Chapter 630 - 210: The Banquet (3)

As Yang Jing listened to the intricate preparation method, he was secretly astounded.

Back in Yuhe County, he had never been so particular about food. After joining the sect, his focus was solely on cultivation; he ate for sustenance and to advance his training. He never imagined a single dish could be so elaborate, its preparation so painstakingly complex. It was truly unheard of.

Still amazed, he picked up his bamboo chopsticks, gently lifted a piece of the savory eggplant, and placed it in his mouth.

As he bit down, a rich, mellow broth enveloped the natural flavor of the ingredients. The umami was so intense it made the tip of his tongue tingle.

Yang Jing’s eyes instantly lit up. This was, without a doubt, the most delicious dish he had eaten since he’d transmigrated, far surpassing any exotic beast delicacy he’d ever had.

He ate a few more pieces, savoring each one, before turning to Sun Ningxiang beside him. "Ning Xiang," he asked with a smile, "what do you think of this dish?"

Sun Ningxiang nodded gently, her eyes filled with admiration. "It’s wonderful. Savory without being heavy, and the flavors are so layered. A truly rare delicacy."

Although she had grown up in a Martial Arts Hall in Yuhe County and lived a relatively affluent life, she had never tasted a dish prepared by an Imperial Chef. Now, experiencing the savory eggplant for herself, she couldn’t help but sing its praises.

The banquet continued at a leisurely pace.

One exquisite dish after another was served, a dazzling array of delicacies filling the table.

Lin Weiyuan was the first to raise his cup to toast Yang Jing. The Lin Family Grand Elder and several core Elders followed suit. Finding it hard to refuse their warm hospitality, Yang Jing made an exception and drank more wine than he usually would.

For Martial Dao experts of their caliber in the Inner Qi Realm, ordinary wine was little different from water. Only extremely high-quality Spirit Wine could truly intoxicate them.

While the wine prepared by the Lin Family was not Spirit Wine, it was still quite potent. Drinking a lot of it could still leave one feeling a bit tipsy.

However, Yang Jing had already decided that after leaving the Lin Mansion, he would simply circulate his Inner Qi to expel the alcohol from his system. He wasn’t worried about losing his composure.

The other Lin Family disciples and clansmen in the hall watched as their Patriarch, the Grand Elder, and Yang Jing toasted one another and conversed with lively laughter, all of them secretly astounded.

Their Patriarch and Grand Elder were both renowned Martial Dao experts in Jintai Prefecture, yet they treated Yang Jing with such immense respect. It was a clear sign of how highly they valued him.

Everyone there understood how astonishing his potential was. At such a young age, he had already mastered Three True Skills to the Qi Eating Realm. His chances of breaking through to the True Qi Realm in the future were immense.

Furthermore, he was a disciple of the Xuanzhen Sect. A Martial Artist from one of the five major sects was naturally a cut above those from the outside world. Even when at the same cultivation realm, their strength and status were worlds apart.

A True Qi Realm expert from one of the five major sects could speak as an equal with mighty figures in the Pill Realm, such as the patriarchs of Jintai Prefecture’s three great families. The same principle applied to every other realm.

This was because the five major sects reigned supreme in Jintai Prefecture, representing the pinnacle of resources, heritage, and support. To come from one of these sects was to have a starting point others could only dream of.

A few of the Lin Family’s core disciples watched the high-spirited Yang Jing, sighing inwardly with emotion.

’We might act arrogant and aloof in front of common people, but before a heavenly prodigy from the Xuanzhen Sect like him, we know with perfect clarity that simply being able to sit at the same table with him now is a tremendous stroke of fortune.’

’Once he fully matures and reaches a higher realm, we might not even be worthy of an audience with him.’

Two hours later, the banquet came to a successful conclusion. The plates were cleared, and everyone rose to their feet.

Yang Jing and Sun Ningxiang bid farewell to Lin Weiyuan and the others, preparing to return to Fushan Island.

Lin Weiyuan insisted on seeing them off personally, and the group slowly made their way along the mansion’s corridors toward the main gate.

Sun Ningxiang walked alongside Madam Lin, the two of them conversing in low voices in a harmonious atmosphere.

Yang Jing and Lin Weiyuan walked ahead. Despite having had a good deal of wine, their profound cultivation kept them from feeling intoxicated, and their steps remained steady.

As they neared the mansion gate, Lin Weiyuan suddenly stopped. He turned to Yang Jing, his tone earnest. "Young Master Yang, there is a matter I’m afraid I must trouble you with."