The grand doors of the main hall opened with ceremonial grandeur as Wei Jian made his entrance, his presence immediately commanding the attention of every guest in attendance.
The patriarch moved with the measured dignity of a Golden Core cultivator, his spiritual pressure carefully controlled yet unmistakably powerful. His formal robes of deep blue silk, embroidered with golden dragons and adorned with jade accessories, spoke of both tradition and prosperity.
A hush fell over the assembled crowd as conversations gradually ceased, replaced by the soft rustle of silk as guests turned to face their host.
Wei Jian's eyes swept across the hall, taking in the faces of allies, potential partners, and carefully neutral observers who had come to witness this pivotal moment in his clan's history.
"Honored guests, distinguished friends, and esteemed colleagues," Wei Jian began, his voice carrying easily through the spacious hall without the need for spiritual amplification. "The Wei Clan is deeply grateful for your presence at this most significant celebration. Your attendance brings honor to our family and demonstrates the strength of the bonds that connect our cultivation community."
He paused, allowing his gaze to rest briefly on each major delegation in turn acknowledging Elder Gu's presence with a respectful nod, offering a subtle bow to Elder Feng Bi, and exchanging meaningful eye contact with Patriarch Zhao.
"Tonight marks not just the eighteenth birthday of my son, but a moment of transformation for the Wei Clan itself," Wei Jian continued, his tone growing more serious. "For too long, we have maintained a position of quiet stability, content to manage our affairs without seeking greater influence or responsibility. That era comes to an end this evening."
A ripple of anticipation moved through the crowd as guests recognized the significance of such a declaration. This was no ordinary birthday celebration it was an announcement of political ambition.
"Before I present my children to you," Wei Jian said, "after careful consideration and observation of exceptional achievements in the most dangerous regions of our continent, I hereby announce that my daughter, Wei Lin, will be recognized as the Young Miss of the Wei Clan and my designated successor as future Matriarch."
The reaction was immediate and varied. Gasps of surprise came from smaller clan representatives who had assumed the recovered son would naturally inherit leadership.
However, the major powers present those whose intelligence networks had already caught hints of this development showed more measured responses, their eyes gleaming with calculation.
Patriarch Zhao's expression remained carefully neutral, though his twin daughters exchanged meaningful glances.
"Furthermore," Wei Jian continued, raising his hand to quiet the murmurs, "I present to you my son, Wei Chen, whose condition has been known to many of you throughout his life. What you may not know is that his eighteen years of suffering were not mere illness, but the dormant state of one blessed with a divine constitution."
The hall fell completely silent as the implications of his words began to sink in.
"My son possesses the Nine Yang Heavenly Body," Wei Jian announced, his voice carrying absolute conviction, "along with spiritual roots of comparable quality. His recovery represents the emergence of a cultivation talent that our region has not seen in generations."
The reaction was explosive. Minor clan representatives openly stared in shock, their faces displaying the amazement of those witnessing the birth of a legend.
However, the major forces present those whose spy networks had detected fragments of this information showed different responses entirely.
Eyes flashed with calculation, minds racing through the implications for power balances, alliance opportunities, and potential threats.
Elder Gu leaned forward slightly, his instincts immediately recognizing the economic and political value of such a revelation.
Elder Feng Bi's eyes narrowed with professional interest, her knowledge of physical constitutions telling her exactly how rare and valuable such a physique could be.
Patriarch Zhao's expression remained carefully controlled, but his spiritual pressure fluctuated almost imperceptibly a sign of internal agitation that only fellow Golden Core cultivators could detect.
"I encourage all of you to enjoy this evening's festivities," Wei Jian concluded with a warm smile that didn't quite reach his calculating eyes. "Mingle freely, share in our celebration, and let us build the foundations for a prosperous future together."
As the formal announcement concluded and background music resumed, the hall's atmosphere transformed into something more complex. The various factions began to move with renewed purpose, each group reassessing their strategies based on these revelations.
Near the eastern wall, where elaborate refreshment tables had been arranged, the younger generation began their own intricate dance of introduction and evaluation. The sons and daughters of Foundation Establishment families those Qi Gathering prodigies who were considered the future stars of their respective clans found themselves drawn toward the center of the hall where Wei Chen had positioned himself.
Wei Chen observed the approaching figures with fascination. Having never participated in such a grand social gathering, he found himself captivated by the complex interplay of personalities, the visual spectacle of elegant robes and carefully chosen accessories, and the subtle spiritual pressures emanating from various young cultivators.
The mixture of voices, the soft glow of spiritual artifacts, and the graceful movements of young ladies in their finest attire created an atmosphere unlike anything he had previously experienced.
The first to approach were three young men who moved with the confident bearing of those accustomed to being the center of attention in their own territories. Each was dressed in robes that spoke of both wealth and taste, their cultivation at the late stages of Qi Gathering marking them as exceptional talents within their age group.
"Young Master Wei," the first announced with a respectful bow, "I am Ji Feng of the Crimson Blade Ji Clan. Your reputation precedes you, and I am honored to make your acquaintance."
Ji Feng carried himself with the controlled aggression of a sword cultivator, his spiritual energy carrying hints of fire and metal that spoke of combat-focused techniques. His dark red robes were adorned with silver threading that suggested both prosperity and martial prowess.
"Fu Ming of the Scholarly Mountain Fu Clan," the second introduced himself, his bearing more refined and intellectual than his companion. His light blue robes were embroidered with Taoist symbols, and his spiritual energy carried the stable, methodical quality of someone who approached cultivation through systematic study.
"Yin Hao of the Shadow Valley Yin Clan," the third said quietly, his presence somehow less immediately noticeable despite standing directly before Wei Chen. His dark gray robes seemed to absorb light rather than reflect it, and his spiritual signature was subtly muted in a way that suggested specialized concealment techniques.
'These three have come to test the waters. Their cultivation has different feels to them, clearly signifying different approaches to cultivation, Wei Chen observed internally. 'Their clans have likely coordinated this approach to gauge my personality and potential alliances'.
"The honor is mine," Wei Chen replied graciously, rising from his seat to return their bows with appropriate depth. "I confess this is my first opportunity to interact with cultivators of such distinguished backgrounds. Your presence at our celebration brings great honor to the Wei Clan."
"We couldn't miss the opportunity to witness such a miraculous recovery," Ji Feng said, his tone carrying genuine curiosity beneath the formal politeness. "The transformation described by your father... such things are the stuff of legends."
Fishing for details, Wei Chen noted, recognizing the information gathering attempt. They want to understand the extent of my transformation. They know I have changed, but how much is still to be known. I'll keep it that way.
"I have been blessed beyond measure," Wei Chen responded diplomatically. "Though I suspect my greatest challenges lie ahead rather than behind me."
Fu Ming nodded thoughtfully. "Wisdom in your response, and it seems you have put some deeper thought to things, Young Master Wei. Those blessed with great potential often find that their gifts come with equally great responsibilities."
"Indeed," Wei Chen agreed. "Which is why I value opportunities to learn from those who have walked the cultivation path longer than myself."
Yin Hao spoke more quietly, his words carrying subtle undertones. "The cultivation world can be... unpredictable for those who draw attention. Having reliable allies becomes essential."
Subtle, if it can even be said to be that, Wei Chen internally raised an eyebrow. And the shadow cultivator makes the direct offer.
They are too small. While they might seek alliance, my growth would be too fast for them from partners to subordinates. I can see why they're the first to approach me; they have the pride of people who think they've achieved something great.
'Pity this event isn't for them,' the Desire Emperor said.
'Only Nascent Soul cultivators are even worth being allied with you. If not the higher cultivation, then immense potential and even those you will surpass in due time,' the Desire Emperor said.
'And why's that?'
'Simple and straight answer: you'll outgrow them too fast. Any help will be meaningless. It's why I subconsciously approve of your decision to ally with the imperial family the ceiling is higher, and you will grow even faster based on the decision. Your mastery is growing further, young inheritor,' the Desire Emperor finished.
Wei Chen's eyes flashed with understanding of where the Desire Emperor was coming from. He had truly yet to cultivate, hence nothing to compare to. At their ages, late-stage Qi Gathering here in the Crimson City was pretty good, but there must be those that were stronger... much stronger.
A group of young ladies had positioned themselves at a distance where they could observe without committing to direct interaction. Their hesitation was palpable each clearly interested in making contact but uncertain about his temperament after years of isolation.
'The female cultivators here are too weak. You would need too many as you grow, then it becomes troublesome. If you're spread too thin in the future, it becomes hard, then they become your very weakness,' the Desire Emperor finished.
Among them, he could identify daughters from several prominent families from the city. However, they would be better off making connections with his sister.
The Zhao twins maintained their synchronized positioning.
A young lady in elegant white robes whom he suspected was from the Liu Family, her talent in alchemy widely known as prodigious stood with two companions, their spiritual energies suggesting they were all accomplished cultivators despite their youth.
They're waiting to see how I interact with these three before deciding their own approach, Wei Chen realized. Let others test the waters first.
At the same time, his enhanced senses picked up fragments of conversations from other parts of the hall where the adult cultivators were conducting their own assessments.
"...divine physique could shift the entire regional balance..."
"...wonder what backing they've secured for protection..."
"...marriage alliances will be crucial for both sides..."
"...Shadow Moon Clan has been notably quieter lately..."
Near the main refreshment area, he spotted representatives from smaller clans who had maintained respectful distances, their body language suggesting they recognized the political complexity of the situation but preferred to observe rather than risk making premature commitments.
However, not all the distant observers were passive. Wei Chen's spiritual sensitivity, enhanced by his divine physique, allowed him to detect subtle spiritual probes discrete attempts to gauge his cultivation level and spiritual pressure. Most were careful enough to avoid giving offense, but the attempts were numerous enough to be notable.
Everyone wants to measure my potential without revealing their own intentions, he thought with growing amusement.
"Young Master Wei," Ji Feng continued their conversation, "perhaps you would be interested in visiting our clan's training grounds sometime. We could spar—a variation challenge would be best for enhancing battle awareness."
The offer was carefully phrased, but Wei Chen recognized it as both genuine invitation and subtle intelligence gathering. Sparring would reveal combat capabilities, techniques, and strategic thinking all valuable information for potential allies or rivals.
"A generous offer," Wei Chen replied thoughtfully. "Though I suspect my current training regimen will keep me occupied for some time as I adapt to my new circumstances." He hadn't yet even begun to have talks about training, he internally chuckled.
Fu Ming adjusted his approach. "If martial training becomes tedious, the Scholarly Mountain has an extensive library of cultivation texts and theoretical works. Sometimes understanding the principles behind power proves as valuable as the power itself."
Yin Hao's contribution was more subtle. "The Shadow Valley offers... discretion. Sometimes the most valuable assistance comes from those who prefer to remain unnoticed."
As he considered his responses, Wei Chen noticed movement among the young ladies who had been observing from a distance. One of the Zhao twins had begun moving closer. The Liu Family daughter was engaged in quiet conversation with her companions, likely debating whether to approach.
The second wave is beginning to move, he observed. They've watched long enough to gauge the tone of interactions.
"Your offers are all intriguing," Wei Chen said to the three young men, "and I hope we'll have opportunities to explore them further as circumstances develop. For now, I find myself curious about the other guests present. This is, after all, my first exposure to such a gathering."
The response avoided immediate commitments while expressing continued interest, and it opened the door for other interactions without dismissing them outright.
Ji Feng nodded approvingly. "Of course. We wouldn't want to monopolize your time on such an important evening."
The three stepped back slightly, creating space for other approaches while maintaining their proximity to continue observation.
The evening was young, but already Wei Chen could see the complex web of relationships, ambitions, and calculations that would define his future interactions with the cultivation world. Each conversation carried multiple layers of meaning, each gesture conveyed information about status and intention, and each decision would ripple outward to affect the Wei Clan's position in the broader political landscape.
Wei Chen found himself both participant and prize in a game whose rules he was only beginning to understand.