Spirit Bird Takes to the Clouds, Noble Guests Come Calling

Fei Wanqing has not left Ying Prefecture for a long time. She is a direct descendant of the She Mountain Hall, with Single Spirit Root aptitude and Ice Leaf Dao Foundation.

With such talent, even among the dozen or so branches of the Fei Household of her generation, she would easily rank among the top ten. The clan would naturally cultivate her with great effort, unlike Fei Shuhe, who was destined by her elders to marry into another family early on.

A legitimate daughter of a clan like hers is meant to become a Golden Core seed, just like her father Fei Nanying, so that she can bring glory to the family in the future.

Or perhaps due to False Core luck, one might produce a fake Golden Core. However, like Granny Liu of the She Mountain Hall, one could try to recruit a rogue Golden Core Rogue Cultivator of a lower social standing to marry into the family. This would at least embellish the reputation of the She Mountain Hall, which has not produced True-Grade Golden Core for a long time.

Or she could raise her social standing and then try to marry into a high-ranking family, but that's not a good path. Even if she becomes False Core Formation cultivator by then, she might not be as likable as someone like Fei Shuhe, who comes from a humble Foundation Establishment background.

However, after Fei Nanying formed Middle-Grade Golden Core, the clan elders, who were already kind and amiable to Fei Wanqing, became even more warm and affectionate towards her.

According to well-informed members of the clan, even Fei Wanqing's ranking on the list of candidates for the Golden Core Formation Pill Elixir in the Ying Prefecture Fei Household has moved up one place.

Not to mention the fake alchemists of Sheshan Hall, their deeply lined old faces seemed to have been renewed with the arrival of spring, as if they had all gained a few years of lifespan after hearing the news.

However, this joy was hardly seen in Fei Nanxi, the newly promoted Golden Core cultivator of the Qiongshui Hall.

At this moment, he stood expressionless in front of Fei Wanqing and said, "My dear niece, are you ready? Let's go now. Juntian Bird will be here soon. That old man has a bad temper. If we are late and dare to make him wait, even Clan Elder Dongwen will have to learn a lesson from him."

"Uncle Nanxi, you've been waiting for a long time. Wanqing is coming now." Fei Wanqing was a week away. Fei Nanxi didn't say anything more. With a blank face, he led the former out, met Ying Mountain Army, and dismissed the group of False Core from the She Mountain Hall who came to see them off. After waiting for about half an hour, they saw a giant bird that was as big as an ordinary mountain.

Like the Mystic Falcon, several pavilions and palaces stood on the back of that giant bird, but its imposing presence was many times greater than the latter's.

After all, the Juntian Bird was Third-Tier Supreme-Grade beast that Ancestor Ye Shui inherited from the previous head of the Fei Household. It had once torn apart multiple Golden Core cultivators. In the Fei Household today, there is no one with more seniority than it.

"Wanqing greets Elder Juntian Bird Qinzong. I've troubled you along the way."

Seeing that Fei Wanqing was polite and beautiful, the old bird immediately felt a little less annoyed.

But upon hearing him speak in human language, he chuckled softly, "Very well, very well, you are indeed as beautiful as the legends say. The bloodline of the Yukun Han Household is truly remarkable; no wonder they are Lineage born from the Empress Dowager's principal wife, known for producing beauties."

"Elder Zong, shall we allow the Ying Mountain Army to ascend the tower?" Seeing that Juntian Bird was in a good mood, Fei Nanxi boldly asked, only to be reprimanded by the latter.

"What's the rush? Can't you see I'm talking to this girl? Just because you've formed your Golden Core, you think you're some kind of elder of the Fei Household, able to order me around like that?!"

That's a bit too much of a accusation.

Juntian Bird's roar caused Fei Nanxi to inwardly groan, saying, "Elder, please understand, how could I dare to have such intentions! But if we don't set off soon, I'm afraid we'll miss the departure time set by Ancestor Ye Shui."

"What's the rush?! I'm not afraid, so what are you afraid of?!" Juntian Bird shook off its feathers, showing some dissatisfaction.

"Elder Zong, you are wise, but is this truly going to be a mistake?" Fei Nanxi's face was filled with bitterness, but Juntian Bird ignored her. Just as she was getting anxious, a deep voice came from afar. "If it's a mistake, then so be it."

"Greetings, Ancestor!"

"Greetings, Patriarch!"

Although Fei Wanqing was already considered a member of the Fei Household, this was the first time she had met Ancestor Ye Shui. She was both surprised and delighted, her mind blank, and she knelt down with Fei Nanxi and Ying Mountain Army.

"Why make things difficult for a junior, brother?" Fei Ye Shui's smile was genuine, and the words "brother" he uttered were also True Intention.

"No wonder you haven't come to see me lately, my brother; you've aged so much." Juntian Bird's tone was now tinged with sorrow, and there was no trace of dissatisfaction left.

"Haha, I've troubled you again, brother." Fei Ye Shui laughed heartily, then said, "Don't worry, brother, the great strife hasn't even begun yet. I can hold on for a while longer."

"Brother, you've had a very tough life," Fei Ye Shui Juntian Bird chimed in at the opportune moment, "The Fei Household will need your help in managing things from now on. Although I'm old, the territory of Ying Prefecture is as stable as Mount Tai. As for Cloud Horn Prefecture, I'll need your help in assisting Nanying."

"I understand. I will do as you say," Juntian Bird replied, his emotions neutralized.

Both the human and the bird spoke in a nonchalant tone, and only Fei Nanxi, a fellow Golden Core cultivator standing nearby, could hear them clearly, but they still greatly surprised him.

"Elder Juntian Bird is actually going to stay in Cloud Horn Prefecture to Fei Nanying?!" Although Fei Nanxi knew beforehand that his ancestor Ye Shui was going to place a heavy bet on Kuang Liuting, he never expected that the latter would send Juntian Bird, the pillar of the Fei Household family's clan, to Cloud Horn Prefecture.

After all, this is Third Tier spirit bird that has been guarding the Fei Household for over a thousand years. Among the seventeen living Golden Core in the Fei Household, apart from Fei Ye Shui, who dares to claim to be its match?

"Come on up, I'll be going now."

While Fei Nanxi was still marveling, Juntian Bird was already urging them on.

As Fei Household and her nephews, along with a battalion of the Ying Mountain Army, boarded a side hall atop the Juntian Bird's back, the bird suddenly rose into the void. Fei Wanqing felt as if she were witnessing a vast world she had never seen before.

Then, all that could be heard was Juntian Bird's earnest instruction as he descended from the sky. "Brother, take care of yourself. Nothing is more important than your health."

"Don't worry, brother, I understand."

The enormous figure of the Juntian Bird quickly disappeared, and the smile on Fei Ye Shui's face gradually faded. He didn't know how much time had passed, but the wind subsided, and a chill seemed to suddenly rise in his heart.

At this moment Fei Ye Shui's heart was filled with sorrow, yet she could only continue to murmur, "I don't know if I'll ever see my brother again in this life."

---- Xuanwei City, Fei Household

Outside the Fei Household's gate, the traffic was heavy, and the noise was bustling.

"Marquis of Gucheng, Grand Master of the Golden Purple Light, granted fiefdoms in six central counties including Gucheng, the first county of Ding Prefecture, and the title to be inherited for ten generations." These were the titles and honors that Kuang Liuting requested for Fei Nanying, his trusted confidant, after Core Formation.

If one were to use Gun Shilu to forge False Core, the resulting honors of being granted Jin County of a minor county and the title of baron would be worlds apart from his merits.

That makes sense, since ordinary False Core are just a slightly more powerful Foundation Establishment cultivator in the eyes of some Golden Core cultivators.

As more and more guests arrived, the once spacious courtyard became extremely crowded. Even though Fei Nanying had been a dantian cultivator for some time, the joy on his wife Han Ningyue's face had not yet faded.

After all, even for the eldest daughter of the Han Household, a Nascent Soul of the Nascent Soul stage, obtaining a Core Formation spiritual item of the Imperial Peak Stone level from her maternal family still required bearing immense pressure.

But this time, Fei Nanying did indeed break through and attain a Middle-Grade Golden Core, which was enough to make Han Ningyue proud.

The probability of Middle-Grade Golden Core Nascent Soul Formation forming a Nascent Soul is much higher than that of a low-grade Lower-Grade Golden Core. Among the living True Person, it is said that only a handful were born as Lower-Grade Golden Core cultivators.

This certainly doesn't mean that Fei Nanying will be able to steadily Nascent Soul Formation in the future, but it is certain that his path afterward will be much easier than that of ordinary people.

There were quite a few guests visiting today, but without a fake Dandan to hold things together, we wouldn't even have a seat near the front.

Even after sitting down, they couldn't expect to say more than a few words to Fei Nanying and his wife. The Zuojiang Shu Household, the Yukun Han Household, and even the Liaoyuan Gui Household, all first-class families of the Immortal Dynasty, sent people to offer their congratulations.

Even though Han Ningyue was born into a noble family, she rarely had such a dignified moment.

Under these circumstances, Bian Hu, the head of the Stone Mountain Sect in Pu Prefecture, was hardly treated well. If it weren't for the fact that he had cooperated well with the Yue Household in Ding Prefecture these days and destroyed several False Core alchemy sects, thus avoiding losing face.

Bian Hu will likely be reduced to sitting at the outermost edge of the courtyard, just like some Foundation Establishment.

"Seeking refuge with the state government isn't a bad idea, but did I choose the wrong one?" Bian Hu thought to himself, and the spirit wine in his cup lost its flavor.

Yue Feng, seated alongside him, remained unmoved. With Fei Nanying the Golden Core Elixir, how could Yue Lin withstand the counterattack from the Capital Region Faction? If his elder sister's influence wasn't strong enough, things might really get out of hand.

The two men had different thoughts, but then they saw a big, fat man approaching from a table next to the main guest's table.

Yue Feng frowned upon seeing the newcomer, while Bian Hu was somewhat flattered. Could someone from such a high position be the son of some noble family?

"Sect Leader Kang, how have you been?" Yue Feng bowed slightly to the newcomer. The latter was slightly taken aback, recalling the man's timely assistance to Little Ring Mountain years ago, and immediately smiled, "I didn't expect Fellow Yue Feng to be here as well. It has been my rudeness."

"Sect Leader Kang isn't here. Haha, congratulations Sect Leader Boyue on attaining the Golden Core." Yue Feng was slightly taken aback, his expression changed, and he didn't say anything more before bowing and sitting down.

Having just killed Yue Fu of the Two Instruments Sect, Kang Dabao knew how conflicted Yue Feng was. After bowing, he didn't speak to the latter again, but instead bowed deeply to Bian Hu beside him and asked, "May I ask if you are the senior Bian Hu, the sect leader of the Stone Mountain Sect?"

"I am truly humbled and dare not accept such a grand gesture from Sect Leader Kang." Bian Hu immediately stood up and returned the greeting with a bow.

He had heard of Kang Dabao, the Fei Household's son-in-law, before, but this was the first time he had met him. If it were before, Bian Hu might have taken advantage of his status and acted like an elder to the Sect Leader Kang Da.

But now, everyone knows that Kang Dabao's wife Fei Shuhe, was raised as his own daughter by Fei Nanying and his wife. How could he dare to mistreat his son-in-law, who is like Golden Core elixir?!

"Would it be convenient for Senior Bian to move in for a chat?"

Bian Hu glanced furtively at Yue Feng's expression, making sure there was nothing amiss, before replying, "Oh, of course, Sect Leader Kang, please."

Bian Hu agreed, but unexpectedly, Kang Dabao pulled him directly to his spot.

Contrary to Bian Hu's expectations, the people seated at this table were not all sons of other officials. Those seated alongside Kang Dabao were all pillars of the Fei Household's She Mountain Hall:

Fei Nanhu, Fei Nanfeng, Fei Enhua, Fei Enxing, Fei Wen, and others, even including those clansmen in Ying Prefecture, can be considered rising stars of the She Mountain Hall.

The Kang Dabao was able to be seated here is enough to prove that his status as the eldest son-in-law of the Fei Household is genuine.

Bian Hu's opinion of him rose even higher. The reputation of Sect Leader Kang Da had been growing stronger over the years. A few days ago, among all the Foundation Establishment True Cultivator on Old Ox Mountain, including the Fei Household cultivators, he couldn't find one who was more prominent than him.

With just a few halberd strikes, he could slash a late-stage cultivator like Yue Fu to pieces. Such a skill is extremely rare to find among the Foundation Establishment True Cultivator in the surrounding states.

It should be noted that Yue Fu was one of the most formidable contenders for the Two Instruments Sect of Peak Master of the Liangyi Sect.

The Fei Household truly lives up to its reputation as a renowned and powerful family; they certainly have a keen eye for talent!

According to popular rumors, it only took Kang Dabao about twenty years to grow from a mediocre and impoverished Qi Refining Qi Refinement in his thirties to a powerful Foundation Establishment who had repeatedly defeated True Cultivator.

Fei Nanying is truly skilled at training the younger generation. In such a short time, he has cultivated the Sect Leader Kang Da into such a pillar of society with almost no weaknesses and capable of standing alone. He truly deserves to be called a Middle-Grade Golden Core cultivator!

Although Bian Hu was a newly promoted False Core, he felt that his status was no longer sufficient to warrant such courtesy from Kang Dabao. Just as he was wondering about this, he heard the Sect Leader Kang Da speak:

"The reason I have been so impolite and presumptuous in disturbing you, senior, is because of an unreasonable request that I must trouble you with."

"Sect Leader Kang is too kind. I will do whatever it is within my power."

Upon hearing this, Sect Leader Kang Da's smile deepened. He then cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said sincerely, "I have a nephew who is currently studying under your esteemed sect as True Disciple. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to meet Senior Bian on the occasion of Boyue's joyous occasion, and I would like to ask Senior Bian to take good care of him."

"So it turns out that my disciple has such a connection with Sect Leader Kang," Bian Hu said with surprise, unsure whether to be astonished or delighted. He then asked, "May I ask which disciple it is?"

"This nephew of mine comes from the Hong County He Household, and his name is Yuanhe."

"The He Household, He Yuanhe." Bian Hu's eyes narrowed slightly. Although the name wasn't familiar, he knew exactly who it was. "Most likely from a small family, with poor aptitude, who managed to obtain a title of True Disciple within the sect by relying on some resources."

"Martial Nephew He is indeed a rare gem in our sect. Even if Sect Leader Kang hadn't entrusted him with this task, he would still be a promising talent. Otherwise, it would be a dereliction of duty on my part as the Sect Leader of the Stone Mountain Sect."

Thank you, senior.

"Sect Leader Kang, you're too kind. I..."

Bian Hu was about to say a few more polite words when he heard a sudden commotion in the hall, as Fei Nanying came out.

The two paused, both assuming Fei Nanying to speak to the assembled nobles and guests first, but unexpectedly, the newly appointed Marquis of Gucheng walked straight up and spoke:

"Kang Dabao, come here, I want to talk to you."

(It was really tough getting back from the Spring Festival travel rush, please allow me some time to catch my breath.)