The Banquet

Meng Jingzhou rested his forehead in his hand, his tone laced with helplessness. "Do you have any larger maps? For instance, the kind that marks territories like the Black Tortoise Clan or the Kunpeng Clan?" The deacon jumped in fright at Meng Jingzhou's words. "The Black Tortoise Clan and Kunpeng Clan are legendary races! The ocean waters where they reside are restricted zones of life where no human may approach. How could mere people like us possibly know their locations?" Meng Jingzhou thought back to the Kunpeng Clan elder who had dropped by his house for a visit during the New Year. The fellow had seemed rather kind and amiable, and had even given him New Year money. Meng Jingzhou felt a tinge of regret. Old Horse had dropped them off far too early. It should have ventured deeper into the East Sea, at least to somewhere with Nascent Soul cultivators. This godforsaken place didn't even have a single Foundation Establishment cultivator. "Where are we supposed to find a Nascent Soul cultivator to ask for directions..." Lu Yang mused. Suddenly, a spark of inspiration struck him, and he realized he had backed himself into a mental corner. "We were worried about being attacked by the Sea Race if we flew across the sea surface, which is why we wanted to buy a map and find a safe route." "Yet why should we even bother looking for a safe route? We can simply bury our heads and fly due east. In any case, not a single member of the Sea Race around here has even reached Foundation Establishment. By the time they react, we'll already have flown far away." Meng Jingzhou's eyes lit up in realization. "That's right! If we just keep flying east, sooner or later we'll run into a Nascent Soul cultivator or a Nascent Soul member of the Sea Race." The deacon listened to the five discuss this topic with a trembling heart. Could it be that all five of these people were legendary Nascent Soul eccentrics? One would be lucky to catch sight of a single Nascent Soul eccentric once in a decade. How had five suddenly shown up all at once today? Lu Yang and his companions paid no attention to the deacon's reaction. Having settled on a plan, they immediately took to the air, ready to cross the sea. Lu Yang drew his Green Blade Sword and skimmed low over the water's surface at breakneck speed, throwing up enormous plumes of spray on both sides. Meng Jingzhou sprinted across the sea surface. As a body cultivator, running was actually faster for him than flying. Man Gu took out his hammer and unscrewed the hammerhead, leaving only the shaft, which had small holes drilled in it and could be played like a jade flute. As a Confucian cultivator, he couldn't sprint across the sea like Meng Jingzhou—that would run counter to the dignified conduct expected of a Confucian. Tao Yaoye unfurled her red paper umbrella, while Li Haoran brought out the treasure gourd he had personally refined. Each displaying their unique prowess, the five flew deeper into the East Sea, leaving behind the dazed deacon standing dumbfounded where he was. Just as Lu Yang had predicted, before five Nascent Soul eccentrics, the outer fringes of the East Sea held no perilous waters whatsoever. If anything was dangerous, the five of them were the greatest danger around. Those Sea Race creatures at the ninth level of Qi Refinement, the Foundation Establishment stage, and even the Golden Core stage trembled beneath the waves as the five sped past, terrified that the newcomers might suddenly halt and cause them trouble. Even if a Sea Race territory had a Nascent Soul expert holding the fort, faced with five Nascent Soul cultivators at once, they dared not make any reckless moves, merely watching as the group flew right over their heads. "This outer rim of the East Sea is certainly vast. We've been flying for so long, yet not a single Nascent Soul member of the Sea Race has come out to give us trouble." Lu Yang tallied the time—they had already been flying for three full days without even catching a glimpse of a single member of the Sea Race. What the five didn't realize was that as they flew at high speed, the auras they released far exceeded what ordinary Nascent Soul cultivators possessed. Forget Nascent Soul cultivators; even Soul Formation Sea Race experts were unwilling to clash with them head-on. As for the Void Refining stage Sea Race experts, their cultivation levels were currently fluctuating and unstable, so they dared not show themselves either. "Look quickly, there are people over there!" Tao Yaoye said in surprise. Just like them, several people were flying together in midair as a group. "Let's go ask." Seeing this, Lu Yang shifted the direction of his Green Blade Sword and flew over. "Greetings, fellow Daoists. Might I ask where you are headed?" The three chuckled. "Naturally to attend the banquet. Don't tell me you aren't?" "A banquet?" "Indeed! A banquet hosted by an esteemed Body Integration Forefather of the Sea Race. Invitations have been widely extended to all nearby factions. Anyone at or above the Nascent Soul stage, regardless of status or background, is welcome to attend. If you have nothing pressing, you may come along with us." "Even I can go?" Lu Yang's interest was piqued. The individuals before him were merely at the Nascent Soul stage. A banquet hosted by a Body Integration Forefather would surely attract many great cultivators, offering a perfect chance to find a more detailed map. Moreover, judging by the open-mindedness of this Body Integration Forefather, he didn't seem like a snobbish sort. It was also an opportunity to get acquainted with cultivators of the East Sea. "Naturally. It is said that the Forefather enjoys a lively atmosphere. As long as your cultivation is sufficient, you may attend even without an invitation." Lu Yang was delighted. There was actually such a good thing! "Please wait a moment. I'll call my companions over so we can go together." Lu Yang immediately flew back and explained the situation. "I've long heard that banquets are often held in the East Sea—it's a signature feature here! We definitely can't miss it." Meng Jingzhou loved lively places the most, and was the first to answer the call. Tao Yaoye and the other two also agreed one after another to attend the banquet.