Meng Jingzhou held his forehead, his tone filled with helplessness, "Is there a larger map available, perhaps one that marks the territories of clans like Xuanwu and Kun Peng?"

The manager was startled by Meng Jingzhou’s words, "The Xuanwu and Kun Peng Clans are legendary tribes. The seas where they reside are forbidden zones of life, off-limits to the human race. How could we possibly know their locations?"

Meng Jingzhou thought of the Kun Peng Clan elder who had visited his family during the New Year, and found him quite kind and affable, even giving him New Year’s money.

Meng Jingzhou regretted that Old Ma had dropped them off too early, wishing they had traveled deeper into the East Sea to seek a place with Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.

This godforsaken place didn’t even have anyone at the Foundation Establishment Stage.

"Where to find a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator to ask for directions..." Lu Yang pondered, when suddenly a flash of inspiration struck him, realizing he had walked into a dead end.

"We worry about crossing the sea by air, at risk of attack from sea clans, which is why we wanted to purchase a map to find a safe route."

"But why must we look for a safe route? We can just blindly fly eastward; after all, the nearby sea clans don’t even have anyone at the Foundation Establishment Stage. By the time they react, we’ll already be long gone."

An epiphany struck Meng Jingzhou, "Right, if we just keep flying east, we’ll eventually run into a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator or a Nascent Soul Stage sea clan member."

The manager listened to the frightening conversation of the five and wondered, could these five be the legendary Nascent Soul Stage elders?

Encounters with a Nascent Soul Stage elder were rare, perhaps once in ten years. How could it be that five of them had suddenly shown up today?

Lu Yang and his four companions ignored the manager’s reaction. Having finalized their plan, they immediately took to the skies, ready to cross the sea.

Lu Yang took out his Green Peak Sword, sprinting close to the surface of the sea, with huge sprays of water flaring on either side.

Meng Jingzhou ran swiftly atop the sea; as a body cultivator, he was faster on foot than by flight.

Man Gu pulled out a hammer, unscrewed the hammerhead, leaving only the handle which had a small hole, turning it into a flute.

𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

As a Confucian cultivator, he couldn’t simply run across the sea like Meng Jingzhou, as it didn’t befit his status.

Tao Yaoye spread her red paper umbrella, while Li Haoran took out a treasured gourd he had crafted himself.

Each displaying their divine abilities, the five flew towards the deeper regions of the East Sea, leaving the dazed manager behind.

Just as Lu Yang anticipated, there was no dangerous zone that could threaten them at the edge of the East Sea.

If there were any danger, it was them—the five were the greatest peril.

The Qi Refinement cultivators at the ninth level, those at the Foundation Establishment Stage, and even Golden Core Stage sea clans trembled underwater at the sight of the five swiftly passing by, fearing that they would suddenly stop to cause them trouble.

Even a Nascent Soul Stage sea clan settled in the area wouldn’t dare to act rashly against five Nascent Soul Stage cultivators, letting them pass right above their heads.

"The outer boundary of the East Sea is indeed vast; we’ve flown for half the day and not a single Nascent Soul Stage sea clan has come to bother us."

Lu Yang estimated; they had been flying for three days now without so much as a glimpse of a sea clan’s shadow.

What the five of them didn’t realize was that, as they flew at high speed, their aura leaked out, displaying a presence far exceeding that of the Nascent Soul Stage. Not to mention those of the Nascent Soul Stage, even Divinity Transformation Stage sea clans didn’t want to collide head-on with them.

And those at the Void Refinement Stage, with variable cultivation levels, did not dare show themselves either.

"Look, over there, someone!" Tao Yaoye exclaimed with surprise—it was a group of several people flying in the air just like them.

"Let’s ask them." Seeing this, Lu Yang adjusted his course atop the Green Peak Sword and approached, "Fellow daoists, may I inquire where you are heading?"

The three people laughed, "Naturally, we’re going to a banquet. Surely, fellow daoist is doing the same?"

"A banquet?"

"Indeed, a banquet hosted by a Body Integration Realm elder of the Sea Clan, who has invited powers from the vicinity. Anyone at the Nascent Soul Stage or above is welcome, regardless of their status. Fellow daoist, if you’re not otherwise engaged, you could join us."

"I am also welcome to attend?" Lu Yang’s interest piqued; the individuals before him were merely at the Nascent Soul Stage, and a banquet hosted by a Body Integration Realm elder would surely have many Great Cultivators. They could use the opportunity to find a more accurate map, and judging by the host’s gesture, he didn’t seem to be narrow-minded.

It was also a chance to meet other cultivators from the East Sea.

"Of course, they say the elder enjoys liveliness, and as long as one’s cultivation is sufficient, there’s no need for an invitation to attend."

Lu Yang was delighted—what a fortuitous event.

"Hold on, let me call my companions to go along."

Lu Yang flew back to explain the situation.

"I’ve heard that banquets are a common affair in the East Sea, a local tradition which should not be missed," said Meng Jingzhou, who loved lively places, and was the first to heed the call.

Tao Yaoye and the others also happily agreed to attend the banquet.

On their way to the banquet, through conversation, Lu Yang learned that the three people were Loose Cultivators who occupied an island called Fangshan Island and were known as the Three Heroes of Fangshan Island.

Lu Yang and his four companions said they were disciples from the Five Elements Sect, eliciting continuous exclamations of surprise from the Three Heroes of Fangshan Island.

"By the way, I heard that a genius appeared in Great Xia, named Lu Yang, do you know him?" the Three Heroes of Fangshan Island asked.

Lu Yang nodded calmly, undisturbed by the strange looks from Meng Jingzhou and the other three, "More than knowing him, I have crossed hands with him. He is a quite formidable opponent. Moreover, he has great prestige within the Seek Dao Sect, and I heard that even when the Dao Seeking Sect Master intended for him to succeed as the Sect Leader, he declined."

The Three Heroes of Fangshan Island once again sighed with wonder, feeling that this Lu Yang truly was extraordinary, not on the same level as them.

As they got closer to the location of the banquet, many Sea Clan and Human race cultivators began to appear in the vicinity.

The eight of them dived into the sea, where the Water-Repelling Pearl allowed Lu Yang and the others to move and breathe without restriction underwater.

Colourful corals teemed on the seabed, like a cluster of underwater palaces, with rainbow-like schools of fish weaving in between, radiantly beautiful.

As they went deeper, instead of growing darker, the light became increasingly brighter.

This was not sunlight streaming into the sea; rather, there was a golden and glittering palace at the sea bottom, reflecting a multitude of lights, beautifying the surrounding marine scenery in a breathtaking display. All around the palace, pearls and Night Pearls were embedded, glittering brilliantly, lighting up the surrounding sea.

Various members of the Sea Clan swam past the eight, and this time Lu Yang and the others finally recognized the origins of the Sea Clan; the Mirage Clan, the Kunpeng Clan, the Yaksha Clan, the Turtle Clan...

After verifying their cultivation levels, the eight smoothly entered the palace.

There were quite a few cultivators at the Spirit Transformation and Void Refinement Stages attending the banquet. Lu Yang and his companions, being at the Nascent Soul Stage, naturally sat at the very back.

The banquet was about to begin, with various Spirit Fruits and exquisite liquors laid across the tables. Under the enhancement of Array Methods, the Spirit Fruits didn’t float away, and the liquors didn’t mix with the seawater.

"Red Sun Fruit, Qi-boosting Fruit... This Elder sure is generous," Meng Jingzhou chuckled. These fruits meant little to him but were great supplements for ordinary Nascent Soul Stage cultivators.

Looking around, tables were laden with countless Spirit Fruits, a very grand gesture indeed.

Lu Yang overheard people discussing in hushed tones, "I heard that Elder was in Great Xia before, and his cultivation advanced by leaps and bounds. He only returned three days ago."

"Great Xia really is a land full of opportunities. If it weren’t for its strict governance, I’d love to make my mark in Great Xia."

"You said it. I also heard that Elder is sworn brothers with the Clan Leader of the Meng Family and can even come and go freely from the Immortal Sects."

"It’s unclear if Elder will stay here this time or continue to cultivate back in Great Xia."

Lu Yang: "..."

Why does this Elder’s experience sound so familiar?

Before Lu Yang could inquire further, the sound of gongs and drums announced the start of the banquet, and a familiar figure appeared at the front.

Vastly different from his usual appearance, Old Ma was flanked by two young mares on either side. The young mares looked coy, blushing on their cheeks, and Old Ma teased them from time to time, making them even more bashful.

Old Ma laughed heartily, looking very pleased with himself, raising his hoof as if it were sticky, holding up his cup, "This banquet is to celebrate my return from Great Xia. There’s no need to be reserved, everyone, enjoy yourselves to your heart’s content."

"Elder, tell us about your experiences in Great Xia," a shill called out loudly.

Old Ma did not decline and began to recount his tale, with a hint of boasting, "My journey to Great Xia was highly rewarding. I have been residing in the Immortal Sects for many years, with countless opportunities, having seen numerous Transcendance Tribulation cultivators. Even if I didn’t wish to meet those at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage, they would flock over, unstoppable."

"Then, Elder, you must have seen those at Transcendance Tribulation Stage take action," the shill asked again, looking up at Old Ma with admiration.

"What’s so great about Transcendance Tribulation Stage battles? I have even witnessed battles among Semi-Immortals, and that was truly an eye-opener," replied Old Ma.

"Come on, let’s drink," Old Ma lifted his cup and drained it in one gulp.

"To the Elder!" the crowd echoed in unison, downing their drinks as well.

Old Ma was in high spirits, descending the platform to clink cups and drink with the cultivators, one cup after another, until he was utterly drunk.

The cultivators were flattered and shocked.

Old Ma drank his way from the very front of the banquet to the very end.

"Come, drink!"

Old Ma raised his cup, looking up to meet Lu Yang’s eyes.

"..."

They exchanged a silent gaze.