The sect ceremony arrived as scheduled.

Everyone in the Eternal Immortal Sect participated, the Twelve Immortal Peaks each shouldering their duties, bustling about... except for Enlightenment Peak.

Of course, one could say that Enlightenment Peak and Nourishing Spirit Peak were jointly responsible for feast preparations and meals.

After all, the only two disciples left on Enlightenment Peak were busy with this task.

Fan Wubing was reluctant to let go of his perfected "tongue desire" ability and very much wanted to have a grand battle with Senior Sister Gu Lan for several days and nights, thoroughly refreshing his blood bar.

The fast recovery of the Unwarranted Qi Creation Skill, combined with the damage absorption and conversion of "tongue desire," was simply the best combination for restoring health.

In fact, anyone else could help with this, but none could do it as "legitimately" as Gu Lan. After all, under the guise of helping with illness, who would dare to gossip?

However, in recent days, Fan Wubing had thoroughly experimented in various aspects, only finding that attacks fully condensed with celestial energy could achieve a 5% conversion rate.

Attacks like Luo Qingyao's sword flight, and pure physical attacks wouldn't work.

To say it's a damage-to-healing conversion is not quite right; rather, ordinary immortal technique attacks take effect by inflicting celestial energy onto the spirit soul. Conveniently, part of the celestial energy entering the body gets absorbed by "tongue desire".

Similarly, Fan Wubing could now absorb celestial energy using methods from cultivation and qi refining, and this energy could also be converted to health by "tongue desire". But since he didn't have a cultivation base, the amount he absorbed was far less than the damage he took.

Nonetheless, it gave him an idea. If he were in a place particularly rich in celestial energy, like within a Spirit Gathering Array, or next to a Spirit Vein Entrance, wouldn't the effect be better?

For now, he could only rely on the excuse of "consultations" to obtain some celestial energy by getting hit by Gu Lan.

After three days of this, along with various immortal foods for nourishment, he gained a total of 513 health points. His current health capacity had already broken through two thousand, reaching 2523 points.

This was the level of the late stage of Foundation Establishment. The increase was quick but only limited to the health bar.

Seeing the blood bar constantly increase brought a sense of achievement, but there remained a looming mountain over Fan Wubing's head. Having lots of health without a way to convert it into fighting power was like having a pile of money but not being able to spend it as one wished.

Indeed, having thick health and high recovery means you can take hits, but you can't expect others to wear themselves out attacking you, can you?

Not everyone is a Barbaric Blood Pig, after all.

It's still worrisome~

Now, the only hope lies in the infant flying sword, Peach Blossom, which freeloads all day. If it could grow up quickly, gain some combat ability, and exert his robust health advantage...

[A juvenile flying sword, Peach Blossom]

[Gender: Female]

[Overly weak, abilities not unlocked yet]

[Growth Stage: 71/100]

After checking Peach Blossom's growth progress, Fan Wubing set aside his thoughts and got back to work.

To ensure the perfection of immortal food at the feast, he personally oversaw every step, from the early preparation and nurturing of ingredients, to the mid-processing, and finally the cooking process, leaving nothing neglected.

With the help of Gu Lan and Luo Qingyao cheering on the side, everything proceeded smoothly.

Seeing the abundant prepared dishes, Luo Qingyao put her hands on her hips, wiped her forehead, let out a sigh, and with a smile, said,

"Aren't we amazing?"

Fan Wubing rolled his eyes at her,

"You just moved your mouth, what has that got to do with you?"

Luo Qingyao, always self-satisfied, earnestly said,

"Cheering people on is also a skill!"

"Fooling Senior Brother is one thing, but don't fool yourself. If you have nothing to do, go cultivate."

Luo Qingyao immediately put on a pouty face,

"I also want to help, but..."

Her only somewhat useful identity as a "firemaid" was taken by Gu Lan, and she was of no help with the preparation of ingredients, so she could only resort to cheering.

At this moment, from afar at the main Eternal Immortal Peak, a thick wave of celestial energy shot into the sky. After the celestial energy dispersed, a gigantic floating pavilion appeared. The pavilion hung above the center of Eternal Immortal Peak, with a banner stretching downwards that read "Eternal Immortal Sect's 1230th Sect Opening Ceremony". Filled with sect leaders and peak masters and some core elders standing and conversing with amiable expressions.

As Sect Leader Mei Jinqiu announced the official start of the sect opening ceremony, wave after wave of celestial energy soared skyward, stirring the skies above the Eternal Immortal Sect into a misty whirlpool.

Amidst that mist, beautiful sounds of all kinds were carried. Simultaneously, one after another, long straight celestial ladders were unfurled, each connecting to the floating pavilion and leading to various directions.

This was the guest reception path.

Then came the entrance of guests.

Some arrived by walking on the celestial ladders of the Eternal Immortal Sect, others via sword flight, some by immortal boats or flying houses, others by stepping in the air, some riding flying demon beasts...

The scene was grand, fully displaying the majesty of a great sect's grandeur.

"The sect ceremony has begun..." Fan Wubing inexplicably grew nervous, "I wonder if I can satisfy them."

Despite being confident in the celestial dishes under "Gluttonous Desire," this was still his first time participating in such an important event as the "person in charge."

Gu Lan, who was tending to the fire, smiled reassuringly,

"Don't worry. Even Elder Zhao praises you highly; there shouldn't be any problem. Not everyone is as picky as Elder Zhao."

"For disciples with lower cultivation, the celestial dishes I cook are quite effective. But the guests invited to the ceremony are representatives from major factions, seasoned cultivators with considerable power. I'm afraid the dishes might have little effect on them."

"But they taste good!"

Fan Wubing had a habit: when seriously undertaking something, he would strive for perfection. This "bad habit" had previously caused him considerable mental stress,

"Is good taste alone enough?"

Gu Lan paused slightly,

"Junior Brother Fan, what more do you want? The dishes have been decided, and the ingredients are mostly prepared. When the time comes, just follow the practice: start the cooking, prepare the dishes, and serve them. The main purpose of the sect ceremony is to demonstrate strength, with each peak's performance being the highlight. We just need to bring the banquet to a smooth conclusion."

"Yes, yes, Senior Brother, you've already done great." Luo Qingyao nodded fervently like a pecking chick.

"..."

...

"Wu Qianrou, Valley Master of Qingxin Valley, arrives with disciple Yang Yun. On behalf of everyone in Qingxin Valley, we participate in the 1230th founding ceremony of the Eternal Immortal Sect, presenting a bottle of Thousand-year Rain Flower Dew to wish the Eternal Immortal Sect continued prosperity."

"Yi Zhishui, Mountain Master of Luofu Mountain, arrives with disciple Yi Shanhe. On behalf of everyone in Luofu Mountain, we participate in the 1230th founding ceremony of the Eternal Immortal Sect, offering a flying sword of lower-grade spirit level, wishing congratulations..."

"Li Changke, Principal of Luye Academy, arrives with student Yu Ming'an..."

"Liu Ye, Sect Leader of Green Blade Sect..."

"Sun Qingshan, City Lord of Weiri City..."

"Prime Minister of Canglang Country..."

"Changqing of Yongyue Country..."

"Crown Prince Ye Yixian of the Great Li Dynasty arrives with the delegation. On behalf of the Great Li Royal Family and various clans, we participate in the 1230th founding ceremony of the Eternal Immortal Sect, presenting a middle-grade spirit level pill, a Soul Killing Pill."

The Great Li Dynasty?!

The very mention of the name startled everyone present.

Because the Great Li Dynasty is a vast dynasty on the Changsheng Continent.

Vassal States, Dynasties, Empires, Immortal Dynasties.

These are the four levels of secular states, as classified by modern Confucianism.

A vassal state generally relies on a cultivation sect, offering tributes and receiving protection from the sect.

Dynasties and above, however, are independent, housing various facilities to nurture talents in cultivation, academia, martial arts, etc., essentially acting as feudal-centralized powers integrating the mortal and immortal path.

A place like Little South Continent, with limited land and resources, cannot nurture a dynasty; they are typically vassal states of cultivation sects.

Why would the Great Li Dynasty come to participate in the founding ceremony of the Eternal Immortal Sect?

It seems like a completely unrelated connection.

In the pavilion, the elders whispered among themselves, puzzled. The Sect Leader remained expressionless, seemingly having expected this. Beside him, Master of Fate Peak Qi Ming said,

"Sect Leader Senior Brother, royal guests must be here to compete for fortune. Bringing a gift like the 'Soul Killing Pill' surely implies the chaos caused by that demon slayer incident."

Mei Jinqiu nodded,

"Indeed, the Great Li Dynasty seeks to advance to an empire level and has been searching for fortune everywhere to boost their national fortune. Given this, the sect ceremony cannot afford any lapses. Any signs of unstable fortune will surely be devoured by these people."

"Wouldn't it be better not to hold this sect ceremony?"

Mei Jinqiu shook his head,

"Historically, it has never been canceled. If it stops now, the momentum will be lost, and it will be hard to recover from the decline. The battle for fortune is cruel and merciless."

Qi Ming felt unsettled,

"Doesn't the Great Li fear Confucian retribution for blatantly seizing fortune?"

"Heh, Confucianism...I see, this is the outcome of them turning a blind eye. The rivalry among great powers is not so benevolent as titles like 'Gentleman,' 'Master,' or 'Daoist friend' might suggest."

Mei Jinqiu's brow furrowed with some concern,

"However, I've heard that disciples from the Daoist School might come. I wonder who it will be, whether they'll stand by or intervene in the struggle."

He looked towards the many guests, unable to discern their identity.

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