Chapter 47 – Let’s Party!

  The Ren Clan Patriarch’s birthday celebration was the kind of event that Jun De would never have been exposed to in his previous life. There were people paying reverent tribute, political maneuverings, and, most importantly, a show of the Ren Clan’s power.

  The estate had been transformed into a realm of splendour for the party, elevating it to an entirely new level. There were silk banners fluttering on tall poles with the symbol of the Ren Clan, and paper lanterns infused with spiritual energy floated through the air, their glow powered by low-grade spirit stones.

  Guests arrived for the party in waves from a variety of locations and with differing statuses. There were cultivators from other clans, minor Sects, and prominent families throughout the region. Some of them arrived riding spirit beasts or flying carriages.

  All of the guests carried ceremonial gifts such as rare herbs, spiritual artifacts, or delicately carved jade talismans.

  The gathering was centred in the main courtyard, a broad square surrounded by stone pillars that were inscribed with the Ren Clan’s ancestral history and motifs depicting significant past events.

  At the far end of the courtyard was a raised platform where the Patriarch and high-ranking members of his family would be seated, along with any guests of great significance.

  Musicians played soft, elegant melodies on zithers and flutes from a shaded corner while servants moved quietly amongst the crowd, offering trays of wine brewed from rare snow pears or roast spiritual beast meats seasoned with spiritual herbs.

  The food shimmered faintly, and the offerings weren’t just delicious but also nourishing to a person’s cultivation.

  People mingled in carefully arranged groups, occasionally breaking free of one to join another. There were talented disciples of various minor Sects who chatted politely with each other and Elders from small clans who exchanged greetings with diplomatic intentions.

  A few bold talents from amongst the Clan’s younger generation and their guests were sparring lightly in the designated duelling arena, displaying their learned weapon techniques or arts.

  It was the perfect opportunity to show off their abilities, and cries of admiration would rise now and then when someone unleashed a particularly spectacular technique.

  Everything was done in honour of Ren Tianyou, the Ren Clan’s Patriarch, who was a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator who had a reputation for his proficiency in his Clan’s fire-elemental techniques and his fiery temperament.

  Even though he hadn’t yet made an appearance, his name had drawn people from all over the region who sought to pay their respects or curry favour with him.

  The moment Ren Qiu and Jun De stepped through the gates to the estate and into the Ren Clan’s main courtyard, it was as if the entire atmosphere of the celebration shifted.

  Conversations stopped, and eyes turned in their direction.

  The two young cultivators were a striking pair, and they would draw attention wherever they went. But here, in the Ren Clan’s estate, people took notice of more than just their appearance.

  Ren Qiu had walked in with the easy confidence of someone who had grown up surrounded by influence and expectation; his blue Tranquil Mountain Sect Robes identified his allegiance to his Sect, while the red Ren Clan Robes he had draped over his shoulders signified his birth.

  He kept his head high and only acknowledged members of his clan or high-ranking guests with a small nod of his head.

  As both the Young Master of the Ren Clan and a recognized Disciple of the Tranquil Mountain Sect, he was the type of rising talent and prodigy that every guest wanted to make a connection with. There were even a number who sought to impress Ren Qiu or marry a member of their family to him.

  But it was Jun De who drew the most attention.

  He walked next to Ren Qiu and was also wearing the blue robes of the Tranquil Mountain Sect. His posture was calm, and his expression remained neutral, although he was trying his best not to bolt from the estate as he felt people staring.

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  Jun De’s 5th Level of Qi Condensation cultivation base, combined with his young age, was as remarkable as his appearance. His black hair hung loose down his back, and it had grown longer in the time he spent in the Sect.

  People in the Outer Sect had grown slightly accustomed to Jun De’s astonishing good looks, but for everyone in the courtyard, it was their first time seeing him.

  Soon, more rumours would spread that Tranquil Mountain Sect had recruited a reincarnated immortal and that he had visited the Ren Clan.

  A number of people had connections to the Tranquil Mountain Sect and had heard the rumours about Jun De, and they began to share their knowledge with everyone around them.

  “That’s Jun De of the Outer Sect; he cleared all nine floors of the Tower of Tempered Will!”

  “He’s so young but already in the 5th Level of Qi Condensation?”

  “And he’s friends with the Ren heir; they came together! Did you see?”

  Servants bowed deeply as they passed, and a few lesser clan juniors straightened as they tried not to stare openly. Elders of minor Sects watched with narrowed eyes, already calculating how best to introduce their Disciples to the pair.

  There were a number of young women gathered together in small groups, furiously whispering and giggling as they snuck glances at Jun De and Ren Qiu.

  Ren Qiu leaned toward Jun De and spoke softly.

  “I told you it would be a grand event, Brother Jun. We’ll eat and drink our fill tonight!” Ren Qiu said with a hint of excitement entering into his tone as a servant directed the pair to their seats at the elevated pavilion next to the Patriarch’s own seat.

  Sitting on his cushion with a small table filled with wine and food, Ren Qiu lounged in his seat with the practised ease of someone who had been born into privilege. Instead of allowing a servant to assist him, Ren Qiu poured himself and Jun De cups of luminous golden wine and raised his glass in salute.

  “Drink up, my friend. This is a wine from the Cloudfire Vineyards. A jug of it costs more than most Outer Sect Disciples can earn in a year.”

  Jun De raised his own cup to his lips and took a small sip. The wine was cool on his tongue at first, with a faint sweetness that reminded him of plums, before it was followed by a sudden, sharp tingle that raced down his throat and bloomed across his chest.

  “It’s good wine. It tastes like someone distilled lightning and plums.” Jun De observed, and Ren Qiu laughed loudly, drawing more attention from the crowd.

  Many were waiting for the opportunity to approach the pair but were prevented from doing so by the eyes of several Clan Elders who were guarding the dais.

  “That’s the purification effect; it helps clear the meridians.” Ren Qiu said with a hint of pride. He took another long drink before surveying the crowd below like a young lord looking over his fiefdom.

  Ren Qu gestured subtly with two fingers, directing Jun De’s attention to someone in the crowd.

  “You do see that old man standing over there? That’s Elder Hui from the Iron Vein Sect. He tried to recruit me to his Sect, extolling the virtues of studying there.” Ren Qiu explained, scoffing slightly and shaking his head.

  “As if I would accept anything but the best. Everyone knows that Tranquil Mountain Sect is the hegemon of this region; why would I join the Iron Vein Sect?” Ren Qiu mocked, and Jun De turned to look at his friend.

  “I wasn’t aware that there were any other Sects in the region, apart from Tranquil Mountain Sect.” Jun De replied honestly, and this time, it was Ren Qiu’s turn to be surprised.

  “You weren’t recruited to the Sect?” Ren Qiu asked in shock. Jun De was the most talented individual in the Outer Sect and was likely amongst the top in their entire generation. Ren Qiu thought that he had been sought out by the Elders.

  Jun De shook his head in response and took another drink.

  “No, I just happened to arrive in Nan Ao City during the Sect Recruitment. If I hadn’t been so lucky, I would have sought out whichever Sect was nearby.”

  “Wait, I thought you were from Nan Ao City?” Ren Qiu asked as he recalled what Mei Lian had said when they had first met. She had bragged about how Jun De was the Young Master of Nan Ao City and their most talented prodigy.

  Jun De opened his mouth to reply but was saved from responding by a change in the crowd’s demeanour. A hush of respect swept through the courtyard, and a new spiritual energy descended upon them like a heavy blanket pressing against their shoulders.

  A tall, broad-shouldered man entered, wearing the red robes of the Ren Clan. The air seemed to shimmer around him as it revealed his early Foundation Establishment cultivation. Even restrained, it felt as though the temperature of the courtyard rose by a few degrees.

  Ren Qiu immediately stood, his expression shifting from idle arrogance to polished decorum and respect. Jun De rose as well, and they both bowed.

  “Father.” Ren Qiu greeted.

  “Senior Ren.” Jun De said, using the formal address of a lower-ranked cultivator when speaking to a more senior and stronger cultivator.

  Ren Jinhai’s gaze lingered on his son with a nod of acknowledgment and a brief assessment of his 3rd Level of Qi Condensation Cultivation before he turned to Jun De. He felt a tingling sensation as Ren Jinhai’s spiritual sense swept over him.

  “Jun De. My son and the Elders of the Tranquil Mountain Sect speak highly of you.” He said, his tone formal but not unfriendly.

  Jun De kept his expression calm and bowed again.

  “This junior has been most fortunate. I thank Senior for the honour of allowing me to attend this esteemed gathering.”

  Ren Jinhai gave a faint nod, his expression smoothing slightly before he ascended and took his place next to the Patriarch’s seat.

  As the pair sat back down, Ren Qiu nodded and leaned toward Jun De again.

  “Well done, Father rarely praises anyone.”

  ‘That was praise?!’