Chapter 318: Night Banquet Celebration

Xu Xiaoshou was startled.

"That fast?"

He had thought there would be at least a short break, or at the very least, that he'd be able to enjoy his month-long vacation first.

Fu Xing nodded. "The exact date isn't stable yet, but judging by the frequency of the dimensional space's tremors, it's going to happen within the next few days."

Xu Xiaoshou replied, "Oh? What does this have to do with the opportunity you mentioned?"

"Hehe,"

Fu Xing smiled mysteriously. "You wouldn't know this, brother, but while White Cave is a dimensional space, it's actually under the control of the major powers in the twelve surrounding prefectures."

"Entry requires a quota. If anyone is caught trying to sneak in, they're executed on the spot!"

Xu Xiaoshou raised an eyebrow. "That serious?"

Knowing what he was thinking, Fu Xing explained, "In the past, there have been incidents where powerful cultivators disguised themselves to illegally enter dimensional spaces, leading directly to the collapse of entire areas."

"If it were a barren land, that would be one thing, but for a high-level sacred place like White Cave, even the Holy Divine Temple must treat it with extreme caution!"

"During this extraordinary period, the number of dispatched personnel, whether Red Robes or White Robes, will definitely double compared to usual."

"At this time, formal entry into White Cave will require a quota."

Fu Xing spread his hands in understanding and continued, "The White Cave quotas for Tiansang Prefecture are allocated by Tiansang City."

"And Tiansang City is controlled by the City Lord's Mansion!"

As he spoke, he proudly lifted his chin.

Clearly, the City Lord's Mansion was effectively under the sole influence of his Fu family.

Ultimately, the White Cave quotas were allocated by his Fu family.

Xu Xiaoshou listened with some curiosity. "If I'm not mistaken, Tiansang Spiritual Palace should also have White Cave quotas, right?"

The Spiritual Palace, in every prefecture, exists as the top academic institution.

It is semi-governed by the Holy Divine Temple, directly affiliated with the Central Domain Holy Palace, making it an entity completely detached from the ordinary power structure.

In terms of status and strength, it far surpasses the major aristocratic families in every prefectural city, including the City Lord's Mansion.

Of course, the Spiritual Palace doesn't vie for power; no matter how much it contended, its influence would still be limited to a single prefecture.

As for the various Spiritual Palaces, once established, they essentially encompass all the talent of a prefecture, so there's naturally little need for them to contend.

Fu Xing smiled calmly. "When a dimensional space opens, the Spiritual Palaces in each prefecture naturally secure a larger share of the quotas."

"However, their quotas are exclusively allocated to the most exceptional talents within the Spiritual Palace..."

Xu Xiaoshou's "Oh?" had a rising inflection, and Fu Xing immediately panicked.

"Of course, I'm not saying you're not capable, Brother Shou. My point is, you're still so young and have so much room for development. Even if you can't get a quota now, you definitely will in the future."

"Besides, I'm here now, aren't I?"

Xu Xiaoshou understood the implication. "Are you offering me a White Cave quota?"

"Uh!"

Fu Xing gave a wry smile. "To 'give' it... I don't have that much authority. What I mean is..."

He composed himself, gazing into the distance with a solemn expression and eyes filled with reminiscence.

"In the days leading up to the dimensional space's opening, the City Lord's Mansion traditionally hosts a grand night banquet."

"This banquet serves as both a competition for the younger generation's top cultivators and a re-ranking of the various powers across Tiansang Prefecture's numerous cities. It's also a significant reshuffling event among major forces."

"In short, whoever can shine brightly at this banquet could potentially make a name for themselves not just in Tiansang Prefecture, but possibly even in the vast realms beyond, exploring and adventuring!"

Fu Xing's eyes sparkled brightly.

He didn't elaborate on how this year's banquet would differ in scale.

Compared to previous banquets held before dimensional space openings, this year, due to White Cave, not only forces from Tiansang Prefecture, but also major sects and powerful organizations from outside have arrived one after another.

For the major families and powers indigenous to Tiansang Prefecture, this was naturally terrible news.

After all, the "cake" was only so big; with more powerful contenders arriving, naturally, a larger portion would be taken.

However, for the younger generation, this banquet was an opportune moment to make a name for themselves!

The thought of a local prefectural genius directly overwhelming the leading disciples of prominent sects and major powers from outside was enough to make one's blood boil!

Fu Xing's idol was the Eighth Sword Immortal, and embedded deep within him was the proud ambition to surpass an entire generation.

In his view, however, this was not impossible!

At least among the young generation of major powers currently visiting the City Lord's Mansion, he had genuinely seen few who were stronger than him.

Xu Xiaoshou watched him excitedly talk himself up, looking utterly perplexed.

"So, you still haven't explained what this banquet has to do with the White Cave quotas..."

Fu Xing paused, then let out an awkward chuckle.

"Brother, I forgot to mention it, but while the banquet has its own procedures, its primary purpose is to distribute the White Cave quotas held by the City Lord's Mansion, based on merit and strength!"

Xu Xiaoshou nodded slightly.

In truth, even without Fu Xing's explanation, he had already guessed.

He surmised that the banquet's original intent was simply to allocate entry quotas for the dimensional space.

However, over time, as various powerful factions constantly engaged in open and covert struggles at the City Lord's Mansion, the nature of the banquet naturally transformed.

Nevertheless, fundamentally, this banquet was indeed crucial for anyone hoping to uncover the secrets of "White Cave."

Xu Xiaoshou asked, "So, if the banquet distributes White Cave quotas based on strength and includes competitions and fights, does that mean all the quotas are won through combat?"

"How would that work?"

"It can't be that all the Throne-level cultivators just go at each other with real weapons in the arena!"

Xu Xiaoshou thought of Ye Xiaotian and Elder Sang. If a conflict of that magnitude were to break out...

If one used the "Heaven-Splitting Hand" and the other unleashed "Dragon Fusion Realm," let alone the City Lord's Mansion, half of Tiansang City might be gone by morning!

"Unless... it's arm wrestling?"

Fu Xing nearly fainted.

Ask Throne-level cultivators to arm wrestle?

Your thought process, Brother Shou, truly lives up to your reputation!

"Throne-level cultivators are naturally not allowed to engage in combat."

Fu Xing stated firmly, "There are clear regulations on the continent: if such powerful cultivators wish to fight, they must do so in their designated realms or the Half-Void Heavens. Otherwise, millions would perish, and rivers of blood would flow."

"Therefore, the competitions at the banquet are generally conducted simultaneously across several categories: the younger generation from each family, Grandmaster-level cultivators, and other contests like sword arts or alchemy."

"Naturally, the quotas are awarded only to the victors."

Xu Xiaoshou hesitated. "So..."

"Therefore, while I can't directly give you a quota, Brother, I can extend a 'Banquet Invitation' to you in my capacity as the City Lord's Mansion's Eldest Young Master!"