Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the seven disciples of Taibai followed the clam maiden up to the second floor.

The excitement of those who had gathered to watch the spectacle faded. For some, their frustration was enough to make them grind their teeth. Those from the Gao and Tenglong families, who had already taken their seats, were particularly resentful.

Why should the disciples of Taibai Martial Hall receive such an honor?

What was so special about that pretty-faced brat? Dragon Princess, look at me instead!

Among them, Huang Mingri of the Huang family clenched his fists, his desire to stand up and demand an explanation barely contained. However, he was quickly held back by Huang Mingnian.

“This is the Dragon Sovereign’s Banquet. What do you think you’re doing?”

“Use your brain! Don’t drag the Huang family into trouble. We can’t afford to offend the Cloud River Dragon Sovereign.”

Huang Mingnian was furious at his younger brother’s stupidity. In Tianyue Prefecture, playing with women, killing rivals, and ruining families were mere trifles.

But here?

What idiocy was this?

If not for the fact that they were brothers, if not for their mother constantly indulging him, Huang Mingnian would have beaten him half to death himself.

While the crowd whispered and speculated, Han and his companions paid them no mind.

THE SECOND FLOOR OF CLOUD DRAGON PAVILION

The moment they stepped onto the second floor, it was clear this was no ordinary gathering.

The hall was filled with young men and women, all strikingly attractive. Yet most carried a distinct aura of the aquatic race—subtle but undeniable.

Those seated here were the elite descendants of the Cloud River Dragon Palace.

There were a few exceptions, however—Han spotted Yun Duo among them.

Their arrival drew immediate attention. Some recognized them, while others whispered among themselves, seeking information about their identities.

The Taibai group was seated at a table near the Yun family.

“Han! I didn’t expect to see you here!” Yun Duo greeted him enthusiastically.

“Neither did I.”

The Yun family had arrived with nine members. Han exchanged friendly words with those he knew, including Yun Duo’s elder sister, Yun Yun, while simply nodding in acknowledgment to the others.

As time passed, the tables filled. Suddenly, elegant maidens in palace attire emerged from seemingly nowhere, carrying trays laden with fresh fruits, exquisite vegetables, and delicacies.

Han could sense faint energy fluctuations from the food—not as potent as true spiritual plants, but with their sheer quantity, the effects wouldn’t be far off.

Every guest was essentially receiving the equivalent of a free spiritual plant.

No wonder cultivators in Cloud Dragon Market desperately sought invitations.

The dragon clan was truly rich.

“These are all cultivated within the Cloud River Dragon Palace,” Yun Duo explained in a hushed tone.

“A single piece might not seem impressive, but when taken in large amounts, their value becomes substantial.”

After the dishes were served, a series of small cups was distributed.

However, the cups contained no wine—just a thin layer of crimson liquid at the bottom, its nature unknown.

“This is dragon’s blood,” Yun Duo whispered.

“In past Dragon Sovereign’s Banquets, it was rarely offered. It’s even more valuable than the entire feast.”

“I’m guessing it’s only being served this time because the banquet hasn’t been held in ten years. The Dragon Sovereign must be feeling particularly generous.”

“This is actual dragon blood?” Han raised an eyebrow.

“No idea. That’s just what everyone calls it.”

Han nodded, once again marveling at the wealth of the dragon clan.

Despite being only fifteen, Yun Duo was surprisingly knowledgeable.

THE MOON DESCENDS

Outside, the crescent moon hung high in the sky, its glow breathtakingly radiant.

Cloud Dragon Pavilion had an open central courtyard, allowing the moonlight to pour directly onto the first floor, forming what resembled a well of pure lunar brilliance.

The moonlight here was far denser than outside—likely enhanced by some mystical method of drawing it in.

Historically, the Dragon Sovereign’s Banquet had always been held at night, a choice that benefitted certain beings, such as ghosts, who could not withstand sunlight.

Moreover, this banquet was primarily for the younger generation—a gesture of the Dragon Sovereign’s favor.

Had the guest list consisted of individuals on the Dragon Sovereign’s level, the venue would have been the Cloud River Dragon Palace itself.

At that moment, a young woman in a flowing moonlit gown descended gracefully from the third floor.

Bathed in silver radiance, she looked like a celestial maiden.

To the astonishment of the crowd, as she reached the second floor, her figure split into two more identical forms—one drifting toward the first floor, the other floating toward the outer pavilions.

“Honored guests, we welcome you to the banquet.” Her voice, warm and soothing, resonated simultaneously in all three locations.

“The Dragon Sovereign is pleased to host this gathering after a decade. Tonight, drink to your heart’s content.”

“Let the Dragon Sovereign grant us wine.”

As her words fell, a massive hand suddenly extended from the third floor.

It was enormous, vast enough to seemingly grasp the entire moon. As the palm tilted slightly, the crescent moon itself seemed to shift.

“Whoosh!”

The heavens split open.

A torrent of moonlight cascaded down like a celestial river, pouring into Cloud Dragon Pavilion.

The shimmering, liquefied lunar essence carried an almost sentient flow, finding its way into each and every guest’s cup, filling them perfectly.

No one was left out.

No more, no less.

And still, the moonlight river continued to descend, undisturbed.

The floating maiden smiled. “The Dragon Sovereign’s Banquet has begun. Enjoy the night.”

For a long moment, silence filled the pavilion.

Only when her voice echoed again did people finally snap out of their daze.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Han was shaken.

To seize the moon with a single hand, to turn it into a vessel, to pour its essence as wine—was this the might of the Cloud River Dragon Sovereign?

But then Han frowned slightly.

No… the Dragon Sovereign hadn’t truly grabbed the moon.

Rather, he must have used some divine technique to directly extract its lunar energy.

After all, Han knew something that most others didn’t.

There was a Moon God up there.

Even so, the feat remained astonishing.

Han glanced at his own cup. The liquid within was divided into two distinct halves—one white, one red.

He looked around and noticed that his companions’ cups were primarily red, with only traces of white.

Yun Duo’s cup, however, was the opposite.

As for her elder sister, Yun Yun, her cup was the same as his.

“This wine is crafted by the Dragon Sovereign himself, tailored for each guest,” Yun Duo whispered.

“For martial artists, dragon’s blood is dominant. For cultivators, moon essence is primary.”

“For those who train in both paths, like you and my sister, the balance is equal.”

She added, “Don’t worry—no one else can see what’s inside your cup.”

Han glanced around and confirmed this was true.

All he could see were people drinking their wine, their expressions filled with bliss.

Taibai’s disciples listened intently, fascinated by Yun Duo’s explanation.

Han raised his cup and drank it in one go.

A surge of warmth roared through his body, while a cool, refreshing sensation coursed through his soul.

Both his physical and spiritual forms felt subtly strengthened.

Han quickly realized that the so-called moon essence was simply an incredibly refined and concentrated form of lunar energy—far purer than ordinary moonlight and significantly easier to absorb.

Normally, cultivators wouldn’t even dare to come into contact with something this potent, as their souls couldn’t withstand its raw yin energy.

But the Dragon Sovereign had compressed and refined it, making it gentle enough for even martial artists to benefit from.

As for the dragon’s blood, Han compared it to the True Dragon Blood Soul Stone within his soul domain.

It had the scent of dragon blood, but it was certainly not freshly drawn from a real dragon.

Still, it was beneficial for tempering the body.

Yet, as it entered Han’s system, the True Dragon Blood Soul Stone easily suppressed and assimilated it.

Soon, each guest began focusing on refining the energy they had just consumed.

For many of them, this was already the greatest opportunity they would ever encounter.

And then, something strange happened.

Above each guest, wisps of mist began rising, forming ethereal visions—manifestations of their inner potential.

And Han’s vision?

It… wouldn’t stop changing.

As the crowd murmured in hushed discussions, all eyes were on the rising clouds of fate. While most were still entangled on the third floor of Cloud Dragon Pavilion, a single wisp had already vanished beyond the heavens.

That wisp belonged to Han.

Han felt a bit awkward. He had lost track of his own cloud.

He had planned to see how he measured up against the others, but it seemed his fate cloud had a will of its own.

After a moment’s thought, he simply shrugged it off and returned to drinking, focusing on refining the power within the wine.

The Dragon Sovereign was indeed generous, but with his Moon God’s Mark and True Dragon Blood Soul Stone, Han had little difficulty absorbing either moon essence or dragon’s blood.

Likewise, while these substances were incredibly beneficial to others, their effects on Han were relatively minor.

After all, he had consumed far greater treasures before.

Looking around, Han noticed something surprising—he was the only one still awake.

Wait.

These people were supposed to be prodigies from all over.

And yet, they couldn’t even handle this?

Even compared to me, a guy from a backwater town?

Just as he was pondering this, he felt a gaze on him.

It was the moon-clad maiden.

Han met her eyes, and she gave him a slight nod.

A moment later, a thin stream split off from the lunar river, pouring another dose of pure moon essence into Han’s cup. At the same time, fresh dragon’s blood inexplicably surfaced in the bottom of the cup once more.

…So that’s what she meant by “drink to your heart’s content.”

A refillable dragon palace buffet, huh?

Han raised his cup, offering a distant toast to the maiden in thanks, before downing it in one gulp.

Ah… the Grand Immortal Tree is gone. Even the landlord’s grain reserves are running low.

Opportunities to get free resources like this were rare—best to make the most of it.

Besides, with the Dragon Sovereign’s four-hundred-year accumulation, this was nothing to him.

A second cup. A third cup…

By the time Han had completely refined the energy from his third drink, the second person finally stirred awake and reached for a refill.

Too slow.

How did these people even get this far in their cultivation?

Meanwhile, the moon-clad maiden watching from the side seemed a bit stunned.

Too fast.

She stared in disbelief as Han reached for his fourth cup.

Just how much can you drink? Can you even taste the wine at this point?

“Senior Sister, you’re awake? Have another drink,” Han said, offering Bai Ruoyue a cup.

Still slightly flushed from the alcohol, Bai Ruoyue glared at Han.

“Junior Brother, how many have you had?”

“This is my fourth. Tastes pretty good.”

“…Don’t drink too much,” Bai Ruoyue warned, taking another cup for herself.

“Relax, Senior Sister. I never get drunk.” Han waved off her concerns.

Though this wine contained real alcohol, it was primarily composed of moon essence and dragon’s blood.

“Senior Sister, drink to your heart’s content. If you get drunk, I’ll make sure you get back safely,” Han assured her.

“You can count on me.”

Bai Ruoyue gave him a skeptical look but said nothing.

Why do I feel like I can’t trust you…

By now, Han’s endless drinking had drawn the attention of others.

Shock spread across the room.

…Is he drinking water?

Throughout the hall, many had already passed out—not just humans, but demons as well.

Some had even transformed back into their original forms from overindulging.

Nearby, Yun Yun observed the scene with a bitter expression.

They both pursued dual cultivation—yet the gap between them was like heaven and earth.

Since the rumors about Han had spread from Black Cloud Town, she had experienced defeat after defeat.

Though they barely knew each other, it was impossible not to compare herself to him.

And unfortunately…

The difference was overwhelming.

A DRAGON’S GAZE

On the third floor, a tall, regal-looking middle-aged man, dressed in magnificent robes, watched Han with interest.

“The small town of Black Cloud has produced such an intriguing young man…”

“No wonder the heir of the Meng family sought his friendship, even calling him a brother. He truly is extraordinary.”

“He carries hidden dragon power, yet has not slain a dragon nor refined one. It seems to have manifested naturally… and he possesses control over water. Could he be connected to my dragon clan?”

“And that fate cloud of his…”

The Dragon Sovereign gazed upward.

Truth be told…

He couldn’t find it either.

Not that it mattered. It was merely a temporary illusory phenomenon.

THE LAST MAN STANDING

As Han continued drinking, everyone else on the second floor had passed out—leaving him the last man standing.

He remained completely sober and full of energy.

On the first floor and in the outer pavilions, most guests were already unconscious after just one cup. A rare few managed two.

On the second floor, the minimum seemed to be two cups, but reaching the fifth or sixth was rare.

A mere handful had reached their seventh—Bai Ruoyue among them.

Besides her, the others who had managed seven were all from the aquatic race.

It was a testament to Bai Ruoyue’s talent and strength—reaching the Viscera Refinement Stage at just sixteen was an unprecedented feat, even in the prefectural capital.

Han couldn’t help but feel a bit amused.

Master must be incredibly proud—having such an amazing daughter, and also having me as a disciple.

In a way, the number of cups one could handle reflected one’s current strength and ability.

One could either power through with sheer strength or skillfully refine the drink’s energy.

Han fell into the latter category.

Just as he was about to reach for another cup, the moon river flowing down from the sky suddenly vanished.

The moon-clad maiden giggled.

“Young Master Han, fine wine is wonderful, but be careful not to overindulge.”

Han chuckled, briefly assessing his internal condition before nodding.

He had already absorbed so much that the wine’s effects had almost completely diminished for him.

It was clear this drink had its limits—it couldn’t endlessly enhance one’s power.

“You know me?” Han asked.

“We must thank Young Master Han for aiding Cloud River Dragon Palace in capturing criminals,” she said with a smile.

Han immediately understood.

So this was the Dragon Princess that the Shrimp and Crab Soldiers had spoken of.

“A minor matter, not worth mentioning.”

“You have stood above all at the Dragon Sovereign’s Banquet and rendered a great service to Cloud River,” the Dragon Princess continued.

“If Young Master Han would be so kind, I would like to invite you elsewhere for a private conversation.”

“Please do not worry about your fellow disciples. My father is here—nothing will happen to them.”

An invitation for a private chat?

Han was slightly disappointed.

With all his achievements tonight, he had expected to meet the Dragon Sovereign himself.

Wasn’t this supposed to be an event where the Dragon Sovereign personally noticed outstanding talents?

Then why was the Dragon Princess here instead?

Just as Han took a few steps forward to follow her, a stream of information suddenly flooded his mind.

【You have gained one Cheat Refresh attempt. Refreshing now…】

【Previous Month’s Cheat: Grand Immortal Tree】

【Refreshing…】

【Refresh Complete】

【This Month’s Cheat: God’s Perspective】

【Important Notice: Due to your unbreakable bond with the Grand Immortal Tree, you have unlocked the Cheat Revival Feature.】

【Revival Feature: Once you’ve possessed a certain number of cheats, you can use Fate Points to randomly draw from your past cheats upon each monthly refresh. You may choose to replace the newly refreshed cheat with the revived one. (Limit: One replacement per month.)】

【Revival Costs: You gain 1 Fate Point for every major cultivation breakthrough while possessing an active cheat. One revival attempt costs 1 Fate Point.】

【Current Fate Points: 5】

As Han processed this revelation, his heart surged with excitement.

Good news—the cheat has refreshed!

Even better news—it can be revived!

I can get my old cheats back!

Especially the Grand Immortal Tree…

Tree Bro, we might meet again!

Tree Bro, keep your axe sharpened—I’ll be back to repay you properly!