Birthday Gifts

Cangyun City, the Prince's Mansion.

Wang Jinchuan, the patriarch of the Wang Clan, appeared in the hall with the gait of a dragon and the stride of a tiger, dressed in a robe adorned with gold trim and cranes.

Although he was only eight hundred years old, he had a full head of white hair and an aged face due to a chronic illness, giving people the feeling of being old and frail.

When the guests arrived and saw the Wang Clan patriarch appear, they all bowed respectfully.

We pay our respects to the God of Longevity.

Wang Jinchuan sat in the main seat, looking at the guests present, and said with a smile, "Thank you all for gracing my birthday banquet. It is an honor for the Cangyun Wang Clan."

Upon hearing this, the guests in the hall also began to carry people in decorated sedan chairs.

"Elder Wang, you flatter us. You are the foremost figure in Cangyun. It is our honor to be able to attend your birthday banquet."

"Indeed, the Wang Clan patriarch is a top-tier expert in the Luo River Territory. We are extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to see his true face."

"..."

As everyone was talking, the Wang Clan's head steward began to chant rites.

"The Jingshan Zhao Clan has sent the supreme treasure Mountain-Suppressing Ruler, to congratulate the old sage on his Nanshan and East Sea blessings."

"The Northern Plains Wei Clan has sent a top-grade jade ruyi as a gift to congratulate the old sage on his long life."

"..."

"The Luo River Aristocratic Family has sent a low-grade spiritual artifact, the Five Elements Treasure Tree, to wish the old sir a long and prosperous life."

As soon as the shout fell, everyone in the hall fell silent.

Everyone turned their gaze to Sima Yin, no one expected Sima Yin to give away such a valuable treasure.

Spiritual artifacts are not rare items for Half-Saint families.

But for Lineage like the Wang Clan, which doesn't even have King and Marquis, it is a priceless treasure.

I doubt the entire Wang Clan combined possesses even ten magical artifacts.

Even Wang Jinchuan himself was taken aback. He hadn't expected Sima Yin to be so generous this time. Could it be that the Sima Clan wanted something from the Wang Clan?

He quickly stood up, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your Excellency has gone to great lengths; this humble old man is hardly worthy of such a generous gift."

Sima Yin smiled and said, "Brother, you flatter me. Our two families are both powerful forces in the Luo River. This small gift is nothing to express my respect."

"Then I shall respectfully accept your offer. If there is anything you may do to help me in the future, please let me know."

Wang Jinchuan was able to maintain the status of a second-rate aristocratic family in the Luo River Territory despite the decline of the Wang Clan, not only because of his strength, but also because of his smooth and skillful tactics.

Seeing how much Sima Yin valued the Wang Clan, the surrounding guests began to reconsider their own positions.

It seems we can't afford to offend the Wang Clan easily in the future.

After the guests presented their gifts, it was the Wang Clan's descendants' turn to present their own, which also served as a way to showcase the abilities of the Wang Clan's descendants to the world.

The head of the family Wang Hanyan, was the first to step forward. He carried a box in both hands, walked up to it, and slowly opened it. Instantly, a rich medicinal fragrance filled the entire hall.

Everyone present turned their attention to the box, inside which was a three-foot-long blood ginseng, about the size of an adult's arm.

"This... this is a thousand-year-old blood ginseng, a blood ginseng that has developed sentience."

"Judging from its appearance and aroma, it is indeed a thousand-year-old medicinal herb."

"I never expected the Wang Clan could acquire such valuable items."

"..."

The head of the Wang Clan family said respectfully, "Grandpa, this is a nearly thousand-year-old blood ginseng. Your grandson wishes you a long and healthy life."

"Okay, okay."

Looking at the nearly thousand-year-old blood ginseng, Wang Jinchuan felt comforted, thinking that his grandson was the best among the worst.

He's already over five hundred years old, and only became a Dao Integration cultivator thanks to the Wang Clan's resources and spiritual herbs. If it weren't for this kid having a good son, he wouldn't be qualified to become the head of the Wang Clan family.

However, now that we have this Blood Ginseng, although it cannot cure his illness, it can stabilize his cultivation for five hundred years. At that time, the Wang Clan will likely produce a Nirvana to succeed him in presiding over the Wang Clan.

After the head of the Wang Clan family presented his gift, it was the turn of each of his descendants to present their own gifts.

Of course, those who could come up to present gifts were all the "prodigies" and direct descendants of the Wang Clan.

Collateral relatives are not entitled to appear in public.

Soon it was the turn of the younger generation of the Wang Clan.

Wang Kaixuan glanced at the gifts his older brothers had given him, a slight smile playing on his lips, a hint of disdain in his eyes.

But the pain in his face made him grit his teeth and gasp.

Seeing that his older brothers had finished presenting their gifts, Wang Kaixuan, with half of his face red and swollen, stepped forward, holding a painting in his hands.

"Ancestor, I know that you admired the paintings of the master painter Gu Kang when you were young, so I specially sought out one of his paintings from his youth."

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Kaixuan opened the painting, and a lifelike landscape painting with a touch of spiritual charm appeared before everyone's eyes.

"There is True Intent in the painting; it really is a work by Master Gu Kang. However, the painting technique looks somewhat immature. It wouldn't be wrong to say that it was done when he was young."

"Fellow Daoist, this painting is absolutely genuine. Look at that seal. When Master Gu was young, he studied under Half-Saint of the Literary Dao Dao-Seeking Academy. One of his seals was bestowed by the Half-Saint, and the Dao Resonance on it cannot be faked."

"Fellow Daoist, you have a keen eye."

Wang Kaixuan listened to the crowd's words, he subconsciously raised his head and puffed out his chest, like a victorious rooster.

However, his swollen half-face looked particularly comical to everyone else.

The Wang Clan patriarch looked at the painting and stroked his beard. "Not bad, not bad, Kaixuan, you've put in the effort, but what's wrong with your face?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Kaixuan's face showed a look of fear and trepidation. "Reporting to Ancestor, I just upset Brother-in-law Baole, and he slapped me in a fit of anger."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room who was unaware of the truth was immediately taken aback.

That son-in-law of the Wang Clan has some nerve! How dare he hit a member of the Wang Clan on such a joyous occasion! Isn't he slapping the face of the Wang Clan patriarch?

Wang Chongyi, standing in the crowd, had a livid face. He had thought that this ancestral banquet would be a complete success and that he would receive praise from the ancestor.

I never expected that brat Wang Baole would actually cause trouble at the patriarch's birthday banquet. Isn't that embarrassing for him?

He began searching for Wang Baole in the crowd. Once he found the kid, he would definitely teach him a lesson.

Sima Yin's eyes flashed with a cold glint as he looked at Wang Kaixuan: "Why do you always do things that spoil the fun? Can't you make your ancestor happy for a moment?"

The Wang Clan patriarch was a wise man. Upon hearing this, he did not immediately express his opinion, but simply said, "I am aware of this matter. You may leave now."

"Yes, Ancestor."

After Wang Kaixuan down, he immediately walked towards Wang Baole, attracting the attention of many guests.

He walked through the crowd to Wang Baole and the others, deliberately raising his voice, "Brother-in-law Baole, now that you've joined the Dao-Seeking Academy, you didn't prepare a gift for the Ancestor, did you?"

Upon hearing this, the people around all turned their attention to them.

In an instant, all sorts of strange gazes fell on Wang Baole, even the head of the Wang Clan family and Wang Chongyi and others glared angrily at Wang Baole in the crowd.

Wang Baole ignored these stares and said with a smile, "Of course I prepared a gift for the Ancestor, and it was prepared with care, unlike some people who try to please the Ancestor with junk."

"You!!!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Kaixuan's expression changed drastically, and he shouted, "Then all of us here will have to see for ourselves what kind of treasures this Wang Clan son-in-law can bring to our ancestor!"

Sitting in the hall, the Wang Clan patriarch frowned slightly. He had thought that Wang Kaixuan, this junior, was quite considerate, but he hadn't expected him to be a spoiled brat. The Wang Clan's descendants were getting worse with each generation.

As for Wang Baole, Wang Jinchuan didn't have high expectations. This kid had only been in the Dao-Seeking Academy for a few short years; what achievements could he possibly have?

The Wang Clan is going to make a fool of themselves this time.

Ignoring the strange looks from everyone, Wang Baole walked straight into the hall and took out a box from his storage ring.

He gently opened the box, and a beam of light surged out, blinding everyone in the hall...