After the ritual ceremonies came the banquet. As the guest of honor that day, the True Lord received toasts from countless eminent adepts of great virtue. He was delighted and refused none. The grand feast lasted seven days and seven nights, with offerings of gifts, dances, songs, lion dances, dragon dances, fire dances, lantern fairs, riddles, poetry, paired couplets, drinking games, sword contests, demonstrations of Daoist arts, presentations of Blue Petitions, puppet shows, wrestling between strongmen, heavenly maidens scattering flowers, and more. There were also occasions when the True Lord touched foreheads in blessing, appraised paintings, wrote inscriptions, and bestowed talismans, drawing eager crowds vying for these prizes. It was a lively affair indeed.
Only on the eighth day did the many guests who had come to witness the ceremony and attend the feast begin taking their leave.
As the host, Cheng Xinzhan personally escorted some highly respected senior adepts and particularly close fellow Daoists out of the mountain.
Few warranted his seeing them off in person, but the elderly True Person Rongyi, who had presided over the ceremony, certainly stood at the top of that list.
"Thank you for all your efforts, True Person."
Cheng Xinzhan held the True Person's hand and thanked him with a smile, slipping a pristine, white jade Elixir Bottle into the old True Person's palm.
The True Person's expression shifted. He instantly guessed what he held and hastily said,
"This won't do. It's far too precious. Besides, this old man's lamp hasn't run dry of oil just yet."
The True Person made to push it back.
Cheng Xinzhan held his hand firmly, then effortlessly pushed it back toward him, saying with a smile,
"You are still in your prime, with long years ahead of you, True Person. Naturally, there's no question of your lamp