Therefore, reaching the rank of a Foundation Establishment Great Demon was only celebrated within a small circle.
Usually, only close friends and fellow members of the Mountain Gate were invited.
Yu Ruyan’s Foundation Establishment Celebration was held within her own pavilion.
Behind the pavilion was a sizable courtyard.
Dozens of long tables had already been set up, laden with Spirit Fruits, Spirit Wine, and various delicacies.
It had to be said that ever since the Demon Race started learning the ways of the Human Race, the higher-level Demons had become more adept at putting on such displays.
It was a way to display their status and distinguish themselves from common beasts and spirits!
When Xu Chang’an, Xiong Da, and the Yellow Wasp Spirit arrived, thirty to forty Demons were already seated in the courtyard.
A single glance revealed they were all Foundation Establishment Great Demons!
Standing to the side, Xu Chang’an could clearly sense the nervousness of Xiong Da and the Yellow Wasp Spirit.
It was the pressure that came from the gap of a Great Realm.
They could remain calm when facing a single Foundation Establishment Great Demon, but when the entire hall was filled with them, Xiong Da and the Yellow Wasp Spirit, as mere Qi Refining Old Demons, naturally felt extremely intimidated.
Their arrival drew several gazes.
Most were looks of inquiry and curiosity.
Yu Ruyan possessed a Demon King Bloodline and held a noble status on Red Cloud Mountain, making her far superior to any ordinary Foundation Establishment Great Demon.
Aside from a few Demons with special status, most of the attendees at this Foundation Establishment Celebration were Veteran Great Demons.
With their meager Qi Refining Cultivation, Xu Chang’an and his companions naturally stood out.
The combined gazes of so many Foundation Establishment Great Demons, even without any intentionally released pressure, were not something an ordinary Qi Refining Demon could bear.
Xiong Da and the Yellow Wasp Spirit’s breathing grew heavy, and they looked extremely tense.
As a Second Order Middle Grade Alchemist, Xu Chang’an often associated with Foundation Establishment Great Demons.
He had naturally developed a certain bearing and had no need to feign composure now.
"Who are these few Demons?"
"Why are they able to attend Fellow Daoist Yu’s Foundation Establishment Celebration!?"
"Do you have any idea..."
Faint murmurs of discussion arose from the crowd.
The voices weren’t loud, but no effort was made to keep the words from Xu Chang’an and his companions.
"Grey Rat, Fellow Daoist Xiong, Fellow Daoist Huang Feng, please come sit over here!"
Yu Ruyan smiled sweetly.
Her words were enough to get Xu Chang’an and his companions out of their predicament.
Since Yu Ruyan herself had spoken, the Foundation Establishment Great Demons present naturally had to show her some respect.
The murmuring in the crowd died down.
Xu Chang’an, Xiong Da, and the Yellow Wasp Spirit took their seats.
The long table before them was laden with delicacies that would make any Demon’s mouth water.
Xiong Da and the Yellow Wasp Spirit were still a little intimidated and didn’t touch the food.
Xu Chang’an, however, paid them no mind. He simply picked up a Spirit Fruit and began to eat.
’This is all Energy!’
Sitting at the head table and entertaining her guests, Yu Ruyan happened to see Xu Chang’an’s actions and couldn’t help but let out a soft laugh.
Yu Ruyan was stunningly beautiful, and her smile was a breathtaking sight.
"Fellow Daoist Yu, is something the matter?"
A Veteran Great Demon seated nearby asked.
"It’s nothing. I just recalled something amusing."
Yu Ruyan explained casually, her gaze softening.
’So many years have passed, but he’s still the same greedy little rat!’
As time went on, more Foundation Establishment Great Demons arrived.
The Yellow Wasp Spirit and Xiong Da grew even more timid.
Foundation Establishment Great Demons, a rare sight on any normal day, were everywhere here.
There were even Top-tier Great Demons present!
Xu Chang’an was busy enjoying the delicious Spirit Fruits when he suddenly noticed the atmosphere around him growing more lively.
Looking up, he saw that many of the Foundation Establishment Great Demons had gathered around a stern-looking man.
The man had somewhat blond hair, sharp features, and a gaze as cutting as a knife.
At a glance, there was no sign he was using an Illusion Technique.
Xu Chang’an secretly formed a guess.
"Fellow Daoist Shang is here!"
One of the Top-tier Great Demons present stepped forward to greet him.
The man gave a slight nod in response.
The Top-tier Great Demon didn’t seem to mind, clearly familiar with the man’s personality.
"Ruyan, congratulations on your Foundation Establishment."
The man walked up to Yu Ruyan and presented her with a gift.
Yu Ruyan accepted the gift with a radiant smile.
"Thank you, Brother Shang!"
After congratulating Yu Ruyan, the man found a seat for himself.
The moment he sat down, several Great Demons approached to speak with him.
These were all Top-tier Great Demons.
The man only seemed cold on the outside, not truly indifferent. He responded normally to the Great Demons who approached him.
After a little while longer, Yu Ruyan’s Foundation Establishment Celebration officially began.
"Thank you, fellow sect members and dear friends, for making the journey to celebrate with me. My success in reaching Foundation Establishment this time is all thanks to..."
Yu Ruyan began the proceedings with grace and poise.
Meanwhile, Xu Chang’an secretly sized up the man.
His Cultivation Realm was at the Peak of Late-stage Foundation Establishment. Even among Top-tier Great Demons, he was an absolute powerhouse.
More critically, if he wasn’t mistaken, the man had achieved his Transformed Form, not just an illusory human shape. ’If so, he must have a Demon King Bloodline, no doubt about it!’
However, that had nothing to do with Xu Chang’an. After sizing the man up, he went back to eating.
"Grey Rat, are you nervous?"
Watching Xu Chang’an eat so heartily, Xiong Da couldn’t help but ask.
"You have to eat, no matter how nervous you are!"
Xu Chang’an replied with a smile.
’At some point, the carefree Black Bear Spirit from back then had learned to read the room. The Xiong Da of the past would probably be eating and drinking right alongside him. Perhaps this is what it means to grow up!’
All the Demons present had come to celebrate Yu Ruyan’s Foundation Establishment, so they naturally went up to offer their congratulations.
Yu Ruyan greeted each one with a smile.
The majority of the Great Demons attending the Foundation Establishment Celebration were from Red Cloud Mountain. They were all quite familiar with one another.
As they mingled, the atmosphere in the courtyard gradually relaxed.
Aside from Yu Ruyan, no one knew Xu Chang’an, Xiong Da, or the Yellow Wasp Spirit. So, they kept to themselves at their long table.