Speaking of Shuo Heng's first birthday banquet, it was indeed extremely luxurious.
There were three reasons for this.
Firstly, Shuo Heng's biological father is the current Family Head of the Shuo Family, so his son's full month banquet naturally could not be handled perfunctorily.
Secondly, Shuo Heng's talent was no longer a secret among the small group of people with top status in the Shuo Family.
He was a Sacred Spiritual Root talent recognized by the Ninth Ancestor, born with Feng Lei's Body.
The natural phenomena that occurred on the day Shuo Heng was born were witnessed by everyone within a radius of ten million li of the entire Shuo Family.
Finally, and most surprisingly.
In the Vanyang Realm, the “Three Palaces, Six Families, and Nine Halls” are the eighteen largest forces standing at the very top of the entire continent.
Among them, the Shuo Family was prominently listed.
But in terms of actual strength, the Shuo Family was only in an average position.
Perhaps there were some elements of hiding their true strength, but ultimately, which Family would display all of its power openly? They would surely keep a hidden card up their sleeve.
So, in terms of overall strength, the Shuo Family was not considered strong among these eighteen top forces.
The reason the Shuo Family has been able to stand firm through several eras of change and renewal is largely related to their Family motto of forging good relationships.
For generations, they have operated one of the largest merchant guilds in the entire Vanyang Realm, possessing auction houses and trade associations spread across the entire continent.
Merchants pursue profit and forge connections everywhere, which led to the stable position of the Shuo Family today.
One of the forces with the best relationship with the Shuo Family was the Canglan Immortal Palace—after hearing about Shuo Heng's talent, they even had a clear intention of taking him as a Disciple.
One must know, that was the Canglan Immortal Palace!
In terms of visible strength alone, two Shuo Families combined would not be a match for one Canglan Immortal Palace.
If it weren't for the fact that Ninth Ancestor Shuo Gu had a significant friendship with the current Palace Lord of the Canglan Immortal Palace back then, they probably wouldn't have been able to get a ride on their coattails.
That was a true existence standing at the pinnacle of the Vanyang Realm.
The number of forces that could contend with it would definitely not exceed the fingers of one hand.
Therefore, Shuo Heng's first birthday banquet was grandly celebrated, also because the Canglan Immortal Palace sent someone to attend the ceremony.
So Shuo Ya calculated, and simply sent out invitations to all forces with a good relationship with the Shuo Family to come as guests.
Firstly, to show off his Qilin child of the Shuo Family.
Secondly, also for the sake of the Canglan Immortal Palace, to spread the news.
—To let them know that the Shuo Family had a backer.
Their relationship was already close, and now the Family Head's son was going to become their Personal Disciple, wouldn't that make them even closer?
Of course, if the Canglan Immortal Palace did not truly accept Shuo Heng as a Disciple in the end, the Shuo Family would suffer no loss.
On the surface, it was just inviting some friendly forces to eat and drink.
—
On the day of the first birthday banquet.
Shuo Heng was held in Yan Qing's arms and meticulously dressed in a purple robe.
Although small, the craftsmanship was extremely fine.
Made of celestial silkworm silk, it was impervious to blades and spears.
Golden threads were used to outline bamboo patterns on it, making it look noble and elegant.
Shuo Heng stretched his limbs, allowing himself to be dressed.
He was already one year old, could speak clearly, and could walk steadily.
But Yan Qing still liked to treat him like a child; Shuo Heng had not yet 'seized' autonomy over getting dressed.
“Our Xiao Heng is so handsome.” Yan Qing looked at the adorably dressed child in front of her, her Face full of gentle smiles, “This purple truly suits you perfectly.”
Purple is noble and luxurious.
Although Shuo Heng's Face was small, one could see the foundation of handsome beauty.
This purple indeed suited him very well.
Wearing a small white jade hair crown on his head made him look as if his whole body was glowing.
“Let's go, it's almost time for our little darling to make his appearance~”
“Mother…”
Shuo Heng was a little helpless about Yan Qing's address.
However, he still cooperated by pouting and raising his hand to tug at a corner of the woman's robe.
This action made Yan Qing's heart melt completely, and her movements as she held him became even more gentle as she stepped towards the front hall.
...
Shuo Family Main Hall.
In terms of strength, the Shuo Family might not be considered strong.
But in terms of financial resources, few forces on the entire continent could match it.
Currently, the entire hall was decorated festively.
Each person had a chair made of the finest Quiet Spirit Wood, and various Heaven And Earth Treasure snacks and teas were available for free consumption.
Those from other forces who came to observe the ceremony even received gifts from the Shuo Family.
Eight-grade Medicinal Pills, one for each person, given away freely.
Even the Canglan Immortal Palace was astonished by this display of wealth.
The person who came from the Canglan Immortal Palace was not just any Elder, but the genuine current Palace Lord of the Canglan Immortal Palace—Cang Lin.
A supreme expert of the Vanyang Realm whose strength was at the Late Stage of Great Saint.
He sat in the closest position to Shuo Ya, his expression indifferent to those who tried to strike up a conversation around him.
Only when facing Shuo Ya would he show a hint of a smile, with a benevolent air like that of an Elder.
After all, he was a figure from the same era as the Ninth Ancestor, so Shuo Ya was naturally a junior to him.
Cang Lin's personal presence undoubtedly showed the Canglan Immortal Palace's regard for the Shuo Family, which forced everyone present to re-evaluate the Shuo Family's status.
And to Cang Lin's right-rear, stood an old man with an ordinary appearance.
Very ordinary, yet abnormally ordinary.
It was as if he could transcend the mundane world at any moment, making it difficult for people to grasp his whereabouts.
Even if one occasionally caught a glimpse of him, they would quickly forget him after averting their gaze.
“Senior Brother, you insisted on coming, and yet you refuse to show yourself properly, what exactly do you intend to do?” Cang Lin had been helpless countless times with this Senior Brother of his who acted on a whim.
After learning that he was coming to the Shuo Family banquet, he insisted on coming with him.
He said that he had recently observed the celestial phenomena at night and found that he had a predestined connection with the Shuo Family.
Cang Lin didn't believe a single word of that.
Thus, at the banquet, Cang Lin finally couldn't resist transmitting a message to his Senior Brother again.
At least he needed to know what this person wanted to do, so he could… immediately clean up his mess after the fact.
“I already told you, isn't it because I have a predestined connection with the Shuo Family?” Ming Wanli said with an air of profound wisdom.
This was not entirely false.
As the mysterious Peak Lord of Taichu Peak of the Canglan Immortal Palace, he was skilled not only in the Dao of the sword but also in observing stars and divination.
For thousands of years, he had not taken any Disciples.
Now, he found that his predestined master-disciple relationship seemed to be approaching.
Cang Lin was very helpless, yet couldn't elicit any information, so he could only pay extra close attention to his Senior Brother's movements.
...
When Yan Qing carried Shuo Heng into the main hall, Shuo Heng felt countless gazes fall upon him.
Some were scrutinizing, some were suspicious.
In short, there were few genuine congratulations and many unclear intentions.
However, Shuo Heng did not show any discomfort, still maintaining the appearance of an innocent and adorable child.
Only a hint of liveliness in his eyes revealed his youthful intelligence.
“Indeed, he has Feng Lei's Body.”
Ming Wanli looked at Shuo Heng, his murmured words audible only to Cang Lin.
Cang Lin was slightly stunned.
Could it be that Senior Brother truly came to find a Disciple?
“Congratulations to Family Head Shuo on getting a Qilin child! What a joyous occasion, what a joyous occasion!”
“Yes, look at this child, he's truly spirited.”
“The Wind and Thunder Mark on his forehead is truly handsome.”
Everyone present was a shrewd person, and upon seeing Shuo Heng appear, they stood up and offered another round of compliments.
Everyone was there to offer congratulations, so such a show of Face naturally had to be done well, otherwise, if people came and were made uncomfortable, that would be purely a sign of a problem with their brains.
—Didn't they see the Palace Lord of the Canglan Immortal Palace personally attending?
Now, who would dare to show disrespect to the Shuo Family?
“Thank you, Fellow Daoist, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to attend my son's first birthday banquet.
Today, the Shuo Family is filled with distinguished guests, bringing glory to our humble abode!”
Shuo Ya stood up and said a few polite words, then led the topic to the most important part of the first birthday banquet—the Grasping the One-Year-Old or ‘grabbing ceremony’.
Although it was a mortal custom, such a tradition had always existed in their cultivation world.
However, for Shuo Heng, who had lived two lives, this kind of experience was a first.
He was very curious about what good things his father would prepare for him.
“Now, I respectfully invite all of you—to observe the ceremony!”