They hastily signed a contract with the White Feather Clan, minimizing the exchange projects where possible.
"Considering the lifespans and growth cycles of the Human Race and some other races, we set the young generation as under fifty years old..."
Fifty years old?
Wouldnât I just be a baby then?
But just like the White Feather Clan, where one becomes an adult at forty-five, and even ordinary unawakened people live nearly two hundred years, it seems quite normal.
He continued reading.
"Huh, itâs not just the White Feather Clan? This looks a bit interesting."
Besides the White Feather Clan, thereâs also the Fox Clan, Dragon Abyss Empire, and Fuyun Sect, all top-tier forces.
They are considered top-tier forces with relatively close relations to the Tao Sect.
The Dragon Abyss Empire had a black history of being captured by the Tao Sect, with two Divine Domain Realm deities taken, but they reached an agreement subsequently, compensating quite a bit.
While the Fuyun Sect is named as a sect, it has no relations with deities. Instead, they advocate for doing as one pleases and is vaguely considered among the top three among all top-tier forces on the continent, a colossal entity with profound heritage and strength.
Tang Yu signed his name, deciding to have the Tao Sect host this exchange competition for the younger generation.
"The earliest disciples of the Tao Sect have been practicing for over a year now, itâs time to show them off."
...
In the blink of an eye, another month passed,
and exchange delegations from the White Feather Clan, Fox Clan, Dragon Abyss Empire, and Fuyun Sect had all arrived in Tao City.
Those responsible for entertaining these powerful beings were Inner Sect Elder Shay and Outer Sect Elder Yan Dingtian.
The sparring exchange wasnât urgent, and since it was rare for the Divine Domain Realm from each top force to visit Tao City, they couldnât possibly only watch the juniorsâ spar.
Tang Yu had foreseen this.
Whatâs the best topic over drinks? Business, of course.
In just a few days, the Tao Sect had sealed deal after deal with various forces, and pulled in some investment for the Human Race Federation on the side.
While the higher-ups were having their meetings, the younger generation didnât follow along.
The more active disciples of the Tao Sect, along with some diplomatic personnel, were responsible for hosting the young representatives.
Among them was the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Zhou.
He stood with his usual small paunch and a smiling face, yet was already a genuine Stepping Void expert.
Although the upper levels were meeting amicably, the atmosphere among the young men and women, representing each force, was not harmonious. Many had stern expressions and eyes surveying other representatives.
"The exchange in three days will definitely see our White Feather Clan taking the crown." A youthful White Feather Clan boy, with a youthful face, placed one foot on a step and raised an index finger high into the sky.
Wang Zhou wiped the non-existent sweat from his brow, thinking, already three or four decades old, why so juvenile?
"Since thereâs still three days before the exchange match, why not let us take you on a tour of Tao City first? Our Tao City has many historical and... ahem, many historic and classic foods that will ensure you return with unforgettable memories."
The juvenile White Feather Clan boy wasnât buying it:
"Hmph, I sensed youâre at the Stepping Void Realm, are you the Human Raceâs seed representative in this exchange? Why not find an arena for a match?"
"I donât, Iâm not," Wang Zhou denied.
The White Feather Clan boy sized him up and paused briefly on his paunch, "Could it be, your age has already exceeded fifty?"
Wang Zhou mulled for three seconds, "No, but Iâm nearly thirty." His words were laden with the weight of time.
Not yet thirty and already in Stepping Void!
The White Feather Clan boyâs eyes lit up, his demeanor became much more serious, "Please, you must accept my challenge, come, letâs fight heartily!"
The elites from the Fox Clan, Dragon Abyss Empire, and Fuyun Sect all looked over, filled with anticipation.
Wang Zhou was sweating a bit.
He was just a Stepping Void expert born out of potions, wouldnât he get beaten to death for real sparring?
For the honor of the Tao Sect, he absolutely couldnât fall into the enemyâs trap!
Wang Zhou sternly declared, "No, youâre mistaken, Iâm not a disciple of the Tao Sect but merely a small minister responsible for external affairs of the Tao Sect."
"Look, thereâs our genius from the Tao Sect, but after all, the exchange is scheduled for three days later, sparring now would contradict the original intention of the meeting, donât you think? In my opinion, tasting the food is best."
The White Feather Clan boy looked disappointed but didnât insist further.
But he still shook his head, "Extracting energy from food is just a trivial task for ordinary life forms. At this time, isnât it better to extract some Source Power and hone combat skills and magic..."
He was about to leave.
Wang Zhou suddenly said, "Sparring in battle doesnât quite fit the situation, but since this little brother from the White Feather Clan wants a duel, why not spar at the dining table?"
The White Feather Clan boy stopped and turned his head, "How to spar?"
Wang Zhou earnestly explained, "Absorbing energy from the heavens and earth is one method, transforming energy from food into oneâs own needs is another, so, isnât eating more and eating faster somewhat indicative of strength?"
The White Feather Clan boy pondered. Though feeling something was off, a thorough analysis revealed some truth in it.
As expected of a Heavenly Pride able to step into the Stepping Void Realm before thirty, his casual words were filled with deep meaning, truly, the Human Race is not to be underestimated.
The younger generation from other forces, mostly curious about Tao City, were quite tempted by Wang Zhouâs proposal of a dining table duel, except the disciples of the Tao Sect had peculiar expressions, wanting to speak, but their throats moved a few times before they ultimately held back.
Led by Wang Zhou, the group arrived at the largest restaurant in Tao City.
The young ones, accustomed to seeing grandiose buildings, had no reaction to the luxurious restaurant, only the White Feather Clan boy kept urging for the food to be served.
At this time, Wang Zhou had already gone to the kitchen.
His intention was to promote Human Race cuisine, definitely not because he had a craving and wanted to eat, but since he brought up the culinary duel, careful selection of dishes was necessary.
"Start with a hundred big pots of deep-sea crawfish..." This special type of crawfish lives in the Vortex Sea Area of the Endless Sea, each possessing strength surpassing the normal Great Perfection, living at the bottom of the Endless Sea, the difficulty of catching them is imaginable.
But the meat is more tender, firm, fresh, and juicy, the taste is incredible!
Wang Zhou couldnât help but start drooling.
He also instructed, "Right, donât use regular methods, add the spiciest chili peppers."
The chef, also from Green Shadow, wore a peculiar expression, "I say Fatty Wang, the current chili peppers arenât those from before the apocalypse, weâve found many new varieties of extremely spicy peppers here, are you sure you want the spiciest?"
Wang Zhou sneered, "Mere chili peppers, hardly worth fearing!"
After all, it wasnât for him to eat, he added, "Right, make one pot with regular spice too."
...
The pot was truly large, even ordinary Mutant Beasts with wings spanning over ten meters could be stewed in it.
The younger generation of the White Feather Clan, Fox Clan, Abyss Clan, and Fuyun Sect, their physiques were similar to the Human Race, appeared somewhat insignificant standing before several large pots.
The lid was lifted, and in an instant, white smoke spread, with a rich aroma wafting into oneâs nostrils.
Quite pungent.
"This is deep-sea crawfish from the Endless Sea..."
Upon Wang Zhouâs introduction, the eyes of the younger generation from other clans slightly changed.
How distant is the Endless Sea from the Celestine Mountain Range, only the Tao Sect, who has mastered advanced transmission technology, has the leisure to transport foodstuffs via Transmission Array.
What extravagance!
In an instant, they too felt tempted.
But none forgot Wang Zhouâs proposal of making friends through food, and the dining table contest.
The boy from the White Feather Clan was made the representative of his people as a matter of course.
The Fox Clan, Dragon Abyss Empire, and Fuyun Sect also sent their representatives, all without exception at the Stepping Void Realmâafter all, the digestive capability of a Stepping Void is, in any case, stronger than that of the Awakening Tier.
Only among the Human Race, they looked at each other.
"Xiao Dong, come on, your Ten Thousand Fire Technique can help you digest quickly."
"Wang Chen, among the Inner Sect disciples, I think youâre the strongest, go ahead."
"Zhang Erapang, youâre so fat, I believe in you."
"Brother Wang Zhou isnât bad either, plus didnât he suggest the culinary duel?"
Wang Zhou was hiding in a corner, only to find the gaze of the Tao Sect disciples all directed at him uniformly.