Starting from the second floor, one must at least be at the late stage of Qi Condensation to enter. As for the third floor, one must reach the Foundation Establishment stage.

Jiang Chen and Chen Bo, being formal disciples with Wood Spiritual Roots and neither having reached the Foundation Establishment stage, shouldn’t normally be able to come up.

But who let the person hosting the birthday banquet on the third floor be Chen Tian?

This was a genius with three mutually reinforcing spiritual roots. Not only was he aiming for an Earth-grade Golden Core at a young age, but his master was a Nascent Soul True Lord—and, of course, the highest administrator of Rain Pavilion.

Therefore, Chen Tian had the privilege of bringing Jiang Chen up.

Upon reaching the third floor, many people were already waiting there. All kinds of spiritual roots were present, and all were unfamiliar faces.

The guest of honor, Chen Tian, had not yet arrived.

Chen Bo led Jiang Chen to sit down on the other side. “Let’s rest for a bit first.”

Jiang Chen nodded slightly and sat down with him. They happened to be near a window.

Jiang Chen glanced outside. He could see many people moving around using flying tools.

Suddenly, a red carp swam over. It was quite plump, with a round, bulging belly—clearly very well-fed at a glance.

Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow and tentatively reached his hand out.

As soon as he touched the water wall, there was a noticeable layer of resistance. But with a slight exertion of force, he still managed to poke his finger through, followed by his entire hand.

Soon, he grabbed hold of this large red carp.

Just as he was about to pull it out, Chen Bo beside him got a fright and hurriedly stopped him. “Don’t you dare mess around. Some of these fish are raised by Immortal Elders. If you kill one, I can’t protect you.”

The large red carp swam for a moment longer before turning and leaving.

As time passed, the sky grew darker and darker.

The number of people coming to attend Chen Tian’s birthday banquet gradually increased. Those at the Qi Condensation stage were not many; in fact, they could be considered a minority. And apart from Chen Bo, they were all fringe figures.

Instead, those at the Foundation Establishment stage made up the majority.

Not every one of them was a handsome man or beautiful woman, but they all had extraordinary bearing.

The Wood Spiritual Root female Foundation Establishment cultivator he had seen at the entrance of the Harvest Alliance in the Red Leaf Valley market was clearly among them. If Jiang Chen remembered correctly, this person seemed to be named “Su Qing”.

This time, she only brought one male Dao Companion to attend the birthday banquet. Still a handsome man nonetheless, with a slender build and delicate features. In his previous life, he would have been proper male idol material.

Many female Foundation Establishment cultivators looked at him with predatory eyes.

Jiang Chen inwardly complained, They’re cultivating immortality and still care about looks.

At that moment, a familiar yet unfamiliar face caught his attention.

There was a centipede-like scar on his face, and a white crane pattern was embroidered on his chest. This time, he carried no weapons on his back.

“Do you know him?” The voice of Chen Bo beside him sounded.

Jiang Chen gave a slight nod. “I saw him before at the Red Leaf Valley market.”

Chen Bo introduced him. “This person is called Pei Mo. It’s such a pity. Originally possessing dual spiritual roots, they are mutually restraining spiritual roots. Because Metal restrains Wood, it causes both his cultivation speed and spell power to be halved. Yet his comprehension is extremely high. Relying on formidable comprehension, he stubbornly cultivated all the way to the Foundation Establishment stage.”

His words were full of regret. It was clear he held Pei Mo in high esteem.

If Pei Mo had mutually reinforcing dual spiritual roots instead of mutually restraining ones, coupled with his powerful comprehension, Pei Mo should not be inferior to the current Chen Tian.

But fate seemed to have played a huge joke on him. Clearly possessing extremely high comprehension, yet having mutually restraining dual spiritual roots.

Thus, his position within the Cloud Sea Sect was somewhat awkward. He started out in the Spirit Farm, later joined Fire Peak, and finally got kicked over to Beast Mountain. All these years he had been going around in circles.

Precisely because of this, one can see traces of many places on Pei Mo. Not allowed to cultivate sword pills? Then practice with blades! Spirit Farmers have long hair? Simply shave it all off!

Therefore, Pei Mo gave everyone the impression of being both rebellious and stubborn.

Perhaps sensing someone’s gaze, Pei Mo subconsciously looked over and couldn’t help but freeze.

Jiang Chen’s face was strange one second but familiar the next, even making him become “thirsty”.

Immediately, Pei Mo excitedly walked over.

Seeing this, Chen Bo’s expression changed slightly, and he immediately became wary. Although he greatly admired Pei Mo, the other party’s reputation over these years hadn’t been good. Once drunk, he definitely picked fights. He started by finding people to fight, then later simply fought spirit beasts instead.

The scar on his face was left by some powerful spirit beast.

“It’s you?” However, Pei Mo ignored Chen Bo, his eyes fixed intently on Jiang Chen.

“Long time no see.” Jiang Chen smiled slightly.

Seeing this, Chen Bo was inwardly startled. They really know each other?

What Jiang Chen meant by ‘having seen’ was merely having laid eyes on Pei Mo before. He never expected that these two actually knew each other. It was indeed somewhat unexpected.

Pei Mo licked his thick lips with his tongue and then asked, “Did you bring it?”

Jiang Chen shook his head. “Didn’t have time this spring.”

Hearing this, Pei Mo showed a regretful expression and pressed unwillingly, “Then when will you make it?”

Jiang Chen thought carefully for a moment and pondered, “Summer.”

During springtime, the focus was entirely on cultivating Spirit Rice. Yield triumphed over everything. Therefore, no Spirit Wine was brewed. But starting from summer, it would be different.

Pei Mo gave a slight nod. “Alright. Remember to notify me once it’s ready.”

“No problem.” Jiang Chen readily agreed.

Afterward, Pei Mo headed toward another side, staying alone by himself.

After quite a while, Chen Bo whispered, “What were you two talking about?”

Jiang Chen explained, “I know how to brew wine.”

Seeing how thirsty Pei Mo looked just now, and with them talking so mysteriously, Chen Bo mistakenly thought they had some unspeakable secret between them. He truly never expected that this Junior Brother Jiang actually knew how to brew wine.

Pei Mo was notoriously an alcoholic. For him to chase after buying it must mean it was absolutely not ordinary wine.

Jiang Chen laughed. “After I brew it, I’ll send some for Senior Brother to taste.”

“Alright.” Chen Bo was genuinely curious about how good wine that made Pei Mo chase after buying could possibly be.

“This birthday banquet is really grand!”

At that moment, a voice came from the entrance area. Jiang Chen and the others all looked over.

They saw Chen Tian, dressed in purple robes, surrounded by a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators, appearing in front of everyone on the third floor with an air of ease and contentment.

And those beside him were also not simple; each one was an outstanding genius among Foundation Establishment cultivators.

“Come, let’s go see my cousin.” Chen Bo stood up and beckoned.

Jiang Chen hurriedly followed suit, getting up.

Soon, the two arrived at the very front.

As soon as Chen Tian saw Chen Bo, his eyes immediately lit up. “Cousin!”

Chen Bo smiled.

Chen Tian shifted his gaze sideways, unable to help but size up Jiang Chen. Although Jiang Chen’s appearance was ordinary, he did not look down upon him. Instead, with a serious expression, he said, “Junior Brother Jiang, I’ll entrust future Spirit Rice matters to you.”

To be honest, when his cousin first recommended him, he wasn’t very concerned. He merely regarded Jiang Chen as an ordinary Spirit Farmer who could share some pressure off his cousin, nothing more.

Unexpectedly, what Jiang Chen submitted turned out to be top-quality Spirit Rice containing rich spiritual energy. Just this point alone made him dare not slight him, even causing him to value him exceptionally highly.

Jiang Chen hurriedly said, “I will definitely do my best!”

Actually, this was mutual. He provided Chen Tian with top-quality Spirit Rice; Chen Tian acted as his backer. Mutual benefit.

“Isn’t that… Junior Brother Jiang?” Someone beside The Zhao Clan member exclaimed in surprise.

Wang Ze had spent a lot of money this time just to follow The Zhao Clan member and attend Chen Tian’s birthday banquet. The goal naturally being to get acquainted with more outstanding young people, to see if connections could be made for planting more rare spirit plants.

He never expected that Junior Brother Jiang, whom he had cast aside, would also be here.

Moreover, he was currently very close to Chen Tian. The two were talking and laughing together. Clearly, their relationship wasn’t simple.

In contrast, Wang Ze, following beside The Zhao Clan member, seemed like just another lackey. Even though he was also at the Foundation Establishment stage, he fundamentally had no qualification to approach Chen Tian!