Chapter 40: Weight
"Astral Cultivators meditate on the Astral God and bathe in the starlight. Their qi and blood levels are well above 100. Each one of them has a physique that is many times stronger than regular people's," Zhao Yuan said.
"The stronger the physique, the harder it is to control and manipulate one's body strength. Hence, Astral Cultivators improve the grasp of their body through martial arts. Moreover, the better the control over their body strength, the more it aids them to bathe in more starlight. With that, their physique would grow stronger as well. it's a positive cycle."
Li Pin nodded.
Compared to normal people who had to go through life-and-death battles to attain breakthroughs in realms only to gain a little bit of growth in their physique, Astral Cultivators only had to meditate on the Astral God and bathe in starlight to strengthen their physiques quickly.
"To Astral Cultivators, the growth of physique was never a problem. Their problem lies in their body's capacity and how much they can control," Zhao Yuan said. "Their maximum capacity and control is related to their martial arts phase. For example, the capacity and control of an Aura Force Grandmaster with tempered internal organs aren't on the same level as martial artists who have just attained Force.
"That is why Astral Cultivators would seek advice from Aura Force Grandmasters or even Spirit Force Martial Saints on Force control and manipulation. From there, the master and disciple relationship is formed."
Zhao Yuan looked at Shang Feng, who had attracted everyone's attention and became the center of the venue as soon as he appeared. "The year Guardian Shang succeeded in meditating on the Astral God, Master had visited Guardian Shang's residence and lived there for three years to teach him the method to achieve Core Force and Core Formation. Guardian Shang remembered this kindness. Ever since, every time Master returns to Zanglong City, Guardian Shang would set up a banquet to welcome him back. He treats him as a mentor."
Zhao Yuan felt sentimental as he said that. It was rare for an Astral Cultivator to retain the respect they had for the Grandmasters who had mentored them after they succeeded in comprehending Force and Core Force.
For many Astral Cultivators, martial arts merely acted as a supplement to their training. The relationships they had with martial artists were merely transactional. Once the transaction ended, it was unlikely that both parties would come in contact again.
Some were even afraid that the Grandmasters who taught them Core Force and Core Formation would leverage them and use their fame for their own greed. Hence they would ask to keep the transaction confidential and would cut off ties after the transaction had been settled.
It was uncommon for Astral Cultivators to show gratitude and respect to their teachers as Shang Feng did.
At this moment, Shang Feng, who Cao Tianyou led the way for, seemed to notice something and looked toward Zhao Yuan and Li Pin.
Zhao Yuan had secretly hinted, "You need to remain respectful to Astral Cultivators and should not have the slightest thoughts of resisting."
Unfortunately, he was a little late in his reminder.
Shang Feng's gaze had landed on Li Pin, and he seemed a little surprised. However, when he saw how young Li Pin was, he smiled and didn't take it to heart.
He seemed to understand Li Pin's thoughts.
Even though he had not hit thirty too, he had seen many youngsters like Li Pin after he became an Astral Cultivator.
Under Cao Tianyou's lead, he headed toward the banquet hall together with Zhu Di and the others.
As they walked past Li Pin, Cao Tianyou wanted to introduce Li Pin to Shang Feng, but after what had just happened, he found it hard to do so. He eventually gave Li Pin a discreet look to hint Li Pin to be at ease as he continued to chat with Shang Feng.
Zhao Yuan followed the lot from behind and gave Li Pin a bitter smile. "It's my fault for not giving you an earlier heads up."
"It's not your fault, I wouldn't have been able to correct my mentality in such a short time even if you reminded me earlier," Li Pin said.
Zhao Yuan opened his mouth, wanting to say something. However, in the end, all he said was, "It's an oversight on our part."
He then sighed and went, "You are so young, and yet you've become a Core Formation martial artist. You have high hopes of shining in the Jiang Provincial Martial Competition in the future too, so it is critical for you to remain sharp against others.
"However… when faced with Astral Cultivators, you need to be respectful. Meditating on the Astral God requires one to have pure thoughts or even to be able to remain true to their hearts. This is why Astral Cultivators tend to do as they wish… do you understand what I'm trying to say?"
Li Pin nodded. However, no one knew what he was really thinking.
The interesting thing was that previously, Zhao Yuan had brought Li Pin to the round table on the right, which was the table where Cao Tianyou, Tian Feiyu, and Jiang Qingyue were seated. However, this time, Zhao Yuan led him to the round table on the left.
Although every person seated at this table was also very influential and had good relations with the Five Elements Sect, there was still a big chasm between them and the guests seated at the table on the right side.
"Even if Astral Cultivators form Core, the pressurizing aura that they constantly emit cannot be completely diminished. If you held respect in your hearts without any thoughts of resistance, you would only feel that the Astral Cultivators are superior and each move they make is dignified. If you however had other thoughts… being on that table will be painful for you."
Qi Dongyuan, who was responsible for taking care of the guests at this table, moved toward Li Pin and explained softly, "Hence, Master had asked me to assign you here so you may have a peaceful meal."
"I understand." Li Pin nodded. "I made things difficult for Grandmaster Cao."
Qi Dongyuan continued, "We should be the ones apologizing for not thinking this through. Once the banquet has ended, let's have a small gathering just within the Five Elements Sect."
"Sure," said Li Pin, not continuing with this topic.
With Shang Feng and Zhu Di's arrival, the banquet began. It was as if they were the main stars of this banquet, even Cao Tianyou, the one they were here to celebrate his birthday, had to make way for them.
Shang Feng and Zhu Di, however, gave Cao Tianyou due respect and tried not to steal the limelight from him.
All sorts of great wine and delicacies were served once Cao Tianyou gave his speech and thanked the guests.
There were only six rectangular tables and two round tables, with about a hundred and fifty guests. However, there were fifty to sixty people attendants who stood at both sides of the hall.
There was almost an attendant providing specialized service to every two guests. In terms of hosting, Star Brilliance International Center had done a good job.
As the banquet began, the artists who were invited took turns to perform on stage.
About twenty minutes into the banquet, a lady in a long bright purple gown sang on the stage.
Li Pin had seen her photo as he entered the hotel.
She was Star Palace Entertainment's very popular new artist—An Youran.
Many guests seated at the rectangular tables enjoyed An Youran's performance. The guests from the two round tables however did not pay much attention to her. They were all grasping for time to have close exchanges and chats with the others at the same table.
Occasionally, they would head to the table on the right in small groups of twos and threes to offer their well wishes to Cao Tianyou. After offering the birthday wishes, they would then naturally give a toast to Zhu Di and Shang Feng. Only the guests seated at this table and at the rectangular tables on the first row had the privilege to do this.
Once the first row had sent their regards, Zhu Di, Shang Feng, and Cao Tianyou greeted the rest of the guests with a toast to finalize the toasting session.
If anyone else wanted to give a toast, they could only do so at their own tables.
Li Pin watched and understood why there was a gap between Changfeng Martial Hall and the Five Elements Sect. Merely in terms of connections, the two wore on two completely different levels.
The lively atmosphere within the banquet prolonged for two hours before it slowly died down.
Cao Tianyou, Tian Feiyu, Jiang Qingyue, and the others accompanied Zhu Di and Shang Feng to take their leave.
Zhao Yuan, however, came back and said to Li Pin with a smile, "Don't be in a hurry to go back, there is another small banquet tonight. We've booked a room in the hotel for you and arranged an activity. You won't be disappointed."
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