After waking up from a bad sleep, I went on to my study, taking out some books to well, study. They were the books about banquets left from my tutoring. When a Prominent Clan holds a banquet, they use the pocket realms kept for these kinds of occasions. But that's for those related to cultivation, most of the Birth Of Self Reverends don't take part in politics anymore and focus on their cultivation, except for Grand Elders, who are older generations who can't go beyond Early Birth Of Self, so they dedicate themselves to the Clan instead.
'Wait, is Father close to breakthrough? Is that why Grand Elder doesn't care what he does since he will be exiting the political scene?'
'It's still too early, eldest brother isn't even Peak Altar Activation yet. Why have children so late if you are going to just cultivate damn it!'
'Hopefully, Grand Elder steps up and assumes the mantle till the eldest brother is ready. Although the Clan is harmonious right now, I know a few elders who would do shady stuff for the patriarch position.'
"Sigh, let's just focus on studying."
Three weeks passed by in a blink. During the first two weeks, I recuperated and prepared for the banquet. As I am the main character of it, I need to look the part. So I spent the last week practising the first section of Coiling Lightning Tribulation Whip Arts, my master over whip increasing a great deal. No longer did I coil it by mistake or miss my targets. With how powerful my body was, the speed of the tip even exceeded Mach 6, creating thunderous sound booms with my every swing. Though I can't say I mastered the moves. I'm not using any Qi after all. It is enough to get me a high ranking in the tournament.
"Are you ready, little seventh?"
"Yes, brother."
"Alright, I will take you to the place. By the way can't you always dress like this, now you look like the noble scion you are."
"Yeah yeah, I know..." On the way, we talked about weapon arts, participants and jade beauties. Kryptonite of every young master.
"I had a junior sister in the Institute, she had a chest as big as her heart. One look into her eyes and you would melt, unable to look away or think of anything else. She was good at alchemy, I know guys who still keep the pills she made, unable to eat them. Hopefully you will meet such beauties too, Little Seventh. It's the joy of being single!"
"What do you mean the joy of being single, are you mocking me, brother? Did you forget why this banquet is held?" I replied jokingly."I'm already taken, what single life! In what world does a junior get married before their senior? And did you forget I'm just twelve, saying such indecent things? Tch tch..."
"Haha you jest little seventh, my wife is the Dao! It's like I'm married already, so I will cultivate and reach the pinnacle!"
"You know you could have a Dao Companion right, you know, like father."
"And that is exactly why I won't." The air turned cold for a moment, then he changed the topic.
"By the way what do you think about your fiancee?" He's not good at it...
"Not much to be honest. I don't think we ever met. Even if we did, then she didn't leave much of an expression. Though they say she is a mute and can't cultivate, you know what they say about me." And bu I'm really good at sinking conversations too... "Ahem, anyways. Hopefully, at least she isn't forced to do this, I would feel like shit otherwise."
"You really don't look forward to it huh."
"I mean would you? I would rather have my lover as my Dao Companion, have a single heir than go buy milk or whatever."
"Oh~ I didn't know my little brother had such ideas, where did you learn those indecent things huh?"
"Sigh..."
After that we arrived at the teleportation array, eldest brother infused his Qi to array artefact, booting it. A bright light flashed and I felt my insides turning.
'I really hate teleportation...'
"HAHAHA! You should've seen your face, it was like 'BLERGH' HAHAHAHA."
"Fine, laugh all you want, but don't let me see you after you drink, I thought this banquet needed a clown anyway. Hmph!"
"Wait, you won't right? Big brother is sorry little seven, I won't tease you anymore!"
We entered the lounge while laughing our lungs out. Changed into our classy robes and set out.
The banquet was held at the westernmost shore of the Central Continent. It is said that Lin Clan's founding ancestor came from a village here and joined a local sect, going through tribulations and supressions of big sects, who were in power at that time. Eventually, with other Prominent Clans' founding ancestors, they rebelled and built the system we are all a part of today. Outside of cultivation ones, every banquet is held at Clans' Ancestral Lands.
As we entered the mansion, countless nobles gathered around us.
"Congratulations to the 7th Young Master! I did not think I would see the day infamous genius of the Lin Clan get engaged. I wonder which Young Miss caught your eye?"
'This guy surely heard of Mr. Excellent but misunderstood why they called me that, sigh...'
"Thanks for your kind words Eldest Young Master Jun. I hope you have a great time today." Greetings like that kept going till we reached the Main Hall, where now Elders had the say.
"I thank all distinguished guests for joining us on this joyous day. I know you all are tired from coming such a long way, so let's not waste any time and have a talk over a meal and light drinks!" The First Elder snapped his fingers, and servants came out to serve meals and pour drinks. Even though it looked like a simple meal, vegetables were of 3rd rank spiritual plants and meats were of 4th rank beasts. The wine was made from 4th spiritual fruits, filling the entire hall with a rich and sweet scent. Everyone waited till the First Elder raised his cup, only then did they too raise theirs and drink it, as per etiquette. I only drank juice along with other juniors.
As everyone ate they chatted, about their past and recent adventures, trades or even how their wife at home treated them. Now thinking about it these people really lack stimuli, so they do events like these. Drama feeds, after all.
"Ahem." The first Elder voice reverberated through the hall. "Today, we are gathered to congratulate our junior, Young Master Axel, who just took his first step in his immortal path. May his path reach the Dao!"
"May his path reach the Dao!"
"Axel has always been exemplary, I believe his path to immortality will be smooth. But no one treads this path alone, and from this day onward, he shall not be alone as Young Miss Iyana Jiang shall be with him!" A petite-looking girl around my age came forward, standing next to the First Elder. "As of today, they are engaged to be married after graduating, may their heartfelt feelings reach the Dao!"
"May their heartfelt feelings reach the Dao!"
'Oi oi, wait a minute. What heartfelt feelings? We just met today. And she clearly is shocked too, you didn't even tell her? What bullshit that stupid father of mine cooking?'
"Now we should give some privacy to the young couple, let the duels begin!"
'Now they shooed us and will watch the younger generation duel? Oh god, how bored you guys can be...'
While Iyana made her way to my side, I glanced at my eldest brother, who winked at me.
'Why are you winking!!' As she came near, I couldn't stand these madmen anymore and guided her to Phoenix Pavilion's garden where we could talk freely.
"I'm sorry for what happened, it seems they didn't tell you any of this. I just learned about it too, if you don't like it you can say it to me." 'Looks like there are a lot of things she doesn't like from how she is frowning.' As she flipped her scroll towards me I read what she wrote, it was:
"Who are you, and what is your purpose for being here?"