A few days after Bai Ling's breakthrough, a grand banquet was held within Cloud Mist Market.
The occasion naturally revolved around two matters.
The first was celebrating the birth of a new Xuan Gang Martial Master.
The second was Bai Ling's upcoming appointment as the temporary Guardian of Phoenix Ridge Market.
As a result, nearly every influential force within the market had sent representatives.
The Dan Dao Alliance.
The Hundred Flowers Pavilion.
The Talisman Alliance.
Merchant associations.
Cultivation families.
Even some independent Foundation Establishment cultivators appeared.
Naturally—
The core trainees were also invited.
Within the banquet hall, spirit lamps illuminated the surroundings while rows of jade tables overflowed with delicacies. Spirit fruits, spiritual wine, yao beast meat and rare ingredients worth dozens of spirit stones filled the tables as cultivators mingled with one another, forming circles of conversation throughout the venue.
The atmosphere was lively.
Much livelier than the tense days following the beast tide.
Sitting beside one of the tables, Lin Sheng calmly observed the crowd.
His gaze eventually landed on Zhao Feng.
Currently, Zhao Feng was speaking enthusiastically with a young woman from the Talisman Alliance.
The woman occasionally covered her mouth while laughing while Zhao Feng's face was practically glowing with confidence.
Seeing Lin Sheng looking toward him, Zhao Feng immediately grinned.
The grin was so obvious that Lin Sheng almost rolled his eyes.
The meaning was clear.
Look.
I succeeded.
Lin Sheng simply ignored him.
Meanwhile his gaze shifted elsewhere.
Not far away, Lin Xiaolu sat alone drinking spiritual tea.
Several young cultivators had attempted approaching her throughout the banquet but all of them eventually retreated.
Not because she insulted them.
Not because she chased them away.
Rather—
The faint coldness surrounding her made conversation extremely difficult.
After exchanging a few words, most suitors lost confidence and quietly withdrew.
Lin Sheng couldn't help finding it amusing.
As for Lou Han—
The situation was entirely different.
The young spear cultivator had become completely focused on the banquet itself.
More specifically—
The food.
Plate after plate disappeared before him.
Spirit beast meat.
Spirit rice.
Medicinal soups.
Nothing escaped.
His chopsticks moved so quickly that nearby cultivators occasionally glanced over in disbelief.
Some even began whispering among themselves.
"How much can he eat?"
"At this rate he'll finish an entire table by himself."
"Martial artists truly are monsters."
Lou Han naturally ignored them.
His attention remained completely focused on the spirit cuisine before him.
Across from him, Lin Shou sat quietly.
Compared to the others, he looked like he wished to be literally anywhere else.
Conversations weren't his specialty.
Social gatherings were even worse.
Several young women had attempted speaking with him but his responses rarely exceeded a few words.
Eventually they gave up.
Lin Sheng found the entire scene surprisingly entertaining.
For a brief moment, it almost felt like ordinary life.
No beast tides.
No demonic cultivators.
No life-and-death struggles.
Just young martial artists enjoying a banquet.
Unfortunately—
Peace rarely lasted long within the cultivation world.
As the banquet gradually reached its peak, the atmosphere suddenly shifted.
Many conversations stopped.
Several gazes turned toward the entrance.
Bai Ling had arrived.
Today's Bai Ling appeared different from her usual appearance.
Rather than wearing martial attire, she wore a flowing dress embroidered with phoenix patterns.
The crimson and gold threads shimmered beneath the spirit lamps while the elegant design highlighted her natural beauty.
Yet despite the feminine appearance—
Nobody dared underestimate her.
Because the moment she entered—
A faint pressure spread throughout the hall.
Not overwhelming.
Not oppressive.
Yet undeniably present.
Lin Sheng's eyes narrowed slightly.
The Chip immediately activated.
Lines of information appeared before his vision.
[Analyzing...]
[Protective Aura Detected.]
[External Defensive Layer Active.]
[Estimated Defensive Capability: Significantly Above Innate Qi Field.]
Interesting.
The faint aura surrounding Bai Ling wasn't merely decoration.
Rather—
It continuously protected her body.
Unlike an Innate Realm Qi Field which required conscious maintenance, this Protective Aura appeared naturally integrated into her existence.
As long as Gang Qi remained within her body—
The defense would continue operating.
Almost instinctively.
The Chip continued analyzing.
[Detecting... Slight Barrier Prevention.]
Lin Sheng immediately understood.
The aura could obstruct divine sense.
Not completely.
But enough to interfere with ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Unfortunately—
His Mental Field wasn't ordinary divine sense.
Thus the Protective Aura proved largely ineffective against him.
Another line appeared.
[Detecting... Slight Gravity Rejection.]
Lin Sheng's eyes brightened slightly.
So that's how it works.
Many martial artists knew Xuan Gang experts could fly briefly.
Yet few understood why.
The answer was surprisingly simple.
Their bodies had become powerful enough to partially reject the world's natural gravitational pull.
Combined with Gang Qi propulsion—
Short-distance flight became possible.
Of course—
They still couldn't truly soar through the heavens.
That required reaching Golden Core or possessing special treasures.
Still—
Compared to Innate martial artists, the difference remained enormous.
Lin Sheng secretly compared it to himself.
His Wind Martial Intent already allowed him to leverage surrounding airflow while his Lightning Intent enhanced explosive movement.
Although he couldn't match a genuine Xuan Gang expert yet—
His mobility had already surpassed ordinary Innate martial artists.
The banquet continued while Bai Ling gradually became surrounded by powerful figures.
Foundation Establishment experts.
Xuan Gang Martial Masters.
Alliance representatives.
Everyone wished to build a relationship with the future Guardian.
Among the conversations, one Foundation Establishment cultivator smiled.
"Guardian Bai, when will the official appointment occur?"
Bai Ling calmly replied.
"A Lin Family representative is escorting the appointment decree."
"They should arrive soon."
Many people nodded.
This wasn't surprising.
Phoenix Ridge Market ultimately belonged to the Lin Family.
Naturally, the appointment process required their approval.
Meanwhile—
Zhao Feng suddenly returned.
He immediately sat beside Lou Han.
Then watched in horror as Lou Han swallowed another bowl of spirit beast stew.
"..."
"..."
Zhao Feng pointed at him.
"Can you slow down?"
"What if you choke?"
Lou Han didn't even bother looking up.
Instead—
He raised his middle finger.
A gesture Lin Sheng had unknowingly taught him years ago.
Seeing this, Lin Shou immediately burst out laughing.
Even Lin Xiaolu struggled to maintain her cold expression.
The atmosphere became much livelier.
Zhao Feng sighed dramatically.
Then looked toward Lin Sheng.
"By the way."
"Do you know who's coming from the Lin Family?"
Lin Sheng shook his head.
"No."
That wasn't a lie.
He genuinely didn't know.
The Lin Family possessed countless branches and geniuses.
There was no reason for him to know who would arrive.
Zhao Feng nodded.
"Well, they should be here soon anyway."
Almost immediately after those words left his mouth—
Boom!
A ripple spread through the sky. The banquet hall trembled slightly.
Everyone instinctively looked upward.
A spirit boat had appeared.
The vessel descended from the clouds with astonishing speed. Its surface gleamed with spiritual light while numerous formations shimmered along its hull.
Most importantly—
The Lin Family insignia was prominently displayed.
The moment people recognized it, expressions became respectful.
The rulers of the province had arrived.
Whoosh!
The spirit boat slowly descended.
Several figures emerged.
Their robes bore the unmistakable insignia of Dragon Yuan Mountain.
The leading figure instantly attracted everyone's attention.
A woman.
Foundation Establishment cultivation.
Mid Stage.
Her aura was exceptionally stable.
Yet what truly stood out wasn't her cultivation.
It was her sword aura.
Sharp.
Pure.
Domineering.
Even while standing still, she felt like an unsheathed sword.
Her azure-black hair danced in the wind while a dark luan-patterned dress flowed elegantly around her figure.
Many younger cultivators immediately felt pressure.
Even some Foundation Establishment experts looked serious.
This wasn't an ordinary cultivator.
This was a genuine genius.
The moment she landed—
Her gaze swept across the banquet.
As though searching for someone.
Many subconsciously straightened their backs.
Some even believed she might be looking at them.
Then—
Her eyes paused.
Lin Sheng's body froze slightly.
The woman stopped.
For a brief moment—
Their eyes met.
Years had passed.
Yet neither failed to recognize the other.
A smile appeared on her face.
Not a polite smile.
Not a diplomatic smile.
A genuine one.
Warm.
Soft.
The kind rarely seen on a sword cultivator.
Then it disappeared as quickly as it arrived.
The surrounding cultivators immediately became confused.
Who was she looking at?
Before anyone could think further, the woman resumed walking.
Directly toward Bai Ling.
The entire hall quickly focused on official matters.
The woman produced a jade slip.
"The Lin Family acknowledges your achievements."
"By order of the elders."
"Bai Ling is hereby appointed temporary Guardian of Phoenix Ridge Market."
Bai Ling respectfully accepted the jade slip.
"I accept."
The ceremony was simple.
Direct.
Exactly what everyone expected from cultivators.
Yet after handing over the appointment token, the Lin Family woman seemed strangely impatient.
Almost as if completing the assignment had merely been a formality. Her attention repeatedly drifted elsewhere.
Toward a certain corner of the banquet.Toward a certain young man. Lin Sheng remained seated.
Outwardly calm, Internally and Slightly helpless.
Because he already knew what was coming next.
After all—
Years had passed since he left Dragon Yuan Mountain.
And his elder sister had finally found an excuse to visit him.