In a short while, everyone had arrived. Most of them were invited youngsters, with only a few elders coming to join the fun. It wouldn't do to have too many elders overshadow the younger generation's spirit.
The protagonist of the birthday banquet, Yan Zhonghua, made his entrance, accompanied by his father, Yan Wangshuang. Both were dressed in suits and formal attire, and their grand entrance drew applause.
Just then, Ming Zhitian arrived leisurely, with Guo Qiang following closely behind. This delighted Yan Lixue, who exclaimed, "Zhitian, I thought you weren't coming. Quick, come inside."
Ming Zhitian said, "Lixue, you don't mind if I bring an extra person, do you?"
Yan Lixue shook her head, "Of course not. And who is this...?"
Guo Qiang stepped forward, "Guo Qiang."
Ming Zhitian whispered into Yan Lixue's ear, "To tell you the truth, he is the sect leader of Qimen from the Five Peaks Sect."
"!" Yan Lixue's ears tingled with shyness, and then she was shocked. What status did a sect leader hold? With no less than two thousand disciples under him! And he would accompany Ming Zhitian to a mere birthday banquet?
Yan Lixue glanced at Guo Qiang again, then at Ming Zhitian, before leading them into the venue.
Seeing the intimate interaction between Yan Lixue and that damned Ming Zhitian, Xue Mingyuan's heart ached!
As applause rippled through the crowd, Ming Zhitian, who had just picked up two chicken legs, quickly put them in his mouth, clapped his hands casually, and resumed eating.
Yan Lixue managed an awkward smile, "You, haven't eaten?"
Ming Zhitian, while eating, honestly replied, "No. There's a buffet, perfect for eating my fill."
Guo Qiang chuckled at his side, shaking his head helplessly.
The eighteen-meter-tall cake made its appearance, pushed by twenty people on a cart with great care to the center of the main hall.
The crowd gasped, "Wow! Awesome!"
The birthday song echoed throughout, and Yan Zhonghua, holding a ten-meter-long cake knife, leisurely cut into the grand cake. The ceremony was complete!
Everyone began to congratulate him, "Happy birthday, Young Master Hua! May Young Master Hua have good fortune! May Young Master Hua be famous..." and other flattering words.
Yan Wangshuang, leading his wife, addressed the crowd, "Greetings, esteemed young talents and ladies. I am Yan Zhonghua's father and mother. Now, let us welcome Zhonghua with warm applause as he addresses you all."
"Clap clap clap clap clap.........!"
Yan Zhonghua licked the cream from his thumb, which had dripped from cutting the cake, "Thank you all for gracing my birthday banquet today. Come, let us have a toast."
The men and women raised their cups, "Cheers!......... Die!........."
Yan Zhonghua said, "I am very happy today, happy that there are familiar faces and strangers alike here to congratulate me on my birthday. I'm another year older this year, yet still single. I wonder which young lady would be willing to give me a chance? Haha, just kidding."
Immediately, someone instigated, "Young Master Hua, I'm willing!..."
"Young Master Hua, I love you..."
"Young Master Hua, your standards are high. Those who want to marry into your wealthy family wouldn't even get a chance to queue up behind me..."
Yan Zhonghua quickly waved his hand, "Alright, alright, don't tease me anymore. Well, eat as much cake as you want, drink as much wine as you please, and have a great time!"
After these perfunctory words, everyone began to present gifts.
Yan Zhonghua ordered his servants to open them on the spot. Some gifts were not wrapped, and their contents were announced directly: "A pair of White Cloud Bracelets from Young Master Li! A pair of Exquisite Golden Shoes from Miss Mao! A Black Jade Carp from Young Master Tian Bai! A painting titled 'Pear Blossom Weeping with Rain' from Young Master Wang!"
"A High-Grade Dharma Artifact from Miss Hai! A Super-Grade Dharma Artifact from Young Master Xue! An Ultimate-Grade Dharma Artifact from Young Master Dongcheng! An Ultimate-Grade Dharma Artifact from Young Master Chen! ......... A Royal-Grade Cultivation Method from Miss Yan Lixue!"
"Ooh... Wow!!........."
"A Royal-Grade Cultivation Method?! Damn! That's... amazing."
"I could accept the extravagant gift of a Super-Grade Dharma Artifact from Young Master Xue, but someone actually sent a Royal-Grade Cultivation Method? This is truly hopeful, so hopeful."