He Kao stood in front of the seat reserved for him, slightly behind Guo Qianhuai, serving wine with a delicate Cyan Jade Pot in hand.The wine pot was not small, capable of holding two pounds of wine. There were three other identical pots on the table, one at each side.
Grandmaster Guo had just said, those who arrived late must drink three punishment cups, so He Kao stood there and downed three cups of wine. Mei Guyu also drank three cups, and He Kao conveniently poured hers too, since she was nearby.
The others were somewhat surprised, as Mei Guyu usually drank little and would never let others pour for her, yet she seemed quite natural at the moment.
After his self-imposed three cups, He Kao subconsciously smacked his lips, actually feeling unsatisfied. The wine was so delicious, he had never had such good wine before...
The taste was secondary, the wine evidently had the spiritual effect of nourishing the physical form and soul, requiring mana to slowly digest after drinking... somewhat like his process of "detoxifying" for Lan Jiwan using Xue Guanghan.
Of course, this was just He Kao’s way of drinking; the high-ranking individuals present surely each had their own innate transformation method.
So the wine needed to be sipped slowly, absolutely not rushed. The lower the cultivation, the more so; if unable to digest in time, not only is it a waste, but one might actually pass out on the spot.
Looking at the people around the table, they were drinking at a normal pace for a banquet. He Kao wanted to sip a few more times but, holding the pot and serving wine, felt embarrassed to steal drinks openly.
At this moment, Wild Phoenix stretched out, handing over an empty cup, her enchanting eyes gazing at him as she gently said, "Handsome, don’t just serve wine for Grandmaster Guo, my cup is empty too."
Mei Guyu frowned slightly, casting a glance at Wild Phoenix, who acted as if she didn’t notice.
He Kao said nothing, pouring Wild Phoenix a full cup of wine, the liquid just above the rim but not spilling a drop.
Wild Phoenix placed down the cup and said thanks, still glancing at He Kao, "I saw you at Qi Yuan two years ago, looking even more spirited and handsome now!"
He Kao could only reply, "Thanks to Elder Lin and Elder Ye for their care."
Wild Phoenix laughed, "My Junior Sister Lin treats you like family, hasn’t spoiled the wrong person! You’ve rushed all the way here, haven’t had a meal yet, have you?"
He Kao laughed along, "With cultivation, skipping a meal or two doesn’t matter much."
Wild Phoenix laughed cheerfully, "But you can’t go hungry, have a Spiritual Mushroom Leg..."
What’s a Spiritual Mushroom Leg? Just as He Kao was about to speak, Wild Phoenix picked up the chopsticks at the empty seat, clamped a chicken leg, lightly shook it and the bone fell into the plate, then directly fed the meat to He Kao’s mouth.
He Kao wanted to dodge, yet somehow couldn’t dodge... nearly embarrassed himself, he couldn’t keep the meat in his mouth forever, so he ate it.
Oh, it’s not an ordinary chicken leg, it’s noticeably smaller than domesticated chickens, should be some kind of Spiritual Bird from the Grotto Heaven, with effects of nourishing blood and vitality... turns out it wasn’t a Spiritual Mushroom Leg, but a Spiritual Pheasant Leg.
Wild Phoenix: "Is the leg tasty?"
He Kao: "Tasty, very tasty, a rare delight." As he spoke, he dared not meet Wild Phoenix’s eyes, subconsciously lowering his gaze.
Wild Phoenix wore a dress of light, smooth fabric, indeed her legs were very pleasing.
The elder appeared no older than twenty-five or six, a Great Success cultivator’s appearance and mindset, so one could only say her mindset reflected this.
Her appearance was charming, skin white as porcelain with a hint of pink, her figure was impeccable... but He Kao wasn’t unaccustomed to beautiful women, being a Great Success cultivator, wouldn’t fall for mundane allure.
Elder Ye hadn’t used any charm technique, yet her vibrant vitality was perceivable. Many people aren’t aware, some possess an indescribable allure that is essentially abundant life force.
When Elder Ye spoke, He Kao involuntarily sensed her vitality; she was deliberately teasing him.
Gu Chun noticed He Kao seemed overwhelmed, and Mei Guyu had furrowed her brow, quickly interjecting, "Junior Sister, don’t trouble the lad, better accompany us old fellows for a drink."
Wild Phoenix: "Drinking with you old fellows, how is that more fun than caring for the handsome lad?"
Guo Qianhuai set down his chopsticks, "Little Phoenix, I don’t like what you’re saying! I’m an older fellow than Gu Chun, can’t I invite you for a drink today?"
Wild Phoenix raised her cup merrily, "Sorry, Grandmaster Guo, I almost forgot it was your gathering today, my cheers to you!"
Everyone raised their cups for another round, Li Xiuyuan spoke, "Grandmaster Guo, We’ve been drinking since noon, may I ask how long do you intend to go on drinking?"
Guo Qianhuai held chopsticks in his left hand and swirled his wine cup with his right, "I’m ninety-nine now, fifty-plus years into Tier Six Great Success Cultivation, have lived through much, almost experienced everything.
This lifetime hasn’t been wasted, proficient in artifact refining which I happen to enjoy, crafted some decent magical treasures, some stored in the sect’s collection, some given to favored juniors.
Before meeting the ancestors, I just want to drink up all the treasured wines I’ve accumulated over the years..."
Gu Chun softly reminded, "Uncle Master, the wine you had has already been finished earlier, what you’re drinking now was brought by me."
Guo Qianhuai glared at him, "No wonder, I wondered why it tastes better the more I drink, you had such good wine, why didn’t you bring it out sooner?"
Gu Chun: "If I’d brought it out earlier, it would’ve been gone by now!"
Everyone burst into laughter again, even those standing in front of the hall couldn’t help but smile.
Today’s occasion was evidently for bidding farewell to Grandmaster Guo, meaning Guo Qianhuai knows his lifespan is nearing its end, thus calling everyone to gather for a last meeting. Originally, He Kao felt very down, so why did he feel he couldn’t remain heavy-hearted upon arrival?
Not only that, but the atmosphere was surprisingly cheerful!
Guo Qianhuai was clearly telling everyone there’s no need to feel sad; he had a fulfilling life, enjoying things beyond an ordinary person’s imagination, leaving with no regrets... Since he isn’t sad himself, there’s even less reason for everyone else to be sad.
Perhaps the current atmosphere is what’s normal, and what Guo Qianhuai truly wished for.
As if knowing what He Kao and the others were contemplating, Guo Qianhuai continued, "When I said I’m going to meet the ancestors of the past, it wasn’t a mere joke!
Let everyone remember, in this world, real magical techniques and divine techniques exist, with some transcending into sainthood, ascending to the heavens, so no one can claim there’s no other realm where one might meet the ancestors of the past."
His words left He Kao stunned. Indeed, there truly are magical techniques and divine techniques in this world, things that are mere myths to the ordinary folk, but to those present, are tangible realities.
Given these truths, then perhaps it’s possible to meet beyond this world?
In his daze, He Kao noticed Guo Qianhuai’s cup was empty, and hurriedly approached to refill it. Guo Qianhuai raised his cup again, "I’ll toast to everyone once more, and there are a few more words I’d like to say."
After everyone finished their drinks, they fell silent. Guo Qianhuai turned to Kang Rulin, "Rulin, I remember setting a table here years ago with the elders witnessing, inviting you to succeed as Sect Leader of Micro Realm Sect."
Kang Rulin was moved, "Thirty years have passed, yet the memory is vivid, still at this place, and still this table."
Guo Qianhuai: "Though you call me uncle-master, I’m not much older than you. Even now you’re no longer young; your temper remains fierce, personally traveling overseas to engage in street brawls. This doesn’t match the identity of a sect leader at all."
Why say this? Because scrutinizing the situation, Kang Rulin indeed acted improperly.
What was the identity of the Stone Gang members? They are those Clan members of Huiming Shi Family secretly relocated overseas long ago, having become independent cultivators detached from the Magic Sect.
The Magic Sect tracked their whereabouts, but these individuals exhibited no other illegal acts, and punishment, if applied, would only be expulsion.
So-called expulsion is akin to dismissal, stripping these people of their status as Magic Sect disciples, disqualifying them from receiving resources provided by the organization, nor continuing any instruction within the sect, yet not reducing their cultivation.
They must still adhere to Sect Rules, and if any illegal acts are uncovered by the sect, penalties will ensue.
Of course, theory and reality are not aligned perfectly; the world holds myriad events, the sect cannot master them all, some situations they aren’t aware of and some matters are beyond their present capabilities.
Even full internal reform and informatization within the sect were only recently accomplished.
The Stone Gang, whether from an active or passive standpoint, is a group of expelled independent cultivators. As long as they don’t use techniques for harm, the sect need not bother, much less for a sect leader to aid them in founding a gang to dispute territory.
Kang Rulin hadn’t reported this to the Ancestral Hall beforehand, knowing it wouldn’t receive approval, informing them would instead create difficulties for the Hall.
The Ancestral Hall adopted a silent stance, allowing the private act to unfold, which in itself was a great leniency. Yet every action must bear consequences, Kang Rulin undoubtedly needs to explain the incident in retrospect.
Kang Rulin didn’t argue that he acted as a private individual, knowing such defenses wouldn’t be effective, simply lowering his head to say, "Uncle-master’s reprimand is just."
Yet Guo Qianhuai wasn’t lenient, "I heard you claimed to act as a private individual, not as Sect Leader of Micro Realm Sect. If that’s truly the case, you should have resigned from the position before acting.
Now that Zhou Yeming has attained Tier Six Alchemist, Micro Realm Sect has successors, you could long have stepped down to refine your cultivation, perhaps breaking into higher realms."
These words struck the crowd standing at the hall, surprising everyone. They’d been summoned under the pretense of bidding farewell to Grandmaster Guo, but sensed an unusual atmosphere upon arrival, evidently more lay behind it.
Yet none expected such a major affair, with Grandmaster Guo publicly urging Kang Rulin’s resignation! Some truths others might hesitate to voice, but in this scenario, Guo Qianhuai’s stature lacks such apprehension.
Still, looking at the elders seated around the table, none displayed surprise, evidently mentally prepared and aware of the day’s discussion.
Then Guo Qianhuai added, "I resigned thirty years ago, as Supreme Elder I haven’t meddled in sect affairs, my prior comments were merely personal observations."
Kang Rulin finally lifted his head, "Uncle-master’s words are quite correct, actually I intended to resign before acting, but time was too constrained and I was far overseas, the matter couldn’t be hastily handled, thus I failed to accomplish it."
Guo Qianhuai: "It’s not too late, Zhou Yeming is expected later, before bidding farewell to this old man, you can discuss and finalize the matter.
Rulin, after resigning, you needn’t fret over sect affairs, if you wish to act privately, as long as it’s not illegal, you might even oversee Stone District.
Should the mood strike, desiring to leave something for future generations, you could even create a few more paintings... What do you say?"
**