Devour

Chapter 472 Asking the Way to Divide Treasures

A soft, sweet voice suddenly called from behind: "My beloved concubine."

Ningxiang moved gracefully to Chengbai's side, her beautiful eyes shining like starlight reflected in a cold pool. She gently advised, "The night is getting deeper, the dew is heavy and the wind is chilly. You should rest early."

Cheng Bai immediately sensed something was amiss, but couldn't bring himself to say it. So, as usual, he gently held her slightly cool hand and put on a friendly smile, saying, "Is that so? I'll accompany His Majesty back to the palace."

Time flies like water; before you can savor it, the night is already late.

At the third quarter of Chen hour, the bells and chimes rang out in harmony, and the elegant gathering of immortals began.

The Yilan Terrace was brightly lit and decorated, with exquisite delicacies and fruits displayed along the corridors. The rich aroma of wine blended with the fresh fragrance of flowers and fruits, gently permeating the halls and corridors.

The venue was filled with elegantly dressed guests, and the professors and academicians exchanged pleasantries with smiles. Their fine clothes were dazzling, and the melodious sounds of their jade pendants were delightful, creating a lively atmosphere like a festival.

Looking around, the crowd was arranged in a natural way, with each gentleman subtly maintaining safety and order.

There are only twenty-seven true guests, all of whom are the most outstanding geniuses from the Five Continents and even the outer regions.

People who knew each other well gathered in twos and threes, talking in hushed tones, learning more or less about the situation, and each pondering their own countermeasures. The shrewd ones looked around, surveying the whole picture, observing people's expressions and demeanor. The arrogant ones kept a cold eye, subtly using their magical power to create a barrier of energy, keeping others at a distance of about an inch.

Bao Youchuan saw Cheng Bai and Ningxiang approaching side by side from afar and immediately greeted them with a smile. As he led the way, he said with a smile, "Today is an unprecedented feast. The academy has specially brought out all of its 'Jade Toad Elixir,' which has been stored for a hundred years. There are a total of 1,881 barrels! Please enjoy yourselves."

Cheng Bai greeted him with a smile, "It is a great blessing to be able to enjoy this time with Mr. Bao Liu."

As soon as he turned around, he saw Feng Yong and Lu Xiaoxi walking towards him leisurely.

Upon reaching Cheng Bai, the Holy Maiden of the Non-Heavenly Sect bowed respectfully and said, "Great Bai, it's been a long time. Observing your inner radiance and composed temperament, you are even more impressive than before."

Lu Xiaoxi also smiled and said, "The trip to the secret realm was all thanks to Brother Bai's support. I will never forget his kindness."

Cheng Bai quickly returned the greeting: "Saintess Feng, Miss Lu, you two are even more beautiful than before. The mountains and rivers have not changed, and old friends remain the same."

Feng Yong's eyes flickered slightly as he glanced at Ning Xiang, then smiled and praised, "What a beautiful and radiant young lady!"

Upon hearing this, Ningxiang blushed slightly and politely replied, "Sister, you are exceptionally beautiful and naturally charming, which is why I am so captivated by you."

Wu Xu and Su Tianjing stood guard in front of the Treasure Hall, solemnly distributing the Inquiry Cards to each invited prodigy who entered the hall.

When it was Cheng Bai and Ning Xiang's turn, Su Tianjing gently reminded them, "Each of you will receive three Question Cards, which are your proof of participation in answering questions. The number is limited, so please cherish them."

Cheng Bai took the question card, wondering to himself, "This thing is the admission ticket to the elegant gathering? Each person only has three chances to solve the questions?"

With suspicion, Cheng Bai turned around and saw Xiao Xiao leading Ji Dong, Chi Manman, and Leng Hanmei as they strolled over. The group seemed to be chatting and laughing, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

After all the guests had entered the Treasure Hall, Lan Xinqi and Xiong Wuxiu each stood on one side and slowly pushed open the heavy hall door. With a muffled "bang," the door closed tightly from the inside.

Jinlian led Ningxiang, Yunjuan, and others, moving freely among the various sects' prodigies, treating the grand event as a social stage.

Cheng Bai looked around and noticed that the twenty-eight magic arrays had an extra layer of hazy light compared to yesterday, making it impossible to see the details inside. He muttered to himself, "Once the door is closed, my divine sense is isolated from the outside world. This Treasure Hall is like a small world of its own."

With eyes as sharp as lightning, Cheng Bai swept across the entire venue. He discerned the strength of each person and felt a sense of awe: "Most of them are outstanding young talents, and some of them are even stronger than me. I heard that this year's gathering has brought together top talents from other regions, making it an unprecedentedly grand event. It is indeed true."

Among the guests was a lone figure covered in yellow fur, with distinctly animalistic features. Cheng Bai recognized him at a glance—it was Wang Xiongwu, who had fully recovered from his injuries.

The two stared at each other, dumbfounded for a moment. Cheng Bai broke the silence first, asking, "Venerable Wang, what brings you to the Immortal Gathering?"

Wang Xiongwu crossed his arms, gave a disdainful snort, and said in a loud voice, "Why can't I come? My divine skills are unparalleled in the world. I can fight against heretical demons and monsters. My name is known throughout the five continents and four seas. I was naturally invited here by Taotie Academy with utmost respect!"

Cheng Baixin understood: "Huang Yunzi has died and his cultivation has vanished. If Venerable Wang does not fill the vacancy, this gathering of immortals will not be able to gather enough people, and it may be ruined."

He smiled modestly, cupped his hands in a polite gesture, and said, "In the future, I will have to rely on Venerable Wang's unparalleled divine power!"

"Hahaha! No problem." Wang Xiongwu grinned, revealing sharp, white fangs.

Cheng Bai caught a glimpse of Ren Yijian waving at him, and quickly stepped forward to bow and say, "Greetings, Holy Lord Ren."

Ren Yijian's eyes narrowed, and he quietly warned, "The White Emperor Saint Master must be wary of any changes. That blond youth is said to be the Holy Son of the Jingtao Sect, but he is only a member of a collateral branch of the Wang family. Yet his cultivation is unfathomable, making him an unprecedented genius in the history of Jing'ao Island! Strangely, he and the Wang Hong Saint Master are like strangers."

Cheng Bai understood the reason and quietly replied with his divine sense: "There are internal conflicts within their faction, which are not for outsiders to know."

Ren Yijian nodded slightly, a knowing look on his face, and said in a low voice, "This kind of thing can't be said, it shouldn't be said!"

The appointed time has arrived. Atop the newly added armillary sphere in the Treasure Hall, a bronze bell tolls four times, its lingering resonance echoing throughout the hall.

All the faint light surrounding the magic array dissipated, revealing the treasures within, but they must not be touched rashly.

A clear, melodious voice rang out: "Starry rafts float on the sea to meet in the Eastern Paradise, jade chapters and precious stones accompany the immortal boat."

All eyes were drawn to the center of the hall, where Master Li, dressed in a cloud-patterned brocade robe, wearing a jade-adorned headscarf and a cloud-patterned dragon belt, stood beside the armillary sphere, personally presiding over the grand event.

He smiled and whispered to each person, "On behalf of the Confucian scholar Taowu Academy, I welcome all fellow Daoists to this year's Immortal Gathering."

His words were gentle yet authoritative, like a spring breeze, causing everyone to stand quietly in silence.

The moonstone pearls embedded in the roof of the palace, together with the rare treasures around it, create a soft and flowing light that casts faint shadows at everyone's feet.

After a brief silence, the various prodigies displayed different expressions: some stopped to examine the treasures, some secretly sized up their opponents, and some held their breath and waited for the right opportunity.

"Thank you for your hospitality!" A hearty laugh broke the silence. Ji Dong strode out of the crowd, his armor shimmering with subtle patterns, hinting at wind and thunder. "I am a straightforward person and don't like to beat around the bush."

He clasped his hands in a salute, his gaze sweeping across the entire hall like a sword, pausing almost imperceptibly at several outstanding figures, and then spoke in a booming voice: "Today's 'celestial encounter,' a joyous gathering of geniuses from the five continents, is more than just a meeting of titans; it is truly exhilarating!"

As soon as he finished speaking, another mature and steady voice rang out, carrying just the right amount of praise: "Having witnessed this grand event, I realize how magnificent and well-organized it is, truly an eye-opener."

It was Wang Hong who spoke. After calming himself down, he asked in a serious tone, "But what are the rules for obtaining the treasure? I hope you can enlighten us."

His words hit the nail on the head. The purpose of everyone's trip was to divide the treasure, and how to divide it was what everyone cared about most.

Master Li stood with his hands in his sleeves, his voice clear and melodious like a morning bell: "Please look at the many rare treasures in the hall, there are exactly twenty-eight kinds, which can correspond to each of the outstanding talents present."

At this moment, everyone's attention was focused on Master Li.

"The rules for distributing the treasures are as follows: Anyone who can identify the name, origin, and effects of a treasure can present their Inquiry Card to the Confucian scholar for verification."

Master Li demonstrated by taking out a metal card as thin as a cicada's wing: "When you entered, you all received three of these Question Cards. Those who can accurately identify the treasure must first pay one card and then answer a riddle posed by the scholar."

He paused slightly, hoping everyone would understand the message, and then continued: "The treasure will belong to the person who answers correctly on the spot. However, please know that each person will receive one treasure, and the winner may not covet any others! Each question will be limited to 15 minutes, and you may answer three times with your three question cards."

At this point, Master Li's tone turned serious: "This is the essence of the game at the Immortal Gathering. Those who exhaust all their Question Cards and fail to answer correctly are considered failures and will not be eligible for any treasures!"

The moment the words were spoken, the tranquility of the hall, where treasures mingled, was abruptly shattered, and the heavy breathing around them could no longer be suppressed.

Opportunities are fleeting; even if treasures are within reach, one fears missing them. Defeat here would place one at the bottom among heroes from all directions, becoming a laughingstock for the world.