Just then, a loud 'dong' sound from a massive gong sounded, filling all the earth and sky. Everyone looked up and around, and eventually their eyes settled on a flying ship.
It was streaked in precious minerals and metals, the main bodice crafted from fine wood and steel.
Upon the ship, at the bow, were four individuals sporting expensive embroidered robes and circlets on their heads.
The ship hovered above the gathering, and the four individuals all leapt off, gliding down.
Due to the similarities in their appearances, it was clear to see that they were all related in some way.
Each of their eyes were gold and bright, their hair slightly differing hues of brown, and their skin closer to bronze than anything else.
There was a young woman, a slightly older man, and a middle-aged couple. From the couple, powerful Sea Expansion stage auras emanated.
Jin Huang gazed upon them and his eyes settled on the young woman with them. He took a big sniff and frowned. "She smells... weird."
Xiao Chen glanced over at him, his expression unreadable behind the mask, but his eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
"Hahaha! Brother Wang, Sister Xia, and my nephew and niece!" Yuan Zhi walked out to greet them.
"Brother Yuan," the middle-aged man, Wang Yijian, greeted Yuan Zhi. His wife, Xia Yuyue, nodded as he extended her delicate hand.
The younger individuals, lingered behind, staying close as they looked around.
Whispers arose from the crowd.
"Brother Wang? Sister Xia?"
"They seem to be on really good terms with the Legendary Alchemist- gasp! Could they be..."
"Wang Yijian? Xia Yuyue?"
"No way! The Sect Master of Eternal Forge Hall, and her husband, the Vice Sect Master?!"
"What are they doing here!?"
"Those two behind them must be their son and daughter, Wang Zhen and Leng Qi!"
"Leng Qi! The Daughter of Sect Master Xia Yuyue and her ex-husband, Leng Che!"
"The same Leng Che who's the Sect Master of the Void Severing Pavillion?"
"That same one!"
"She really downgraded, huh?"
As the gathered individuals were chatting, a loud screech sounded and the 'whoosh' of massive wings was heard.
Descending from the clouds, a giant blue bird came onto view. It's feathers were glittery, and every movement caused magical dust to sprinkle from it and fly off into the air.
The bird had three longer tailfeathers that stood out from the rest, shimmering even in the light of day.
Riding on that massive bird were two individuals dressed in brown colored clothing.
One of them was a spectacled man with an excessive amount of stubble, the other was a young man with wild eyes and even wilder hair.
"No way! That's a Frozen Sea Simurgh!"
"A Frozen Sea Simurgh? But that's a Sea-Expansion level spirit beast! Are you certain?!"
"There's no mistaking it. Those two must be from the Magic Beast Society."
The giant bird descended until it was just above the gathering area, then the two riding on it dismounted.
The older man's aura sparked to life, causing him and his young companion to glide down from the bird and toward the VIP area.
Once they were gone, the bird flew off somewhere.
Yuan Zhi was waiting for them, having just accompanied the group from Eternal Forge Hall to their seats.
All smiles, he said, "Welcome, Ximen Ming. I don't recognize the youngster with you."
The spectacled man laughed as he greeted Yuan Zhi, "Brat Zhi, it's been too long. Too long indeed."
"This young man is Mo Kuang, my disciple."
At the mention of this man's name, several individuals in the crowd seemed stunned, whispering amongst themselves.
Even the Pill Master, Zhao Kun himself, seemed surprised to see Ximen Ming.
"Even the Beast Master himself is making an appearance? That old devil. This year's Alchemists' Gathering may be quite interesting."
"Is that guy important?" Jin Huang asked as he took a sip of water.
Xiao Chen said nothing, but Meng Lan answered, "That 'man' is Ximen Ming, the Beast Master of the Magic Beast Society. His position is even higher than that of the Grandmaster."
"Oh," Jin Huang nodded absently as he started eating again. Suddenly, he paused and turned again to look at Ximen Ming.
At the same time, Ximen Ming looked away from Yuan Zhi. Their eyes met for a split second, then the Beast Master continued his conversation.
"He looks... wrong. Smells like too many things at once." Jin Huang looked away as well, returning to his food.
At this point, the servers were completely numb to his insane appetite. They just focused on the insane amount of money they were tipped, and continued working gleefully.
Meng Lan frowned slightly. "Your senses are truly sharp. He probably seems that way because of the fact that he isn't human."
Jin Huang stopped as he was about to take a bite of a dumpling. "Not human? Then what is he?"
"An ancient Magic Beast- and an immensely powerful one at that." Her eyes narrowed.
Xiao Chen was silent as he calmly observed from behind the mask.
Yuan Zhi accompanied the two new arrivals to their seats as well, and then the last of the guests strolled into the venue.
There was no grand entrance, no loud sounds or special announcement. They simply walked in, dressed in simple robes like the average rogue wanderers.
The only thing notable about them were the fox spirit masks that they wore, old and worn.
The seemingly older of the two, a woman in clothing that was ripped at the ends, led the way.
Xiao Chen looked on as something about Yuan Zhi's demeanor changed, and he approached them in a somewhat subservient manner.
They spoke softly, and then he showed them to their seats.
These last two became the topic of much discussion. No one knew who they were; everyone knew they were incredibly important.
Finally, the Herb Sage appeared on the stage. His presence caused the crowd to instantly silence itself, and he smiled as he gazed around with his cloudy eyes.
"Greetings, all. Thank you for coming to another of my Pill Tower's Annual Alchemists' Gatherings."
"As you all know, once Yuan Zhi and our Pill Fairy, Ao Yueyan, wrap up their presentations, the floor will be open for any aspiring alchemists or herbologists to showcase their work."
"Myself, as well as Alchemist Yuan Zhi and Pill Master Zhao Kun, will offer advice and appraisals where necessary. I hope we can all get along and support one another's efforts."
There was an acknowledgement from the crowd, as well as some subdued applause.
The Herb Sage made a gesture and said, "Then, let us begin. Pill Fairy Ao Yueyan, please take the stage."
The Herb Sage left the stage as suddenly as he appeared, returning to his seat at the center of the VIP area.
On his left, Yuan Zhi folded his arms and smiled, "Thank you, Herb Sage."
"No need for thanks, Yuan Zhi. As this is my last time appearing in public like this, it was my pleasure."
On his right, the Pill Fairy stood. Before she left, her smooth voice sounded, just barely audible to Yuan Zhi and the Herb Sage.
"I'll make this an event to remember, Master. Just watch."
The Herb Sage smiled and said nothing. Yuan Zhi appeared curious, and he looked on.
The Pill Fairy's long red hair extended well past her lower back, merely held together in a simple ponytail.
Her expression reminded one of still water, unmoving and unperturbed. Her eyes were a similar shade to her hair, with glossy lips and pronounced dimples.
She took the stage and greeted everyone present. "Good day to you. I am Ao Yueyan, the only disciple of the Herb Sage."
She took a breath. "Today, I am going to singlehandedly revive an ancient technique thought to be lost and impossible to recover."
Her hand moved, a glint of bright green mana flashing before a small table, a simple mundane looking herb and a few other instruments appeared.
"The Ancient Art of Spiritual Herb Ascension!"
Shocked expressions and gasps followed her declaration.
Zhao Kun stroked his chin, "Hm? Is she serious?"
Behind him, his disciples both scoffed. One of them, Lin Fan, said, "Master, if even you were certain that all records of this lost art were erased, then how could she have done it?"
Song Mei giggled, "Is the Pill Fairy actually doing a comedy act?"
Zhao Kun shook his head, "Just because I couldn't, doesn't mean it was impossible. Perhaps I was simply not fated. Let's see."
Xiao Chen and Meng Lan seemed somewhat interested in the Pill Fairy's demonstration.
Everyone else was either clueless or speechless. Even Yuan Zhi seemed like he was struggling to believe.
"Herb Sage, is she serious? I thought you said it was impossible to recover that Art."
The Herb Sage laughed softly as he leaned back, his eyes filled with warmth that seemed to chase away the clouds in them.
"I thought so. I truly did. However, it is also true that I am old- a member of a generation long gone. The future belongs to these brave new souls."
"What was impossible for us, may not be for them."
Yuan Zhi paused as he processed those words, and he nodded. "I agree. Perhaps even I shall one day be surpassed by some young genius."
Suddenly, he laughed, "But that day... is not today!"