The man greeted him first. "Hello, Junior Brother Xiao. I’m Chen Zhixuan. I grow Spirit Medicine in Stone Rice Valley."

Elder Chen added for Xiao Chen’s benefit, "You two are of the same generation, so you can just call him Senior Brother."

"Zhixuan is the oldest of the ’Zhi’ generation, and you’re the youngest."

"By the way, Chen, you’re twenty-two this year?"

Xiao Chen blinked. "Uh, twenty-three."

Elder Chen chuckled. "What a coincidence. Zhixuan is one hundred and twenty-three this year. That makes you exactly one hundred years apart. That’s a special kind of fate in itself."

Huh?

Xiao Chen was slightly taken aback, but he still offered a prompt greeting. "Hello, Senior Brother." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Afterward, Elder Chen introduced him to two more people.

"The sect’s garrison duty isn’t too demanding, and we can often take leave to go home. However, we can’t leave so easily during holidays and festivals, just in case Tribulation Cultivators try to use the opportunity to cause chaos."

"This is a rare chance for everyone to gather, so you should all get acquainted."

It suddenly clicked for Xiao Chen. ’So that’s why,’ he thought. ’I didn’t see anyone else during the last two New Year celebrations.’

But before he could meet everyone, a massive Flying Boat suddenly soared into the sky.

A stern voice then rang out: "Board."

Upon hearing the command, everyone immediately flew up to the Spiritual Boat in unison.

A figure in a long white robe stood at the bow, seemingly gazing into the distance.

Everyone assembled in an orderly fashion on the deck and bowed. "Greetings, Daoist!"

This was only the second time Xiao Chen had seen Master Ming Yan. This time, the man exuded no pressure whatsoever. If it weren’t for the fact that he was hovering just above the deck, he would have looked no different from a mortal.

Hearing the chorus of greetings, he didn’t speak, only nodding in acknowledgment. "Mm."

With a wave of his hand, the Spiritual Boat shot off like an arrow from a bow, tearing through the sky toward the southeast.

In a mere two hours, it crossed nearly four thousand li, arriving at Qianzhu Market near the southeastern corner of Li State.

’Honestly, that speed is ridiculous,’ he thought.

No wonder the three major sects had remained at peace all these years, even among their Foundation Establishment Cultivators. This must be one of the main reasons.

Li State was simply too small.

If even the slightest incident occurred, a Golden Core True Man from one side could be at the other’s doorstep for retribution that very same day. Vengeance would not have to wait until morning.

As the Li Huo Sect’s ship departed, patriarchs and old ancestors from numerous Loose Cultivator families across Li State were also piloting their own Spiritual Vehicles and small Flying Boats toward Qianzhu Market to offer their congratulations.

The venue for the Immortal Ascension Ceremony was the largest building in Qianzhu Market: the Thousand Bamboo Tower.

As arranged by Thousand Bamboo True Man, the grand ceremony was divided into three areas to receive the various guests.

These were designated as the Private Banquet, the Inner Banquet, and the Outer Banquet.

The Private Banquet, located on the highest floor—the ninth—was reserved exclusively for the Golden Core True Men of the three major sects.

The Inner Banquet, held on the third floor, was primarily for important guests at the Foundation Establishment Stage.

As for the Outer Banquet, it was open to all Cultivators. A continuous feast was set up along an entire street outside the tower.

Anyone who was willing to bow toward the Thousand Bamboo Tower and offer congratulations could freely take a seat.

This was mainly to accommodate the local Loose Cultivators, and Spirit Fruits would be served during the feast, which was considered a kind of bonus for them.

...

"The Fu Family of Fuyu Town, arrived!"

"The Yue Family of Yuebei Town, arrived!"

"The Wei Family of Changshi Town, arrived!"

「At noon, outside the Thousand Bamboo Tower.」

The Host’s voice rang out again and again, followed by announcements of many precious gifts.

All the nearby families who had heard of Master Ming Yue’s successful Core Formation had arrived early to present their congratulatory gifts.

On the top floor, Master Ming Yue, dressed in a red robe, had no interest in memorizing their names.

Beside him, Thousand Bamboo True Man, who was clad in a purple robe, smiled. "Junior Brother, there’s no need to worry. Knowing the three major sects, they are bound to arrive together."

Sure enough, before the words were even out of his mouth, three exceptionally massive Spiritual Boats broke through the clouds and appeared in the sky.

However, they did not descend completely, instead remaining suspended in the sky above Qianzhu Market.

Each Spiritual Boat was dozens of zhang high and over a hundred zhang long. The shadows they cast were large enough to blanket half of Qianzhu Market.

The Cultivators of the Li Huo Sect, Azure Flame Sect, and Four Seas Sect followed behind their respective Golden Core True Men, flying down together.

In an instant, hundreds of streaks of Sword Light descended from the heavens.

The spectacle created the impression of ten thousand immortals arriving to pay homage.

"The Li Huo Sect! The Azure Flame Sect! The Four Seas Sect! We congratulate Master Ming Yue on attaining the Golden Core!"