Items they all needed? Lu Yaoyao was puzzled. What could they possibly need?
Yan Zihui opened the box they received from Sect Leader Bu earlier and found five identical pearls inside.
Bu Yang explained, “These are fire-avoidance pearls. Wearing them can shield you from high temperatures and fire.”
Lu Yaoyao’s eyes lit up, and she eagerly said, “Muxue, you guys should put them on quickly.”
Chao Muxue and the others didn’t hesitate. The moment they took a pearl, the omnipresent searing heat vanished instantly, leaving their bodies feeling refreshed.
Lu Yaoyao, whose Ruyi Brocade already had similar properties, found the pearl of little use to herself. However, seeing her friends’ relief, she happily noted, “Sect Leader Bu is very considerate.”
Indeed, these were urgently needed items, and Sect Leader Bu had thoughtfully considered their needs.
Bu Yang smiled and added a few words, “Many cultivators find it difficult to bear the climate here in Yanhuo, so these fire-avoidance pearls help them adjust.”
“Does that mean everyone here has a fire-avoidance pearl?” Lu Yaoyao asked curiously. Aren’t they supposed to be rare?
Bu Yang shook his head, “We’ve lived here for generations and are accustomed to the heat; these pearls have no effect on us.”
The locals had adapted to the environment from the womb; if they couldn’t, they would have perished early. But this did not apply to visitors and travelers who had come from elsewhere. The harshness of the climate here wasn’t just due to high temperatures but also because of fire poison that could afflict the body over time; even high-level cultivators might not necessarily be immune if they stayed for a prolonged time.
“You guys are so awesome!” Wen Zixing exclaimed sincerely.
Bu Yang smiled, “Well then, I won’t disturb you any further. Rest well, and I’ll come by later this evening.”
Yan Zihui made a few polite pleasantries as they sent off Bu Yang.
The guest courtyard allocated to Lu Yaoyao’s group was spacious, with enough rooms for everyone to have their own separate room adjacent to each other. Left to themselves in the courtyard, they didn’t immediately retire to their rooms but continued chatting in the common area.
“Sect Leader Bu is really generous,” one of them remarked. The fire-avoidance pearl was very valuable due to its useful effect; it was quite a significant gesture to give away five of them.
They had done some research before coming and knew about the environment of the Yanhuo area, including the mention of fire-avoidance pearls. However, they hadn’t taken it seriously, thinking cultivators shouldn’t be coddled and that enduring the harsh climate could also be a form of training. As such, they didn’t try to procure the pearls beforehand.
Only after experiencing it firsthand did they realize how hard it was to stay in such scorching heat for a prolonged time.
“We are here to help them, so isn’t it normal for them to provide us with conveniences?” Du Qianshan stated. The gifts they brought were also of considerable value, surely equivalent to the five fire-avoidance pearls.
“The sect sent us here so urgently,” Wen Zixing mentioned, “So I thought the situation would be critical.” They had been traveling almost non-stop and rested only at night. He hadn’t expected the Tianyan Sect to be so unhurried, showing no signs of anxiety.
“It’s best if there’s no trouble,” Lu Yaoyao commented.
Du Qianshan expressed his surprise, “The Tianyan Sect is very welcoming. They even host a welcoming banquet for us.”
But then he thought it made sense. Although they were just disciples, they came from the number one sect in the Cultivation Realm, whereas the Tianyan Sect was considerably smaller. Sect Leader Bu was at the highest cultivation level at mid-Nascent Soul stage, while the elders only reached the Golden Core stage. In the Guiyuan Sect, Golden Core stage cultivators were still disciples, and all the hall masters and elders were at least at the Nascent Soul stage. This explained the high level of hospitality they received.
Lu Yaoyao frowned slightly, “It seems like they keep sneaking glances at me.” She felt like she was being treated as a rare animal on display again!
Wen Zixing laughed, “Be confident, remove the ‘seems like.’ They are definitely sneaking glances at you.”
In the Cultivation Realm—or rather, across the entire Yuanqi Continent—who hadn’t heard of Lu Yaoyao? The title of Dao Venerable Hengwu’s only daughter was practically a shiny signboard—extremely eye-catching. Just as many wished to meet His Venerable, many were eager to catch a glimpse of this famous little princess, but she had always remained out of sight within the Guiyuan Sect. Now that they finally had the chance to see her up close, who wouldn’t take a few extra looks?
What could Lu Yaoyao do except accept her role as a rare spectacle for a while? She seriously considered using a pseudonym when traveling in the future. Both Daddy and Father had once picked a name for her—which one is better, Yao Yushu or Lu Manzhu?
“Senior Brother Zihui, do we need to do anything for the banquet tonight?” Chao Muxue asked. It was their first time attending such an event, and they needed to know what to expect to avoid any faux pas that could embarrass their sect.
“There’s no need for special preparations. Just stay close to me during the event, speak less, and observe more.”
“Alright.”
It was close to the evening time when Lu Yaoyao and his group arrived at Yanhuo Town. Not long after they were settled in the guest courtyard, night soon arrived. Under the eaves and along the corridors, disciples lit lantern after lantern, illuminating the courtyard brightly. Shortly after, a disciple came to invite them to the banquet.
The welcome banquet was arranged at Tianyan Sect’s reception hall, hosting Lu Yaoyao and her group with the highest standards. The Sect Leader and all the elders were present, and considering the guests were young, many disciples of the same generation also attended, making the banquet lively and bustling.
Lu Yaoyao and Chao Muxue sat together, while Yan Zihui was seated alone, with Du Qianshan and Wen Zixing on the other side. The tables were arranged around the center, where a group of girls in beautiful gauze dresses danced gracefully. The music from the pipa was lively, and the dancers’ graceful movements added an exotic charm. Lu Yaoyao, sitting on a stool specially prepared for her, watched the spectacle with great interest.
Since it was a banquet, alcohol was naturally prepared. The Tianyan Sect brought out their treasured spiritual liquor: “This wine is infused with the essence of Hehe Sparks blossoms, brewed with the sweet spring waters of Heavenly Lake. It is smooth to the taste, rich, lingering, and aromatic… one of the rarest and finest liquors in the Cultivation Realm, known as Sparks Blossom Wine.”
To make one jar of Sparks Blossom Wine, the blossoms of a thousand Hehe Sparks flowers were needed, so their number was limited. Hehe Sparks itself was a spiritual plant that grew only in the area of Yanhuo Mountain, making this liquor a famous local specialty of Yanhuo. Due to its rarity and value, the Tianyan Sect reserved the Sparks Blossom Wine only for their most important guests, which is why the Sect Leader spoke of it with immense pride.
“This is a five-hundred-year-old batch of Sparks Blossom Wine, personally brewed by my predecessor, the former sect leader. Today, only fifteen jars remain…” and he had generously brought out two of those jars for the occasion.
Lu Yaoyao peered into her cup filled with Sparks Blossom Wine. Unlike the clear wine she was familiar with, the liquid was misty with an orange-red hue—a color that reminded her of blazing flame. It was undeniably eye-catching.
Curious to the extreme, Lu Yaoyao wondered about the taste of the drink. Ever since she had drunkenly embarrassed herself in the Devil Palace, her Daddy had forbidden her from drinking alcohol. Later, she learned from her servants how she had caused quite a commotion during the banquet, bullying the devil kings and elders quite thoroughly. Feeling embarrassed, Lu Yaoyao sheepishly hadn’t been interested in drinking again, and that was the only time she had drunk alcohol in her entire life.
But now she was quite tempted. Looking down at the small wine cup in her hand, she couldn’t help but take a sniff tentatively. The faint aroma of wine wafted into her nostrils, which seemed quite delightful. The taste should be as good, no? A few sips couldn’t hurt anyone!
With that in mind, she discreetly glanced around: Senior Brother Zihui was engrossed in conversation with the Tianyan Sect elders and hadn’t noticed her, so she picked up the cup, sniffed it again, and carefully took a sip. The liquor was richly fragrant, not overpowering, leaving a refreshing, memorable aftertaste that lingered pleasantly. At the same time, a warm, comfortable sensation spread throughout her body, making her squint her eyes in relaxation.
Compared to the strong and potent devil liquor, this wine suited Lu Yaoyao’s tastebud. Seeing no one was watching, she secretly poured herself another cup and prepared to continue drinking.
Chao Muxue was a step too late when she noticed Lu Yaoyao had already finished a cup. “Why are you drinking?”
Lu Yaoyao, with a flush on her cherubic face, smiled innocently, “I’ve drunk before; it’s okay.”
Then she enthusiastically recommended, “Muxue, try some; it’s really good.”
Chao Muxue frowned, “You’re still young; you shouldn’t drink.”
Lu Yaoyao tilted her head, “I’m only half a year younger than you.”
“…” Chao Muxue was speechless. Yaoyao’s deceptive appearance always unconsciously made her treat her like a real child!
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I hope Lu Yaoyao won’t get drunk and do some crazy things after drinking a cup of wine, lol. Also, if Lu Yaoyao plans to use a pseudonym from one of the previous names chosen by her fathers, she better be careful that the name not chosen doesn’t get discovered by them, lol.
Thanks for the chapter! 😀