Stronger from Earth

A grand banquet with over a hundred people attending requires the diligent efforts of hundreds for preparation.

When Wang Xuan and his companions arrived, they saw a square decorated with a lush floral carpet, where Chen Qingniu welcomed them.

Zhang Han and Hongze saluted him: "Senior Uncle."

"Wang Xuan, as the protagonist, your entrance is a bit late. Everyone’s been waiting for you," Chen Qingniu motioned to several attendants beside him to prepare accordingly.

"Xiaoliu, why are you here doing the welcoming?" Wang Xuan stepped forward, draping his arm over Chen Qingniu’s shoulder.

This senior brother of his, why hasn’t his cultivation level broken through yet? In a couple of years, even his eldest disciple Hongze might surpass him.

Chen Qingniu sighed: "Alas, a few big shots are attending today’s feast. I’m not even qualified to accompany them. I’d just be in the way, so Master sent me out here."

As an Earth Immortal, he too wished to behold the grace of the Void True Immortals and Half-Step Immortals.

"Who else has come?" Wang Xuan asked curiously.

Not just anyone can attend such a grand gathering; only those with direct ties within the sect’s hierarchy get to participate.

"Cyan Nether Sword Immortal couldn’t make it, but his disciple, Senior Uncle Lin Xingruo, came," Chen Qingniu said.

The Cyan Nether Sword Immortal is both one of the Nine Ancestors and Master He Fang’s father. Lin Xingruo is not only Cyan Nether Sword Immortal’s disciple but also his adoptive daughter.

Thus, Lin Xingruo is actually Master He Fang’s sister, naturally making her our Senior Uncle as well.

"Who else?" Wang Xuan speculated that several among the Nine Ancestors must have arrived.

"Our Grandmaster’s grandfather Insomniac Taoist, our Great-Grandmaster Primordial Ancestor, and the Sect Leader are here as well," Chen Qingniu rarely saw these big figures.

As cultivators, who doesn’t look up to such people?

"Primordial Ancestor is here too?" Wang Xuan wondered with curiosity.

The Martial Immortal took in nine direct lineage disciples, Primordial Ancestor Zhou Chunyuan being ranked fifth, while Master He Fang is the sixth disciple, and Wang Xuan the seventh amongst He Fang’s disciples.

By hierarchy, Wang Xuan is indeed in the grandchild disciple generation of the Primordial Ancestor.

Chen Qingniu’s expression was peculiar, holding back laughter as he said, "He’s here, urging Master to marry and have children, even trying to match him with Senior Uncle Lin."

At this, Wang Xuan understood why Chen Qingniu was sent outside; such an embarrassing scene for his Master shouldn’t be witnessed by the disciple.

As they conversed walking along, they soon reached the meeting hall, where dozens of Immortal Martial Mountain’s True Inheritors gathered at various tables, casually dining and chatting.

Seeing Wang Xuan’s arrival, they all stood up with curious smiles on their faces.

In the past, Wang Xuan as a Pill Master was admired by the True Inheritors, but only after becoming the Immortal Martial Taoist did his status at Immortal Martial Mountain become unique, standing alone among the third-generation disciples.

Yet, since Wang Xuan wielded his sword to slay Diyang Wushuang, proving immense strength, he brought glory to both Earth Civilization and Immortal Martial Mountain.

In such difficult circumstances, they witnessed Wang Xuan’s unparalleled grace, admiring him even more.

"Junior Brother, we’ve been waiting for you for quite some time," Senior Brother Wu Zhutian said, with several disciples of the senior uncles and aunts following behind him.

Wang Xuan, showing no airs, beamed, "I’m the one who’s late. Had I known all the senior brothers and sisters were here, I ought to have come sooner to pay my respects."

"That’s not right; among cultivators, the capable come first. How could we let the Taoist come to pay respect first?" said a Star Lord.

With Wang Xuan’s strength and potential, though they could still chat about camaraderie now, within a few years they’d likely only look up to him.

Even their masters would have to address him as the Taoist.

"No matter how high my cultivation is, aren’t you all still my senior brothers and sisters?" Wang Xuan laughed heartily, and the atmosphere lightened up.

In such settings, why bother with status; they’re all fellow sect members.

Lin Cheng already clutched the baby Wang Zhu, entering the ladies’ section, and just as Senior Sister Lin Xiyue appeared, baby Wang Zhu reached out, gurgling.

"Senior Sister, this child seems to like you a lot," Lin Cheng laughed.

Senior Sister Lin, though more full-figured, retained a tender charm, her cool demeanor eliciting affection, standing out in the crowd.

Lin Xiyue took the child in her arms, and the baby immediately reached out for some food, making Lin Xiyue flustered and at a loss.

"Pah, this little lecher," Lin Cheng took back the child, giving a light smack on his bottom.

The baby Wang Zhu seemed unfazed, his bright eyes fixed on Lin Xiyue.

At this moment, from the inner section, He Fang called out, "Has my disciple Wang Xuan arrived? Quickly come in!"

Even as a Void Cultivator, He Fang couldn’t withstand the constant nagging about marriage, hastily calling Wang Xuan over to divert those old immortals’ attention.

From behind the curtain, appeared half a face of a girl, still chubby-cheeked, Master’s treasured disciple Yue Yiyi.

Wang Xuan bid farewell to the senior brothers and sisters, striding forth, as Yue Yiyi immediately stretched her hand for sweets.

"Give me candy, or I won’t let you in!" The girl, as mischievous and endearing as ever.

Wang Xuan opened his palm, revealing two Super Grade Pills, "These two Pills, one makes you ten times more beautiful—the Divine Maiden Pill, and one makes you ten times uglier—the Drought Demon Pill. Which one do you want?"

In fact, both are foundational pills for low-tier cultivators to establish their roots.

Without hesitation, Yue Yiyi grabbed both pills, popped them in her mouth.

"Go on in," she hummed.

She wasn’t a three-year-old anymore; she recognized Wang Xuan’s jest at once.

She wasn’t going to play along with him.

Wang Xuan, no longer teasing Yue Yiyi, stepped inside.

There weren’t many in the inner section, merely a dozen, the main seats occupied by three Celestial Venerable Ancestors, alongside was He Fang and many second-generation disciples.

Primordial Ancestor pointed at Wang Xuan, saying to He Fang, "Xiaoliu, look at your disciple, only thirty years old, and already has a child that can walk. Aren’t you worried?"

In urging marriage, he even used Wang Xuan as an example.

Wang Xuan stifled laughter, greeted the crowd with a straight face, while his thoughts spun.

’Who knew Great-Grandmaster had a penchant for matchmaking and urging marriage? How has Master coped all these years—likely been nagged to death.’

Cultivators live long lives, so many choose not to marry, even if they do, it’s often much later in life.

For instance, among Wang Xuan’s senior brothers and sisters, few are married; many are single, with Master He Fang being the chief bachelor.

He Fang didn’t know what to say; he can’t win an argument, nor a fight, so he could only sigh repeatedly.

Luckily, Primordial Ancestor didn’t make it difficult further, shifting his gaze to Wang Xuan.

The Martial Immortal summoning Wang Xuan wasn’t even known to He Fang, but as members of the Nine Ancestors, they were certainly aware.

Seizing everyone’s presence, they organized this banquet to bid farewell to Wang Xuan, gathering once more before his departure.

After this banquet, everyone would become busy; Wang Xuan especially had to prepare for entering the Tao Realm, and who knew when they’d meet again in the future.