Chapter 124: Unexpected Invitation from the Lord's City Residence

Zhu Xiaochuan talked incessantly, and after quietly revealing information about the newly elevated Jiang family of the Ten Great Families, he proceeded to comment on each of the other Nine Great Families one by one.

Some were reviewed in detail, others were skimmed.

And he also offered advice, saying which of the Ten Great Families would be best for Xiao Zhangqing to join and which should be avoided.

The matter was attended to down to the smallest detail, very considerate.

So Xiao Zhangqing, who now needed this information, patiently listened to the whole thing, and at the end was given an extra first‑rank superior Talisman Script as a token of gratitude.

However, in the future, Xiao Zhangqing does not wish to visit again unless absolutely necessary.

This new neighbor was overly enthusiastic, like a talkative box, and liked to brag.

Until now, Xiao Zhangqing had never imagined that such people existed in the Cultivation World.

It was only in a previous life that he had known similar friends.

The fellow would go to foot‑massage parlors, often extending the session, not for any other reason than to chat and bond with the masseuse girls, bragging and sharing thoughts.

…

…

Xiao Zhangqing originally thought the information obtained from Zhu Xiaochuan was fairly reliable, and his conjecture should be correct.

The Lord's City Residence probably looked down on his modest Foundation Establishment Realm, being only a second‑rank lower‑grade Symbol Master, and would not send anyone to recruit him.

In a month or two, they should first await people from the Ten Great Families.

The result.

The day after meeting Zhu Xiaochuan, people from the Lord's City Residence arrived first.

The newcomer was named Yue Feng! Though he was not one of Character: Liyang's Seven Heroes, nor did he wield the great authority of Zhu Xiaochuan's patron Gu Zongyuan, he still had hope of forming a Golden Core.

Nevertheless, he was also a direct disciple of Character: Liyang Zhenren.

Character: Liyang Zhenren currently has over twenty living disciples, not a small number, but those he selects cannot be mediocre; they must possess extraordinary and unique qualities.

"Hundred Dao Companion, are you still getting used to living in Character: Liyang Zhenren City?"

Yue Feng appeared young, with a graceful demeanor and a smiling face that gave an impression of being easy to talk to.

"Actually, there's nothing I'm not accustomed to. It's just that the splendor of Character: Liyang Zhenren City exceeds my imagination; I'll probably need a long time to become familiar with this city."

Xiao Zhangqing answered without pretense, neither fearful nor arrogant, maintaining a balanced tone.

"Character: Liyang Zhenren City ranks among the top ten city‑scale settlements in the entire Da Yu Cultivation World; most cultivators are indeed quite shocked on their first visit," Yue Feng said with a cheerful smile.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the two chatted a while longer, and Yue Feng subtly probed Xiao Zhangqing's background.

Xiao Zhangqing naturally did not speak truthfully.

He omitted that he came from the Southwest Region of the Da Yu Cultivation World, instead turning westward and casually mentioning a cultivation market.

After all, the Da Yu Cultivation World has countless inhabitants, and there are more than ten thousand cultivation markets; a Foundation Establishment cultivator who traveled ten thousand li is impossible to verify.

Given Character: Liyang Zhenren City's strength, there is no need to worry much about a Foundation Establishment cultivator; if they wish to recruit, they can do so directly without probing.

Only a true Golden Core True Person arriving at Character: Liyang Zhenren City would be subject to strict verification of identity.

Even a Fake Core True Person would not be given much importance.

Although the Da Yu Cultivation World is vast, anyone who can form a Golden Core is considered a top‑tier figure, and almost the entire upper echelons of the Cultivation World would remember the name.

In the end, the total number of Golden Core cultivators in the Da Yu Cultivation World barely exceeds a hundred.

After probing Xiao Zhangqing's background, Yue Feng stopped beating around the bush and stated his purpose: "Hundred Dao Companion, you have only recently arrived in Character: Liyang Zhenren City, so you probably have not yet joined any faction, right?"

Xiao Zhangqing nodded, "Not yet."

Yue Feng beamed, "Then Hundred Dao Companion should already be aware of the various forces in Character: Liyang Zhenren City, and if you wish to join, you are probably considering the Ten Great Families, right? However, I am here today to tell you that if you wish to join a faction, you need not consider the Ten Great Families; you can directly join my Lord's City Residence as a guest minister."

"I came today specifically to invite the Hundred Dao Companion."

Xiao Zhangqing was not surprised.

The fact that a disciple of Character: Liyang Zhenren could come to his cave dwelling meant the Lord's City Residence had interest in him.

It could not be merely for idle chat.

"I am deeply grateful for your regard, Brother Yue," Xiao Zhangqing bowed his hands and then asked, "I wonder, what benefits are there in joining the Lord's City Residence as a guest minister?"

The Lord's City Residence sending someone to invite him was indeed somewhat unexpected for Xiao Zhangqing.

After all, he also thought his displayed cultivation level and Symbol techniques were neither weak nor strong; in Character: Liyang Zhenren City he could only be said to have just crossed the threshold into the upper tier.

Roughly…

Is it comparable to a Nanshan Fang cultivator moving into a Yi-level Cave Dwelling? Yet not every Yi-level Cave Dwelling cultivator was once coveted by the four great families of Nanshan Fang; only those near the top of Yi-level qualify.

Nevertheless, Xiao Zhangqing would not be flattered by this.

With his strength, among Character: Liyang Zhenren's disciples, only the Golden Core cultivator 'Guang Qin True Person' posed any threat; the others were not to be feared.

Even the two Fake Core members among Character: Liyang's Seven Heroes, who, like Liang Yuehua and Zhou Songbai, have refined their life‑bound treasures, could not match Xiao Zhangqing.

After all, Xiao Zhangqing now, compared to his time in Nanshan Fang, has added the Dragon‑Transforming Body Method, his flesh has reached second‑rank middle‑quality, and he also possesses the Azure Sky Sword Formation.

Thus Yue Feng's invitation is tempting for most Foundation Establishment cultivators, but for Xiao Zhangqing it is merely so‑so.

Joining the Lord's City Residence as a guest minister is not impossible.

However, it must present conditions that move him! "Naturally there are…" Yue Feng said, looking at Xiao Zhangqing with a hint of surprise.

He thought this Hundred Dao Companion was a clever person, remaining calm about the olive branch the Lord's City Residence extended, not at all excited, and immediately asking bluntly about the benefits.

Could it be that he came from a small place and has not yet set his mindset? In a tiny cultivation market, a Foundation Establishment cultivator can be called an 'elder ancestor', above ten thousand, unafraid of anything.

Yet in Character: Liyang Zhenren City, a Foundation Establishment cultivator without background must crawl on their tail to survive…

Nevertheless, recalling that not long ago Master Character: Liyang Zhenren specifically summoned their brothers to expand the Lord's City Residence's ranks, they could relax conditions and recruit more cultivators.

Among all brothers, Yue Feng's cultivation rank was mid‑to‑lower, and he possessed little authority; trying to win over the renowned Foundation Establishment figures on his own was too difficult, so he could only attract newcomers or those of modest strength.

Xiao Zhangqing is not only a Foundation Establishment cultivator but also a second‑rank Symbol Master, making him a very good candidate in his eyes.

"Becoming a guest minister of the Lord's City Residence allows one to freely select any secret art, divine ability, or second‑rank pinnacle technique from its treasury. As a Hundred Dao Companion and a Foundation Establishment cultivator, you know that once you reach this stage, our magical power is already considerable; unlike Qi Refining Realm cultivators who rely heavily on Talisman Scripts and magical weapons in battles. We are now qualified to practice certain secret arts and divine abilities, which, once mastered, will greatly boost one's strength."

Yue Feng spoke confidently, "Besides that, you can enjoy various benefits. For example, the cave dwelling Xiao Zhangqing is renting shouldn't be cheap, right? If you become a guest minister of the Lord's Residence, the rent can be discounted…"

"Also. If you earn merit for the Lord's Residence, after gaining merit points you can exchange them at the Lord's Residence for various magical weapons, Magic Treasures, and high‑grade Pills!"

"The Lord's Residence's stock, even if you add up the ten great families, can't compare!" "Therefore joining the Lord's Residence is far better than joining the ten great families if you only consider earning Spirit Stones!"

"After all, true treasures cannot be bought with Spirit Stones."

Having finished, Yue Feng wore a confident expression.

Indeed.

If you really compare, the difference between the ten great families and the Lord's Residence is huge.

Under equal conditions, any cultivator with sense would choose the Lord's Residence rather than the ten great families.

So if the Lord's Residence tries to recruit, the ten great families certainly can't compete.

Yue Feng also believed Xiao Zhangqing would inevitably agree.

But Xiao Zhangqing was not stunned by his lofty promises; he instead asked cautiously, "I don't know what I need to do to become a guest minister of the Lord's Residence, and what obligations there are?"

Yue Feng cleared his throat, "What needs to be done is actually not much. Even though Dao Companion is a Second‑rank Talisman Master, the Lord's Residence will not force you to draw talismans. If they are needed, they will purchase them from you at market price… In this regard, the Lord's Residence is quite fair and won't cheapen Dao Companion."

Xiao Zhangqing nodded.

From this point of view, the Lord's Residence is indeed quite good.

Compared with the Luoxia Sect, it's much better.

If you join the Luoxia Sect, you have to deliver a fixed amount of goods every month! However—

Having control of the massive Character: Liyang Zhenren City, just from rent you could earn an incalculable amount of Spirit Stones, not to mention other sources of income; the Lord's Residence truly has abundant capital.

"However…" Yue Feng immediately shifted tone, saying, "To become a guest minister of the Lord's Residence, you must serve the Lord's Residence for thirty years. During those thirty years, missions will be assigned at intervals… Of course, these missions are relatively easy for Foundation Establishment cultivators and pose almost no danger."

"Dao Companion, you also know that Character: Liyang Zhenren City lies in the heartland of the Da Yu Cultivation World, far from the borders, so war won't reach it. My master, Character: Liyang Real Person, is among the strongest Golden Core cultivators in the Da Yu Cultivation World, virtually unrivaled below the Nascent Soul stage. Therefore Character: Liyang Zhenren City will not be invaded by short‑sighted ruffians."

"The missions issued by the Lord's Residence are mostly guard, mining, escort, and the like."

"Moreover, each completed mission grants merit points that can be exchanged for treasures."

"So in a sense, these missions aren't bad at all; on the contrary, many guest ministers scramble to take them…"

Xiao Zhangqing fell silent upon hearing that.

Yue Feng's words sounded pleasant, but he sensed something off.

If he revealed his strength, enough to crush a Fake Core True Person, the Lord's Residence courting him would make sense.

But he is only a Foundation Establishment cultivator, a Second‑rank low‑grade Talisman Master; the Lord's Residence doesn't value his talisman skills, so why extend such an olive branch?

He still doesn't think that his neighbor Zhu Xiaochuan's words yesterday were pure bragging.

According to past standards, the Lord's Residence's recruitment criteria are indeed beyond his reach.

When things go awry, there must be a demon.

'A thirty‑year term of service…'

'The Demon Sect invading the Da Yu Cultivation World, the battlefield should be in the Southwest Region, not spreading fire over the Cloud Mist Mountain Range into the Central Domain, right?'

'It shouldn't happen. Even if the war did reach Character: Liyang Zhenren City, the entire Da Yu Cultivation World would have no safe place.'

'Or perhaps Character: Liyang Zhenren City has other troubles that require massive recruitment?'

Xiao Zhangqing had only just arrived at Character: Liyang Zhenren City, so the information he gathered was scant, and he didn't understand the underlying reasons.

But subconsciously, he felt he should secure a foothold.

He currently lacks no Spirit Stones, and the high‑level items the system requires need not be sourced from the Lord's Residence.

Once settled, Character: Liyang Zhenren City is so vast, with hidden dragons and crouching tigers; there are plenty of 'treasures' for him to gradually uncover.

After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Zhangqing said, "Thank you, Dao Companion Yue, for your generosity. May I have some time to consider before replying?"

"No problem. Once Dao Companion has thought it through, feel free to come to the Lord's Residence to find me at any time."

Yue Feng nodded.

Though somewhat displeased, he thought this reckless, clueless person still needed to consider the olive branch he offered on behalf of the Lord's Residence.

But he was also fully confident.

He thought Xiao Zhangqing might be trying to play hardball, wanting to see what conditions other forces would offer and whether they were better than the Lord's Residence.

After some time, he would find that a mere Second‑rank low‑grade Talisman Master isn't as valuable as imagined, and the Lord's Residence's offer isn't lacking!

Seeing Yue Feng depart, Xiao Zhangqing's eyes held a hint of contemplation.

If, after a while, he found the Lord's Residence aggressively recruiting Foundation Establishment guest ministers and uniformly lowering the criteria, Xiao Zhangqing would unhesitatingly choose to decline.

Even if Demon Sect Evil Cultivators hadn't attacked, the Lord's Residence would still have other changes requiring recruitment for work.

Previously the Lord's Residence's missions were hardly dangerous; the missions were actually a benefit.

But when changes occur, those missions could truly become lethal.

If in the coming months the Lord's Residence continues as before, with no intention to expand recruitment, and it's merely this Yue Feng—'a discerning eye for heroes'—who has taken a liking to him.

Then joining the Lord's Residence wouldn't be a problem at all.

A thirty‑year term isn't considered long for a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Even with Xiao Zhangqing's talent, within thirty years he might still not reach the Golden Core realm.

Character: Liyang Zhenren City has three‑tiered spirit veins and abundant resources; cultivating here for thirty years is a good choice.

…

The next half‑month.

Xiao Zhangqing subsequently received invitations from several of the ten great families, each offering decent terms.

Among them, the newly risen Jiang Family presented the best conditions, almost on par with the Lord's Residence.

The Jiang Family, as the primary family dealing in Talisman Scripts, has Third‑rank Talisman Masters stationed within, and they don't particularly value Second‑rank low‑grade Talisman Masters, yet they also don't want such Second‑rank masters joining other factions.

Although they cannot monopolize the Character: Liyang Zhenren City Talisman Script market, they must continuously work to prevent other factions' talismans from growing stronger.

However, Xiao Zhangqing refused everything.

Although he was a bit curious about the Jiang family and wanted to meet Shopkeeper Hong and Jiang Jiyue, he decided against it.

Now the Jiang family is one of the ten great families, so Shopkeeper Hong and Jiang Jiyue are surely living comfortably; he has nothing he can contribute, so he will not disturb them for the time being, waiting until he has a clear grasp of Character: Liyang Zhenren City and can firmly establish his footing.

(End of chapter)