The air was crisp, filled with a spiritual energy that shimmered with a pink light betraying its origin: Peach Vital Lotus Qi. This was the unique qi that only the Celestial Lotus Sect could create through their exclusive cultivation techniques.
"Congratulations, Young Master Feng. I brought this Elemental Blade Tiger's cultivation core to congratulate you on starting your journey."
"I brought you this Water Arcane Pearl. Congratulations, Young Master Feng."
"This is the Sun Gold Purification Lamp, a treasure forged by an immortal-level blacksmith. I present it to Young Master Feng to wish you good luck on your cultivation journey."
Guest after guest offered all sorts of precious gifts as they entered the Mirage Lotus Hall of the Celestial Lotus Sect.
The hall was beautiful, constructed from a kind of green crystal that was polished to a sheen, reflecting the scene before it. It was filled with people wearing different attires, each group possessing its own unique presence.
A large table dominated the space. On it, in the first seat, was a throne occupied by Feng Lang. To his side sat Feng Wuji and Murong Tian . Feng Wuji to his right and Murong Tian to his left.
Feng Wuji wore a black robe intricately carved with dragons. He sat calmly, watching the proceedings with patience and a hint of anticipation for the drama he knew would come. His silver hair was tied in a ponytail, and his purple eyes glinted.
Murong Tian wore a neutral expression, seeming happy for Feng Wuji, at least on the surface.
"Congratulations, Young Master Feng. This is the Azure Condensing Qi Jade, which contains pure azure qi. Please take it as a gift for starting your cultivation journey."
"Congratulations... take this gift..."
"Young Master Feng,congra... Take this..."
Feng Wuji was growing bored. He had thought the banquet would be lively, but it was failing to meet his expectations.
"We welcome the Su Family to the banquet of the young master of the Celestial Lotus Sect!" the guards at the entrance announced.
Suddenly, everyone turned to the gate, their faces etched with shock.
The Su Family was a prestigious royal lineage and one of the most powerful forces in the realm. Their key features were their blonde hair and blue eyes, making them all exceptionally attractive, especially their blue eyes which were particularly charming.
But two people stood out of the group a man with a regal presence who appeared to be their leader, and walking beside him, a girl of about fifteen or sixteen. She bore a clear resemblance to the man, making it easy to infer she was his daughter.
The leader and his daughter walked towards the large table where Feng Wuji, his father, and the elders sat. The rest of their family moved to socialize with acquaintances in the hall.
"Su Yao, you actually made it. I thought you wouldn't come," an elder said as Su Yao and his daughter, Su Yin, sat down a few chairs away from Feng Wuji.
"Of course I'd make it to Feng Wuji's banquet," said Su Yao, picking up a piece of fish with his chopsticks, a smirk on his face. "I was so happy when I heard he finally started cultivating after so long. I just knew I had to come give my congratulations."
To an outsider, it would have sounded like a normal congratulations. But everyone present knew he was mocking Feng Wuji for starting cultivation late. His own daughter, Su Yin, had started cultivation in the womb and was born in the Foundation Establishment Realm.
Now, no one in the hall could tell her true cultivation level, as she used a treasure to conceal it.
"Thank you, Patriarch Su," said Feng Wuji, who looked as though he didn't understand the subtext, though he truly did. He simply waved it off.
Murong Tian watched blankly, but a keen observer could see the excitement in his eyes. He wished for Su Yao to continue. Then he saw Su Yin and thought, that must be su yin the talent of the su family If I can get married to her I'll have the backing of the su family.
"He did awaken late, truly. Is his talent that poor?"
"A young master awakening at that age is just disappointing."
Murmurs came from the crowd, but Feng Wuji ignored them.
Seeing the reaction, Su Yao wanted to fan the flames. "By the way," he said, "how many meridians did he open?"
"All of them," Feng Lang replied calmly.
"What?!"
"All of them?!"
The room was instantly filled with silence everyone seemed shocked and werenin disbelief!!!
"You're joking sect master Feng??"
Feng lang didn't say anything but the silence had it's own meaning and everyone began to look at Feng wuji in a new light.
"Wow... no wonder he awakened late. Most people don't even awaken five. I only awakened six out of twenty-one when I started cultivation."
"Lucky bastard,being the heir of a great sect and still having so much potential "
In this world, the number of meridians one awakened affected their future potential. Most had assumed that since Feng Wuji awakened late, his potential would be low. They never expected it to be this high.
Su Yao was shocked. Even his daughter, Su Yin, who was usually cold and detached, wore an expression of disbelief as she looked at Feng Wuji's neutral face.
"Congratulations, Feng Wuji," said Su Yao, regaining his bearing. The information was too shocking; even the greatest talent of the former generation had only unlocked eighteen meridians at the start.
He seemed stumped for words and decided it was not worth picking a fight with the Celestial Lotus Sect. He tapped his storage ring, and a ginseng appeared.
"Feng Wuji,take this Golden Pulse Marrow Ginseng as my gift for your ascension into the cultivation realm."
"Thank you, Patriarch Su." Feng lang said.
Murmurs spread through the hall as the guests were shocked that Patriarch Su Yao would give such a precious gift.They didn't understand the true value of unlocking all twenty-one meridians from the beginning.
Su Yao looked at his daughter, seeming lost in thought.
Murong Tian, seeing how Su Yao looked at his daughter, thought bitterly, He is about to propose a marriage alliance. Damn it! I can't let this happen!
As he scrambled for a solution, a voice came from the entrance.
"Sect Master Su, you didn't invite us?" a charming and bewitching voice called out from the entrance.
Five groups of people stood outside, each with about four members. They all seemed to emanate their own exceptional, unique auras.
The elders gritted their teeth. Murong Tian seemed happy, though he still maintained a neutral expression on his face.