Chapter 219: Bad Feeling

Once the speeches were done, the banquet formally started. A gathering like this was rare, something that might happen only once every few hundred years, so everyone was excited and looking forward to it.

Zither artists played a soft, humming tune in the background. They were the best in the North, brought specially for this occasion. Even a single session from them was something a normal Cultivator couldn't afford in a lifetime.

People began to mingle with each other, which was really the best part of this banquet. Even if they came for Ye Jun, they had other major things to do as well.

There were also many people who immediately attacked the delicacies. Spirit beast meat. Millennium spiritual fruits. Immortal wine that boosted cultivation. Tea brewed from enlightenment leaves.

There was so much that one would get confused about where to start, and all of this was quite attractive to the younger generation, who could reap the greatest benefits.

The older generations were more nonchalant about these things, as they had experienced far more in life. They were more interested in socializing, judging each other, and learning more about the world.

After all, they had allies and rivals both sitting here.

Of course, the main topic of conversation was still the Heaven Opening Chasm. It was a mysterious realm of unknown origin. Even today, the North tried its best to learn more about it but had failed every time.

Naturally, the others were also interested, as they had their own Secret Realms containing mysteries even they couldn't solve.

An anomaly like this could mean getting answers about the Heaven Opening Chasm, and that could solve the mysteries of their own Secret Realms too.

Ye Jun observed everything silently as he continued to smile at others. Parties like these weren't his specialty, but he had attended his fair share of them whenever he had specific targets.

'So hectic,' he thought. 'Still, I have to remember them.'

He scratched his neck slightly, frowning. 'But what is this weird feeling?'

He didn't brush it off, as he trusted his instincts more than anything. Especially since they had evolved into passive skills related to Fate and Heaven themselves. There was simply no way he was getting this bad feeling for nothing.

His expression turned somber as he looked towards Song Yanyan, who quickly sensed his gaze and turned towards him. It was a thing among higher-realm powerhouses. They could sense if someone was looking at, sensing, or observing them. Knowing things about the Spiritual Realm, Ye Jun wasn't even surprised.

She raised an eyebrow and established a mental connection between them, a powerful one so that no one detected it.

[What happened?]

Ye Jun kept his face calm and composed, as if nothing had happened. He continued greeting others and engaging in polite conversation while replying to her. 'I am getting a bad feeling, Yanyan. Something is either going to happen, or something is wrong with these people. Or at least a few of them.'

Thinking of something, he added, 'Please don't take this lightly. My instincts are connected to Fate itself.'

Song Yanyan glanced at him once more, then nodded slightly without hesitation.

[Thank you for telling me. I'll raise the security and remain cautious. You do the same.]

Then she cut the connection after confirming there was nothing else.

'She actually believed me,' Ye Jun chuckled to himself. 'What a family.'

"What did you two talk about?" Song Liangxue asked, walking beside him. "Don't give me that look. I'm familiar with my mother more than anyone else."

Ye Jun looked around and said, "Nothing much. She just told me to be careful. After all, I'm the newest member of this family."

Song Liangxue didn't say anything, but a flash of understanding showed in her eyes. Then she called over a waiter and picked up a wine glass. What no one noticed was the shimmering surface in another glass.

The waiter glided past everyone and only stopped when it found a scholarly dressed young man. Meihui turned towards the homunculus, raising an eyebrow as she hadn't called for it.

Still, she picked up the glass and saw shimmering letters written in a dead old language, something only a few people would understand.

"Be Careful."

'Did he sense something?' Meihui thought, taking a sip from it. 'Change of plans, huh.'

Meanwhile, Song Liangxue tugged on Ye Jun's sleeve slightly and said, "Why don't we greet our future sect members?"

Ye Jun was still worried, but it would do no good if he didn't act normally. Song Liangxue understood that too. So he nodded and let himself be pulled along by her.

They reached the table of the Heavenly Frost Palace, somewhat empty towards the back as the younger generation had gone off to enjoy the banquet. Only a few remained with the old man sitting at the center, talking with another old man.

"Greetings, Elder Mo." Ye Jun clasped his hands. "I hope we didn't disturb you."

"Nonsense! I was actually waiting for you," the old man quickly diverted his attention to him. "My only purpose here was to meet you two. The Sect Master was insisting on coming, but I won the bet."

"You had a bet?" Ye Jun was a bit surprised.

The old man sitting beside Elder Mo nodded. "He won it through deceit, though."

"Useless words," Elder Mo scoffed.

Ye Jun blinked, wondering what was happening before him. And who the hell was this other old man?

'He is definitely not someone ordinary. As they say, fear the old man in a game where people die young.'

Elder Mo saw the look in his eyes and laughed out loud. "Haha! He doesn't even recognize you. That's your reputation."

"I apologize, but..." Ye Jun couldn't say anything in his defense as he truly didn't recognize him.

Song Liangxue snickered beside him, enjoying the drama. When he shot her a glance, she cleared her throat and turned towards the other old man. "Liangxue greets Sect Master Lin Fan."

'Sect Master... don't tell me...' Ye Jun's lips twitched as he turned back toward the old man named Lin Fan. "Senior, you are..."

The man sighed in resignation. "Yes, yes, I'm the old man with one foot in the grave, the Sect Master of the Heavenly Frost Palace."