Chapter 120 - 61: The Powerful Feast Ceremony, Its Power Fully Unleashed

Chapter 120: Chapter 61: The Powerful Feast Ceremony, Its Power Fully Unleashed

The moment he realized the reason, Jiang Xuan was first stunned, but after some careful thought, it all made sense.

’It’s actually quite reasonable... I’ve never been able to fully utilize the effects of the Feast Ceremony before!’

After all, the Feast Ceremony alone had forcefully elevated the ’Gourmet’ Talent from the Blue Rare Grade to the Purple Treasure Level. One could only imagine how profound it truly was.

Aside from normally expanding Jiang Xuan’s appetite and improving his digestive efficiency, it had a special effect: if he savored a delicacy of Gourmet Level or higher, there was an extremely low probability that he could obtain some of the ingredients’ inherent source Traits through consumption.

Plundering Traits just by eating was, without a doubt, an incredibly terrifying ability.

However, the activation probability was extremely low, requiring a delicacy of Gourmet Level (equivalent to Purple Treasures) or higher, and it could only plunder a minuscule portion of the source.

These multiple restrictions were what kept it at the Purple Treasure Level—otherwise, it might have been able to reach the Gold, or even Orange, Grade.

And now, the situation was obvious.

The Four Bitter Nether Soul Soup, made from a base of over a dozen extremely yin-attribute ingredients and simmered for days by Valley Master Yan Shouzhuo, had undoubtedly reached the Gourmet Level. This triggered the hidden effect of the Feast Ceremony, allowing Jiang Xuan to plunder a portion of the Four Bitter Nether Soul Soup’s source.

Furthermore, because the soup contained countless extremely cold and yin-attribute ingredients, the portion of the source Jiang Xuan plundered via the Feast Ceremony fused with the Frost Heaven Divine Sword technique he was cultivating, allowing him to form the Frost Heaven Mark ahead of schedule.

Having figured it all out, an unconcealable joy surged in Jiang Xuan’s eyes. As he looked at the Great Cauldron filled with the Four Bitter Nether Soul Soup, his gaze was filled with an endless craving.

’Although the activation probability is extremely low, this is a shortcut, after all. If I could consume this daily, perhaps by the time of the Hundred-Day Exam, I could advance the Winter Solstice·Frost Heaven Divine Sword to the Fifth Realm·Master Level. At that point, my training in the Guicang Jie Mie Sword could be considered complete for now.’

However, despite the intense craving in his heart, Jiang Xuan didn’t ask for any.

Jiang Xuan knew just how precious a Purple-grade Gourmet delicacy was.

It was one thing when he was ignorant of the fact, but now, how could he have the nerve to ask for more?

Just as Jiang Xuan retracted his gaze and was about to thank Yan Shouzhuo again, the latter simply picked up a large porcelain flask and, without another word, thrust it into Jiang Xuan’s hand.

"Huh?" This caught Jiang Xuan completely off guard. After a moment’s shock, he realized what it was and hurriedly tried to refuse, "Valley Master, this is too precious. This disciple cannot accept it."

"What ’Valley Master’?" Yan Shouzhuo raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a hint of authority, yet also a trace of gentleness. "Call me Master. From now on, I will be personally teaching you the Flame Splendor Supreme Profound Chapter."

"Besides, surely you understand the principle that a gift from an elder cannot be refused? I specifically brewed this pot of Four Bitter Nether Soul Soup for you. If I tell you to take it, then take it. Say no more."

After he finished speaking, he didn’t wait for Jiang Xuan to refuse again and firmly pressed the porcelain flask into his hand. Then, his expression grew serious, and he began to give a solemn warning.

"Although I’m giving it all to you, you must be careful when you drink this soup in the future. It’s best to wait seven days between servings... If you drink too much at once, the numerous scattered memories and information within the soup will affect your Divine Soul. The slightest misstep could even cause you to descend into madness."

Jiang Xuan was already aware of this.

Even now, his consciousness was still in disarray. Countless fragments from the Illusory Dream were flashing and weaving through his mind like a tide.

Fortunately, the Three Purification Mantra: True Communication was very effective. The Frost Heaven Mark also, in addition to its use against enemies, could strengthen Jiang Xuan’s Divine Soul and clear his mind.

Therefore, as long as he was given some time to sort through them, he could put these chaotic memories in order.

’With my current Soul Strength, I don’t need to wait seven days. Three or four should be enough.’

Of course, Jiang Xuan wouldn’t voice these thoughts.

In response to Yan Shouzhuo’s warning, Jiang Xuan simply bowed and said respectfully, "I understand. Thank you, Valley— Thank you, Master, for the reminder."

Jiang Xuan chatted a little longer with Yan Shouzhuo in the Valley of Summer, until the latter noticed the unconcealable fatigue in his expression and ordered Wu Shan to escort him away.

After being escorted back to his courtyard, Jiang Xuan gave Wu Shan another deep bow and made a sincere promise, "Senior Brother, I owe you a great deal for your help this time. Words can’t express my gratitude. If there is ever anything you need me for in the future, just say the word."

He knew, of course, that if Wu Shan hadn’t pleaded on his behalf, the Valley Master of the Valley of Summer would not have noticed him so quickly, let alone brewed such a pot of infinitely useful Four Bitter Nether Soul Soup for him.

Thus, his gratitude toward Wu Shan came from the bottom of his heart, without a shred of insincerity.

Faced with Jiang Xuan’s solemn thanks, Wu Shan just scratched his head and gave an honest smile. "It’s nothing. We’re senior and junior brothers, which makes us family. It’s only natural for us to help each other out."

Wu Shan didn’t stay long. After a few more casual words with Jiang Xuan, he also left.

After he was gone, Jiang Xuan clutched the heavy porcelain flask in his hand. Looking at the ample amount of Four Bitter Nether Soul Soup inside, a faint smile slowly appeared on his lips, and an endless sense of reassurance washed over him.

At the same time, he was no longer anxious about his duel with Su Xingying in three days. Instead, he was filled with an eager fighting spirit.

Jiang Xuan thought, ’It’s true that your Talent is outstanding and your resources are limitless. But I’m not alone anymore. With the help of the Four Seasons Valley, the share of resources I can obtain is slowly catching up.’

...

With his strength having surged and having obtained a Treasure Level resource that was compatible with him, Jiang Xuan’s taut nerves finally relaxed a little.

That night, with his mind in chaos, Jiang Xuan didn’t continue studying scriptures or busying himself with trivial matters. Instead, he simply closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep, using it to sort through the memory fragments in his mind.

The next day, he woke up early and even had the leisure to make a trip back to the Chen Daoist School.

But as soon as he returned to the Daoist School, he noticed a completely different atmosphere. With the second round of examinations drawing near, the mood in the class had become tense once again.

And unlike the leniency of the last round, where simply meeting the standard was enough to pass, this round involved competing for a fixed and small number of spots. This made even the disciples from prominent families in the front rows, who usually seemed amicable, shed their gentle facades. Their eyes were now filled with hostility toward one another, and the atmosphere was electric with tension.

What Jiang Xuan found somewhat absurd was that because no one knew what he had been through recently, they didn’t think he had the ability to break into the top ten of the class. As a result, the hostility he felt was not particularly intense.

However, Dong Hao, who had also returned today and was sitting beside him, was in a completely different situation.

As a top contender expected to break into the top ten, he had no shortage of people who viewed him with hostility, which left Dong Hao’s expression full of anxiety and nervousness.

’Just passing the second round isn’t a sure thing for me,’ Dong Hao thought. ’Even though I’ve progressed rapidly during this time, the others haven’t been idle either. To secure a spot in the top ten, I need reliable support.’

Thinking this, Dong Hao’s gaze fell upon Jiang Xuan.

However, when he thought about the seven Middle Grade Spirit Stones Jiang Xuan had produced yesterday, his heart suddenly sank.

’He couldn’t have been recruited by someone else, could he?’ The thought had barely surfaced before he shook his head and dismissed it. ’That’s unlikely. If he’d been recruited by someone else, he wouldn’t have given me those Spirit Stones to manage yesterday.’

’But why did he buy so many Dao Scriptures and Daoist Collections?’

Although he couldn’t understand Jiang Xuan’s intentions, the ability to earn seven hundred Low Grade Spirit Stones in such a short time as a son of the Lower Classes made Jiang Xuan’s standing in Dong Hao’s mind grow even more.

To ensure Jiang Xuan was on his side, after receiving the news last night, he had prepared to splurge.

And now, his preparations were complete:

"Ahem, Brother Jiang, you’ve collected so many Daoist Collections and Dao Scriptures in such a short time. It seems you’re quite fond of reading?"

"Yes, I’m preparing to build my own personal Scripture Pavilion." There was nothing to hide about this, so Jiang Xuan readily nodded in agreement.

"..." Although Dong Hao didn’t understand why Jiang Xuan was spending his Spirit Stones on books instead of Elixir Pills and resources, and even felt it was a bit frivolous, the fact that Jiang Xuan liked it made Dong Hao suppress his thoughts, give a thumbs-up, and praise him, "Brother Jiang has such refined taste! In that case, I can’t just stand by and do nothing."

"After I heard the news last night, I specifically selected these books for you, Brother Jiang..." As he spoke, Dong Hao took a Storage Pouch from his robes, along with a neatly folded slip of paper, and handed both to Jiang Xuan.

The Storage Pouch was filled with books, and the slip of paper was densely covered with a list of their titles.

Jiang Xuan gave it a quick glance and saw that there were over eight hundred books on the list. Many of them were classics that couldn’t be bought for just one or two Spirit Stones—since he had decided to build a Scripture Pavilion, Jiang Xuan had naturally already familiarized himself with the market value of Dao Scriptures and Daoist Collections.

After a quick estimation, Jiang Xuan knew the value of these books far exceeded the seven hundred Low Grade Spirit Stones he had given him yesterday.

This made Jiang Xuan pause for a moment. But in the end, he didn’t refuse. Instead, he gave a solemn fist-and-palm salute. "Thank you for your generous gift, Brother Dong. For the second-round examination, I will do everything in my power to help you secure a top-ten position."

Phew...

Hearing these words, Dong Hao immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

...

While Jiang Xuan was talking with Dong Hao, he didn’t notice that Su Linyin, the young miss of the Su Family, was looking at him with a gaze that was no longer calm, but rather tinged with anxiety.

’Why isn’t that guy nervous at all? Has he completely given up?’

Just as she was wondering whether she should go talk to Jiang Xuan again, with a SWISH, Lecturer Song Zhou suddenly returned from outside.

His appearance instantly silenced the once-noisy hall. All the students quickly sat up straight, their expressions respectful.

Song Zhou paid no mind to the students’ stiff formality. His gaze slowly swept across the room before he spoke, announcing a piece of news:

"The Daoist School’s second-round examination will officially begin in six days."

This news was within everyone’s expectations and didn’t cause much of a stir in the class. However, the confirmation of the examination date still made everyone’s mood tense up again.

But just when Jiang Xuan thought Lecturer Song Zhou had only come to announce the examination date, his next words made every student in the Chen Daoist School’s pupils contract. "To test your true strength, and to make you understand that there is always a heaven beyond heaven and someone better than you, this examination will no longer be held by the Chen Daoist School alone. Instead, it will be a joint event conducted by the Yin, Rooster, and Chen Daoist Schools."

This statement caused some commotion in the class, but it wasn’t too severe. However, Lecturer Song Zhou’s next sentence was truly earth-shattering, causing the atmosphere in the classroom to instantly erupt like a pot of boiling water:

"For this examination, the ranking rules are also changing. The Grade A Excellence slots will no longer be decided with a top ten from each class. Instead, the three Daoist Schools will pool all resources for a unified allocation."

"After our discussions, this three-school joint examination will determine eighteen Grade A ranks. The stronger you are, the more resources you will receive."