When all the guests had arrived, the birthday banquet officially began.
A line of palace maids brought out exquisite dishes and fine wines.
Graceful dancers swayed to the sound of silk and bamboo instruments.
The guests enjoyed the imperial feast and special royal drinks while watching the performances.
Compared to the refined manners of the other guests, Lin Jichen's behavior was quite peculiar.
He had no interest in the performances, burying his head in the food and drink before him, eating with great enthusiasm.
Many people noticed Lin Jichen's behavior, and several men sneered at his eating habits.
"Hmph, and this guy is supposed to be Leng Sect Master's disciple? What a disgrace."
"Exactly, this is a banquet, and he doesn't even know basic etiquette."
"Sitting with him is really bad luck."
"He's eating like a starving ghost reborn!"
The ones gossiping were mostly disciples from various sects.
After all, they were all young talents, and Lin Jichen had stolen their thunder as soon as he arrived. They had long been displeased with him.
Now that they had caught him in the act, they couldn't miss the chance to mock and ridicule him.
Lin Jichen heard their comments clearly but had no time to bother with them.
The reason he was eating so ravenously was that the food at this banquet was all treasures!
Take this plate of Iceflame Sword Tiger meat, for example. Eating it could permanently increase vitality by 1000 points.
And this jug of Crystal Dew Wine, drinking it could permanently increase mana by 1000 points.
Many of the ingredients here could increase attributes, and even some fruits had miraculous effects.
Why be polite? Not eating would be a waste.
It's just a pity that each type of ingredient could only increase attributes once; eating more wouldn't stack the effects. Otherwise, Lin Jichen would have rolled up his sleeves and gone all out.
In fact, the dishes Leng Feiyan had made for him before were even more precious than these, and eating them could also increase attributes, even more so.
But... because Leng Feiyan's cooking was so terrible, not only did the attributes not increase, but Lin Jichen also kept losing health.
In "Tale of Immortal," all ingredients needed to be carefully prepared; otherwise, eating them raw would just waste the ingredients.
So the game had another side profession: chef. No one paid attention to it now, but soon there would surely be a bunch of players taking up the chef profession.
In just half an hour, Lin Jichen had increased his vitality by 2000 points, mana by 1000 points, and strength by 3 points thanks to these ingredients.
Seeing Lin Jichen eating more and more indulgently, even the princes behind Ji Hongyue couldn't help but mock him.
The eldest prince, Ji Qing, who was closest to the Buddhist Sect, knew that the Tianyan Sword Sect and the Buddhist Sect had been at odds recently, so he decisively took a stand.
"Is this what the disciples of the Tianyan Sword Sect are like? Are they all country bumpkins who have never seen the world? What do you think, my royal brothers?" Ji Qing sneered.
The other princes had different attitudes, some agreeing, some remaining silent.
But none dared to offend Ji Qing.
Only the third prince, Ji Chen, retorted.
"I think, royal brother, you are exaggerating. Brother Lin is genuine, not pretentious, and doesn't care about worldly opinions. He simply does what he wants to do. As expected of Leng Sect Master's disciple, he is extraordinary."
"Extraordinary? Chen, you are exaggerating too. Although he is the Sect Master's disciple, look at his mediocre cultivation. He is already in his twenties but is still only at the Crystal Realm. Look at the other sects' disciples; which one hasn't already reached the Golden Elixir stage? What's extraordinary about him?" Ji Qing sneered.
"I don't think so. Brother Lin just started late. Being recognized by Leng Sect Master means he has something exceptional." Ji Chen was clearly determined to oppose Ji Qing.
Ji Qing's eyes flashed with anger, and he said with a smile, "I didn't know you were so good at judging people, Chen. Are you trying to make friends with him and approach the Sword Sect?"
Ji Chen replied without hesitation, "Aren't you currying favor with the Buddhist Sect, standing up for Tianyin Temple?"
The two were about to argue further when their mother scolded them, and they dared not speak again.
Ji Tongyin and Ji Linglong covered their mouths and laughed.
After the banquet had been going on for over an hour, Ji Hongyue suddenly stood up and invited the sect leaders and elders to the rear hall for a discussion.
The sect leaders and elders went to the meeting, leaving the disciples in the banquet hall.
Soon, only the disciples from various sects and the princes and princesses at the head table were left at the banquet.
The princes knew this was the best time to make connections with the elite disciples from various sects, so they all got up with their cups and jugs, starting to toast and chat with everyone.
As Ji Qing passed by Lin Jichen's table and saw him still eating with his head down, he disdainfully said, "Vulgar and uncouth, not fit for polite society!"
He then flicked his sleeve and walked away gracefully.
But Lin Jichen's voice came from the table, "That's still better than some people who are all show and no substance."
Ji Qing stopped in his tracks, his voice cold, "Are you referring to me when you say all show and no substance?"
Lin Jichen downed a cup of wine, then looked up at him and said, "I didn't expect you to have a good quality: self-awareness."
Ji Qing's face darkened completely, and he said viciously, "Don't think that just because you are Leng Feiyan's disciple, you can act recklessly."
Lin Jichen, now full and leaning back on a cushion, smiled freely and said, "My master is Leng Feiyan, so I can indeed act recklessly. If you're not convinced, you can go to the Sword Sect, or I can have my master come here. After all, she just visited Tianyin Temple."
Ji Qing's expression froze, a look of apprehension and tension flashing in his eyes.
He didn't believe it, "You don't really think Leng Sect Master would come to the Hidden Dragon Royal Family over a minor dispute between us, do you?"
Lin Jichen shrugged and pointed behind him to the Tianyin Temple's position, "Don't believe me? You can ask the people from Tianyin Temple; they know best."
Only a young bald monk was left at the Tianyin Temple's position. Hearing this, his previously calm expression immediately changed.
Lin Jichen was indeed taking advantage of the situation. Recently, Leng Feiyan had caused a huge commotion at Tianyin Temple, not only demolishing several temples but also injuring the abbot.
This was a great humiliation for Tianyin Temple, and now Lin Jichen was bringing it up again. How could the monk not be angry?
"Master Lin must be Leng Sect Master's esteemed disciple. Since Leng Sect Master once sparred with my master, I, Shengyuan, would also like to experience Master Lin's skills."
Shengyuan directly challenged Lin Jichen.
The other guests at the banquet began to watch the excitement with interest.
The news of the conflict between the Sword Sect and the Buddhist Sect had long spread in Mu Xian Province.
Everyone knew about Leng Feiyan's blatant disrespect for the Buddhist Sect and her rampage at Tianyin Temple.
Now, with both masters absent, their disciples were clashing.
This was going to be a good show!