Chapter 35: Jade Phoenix Troupe

Chen Mobai looked around and immediately understood the reason.

He saw many young cultivators, both male and female, holding various kinds of support signs. The names on them differed, but Chen Mobai recognized two: Meng Huanger and Jiang Yuyuan.

"The Jade Phoenix Troupe is here! They're the Immortal Sect's top opera company."

The Immortal Sect, a continuation of the previous civilization, naturally had many forms of entertainment. With the added benefits of cultivation, handsome men and beautiful women were countless. In this civilization, those who became celebrities were the masters of traditional opera.

Among these, the Jade Phoenix Troupe had been the Immortal Sect's most outstanding opera company for the past decade.

Meng Huanger, who played the "qingyi" role (virtuous female), and Jiang Yuyuan, who played the "xiaosheng" role (young male), performed the opera "Treading on the Moon." Upon its broadcast during last year's Spring Festival Gala, it instantly became a sensation throughout the entire Immortal Sect. The Jade Phoenix Troupe, centered around these two, had been performing nationwide in recent years, gathering wave after wave of fervent followers.

"Nephew, have you been waiting long?"

Just as Chen Mobai was wondering if he should join the crowd of fans and partake in the excitement, a warm, familiar voice sounded in his ear.

He turned his head to see a middle-aged man in a gray suit with slightly graying temples, carrying two suitcases, approaching from nearby.

It was his uncle, Chen Baolan.

"Second Uncle, we haven't seen each other in two or three years, have we?"

Chen Mobai immediately jogged over to help with the luggage.

"Two years, three months, and eighteen days. Your older brother has finally reached the ninth level of Qi Condensation; he's made it to this stage."

Chen Baolan only let Chen Mobai carry one suitcase. The uncle and nephew, who shared a very good relationship, chatted and laughed as they walked out of the airport.

"Their flight has arrived."

"Quick, quick, quick! Terminal 2!"

"Finally, I can see my idol in person."

"Meng Huanger, the eternal Lunar Fairy!"

Just then, the young men and women waiting for the Jade Phoenix Troupe inside the airport suddenly became restless, sprinting towards another terminal. If not for the prohibition of using magic inside the airport, many cultivators would likely have taken flight.

"What's wrong? Do you want to see them too?"

Chen Baolan noticed Chen Mobai's steps falter slightly and asked with a smile.

"Who wouldn't want to see the Immortal Sect's most popular idols?"

Chen Mobai, facing a family member, naturally didn't shy away and readily admitted it.

"Look what I have here?"

Chen Baolan took a stack of items from his suit pocket and handed them to Chen Mobai, who, upon taking a look, widened his eyes in surprise.

"These are tickets to the Jade Phoenix Troupe's performance! These are harder to get than the Three Foundation Establishment Treasures. Where did you get them?"

"Boss Bian happened to be on the same flight as me. Our seats were next to each other, and we had a pleasant chat, so he gave me these tickets."

"Who is Boss Bian?"

"Bian Yiqing, the head of the Jade Phoenix Troupe, the Immortal Sect's top performer thirty years ago, and also Meng Huanger and Jiang Yuyuan's master."

As Chen Baolan finished speaking, Chen Mobai remembered. Wasn't Bian Yiqing the childhood idol of his parents' generation? His performance of "Startled Dream of a Roaming Dragon" had even earned him an invitation to sing at the Immortal Celebration Grand Ceremony, and the video of it still ranked among the top three most-watched online.

"Uncle, your luck is incredible!"

Chen Mobai couldn't help but exclaim. Bian Yiqing was an unparalleled national talent, a master of opera who had been selected for the national team, and also an instructor at the Dance-Weapon Dao Academy. He was widely recognized as a Grandmaster within the Immortal Sect.

"It's not exactly luck. A few days ago, in an ancient ruin our academy excavated, there were some items that needed an expert from the Dance-Weapon Dao Academy to identify. Coincidentally, Boss Bian's Jade Phoenix Troupe was performing in Taibai City nearby, so he came over, and that's how we met."

"Then today, we met again on the plane. We chatted for a while, and since we got along so well, he gave me ten tickets."

Chen Mobai immediately checked the ticketing platform and found that the Jade Phoenix Troupe was scheduled to hold twenty consecutive performances in Danxia City. The tickets he held could be redeemed at any time; one only needed to register for a seat online before attending.

"There are three of us, three from Little Aunt's family, and you, Uncle, that makes seven tickets. Can I resell the remaining three?"

Chen Mobai immediately booked a performance for that evening. It was perfect timing as their whole family would be together, but ten tickets were still too many. His mind immediately went to selling them on his personal shop.

"Do as you wish. I've already given you all ten tickets anyway."

Chen Baolan let out a laugh and led the way out of the airport.

That evening.

At the dinner table, Chen Xinglan and Chen Baolan, the brothers, had already started drinking. Tang Pancui was still cooking. Chen Mobai heard the doorbell ring and knew that his paternal aunt's family had arrived.

"Brother, I've reached the fourth level of Qi Condensation!"

At the door, a girl of about twelve or thirteen saw Chen Mobai, her eyes lighting up. She had a delicate face, fair skin, and raven black hair styled into a high, swaying 'Spirit Snake Bun' adorned with a pearlescent purple hairpin—the latest popular hairstyle in the Immortal Sect. She looked very lively and agile.

She was Chen Mobai's cousin, Wang Xinying.

"Oh, really? That's impressive! It looks like you'll surpass your older brother soon, won't you?"

Chen Mobai saw his triumphant sister standing in front of him with her hands on her hips. He couldn't resist reaching out and gently patting her styled 'Spirit Snake Bun'.

"It's pretty, isn't it? My mom helped me style it."

Wang Xinying's face beamed with joy at her brother's praise.

"Uncle, Aunt, please come in."

There were two more people at the door, Wang Xinying's parents. Her father had a rugged face and a sturdy build, while her mother wore a plum-colored, double-breasted long dress and a specially styled high bun, looking plump and prosperous.

They both smiled upon seeing Chen Mobai.

"Xiaobai is so polite, nothing like your father."

When Uncle Wang Jianyuan was pursuing Chen Yulan, his fierce appearance led Chen Xinglan to mistake him for a street ruffian harassing his sister. After school, Chen Xinglan cornered him in an alley with a broom and gave him a severe beating.

Given Wang Jianyuan's character, he certainly fought back. Only after both were bruised and swollen did they start verbally abusing each other.

As they traded insults, Chen Xinglan realized he had beaten the wrong person. But the deed was done, and Wang Jianyuan, realizing this man was his future brother-in-law, could only resign himself to his bad luck.

Even after Chen Yulan married him, the two still didn't quite get along, always bickering a bit whenever they met.

"Alright, it's my elder brother's great occasion today. Go inside and try to say less."

Chen Yulan heard her husband's words and looked exasperated.

Wang Jianyuan was good in every other aspect, but he was too petty. He still brought up Chen Xinglan beating him almost daily, and probably wouldn't forget it until the day he died.

"Hmph, wouldn't it be better to just be an honest Qi Condensation cultivator? Why insist on Foundation Establishment? Some people just don't know their place."