Sword Sect Outer Sect

Chapter 343 The Banquet
Two days later.

Qingjiangping, on the banks of the Lingyang River.

As dusk settles and the light fades, the river ripples with light, reflecting the bright moon that quietly rises in the sky.

The Jiangtian Night Banquet is about to begin, and the previously open and quiet riverside plain is now bustling with activity.

The jade tables and chairs were arranged in a staggered pattern. On the outer edge of the open space, the Nangong family had set up a spirit-gathering and sound-silencing array, which not only gathered the spiritual energy of the riverbank but also transformed the sound of the river wind and waves into melodies.

It did not disturb the refined conversation and elegant atmosphere during the banquet in the slightest.

The young talents participating in this banquet and discussion each occupied a separate seat, with a slightly larger table and a position closer to the center of Qingjiangping.

The numerous Chu cultivators who were invited to witness the ceremony sat in groups of three, surrounding the sword-fighting arena.

At this moment, the open space was filled with spiritual energy, but the noise of people was not loud; the sounds of conversation spread out in layers like gentle ripples on the riverbank.

"The Nangong family is quite grand. No wonder they are a family of cultivators with a thousand-year history."

"I had heard before that the Nangong family was facing a generational gap and was only relying on its wealth and resources to survive, but now it seems that it is not that simple."

“These are just the seats for spectators. Look at the thirty-six fellow Daoists who will be participating in the sword competition later.”

There are 36 exclusive seats in the central position of Qingjiangping.

Originally, the Dragon Pool Mountain Gathering should have ended with the Nine Veins Grand Competition, but it was interrupted due to the invasion of the Demon Ruins.

The Nangong family used the resumption of the sword competition as a pretext, so the number of participants in the competition was naturally the same as the number of participants in the final competition at Longtan Mountain.

Moreover, many of the cultivators who originally had the final spots on Dragon Pool Mountain are now present.

These people were naturally the focus of attention at the Jiangtian Night Banquet.

"Is that Jiang Ming, the young master of Lanxi Cave?"

"That's right, I saw him back in Longtan Mountain."

"How come some people are just so lucky..."

Jiang Ming sat upright at the table, his eyes closed as he rested.

As the most rising star in the cultivation world of Chu, the identity of the young master of Lanxi Cave did indeed make Jiang Ming feel arrogant for a while.

He was originally an orphan who was taken in and raised by his master Jiang Chaosheng, who was then a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and was also accepted as a disciple.

I never imagined that after only a few years of cultivation, my previously unknown master would stand among the top few in the entire Chu Kingdom's immortal path.

Anyone would be stunned for a moment if they were in this situation.

However, it wasn't long before reality woke him up.

Since entering the Dao, I have enjoyed the cultivation resources bestowed by my master and received one-on-one guidance from the most outstanding cultivators in the entire Chu Kingdom.

However, when he met Song Yan, Li Yi, and Zhou Liu from before on Longtan Mountain.

Startled and terrified, as if waking from a dream.

He slightly opened his eyes and looked at Song Yan and Li Yi sitting at the next table not far away.

The heroes of the world are as numerous as carp crossing a river.

"Huh? Why are there no cultivators from the Qin family here for this grand banquet?"

The Qin family is currently at the height of its power in the State of Chu.

"Indeed, what a pity. I had hoped to catch a glimpse of Fairy Qin Ying's beauty."

"Perhaps it is because the most outstanding cultivator of the Qin family is a woman that she did not attend this banquet?"

The few cultivators chatting exchanged glances, their understanding unspoken.

Although the Nangong family could not reveal the real reason for holding the grand banquet, their desire to find a son-in-law was quite obvious.

Most people could guess it.

Just then, the soft light on the platform suddenly brightened, and the melodious sounds of string and wind instruments rose up, drowning out the noise from the banquet.

All eyes turned to the main seat at the very front of the square.

A middle-aged man dressed in a dignified brocade robe walked out slowly, followed by three women.

This man was Nangong Ming, the head of the Nangong family, and the beautiful woman beside him was naturally the matriarch, Madam Lin.

The Wang and Shu sisters also attended the event in their finest attire; one was dignified and elegant, while the other was young and adorable, attracting considerable attention.

Nangong Ming had a refined and scholarly appearance and a composed demeanor. He stood before the main seat and surveyed the entire room.

"My fellow Taoists..."

"Stars hang low over the vast plains, and the moon surges in the great river. On this auspicious occasion, I, Nangong Ming, on behalf of the entire Nangong family, cordially welcome all talented young people and fellow travelers of the State of Chu to grace us with their presence on the banks of the Lingyang River."

"Let's feast together on this riverside night!"

He paused slightly, his voice tinged with emotion: "The cultivation world of Chu has weathered many storms. The calamity of the Demon Ruins is still fresh in our minds. Fortunately, thanks to the concerted efforts of all my fellow cultivators in Chu, we were able to expel the evil influence and restore peace to the world."

"This banquet today is to celebrate that we have survived the tribulations and can continue our journey to immortality."

"Secondly, it provides an opportunity for the young talents of Chu to exchange ideas, discuss theories, and show their talents."

"I regret that the grand gathering at Longtan Mountain was interrupted in the past, and I was unable to witness the amazing talents of the geniuses of my Chu Kingdom."

"Today is the perfect opportunity to showcase your talents."

Nangong Ming spoke eloquently on the stage, and the cultivators below marveled at his words.

This opening elevates the significance of the banquet to the level of the entire Chu Kingdom's cultivation world, both celebrating the victory and cleverly cloaking Nangong's purpose in a glamorous guise.

"The path to immortality is long and arduous. Studying alone without friends leads to ignorance and limited knowledge. At the pinnacle of the Great Dao, one must hone one's skills and learn from each other in order to glimpse a higher realm."

"Everyone knows that a wisp of sword energy from a Nascent Soul cultivator once remained on the banks of the Lingyang River. Such an opportunity cannot be monopolized by one person or one family."

Many of the previous remarks were still considered dry and boring by the audience.

But as soon as the mention of this Divine Transformation Sword Qi was made, they all perked up.

Nangong Ming naturally noticed this as well, but it was something he had expected.

He raised his voice and said, "Those who stand out and display exceptional talent during this nightly sword-fighting competition, the top three..."

"Under the protection of my clan's elders, I can comprehend the sword energy left behind by the Nascent Soul elder."

Nangong Ming's gaze swept over the crowd.

"In order to pass on the torch and enhance the immortal destiny of our Chu Kingdom!"

These words caused a stir among the many cultivators.

Although rumors had been circulating about this matter before, the fact that Nangong Ming personally confirmed it and announced it in public greatly increased its credibility.

Transformation into divine sword energy, protected by the golden elixir.

Regardless of whether it's actually useful or not, this level of opportunity is enough to drive any Foundation Establishment cultivator crazy.

"A grand feast is prepared, and this auspicious occasion is rare!"

A slightly weary smile finally appeared on Nangong Ming's face as he announced loudly, "Let the banquet begin!"

As soon as Nangong Ming finished speaking, the atmosphere was instantly ignited.

Applause, cheers, and exclamations resounded, and the spiritual energy surged and the radiant light flowed on Qingjiangping, creating a magnificent scene of immortals!
The sounds of string and wind instruments suddenly became cheerful and lively.

Several graceful female cultivators, dressed in moon-white flowing cloud-sleeved dance dresses, descended from the sky, as if floating down from the moon palace.

They held either shimmering feather fans or jade bottles in their hands, dancing gracefully to the music.

With a flick of her sleeves, she brought forth specks of water-based spiritual energy, like starlight, which shimmered and flickered in the night sky.

With toes touching the ground, it seemed as if stepping on shimmering water, creating ripples of spiritual energy that faintly echoed the distant sound of the Lingyang River.

The cool moonlight shone on them, as if they were draped in a hazy veil, making them look beautiful and enchanting.

Many young cultivators at the gathering were mesmerized by what they saw.

At the same time, the Nangong family servants, who were already prepared, began to move, carrying exquisite jade plates and bowls, moving lightly among the guests.

Moreover, each of the young talents participating in the sword competition had a female cultivator in the late stage of Qi Refining with even more outstanding appearance and temperament serving them.

They were dressed in moon-white long dresses, their figures slender and graceful, standing quietly behind the dueling seats.

When a guest's glass of spirit wine is nearly empty, they will come forward and refill it without a word.

"The Nangong family is indeed particular about things."

Li Qingfeng sat in the audience seat. He actually met the requirements for the sword competition, but there was no need for it.

I couldn't beat either Li Yi or Song Yan, even if I picked one of them.

If it's a proper sparring match, we can arrange it by visiting the sect once we get back. There's no need to fight here. The spectator seating was for three people per table, with Gu Qingqing sitting next to Cen Qinghe.

Li Qingfeng took a sip of the spirit wine and said in a low voice, "This is quite a show, especially those female cultivators serving the wine... Oh my..."

Cen Qinghe gently pinched him and glared at him reproachfully.

"I wasn't finished. I also said that these female Daoist fellows are quite skilled..."

Li Qingfeng immediately made an exaggerated, grimacing expression.

Gu Qingqing secretly glanced at Senior Brother Song and saw that he calmly accepted the wine glass from the female wine server, nodded slightly in greeting, and did not linger on the server. Gu Qingqing felt inexplicably relieved.

The banquet began, the singing and dancing on the river ended, and fireworks lit up the night sky.

A grand feast by the river, with fine wine, beautiful women, and the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

For many cultivators, this banquet was also a good opportunity to get to know various outstanding talents.

Therefore, people would often take the initiative to approach Li Yi and Song Yan to chat.

Li Yi is easy to deal with. At worst, I can go and spar with him, get a beating, and at least I can exchange a few words with him.

Song Yan was different; few people knew what he liked.

The banquet featured delicacies such as golden carp slices and rosy broth, but Song Yan only tasted a few bites of each.

Even someone as optimistic as him felt a little sad at this moment.

If Xiaohe were here, these delicacies wouldn't have been wasted.

The atmosphere at this banquet on the river was relaxed and casual.

With a wide view from the river, the cultivators could still drink and eat, or go to several spots along the riverbank to play chess and play musical instruments.

The sword duel is about to begin. Two cultivators have already sparred with each other, just to warm up their skills.

The sword competition is a pure elimination system. The thirty-six cultivators are divided into two groups, and within each group, they are randomly paired up for a duel, with the loser being eliminated.

Ultimately, one winner from each side will advance to the final battle.

The rule is extremely simple and straightforward.

After all, the Nangong family only wants to select the top three. At worst, they can add a third-place competition at the end, which is about right.

After looking at them for a while, Song Yan suddenly looked up and said to the female wine server beside him, "I haven't touched these dishes much, you can eat them."

Without waiting for the female cultivator's response, he got up and left his seat.

However, instead of going to a closer spot to watch the competition, he found a chess-playing area, sat down, and started playing chess with someone.

There was still some time before the sword duel officially began, and Song Yan wanted to clear his mind and sort out the chaotic thoughts in his head.

It had been a while since I'd played chess with anyone, and I was itching to play.

Song Yan is the focus of many people's attention.

As soon as he left his seat and sat down in front of the chessboard, many people casually approached him.

Those who knew a bit about chess would use the pretext of playing a game to strike up a conversation with him.

Song Yan knew what these people were up to, but he didn't show any impatience.

After all, he was just making polite conversation while thinking in his mind.

Regarding the Qin family and the Blood Skull Pill, I will find an opportunity to inform the sect leader when I return to the sect. If necessary, I will also communicate with Senior Brother Lin.

Now that his cultivation level is almost consolidated, perhaps in a few years he will be able to take the second Sword Nourishing Pill and break through to the late Foundation Establishment stage.

Right now, I absolutely have to go and see that wisp of sword energy from the legendary Nascent Soul Realm cultivator.

Recalling the legend of the immortal on the river, Song Yan pictured the old man in the straw raincoat.

"Could it be him..."

In Jin Guiren's illusion, Sect Master Zhong Min has a fellow demon who calls himself "Shen".

These three images slowly intertwined in his mind.

Lost in thought, he was completely unaware that a strange young man had sat down in front of him.

"..."

He didn't come to his senses until the other person stared at him for a while.

"Nice to meet you, please."

Without guessing, Song Yan extended his hand, politely indicating that the other party should go first.

He didn't care about winning or losing.

However, the opponent did not make a move immediately, but instead asked, "Are you very famous?"

"?"

Song Yan raised her eyes and glanced at the young man in front of her.

He had delicate features and a calm expression, but there was a somewhat eerie quality about him.

It was a face that didn't look familiar, or even completely unfamiliar.

"...A little bit of empty fame, no need to care."

"Hmm..." The other person nodded, but it was unclear what they meant.

He said, "My name is Shi Yunhao."

"...Song Yan".

Do you enjoy playing chess?

Song Yan felt that this person was a bit strange, but since he had nothing else to do, he began to clean up the mess from the previous game.

He casually chatted with the person opposite him: "It's alright, just not very good."

"Okay, let's play the next round, you go first."

It seems this person is very confident in his chess skills and is a master of the game.

So Song Yan placed the first chess piece on the chessboard.

It's the other person's turn.

However, Shi Yunhao said something that made Song Yan pause slightly: "How should we place the pieces in this game of chess?"

"You...can't?"

"will not."

Shi Yunhao said very honestly, "But I can learn it on the spot."

"..."

This person is really strange.

Song Yan frowned slightly. If he was like other cultivators, intending to befriend him, then this was far too rude.

But if you say no...

If you can't play chess, what are you doing sitting here?

Well, having nothing else to do, Song Yan gave a brief introduction to the rules of chess, just as he had done when teaching Xiao Ju and Xiao He before.

The other party was, after all, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, so he learned very quickly.

The two then played their first game of chess.

The game ended quickly, and even without much effort, Song Yan still won by a large margin.

Just then, the sword duel was about to begin.

"Concession."

Song Yan bowed and then rose to leave his seat.

"Unfortunately. I've already learned it."

Shi Yunhao stared at the chessboard in front of him for a moment, then looked up at Song Yan's back.

"Next time I have the chance, I'll definitely play a good game with you."

Song Yan stopped, glanced sideways and nodded slightly, then left.

(End of this chapter)