At the banquet, glasses clinked and toasts were exchanged.
The three Golden Core True Person naturally wouldn't step down to sit with them, and judging from their appearance, they probably had important matters to discuss. It was only their eldest disciple, Zhang Xian, who was making the arrangements.
Furthermore, those who Foundation Establishment sat on separate tables, while the Qi Refining Stage disciples sat on the outermost edge.
Chen Shuangbai picked up her chopsticks and took a slice of fish as thin as paper. She found that the fish melted in her mouth and was incredibly delicious, and she sighed softly.
Zhang Xian picked up a small pot of wine and filled a cup for the five Foundation Establishment from the Jade Spring Sect and the Profound Firmament Sect. Seeing Chen Shuangbai's expression, he chuckled and began to introduce them:
"This dish is called Mystic Ice Cod Sashimi. I ordered someone to purchase it from the Jade Wave Immortal Market. It is made from the softest part of the belly of the Mystic Ice Cod, which is nurtured in the cold caves of the Spirit Vein deep in the sea."
"This fish is naturally intelligent, its flesh is as translucent as jade, and it contains pure, icy water essence, which is of great benefit to those who cultivate water and ice attribute Cultivation Method."
He then brought Chen Shuangbai a plate of sauce, saying with a smile, "Brother Chen, try this sauce. It's a secret recipe made from snow lingzhi and several kinds of spiritual fruits. It's the best way to balance the cold nature of the fish, making its Spirit Power easier to absorb."
Seeing that he was so knowledgeable about this subject, Chen Shuangbai that he had obviously started preparing long ago.
As a direct descendant of the Zhang family and a true disciple of Master Xu, he was True Person Xu True Disciple in matters of Spirit Cuisine and interpersonal relationships, truly befitting the role of the founding disciple.
"Brother, there's no need for such formalities. We'll make ourselves at home."
As he spoke, he picked up a slice of sashimi, dipped it in the sauce, and it was indeed even sweeter and fresher than before.
Zhang Xian sat down with a smile, and looking up, he saw that the five Foundation Establishment disciples of the Jade Spring Sect and the Profound Firmament Sect were eating happily, and the joy between his brows became even more abundant.
Everyone raised their glasses in a toast, and the atmosphere grew increasingly lively.
Zhao Shiyong was a generous and forthright man who had traveled to several surrounding countries in his early years. He was quite knowledgeable and shared some of his travel experiences, which drew everyone's attention.
Wei Zheng also shared some of his own interesting stories.
He was the only body cultivator among them, and his Dao Path was quite different from everyone else's, which made him very novel.
After a few rounds of drinks, Zhang Xian seemed to remember something and asked with a hint of curiosity:
"By the way, Master said that the two True Person might be staying on the island for a while, and asked me to give this item to everyone so that it will make your journey at sea easier."
He clapped his hands, and a young Daoist boy came up, carrying a wooden tray with several jade tokens that looked like they were made of Cold Jade on it. The tokens were then placed into the hands of Chen Shuangbai and the other four.
Chen Shuangbai picked up the jade pendant and saw that it was exquisitely crafted. The back was decorated with a pattern of surging waves, and in the middle was an unknown demon spreading its wings and flying high, creating a sense of soaring upwards.
On the front are two characters written in ancient seal script: [Azure Wave] (Bibo).
It's a bit strange, actually.
There is a Azure Wave Cave within Ning Country, and there is also a Jade Wave Immortal Market among the eight immortal markets on the Spirit Gauze Sea. I wonder what the connection is.
Zhao Shiyong held the jade pendant and chuckled, "Could it be a [letter token] from the Jade Wave Immortal Market?"
The eight major immortal markets practically monopolize the circulation of spiritual materials, pills, and Spirit Stone throughout the entire Spirit Gauze Sea. Although there are occasional disagreements among them, they are generally on good terms, and the tokens from the major immortal markets almost never fall into the hands of Qi Refining Stage disciples.
Even those rogue cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage are not qualified to receive them; only cultivators whom the authorities deem to have potential or the right to receive them will be given some.
Chen Shuangbai raised an eyebrow slightly, touching the talisman, and saw Zhang Xian smilingly say, "My master's talisman skills are quite good. He was already a second-tier talisman master many years ago. He has shops in both Jade Wave Immortal Market and Surging Wave Immortal Market, and is also a guest retainer of both."
I see...
He realized that since True Person Yuchen and True Person Mei would be staying on the island for a while, these five people in front of him naturally couldn't stay here forever. It would be good for them to have a chance to go out to sea.
The group accepted the token and bowed to Zhang Xian in thanks.
Zhang Xian said with a smile, "It's just some external stuff. I really need to thank several fellow Daoists for their help on this trip... especially Fellow Daoist Chen and Fellow Daoist Zhao. On behalf of my master, I thank you!"
Their gazes involuntarily fell on Chen Shuangbai.
That sword strike during the day was truly stunning!
Zhao Shiyong exclaimed, "It's only been a few short years, yet your swordsmanship has reached such a level! You truly are a prodigy, a genius in cultivation!"
Even if Zhao Shiyong had his trump cards, he couldn't defeat Mo Li, who had transformed into the Crimson Lightning Demon Ape, within three moves.
But that's not the most crucial point. The crucial point is the force of Chen Shuangbai's sword strike.
He defeated his opponent without seriously injuring him.
What does this tell us?
This shows that Chen Shuangbai's mastery of Sword Qi has reached a very sophisticated level.
He had also heard that Chen Shuangbai had comprehended the Sword Light Differentiation when he was in the Late Qi Refining Stage, and that he could split a sword into sixteen sword shadows. If he were to use it, even an ordinary Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator might not be able to withstand five moves from him!
There's always someone better than you...
Zhao Shiyong now understood why his master always said this when he taught him.
Beside him, the female cultivator suddenly spoke, her eyes darting around, and said:
"Brother Chen, it seems... you'll be able to comprehend Sword Essence soon, won't you?!"
Upon hearing this statement...
The atmosphere quieted down.
Sword Qi and Sword Essence are not on the same level.
If he could transform into Sword Essence, then the strength of this extraordinary direct descendant of the Jade Spring Sect... wouldn't it undergo another qualitative leap?
Chen Shuangbai replied with great humility, "Thank you for your kind words..."
The banquet ended, and the moon was high in the sky.
Chen Shuangbai and the others were led to their respective private quarters to rest.
The next day.
As dawn broke, the sea breeze, carrying a salty, damp scent, drifted through the windows of the retreat.
Chen Shuangbai finished his night of cultivation, and the pure water vapor surrounding him gradually dissipated. He couldn't help but mutter to himself:
"Indeed, the sea is the best place to practice water magic!"
The handsome Daoist priest walked to the window, opened it, and looked at the pale dawn breaking over the horizon where the sea met the sky.
The hermitage has soundproofing, so it is naturally quiet.
Voices and sounds of busy activity could be heard from the outer island. The Zhang family members, along with the recruited cultivators and mortal craftsmen, were working enthusiastically.
Looking at the vibrant energy on his face, one could tell that this True Person Xu must be a kind and gentle Golden Core True Person.
Chen Shuangbai casually cast a Clothes-Cleansing Technique to remove the lingering smell of alcohol from last night. As she stepped out of the hermitage, she saw Wei Zheng and Fu Qianlan already out. The three exchanged a glance and tacitly headed towards the main hall.
Inside the main hall, True Person Mei, True Person Yuchen, and True Person Xu were already seated, seemingly discussing something.
Upon seeing Chen Shuangbai and the others enter, True Person Xu greeted them with a warm smile, "Young friends, you've arrived... Did you rest well last night?"