Chapter 515: Banquet (2)

Chapter 515: Chapter 339: Banquet (2)

“Really? Guan Nan and Beiyun are both near the Divine Capital. They say the land there breeds talent, so it’s packed with experts. It seems this Lotus Lantern Dharma Assembly at the South Mansion will be quite lively.”

“…”

The unaffiliated Martial Artists along the road began whispering among themselves, discussing the curious happenings within the South Mansion.

‘Sealed Sects from Guan Nan and Beiyun were invited, too?’

Zhao Xuanqi’s expression stirred slightly.

“Here, have one.”

Just as Zhao Xuanqi was taking in his surroundings, a fair hand suddenly extended before him, offering a palm-sized, hexagonal pastry wrapped in greenish lotus leaves and tied with a thin hemp rope, still radiating a gentle warmth.

It was the same Lotus Fragrance Cake that had been for sale all over the streets.

Zhao Xuanqi glanced at the owner of the hand. He Xijun had somehow procured a bamboo basket full of Lotus Fragrance Cakes and was currently taking large bites out of one, her large, spirited eyes crinkling with delight.

“This is a South Mansion specialty. You can’t get them back in Guming County. They taste amazing. Have a try.”

He Xijun gestured with a tilt of her chin, her words muffled by the pastry as she spoke, her cheeks puffed out.

Zhao Xuanqi nodded and, without ceremony, took the Lotus Fragrance Cake, untied the hemp rope, and peeled away the lotus leaf wrapper.

Inside was a greenish pastry similar to a glutinous rice cake, apparently made from pounded, steamed glutinous rice. He took a bite. The fresh fragrance of the lotus leaf, the soft, chewy texture of the rice, and the sweet aroma of the filling bloomed in his mouth. The filling seemed to be a mix of brown sugar, sesame, crushed peanuts, and sweet potato paste. It was a delightful treat.

“Will they arrange for us to spar with the experts from the other sects this time?”

Zhao Xuanqi finished the cake in a few bites. Then, under He Xijun’s reluctant gaze, he casually swiped a few more from her basket, asking nonchalantly as he began to peel and eat another.

“The Official Family was originally against Martial Artists fighting amongst themselves. But with so many experts from all over gathered in the South Mansion, sparring is inevitable when martial artists get together. It’s better to channel that energy than to suppress it. As long as things don’t get out of hand, the Official Family turns a blind eye. Over time, it just became a tradition. As one of the Five Sects of Heqing, our Red Heart Sect is naturally expected to exchange a few pointers with our peers. However, it’s limited to those below the Refining the Internal Organs realm. A bout between Sensing realm experts would be too powerful and cause too much of a commotion. Besides, there’s an unwritten rule that it’s usually the younger generation who participate.”

Another deep voice spoke up from the side as a large, rough hand reached into He Xijun’s bamboo basket and swiped a Lotus Fragrance Cake.

“Hey, that’s enough! If you want one, go buy your own!”

He Xijun yelped indignantly, clutching her small bamboo basket protectively to her side.

The one who had spoken was Lu Dong, a tall man with a coarse, burly face that made him look like a door god incarnate.

Tempered by the Ghost City incident, Lu Dong’s strength had progressed even further in the past two months. He had successfully broken through to the Refining the Internal Organs realm and ignited his Heart Fire. Lately, he was even said to be attempting to condense his Crimson Fire into Golden Fire. If he succeeded, his talent would rank him among the very top of the Red Heart Sect.

He Xijun’s strength had also improved considerably. While she was still in the Blood Strengthening realm, she was already preparing to advance to the Refining the Internal Organs stage.

“In any case, you don’t need to worry about any of this. I’ll handle any opponents from the Blood Strengthening realm, and Senior Brother Wen will take care of those in the Refining the Internal Organs realm. We brought you along to broaden your horizons. Your job is to watch, learn, and get a feel for the techniques of Martial Artists from other Schools.”

He Xijun said to Zhao Xuanqi with a chuckle, adopting the tone of a seasoned veteran. With Lu Dong’s promotion, she was now the leading figure among the Red Heart Sect’s Blood Strengthening disciples.

The leading figure among the sect’s Refining the Internal Organs disciples was named Wen Chang’an. He had the tall, powerful build characteristic of the Red Heart Sect, but with handsome features. His eyes were perpetually narrowed into a smile, and he always spoke in a gentle, warm tone. He was incredibly approachable and humble. Whenever another disciple sought his guidance, he would hold nothing back. The Sect Leader valued him highly, and many disciples referred to him as their Eldest Senior Brother.

At only twenty-five, he had already ignited the fire of all five organs and was looking for an opportunity to advance to the Sensing realm. The sect had placed great hopes in him.

“What are all my junior brothers and sisters chatting about?”

Another voice suddenly spoke up beside the group. He Xijun then felt the basket she was guarding so tightly lighten once more—another Lotus Fragrance Cake had been stealthily snatched away.

A tall, smiling young man appeared beside them, apparently having come over to take a curious peek after overhearing his name.

“Senior Brother Wen, you’re stealing my snacks too!!”

He Xijun yelled in outrage, raising a hand as if to strike him. But with a flicker, Wen Chang’an’s form vanished like a phantom, reappearing beside the other Refining the Internal Organs disciples. Even Zhao Xuanqi was impressed by such a remarkable Body Technique.

Apparently noticing the commotion, Qiu Qing, who was walking at the front of the line, glanced back. His gaze fell upon the group, then lingered on the basket He Xijun was clutching. Her face fell completely. She had no choice but to meekly pass out the Lotus Fragrance Cakes to all the senior brothers and Stewards until her basket was empty.

A hint of a smile flashed in Zhao Xuanqi’s eyes as he watched the scene.

Led by the city guards, the group arrived on a bustling street within the South Mansion and checked into a high-class inn arranged by the imperial court. Apparently, all the inns in this district had been temporarily requisitioned by the Official Family to accommodate the various sect members invited to the Lotus Lantern Dharma Assembly.

Along the way, Zhao Xuanqi saw many disciples dressed in the garb of the other four sects. He Xijun would point them out, taking the opportunity to fill this “newbie” in on the details of each sect.

Little did she know, he had already encountered every one of the Heqing Dao sects inside the Ghost City.

Soon, the group had settled into the inn. Everyone had a private room, with the quality of the room corresponding to one’s status in the sect.

Zhao Xuanqi had just set down his luggage when a knock came at his door.

“The other four sects have all arrived; we were the last ones here. The Blood Strengthening disciples from the other sects just contacted me and suggested we all get together tonight. I already agreed. Get some rest. We’ll head out for the gathering at 7:00 PM.”

He Xijun informed Zhao Xuanqi, then left his room.

‘The Blood Strengthening disciples from all the sects?’

Zhao Xuanqi couldn’t help but recall the people he had met in the Ghost City, and a faint smile touched his lips.

After a short rest, night fell. 7:00 PM arrived quickly. Although Lu Dong had already been promoted to the Refining the Internal Organs realm, he wanted to see his old comrades from the Ghost City battle, so he came along. They soon arrived at another inn in the district and met up with the Blood Strengthening disciples from the other sects.

Sure enough, there were many familiar faces.

Zhuang Li, Deng Mingsheng, and Li Zhilin from Miaoyin Hall; Chi Li from the Yin Mountain Sect; Pu Xiangrong from the Five Elements Gang; Ren Fei from the Rebirth Palace—even Xu Jingtian of the Celestial Net Department was present.

The auras of some among them had already surpassed the bounds of the Blood Strengthening realm. Clearly, they had not been idle these past two months.

When the Red Heart Sect members arrived, everyone who had been part of the Ghost City incident looked their way, their eyes searching through the group. A moment later, looks of slight disappointment appeared on their faces; the person they were hoping to see wasn’t there.

Members from the various sects came up to exchange introductions. When He Xijun introduced Zhao Xuanqi, everyone had a subtle reaction.

‘A New Disciple? And his surname is Zhao?’

‘Could it be…?’

However, He Xijun denied their unspoken question, and when the others carefully probed, they couldn’t sense any powerful Primordial Qi fluctuations from Zhao Xuanqi, so they paid him little mind.

‘Indeed. If the Red Heart Sect truly wanted to hide that person’s identity, they wouldn’t let him be exposed at a time like this.’

There was one exception. This person deliberately averted her gaze, not wanting anyone to notice the unusual light in her eyes and reveal the shock she felt.

This person was Zhuang Li of Miaoyin Hall.

For in the instant she saw Zhao Xuanqi, a cold, clear voice had echoed in her mind.

“That is the man from the Ghost City.”