Onlookers, guests of the Dragon Gate Tower, and talents by the lake… as they raised their eyes, not one was not shocked, not one was not startled.

According to rumors in the marketplace, he was like a demon, like a monster.

Qingning's Evil Captain Li Xian had an unusual appearance, his face was full of pockmarks and ugly, his mouth large like a tiger's that could swallow a child. His body emitted a foul stench, covered with dense black hair.

It was said that the idle people in the prefecture city created portraits purely from imagination, asserting and spreading them steadfastly. Everyone knew there must be exaggerations in marketplace rumors, but they decided that the Evil Captain was undoubtedly hideous.

At this moment, upon seeing him, everyone guessed that this gentleman might have come to the wrong place. Yet upon seeing this gentleman, he was indeed incomparably handsome, with a demeanor and elegance beyond ordinary.

After a moment of silence, exclamations rose and fell.

Lin Aoshan clapped and praised, "Good, excellent, what a bold move to dare attend this banquet!" Overjoyed.

"Grandmother, do you have a connection with him?" A clan elder beside her asked.

Lin Aoshan said without taking her eyes off, "He's my friend."

At the Dragon Gate Tower. Gu Nianjun was stunned, her eyes fixed, examining his face. She pondered, "He does have an unusual appearance, this red mole between his brows, could it be... the Compassionate Appearance? It's rumored that those with the Compassionate Appearance often appear in the Western Regions, sincerely seeking Buddha, with compassion in their hearts, hence a white hair grows in the brow. But this person acts so ruthless, unlike a believer in Buddhistic logic. Moreover, the red mole has a golden sheen. Regardless… it's indeed an extraordinarily rare visage!"

Upon first meeting. Li Xian and Xiaofan met, fearing too much change would cause estrangement among brothers, and to act low-key, he used rouge to cover the mole, further intentionally concealing his appearance. Although still difficult to hide his handsome demeanor, the imposing aura and ethereal feeling inevitably weakened.

Now revealing his true form, his spine like a divine mountain, momentum restrained yet surging, the red mole between his brows prominent, his face as if carved from jade, captivating charisma. The overall perception completely different. Gu Nianjun observed for a long time, slightly frowning:

"The current him, compared to when we met a few days ago, seems different again."

Moreover, other idle whispers couldn't escape their ears.

Ranked forty-fifth in the Talents List, the little young master of the Seven Mountains Sect "Peng Lianyun". Stepped forward and asked, "Who is the visitor? Have you perhaps come to the wrong place in this layered tower's feast?"

Li Xian replied loudly, "I am Li Xian of Qingning, received an invitation, and have not mistaken my way."

The crowd was in an uproar, suspicions in their hearts settled, it was indeed that Li Xian. Originally, there were curses everywhere, and people were all detesting. But now, it was entirely different, previous idle talks and unrestrained ridicule, people couldn't help but feel flustered and awkward.

Cao Xiuxiu, Ji Hongyan, Chu Mei, and other prodigies in the tower, all looked over, seemingly disdainful but secretly assessing, with beautiful eyes touched. In their hearts, they all said, "Such heroism, such handsomeness!"

Zhou Shijie's eyes contained radiant gleams, his vision greatly enhanced, glanced towards the Dragon Gate Tower. Saw the curtain open on the fourth floor's private room, Gu Nianjun was also looking at this person. His gaze shifted, the curtain opened on the sixth floor's private room as well, that lady in white was also watching him, a smile on her lips.

The lady sensed the gaze, gave a side glance. Zhou Shijie immediately opened a folding fan to shield his eyes. Yet he already felt a piercing pain in his eyes, blood vessels dense.

"I just peeked at her once, and she noticed, what a formidable woman!"

"This young man, relying on his handsome appearance, knowing the rumors are false, deliberately makes a last appearance, drawing talk from others. Such a spectacle, naturally earning you all the limelight. This person's mind is deep and cunning, seeking to stir the crowd, how could I let you have your way? Let's see how I teach you a lesson."

Zhou Shijie secretly utilized the Wave-Treading Skill. His foot gently tapped the ground. The Heavenly People Tower stood in the center of the Pond Lake, on a small island. His skill was profound, inner qi penetrated the lake.

Dark currents surged, intending to secretly overturn boats.

Peng Lianyun was annoyed that Li Xian took his spot, with a tiny heart, hatred arose before they even met. Now seeing Li Xian fully in the spotlight, his resentment grew.

He immediately used means, quietly approached the shore. A palm struck the lake surface through the air. Zhou Shijie and Peng Lianyun acted simultaneously.

The two secretly made a move, unaware of each other. By sheer coincidence, their inner qi clashed at one point. Inner qi chaotic, each canceled out. A large wave exploded, rising several feet high, turning into sprayed water, mist spreading.

Peng Lianyun was greatly annoyed. Looking around, unaware who had silently disrupted, blocking his "Lianshan Palm". But upon thinking again, although unable to overturn the boat, yet causing spraying water, soaking them like a wet chicken, it was also quite satisfying.

The boat approached the shore.

Li Xian casually stepped onto the island, yet his clothing was not wet. It turned out he had opened an umbrella, without employing martial arts, had easily resolved it.

"Hey, why did you bring an umbrella?" Cao Xiuxiu curiously asked.

Li Xian shook off the lake water, closed the umbrella and laughed, "It might rain today, I prepared in advance."

"Affectation. A dignified Martial Artist, are you also afraid of rain?" Luo Bu'Er, who was first on the scene, already felt extremely stifled with anger, unable to lose temper after having the spotlight stolen. Now seeing Li Xian stepping onto the island calmly using the same means as himself, yet with entirely different effects, couldn't balance the mindset, thus he mocked:

"You're quite bold, merely forty-fourth, yet daring to make me wait for you."

Li Xian calmly said, "Truly sorry, late by a step." Humble and polite.

The other prodigies saw Li Xian so polite and composed, not startled by honor or disgrace. Quite different from rumors, they were curious yet developed a slight fondness.

Li Xian folded the umbrella, his gaze flickered slightly.

Long before setting out, Li Xian, unable to wait for the lady, knew he inevitably had to attend alone, contemplated contingency cards, escape plans.

Thinking, "Although my martial arts aren't poor, archery is also one of my aces. But bringing a bow and arrow would be too conspicuous. If the lady leaves me to die, I must also possess the independence to escape unscathed and with a plan. Attending this banquet… I shall only bring a knife."

"Turning the sword and bow into an umbrella handle. Making arrows into umbrella ribs, using them secretly. Taking the handle as the sword, catching them off guard. Taking the umbrella as the bow, making a vigorous effort."

He comprehended the [Miao Hand] trait, removed the Golden Leopard Tendon. The bow was carved with mechanisms, added oil paper, intentionally coated with yellow lacquer, making it inconspicuous.

Flawless.

Zhou Shijie said, "Since everyone has arrived, let's start the banquet then." Turned and ascended the stairs, directly reaching the seventh floor, and took the main seat.

Li Xian observed his back, followed the crowd, entering the Heavenly People Tower. The entire Heavenly People Tower was pitch black, being a circular tower building.

No walls or windows on all sides. Entirely supported by towering stone columns, hence sitting within the tower, one could take in the full view of the lake.

The first snow of heaven and earth, the lake waves sway, no ice is seen.

Mist pervades the waters.

Though the shore is full of people, the clever design lets the noise from the shore not reach the Heavenly People Tower. Conversely, the lively conversations of the prodigies within the Heavenly People Tower carry across to the lake shore.

The Pond Lake is vast, the waters stretch into the distance.

About ten miles wide, sitting within the Heavenly People Tower. The figures on the lake shore are like tiny black dots. The environment here is crafted with exquisite scenic features, wonderfully unique.

The weather is chilly.

Cold winds enter the building, where young prodigies gather, eating and drinking together; what a rare and beautiful sight.

The youthful ambition is entirely in the building. The Prefecture City holds hidden talents, among which are some older, more powerful prodigies. But only those in their youth, unaware of the heavens' height or the earth's depth, possess such spirit.

One person seated on the seventh floor, four on the sixth floor, six on the fifth floor, ten on the fourth floor, fourteen on the third floor, nineteen on the second floor, and twenty-one on the first floor.

Seventy-five places in total.

Li Xian is ranked forty-fourth and is seated on the second floor.

He sees the round table arrangement, with no dishes but incense burning, the tea set, wine cups, and warming stove perfectly placed... the feast table is exquisite.

In the center, a copper tripod stands tall. The tripod contains wine, filling the air with its aroma. Hua Fei, ranked fifty-second, smells the wine from the tripod, and says joyfully, "Good wine, good wine, this is the famous brew 'Dreams of a Thousand Returns' from the Prefecture City, a sip of it is like a thousand beautiful dreams, worth more than a thousand gold!"

He surveys it for a moment, then shakes his head regretfully and says, "Such good wine, but unfortunately not much of it. With such a large copper tripod, why hold so little? Ha, it's not enough to fill my teeth."

Suddenly a voice drifts from the lake shore: "Hua Fei, my young friend, if it's just to satisfy your craving, you can simply request more from the upper floor."

Hua Fei is taken aback, looking towards the lakeside. Only then does he realize his words have caused the people on the shore to laugh. Various families who have hosted the "Layer Banquet" for decades and centuries hear these words, immediately using Qi Movement to amplify their voices in response.

Hua Fei clasps his hands and says, "Fine, if there's a chance, I'll go to the upper floor to ask for the fine wine."

Everyone has taken their seats. Li Xian looks around and greets the prodigy beside him. The two return smiles, raising their teas together, maintaining courtesy.

At this time, the snow is about to fall heavily; looking into the distance, the snow is pristine and pure, a stunningly beautiful sight. Though there are many onlookers, because the Pond Lake is vast, one can look up to the blue sky and look down to the clear waves, with not a hint of confinement.

The temperature is freezing, but the prodigies in the towering levels add a peculiar charm to the ambiance.

Soon, dishes are presented one after another. The ones serving the dishes are graceful young women. They come from all directions by boat, bringing rare delicacies.

Traversing the lake by boat certainly cannot be too quick.

The first dish on the second floor is called "First Snow Branch Red," echoing the current scene. The shape of the dish is unique: on a slender white branch, a small "Red Fruit" clings.

This "Red Fruit" is made from "Autumn Water Black Goose Liver," prepared with a secret method. Then, the "Ten-Year South Mountain Medicinal Snake Gallbladder" is used, removing its toxicity and stench.

Wrap the snake gall with goose liver. Then drench it with a liquid made from hundreds of herbs, boiled for five days and ten nights. Once solidified, the liquid becomes red.

It hangs from the slender white branch.

Thus, it is named "First Snow Branch Red," symbolizing great wealth and precedence.

Li Xian marvels, "This tiny Red Fruit is several times more difficult to simmer than Essence Treasure. The effort, financial resources, are countless. The Prefecture City is truly extravagant!"

"Gentlemen."

Ranked thirty-seventh, Pang Hao clasps his hands and smiles, "Friends of the Prefecture City should know this, but those from other regions may not. Such fine dishes also have particular ways to be eaten."

"If eaten incorrectly, the snake gall inside breaks open and becomes unpalatably fishy and bitter. This snake gall is not ordinary, containing vigorous medicinal energy. Don't blame me for not warning you; if it breaks open in your mouth, the bitterness won't dissipate for a month."

"This Red Fruit... should be eaten like this."

He picks up the slender branch, gently shakes the Red Fruit, pouring wine on it, then inserts two fingers into the fire stove, pulling out a flame to light the Red Fruit.

With the flame, he swallows it whole.

Revealing a look of satisfaction.

With the residue of the fiery wine in his mouth, he blows towards everyone, and a dragon of fire spirals, its force remarkable. All gathered are prodigies, each with their own skills, naturally always thinking of ways to show off.

This demonstrates the mastery of his "lung" skills. The dragon of fire in the air remains for a long time, vividly lifelike. The reserves of Inner Qi are likely deep, indicating his first transformation and possessing a fifteen-zhang lake body.

The other prodigies are unwilling to be outdone and emulate one after another. A single dish can be eaten in countless ways.

Li Xian follows suit, tasting the Branch Red. The entry is fiery, the body like a furnace, the burning Branch Red continues to burn within, but the flame is gentle and does not harm the body.

It seems like a furnace, warming the entire body. The chill retreats fully, allowing one to comfortably enjoy the scenery and converse with fellow prodigies despite the cold.

[You have tasted the First Snow Branch Red, skill in consumption, skill level +65]

[Skill: Consumption]

[Skill Level: 32/3000 Great Success]

[Description: Drinking and eating of the world, endless in magical use. Anything that goes into the mouth increases in effect by sixty percent. You have realized the feature of "Realization," increasing the probability of attaining "techniques" from the Essence Treasures of nature.]

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