Chapter 2571: The Peach Banquet

This was a realm of immortals, shrouded in swirling clouds and hazy mist. Rows of jade tables were set with exquisite nectars and a bounty of immortal fruits. The wine aroma was rich and the fruit scents even more fragrant.

This was the Pan Tao Sheng Yan. Since the establishment of Tian Ting, it occurred once every hundred years, second only to the grand event of a new ruler's ascension.

As dawn broke, figures began to gather. Immortal maidens carried jade trays of fruits, while immortals clustered in groups, exchanging greetings. The weakest among them were at Zhun Di Jiu Chong Tian, and the least senior were Xian Jun, creating a lively atmosphere.

Ye Chen's arrival drew considerable attention. In the past, many elders would have approached with warm smiles and enthusiasm. But today, many hesitated, and no one dared to step forward. They all knew of his connection to Yin Ming, and even at this banquet, or if they encountered him elsewhere, they wouldn't dare approach casually, fearing the watchful eyes hidden in the shadows.

Ye Chen said nothing and found a spot in the corner.

"Even a sixth-rank official is qualified to attend the Pan Tao Sheng Yan?"

"He's the future head of Hua Shan; that status can't be ignored."

"Perhaps it's a special privilege from His Majesty."

Whispers erupted everywhere, with the Xian Jun gossiping away, pointing and murmuring about Ye Chen.

As a result, this sixth-rank Xing Jun became the center of attention at the event. Whenever anyone arrived, they glanced at Ye Chen with curious eyes and puzzled thoughts, though no one came over to chat.

In the corner, Ye Chen sat alone, undisturbed, which suited him just fine.

Soon, Bi Xia Xianzi arrived. She appeared more aloof than usual, like Ye Chen, choosing a quiet spot to sit. She offered only perfunctory nods to the greetings around her, then sat like a statue, occasionally glancing at Ye Chen.

Ye Chen looked up but didn't see the San Tai Zi. At that moment, Yin Yang was likely exiled by Yin Ming to a remote area, holding a nominal position with no real authority.

Perhaps that's why Bi Xia Xianzi seemed so distant today. She wasn't someone who valued power, but her heart was likely chilled by Yin Ming's treatment of Yin Yang. After all, they shared the same roots—why such haste to turn against kin?

In this regard, she couldn't match Ye Chen's perspective. He saw it clearly: born into an imperial family, Yin Yang was destined for such a fate one day.

"Old Dan Zong, you look even more spirited after all this time."

The atmosphere grew even more animated with the arrival of people from Dan Shen Dian. Dan Zong led the way, followed by Dan Jun.

Dan Zong remained composed and smiled calmly, but Dan Jun's face, which had started with a grin, twisted into something grotesque upon seeing Ye Chen. If not for Ye Chen hiding in Dan Fu recently, Dan Jun might have already hired assassins.

Today, the setting was inappropriate for action, or he surely would have struck. As he watched, his ferocious expression shifted back to a smile, laced with malice and a hint of sinister intent. With Yin Ming now in power, Ye Chen's end was near—no need for him to act; others would handle it.

Ye Chen ignored him entirely. He had no time for those with clouded minds and considered him no real opponent. In all of Tian Ting, only three caught his eye: Yu Di, Dan Shen, and Yin Ming.

Now, with Yu Di retired and Dan Shen in seclusion, his true adversary in this game was Yin Ming. Victory would depend not on luck, but on their respective strengths. Tian Ting was powerful, but he wasn't one to be underestimated.

"My young friend, I hope you've been well."

To Ye Chen's surprise, the first to approach was Dan Zong, smiling warmly, his kindness genuine.

"These days, I'm more like a plague bearer, senior."

Ye Chen replied with a laugh, finding this white-haired elder more agreeable. Unlike Dan Jun, Dan Zong was gracious in defeat and maintained his dignity. Even after losing the Wu Xing Xian Huo and facing pressure from Yin Ming, he still came to greet him—a man who clearly distinguished between grudges and showed true character, worthy of deeper friendship.

"Am I just old bones waiting to be stewed by you?"

Dan Zong chuckled and sat down with a wave of his sleeve. It wasn't fear of Yin Ming; Dan Shen Dian's foundation was too strong. As long as Dan Shen was alive, Yin Ming wouldn't dare touch them. In this Tian Ting reshuffle, only Dan Shen Dian remained untouched. With such backing, he had no need to heed others.

As for Ye Chen, while there was some resentment, it was overshadowed by admiration. If even he had lost, no one in Dan Shen Dian—or all of Tian Jie, aside from his senior brother Dan Shen—could suppress Ye Chen.

A talent like Ye Chen was someone he'd love to recruit into Dan Shen Dian.

In fact, once Dan Shen emerged from seclusion, he planned to recommend it, even suggesting Ye Chen as the future head of Dan Shen Dian. This young one outshone Dan Jun in both potential and resolve.

"Senior Dan Shen—has he truly refined a Jiu Wen Dan?"

Ye Chen asked.

Dan Zong took a deep breath and smiled, shaking his head. "There is indeed a ninth dan mark, but it's missing that essential aura."

"Missing the dan spirit?"

"Exactly."

"So, to refine a Jiu Wen Dan, someone must be sacrificed?"

Ye Chen frowned.

"You could say that." Dan Zong stroked his beard.

"Thank you for the insight, senior." Ye Chen said, lowering his gaze. He now understood what a dan spirit was and confirmed his old suspicions.

Back in Da Chu, when the Tian Ji Dan was refined, it incorporated a dan spirit, with Xuan Nu and Luo Xi as the sacrifices. Without them, that pill likely wouldn't have succeeded, nor would he have reached Quasi Tian Yuan Man.

Now, it seemed that all peak-level pills required a dan spirit.

In Da Chu with the wheel of reincarnation suppressed, pills were limited too—the Tian Ji Dan was at its peak and needed a dan spirit. Without the wheel, it wasn't the peak and thus didn't require one.

But the Jiu Wen Dan, with or without the wheel, was always at the peak. Pills of that caliber, no matter where refined, demanded a dan spirit.

The same went for the Jiu Zhuan Huan Hun Dan.

"Does that mean someone has to die?"

Ye Chen murmured to himself. On the surface, the Jiu Zhuan Huan Hun Dan was to save Mu Liu Qing, but in reality, it was a life-for-life exchange. And not just anyone's life—it had strict requirements, like those of Xuan Nu and Luo Xi back then.

"Young one, would you consider joining Dan Shen Dian?"

Dan Zong smiled warmly.

"I might not even know how I'd die if I did." Ye Chen replied with a meaningful laugh.

Dan Zong coughed dryly, understanding Ye Chen meant Dan Jun. With Tian Ting's strict rules, even in Dan Shen Dian, Dan Jun could fabricate charges against him, leading to a grim end.

Dan Zong said no more and stood to leave, but that didn't mean he'd given up. Ye Chen was a prodigious talent; there was no letting him slip away. Everything could wait for Dan Shen's return—his words carried far more weight.

"We greet His Majesty."

At some point, Yin Ming made his entrance, and all the immortals rose to bow.

Ye Chen joined them; formalities had to be observed. This was his first time seeing Yin Ming since the ascension, and he was indeed different, exuding a majestic aura like the dragon's might of a mortal emperor.

This one certainly liked to show off, as if afraid others didn't know he ruled Tian Ting. Attending the Pan Tao Sheng Yan, he wore full imperial robes, radiating an eye-catching presence that dazzled all.

"My dear subjects, no need for such formality."

Yin Ming waved his hand and seated himself on the dragon throne. His smile seemed genial, but everyone knew the violence and ferocity lurking beneath that facade, especially when he glanced at Ye Chen with a touch of mockery.

With his arrival, the Pan Tao Sheng Yan truly began. Melodious music played as immortal maidens danced on the cloud stage, their graceful movements leaving Ye Chen momentarily entranced, reminding him of his own Nan Ming Yu Shu, once a renowned courtesan whose dance captivated the world.

"After today, you should head to the lower realms."

Bi Xia Xianzi's voice reached him telepathically from across the way.

"If you come, Hua Shan will welcome you."

Ye Chen replied with a laugh through the same means.

Bi Xia said nothing, glancing at Yin Ming—the ruler of Tian Ting and her brother-in-law. Though Yin Yang was exiled, he was still Yin Ming's elder brother. As the San Tai Zi's consort, she was part of the imperial family. She longed to join Yin Yang in the lower realms, finding a secluded paradise away from worldly chaos and cultivation disputes.

But would her controlling brother-in-law let them go?

The answer was no; Yin Ming's desire for control was too strong.

"How about joining me in a rebellion someday?"

Ye Chen said with a grin, still speaking telepathically.

At that, Dan Zong, seated nearby, spat out his wine. As an expert in eavesdropping, he'd caught every word of Ye Chen and Bi Xia's exchange. Suggesting rebellion—Ye Chen was quite the character.

If he reported this, Ye Chen would meet a terrible end.

"Don't say such things again."

Bi Xia's tone carried the authority of a senior, not wanting Ye Chen to lose his life over reckless words.

Ye Chen wasn't joking; he simply drank quietly. Bi Xia's serious warning stemmed from not knowing his true strength. If she heard of his past exploits, she might be tempted—perhaps even join him in rebellion.

On the cloud stage, the dancers finished, and others took the stage for lackluster performances—flutes, lutes, and pipes filling the Pan Tao Sheng Yan.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen had started gathering the feast. He stuffed the Pan Tao on the table into his storage bag and nabbed two pots of nectar, planning to take them back for Tai Yi and the others. The three Xing Jun had come to Tian Ting and probably hadn't tasted Pan Tao yet.

"Xing Jun, you're welcome to eat, but no need to take it all."

A fairy serving fruits on a jade tray whispered, having made several trips already. Each time, the table emptied, and she felt embarrassed—not just for Ye Chen, but for herself. Everyone here was distinguished; this wasn't the way.

"Of course."

Ye Chen accepted the tray smoothly. This time, he didn't pocket it, not wanting to trouble the fairy.

After biting into a peach, he glanced at Yin Ming. The man carried himself well, possessing a ruler's bearing even before, and now as Yu Di, it was even more striking. Still, compared to his father Yu Di, he fell short—some auras couldn't be faked.

Once he lowered his gaze, Ye Chen didn't look up again, leisurely drinking and enjoying the Pan Tao, waiting for the banquet to end and Yin Ming to summon him. Calling a sixth-rank official like him here wasn't just for the feast.

The banquet lasted until nightfall before dispersing. The immortals staggered away, many feigning drunkenness and acting foolishly.

But Ye Chen knew that over eighty percent were pretending. The Pan Tao Sheng Yan was both a celebration and a stage. Every participant, from Xian Zun to Xian Jun, was an outstanding actor, and the true audience was only Yin Ming.

Sometimes, playing dumb was a form of self-preservation. Perform well, and you'd live longer; perform poorly, and it was your own fault.

As expected, Yin Ming summoned him.

It was the same palace, the same pavilion, but the master had changed from Yu Di.

Yin Ming had changed out of his robes and sat leisurely, brewing tea himself now that he ruled Tian Ting. The tea's aroma was intoxicating.

Yet, the calmer he seemed, the more dangerous he was.

People with overt aggression were easier to handle, but those like Yin Ming, with hidden edges, were the most treacherous. You never knew his thoughts or plans. He appeared harmless, but the next moment, he might strike—and with cunning.

Ye Chen appreciated Yin Ming's transformation. This ruler of Tian Ting would make a worthy opponent, unlike Dan Jun, who often seemed devoid of thought.

"Sit."

Yin Ming said casually as he brewed the tea.

Ye Chen obliged, more interested in the tea than Yin Ming. This wasn't ordinary tea—it was Wu Dao Cha, which he'd tasted in Tian Xu before, rich with profound dao insights.

He hadn't expected Tian Ting to have it, and for the ruler to brew it, with a mere Xing Jun as the guest.

Such a scene would raise eyebrows anywhere.

Outside the pavilion, Zi Yang Xian Jun stood quietly, baffled. He used to read Yin Ming, but not anymore.

Watching the two inside, Yin Ming sipping tea and Ye Chen doing the same, they sat in silence, an unnatural quiet.

It was as if they were old friends reuniting after years, not enemies. Now that Yin Ming was ruler and harbored grudges against Ye Chen, why not just kill him? Why share tea?

But he didn't know that these two were far sharper. People like Ye Chen and Yin Ming understood each other without words; a gesture spoke volumes. Only those out of sync would try to imagine it.

In Zi Yang Xian Jun's eyes, tonight's tea was strangely unsettling.

From Ye Chen's arrival, they'd exchanged only one sentence, then fallen silent.

It wasn't until late night that Ye Chen rose and left slowly.

Yin Ming remained in the pavilion, savoring his Wu Dao Cha.

The two were quite the pair—clear enemies, yet acting like strangers to any grudge.

"Your Majesty, why not kill him?"

Zi Yang Xian Jun finally voiced his confusion.

"I can't bear to."

Yin Ming closed his eyes, inhaling the tea's scent with a playful tone.

Before ruling, he hated Ye Chen to the bone, itching to carve him up. But as Yu Di, that hate mixed with a strange admiration—a desire to cherish talent.

Hate and admiration made it hard to let go. Killing Ye Chen too quickly would rob him of the fun. A rivalry with a worthy opponent was most thrilling. He would kill Ye Chen, but slowly, like administering poison drop by drop, to see his helplessness and despair.

Zi Yang Xian Jun frowned, more confused than ever.

If he didn't understand, that was fine. How could a subject grasp a ruler's pleasures?