The banquet continued.
Led by Ji Lanshan, the crowd continuously toasted Yunze in congratulation. While he could manage the others, he had to reciprocate the toasts from other Foundation Establishment cultivators present.
Among them were the other two sects participating in the Ascension Convention:
The Sword Pavilion and the Celestial Phenomena Sect.
These were the sects of the white-robed man and the straw-hatted woman.
The two paid their respects with simple congratulations. After introducing themselves, they drank a cup of wine and departed.
After attending to the other cultivators, Yunze lowered his head and looked at the Spatial Ring left by Gong Xiao.
It was merely a first-tier Spatial Ring. With his spatial abilities, he easily cracked it open.
There wasn't much inside. Besides a second-tier Spirit Brush, there were only a pile of yellow talismans and a few jade slips. Not a single spirit stone!
The jade slips clearly contained cultivation techniques from the Talisman Pavilion. Even if they were outer sect techniques, they were not to be shared.
Yunze took out the second-tier Spirit Brush and then went to Yu Xian's side, handing him the Spatial Ring. "Brother Yu, these things..."
"Keep them for now. We'll talk about it when the people from the Talisman Pavilion arrive."
Yu Xian stood up, glanced at Ji Xiu's retreating back, and then looked at Yunze. "I think we need to find a quiet place."
"Alright," Yunze agreed.
Ji Lanshan, who had just descended from the throne, smiled and said, "If the two seniors don't mind, why not reside in a royal villa outside the palace? I've already ordered people to clean it up yesterday. Apart from some palace maids, there will be no one else."
Yunze looked at Yu Xian. This matter depended on his decision.
"That might work."
Yu Xian agreed. Ji Xiu, who was not far away, was about to speak.
However, Yu Xian had already turned to Ji Shan and said, "Hey, you should know the way, right? Help us get there, will you?"
"Yes, senior," Ji Shan quickly cupped his hands.
Seeing this, Ji Xiu also chimed in, "I want to go too!"
"No, I don't like crowds, and I don't like children."
Yu Xian said calmly, then lay back down. "Call me when we get there."
He doesn't like children?
When he was with Bu Bu before, it seemed he didn't have this issue.
"Alright then..."
Hearing this, Ji Xiu could only look at Yunze with a wronged expression. "Mr. Tu, remember to visit me when you have time!"
"Yes, I will."
Yunze ruffled Ji Xiu's hair, finding the child increasingly adorable.
He would surely be reliable for serving tea and water in the future!
The four of them walked out of the main hall, boarded a light boat, and flew towards the villa outside the city. Soon, they arrived outside the villa.
"This is it."
Ji Shan cupped his hands to Yunze and the others, bidding farewell. "There are still some matters at home that need attending to. I won't keep you any longer. I hope Daoist Tu can understand."
"It's alright, matters of the family and country are naturally more important. Hurry along."
"Thank you."
Ji Shan stepped onto his flying sword, left the light boat, and quickly disappeared from sight.
Yunze piloted the light boat to land. As soon as they entered the villa, Brother Lu leaped down.
Yu Xian also immediately opened his eyes and looked at Yunze. "Little Tu, follow me."
"Alright."
Yunze didn't know what Yu Xian was planning, but he followed him into one of the rooms in the villa.
As soon as they entered, Yu Xian expanded his Sword Domain.
He looked at Yunze and asked, "That child just now... are you sure you want to take him as a disciple?"
"Mm."
Yunze answered as a matter of course, but did not mention Yunxiao's entrustment. "His disposition is good, and his talent seems alright. Is there a problem?"
"There is a little, but not much."
Yu Xian spoke slowly. "He is likely a reincarnated soul."
"Reincarnated?"
Yunze frowned.
He had considered this possibility before, but lacked evidence. Now, hearing Yu Xian say it, he could confirm it.
"I don't think I'm mistaken."
Yu Xian continued, "A person who has reincarnated and is cultivating again, yet still maintains a childlike nature, either has ulterior motives, or their previous cultivation was not high, or they have encountered some other event that has prevented their memories from awakening.
I feel it's necessary to remind you to be cautious about such matters."
"...I understand."
Yunze nodded. "I knew it. When did Brother Yu start disliking children? So, you didn't let him follow us just to say this?"
"What else?"
Yu Xian retorted, dispelled his Sword Domain, and lay back on Brother Lu. "Given that I've given you such big news, you'll have to cover all the grilled fish for the next half month!"
"Alright, I'll grill for you!"
Yunze smiled helplessly.
Brother Yu really only does two things: sleep and eat!
...
Meanwhile.
At the Immortal Gathering, within the branch of the Immortal Mansion in the Chengtian Dynasty.
Gong Li walked into the mansion with a fawning expression and quickly went before Gong Yushan, who was sitting cross-legged in the center of the branch.
"Clan brother, I..."
"Shut up."
Gong Yushan spoke calmly, cutting off Gong Li's words.
He slowly raised his eyes and looked at Gong Li. "How could the Gong family produce a waste like you? I brought you into the Immortal Mansion, only for you to cause trouble for me?"
"No... no, it's not," Gong Li mumbled, lowering his head.
"Not? Then why have you caused trouble for me twice!"
Gong Yushan's anger flared, and his oppressive aura descended, instantly pinning Gong Li to the ground, forcing him to kneel.
"I... I know I was wrong! I beg my clan brother for forgiveness and to give me one last chance!"
"Remember, this is the last time."
Gong Yushan placed his hand on Gong Li's shoulder. "If it weren't for the important matter half a month from now that requires you to complete a part of the plan, you would have already gone to see Gong Xiao by now!"
"Yes, yes," Gong Li nodded repeatedly.
"Hmph!"
Gong Yushan snorted. "I will handle this matter. However, this is the last time I will intercede for you."
With that, he disappeared from the Immortal Mansion.
The oppressive aura instantly vanished, but soon after, a voice drifted over.
"I saved your life. Cherish it."
Gong Li quickly got up and bowed in the direction of the voice again.
"Thank you, clan brother, for sparing my life!"
...
............
Time flies.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. For ordinary people, time flies by quickly, and for cultivators, it is even faster, passing in an instant.
During this period, Yunze rarely left the royal villa. Whatever he wanted or needed, he only had to ask someone.
This was the first time he had experienced such treatment.
However, there were two things he had to do himself:
Fishing and grilling fish.
That Yu Xian, it was unknown if he was a cat demon reincarnated, but his palate was incredibly discerning!
He insisted on eating fresh grilled fish caught from the river, saying that river fish were only fresh within fifteen minutes of leaving the water.
Yunze had no choice but to go to the small stream outside the villa to fish for him, one fish a day, which wasn't too troublesome.
This also became the only time Yu Xian was awake during this period.
At other times, he slept more soundly than... well, anything.
However, it was strange. While Yu Xian slept, Yunze could sense him absorbing spiritual energy every time he delivered grilled fish.
He seemed to... truly be able to cultivate while sleeping.
Yunze didn't pay much attention to these matters. His days were spent grilling fish and cultivating.
Adding a splash to the boundless sea of his Qi Sea.
During this time, he also made two trips to the Chengtian Dynasty to see Ji Xiu.
To be honest, no matter how he looked at it, the little fellow didn't seem like an old schemer who had reincarnated and was cultivating again. He was completely like a child who hadn't grown up.
After half a month, the Ascension Convention officially began.
Yunze had originally wanted to ask Brother Yu to come along, but when he mentioned it to him yesterday, Yu Xian said there was no need to call him.
After all, the envoy from the Immortal Mansion this time was not him, but Gong Yushan.
He was merely an inspector who happened to be in the Chengtian Dynasty and didn't need to participate in the Ascension Convention, so he naturally wanted to slack off.
Yunze couldn't do anything about it and could only let him be. Early in the morning, he brought Zi Ji to the vicinity of the imperial palace.
The formation was already active.
The two stepped into the formation. Yunze immediately spotted Gong Yushan sitting steadily at the peak of the high platform, as well as the many outer disciples who were already preparing for the test below the platform.
For a moment, he felt as if he had returned to the scene of his own entry into the Ascension Convention.
"Daoist Tu has arrived!"
A startled cry suddenly pulled him back to reality.
Yunze focused his gaze and saw that the other six people had not yet ascended to the high platform, but were below, discussing something.
Upon seeing him arrive, they smiled and walked towards him.
"Daoist Tu!"
"Daoist Tu, you've made us wait."
Yunze looked at the six people and found it somewhat strange.
Apart from the two from the Sword Pavilion and the Celestial Phenomena Sect, he didn't recognize the other four.
They must have been replaced and were now presiding over the Ascension Convention.
But why were they so familiar upon their first meeting?
As the saying goes, one doesn't strike a smiling face.
Seeing their enthusiastic attitude, Yunze couldn't help but cup his hands. "Tu Sheng, greetings to all Daoist friends."
"Daoist Tu, you've finally arrived."
One of them stepped forward and smiled. "We've been waiting for you."
"Waiting for me? What do you mean, Daoist friend?" Yunze asked, confused.
"You are the representative of Tongtian Academy. Besides the envoy from the Immortal Mansion, you are the most important."
The Foundation Establishment cultivator smiled. "If you don't ascend to the high platform, how can we begin?"
"Daoist friend, you flatter me," Yunze replied with a smile, but he still stepped towards the high platform. "Shall we go together then?"
"Let's go, let's go."
The group chatted and laughed as they ascended to the high platform.
It had to be said.
After demonstrating their strength, the treatment they received was indeed different.
The group ascended to the high platform and sat on the eighth tier of the platform below Gong Yushan.
After bidding farewell to Yunze, Zi Ji sat on the fifth tier of the platform with the outer disciples of the Celestial Phenomena Sect.
Below them were the outer disciples of the Talisman Pavilion and the Sword Pavilion, and on the third tier were the three sects with "Lou" as their suffix.
Further down were the outer disciples responsible for the basic trials.
These disciples were brought by the three "Lou" sects, as some of the lesser sects had not joined this Ascension Convention, and only disciples brought by them served this role.
After a period of casual conversation, about half an hour later, Gong Yushan, who was seated on the high platform, slowly opened his eyes.
"The Ascension Convention officially begins. All immortals, enter!"
As soon as the words fell, the surrounding formations slowly opened, and countless Qi Refining cultivators poured in, rushing towards the high platform in a frenzy, fearing they would be a step too late.
Yunze quickly searched the crowd for Ji Xiu's figure.
The kid was so small, what if he got crushed into a meat patty?
Gong Yushan's perfunctory voice sounded again.
"Ascend to immortality!"