Chapter 439: Chapter 296: Five Organs Achieve Great Success, Complete Transformation! The Duel Begins, The Water and Earth Grand Event_4

"Indeed... You already have a beautiful companion, such a grand occasion, you should bring your companion. Of course, if she doesn’t listen, there’s no need to bring her along. Otherwise, it would cause quite a laugh, and that wouldn’t be good."

Li Xian strolled around the venue to get a general sense of the environment, then returned to the Cyan Ox Residence to continue honing his spear technique. During the evening meal, he informed Nangong Liuli about the banquet the next day.

Though Nangong Liuli did not fancy the Flower Cage Sect, she was worried about Li Xian’s gambling duel and wanted to see the situation for herself, so she was willing to attend the banquet. Li Xian laughed, "Sister Liuli, if you attend the banquet, you mustn’t be casual; you need to properly serve me."

Nangong Liuli teasingly said, "Dear brother, tomorrow I’ll make sure you shine."

Li Xian said, "We need to practice a little tonight."

Nangong Liuli coquettishly replied, "Master, let me massage your shoulders for you."

...

...

The next day.

Early morning.

The Water Altar and the Earth Altar banquet was about to commence.

Although it was still early, disciples had already started to head towards the Inner Island to take their seats. Li Xian and Nangong Liuli attended hand in hand, traveling by carriage. As they appeared, the match of talented man and beautiful woman drew gasps of surprise, and many were filled with envy. Although Nangong Liuli had not dressed up extravagantly, her flowing black hair, adorned with pins and silver accessories, her swaying skirt, and her graceful demeanor still shone through. Coming from a prestigious family, her manners and posture were exemplary.

After taking their seats, a charming maid served grapes delicately in a silver basin. Nangong Liuli picked a grape with her delicate hand, carefully peeled it, and fed it to Li Xian. She knew that in the Flower Cage Sect, the more obedient a companion was, the more esteemed her master seemed.

Her service was naturally attentive, and seeing the envious looks from those around, she secretly felt a bit pleased. Li Xian enjoyed wine and fruit with her, their closeness exceeding that of others with their companions, with an additional layer of natural intimacy.

After a short while, Elders like Han Zisha, Tang Feng, and Meng Han arrived. Meng Han shot a mocking glance their way.

Han Zisha came alone, while Tang Feng and Meng Han each brought two companions. Those companions, beautiful women kept constrained in their residences, seldom had the chance to go out. Now that they attended the grand event, despite their low status, they were content and curiously observed, occasionally glancing toward Li Xian and Nangong Liuli.

The pair’s striking aura and remarkable appearance seemed beyond what the Flower Cage Sect could possess. As they shared fruit and sipped wine like immortal couples, the other companions thought, "If only we could be like them, even in the Flower Cage Sect, staying here for hundreds more years would feel like paradise, not a confining cage." They quietly sighed.

The banquet had not yet begun, yet was already quite the spectacle.

The elders began to take their seats. Ye Cheng came with three companions, laughing and joking along the way, looking very carefree. He was seated near Li Xian.

Li Xian said, "Elder Ye."

Ye Cheng laughed, "Indeed, how have you been lately?"

Li Xian said, "Quite well, accompanied by a beauty, worth more than gold or silver." Ye Cheng laughed heartily, "Well, that’s good, that’s good. You really seem capable, managing to tame such a fiery-tempered girl?"

Nangong Liuli laughed, "I thank Elder Ye. Without Elder Ye, how would I have had the chance to serve my master?"

Seeing Nangong Liuli sincere in her submission, with no hint of grievance in her manner, Ye Cheng said, "Ah, indeed, if there’s a chance, we should exchange insights. You really have quite the skills."

"The moment I saw you, I knew you were talented; with your appearance and methods, countless girls will surely fall for you in the future."

Nangong Liuli felt a pinch of jealousy and discreetly pinched Li Xian. But upon further thought, she realized it wasn’t entirely unfounded. Li Xian said, "No, no, without Elder Ye’s introduction, I wouldn’t know where I’d be drowning, Elder Ye, this cup I toast to you."

After a while, the elders from the Earth Altar all arrived at the venue. Ye Cheng informed Li Xian that this time, the Earth Altar elders had six people and introduced them one by one to Li Xian.

Li Xian silently committed their names to memory. When Chief Shi, Yan Hao... and others eventually arrived, the banquet tables were nearly full. Chief Shi cast a glance at Li Xian, then chatted with the elders next to him.

At this time, the wine and dishes began to be served, with graceful ladies playing music and dancing elegantly. Nangong Liuli suddenly tensed, her gaze shifting to a distant spot.

Li Xian also noticed it. Hao Qingshe and Zhao Lei came walking from afar. Chief Shi lightly said, "Green Snake, sit beside me." He pointed to a specially reserved table to his left.

Concerned that Hao Qingshe might act impulsively, he arranged for her to sit beside him, ready to intervene if necessary. Hao Qingshe said, "It’s rare for Chief Shi to remember Green Snake." With a light step, she floated onto the table.

However, instead of sitting on a cushion, she lay sideways on the table. Yan Hao said, "Hao Qingshe! The elders from the Earth Altar are here, show some respect and sit properly."

Unwilling to argue, Chief Shi raised his hand, "Let her be."

Zhao Lei stood behind Hao Qingshe, her gaze searching until she found Li Xian, then locking onto him with an intense stare. Nangong Liuli frowned and looked at Zhao Lei.

The two women locked eyes. Zhao Lei’s disdain was evident as she sneered and then averted her gaze, continuing to stare at Li Xian.

Li Xian laughed, "Ignore her." He patted Nangong Liuli on the shoulder. Nangong Liuli picked up a dish with her delicate hand and fed it to Li Xian.

Seeing their intimacy, surrounded by admiring glances from others, Zhao Lei felt a surge of unwarranted jealousy. Her nature was already twisted, and thinking about the purpose of her visit, she felt restless and wished to humiliate them publicly. She kept urging, "Chief Shi, when will the duel start? What’s the point of these chaotic dances and music?" 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Shi Yufei was greatly displeased, ignoring her to converse with the nearby Earth Altar elders. Zhao Lei, oblivious to boundaries, emboldened by Hao Qingshe’s support, pressed further.

Shi Yufei admonished, "When the time is right, it will start naturally, there’s no need to rush. If we martial artists only focus on poisoning and fighting, we’ll fall to a Lower realm, no different from poisonous insects. Focus on enjoying the dance; it’s beneficial to you."

Hao Qingshe sarcastically laughed, "Chief Shi is exceptional in appreciating dance and art, but his taste in people is quite mediocre. For that young man to catch Chief Shi’s eye, they must share similarities."

"Dear disciple, remember, even in a duel, you must spare his life. Should you upset Chief Shi, I won’t be able to protect you."

Zhao Lei laughed, "Yes, Master. Rest assured, for Chief Shi’s sake, I’ll spare his life."

Yan Hao was extremely displeased, being both a friend and mentor to Li Xian, he scolded, "Mad witches," cursing both master and pupil.

Hao Qingshe’s eyes flashed with fierce light. The Earth Altar elders sensed the tense atmosphere and refrained from speaking. Meng Han was secretly alarmed, knowing Hao Qingshe’s unpredictable mood. Yet, unaware of how this could provoke Chief Shi.

Poison Skills harm both others and oneself. Poison cultivation requires mutual devouring and battle. Those who practice Poison Skills inevitably become radical and irritable, with scattered thoughts. Hao Qingshe acts unpredictably, driven by her whims. Her disciple Zhao Lei’s twisted nature surpasses even her own.

Amidst the harmonious dance and song below, the tension was palpable at the banquet. This continued for quite some time, with the multitude of dishes gradually being served and consumed as the event drew toward its close.