As Tian Shou introduced him as "Tian Hao, Young Master of the Skyward Lotus Sect," Tian Hao stepped forward, giving a polite bow, straightening his back and holding his gaze steady. There was a slight hesitation before he lowered himself, his movements deliberate as he tried to project a sense of dignity. He could feel the eyes of the visiting sects on him, their gaze assessing, almost judgmental, and he fought to keep his expression neutral, his demeanor composed.

Whispers reached his ears—quiet conversations about the rumors surrounding him. "I heard he spends his days doing nothing but eating and drinking," one voice murmured. "They say he's more interested in wine than cultivation," another added, the disdain evident in their tone. "Such a waste of potential," a third voice whispered, followed by a sigh.

Each snippet of conversation cut deeper, and Tian Hao fought to keep his expression impassive. He heard the phrases "hedonistic nature" and "unambitious" murmured more than once, and Tian Hao fought to keep his expression impassive, even as frustration simmered beneath the surface. He knew the reputation he had, the image he had cultivated for himself, but standing here, under the scrutinizing gazes of the sects, he felt the weight of those judgments more acutely than ever before.

As the formal greetings concluded, everyone moved towards the seating area. The honored visiting elders were given seats at the main table, an elevated platform that gave them a clear view of the entire courtyard. As they took their seats, there was a rustle of robes, the rich fabric whispering against the polished wood.

Elder Fang adjusted his sleeves with a practiced elegance, his gaze sweeping across the courtyard with a look of mild interest. Elder Yun exchanged a knowing glance with Elder Jin, a subtle smile playing at her lips, while Elder Jin nodded in acknowledgment, his eyes twinkling with anticipation. Each movement seemed to carry a weight of authority, their presence commanding attention even in the smallest gestures.

The important disciples, the rising stars of each visiting sect, were seated nearby, positioned prominently to emphasize their potential. The rest of the guests, including Tian Hao, took their places at the lower tables, arranged in concentric circles around the main platform, each table adorned with fine china and silverware, the flickering lantern light reflecting off polished surfaces.

The atmosphere was one of anticipation, the air thick with the mingling scents of incense and food, the murmurs of conversation blending with the soft strains of instrumental music played by a group of disciples in the corner.

Tian Hao glanced towards the main table, his eyes lingering on his father, who sat with a calm expression, his posture straight and dignified. He knew that beneath that calm façade, his father was feeling the pressure, the same pressure that now weighed heavily on Tian Hao's own shoulders.

Tian Hao found himself seated at a lower-status table, next to a group of disciples from the Azure Mist Sect. The table was set with simpler dishes compared to those at the main platform—steamed vegetables, lightly seasoned fish, and a few plates of fruits. In contrast, the main platform was adorned with lavish displays—whole roasted pheasants, vibrant arrays of exotic fruits, and delicacies carved into intricate shapes, each dish accompanied by small bowls of rare dipping sauces. The scent of rich spices and roasted meats wafted through the air.

He let out a small sigh, shrugging inwardly—it wasn't entirely unexpected for someone of his standing. Despite the elegant surroundings, the placement was a reminder of his reputation, and he couldn't help the pang of irritation that tugged at his mind. Still, he forced himself to relax, his gaze wandering over the courtyard filled with flickering lanterns and laughter.

Beside him sat a young female cultivator, her Azure Mist robes flowing gracefully around her. The robes were adorned with delicate silver cloud patterns, the fabric catching the soft glow of the lanterns, giving her an almost ethereal appearance. She was focused on the main platform, her expression composed but her eyes carrying a hint of discontent, as if being seated at this table was a slight she did not take lightly. Her fingers tapped lightly against the rim of her cup, a small, almost imperceptible gesture of her irritation.

Tian Hao turned to her, offering a casual smile. "Name's Tian Hao. Looks like we're in the same boat tonight," he said, his tone light, trying to break the ice.

The young woman glanced at him, her gaze flicking briefly over his robes before returning to the main platform. "Zhao Fei," she replied curtly, her voice as cool and composed as her demeanor. She did not offer more than that, her attention already shifting back to the proceedings, her disinterest palpable.

Tian Hao's grin widened, unbothered by her dismissiveness. He leaned back slightly, his posture relaxed. "Nice to meet you, Zhao Fei," he said. "Let's try to enjoy this feast, yeah? After all, we might as well make the best of the situation."

Zhao Fei's eyes flickered towards him again, this time lingering for a moment longer. Her expression didn't change, but there was a subtle shift, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes before she turned away once more. "We shall see," she replied, her tone noncommittal.

Just as Tian Hao settled back into his seat, trying to get comfortable on the hard wooden bench, a familiar voice echoed in his mind—a voice that could only belong to Big Sister System.

"Congratulations, Little Hao! You have received your first official quest."

Tian Hao's eyes widened slightly, his body stiffening for a brief moment. "A quest? Now?", he said internally. He kept his face composed, forcing himself not to react, but inwardly, he was anything but calm.

Quest Objective: Introduce Zhao Fei to pleasures never experienced before.

Rewards: Substantial improvement in Host's cultivation efficiency and energy absorption rate.

Side Objective: The Host must also experience his first instance of this pleasure.

Tian Hao nearly choked on his own breath, his eyes darting to Zhao Fei beside him, who seemed entirely oblivious to his sudden internal turmoil. Pleasure? The absurdity of it all almost made him laugh, but he suppressed it, feeling a strange mix of anxiety, excitement, and worry settle into his gut. Zhao Fei sat there, her gaze intent on the main platform, her expression serious as if she were considering the proceedings of the feast with utmost importance. Tian Hao, on the other hand, was trying to process the ridiculousness of the situation he had been thrust into.

Big Sister System continued, her tone dripping with mischief. "Be warned, Little Hao, failing this quest has consequences, and completion will require finesse. Good luck!"

Tian Hao's mind raced in a flurry of panic. "Wait, what?! Take it back, Big Sister! I'm not ready for this! How am I supposed to...," He shot a sidelong glance at Zhao Fei, who was still focused on the platform, entirely unaware of his internal chaos. "Introduce her to 'pleasures never experienced'? What kind of quest is this?" His thoughts were a frantic jumble, "I'm doomed... There's no way I can pull this off." He inwardly begged, "Come on, Big Sister, cut me some slack! Can't I get a different quest, maybe one that doesn't involve... this?!"

Tian Hao waited for a response, his mind filled with frantic thoughts, hoping for some form of reprieve from Big Sister System. But there was nothing—no reassuring voice, no teasing follow-up. Just silence. It was as if Big Sister System had simply dropped the bombshell and then stepped back to enjoy the show. Tian Hao imagined her smirking in amusement, relishing his predicament. He groaned inwardly, the silence only adding to his sense of impending doom.

Tian Hao took a deep breath, forcing a smile to his face. He glanced at Zhao Fei, who was now delicately sipping her tea, her posture straight and refined. She seemed so composed, so serious, and here he was, tasked with something ridiculous by a mischievous system that seemed determined to make his life interesting. He felt his heart race, the absurdity of the situation almost overwhelming.

"Well," Tian Hao thought to himself, trying to calm his nerves, "this is going to be interesting."