Fang Haotian was not one for excessive formalities. Seeing that there was still some time before the celebration began, he turned to the two juniors behind him and said,

"Sitting here idly is rather boring. You two might as well go for a walk. As I recall, Mount Yan still has a few scenic spots open for visitors."

Gu Wanhao smiled. "I should have thought of that. You two go along as well. Just remember your manners with our hosts."

Gu Changhuan chuckled. "Since we are guests, we shall naturally follow the host's arrangements and keep our manners."

"Fellow Daoists of the Gu Clan, would you care to join us?" the Fang family youth invited, while Fang Xin'ai offered a shy smile.

At her smile, Gu Shiyou blushed. Completely absorbed in alchemy, he rarely interacted even with fellow clan members, let alone a beautiful and gentle female cultivator like Fang Xin'ai. Naturally, he felt rather self-conscious.

Gu Changhuan cast a glance at his little uncle.

A gentle smile from a pretty woman really was devastating to a reclusive nerd like his uncle.

Unfortunately, Yu Ruyi had set a high standard, and the pair might already have exchanged love tokens. Fang Xin'ai was unlikely to take an interest in his uncle.

"We would be glad to join you. I am Gu Changhuan, and this is my uncle, Gu Shiyou. May I ask your names?"

"I am Fang Xinran."

"And I am Fang Xin'ai." Fang Xin'ai kept her composure, not mentioning their prior meeting at all, acting as though they were meeting for the very first time.

Since they were all youths, finding common ground was easy. As they conversed, the topic turned to the Yu Clan's ancient tree, instantly piquing everyone's curiosity.

As soon as they stepped out of the banquet pavilion, a Yu Clan junior approached them.

"I am Yu Ruhang. Are you fellow Daoists finding the proceedings dull and looking to stretch your legs?"

At that moment, Fang Xin'ai stepped forward by half a pace.

"Fellow Daoist Yu, I have heard that your clan has a remarkable ancient tree. Would you be willing to show it to us?"

Having praised the Yu Clan's tree first, Fang Xin'ai left Yu Ruhang with no reason to refuse or turn down their group.

It seemed she was genuinely interested in the ancient tree, which conveniently saved Gu Changhuan the trouble of bringing it up.

"That is no trouble at all. I shall guide you there."

Yu Ruhang agreed without hesitation.

The Yu patriarch had approved such visits. As far as the clan knew, the tree was useful only for its beauty and for nourishing the surrounding Spiritual Qi. Its foliage was dense, but it had grown less than ten meters in three hundred years. Cutting it down for artifact refining would hardly be worth it.

Without any practical economic value, there was no need to worry about outsiders coveting it, which was why visitors were freely permitted to view it.

Before long, Yu Ruhang led the group to the ancient tree. Surrounded by a defensive Formation, it could only be admired from beyond the boundary.

"How stunning!" Fang Xin'ai exclaimed softly.

"Truly magnificent," Gu Shiyou agreed, nodding.

Gu Changhuan observed the tree closely. Its multi-colored leaves emitted a faint fluorescent glow, giving it the appearance of an immortal relic. While its shape bore a striking resemblance to the Seven-Treasures Wondrous Spirit Tree recorded in Zhenlingzi's notes, the trunk of the Seven-Treasures Wondrous Spirit Tree was crimson, whereas this tree's trunk was a deep brown.

Could it be a spirit tree unique to their own realm?

Gu Changhuan pondered silently. It seemed he would have to use the Tongxian Map to be certain. Fortunately, the perimeter of the Formation was relatively small.

Directing his Inner Vision toward the Tongxian Map, he noticed that the marker representing the ancient tree glowed with a blue light.

Third-Tier Low Grade Seven-Colored Spirit Mulberry Tree.

Gu Changhuan nearly laughed aloud.

No wonder nobody had discovered its use in over three hundred years! Who would recognize a mulberry tree with ginkgo-shaped leaves that never bore fruit?

All those years with its value hidden in plain sight. What a waste of good mulberry leaves!

However, Gu Changhuan had no intention of enlightening the Yu Clan.

What a joke. The tree had sat here for three hundred years while the clan remained completely ignorant of its name and purpose. If an outsider pointed it out the moment he arrived, it would be tantamount to shouting to the world that he was hiding secrets.

Naturally, the others found nothing extraordinary upon inspecting it.

At that moment, Fang Xinran abruptly changed the subject.

"The Nine Perches Market Competition is less than two years away. Do you two plan to participate?"

"That is one of the most important events in the Nine Perches Mountains. Whether we attend is for the clan to decide.

"But if the Gu Clan needs me, I will gladly take part," Gu Changhuan replied, committing himself to nothing more.

The Nine Perches Market Competition was held every twenty years, contested solely by Qi Condensation Realm cultivators from the four dominant clans. The final rankings determined the proportion of tax revenue each clan would control from the market over the next two decades.

During the last competition, Gu Changhuan had not yet stepped onto the path of cultivation. Now, the next one was looming in less than two years.

Once the Gu Clan's Foundation Establishment Celebration concluded, he would likely return to the market, after which he would need to spend an uncertain amount of time transitioning to his new cultivation technique. Still, a year should be more than sufficient.

Once his technique was settled, he would need to focus on honing his combat abilities.

The competition gave clan youngsters a chance to prove themselves. Three to five consecutive wins would be enough to earn the elders' notice.

While Gu Changhuan had no particular desire to show off, using the event to temper his practical combat skills was a worthwhile endeavor.

Since the four clans were allied and Foundation Establishment experts would be present to oversee the matches, injuries were possible, but lives would certainly not be endangered.

With that thought in mind, participating in the market competition was entirely feasible-and it would offer a good opportunity to observe the combat styles of other clans.

Having made up his mind, Gu Changhuan joined the others in touring a few more scenic areas. Roughly half a quarter-hour before the banquet commenced, the group returned to their seats.

By then, all the invited guests had arrived. The Gu Clan, Fang Clan, and Zhang Clan occupied the seats of honor at the front, while lesser Qi Condensation clans sat in the middle tiers. Rogue cultivators were relegated to the round tables near the entrance.

Shortly after, a Yu Clan cultivator stepped forward to loudly announce the congratulatory gifts.

"The Wang Clan of Willow Tree Valley presents one bottle of Origin-Cultivating Pills!"

"The Lei Clan of White Stone Pond offers one stalk of Second-Tier Low Grade Spirit Grass!"

Such announcements were customary at formal gatherings. The Gu Clan's gift had already been presented at the entrance; generally, the more influential the faction, the later their gift was formally proclaimed.

The first to be announced were invariably the lesser forces affiliated with the Yu Clan.

"The Emerald Maple Mountain Gu Clan presents three bottles of White Feather Pills!"

"The Phoenix Cry Mountain Zhang Clan presents one Second-Tier Middle Grade Magical Artifact!"

"The Jade Splendor Mountain Fang Clan presents one Second-Tier Middle Grade Magical Artifact!"

The gifts from the three primary families were undeniably valuable. Recalling the modest offerings of the minor Qi Condensation clans moments earlier, Gu Changhuan reflected on the vast chasm separating them from established Foundation Establishment families.

Once the announcements concluded, Yu Ruyi, attired in formal ceremonial robes, walked to the center of the dais.

"Thank you all for taking the time to attend my Foundation Establishment celebration. Our clan has prepared some food and wine. I hope you will enjoy it."

When he finished speaking, beautiful attendants brought in the food and wine.

Few of the guests, whether clan members or rogue cultivators, had come for the food.

By tradition, a cultivator who successfully broke through to the Foundation Establishment Realm was expected to share insights regarding their breakthrough-an opportunity that rogue cultivators valued above all else.

Yu Ruyi followed the custom. Once everyone had enjoyed several rounds of food and wine, he sat at the head of the table and began describing his breakthrough.