"This place is truly extravagant!"

It was now late afternoon, approaching evening. The slanting sun shone upon the Ten Cauldrons Sect, making the cluster of buildings dazzle with brilliance. Su Xuan couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

The Third Elder, however, remained silent, taking each step seriously while trying to walk with a carefree grace. If you didn't see his face and only looked at his back, you might think he was a middle-aged man rather than an elderly one. And the bright red robe he wore was utterly out of place compared to the attire of the Ten Cauldrons Sect disciples; their clothes were elegant, aspiring to transcend worldly concerns, while his bright red robe was simply festive.

"Hah, and they even have rare beasts and birds."

After walking a little further, Su Xuan's gaze was drawn to three rare birds perched on a lawn. He couldn't name them; they had feathers like flamingos but feet like swans, and they radiated an extraordinary aura. The three birds were each a different solid color—red, white, and purple—without a single speck of another hue.

"Those creatures are called Spirit Doves. A single one costs over a hundred thousand Moon Profound Stones," the Third Elder finally whispered to Su Xuan. "The eggs they lay can be used as alchemy ingredients. They have a miraculous effect in nourishing the body, enough to make a man feel like a newlywed groom 365 days a year."

"What if you eat the bird itself?" Su Xuan asked.

"It would definitely be delicious!" The Third Elder pursed his lips. "But would you really eat such a precious bird?"

"I would," Su Xuan replied.

The Third Elder's mouth twitched, having momentarily forgotten that money was no object to Su Xuan. He pondered for a moment before adding, "Just make sure you don't eat theirs."

"I have that much self-control."

The Ten Cauldrons Sect female disciple leading the way ahead of them had sharp ears and overheard their conversation. She frowned, considering whether she should report the matter to prevent these two from actually stealing and eating the Spirit Doves.

A few minutes later, Su Xuan and the Third Elder were led into a magnificent hall. The female disciple informed them that this was the sect's banquet hall and invited them to find a seat and wait. She explained that as soon as Sect Leader Fu Yong finished his duties, he would come to meet and host them.

"This hall is quite decent."

After the female disciple left, Su Xuan surveyed the banquet hall. The dining tables were crafted from stacks of translucent jade, and shimmering silks cascaded down the walls like a river of stars falling from the heavens. Incense burners also dotted the hall, their smoke wafting gently, carrying a scent that cleared the mind and refreshed the spirit. Dining in such a luxurious setting would surely encourage anyone to eat and drink more.

"On the surface, Fu Yong still does things properly." The Third Elder was very pleased with the hall's atmosphere. He smiled and said, "The fact that he's willing to host us here must mean he has forgotten our past unpleasantness."

"Let's hope so," Su Xuan replied with a shrug. He sat down at a jade table and picked up the teapot. He gave it a shake, only to find it empty.

"A-Lian must have played a role in this," the Third Elder murmured, taking a seat beside Su Xuan. "Even if Fu Yong still holds a grudge against me, A-Lian would insist he treat me with courtesy now that she knows I've come. After all, we were..."

The Third Elder abruptly fell silent.

"Who's A-Lian?" Su Xuan asked.

The Third Elder waved his hand dismissively. "An old acquaintance. Fu Yong poached her from the Nine Cauldrons Sect. She and Fu Yong are..."

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

A series of sudden bell chimes rang out from outside, entering the hall and interrupting the Third Elder.

Looking toward the entrance, the Third Elder said, "It must be dinnertime. Fu Yong should be here soon."

Su Xuan asked, "Should we state the purpose of our visit directly, or...?"

"No rush," the Third Elder said, raising a hand. "Stating our purpose outright would be too impersonal. It's better to reminisce a bit first. It also gives me a chance to apologize to him for that incident back then."

"Do as you wish."

Su Xuan sat calmly, waiting for Fu Yong to arrive. But things won't go so smoothly. Why else would there not even be a cup of tea on the table?

As he expected, what happened next was quite unpleasant.

"Huh?"

A moment later, the Third Elder's mouth fell open in surprise. He saw several Ten Cauldrons Sect disciples stride grandly into the hall carrying platters of food. They placed the dishes on other tables, but not his. Did I sit at the wrong table?

"This food is for us," one of the disciples stated when questioned. "You are honored guests, so the Sect Leader has made other arrangements. Please wait patiently."

The Third Elder had no choice but to continue waiting. The longer he waited, however, the more awkward he felt. Hundreds of disciples had poured into the banquet hall and were now dining amidst a boisterous clamor, the fragrant aroma of food filling the air.

Yet his and Su Xuan's table remained completely bare. Not even a cup of water!

CRACK!

The Third Elder was no fool; he knew Fu Yong was deliberately toying with him. He clenched his fist, about to smash it down on the jade table, but stopped when it was an inch or two away. He relaxed his hand, placed his palm flat on the table, and shook his head. "This is just malicious!"

Su Xuan, however, seemed completely unbothered. He simply lowered his gaze, centered himself, and entered a meditative state.

The Third Elder grimaced, closed his own eyes, and pretended to be oblivious to his surroundings.

「Meanwhile, in a pavilion diagonally across from the hall.」

Fu Yong sat inside, leisurely sipping tea. When a confidant entered, he asked, "Is the old man furious yet?"

The confidant grinned. "He's absolutely livid. So angry his beard is practically standing on end. Now he's just sitting there with his eyes closed, pretending he can't see anything. Hahaha."

"That won't do!" Fu Yong gestured to his confidant. "We can't just let him keep his eyes closed!" The confidant leaned in and listened to a few whispered words, then left the pavilion with a sinister smirk.

CLANG!

A sudden, crisp sound startled the Third Elder. He quickly opened his eyes to see a Ten Cauldrons Sect disciple setting a clay pot down on his and Su Xuan's table, spilling some of the soup inside.

"This is Spirit Dove Soup." The disciple lifted the lid, looked at the Third Elder, and took a deep, dramatic sniff. Then he began to mutter to himself, "I performed a great service for the sect, so Sect Leader Fu Yong specially rewarded me with a Spirit Dove. I can hardly bear to enjoy it! Should I drink the soup first, or eat the meat...?" he chortled.

The Third Elder's mouth twitched. This is going too far! They're mocking me right to my face!

He opened his mouth to tell the disciple to leave, but before a single word could escape his lips, another disciple arrived with an earthenware jar and placed it on their table. With a flick of his chopsticks, the disciple proudly lifted a wild mountain ginseng from the jar.

"Hehe, I refined a superior-grade pill, so tonight Sect Leader Fu Yong rewarded me with a hundred-year-old wild mountain ginseng! It feels like a waste to eat it!" that disciple sighed, his lips smacking loudly.

Then, three or four more disciples came over bearing all sorts of rare delicacies, flaunting them in front of the Third Elder.

The Third Elder couldn't help but clench his fists, wrinkling the fabric of his robes. He glanced at Su Xuan, about to say something, but suddenly saw Su Xuan open his eyes.

"Third Elder," Su Xuan said.

"Are you hungry?"

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