Chapter 300 - 163: Bianlan Pavilion, Lai Xian Hall

Chapter 300: Chapter 163: Bianlan Pavilion, Lai Xian Hall

Pang Ban nodded slightly. "Take care," he said.

Xuzhuang didn’t dally. He gave a casual cupped-fist salute, turned, and left Bianlan Pavilion.

A random visit to a Treasure Pavilion had already yielded some results, so Xuzhuang’s enthusiasm remained high. He decided to forgo his Flying Escape technique and walk the streets instead. Whenever something interesting caught his eye, he would duck inside to browse. At a treasure shop called Water Mirror Tower, he even managed to acquire a bolt of Red Dust Silk about a zhang long.

Xuzhuang had already begun nurturing Sword Qi in the few bolts of Red Dust Silk he owned, using the Secret Technique of the Mind-Killing Sword. However, even if he finished nurturing all of it, the amount was far from enough to forge the Mind-Killing Sword. Since Water Mirror Tower had Red Dust Silk for sale, he naturally wouldn’t pass up the opportunity.

The Manager at Water Mirror Tower was an observant man. He noticed how much Xuzhuang treasured the Red Dust Silk—a valuable yet hard-to-sell item—and that he needed more. He told Xuzhuang that Water Mirror Tower had more in stock at its other branches and could have it transferred over if he wished.

Xuzhuang naturally agreed with delight. After leaving a communication talisman, he departed from Water Mirror Tower.

Weiyun Immortal City was truly worthy of its name as a crossroads for countless realms, and it was packed with all sorts of treasure merchants. He hadn’t realized it while flying, but walking all this way had taken the better part of half a day, and he had only just now approached the area of the eleven Heaven-Reaching Treasure Pavilions he originally intended to visit.

The eleven Treasure Pavilions, though each in their own location, were not far from one another. They seemed to form a bustling district. Once he arrived, the number of Daoists suddenly increased, making the area feel almost crowded.

Beneath one of the Heaven-Reaching Treasure Pavilions, the Exquisite Seven Treasures Pavilion, there stood an adjacent six-story building that was even more lively than the pavilion itself. Cultivators constantly streamed toward it, some arriving in streaks of escaping light, others hurrying on foot.

Xuzhuang looked up. The plaque on this building bore three words written in elegant, powerful strokes: Lai Xian Hall. It had quite an imposing air.

’Oh? A restaurant that serves Spiritual Cuisine?’ Xuzhuang’s interest was piqued. ’Restaurants like this aren’t rare, but for one to attract so many Daoists is rather interesting. Could its reputation really be that great, known throughout the entire Immortal City?’

Since he had already been wandering for half a day, he might as well try the Spiritual Cuisine of Weiyun Immortal City and see what made it so special.

With a slight movement of his feet, Xuzhuang seemed to step onto a breeze, arriving before Lai Xian Hall in an instant without any visible phenomenon. His current Escape Technique had reached a state of profound simplicity, subtle to the point of being formless. Several nearby Daoists didn’t even seem to notice as he slipped past them and through the doors.

Upon entering Lai Xian Hall, he was greeted by a screen wall. It was covered in bright, magnificent glazes and depicted a Celestial Maiden Painting. There were about a hundred figures in total, some plump, some slender, all lifelike and each with her own unique charm.

As soon as Xuzhuang stepped inside, a soft glow bloomed from the screen wall. From it drifted a Celestial Maiden with her hair in double coiling buns, willow-leaf eyebrows, almond eyes, and a delicate nose. She flew before Xuzhuang, performed a curtsy, and said in a gentle voice, "Welcome, esteemed guest. Are you here to dine?"

Xuzhuang wasn’t surprised. "I am," he replied.

"Please follow me, esteemed guest." The Celestial Maiden bowed slightly in response. Then she asked, "Will you be attending the banquet on the sixth floor, or shall I arrange a quiet room with a courtyard view for you?"

Xuzhuang asked, puzzled, "What banquet is on the sixth floor?"

The Celestial Maiden asked in surprise, "You don’t know, esteemed guest?"

’It seems Lai Xian Hall’s liveliness isn’t entirely due to its famous Spiritual Cuisine,’ Xuzhuang thought. He smiled and said, "Indeed, I do not. Please, miss, enlighten me."

"You’re too kind, esteemed guest." A blush appeared on the Celestial Maiden’s cheeks. She replied, "The master of our Lai Xian Hall, Master Yu Bo, is holding an immortal banquet on the sixth floor. He has invited cultivation geniuses from all over to discuss the Dao, which is why so many Daoists have rushed here hoping to attend."

"Oh?" Xuzhuang raised an eyebrow slightly. "In that case, what qualifies one as a ’cultivation genius’ to attend the banquet on the sixth floor? Are there invitations?"

"There are no invitations, and the Zhenren did not specify any criteria. He only said that anyone who can reach the sixth floor may attend the banquet." The Celestial Maiden said shyly, "I observed that you, esteemed guest, have the air of an immortal and an extraordinary bearing. I presumed you must be a great talent, which is why I asked."

Xuzhuang didn’t pay too much mind to the Celestial Maiden’s compliment. He just smiled and said, "In that case, I’ll go to the banquet on the sixth floor."

’As for whether he could reach the sixth floor, Xuzhuang was perfectly confident... though there was always a chance he might be rejected. But Xuzhuang wasn’t someone who valued face above all else, so it wasn’t a big deal either way.’

’A Zhenren, regardless of whether he’s a Primordial Spirit True Man or has achieved his status through an unorthodox path, is certainly a master of the Dao. To be able to discuss profound matters with such a person would be a fortunate opportunity.’

’Of course, this Master Yu Bo might have other motives. But I figure that since I’m a newcomer, I’m unlikely to fall into anyone’s scheme. Even if I leave disappointed, it would be of no consequence.’

The Celestial Maiden replied softly, "Please follow me, esteemed guest." She then led Xuzhuang straight toward the top floor. Along the way, they saw quite a few young Daoists dejectedly descending the staircase, with Celestial Maidens by their sides offering soft words of comfort.

Some of the more carefree ones simply changed course and headed for the private rooms. Others, who cared more about face, felt they had been disgraced and stormed downstairs resentfully. The Celestial Maidens saw them off with gentle words all the same; the hospitality was truly impeccable.

A moment later, the Celestial Maiden had led Xuzhuang to the foot of the staircase. She said, "There are attendants at the immortal banquet, so my presence is not required. I can only escort you this far, esteemed guest."

She didn’t say she would wait for him, but her expectant expression said it all.

Xuzhuang gave a faint smile and said, "Thank you, Miss." Then he stepped onto the staircase. Unexpectedly, he felt no probing senses or tests of any kind. Xuzhuang simply strolled up to the sixth floor as if taking a walk in a garden. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ

The furnishings on this floor were not extravagant. It looked like an ordinary tavern, with just a few sets of tables and chairs. A few people were seated, all dressed as Daoists. They were split into two groups of two, occupying two tables. Seeing Xuzhuang arrive, they all turned to look at him in unison.

Xuzhuang calmly returned their gazes with a smile. His eyes swept across the four faces, and he was suddenly taken aback.

At one of the tables sat two young Daoists. One of them had his hair tied in a Daoist topknot and wore a Crane Robe. He was handsome, with a heroic air and the bearing of an Immortal descended to the mortal world. Who else could it be but Zhong Shenxiu?

What surprised Xuzhuang even more was that the six streams of qi around Zhong Shenxiu’s body flowed in a long, harmonious cycle. He seemed on the verge of mastering his profound skill and reaching the third layer of the Li Xuan Skill.

’I consider my own cultivation progress to be extremely fast, but I’m probably still one or two hundred years away from perfecting my profound skill. If I cultivated Yin and Yang to strengthen my foundation, it would likely take even longer. I never thought Zhong Shenxiu would have already taken a half-step past that threshold.’

’I know Zhong Shenxiu is definitely not the type to rush his cultivation for quick results. In that case, his rate of progress is truly terrifying.’

Zhong Shenxiu was also a little surprised to see Xuzhuang ascend to the sixth floor. He knew Xuzhuang would come to Guangyuan, but he hadn’t expected to meet him here by such a twist of fate. He couldn’t help but smile as he rose and offered a cupped-fist salute. "Fellow Daoist Xu, it’s been a long time."

Xuzhuang didn’t stand on ceremony. He walked straight over and sat down at Zhong Shenxiu’s table. He smiled and said, "It has been years since we last met, yet your cultivation still advances a thousand miles a day. It leaves me in awe."

"You flatter me, Fellow Daoist," Zhong Shenxiu replied with a slight smile. "Spurred on by you, I have no choice but to cultivate diligently. Otherwise, I’m afraid I’ll never have the chance to win back a single stone from you in the future."

At that moment, the other person at the table spoke up. "Aren’t you going to introduce me, Brother Zhong?"

Zhong Shenxiu smiled and replied, "This is the Xuzhuang I’ve mentioned before, Fellow Daoist Xu." Then he said to Xuzhuang, "This is Cen Fenghong, Fellow Daoist Cen. He cultivates in the Cyan Sky Realm... and was also invited here by Elder Jide."

Cen Fenghong also appeared to be a young man. He had long, narrow eyes, but they didn’t make him look sinister. His Daoist aura was clear and light. Hearing this, he raised an eyebrow slightly and offered a cupped-fist salute. "So you’re Fellow Daoist Xu. It’s a pleasure to finally meet the man behind the name. I’ve heard much about you."

"You jest, Fellow Daoist," Xuzhuang returned the salute and replied. "What reputation could I possibly have?"

Cen Fenghong laughed heartily but didn’t elaborate. He only said, "I was greatly looking forward to meeting you, Fellow Daoist. I never expected it would be here at Lai Xian Hall. It truly is fate."

As the few of them were talking, they suddenly heard footsteps on the staircase. They looked toward the sound and saw a man in black robes ascend to their floor. He had shoulder-length black hair and a placid expression. He carried himself with the profound stillness of a deep pool and the imposing stature of a mountain, possessing the air of a Grandmaster.