Chapter 662 - 393: Farewell Toasts and Laughter for the Grand Elder

The reason why the Ancestral Hall urgently summoned Kang Rulin back is reportedly to send Grandmaster Guo off on his final journey. Not only Kang Rulin, but even He Kao received a notice, instructing him to proceed to the Book Observation Grotto Heaven of the Micro Realm Sect at the appointed time...Grandmaster Guo is none other than Guo Qianhuai, the Supreme Elder of the Micro Realm Sect, from whom Kang Rulin originally took over the position of Sect Leader.

He is of an older generation than Jiang Daozhen and others, but in terms of age, he is not much older than Jiang Daozhen and Kang Rulin. Currently, his nominal age is ninety-nine, and his actual age is just ninety-seven.

Guo Qianhuai achieved Tier Six Great Success cultivation early on, theoretically granting him a lifespan of 180 years, but this is merely theoretical, as many factors in reality can affect one’s lifespan.

For example, various injuries suffered in early years, or failures during artifact refining and alchemy processes causing backlash.

For a Great Success Cultivator, experiences within the Illusion Realm also deplete lifespan. For ordinary sorcerers whose cultivation hasn’t reached Great Success, the greatest factor affecting lifespan is failing tribulations when attempting to break through higher realms.

Each cultivation stage must confront successive trials; failing to pass these trials and forcing a breakthrough will, of course, damage one’s vitality and spirit.

Theoretically, as long as a cultivator is adept at self-care and hasn’t suffered significant injuries or illnesses, they can often enjoy longevity. However, in reality, many cultivators, especially high-tier ones, don’t die of old age, but rather from failing tribulations and passing away.

Even knowing this danger, when one stagnates at a certain realm for years, knowing they’re so close to that step yet unable to take it, at a certain point, many can’t help but attempt it.

It’s not just Guo Qianhuai; even Jiang Daozhen, who is younger by several years, was once stuck in a vacuum for twenty-three years. If he hadn’t later broken through to the Seventh Realm, he almost couldn’t hold on.

He Kao received the news with a heavy heart; to him, Guo Qianhuai is a kind and respectable elder. This elder was skilled in artifact refining, and his proud magical treasure, the Four Seasons Flower Screen, was granted to He Kao for self-defense.

The Ten Thousand Woods Rejuvenation Plate, the chessboard Jiang Daozhen left to He Kao, and the Spiritual Mechanism Nourishing God Pendant, the Beast Claw Pendant He Kao wore since childhood, were all helped with by Guo Qianhuai in creation.

Even the magical treasure Moth Wings, though not crafted by Guo Qianhuai personally, was a passed-down legacy from his ancestors, given to He Kao by Gu Chun.

For a cultivator, such connections are great favors!

When He Kao, carrying his heavy heart, arrived at Phoenix Tail Town, he met Mei Guyu at the entrance of Guanshu Village. He received a secret order, so he hadn’t told anyone before departure, and it seemed Mei Guyu received the same notification.

The two exchanged glances and nodded slightly, then cooperatively proceeded through Guanshu Village. At the entrance to the grotto heaven behind the village, they met an acquaintance, Zou Tianjin, the steward of the Micro Realm Sect.

Zou Tianjin is Guo Qianhuai’s direct disciple, with Tier Five Heart Measurer cultivation.

Zou Tianjin nodded and said, "Just waiting for you two."

Mei Guyu: "Everyone’s here?"

Zou Tianjin: "Those who should be are mostly here. He Xiaoyou was specially named by the master to be invited..."

Zou Tianjin led the way, guiding them into the Book Observation Grotto Heaven. The natural layout of the various grotto heavens within the Magic Sect is similar, but after a thousand years of modification and construction, each has unique features.

After entering the portal and passing through the valley, the path is paved with stone slabs, with various scenic structures built on both sides. At the stone archway before entering the Central Valley, inscribed are the words "Great Artifact."

Across the bridge, a wide road leads directly to the door of the Ancestral Hall. The overall layout here is like a small town built along the street, with various architectural styles from different eras lining the "street."

Many building layouts resemble workshops, offering residences for disciples to cultivate and function areas specifically for artifact refining. On normal days, many disciples guard and cultivate here.

Although the number of Micro Sect Disciples isn’t as large as the Observing Body Sect, it now approaches a thousand. If counting the preparatory disciples who haven’t officially entered the sect and the Guests of Fate who haven’t entered, the numbers are even greater.

Passing the street and entering the Ancestral Hall, walking in through a side door along the corridor through several courtyards. In the northwest corner, there’s a small courtyard, with a group of people standing in the outer hall. From the inner hall connected to the outer one, bursts of hearty laughter are heard.

In such occasions, who else would laugh so freely? Haven’t we seen Zou Tianjin, who just led us, always wearing a solemn expression? From the sound, it should be Guo Qianhuai himself... oh, then it’s alright!

There is no screen between the inner chamber and outer hall, allowing a clear view inside where a square table is set up, noticeably larger than an ordinary Eight Immortals table. Seven people are already seated.

Guo Qianhuai is seated in the center facing the hall entrance. To his left are Wild Phoenix and Zong Zheng, to his right are Kang Rulin and Gu Chun, while opposite him are Li Xiuyuan and an elder.

He Kao hadn’t previously met this elder, but recognizing the introduction from documents, he immediately identified him as Li Xiuyuan’s master, Li Siran, the Sovereign of Jianji Palace.

Li Siran is ninety-nine this year, but looks only sixty or seventy. In terms of hierarchy, he is Guo Qianhuai’s senior and at least a generation older than others present.

It seems not just anyone can sit at this table; either like Li Siran, as a venerable elder or as a sect leader from a branch of the Magic Sect.

In the outer hall, many people were still standing along the walls. Zou Tianjin, having brought the guests in, also stood aside conscientiously. He Kao also saw two other stewards of the Micro Realm Sect, Pu Lixin and Yuan Yongjun.

There were twelve people standing outside, most of whom were high-tier cultivators of the Micro Realm Sect, but the steward Huangxizi from the Lingxi Sect was also among them.

Huangxizi was the direct disciple of Second Uncle Xiao Guangnian and was now a Tier Five Wanderer, having surpassed Xiao Guangnian in cultivation. This is a common occurrence; for example, Li Xiuyuan’s cultivation has surpassed his master Li Siran, who remains a Tier Five Heart Stealer.

Today, the sect leaders of various magical sects were all present, except for Jiang Daozhen, the leader of the Lingxi Sect, so the Lingxi Sect also sent a steward. Huangxizi, however, was not qualified to sit at the table and stood respectfully at the front of the hall.

Seeing the two enter, Guo Qianhuai rose to greet them, saying, "Xiaomei, Xiao Kao, come quickly! The seats beside me are reserved for you, join me for a few drinks."

An Eight Immortals Table usually seats eight people, but this table was noticeably larger, seating three on each side without problem. At the moment, seven people were seated with ten sets of bowls and chopsticks arranged.

On each side were two sets, occupied by four elders. In the middle, on either side of Guo Qianhuai, were one set each, with these seats remaining empty. Across from Guo Qianhuai were three sets of bowls and chopsticks; Li Siran sat in the center, Li Xiuyuan on his left, with the rightmost seat empty.

Mei Guyu simply nodded to everyone in greeting, her usual demeanor was serene and not very talkative, which everyone was used to.

But He Kao did not dare to emulate her, hurriedly stepping forward to greet the honored seniors, starting with Grandmaster Guo and Master Li and then the elders, even offering salutations to those standing in the hall.

Many had never met before, so he warmly said it’s an honor meting to them.

Being the direct disciple and grandchild of Li Siran, He Kao should technically address him as granduncle or simply grandmaster, but in this setting, calling him master seemed more intimate, and was appropriate.

Guo Qianhuai chucklingly said, "I thought Elder Kang, far overseas, might be the last to arrive, but surprisingly you two were the latest. Toasts penalty, three cups each!"

Kang Rulin softly reminded, "Brother Zhou Yeming is yet to arrive."

Guo Qianhuai waved him off: "Xiao Zhou has something to attend to, so his delay is excusable. We’ll keep drinking and wait for him."

The Zhou Yeming mentioned was fifty-six years old, employed at a company called Taiyi Technology as an engineer, focusing on research into intelligent bionic robots and has business ties with He Kao.

Moreover, Zhou Yeming was also a Tier Six Artifact Master of the Micro Realm Sect and was expected to be the next sect leader.

While speaking, Kang Rulin glanced at He Kao and then looked at Guo Qianhuai, wondering—why was he invited, and why given a seat at the table?

Didn’t Guo Qianhuai’s direct disciple, Zou Tianjin, who outranks He Kao, stand at the front of the hall?

Guo Qianhuai, however, didn’t look at Kang Rulin but instead grabbed He Kao’s arm, pulling him over while smilingly explaining to everyone: "It was Old Ghost Jiang who introduced Xiao Kao to me initially. Upon meeting this lad, I felt a natural affinity, even liking him greatly!

Old Ghost Jiang entered seclusion and couldn’t be here today, but before he isolated himself, he bid me farewell, unsure if we’d ever meet again. Should it come to my departure and he’s still secluded, he entrusted this child to toast for me."

These words carried different meanings to various listeners; many had speculated about He Kao’s secret disciple status, and Guo Qianhuai’s implication pointed to him being Jiang Daozhen’s secret disciple.

Therefore, today’s role was to toast for Grandmaster Guo, not representing Lingxi Sect but Jiang Daozhen personally, which barely deemed him eligible for a seat.

But did a secret disciple truly represent Jiang Daozhen himself? Jiang Daozhen had a direct disciple, Wei Luo, with a Tier Five cultivation as Lingxi Sect steward, and many viewed as the next sect leader.

Some at the table were quite clear, however, that He Kao was actually the leader of Hidden Moth Sect and had already broken through Tier Six cultivation, thus was qualified to sit.

Mei Guyu had sat down beside Guo Qianhuai’s left hand, next to Kang Rulin, leaving the seat near Wild Phoenix for He Kao.

But He Kao felt uneasy about sitting, considering so many standing in the hall were his seniors. Though he was the Hidden Moth Sect leader and a Tier Six cultivator, this identity had not been made public and likely never would be.

Thus, He Kao helped Guo Qianhuai back to his seat, standing behind him and said, "I’ve always had great admiration for you, today I must seize the chance to personally serve you drinks!"

In ancient affluent gatherings, each guest had an attendant by their side, often young ladies, pouring wine and serving food, wherein they’d even debone fish or meat and offer them directly to the host.

He Kao spoke not of such service, but of standing behind a senior with a flask, respectfully pouring wine... merely filling glasses.

Guo Qianhuai paused slightly, then laughed heartily, saying, "Alright, that’s fine, I’ll trouble you then!"

**