The Western Sea Primordial had a treasure since its founding called the Immortal-Subduing Jade, which was a divine weapon.
It was a divine black sword with half its blade buried underground, only exposing the upper half of its hilt. For thousands of years, no one had been able to pull it out.
The first Sect Master of Primordial once said that the Immortal-Subduing Jade was not originally their sect’s property, but happened to be left behind when they established their sect in the Western Sea, half-buried in the Weak Waters.
Thus originated the Golden Luan Pool Banquet.
Initially, the Western Sea Primordial’s Golden Luan Pool Banquet was meant to find an owner for this Immortal-Subduing Jade, inviting cultivators from immortal sects across the world to compete in magic and sword skills. If someone could pull out the Immortal-Subduing Jade, it would become theirs.
This divine weapon possessed the power to cleave heaven and earth.
Hundreds of years ago, Western Sea Primordial experienced internal strife, with two factions fighting and killing each other over the position of Sect Master. Someone went so far as to summon demonic powers, which disturbed the Immortal-Subduing Jade. With just one sword cry, it slaughtered countless demons, annihilating them.
Afterward, more and more people admired the Immortal-Subduing Jade’s reputation and came to pull the sword. Due to the large number of people, the Golden Luan Pool Banquet rules changed several times:
It would be held once every three years, with only disciples from the twelve major immortal sects allowed to participate.
All disciples wishing to pull the sword must first participate in the banquet’s skill competition, with only the top three allowed to enter the Golden Luan Pool to attempt to pull the sword.
No one had ever been able to pull out the Immortal-Subduing Jade, but because of this banquet, many previously unknown disciples gained fame through the Golden Luan Pool Banquet. Gradually, the Immortal-Subduing Jade was no longer the focus; winning the Golden Luan Pool Banquet became the goal of disciples from various immortal sects.
In her previous life, Ling Luo had been the champion of the Golden Luan Pool Banquet, with strength that crushed the disciples of her generation. Her swordsmanship was unmatched, earning her the title of First in Swordsmanship.
Everything had been fine—she won the championship and entered the Weak Waters to pull the sword, but internal conflicts within Western Sea Primordial led to chaos, with many people entering the field during the fight.
At that time, Ling Luo thought Yue Liangze was an enemy and struck him with her sword. Unexpectedly, he caught her blade and pulled out the Immortal-Subduing Jade—
Hmph.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became.
Ling Luo walked away from Cloud Garden, listening to Song Yuanyuan and the others chattering about the Golden Luan Pool Banquet, her face expressionless as she remained silent.
“Let’s go, let’s go! Not only is it held once every three years, but you also have to be a disciple who joined within the last four years. If you exceed that, you can’t participate. Miss this time, and there won’t be a next time,” Song Yuanyuan said. “Besides, maybe my little father will be there too!”
Ling Luo’s eyelid twitched upon hearing this, and she let out a cold laugh.
Chang Fei gave Song Yuanyuan a look, pointing at Ling Luo.
Song Yuanyuan coughed, smiling ingratiatingly at Ling Luo: “It’s just a possibility, right? Don’t worry, Ling Luo, if we meet little father, I’ll scold him for you! How could he only write letters to us and never to you!”
Ling Luo looked at her with an ominous gaze: “Mention that fool and his letters again, and I’ll kill you.”
Song Yuanyuan: “…”
He made a gesture to shut up.
Yue Liangze’s letters were usually one for each person, with different content tailored to each of their situations. Sometimes when he obtained trinkets from ancient texts or learned techniques useful for his friends from senior brothers, he would send them separately.
Only during festivals or when he had no technical knowledge to share would he send just one congratulatory letter.
But he had always sent separate letters to Ling Luo.
It was his little gesture of care.
Coincidentally, Ling Luo had never received any of them.
At first, when Song Yuanyuan mentioned that Yue Liangze had sent him a letter, Ling Luo didn’t believe it.
But then Xu Shen and Chang Fei immediately said they had received letters too.
Ling Luo found it incredible.
She took the letters to look at them and discovered that it was indeed Yue Liangze’s handwriting, and the wording and phrasing were typical of him.
Occasionally, he even sent small gifts.
Like a thousand-year-old purple jade bamboo cup, he had made himself.
Some rare fruits or self-made pastries and foods.
Yet he had never sent her a single word!
Ling Luo couldn’t quite describe her feelings at the time.
But Song Yuanyuan and the others, who witnessed her stomp the study table to pieces with one foot, understood her mood very clearly.
At that time, Song Yuanyuan carefully chose his words and said softly: “Maybe… little father forgot?”
Ling Luo glared fiercely: “He remembers small things like you needing a teacup, but would forget to write a letter to someone as significant as me?!”
Song Yuanyuan admitted defeat, while Chang Fei cautiously suggested: “Then, then, maybe Senior Brother was too embarrassed to write to you?”
Ling Luo: “Embarrassed? Then how was he not embarrassed to write to one, two, three of you?!”
Unable to argue with her, Chang Fei and Song Yuanyuan clutched their heads in despair.
Xu Shen coughed, hesitating: “How about… I ask him?”
Chang Fei and Song Yuanyuan nodded in unison: “Yes, yes, yes! We’ll ask for you!”
“Don’t you dare ask! If he doesn’t write, then he doesn’t write. Who cares! It’s not like I need him to send me anything!” Ling Luo fumed. “Asking him why he doesn’t write would make it seem like I’m begging him to send me letters! If any of you ask, our friendship is over! Immediately! And you’ll never be allowed in Qingshi Square again!”
She stormed off angrily.
Constrained by Ling Luo’s threat to end their friendship, the three didn’t dare to ask Yue Liangze why he wasn’t sending letters to Ling Luo. They only subtly expressed that Ling Luo had been in a bad mood lately, helping to increase her presence in Yue Liangze’s mind.
After that, Yue Liangze became even more selective with the gifts he sent to Ling Luo.
Yet they all sank like stones into the sea, with no response whatsoever.
That year, Ling Luo and the others often went down the mountain to train. The spirit birds carrying letters headed to Eastern Island Tianji but couldn’t find them, so the letters were received and kept by the Tianji people.
By the time Song Yuanyuan and the others returned and received the letters, the spirit birds had already flown back when they wanted to reply.
The last letter came during the Spirit Calming Festival. Yue Liangze said he was going into closed-door cultivation, and there was no news after that.
Three years later, the Western Sea Primordial Golden Luan Pool Banquet began.
Disciples from the twelve major immortal sects gradually made their way to Western Sea Primordial.
Batch after batch of inner gate disciples from Eastern Island Tianji also departed.
One evening at the Mirage Tower, Yun Shouxi looked at the three disciples at the table and asked Ling Luo: “There are only two days left until the registration deadline for the Golden Luan Pool Banquet. Why haven’t you left yet?”
Ling Luo said: “I’ll leave tonight.”
“Western Sea Primordial is quite a distance from us,” Chu Yi said lazily. “Leaving tonight makes me think you don’t want to participate in the banquet. Afraid you can’t beat the others?”
Ling Luo said indifferently: “I’ll fly on my sword.”
Yu Xiu was somewhat surprised: “Flying on your sword will consume a huge amount of spiritual energy. Won’t that put you at a disadvantage when competing in the banquet?”
“Don’t worry, Second Senior Brother, I know what I’m doing,” Ling Luo said.
Previously, she had been very interested in the Golden Luan Pool Banquet and had gone early.
Now that she knew everything in advance and would have to face a bunch of annoying old and new faces at Western Sea Primordial, plus lose her favorite title for nothing, Ling Luo couldn’t summon any enthusiasm.
Yun Shouxi said: “Be careful on the way. This year’s Golden Luan Pool Banquet coincides with the Sect Master’s granddaughter’s Hundred-Day Celebration. The Sect Master has sent out many invitations, and all twelve major immortal sects will arrive in some time.”
Yu Xiu said: “I’ll accompany Master to South Island to find a gift for the Hundred-Day Celebration, then go to Western Sea Primordial. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself for the banquet competition, Junior Sister.”
Ling Luo nodded without saying anything.
After dinner, Chu Yi gave her time to pack her belongings before heading to the Torii Gate to wait for her.
But when Ling Luo arrived, she was only carrying an ordinary sword.
Chu Yi asked: “Where’s the Long Sleeve I gave you?”
Long Sleeve was the divine weapon he had obtained from the last Myriad Demons Chaos.
Ling Luo said: “I could win first place against them even with a wooden sword.”
His junior sister’s arrogance surpassed even his own.
Chu Yi accompanied her down the mountain, mocking her: “Don’t talk so big. Don’t be the one who gets knocked off the stage.”
Ling Luo played with the Yingxi fan in her hand and let out a light snort.
The two flew on their swords, arriving at Western Sea City after a day.
Recently, Western Sea City’s inns and restaurants were packed full due to the Golden Luan Pool Banquet held every three years, which attracted many visitors, including disciples from various immortal sects, as well as wandering cultivators and worldly practitioners.
Business was booming.
During the banquet period, except for those with noble status or backing, most had to find their accommodations in Western Sea City.
The Western Sea Primordial’s Golden Luan Pool Banquet arena was only open during the banquet period.
Chu Yi first took her to queue up for registration, fill out the record book, and collect the competition token.
Ling Luo waited at the entrance to Western Sea Primordial, her face indifferent throughout, unaffected by the bustling excitement of the disciples around her.
Chu Yi returned with the competition token and threw it to her, saying harshly: “Are you competing or am I?”
Ling Luo said carelessly: “What’s wrong with the great Senior Brother helping his junior sister register and get a token?”
Chu Yi gave a cold laugh, pointing toward Western Sea City: “Then would the sensible junior sister like to arrange today’s lodging?”
Ling Luo examined the token in her hand: “This is my first time traveling far from home. Isn’t Senior Brother being too demanding?”
“First time traveling far from home?” Chu Yi narrowed his eyes. “Have you no shame?”
Ling Luo: “None.”
Chu Yi: “…”
As the two were glaring at each other, a furry head hung down from a tree and interjected: “Young heroes, are you troubled by not being able to find an inn or restaurant?”
Ling Luo: “No.”
Chu Yi: “No.”
The furry creature ignored them and handed over an invitation with ugly, crooked handwriting: “Idle Cloud Inn, newly opened, good value for money, delicious food with excellent color, aroma, and taste, a courtyard with beautiful flowers and plants, soft and comfortable beds—the perfect choice for resting after a tiring journey!”
Ling Luo said indifferently: “Not interested.”
Chu Yi was more direct: “No money.”
“We’re very cheap, only fifteen silver coins for a double room per night!” The furry creature continued to persuade them. “Half price for Golden Luan Pool Banquet disciples! Plus a free banquet strategy guide, which contains detailed records of all the contestants’ cultivation levels from the twelve major immortal sects this year!”
Only upon hearing this did Ling Luo turn to look properly.
In her previous life, she had few friends and lived in Western Sea Primordial, rarely interacting with fellow disciples of her generation, focusing only on defeating them.
She had never heard of such a thing.
The big tabby cat hanging in the tree was a skin spirit.
Cultivators used spiritual energy to transform, borrowing a skin spirit to speak in human language—a technique commonly used by people who wanted to avoid going out to handle matters themselves.
Chu Yi noticed Ling Luo’s wavering and narrowed his eyes: “Junior Sister, we don’t have money.”
The big cat said: “Young hero, don’t worry! We can offer credit!”
Ling Luo pointed at the big cat and said: “Didn’t Senior Brother just ask me to find lodging? Lead the way.”
The big cat came down from the tree, wagging its tail and cheering: “All right!”
Western Sea City, Idle Cloud Inn.
The location wasn’t particularly remote, and the decor was quite elegant, with a large courtyard in the middle, adorned with flowers, trees, mountains, and water that created a serene atmosphere.
Looking at the rooms, the flowers were fresh with dewdrops, and the incense was subtle, giving a comfortable feeling.
Everything was arranged just right.
And this only cost fifteen silver coins?
But upon entering, they found there wasn’t a single guest.
Chu Yi began to suspect it was a trap.
Being so vigilant, he only booked one room.
The big cat hugged an abacus, making it click rapidly.
Ling Luo stood at the door and asked the big cat: “Where’s the record of contestants’ cultivation levels?”
“Young hero, don’t rush. After you’ve bathed and filled your stomach, there will be sweet but not greasy pastries for you to enjoy while reading it!” The big cat wagged its tail.
Chu Yi leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, watching lazily.
Ling Luo crouched down, smiling as she looked the big cat in the eyes: “But what if I want to see it now?”
The big cat’s tail stood straight up as it hugged the abacus and laughed dryly: “Please wait a moment, young hero. The meal we’re preparing for you is almost ready.”
Ling Luo: “But I didn’t order any food.”
The big cat retreated step by step: “Who stays at an inn without eating? We’ve prepared it in advance for you!”
“Then why didn’t you prepare the record of contestants’ cultivation levels in advance?” Ling Luo smiled at it. “Or are you just using this to lure people to stay at your inn and then charge them for extras?”
“Young hero, don’t talk nonsense! How could I possibly be running a scam?!”
“I didn’t say that, you did,” Ling Luo extended her hand. “Will you give it to me or not?”
The big cat’s fur stood on end: “Eat, eat, eat—I’ll give it to you after the meal!”
Ling Luo said “Oh,” and then attacked directly.
The big cat screeched as it dodged the attacking sword spirit, jumping up and down in the room. Ling Luo grabbed it by the tail, spun it around, and smashed it against the wall.
The big cat let out a yowl and dissipated its form.
The hidden spellcaster clutched his bruised forehead, crying and wiping away tears as he shouted out the window: “Little Uncle! Someone is beating me and wrecking my inn!”
Western Sea City.
Ling Luo and Chu Yi walked along the busy main street.
Chu Yi said: “You wrecked someone’s inn for a worthless book. I doubt any inn in Western Sea City will dare to take you in now.”
“You also saw through that scam inn’s tricks. Should I have stayed and been cheated?” Ling Luo flipped through the book she had seized from the big cat. “Besides, as the mighty Third Breath Immortal, can’t you arrange a room at Western Sea Primordial?”
Chu Yi gave her a cold look: “You were the one who said earlier that you didn’t want to stay at Primordial.”
Ling Luo looked up at this, asserting righteously: “Western Sea City is full of scams. If not at Primordial, where else should we stay?”
Chu Yi: “…”
Where? Just go home! What’s the point of competing when you’ve already declared yourself the winner in your mind? I might as well announce that this competition is over.
With a dark face, Chu Yi led Ling Luo into Western Sea Primordial.