Chapter 182 - Arc 12: Ruyi Xianzhuang | Chapter 182: Gift Offering
Translator: Lynn
This surge of consciousness rippled for a fleeting moment, and suddenly, before anyone could fully grasp it, a figure materialized on the elevated throne.
It was the slender silhouette of a woman, seemingly imbued with the light of stars and celestial brilliance, shrouded in an enigmatic and elusive aura. Amidst the play of light and shadows, her features remained veiled.
Many cultivators unconsciously extended their spiritual consciousness, only to be repelled and pushed back hundreds of steps before even approaching the throne. It was impossible to peer beyond.
Though the woman’s form seemed elegantly ordinary, there was no doubt about her tremendous power.
She didn’t need to exert any overt coercion—the mere presence of her figure sent a thrill through everyone present.
Soon, a crystal-clear voice filled the space. It wasn’t loud, yet every word and sentence etched deeply into the sea of everyone’s consciousness.
“It is indeed a great pleasure for all the esteemed guests to grace Ruyi Xianzhuang with their presence.”
The voice carried an exquisite and captivating quality. Listening to it was akin to being willingly enraptured. Yet, this effect wasn’t coercive in the slightest—it felt as if one were genuinely convinced and dedicated.
This astonishing charm made nearly everyone’s hearts tremble!
She was the central figure of this birthday celebration, the current overseer of Ruyi Xianzhuang, Mu Wuxin, revered as the Jade Maiden Immortal Venerable.
This year marked her 10,000th birthday, prompting her to send out invites far and wide, welcoming numerous elites from renowned sects in the Eastern Region, as well as accomplished cultivators from the wandering practitioners of the immortal path.
According to tales, Mu Wuxin attained the Mahayana stage at the age of 5,000, and upon her master’s ascent, she assumed the position of village overseer. Another 5,000 years had passed since then.
In her timeless lifespan, countless advanced techniques had been cultivated. Her current level of cultivation was a mystery, lost in the annals of time.
At Mu Wuxin’s stage, appearance was inconsequential. Even if she were as unattractive as could be, with such an enduring demeanor, she already regarded all living beings with indifference and the world with disdain!
For a cultivator in the Mahayana stage, they were akin to half-immortals in many cultivation realms!
Witnessing the appearance of the Jade Maiden Immortal Venerable on the stage, many accomplished and talented individuals fell into a reverent hush, not just silent but also tinged with admiration.
Beyond the Mahayana stage lies the Tribulation Transcendence stage. Once cultivators at this stage sense the beckoning of the immortal realm, they could transcend their tribulations and ascend at any moment. Ascending to the Immortal Realm is the pinnacle that every cultivator aspires to.
As Xu Ziqing beheld the overseer, a yearning overcame him. From his perspective, the aura concealed within Mu Wuxin resembled a constantly whirling vortex, rendering her akin to a vast black hole, its gaping maw poised to engulf individuals at any given moment.
It was truly… incomprehensibly awe-inspiring and remarkably potent.
Once Mu Wuxin assumed her seat, the birthday banquet commenced promptly. The overwhelming aura she initially exuded subsided after she finished speaking that sentence. The atmosphere in the palace became more relaxed.
Before the banquet, following customary traditions, they began with a ceremony.
A female cultivator dressed in traditional attire and a serene countenance stepped forward. Parting her crimson lips, she intoned, “Please present your gifts and offer congratulations to the overseer for her birthday—”
Dozens of other women emerged, fanning out to various places. They stood before the seats and sought out the leaders of numerous sects, bearing the gift lists and presenting them to the nun adorned in splendid attire.
The Wuling Immortal Sect adhered to the custom as well. A charming woman in a scarlet skirt approached, her demeanor gracious. “May I know who has the gift list?” Clearly of high standing, a potent aura surrounded her, and she possessed a formidable cultivation level, at the Golden Core stage.
Yun Lie raised his hand and proffered the list. “Please.”
The lady cast a brief glance at Yun Lie, her smile momentarily faltering. She took the list and turned to depart. Initially, she had arrived with a cheerful countenance, but now, as she left, her smile had diminished—a clear consequence of Yun Lie’s reserved and indifferent demeanor.
The remaining core disciples of the Wuling Immortal Sect exchanged wry smiles.
Had Ou Mubai held the gift list in his hands, he would have certainly responded with charm to the elegant lady, unlike Yun Lie, whose aloofness and disinterest offended her, dampening her cordiality.
On another side, a Golden Core Daoist appeared, reaching for the storage bracelet on his wrist. From within the palm of his hand emerged a two-foot-square jade box, which he held securely.
The lady in splendid attire presented the gift list and announced, “The Ancestor of Honghe congratulates the overseer on her birthday, presenting a ten-thousand-year clam bead—”
Xu Ziqing’s heart stirred, and his focus grew more intense.
Encountering a Mahayana Venerable celebrating their birthday was a rare opportunity, bound to provide profound insights.
The Golden Core Daoist chanted a magical incantation, his fingers dancing gracefully. He caressed the top of the jade box, causing it to open in an instant. A brilliant light burst forth, so dazzling it was almost blinding.
Thankfully, the radiance only endured for a fleeting moment, swiftly retracting. However, a residual glow lingered, exuding a warm and exquisite luminosity.
Only then did the cultivators discern clearly a bead the size of a human head within the jade box. It was round, lustrous, crystal clear, nearly colorless, and exceptionally pure.
Seeing such a colossal clam bead, they couldn’t fathom which gigantic clam could have birthed it. Some speculated that the chanter referred to this bead as the “pearl of ten thousand years,” leaving everyone astonished.
A Golden Core Daoist proudly announced, “Master Honghe Patriarch personally acquired this bead by engaging in a several-day-long battle with a seventh-rank monster clam. He triumphed over the clam and obtained this ten-thousand-year clam bead, specially presenting it to the village overseer. May the overseer enjoy a long life and soon ascend to the Immortal Realm!”
The seventh-rank monster clam was akin to a Nascent Soul cultivator. It was an exceptional monster that didn’t breed monsters within its body; instead, it birthed clam pearls, where its lifelong cultivation and essence were held.
The clam bead held a value equivalent to a Nascent Soul stage cultivator’s Nascent Soul, truly shocking everyone. Honghe Patriarch, who came to extend his birthday wishes, bestowed this treasure. No wonder the disciple presenting the gift on behalf of his teacher felt such pride.
Clearly, all the revered individuals and remarkable disciples present recognized the preciousness of this ten thousand-year clam pearl. Some of the younger ones couldn’t conceal their surprise and envy.
The Jade Maiden Venerable on the high seat chuckled. In an instant, the ten-thousand-year clam pearl and the jade box ascended, diving into the depths of the steps, which seemed obstructed by layers of mist.
Mu Wuxin remarked slowly, “Patriarch Honghe has a generous heart, so I shall accept this gift.” Subsequently, a golden light streaked down, heading straight for the Golden Core real person in the audience, and merged into their brow. “This is a set of steps I acquired during my early demon-slaying years. I offer it to this disciple as a gift to you.”
The Golden Core Daoist was overjoyed and quickly expressed gratitude, “Thank you, overseer! Thank you, overseer!” He then retreated swiftly.
The Honghe Patriarch chuckled, stood up, and saluted Mu Wuxin, showing respect.
These casual cultivators also needed to pass on their knowledge. When they gathered enough disciples, they could potentially establish a sect. To reach this level, they required the best techniques at their disposal.
Why did this old ancestor, a Nascent Soul Daoist, rush to extend birthday wishes and even battle a demon clam of the same rank for this gift? It was for the highest-level techniques available only in renowned sects!
Mu Wuxin was evidently satisfied with this clam pearl, generously gifting a mid-level earth-level boxing technique in return, fulfilling the Honghe Patriarch’s desire. Consequently, she received gratitude from Honghe’s ancestor and showcased Ruyi Xianzhuang’s strength in front of numerous sect disciples.
Many casual cultivators eagerly observed as the Honghe ancestor reaped the benefits.
A third-rank sect master’s ten-thousand-year birthday was a significant event, but casual cultivators could attain the Nascent Soul stage without the sect’s backing. Over the years, they had naturally amassed a few valuable possessions.
In typical circumstances, even these background-less casual cultivators might struggle to exchange these valuable items for what they desired. However, coming to extend birthday wishes certainly had its benefits.
Soon, several Nascent Soul ancestors sent disciples to present their gifts, including ten-thousand-year chalcedony, thousand-year stone milk, Shura demon crystal, and countless rare treasures.
While the others were valuable, the most precious item was a flicker of fire suspended in the air, enclosed within a thousand-year cold jade box. It was pure and flawless, with only a faint white hue at its central core.
When many cultivators saw this fire, they witnessed it burning quietly in the cold jade box. Every moment, the cold jade box was visibly thinning as it melted from the fire’s heat.
In an instant, many young cultivators were awe-inspired.
This kind of true fire from the heavens and the earth was truly extraordinary. The Nascent Soul ancestor must have expended numerous efforts and precious resources to keep this fire after obtaining it.
As expected, Air Fire was also highly favored by Mu Wuxin. Upon accepting it, she reciprocated with a ground-level technique. While the birthday gifts from the other casual cultivators weren’t as exceptional as those from the two ancestors, they were still very content with the generous offerings.
After these Nascent Soul Patriarchs presented their gifts, it was the turn of many sect disciples.
Although they were all Golden Core Daoists and needed to submit to the Nascent Soul ancestors due to their lesser strength, in terms of identity, they wouldn’t provoke Nascent Soul cultivators recklessly. They might not fear these ancestors much.
Likewise, if these ancestors wanted to continue their legacy, they wouldn’t be hostile to the disciples of these major schools. Observing the other party’s response, it wasn’t a problem to consider it an opportunity or make friends.
The Eastern Region’s territory was immensely vast, teeming with countless sects of various sizes. Talent was abundant, and exceptional individuals were as plentiful as the stars.
Wuling Immortal Sect was a second-rank sect, ranking amongst the finest in the entire Qingyun Great World. Apart from a few second-rank sects in other regions that could compare, the majority of sects were inferior in comparison.
In the Eastern Region, this was the only second-rank sect.
Hence, it was the disciples from Wuling Immortal Sect who had come to celebrate the birthday that would present the gifts at this time.
And the birthday gift from Wuling Xianmen was naturally in the hands of Yun Lie, the team leader.
Yun Lie stood up and proceeded calmly towards the steps.
The other disciples stayed in their seats, their gaze fixed on him.
Xu Ziqing also watched intently, quite curious since, besides his senior brother, no one knew what the congratulatory gift entailed.
Yun Lie raised his hand slightly, and an object materialized above the palace.
In an instant, a blaze of red light illuminated the sky.
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