“Yuan-shixiong is in seclusion, and Yu-shidi is out with Shifu,” Huaqing said, glaring at Zimo, as he took the first seat on the right. The two tables behind him were empty, and neither Bailuo or Zimo wanted to go over and sit with him. Huaqing grabbed the youngest disciple. “Cheng-shidi, come sit here.”
This was Xuanji-zhenren’s newest disciple, the one with a heaven attribute. His name was Cheng Xi, and his status was undetermined as yet. Cheng Xi politely demurred for a moment before acquiescing and taking his seat.
Mo Tianliao withdrew his gaze, clinked cups with Zimo, and finished his wine. The youth was clearly getting a bit too big for his britches, sitting there as if he owned the place, unaware of the jealousy and mockery in the eyes of his seniors staring daggers from behind him.
Just then, a clear voice rang out from nearby.
“Ha ha, sorry to keep everyone waiting.” Yanlie was dressed in red and gave off the overwhelming aura of a newly advanced nascent soul cultivator; he still had yet to learn to control it at will. He strode up to the host seat and smiled. “Thank you, everyone, for gracing my birthday feast today with your presence. As a show of gratitude, I shall offer the first toast!” He raised his cup and downed the wine in one gulp.
His straightforward manner quickly won everyone over, and they raised their cups in response with words of congratulations.
Mo Tianliao looked up at Yanlie. His mesmerizing eyes carried a hint of a smile, and the calm, unhurried way he spoke was truly pleasant to the ears. No wonder he was so well-liked in Woyun Sect.
“Let’s just enjoy ourselves today!” he said, beaming at the gathered crowd. “We rarely get a chance to take a break from cultivating, so we should relax and get drunk!”
Attendants filed into the hall, bearing spiritual fruits and dishes.
Mo Tianliao looked at the feast before him. Even if a cultivator abstained from food, they could still eat for pleasure, meat and vegetables alike. But those from the orthodox sects often only consumed spiritual wine or spiritual fruits, to keep up their ethereal, dignified image. A spread of steaming hot dishes like this was really rare.
“These drumsticks are delicious! Xiao-Bai, try one!” Zimo grinned at Bailuo with a drumstick in his mouth. Bailuo glared at him coldly and placed the plate of drumsticks before Mo Tianliao.
“Hey, give them to me if you aren’t eating. Why give them to him?!” Zimo protested, making to grab the plate.
Mo Tianliao picked up the plate. “Bai-shixiong gave them to me.”
Zimo’s eyes widened, and he glared. “Why, you little…”
Cheng Xi pursed his lips. “Giving priority to the elders is a sect rule. What is Mo-shidi doing, snatching food from shixiong?” He was supposed to be the gifted one, but he still had no status to his name. Meanwhile this dual-attribute guy could get into the sect with just his looks and get to be Qingtong-zhenren’s disciple?! Even worse, he was acting like he was on equal footing with the sect leader’s disciples.
The lively atmosphere came to an abrupt halt.
Huaqing rolled his eyes. This junior really can’t read the room. Can’t you see Mo Tianliao is just joking around? Besides, Mo Tianliao is a personal disciple, while your own status hasn’t even been confirmed yet; what do you think you’re doing calling him shidi?!
Yanlie stepped forward and broke the awkward silence. “Mo-shidi, I’m so glad you could make it today. Here, let’s drink. Don’t hesitate to tell me if you ever encounter any difficulties in the sect.”
Mo Tianliao stood up. “Thank you, Shixiong. Let me toast you.”
After the toast, Mo Tianliao motioned for Suwen to bring out Woqing Sanctum’s gift, some spiritual stones and herbs. “This is a little something from the disciples of our realm, to wish you a happy birthday.”
Yanlie accepted them with a smile and passed them along to Chifeng, his disciple, behind him.
“My shizun can’t come as he’s in seclusion, so I’ve brought along his gift and his congratulations for breaking through to the nascent soul stage.” Mo Tianliao presented an exquisite box. Its lid was open, revealing the beautifully wrought, fist-sized bell within.
The corner of Yanlie’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly at the sight of the bell. He quickly closed the lid and held it up in his hands as he bowed to the east. “Thank you, Shishu, for the gift.”
Huaqing had Cheng Xi present their master’s gift too—a long box with its lid tightly closed.
Cheng Xi saw that Mo Tianliao’s box was open, with what he thought was clearly a rare spiritual treasure sparkling inside, so, wanting to make his own master look good too, he took it upon himself to open their box before handing it over to Yanlie.
Mo Tianliao glanced over to see a fine piece of…long hemp rope. Yep. Just a big rope! And looking at it with the eyes of a master artificer, he could tell it was a genuine, ordinary piece of hemp rope. It wouldn’t even qualify as a magical artifact.
Glaring at Cheng Xi, Huaqing quickly shut the box and handed it over to Yanlie with a smile.
Acting like he hadn’t seen it, Yanlie respectfully accepted the box and bowed in gratitude toward the west.
And so the banquet ended on a seemingly harmonious note.
Mo Tianliao returned to Woqing Sanctum and went to see his master.
But the attendants expressionlessly blocked his way. “The sanctum-master is currently meeting the sect leader.”
“Well then, I’ll come back later.” Mo Tianliao returned to his courtyard. His cat was missing again, leaving behind only a bedsheet decorated with frayed threads and tiny holes lying pitifully on the bed.
Frowning, Mo Tianliao considered all of the furball’s frequent haunts, then made his way to the back mountain.
✦ ✦ ✦
MINI EXTRA
Disciple A: That hemp rope must be some great treasure.
Disciple B: Yeah. Just look at how sturdy that mile-and-a-half-long rope bridge is.
Woodworker: Xuanji Brand Hemp Rope—Quality Guaranteed. Trusted By All.