The grandeur of the Jade Banquet Hall was overwhelming. The vast, gleaming palace hall exuded an air of majesty that struck Fang Han with awe. He had known that the Yuhua Sect was one of the Ten Great Immortal Sects, but only now did he truly feel the weight of that reputation.
What was true power?
Not the ability to move mountains or part seas—but the mastery over the simplest elements of life: food, clothing, shelter, and comfort.
"Let's find a place to sit," Princess Hongyi said, leading Fang Han deeper into the hall. They soon found an open seat.
The tables were immense—square, wide, and long, neither stone nor wood, carved with intricate patterns that emitted a faint, soothing fragrance.
"Undersea agarwood!" Fang Han thought, startled. That was a precious material reserved for the richest noble families—yet here, every single table in this massive hall was made of it, as though it were common lumber.
Next to their table flowed a large crystal pool. Water gurgled gently within it, teeming with fish, the depths shimmering and seemingly bottomless. Beside the table stood a white jade cylinder filled with slips of paper inscribed with delicate runes.
"What would you like to eat?" Hongyi asked.
She drew one of the slips, examined it briefly, then tossed it into the pool. Immediately, a fish darted forward, grabbed the slip in its mouth, and disappeared beneath the surface.
Moments later, a lotus bud the size of a washbasin rose gracefully from the depths. Hongyi plucked it out, set it on the table, and peeled open the petals—revealing four exquisite dishes, one steaming bowl of soup, and a bowl of rice so pure and luminous it looked like a bowl of polished jade. The aroma of lotus and the freshness of flowing water mingled with the fragrance of food, making Fang Han's stomach tighten with hunger.
"Whatever you want to eat, just toss a 'Food God Talisman' into the crystal pool," Hongyi explained with a smile. "A lotus will rise with your meal hidden inside."
Even the chopsticks were carved from flawless jade, clear and cool as spring water, their beauty almost tempting one to take a bite.
"How marvelous…" Fang Han murmured, drawing his own talisman and tossing it into the pool. Soon after, another fish carried it away, and before long, a lotus rose for him as well. He opened it to find dishes of vibrant color and divine fragrance.
The first bite made him close his eyes—the taste was ethereal, melting on his tongue like light itself. He devoured the meal eagerly, clearing every dish before leaning back with a satisfied sigh.
"The Yuhua Sect's cuisine is an immortal art," Hongyi said, laughing softly at his enthusiasm. "Prepared through the Five Qi Immortal Stove, a Dao artifact that refines impurities and preserves pure essence. The food nourishes without burdening the body. It's no wonder so many nobles dream of joining the sect, even as mere outer disciples. But you—aren't you yourself of noble blood? One might expect a touch more… refinement."
Fang Han grinned between mouthfuls. "Noble? Hardly. Just a small man with a bit of luck."
Before Hongyi could respond, a voice called out—"There you are!"
It was Liu Kang, the Young Marquis of Zhenyuan, striding toward them. He sat down briskly, eyes gleaming with urgency.
"Already eaten?" Fang Han asked.
"I have," Liu Kang said, waving his hand. "But I've got news—something worth your attention." He glanced around before lowering his voice. "Word just came from the sect. The Blue Moon Kingdom, out in the Hanhai Desert, has been ravaged by several large bands of sand raiders. Heavy casualties. Their queen has sent a plea for help to Yuhua Sect. The elders may send disciples to assist in wiping them out."
"Sand raiders?" Hongyi frowned. "That kingdom is powerful—its soldiers fierce, its weapons unmatched. The blue-steel they forge and their Blueblood steeds are renowned across the lands. Why would they need help with mere bandits?"
"This is no ordinary raid," Liu Kang said grimly. "According to inner disciples and reports from my father's sources, these raiders are joined by underground demons—and even practitioners from demonic sects. Rumor has it that devilish cultivators are using the chaos to plunder Blue Moon's riches—its minerals, its horses, its women, its treasures, and, most importantly, the Xuanjin ley lines running beneath its mines. The elders are furious. They're mobilizing not just inner disciples, but also selecting outer disciples for the campaign. Slay a powerful raider or a demon general, and you'll earn a qualification to attempt the inner disciple trials."
"The qualification for inner disciple assessment?" Hongyi's eyes lit up.
That was no small thing. Ordinary outer disciples could not even apply for promotion without such a qualification. Fang Han himself had only joined the sect because of Fang Qingxue's written recommendation—otherwise, no matter his strength, he would never have stepped through Yuhua's gates.
"Exactly," Liu Kang said. "This is a rare chance. The Blue Moon Desert is critical because of its ley lines—if the demons seize them, it could cripple our sect's 'Grand Freedom Golden Sword Qi' cultivation grounds. The elders have issued three hundred sixty-five campaign spots."
Hongyi frowned thoughtfully. "But the sand raiders number in the tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands. We'll need allies. Our small group alone won't be enough."
"Already thought of that." Liu Kang nodded toward a corner of the hall.
Fang Han followed his gaze. There, several striking young men and women sat with the quiet confidence of royalty. Their composure was regal, their presence heavy with power.
"Those are… members of the Da De royal family," Hongyi said in surprise.
"Exactly. If we want to secure a spot in the trials, we'll need to work with them," Liu Kang replied. "After all, the Da Li royal disciples won't make things easy for us."
Fang Han finally understood. Even within the immortal sects, the rivalries of mortal empires still played out—the royal and noble factions competing for influence and prestige.
For someone like Liu Kang, the son of a marquis, becoming an inner disciple could elevate his entire house, tipping the balance of power among kingdoms. The same politics that ruled the mortal world thrived even here, among those who sought immortality.
"Let's go speak with them," Liu Kang suggested.
Fang Han and Hongyi rose and followed him to the far table.
There sat three men and two women, each exuding the effortless dominance of those born to command. When the trio approached, one of the men looked them over coolly.
"So, Liu Kang," he said lazily. "These are the helpers you brought? They look more like liabilities."
Fang Han's brows furrowed.
"And what makes you say that?" Hongyi asked, her tone calm but cold.
"Not you, Princess Hongyi," a young noblewoman interjected smoothly. "I've heard of your swordsmanship and your precious Wind Talisman—useful skills indeed. But him…" She tilted her chin toward Fang Han, her gaze sharp as glass. "What backwater clan spawned this one? We're gathering warriors, not strays. Does he think tagging along with us will win him a place among the inner disciples? Even if he did, he wouldn't pass the trials. It would be a waste of a slot."
Fang Han's lips curled in a thin smile as he slowly licked the corner of his mouth.
"Oh?" he said softly, voice edged with danger.