Chapter 493: New Year's Eve Dinner

Tonight, the deck of the ship was bustling with activity, with hundreds of tables set up. Even the cultivators from the Heaven and Earth-level chambers made an appearance. The table prepared by Elder Xu's family was on the outermost corner, and when they saw Fang Chen take his seat, Elder Xu's heart finally settled.

The deck was divided into several areas, clearly demarcated from each other. The people living in the Heaven-level chambers all seemed like formidable individuals, exuding a deep and profound aura like an abyss, with the lowest amongst them being in the Golden Core Realm.

The people from the Earth-level chambers were slightly lower in cultivation, but many were at the peak of Foundation Building Realm, and there was no lack of grand completion stage Foundation Building Realm cultivators among them.

It seemed like they were all looking for opportunities to network, intending to go to the tables of the Golden Core Realm cultivators to toast.

The area where Fang Chen was located appeared quite ordinary. There were mostly Foundation Building Realm cultivators accompanied by a group of Qi Refining Realm cultivators. There were many families with children present, and those who usually traveled alone were not seen today, all secluded in the cultivation chambers.

Even the dishes on their tables were simpler compared to those at the tables of the Golden Core Realm cultivators, but they didn't mind at all; instead, they were very happy.

With each passing year, they were getting closer to the Taichu Empire.

A few Foundation Building Realm cultivators from the adjacent table glanced over and were surprised to see Fang Chen. "Elder Xu, is this person a relative of yours? Why have I not seen him before?"

Elder Xu was about to speak, but he saw Fang Chen shake his head lightly, so he could only force a smile and nod, intending to brush it off.

Unexpectedly, the Foundation Building Realm cultivators felt it wasn't lively enough and suggested merging the tables to celebrate the New Year together. With that, several tables were quickly combined, making the atmosphere much livelier.

"Elder Xu, I heard something interesting. It seems that Senior Chen hasn't boarded the ship again since he left. It seems that he and his subordinates have all disappeared,” a Foundation Building Realm cultivator said mysteriously. "This is a good thing for you all."

A Foundation Building Realm cultivator nearby snorted disdainfully. "It's good that he's not boarding again. As a Golden Core Realm cultivator, why is he doing such lowly things in the first place."

𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Daoist Nan Tian, be careful with your words. Don't let others overhear you or you might wind up in trouble," another Foundation Building Realm cultivator warned in a hushed tone, causing the others present to look worried and advise him to be cautious.

Nan Tian sneered. "So what if they overhear? Since that person is not on the ship, should I fear those underlings under him?"

"Daoist Nan Tian, you are as hot-tempered as ever…."

A Foundation Building Realm cultivator sighed, then casually changed the subject, unwilling to continue discussing this matter.

They shared their experiences on the cultivation path, occasionally discussing insights into cultivation, and raising their glasses to each other from time to time. That was how cultivators celebrated the New Year. They were not much different from ordinary people, except ordinary people talked about family matters.

Fang Chen listened with interest, and if someone toasted him, he would drink without hesitation.

"Elder Xu, does this junior of yours have sword related treasures on him?" a Foundation Building Realm cultivator asked curiously.

Elder Xu cursed inwardly, wondering why that person was prying into their business. He smiled awkwardly, not knowing how to explain.

Fang Chen smiled and replied, "Indeed, I have a sword related treasure."

"No wonder, I couldn't figure out your cultivation level. You don't seem too old, which stage of Qi Refining Realm are you at?" asked the Foundation Building Realm cultivator curiously.

Elder Xu hurriedly spoke up as he was ready to change the subject. “Everyone, I think…."

But then Fang Chen replied to the cultivator, “Early-stage Foundation Building Realm.”

Early-stage Foundation Building Realm!?

Elder Xu and the others were stunned, as were the other Foundation Building Realm cultivators and their juniors.

Young Master Fang must have a cultivation level beyond the Foundation Building Realm. It seems he wants to conceal his true cultivation realm,

Elder Xu and the others thought to themselves.

“He's actually at the early-stage Foundation Building Realm....”

“And he looks so young... how could the Xu Family nurture such a talent?”

Several other Foundation Building Realm cultivators exchanged glances, and one of them cautiously asked, “Daoist, are you related to Elder Xu?”

Fang Chen replied with a smile. “Oh, Elder Xu saw that I was alone, so he invited me to join them for this New Year's Eve dinner.”

Several Foundation Building Realm cultivators smiled awkwardly. “You see, we misunderstood and thought you were Elder Xu's junior, sorry for the confusion.”

One of them stared at Fang Chen for a while, then suddenly asked, “Daoist, do you have a Dao companion?”

Fang Chen shook his head. “No, I don't.”

The Foundation Building Realm cultivator's eyes lit up, and he went on, “In that case, how about my granddaughter? She has been cultivating for thirty-seven years and has reached the tenth stage of the Qi Refining Realm. She's also quite talented,”

The young female cultivator beside him looked shocked. Her face turning red, she sneaked glances at Fang Chen from the corner of her eye.

Elder Xu's grandchildren rolled their eyes.

Fang Chen was also taken aback and smiled. “I haven't considered this matter yet.”

The Foundation Building Realm cultivator wanted to say something more but was stopped by the young female cultivator's coquettish scolding.

“Are you all happy today? The ship owner asked me to bring you some New Year's gifts.”

A group of people approached, led by a middle-aged man in a green robe, with Elder Zhou following behind him.

Pot after pot of spirit-infused wine was placed on the tables.

Upon seeing the middle-aged man in the green robe, Elder Xu and the others showed a slight trace of awe as they stood up and bowed with clasped hands. Even the cultivators sitting nearby, including those from the Heaven-level room, stood up in respect.

As the cultivator surnamed Zhou passed by Fang Chen, he deliberately glanced at him, his gaze somewhat profound. Then he followed the middle-aged man in the green robe towards the group of Golden Core Realm cultivators and engaged in conversation and pleasantries.

"Senior Chi is quite a formidable person. With him around, this shipping route has been peaceful for many years," remarked a Foundation Building Realm cultivator at Fang Chen's table as he watched them walk away.

Fang Chen glanced at the middle-aged man in the green robe. No matter where you were, a cultivator at the late stage of Golden Core Realm was an expert. It was more than enough for him to oversee a journey across the sea.

"It's a pity that he doesn't indulge in stirring up troubles with those dregs," muttered Nan Tian with a hint of drunkenness on his face, as he had been the most aggressive in drinking just now.

The expressions of the people around them changed.

It was one thing if Chen Sheng was not on the ship, but now that Senior Chi was currently on board, if he heard of that, what would be the consequences? At the very least, he would have been thrown off the ship.

At that moment, a Foundation Building Realm cultivator suddenly turned around, his face turning pale.

Suddenly, the cultivator surnamed Zhou was standing behind everyone without anyone noticing. He held a wine cup and looked at Nan Tian with a cold smile. Unaware, Nan Tian continued to curse under his breath, seemingly venting his frustration.

Fang Chen had already figured out that Chen Shen had to have wronged this Foundation Building Realm cultivator in the past; otherwise, he wouldn't hate Chen Sheng so much.

That cultivator surnamed Zhou slowly said, "This passenger, if you have any complaints about my uncle, why don't you say it to his face?"

Nan Tian was slightly stunned and looked at him with drunken eyes. When he saw who it was, the tipsiness was swept away.

Nan Tian looked around at everyone. "What did I just say?"

The crowd's expressions turned strange.

Seeing that, Elder Xu immediately put on a flattering smile, raised his cup, and said, "Daoist Zhou, please don't mind. Daoist Nan Tian simply drank too much and spoke without thinking...."

That cultivator looked at Elder Xu. "You want to explain it to him? Fine, come with me to see my uncle."

The Xu Family members were suddenly shocked and a hint of fear appeared on their faces.

Senior Chi was a Golden Core Realm cultivator, and he was much stronger than Chen Sheng!

"What happened?" a faint voice sounded. The Golden Core Realm cultivators at that table all looked over at Elder Xu. The one who spoke was a middle-aged man in a green robe.

Seeing that, Zhou immediately clasped his hands and said, "Uncle, I heard them talking about you, saying you let some dregs run amok on the ship."

With those words, the lively atmosphere on the deck suddenly turned cold.