NOVEL NEXT Chapter 45: A Modest Feast
"Ah, where are my manners?" Patriarch Shang shook his head. "As riveting as this discussion is, we did not gather here solely to talk."
At his command, a group of servants orderly entered the hall, carrying trays and platters of steaming dishes. The air became rich with the mouthwatering scent of food, and soon, the table was filled with a banquet fit for an entire room full of guests.
There was far more served than what the four of them could reasonably finish. Their variety was not lacking either. Feng spied the meat from half a dozen different Spirit Beasts: cooked, stewed, and seasoned with a delicious mix of spices. On top of that, the meat was accompanied by spiritual vegetable dishes, golden rice, and a ridiculous amount of Spirit Wine.
It was a far richer spread than what Feng had been expecting. His father had spared no expense in treating his guests. Every single piece of the feast was prepared only with the finest ingredients, all possessing spiritual properties that would aid in cultivation.
The reactions of the Chen sisters were as expected. Lianshi's eyes were practically sparkling with delight, her grin so wide it was almost frightening. Lingyu's expression was more controlled, but even she struggled to compose herself as her fingers twitched, and her canines lengthened in anticipation.
"Please, there's no need to hold back," Patriarch Shang said as he spread his hands. "This humble feast is prepared for you two. My son and I could hardly be expected to finish all this ourselves, can we?"
'Humble', his father had called it. Feng could not hold back a chuckle. It was tradition for cultivators to downplay the breadth of their generosity in the face of honoured guests, but even that should have limits. Nothing about this feast could be considered 'humble'. There was more Spirit meat here than what most Disciples would see in an entire year.
None would rebuke the Patriarch for preparing such a spread, either. Aside from his authority as the leader of the Sect being unquestionable, it was customary for esteemed guests to be welcomed with a hospitality befitting of their status.
Feng understood that such a thing was more protocol than suggestion. Failure to showcase a proper welcome was both an insult to guests and an invitation for ridicule to fall upon the Sect itself. And given the Chen sisters' positions as Young Misses — with Lianshi even being Feng's future wife — the stakes were high indeed.
It seemed their expectations were well met, however. Lianshi and Lingyu needed no further prompting from the Patriarch to eat. After a hurried bow and exclamation of thanks, they quickly filled their plates and dug into their meals.
At least they still had the restraint to use their cutlery, but Lianshi's moan of satisfaction after she bit into the tender fat of an Ashen Boar's thigh still toed the line on acceptable table manners. Lingyu's usual strict composure was gone, replaced with a childlike wonder as she sampled rich meat and vegetable dishes one after another.
Faced with such gastronomical delights — and with his qi starving as well — Feng did not hold back either, starting with slow bites of flank meat and rice, before soon wolfing through dish after dish while washing down with carafes of Spirit Wine.
The food was of high quality. Golden grain and spirit produce both hold ample amounts of qi and were delicious as well, but their worth as cultivation sustenance paled in comparison to meat. Only the consumption of flesh would see the effects of His Majesty's Eternal Banquet activate, allowing greater transfers of qi and spiritual nutrition. They were also the only thing that could truly sate a cultivator's Hunger.
The choices of meat available before him were superb. Feng saw every variety of Spirit Beast flesh available to be found on the Phoenix Mountain, both wild game and domesticated livestock. An entire roasted Golden Pheasant sat beside plates of grilled Sunkissed Bovine ribs. Beetle Lamb chops are stewed together in a bowl of Lantern Bat wings. Different cuts of Ashen Boar meat were served stir-fried, smoked, or stewed. The brain of a Stonehook monkey was diced and braised with herbs, forming chunks of soft, tofu-like blocks that melted in his mouth.
An entire Man-Eating Catfish — its bulk carried on a massive plate by a whole team of servants — was laid out across the length of the table. The enormous size of the monster dwarfed everything else.
All the Spirit Beasts had been in the upper Steps of the Shaping Realm before being slaughtered. Even for a cultivator of his advancement, he could still feel the past strength that once seeped into the flesh and organs served before him. Each bite of meat was positively saturated in qi, and cleansed of the impurities one typically finds in uncultivated flesh. Within a few dishes, Feng could feel his missing liver regenerating back, and his spiritual reserves steadily replenished.
Patriarch Shang did not eat with as much gusto as the three, but he savoured his fair share of meat and wine as well. The man ate with a grace and discipline that Feng could only envy. Perhaps one day, he would achieve that level of self-control.
But for now, he was still young. Best make use of that excuse and act as gluttonously as was permissible for a hungry cultivator his age.
Few words were exchanged during the next quarter-hour, aside from the occasional enthusiastic compliment from Lianshi and Lingyu. Being of the Split-headed Carnivore Sect and raised within the icy peaks of the Fang Mountain, meat rich in Yang qi was scarce, and even with their position affording them better pickings, full meals of flesh that ended with satiation were still rare.
Faced with such a bounty now, it was little wonder that they feasted with such fervour.
Feng was little better, of course. While his pace did not match theirs, with his hunger so acutely felt, the Young Master was devouring through the dishes at a rapid pace.
Until his knife cut into the thick length of meat, and a mellifluous voice cut through the fugue of hunger.
"I see your conscience is easily buried when the thunderous call of avarice takes hold."
Feng jolted, his mind sharpening back into clarity the moment those words scythed through his thoughts and severed him from his mindless indulgence. His eyes scanned the room in a panic, until they settled on the outline of that damnable woman again.
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Neither the Chen sisters nor his father had reacted to the voice nor the sudden appearance of a stranger in their midst. Feng did not expect them to, and he certainly did not expect her to show up now.
Her form was still blurry and vague, but it was clearer than he had seen her in a while. Feng could make out the outline of her body and attire — a shapely form clad in a strange, long-sleeve and buttoned white shirt, complete with black pants and sandals.
The material was unlike any he had seen before, and the design was similarly alien in appearance. The uniqueness of her attire had led to some attempts by him to trace her origins through her clothes, but as far as his findings could tell, no one in the Outer Provinces wore apparel like hers.
It suited her well, however. Feng could admit that much. The luminance of her blood-red hair shone as ominously as usual, made all the darker by her pale skin and attire. Most of her face was obscured, with only a gentle smile being visible, but he could still feel the dead gaze of that loathsome emerald eye as clear as ever.
A gaze of Jade, judging him. She bowed, and though her form was respectful and poised, it almost felt mocking.
"This lowly Heart greets her God."
More nonsense. And at a most inopportune time, as well. Feng gritted his teeth and resolutely tore his eyes away from her. There was no need to entertain her, he reminded himself. He could simply disregard her and continue with the rest of his meal, and there was nought she could do.
"Would this be the same level of disregard that you showed the mare this morning? The very same mare that you are eating right now?"
What? Feng's focus snapped to the large piece of meat before him, realising too late that the chunk of flesh he was tearing off before was from the leg of a horse. The Flame-Wheeled Mare, to be exact.
The same mare that he had let die earlier today at the stablehouse after it had so faithfully served him.
In his hunger, Feng had not even stopped to see what he was eating, guided solely by the scent and taste of freshly cooked meat. Guilt and disgust filled him, and for a moment, his hunger was suppressed. He set aside the horse meat, his appetite suddenly diminishing.
"The mare cares not for your guilt. She died because of your hesitation. You might as well reap the gains of your cowardice."
The Young Master took a breath to calm himself. The wraith's voice was barely a whisper, yet he heard her mocking words all the same.
"Have you eaten your fill, Senior Brother?"
Those words came not from the wraith this time. Feng looked to his side and saw Lingyu looking at him with some concern.
"Are you alright? Your face looks awful," she asked hesitantly.
"Ah, um, the horse meat wasn't to my liking," he replied awkwardly.
"You haven't even taken a bite yet." The Younger Miss observed.
Feng winced. "It's…"
"I'll have it if you don't want to," Lianshi chipped in from the side. "I haven't tried that before. The steeds of the Beheaded Phoenix Sect are said to be heavy with Yang energy."
"Oh. Here you go, then. Lingyu, you should try some as well," the Young Master said as he relaxed by a fraction. Trust Lianshi's gluttony to come in when it was handy, saving him from an awkward conversation as Lingyu curiously tasted the horse flesh he passed to her plate.
"Don't be fooled. Unlike her younger sister, your concubine noticed your discomfort. As did your false-progenitor."
Feng frowned. "You could just call them by their proper names," he thought to her. The wraith did not reply, although whether it was because she could not hear him or because she couldn't care to, he didn't know.
He continued eating, but he slowed his pace. His reserves were already reasonably filled. While there was little Spiritual harm to be found in overindulgence, there was also no need to overeat.
Soon, Lingyu stopped in her feast, and despite the best efforts of Lianshi, even her voracious assault on the dishes ceased. His father similarly stopped in his eating once it became clear all three of them were finished.
The overwhelming pile of food before them was only half-consumed. Sated as they were, both Lianshi and Lingyu still looked mournful at the prospect of leaving the bounty unfinished. As Split-headed Carnivores, the thought of wasting food in any capacity must have been unthinkable. Thankfully, his father had already thought of that beforehand and reassured them with his following offer.
"I can have the servants package the remaining leftovers. You may distribute them to your retinue as you see fit."
"That's—! Um, extremely generous of you, Patriarch Shang," Lingyu said, caught off guard but nonetheless grateful for his proposal. Lianshi's grin echoed her little sister's appreciation.
"There's no need to be so formal with me, Lady Lingyu," his father said warmly. "As your sister has mentioned, we are practically family already. You may call me Uncle-in-law, if you wish."
Lingyu looked uncomfortable, her next words hurriedly delivered with a bow after a noticeable pause. "This one is honoured you would allow her such kindness, Great Patriarch, but please understand I mean no insult when I say I would still wish to greet you by your proper title."
Patriarch Shang nodded, his hands raised in a placating gesture. "Please, be at ease. I have no wish to impose or make you uncomfortable. If addressing me as Patriarch suits you best, know that I have no qualms with it."
His father then clapped his hands. "Our feasts come to a close, but I have one last delicacy for you to enjoy. Consider it dessert, if you will."
"We have already eaten our fill, Father-in-law," Lianshi admitted with some measure of surprise. "There's no need for further hospitality."
"You will find space for this particular dish, I assure you."
There was a notable level of anticipation in his father's words. Feng found himself curious as well.
Until the wraith spoke.
"Steady yourself. Now comes the true test."
Feng frowned, and then he paled when the familiar, sweet-smelling scent of iron reached his nose. Despite his satiation, his hunger returned with a roaring blaze. His throat went dry, as if it were parched from days.
Servants carried the plates in, their expressions tightly controlled as — even within the Patriarch's presence — they struggled greatly not to show their temptation.
For nestled in the four plates they carried were the freshly cooked bodily remains of their Sect Disciples.
First Realm: Foundation Realm (Removal of Impurities), Part 1
The First Realm of Cultivation is the Foundation Realm. Assuming one possesses the right meridians and lives in an area sufficiently saturated with qi, their body will one day naturally break through from a mere mortal into the Foundation Realm with little effort. In general, there is no age restriction for when a mortal may break into the Foundation Realm. Such things depend on the healthiness of their body, their natural affinity for cultivation, and — most importantly — the qi density of their surroundings.
Qi pills and a diet of spirit produce can help expedite or even immediately trigger the process at an earlier age. Such a strategy is only afforded to wealthier Clans, who would often have their scions begin the Path at a younger age to gain an advantage over their peers.
Within the Foundation Realm, the practitioner takes their first Step and embarks on a lifelong journey to achieve immortality. Though millions of cultivators have failed in this gruelling quest, with enough luck and skill, he or she may yet be one of the destined few who would secure the rights to their eternal fates.
– Excerpt from To Those Worthy of the Eternal Banquet