One of the guests raised his cup and said, "We all started as Servant Disciples. Looking back, it’s been many years since a Shezhe figure as dazzlingly talented as Junior Brother Fang has appeared! To see the Cyan Profound Sword today... we are all honored by association!"

"Brother Zhang is absolutely right. To be able to drink at the same table as the Cyan Profound Sword today is something we can brag about for years to come."

Everyone raised their cups to toast Fang Cheng, and the words of flattery came one after another.

Fang Cheng sat calmly at the table, smiled faintly, and said, "Senior Brothers and Sisters, you praise me too highly."

Liu Shiyan picked up his cup, held it up with both hands as a sign of respect, and said, "Junior Brother Fang, you have shown my wife and me a great kindness. Today, I toast you!"

Fang Cheng didn’t refuse. He raised his cup, clinked it against Liu Shiyan’s, and drained it in one go.

’This couple, Liu and Yang, are a spare chess piece. They might be useful someday.’

’To stand out in a behemoth like the Yinluo Sect, my own resources and Madam Ye’s are far from enough.’

During the banquet, Senior Sister Yang came out holding her daughter and asked Fang Cheng to give her a name.

Fang Cheng immediately gave her the name "Miaoyin."

The name was derived from Senior Sister Yang’s inherited arts, signifying the hope that their descendants would carry on and bring glory to this legacy.

As cups were raised and toasts were made, they all chatted freely, speaking of many matters concerning the Outer Sect of the Yinluo Sect. It was an eye-opening experience for Fang Cheng, who gathered a great deal of useful information.

「Later in the banquet.」

Liu Shiyan put down his cup and sighed, "To have wine but no song... it lacks a certain beauty."

Senior Sister Yang’s expression shifted slightly. She glanced at Fang Cheng and said with a smile, "Perhaps we could invite Junior Brother Fang to watch the Flower Fairy Dance."

Liu Shiyan said delightedly, "An excellent suggestion!" He then turned to Fang Cheng and asked, "What do you think, Junior Brother?"

Fang Cheng nodded. "As the guest, I will follow the host’s arrangements. Senior Brother, please do as you see fit."

Liu Shiyan chuckled and gave Senior Sister Yang a meaningful look.

Senior Sister Yang immediately clapped her hands softly.

Suddenly, an auspicious light filled the main hall of the Cave Mansion. One by one, delicate and vibrant flowers emerged from the floor, slowly unfurling their petals.

One flower among them was exceptionally large.

It bloomed to a width of about ten feet, its petals as large as mats.

A woman clad in thin gauze was seated in the heart of the flower. As it bloomed, she was revealed to all.

She had a slender figure, skin as smooth as jade, and her hair was styled like clouds and mist. Her beautiful eyes darted about expressively. Her posture and features were all of the highest quality, but her Cultivation was rather low—only at the Third Layer of Sensing.

She rose gracefully, and a zither at her feet began to play on its own, its notes flowing out in a sweet, enchanting melody.

The woman’s delicate feet stepped lightly as she danced among the petals, as nimble as a swallow. The sway of her skirt revealed glimpses of her smooth, snow-white legs—a tantalizingly sensual sight within an otherwise elegant performance.

Liu Shiyan had been watching Fang Cheng’s expression the whole time. He now spoke up, "Junior Brother Fang, you don’t often reside in your Outer Sect Cave Mansion. When you do visit, it’s always so quiet and desolate, and you don’t even have anyone to attend to you. Why not let this woman return with you to manage your Cave Mansion?"

Fang Cheng, still appreciating the woman’s wondrous dance, gave a noncommittal reply, "What is her background? Why does she bear a slight resemblance to Senior Sister Yang?"

Liu Shiyan laughed awkwardly and said in a low voice, "She is my wife’s younger sister."

Fang Cheng just smiled and didn’t reply.

Just then, Chen Yu Yan stood up and said, "Senior Brother Liu, I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now."

Her pretty, clear face was unreadable.

Liu Shiyan was taken aback for a moment. He was about to speak, but Senior Sister Yang, who was beside him, gave him a subtle tug.

Liu Shiyan glanced at Fang Cheng, and understanding suddenly dawned on him. He quickly said, "This elder brother has been a poor host. Please forgive me, Junior Sister."

Chen Yu Yan smiled faintly and left her seat.

Fang Cheng also took this opportunity to stand up and bid farewell.

The couple, Liu and Yang, along with all the other guests at the table, immediately rose to see them off, escorting the two of them all the way out of the Cave Mansion.

...