Walker Of The Worlds

Chapter 3456: A Banquet Made For Body Cultivators

The Patriarch stood.

"Esteemed guests, champions, friends and juniors from many worlds," he said, his voice carrying without effort through the entire hall. "Tonight, we celebrate the end of the Great Martial Fist King Tournament. We celebrate strength, will, and the path of the body."

With a wave of his hand, servants and formation puppets began moving. Long tables extended from the walls, forming curved lines around the hall. Dishes floated in on spiritual platforms, glowing with rich energy.

The food was unbelievable.

There were roasted beast legs larger than carts, steaming with immortal essence. Bowls of shimmering marrow soup that released waves of vitality. Plates of golden muscle fruit that pulsed faintly like hearts. Crystal jellies made from condensed immortal essence that glowed like stars.

Lin Mu could feel the power in them even without tasting.

"This is body cultivator food," Daoist Chu muttered. "Meng Bai, do not eat from Lin Mu’s side."

Meng Bai stared at the food with wide eyes. "Why?"

"If you eat that, your body will explode before you finish chewing," Daoist Chu said calmly.

Meng Bai paled.

Thankfully, attendants brought a different set of dishes for lower realm cultivators. These were still rich, but safely refined. Meng Bai relaxed when he saw steaming spirit rice, gentle essence soup, and fruit that would not kill him.

Lin Mu released Little Shrubby, Xiao Yin, and Xiao Yang.

Little Shrubby immediately rushed to the table, his tail waving excitedly. Xiao Yin and Xiao Yang coiled around plates like children finding a candy store.

Cattaleya grabbed a massive beast leg with both hands and bit into it.

"Ahhh. Now this is food."

People nearby stared.

Some admired her honesty. Some were frightened by how fast she ate. Though none had the faintest idea that she had only just begun and how monstrous her appetite really was.

As the banquet truly began, people started approaching Lin Mu one by one.

A sect master bowed. "Daoist Lin Mu, may I know which great clan you come from?"

Lin Mu shook his head. "None."

Another asked, "Then perhaps a hidden ancient sect?"

"No."

A third leaned closer. "Then you must be from a legendary bloodline."

Lin Mu laughed softly. "I am just an orphan from a mortal world. My parents were peasants."

Silence spread around them.

Several cups froze in mid air.

"What?" someone whispered.

The Patriarch’s eyes shone with a strange light.

"An orphan... from a mortal world... to this?" an elder muttered.

Lin Mu nodded. "I had no clan, no sect, no teacher at the start. Only luck, effort, and many near deaths. It was only when I met my master did my path start to come into view."

The Patriarch suddenly spoke. "I understand."

Everyone turned.

"I too was born to a poor family. We tilled soil and hunted beasts. I entered the sect with nothing but fists and stubbornness." He looked at Lin Mu. "Compared to me, your road was even harder. To climb from a mortal world without a foundation... you deserve every bit of your strength."

Lin Mu bowed slightly. "Thank you, Patriarch."

Respect in the hall grew even deeper.

Now people looked at him differently. Not just as a monster of strength, but as a symbol of what effort could achieve.

Meanwhile, at the lower tables, Meng Bai was busy.

Dongxu Ning sat beside him, smiling.

"You did very well in the tournament," she said. "Many people noticed you."

Meng Bai scratched his head. "I almost lost to a little girl assassin."

Dongxu Ning laughed softly. "But you learned from it. That matters more."

Several youths approached them.

"Are you Daoist Lin Mu’s disciple?"

"Yes."

"How did you learn your Spear Arts?"

"You’re Water Dao Comprehension is also great?"

They had many questions and Meng Bai answered them one by one patiently.

The youth who had come to talk to him had expected him to be a bit arrogant, but talking to him proved that he was just like Lin Mu, competent yet humble.

And after an hour of nonstop chatting and many cups of tea exchanged, one of the youths dressed in noble robes asked a question.

"You are really interesting. Why don’t you come to an after gathering later with us. It will be just youths."

Meng Bai hesitated. "Would that be alright?"

Dongxu Ning nudged him. "Go ask your master. It’s a nice chance to meet others from our generation."

Meng Bai hurried up to Lin Mu and asked. "Some young cultivators are inviting me to their private gathering. Can I go?"

Lin Mu nodded. "Go. Learn, talk, see other paths that the juniors walk on."

Meng Bai smiled brightly and ran back.

"Youth should intermingle often. It is the only way they will learn about the world." An elder agreed from the side.

After he left though, Lin Mu quietly said, "Xiao Yin. Xiao Yang."

The twin snakes lifted their heads.

"Follow him. Stay hidden. Do not interfere unless needed."

They bowed their heads slightly. "Yes, Master."

They disappeared into shadows and slipped away.

Back at the high table, praise continued to rain on Lin Mu.

Some asked about his techniques. He deflected politely.

Some asked about his future plans. He said he would continue cultivating and exploring worlds.

Some asked about Cattaleya. She answered most of them with laughter and food in her mouth.

"He beat me fair and square," she said loudly. "But I will beat him next time."

Lin Mu smiled. "I will look forward to that."

The Patriarch watched them both and laughed.

"This generation is terrifying," he said. "But it is also beautiful."

The banquet continued deep into the night.

Music played from spirit instruments.

Dancers formed from light and illusion reenacted famous battles.

Wine flowed for those who could drink it.

Food vanished in mountains.

And in the center of it all sat a man who once had nothing, now praised by worlds.

Daoist Lin Mu.

Unaware of just how many eyes, near and far, were now watching him.