extremely difficult to attain spiritual status. Therefore, those who cultivate the metal vein are few and far between.

The two descended to the ground. Ling Chenzi glanced at the sky, where the wind was rising and clouds were swirling, dark clouds densely gathered, indicating that heavy rain was imminent: "Once the rain and moon pass, the birthday banquet will officially begin. Haoran, you should go to the training hall first; the disciples of the guests and the senior brothers from various sects in the Lanmu District are all there, and it is very lively.

The hall, covering over ten thousand square meters, is filled with more than a hundred long tables, arranged in groups of three and five, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere. In the center, there is an open space of over one thousand square meters where two individuals, each wielding a long sword, are facing each other, clearly preparing for a duel.

"I just got out ten days ago. Upon seeing the book symbol, I hurried over. I apologize for making you wait, Senior Brother." Haoran cupped his hands in greeting, his face full of regret

Since the two elders were killed in the Western Demon Continent, Ye Ling was instantly forgotten. The various factions of Lan Mu, including the previously closest Snow Mountain Sect, excluded Ye Ling from all their activities. In their eyes, Ye Ling had lost its spirit and was no longer qualified to stand alone as a faction. Even Ning Jie had completely vanished, leaving Hao Ran deeply aware of the coldness of the world. His originally cheerful personality became increasingly gloomy.

The fifth senior brother sighed, remaining silent. The person continued, "Last time when I delivered the invitation, Ye Ling was empty, so it is likely that Senior Brother Ye has gone far away and perhaps has not yet returned to the mountain... Should we inform the sect leader to avoid causing any displeasure to him?"

Senior Brother Haoran's escape technique is astonishing, my goodness, covering thirty thousand miles in ten days, even Ku Ling cannot compare, I admire you, little brother! Fifth Senior Brother's expression was one of surprise, and the eighth disciple behind him was even more dumbfounded. Under normal circumstances, it would be impressive for Master Bai Jie to travel fifteen hundred miles in a day.

Haoran felt particularly awkward

Come on! Hao Ran's gaze was like a sword, fixed intently on Ling Kong Zi. One hundred and seven units of qi rapidly circulated within him, greatly enhancing his momentum. The Beast King's revenge was the most formidable; regardless of the opponent's identity, as long as they infringed upon him, he would demand blood for blood, and a tooth for a tooth, and would not rest until his objectives were achieved

"Senior Sister!" "Ice Senior Sister!" "Ice Junior Sister!" The hall was in an uproar, everyone was shaken. The cultivator of the Water Vein, Yu Yue, experienced a thirty percent increase in cultivation, while the cultivator of the Gold Vein experienced the exact opposite, a decrease. Sikong Bing should have a significant advantage, and even without any precautions, it would not lead to instant death from a single strike

The crowd erupted in laughter, and Haoran's old face turned slightly red, feeling a bit flustered. Lingkongzi patted his shoulder and said with a smile: "Brother Haoran, let us sit down and drink... Liu Shidi, Huang Shidi, you may return to your seats first; there is plenty of time, and we are not in a hurry at this moment"

Under the night sky, the brilliantly lit Lingqing Ridge stands out even more. The flames in the sky rival the sun, and the eight disciples feel warm all over, oblivious to the harsh cold outside. Suddenly, they all clasp their hands together and say in unison: "We have met Fifth Senior Brother"

After traveling a thousand meters, Ling Chenzi slowed his pace, raised his hand, and a gigantic white crane appeared in the air, settling above the two of them. With a mighty leap, he mounted the bird's back, saying, "Junior Brother Chen has thought this through; without the spirit crane to ride, we won't reach Lingqing Valley by tomorrow."

The fifth senior brother glanced at him and said slowly, "Wait a little longer; it is best not to disturb the master until the very last moment, otherwise it will dampen his spirits."

"Brothers, no need for formalities, you have all worked hard!" A person emerged from within the door, of ordinary appearance, with a waxy yellow complexion, dressed in a brand new short robe that reached below the knees. This was the attire of the esteemed Baijie, a symbol of the inner disciples' status. He first nodded to the brothers, then his gaze immediately shifted towards the mountain's exterior, his expression somewhat anxious

Ling Kongzi felt the beast-like gaze, a wave of murderous intent surged towards him, extremely sharp, causing him to shiver internally. He stammered, "Brother Haoran, I am merely very curious about the gold vein, just making a joke."

The number of men and women present is roughly equal, and among them, this woman stands out as the most beautiful. Her eyebrows resemble a crescent moon, and her large, watery eyes are captivating. A pair of dimples appear like two clear springs, her skin is snow-white, and her figure is tall and graceful. Dressed in white, she appears even more charming, truly a beauty that could topple a city. Additionally, she exudes a sense of heroism, making her stand out distinctly from the crowd. Many handsome young men surround her, vying for her attention, while others watch her discreetly.

On each side stood four welcoming disciples, all dressed in short jackets and tight trousers, with a large red sash draped over their shoulders and swords strapped to their backs, arranged in perfect order, exuding a majestic and spirited demeanor. Of course, the esteemed guests who came to celebrate the birthday were not ordinary individuals; they were merely regular outer disciples, and no one dared to be negligent. Smiles were always present on their faces, creating an atmosphere of harmony.

The fifth senior brother paced back and forth outside the mountain gate, occasionally gazing into the distance, appearing restless and anxious.

Haoran swayed a few times, his legs grew weak, and a surge of blood rushed through him. He took a deep breath and quickly steadied himself.

Ling Kongzi was very enthusiastic, pouring a glass of Qianling wine and personally handing it to Haoran: "As disciples, it is quite rare for us to have the opportunity to come out of the mountain. Everyone enjoys a lively atmosphere, and Senior Brother Haoran has always been reclusive, so you might not be used to it. Hehe, no worries, just relax a bit, and let me introduce you to some people."

"Senior Brother Kong makes a valid point. Junior Brothers, come here!" One person on the right waved, and the two individuals in the arena sheathed their long swords and returned to their respective seats

While feeling emotional, Haoran was also very happy

The three palms intersected, producing a muffled sound. Sikong Bing's face turned bright red, while Haoran was sent flying back to his original position, maintaining a composed demeanor

With a glare at Ling Chenzi, he waved his hand and said, "Fifth Junior Brother, you focus on your own matters; leave Brother Haoran to me."

Thank you, Junior Brother Xie Kong. Hao Ran took the spirit wine, feeling a sense of goodwill. As expected of Senior Ling Xu's esteemed disciple, he possesses the demeanor of a great general. It seems that this is merely a moment of curiosity, with no ill intentions whatsoever

The cold moon rises slowly from the east, shrouded in mist, casting down strands of chill. The few stars that remain are also frigid, as the Purple Radiance Spirit Realm descends into winter. A cold wave sweeps across the land, rivers freeze, and birds and beasts vanish, creating a scene of desolation.

The Heavenly Fire consists of a thousand beams, encircling the entire mountain range to form a perfect circle with a diameter of several thousand miles. Towering columns of fire sway in the wind, producing a resounding "whoosh," akin to volcanic eruptions, illuminating much of the sky in a fiery glow, creating a magnificent spectacle. Within a hundred miles, it resembles broad daylight, and it is clearly visible within a thousand-mile radius, symbolizing the flourishing and prosperous nature of the Lingqing Sect, with everything achieving completeness and success.

Haoran nodded and smiled, feeling immensely grateful in his heart

This valley spans a radius of one hundred miles, featuring hills, forests, rivers, and lakes in abundance. Surrounded by towering peaks that rise a thousand feet, ethereal birds soar in the sky, while hundreds of spiritual beasts gallop through the woods. This is the sacred ground of the Lingqing Sect—Lingqing Valley, the center of the spiritual vein

Ling Chenzi hurriedly floated between the two, clasped his hands, and said: "Brother Haoran, please calm your anger..."

"It is impolite not to reciprocate when one comes; Ling Kongzi, you should also receive a strike from me." Haoran's eyebrows quivered slightly, a manifestation of his anger, exuding a fierce killing intent

Haoran understood that decades had passed. The former disciples had either become spiritual practitioners or had become useless. He did not recognize any of the current disciples. This Ling Chenzi had only recently reached the hundred knots stage and had just been ranked accordingly, becoming the fifth inner disciple.

Indeed, we have long heard of the Blue Wood Eight Factions, but we have not heard of the Ye Ling lineage. Has it only recently been established?

The cold moon rises, and the temperature approaches zero degrees, continuing to decrease significantly

Ling Chenzi smiled faintly and explained: "They come from different regions and different sects, each with their own strengths. It is natural for the young to be proud and eager, and upon meeting, they cannot help but spar with each other."

"Senior Brother Kong, I have a matter that I do not understand." After three rounds of drinks, a woman of high status on the right stood up, attracting everyone's attention

Cheers! Ling Kongzi downed his drink in one go, then raised the empty cup and shook it a few times towards the crowd, conveying, "Brother Haoran need not take offense; they are distant guests and do not know much about us, the Lanmu."

It is unclear whether it is due to the strict hierarchy of the Lingqing Sect or the prowess of this Second Senior Brother, but Ling Chenzi slightly bent at the waist and respectfully said, "I will obey your orders!" Without even glancing at Haoran, he turned and gracefully departed.

The disciples from the outer sect looked at each other in confusion. Logically speaking, Ling Kongzi was the landlord and could not possibly be lying. However, that Ice Junior Sister was also in Lanmu, so how could their statements be completely opposite?

Not only they, but others also showed expressions of doubt

Faced with numerous questioning gazes, Ling Kongzi's expression turned cold as he slowly set down his wine cup: "Bing Shimei, what do you mean by this?" He discreetly tugged at Haoran, signaling him not to act rashly: "Her name is Sikong Bing, the youngest daughter of Sikong Qing, renowned as the most beautiful woman in Lanmu, with many suitors. Brother Haoran, please endure for the time being; they are numerous and powerful."

Oh? What guidance does Junior Sister Bing have to offer? Ling Kongzi toyed with the wine cup

Senior Brother Haoran arrived just in time; all five hundred and twenty-eight brothers from District 39 are inside, a grand gathering that is rarely seen in a thousand years, bustling with excitement. Without waiting for Haoran to speak, Ling Kongzi grabbed his hand and pulled him inside

After thirty years, someone has finally remembered the Lanmu and Yeling lineage, and it is the largest Lingqing Sect. How can one not be overjoyed?

At the mountain gate, a thousand-meter-high peak has been carved into a massive stone tablet, its side as smooth as a mirror, inscribed with three large characters: "Lingqing Sect!" Each character is carved three feet deep into the stone, with a length and width exceeding one hundred meters. Even in darkness, it emits a dazzling blue light. It is said that this tablet has a history of two million years, and there is a saying: "As long as the peak tablet stands, the Lingqing Sect will not decline"

It is I! Hao Ran carefully scrutinized this person, whose build was similar to his own, with a face full of beard, draped in a flowing green robe, exuding an imposing aura. It was estimated that the wooden veins had already reached one hundred and eight knots and were soon to condense into a spiritual core

Everyone suddenly realized that the various districts were far apart, and the spirit houses that had been established for decades were not uncommon, mostly remaining unnoticed.

From an aerial perspective, Lingqing Ridge has transformed into a mountain that never sleeps. At a glance, dazzling flames cover the entire Lingqing Ridge, resembling a brilliant galaxy, making it difficult to distinguish where the mountain ends, where the valley begins, and where the forest lies, leaving one dazzled and overwhelmed.

Little brother Ling Chenzi, a disciple of the Master of Lingxu Sect, is currently ranked fifth. Fifth Senior Brother beamed with joy, linking arms with Haoran as they walked into the mountain. "There is no need for formality among family; just call me Brother Chen. It is a great honor for Brother Haoran to come, and Master will surely be pleased."

"Disciple Chen possesses the demeanor of his esteemed master, and his future prospects are boundless. Hehe, Lingqing Sect is teeming with talent, no wonder it is thriving more and more." Haoran praised without reservation

Ling Kongzi also felt somewhat unnatural and found the situation a bit tricky. Stealing a glance at Haoran's unsightly expression, he raised his cup and laughed, saying: "Ye Ling's establishment has a relatively short history of only sixty years, and very few spirit masters from outside the region are familiar with it. Since everyone is here in Lanmu, I must introduce it. Haha, brothers, let's drink."

Lingqing Ridge has come alive, adorned with lanterns and colorful decorations. Trees are entwined with red ribbons, exuding a rich festive atmosphere. Today marks the thousandth birthday of Master Lingxu, the leader of the Lingqing Sect, with esteemed guests arriving in a continuous stream.

Haoran nodded with a smile, acknowledging that Lingqing Sect indeed has its pride. Not only does it stand out in Lanmu, but it also enjoys a certain reputation throughout the entire Dongsheng Divine Continent. Master Lingxu is particularly esteemed and respected, with a wide circle of friends and acquaintances across the world, unmatched by anyone. This banquet is undoubtedly a grand occasion like no other

Ling Kongzi brought Haoran to the main seat and said loudly: "This is Haoran, Senior Brother from Yeling, the only cultivator of the Golden Vein in our Lanmu District, and quite rare even in the entire Dongtu Yingzhou. Brothers, what do you think?"

Senior Sister Bing is right; our Lanmu is clearly one of the Eight Sects, while Yeling is merely a minor sect. Senior Brother Kong is mistaken in his words. A group of people clamored in agreement, demonstrating her remarkable influence, as her call was met with a hundred responses

The heavy rain poured down like a burst dam of the Milky Way, causing rivers to overflow, and the three individuals became drenched like drowned rats

Boom

To the west of the mountain gate lies a straight avenue, measuring fifteen zhang in width, traversing through the heart of the mountain. It crosses valleys with bridges, and the peaks and forests on both sides are adorned with red silk. Every ten zhang, a small celestial fire hovers, and every hundred meters stands an incense burner, exuding ethereal energy and a fragrant aroma that is both refreshing and invigorating.

"The Golden Vein is indeed remarkable, and I, being unworthy, have brought this upon myself." Ling Kongzi suddenly burst into laughter, bowing deeply, "Brother Haoran, I sincerely apologize to you. Please forgive me this time, as I promise I will not dare to do so again in the future."

When mentioning Master Lingxu, no one in the Lanmu District does not show respect. Four hundred and fifty years ago, he attained the second spiritual core, becoming the only feather spirit in the region. Five sons, three daughters, and numerous disciples have achieved spiritual bodies. The Xueshan Sect is known as the second sect, yet its strength is vastly different and cannot be compared.

"What do you want to do?" Sikong Bing did not expect Haoran to be so bold as to take action in front of everyone. In a hurry, he raised both hands high and struck back.