Night Banquet (Seeking Collection)

Great Liang World.

Fang Residence.

On a fine blue-and-white porcelain plate sat Taisui Meat, meticulously prepared by the chef.

The peculiar aroma grew stronger, causing the throat of Bai He, who was serving nearby, to involuntarily bob.

Bai He was an anomaly among the Twelve Flower Hairpins. She was neither as gentle and considerate as Moon Laurel, nor did she possess the charm of the other maids.

In comparison, her figure was too tall, and her facial features too sharply defined, failing to meet the typical aesthetic standards of Da Liang's scholar-officials.

When the maids were purchased, she was given away as a bonus.

However, Fang Xi felt that this maid was good-looking, possessing a vibrant and spirited beauty. If she were dressed in a more masculine style, she would resemble a graceful and elegant handsome young man.

At this moment, Fang Xi had specifically asked Bai He to change into a white fitted outfit. At first glance, she looked like a white fox spirit.

Fang Xi usually enjoyed teasing Bai He because she was naturally somewhat strong-willed. The process of subduing such a stubborn woman was quite interesting.

However, today, he had no interest in that.

Fang Xi took a fierce bite of the Taisui Meat, letting the rich juices burst in his mouth.

The next moment!

His skin turned somewhat red, as if he had drunk too much.

At the same time, the muscles in his thighs writhed, and the pattern resembling a black snake rapidly expanded and grew...

The next instant, Fang Xi moved like the wind, appearing and disappearing in a flash as he weaved through the numerous plum blossom stakes.

Bang bang!

Bai He felt as if she were watching a giant python slithering back and forth, her body trembling in fear.

With a series of explosions, one wooden stake after another was kicked apart by Fang Xi, sending small wood chips flying.

After a long while, Fang Xi finally stopped, looking at his legs.

The pants below his thighs were now tattered, revealing his smooth skin and the snake pattern on it.

"A complete pair of snake patterns signifies that I have also reached the realm of Three Changes of Qi and Blood in my Red Snake Leg."

Fang Xi was not surprised by this.

After all, his White Cloud Palm had broken through long ago, and the Red Snake Leg was merely a natural extension.

"Young Master."

Bai He handed him a towel, her movements stiff.

But Fang Xi liked her spirited nature and said with a smile, "This is the Red Snake Leg, what do you think? Want to learn it? I'll teach you..."

With this woman's long legs, if she also learned the boneless snake form... hiss hiss...

Fang Xi let out a small gasp.

After his usual teasing of the maid, he came to the White Cloud Martial Arts School.

Ever since he advanced to Three Changes of Qi and Blood, the disciples of the martial arts school had treated him with reverence.

As for Wu Ji?

That person rarely appeared at the martial arts school anymore.

Other than that, there were no retaliatory actions. Instead, he had become much more low-key.

This made Fang Xi look at him with new eyes. At the same time, he felt that fools and wise people were both a minority in the world, while ordinary commoners were the vast majority.

Main Hall.

"Master!"

Fang Xi clasped his fists and bowed slightly.

Mu Canglong sat in his grand chair, holding his beloved purple clay teapot. He took a sip from the spout, his eyes narrowing in contentment. "Fang Xi, you've arrived... By the way, your breakthrough to Three Changes of Qi and Blood is a grand event for the martial arts school. According to custom, we should celebrate. What do you think we should do?"

"I think there's no need to hold a celebration."

Fang Xi waved his hand and refused.

It was just Three Changes of Qi and Blood, not achieving True Force and reaching the realm of Martial Hall Master. What was there to celebrate?

Besides, holding a celebration was either for fame or for profit!

He didn't care about a little bit of empty fame. As for profit? That was even more laughable. The gifts sent by those martial arts schools weren't even as valuable as a leaf he picked up casually!

"This... Alright."

Mu Canglong was a bit unhappy at first. After all, if Fang Xi were a true disciple, he would be like a father to him for life. How could he not listen to his words?

But... Fang Xi was different from other disciples; he was already very wealthy!

The White Cloud Martial Arts School had only recently become much more prosperous because of him, making it difficult to scold him...

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."

Fang Xi bowed again and walked out of the hall.

He came today primarily to find an opportunity to imprint the White Cloud Palm Divine Intent Diagram.

Once he obtained the Divine Intent Diagram, the White Cloud Martial Arts School would truly hold little further use for him.

'This is the trouble with third-rate martial arts. You hit a limit shortly after a small breakthrough. What should I do next?'

Fang Xi's eyes flickered slightly as he thought of the next step: "Yuan He Mountain..."

"Junior Brother, Father has actually been holding back for too long."

While lending him the Divine Intent Diagram, Mu Piaomiao made excuses for Mu Canglong: "Father has been supporting the White Cloud Martial Arts School, and it's been very hard on him. His disciples aren't very capable, and it's rare to have someone like you, Junior Brother..."

Mu Piaomiao also felt a sense of regret at this point.

Junior Brother Fang Xi's talent in White Cloud Palm was truly the greatest since the founding of the White Cloud Martial Arts School.

It's just a shame... he's too rich.

Sometimes, being too rich isn't a good thing.

For example, if Fang Xi had been an orphan or a commoner, Mu Canglong might have adopted him as a son and meticulously nurtured him, grooming him to be a figurehead for the school in the future!

What is a figurehead? Naturally, it's someone pushed out to fight in challenges against other martial arts schools, to trade blows!

When the Master grew old, the disciples who inherited his teachings would also have the obligation to defend the Master against all challengers.

If Fang Xi could do that, Mu Canglong might have even married Mu Piaomiao off to him.

But alas... Fang Xi was too rich!

How could he possibly fight to the death for a small martial arts school?

"I naturally understand Master's painstaking efforts..."

Fang Xi pondered for a moment, then seemed to reluctantly reply, "How about this, I can promise to act on behalf of the martial arts school once in the future!"

"Really?" Mu Piaomiao's eyes lit up slightly.

"But I have conditions..." Seeing this, Fang Xi immediately stated his demands.

"What conditions?" Mu Piaomiao's cheeks flushed as she saw his gaze fixed directly on her, thinking, 'If it were Junior Brother, it might not be impossible...'.

The words "I agree" were almost on the tip of her tongue.

Then Fang Xi's voice continued, "I want to study the White Cloud Divine Intent Diagram alone... for one night!"

"Ah?" Mu Piaomiao's eyes widened, looking somewhat flustered.

Fang Xi seemed a little embarrassed as he explained, "I felt like I couldn't get started when studying the Divine Intent Diagram today. It's probably because someone was nearby, which made it easy to get distracted. That's why I'm making this humble request."

"Just borrowing the Divine Intent Diagram... for one night?"

Mu Piaomiao didn't know what she was feeling, but she suddenly felt quite annoyed!

Such a good opportunity, and she had almost agreed...

"Of course, if Sister doesn't trust me, you can stand outside the door and check afterward," Fang Xi said with the demeanor of a true gentleman.

But the next moment, Mu Piaomiao threw the White Cloud scroll into Fang Xi's arms: "Fine, I agree."

She turned and ran as if being chased by a monster.

"Heh heh..."

Fang Xi rubbed his nose.

He was well aware of the thoughts of a young girl like Mu Piaomiao. He had just deliberately created an awkward atmosphere to make it difficult for her to appear before him again.

Seizing this opportunity, a blank jade slip appeared in his hand, and he began to copy it...

A moment later, the White Cloud Divine Intent Diagram was in his possession!

This was all the White Cloud Martial Arts School had that was still of value in Fang Xi's eyes.

Night.

Yuan He Mountain, Black Stone City branch.

Several martial artists were feasting, occasionally chatting about interesting anecdotes from the city.

The cold and elegant woman in the white dress, 'Chunyu,' looked at the young Martial Uncle 'Linghu Yang' sitting at the head of the table, hesitating to speak.

This Martial Uncle had extraordinary talent. When he was young, an elder from Yuan He Mountain took him under his wing as a personal disciple. From then on, his martial path was unstoppable, and he broke through to a realm above Martial Hall Master at a young age!

Because he devoted himself entirely to martial arts and had little interaction with others, he developed an arrogant and eccentric personality.

The elder then ordered him to enter the secular world and serve as the guardian of Black Stone City, intending for him to temper his mind through worldly experiences.

However... it seemed that after these years, he was still the same, completely lacking in social graces.

"Chunyu, why do you hesitate to speak?"

Linghu Yang's senses were very keen. After taking a drink, he became somewhat impatient and casually asked.

Chunyu then parted her red lips: "Martial Uncle... do you still remember Fang Xi?"

Linghu Yang paused, "Who is this person?"

Chunyu felt a great sense of helplessness, but there was nothing she could do. Even now, Linghu Yang, her Martial Uncle, couldn't recall the names of some of the disciples in the branch.

She could only explain, "This person wanted to join Yuan He Mountain a few months ago. After being rejected, he went to the White Cloud Martial Arts School. In the last few days, news has spread that he has been practicing White Cloud Palm and has already reached the Three Changes of Qi and Blood..."

"Oh? It seems this person's talent is average, but his luck is quite good," Linghu Yang toyed with his wine cup. "Perhaps his body is extremely suited to the White Cloud Palm lineage... but that's all. How can such a third-rate martial art compare to the secret techniques of Yuan He Mountain? This person will only ever be stuck as a Martial Hall Master... Why are you even mentioning him?"

Chunyu replied with a wry smile, "Martial Nephew is just a little regretful. For this person to break through to the Three Changes of Qi and Blood, his talent must be at least somewhat there. Perhaps Martial Nephew misjudged him back then."

"So you misjudged him, so what... How many talented individuals are there in this world? Even a piece of raw jade, without carving, cannot become a useful artifact. Perhaps there's a genius lying among the starving corpses by the roadside with better aptitude than me, but what of it?"

Linghu Yang waved his hand dismissively, his eyes flashing with wisdom. "The Martial Way is vast and profound. Aptitude is merely the threshold. What's more important are the resources after entering, the guidance of teachers, and one's own diligence!"

Among these, cultivation techniques are the most crucial!

Therefore, regardless of the outcome that day, Linghu Yang would not regret it, because after practicing a third-rate martial art, the other person's upper limit was already set.

"What Martial Uncle says is truly profound wisdom."

A chubby martial artist heard this and immediately slammed the table in admiration, "A toast is in order!"

Chunyu glanced over and recognized him as the sect steward, 'Qiao Wuchang'. This person was always flattering, but his martial arts were truly not bad, and his hidden attacks were particularly vicious.

She didn't say anything more at this moment.

Her nature was naturally aloof, and tonight she was merely feeling a little emotional