Chapter 23: The Show Begins

A Foundation Establishment cultivator's longevity banquet is naturally different from those in the mortal world; not every guest who comes to present gifts gets to see a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Most, after giving their gifts, are assigned to various courtyards, divided according to status and cultivation level.

Therefore.

For some Scattered Cultivators and low‑status cultivators, being able to attend the Mu family's longevity banquet is a great honor, making them feel their own status has risen.

But for truly distinguished cultivators, or those at the Qi Refining Ninth Level, they are not eager to attend; they only feel compelled to bring gifts to preserve face and relationships.

This time, the Mu family Foundation Establishment cultivator Mu Renjie hosted a longevity banquet, and privately many people whispered slander.

They think the Mu family is truly relentless in squeezing money, with an unsightly manner of feasting.

A respectable Foundation Establishment cultivator—who would hold a 60‑year‑old longevity banquet? That's still prime age.

Most cultivators, upon successfully establishing the foundation, hold a Foundation Establishment ceremony, and only on the hundredth birthday do they hold a longevity banquet.

Those who stage a longevity banquet under the pretense of a birthday midway either have a special purpose or use the banquet as an excuse to collect gifts and squeeze money.

After all, in a small place like Nanshan Fang, when a Foundation Establishment cultivator sends you an invitation, can you refuse to go?

Having gone, can you not bring a fine gift?

Only cultivators perched at the top tier of Nanshan Fang know that Mu Renjie, though appearing to be in his prime with smooth sailing, actually has many troubles and is far from the carefree image he projects.

Hu Youquan certainly does not know the Mu family's true situation.

After arriving at the Mu family, let alone seeing a Foundation Establishment cultivator, even the Mu family's steward could not be met; after presenting an expensive congratulatory gift he could barely afford to buy for Zhou Yun'e, he was taken straight to a side courtyard.

"I spent forty Low‑grade Spirit Stones on this Pill..."

【7】 Seeing the gift glanced at by a servant cultivator, it was mercilessly tossed into the pile of presents, leaving Hu Youquan somewhat reluctant.

After seeing the gift glanced at by the menial cultivator, he ruthlessly threw it into the gift pile; Hu Youquan felt somewhat reluctant.

He himself is unwilling to use such a precious Pill; even if Zhou Yun'e begged, he would never agree to purchase it.

Forty Low‑grade Spirit Stones? After consumption they offer little benefit to cultivation; simply spending more time in diligent practice yields the same effect.

Taking a Pill of this grade makes the Spirit Stones burn hot, right? Yet at the Mu family, a glance was enough for it to be thrown into the gift pile, with no concern at all.

"Now that you're linked to the Mu family, are you still afraid there won't be chances to earn Spirit Stones?" Zhou Yun'e took a deep breath and whispered.

Hu Youquan felt a bit relieved upon hearing that.

He thought that later he must befriend the Mu family's younger generation, and if possible, especially befriend the Miss of the Mu family, Mu Chunfeng.

He heard that this Miss not only is beautiful, but also possesses excellent cultivation talent; at just over twenty years old, she is already at Qi Refining Seventh Level, the Mu family's key prospect for the next Foundation Establishment seed.

The two composed themselves, preparing to stroll around the small courtyard.

Suddenly, when Zhou Yun'e's gaze fell on a corner, she abruptly stopped, her body stiffening.

"Why are you frozen?"

Hu Youquan noticed his Dao Partner's abnormality, followed her line of sight, and was instantly astonished, exclaiming, "Xiao Zhangqing? How did he end up at the Mu family longevity banquet?"

Zhou Yun'e's gaze became slightly complicated, but soon returned to normal.

She is a decisive person; half a year ago she cut ties with him cleanly, so she would no longer dwell on past feelings and would truly remove him from her heart.

Thus, seeing Xiao Zhangqing surprised her a bit, but did not stir any inner turmoil.

"Perhaps he was swept out of Lingfu Pavilion and found a temporary job at the Mu family?" Zhou Yun'e guessed, her brows slightly furrowed.

Hu Youquan thought that sounded reasonable and chuckled, "Then this fellow is rather lucky. Being a servant at the Mu family is better than at Lingfu Pavilion." The two had not paid further attention to Xiao Zhangqing and were unaware of his formalization at Lingfu Pavilion.

"He hasn't left Nanshan Fang? I thought he'd slink back to the Mortal World, becoming that little prince," Hu Youquan laughed, then with a mischievous tone asked, "Shall we go meet this old friend of yours?"

"On a special occasion like today, it's best not to cause extra trouble. Even if he's just a servant of the Mu family, humiliating him here could easily offend the Mu family..." Zhou Yun'e gave him a cold look, signaling not to act rashly. After a pause she added, "If you find him disagreeable, find a private moment later to go see him."

"Yun'e, what you said makes sense," Hu Youquan nodded, smiling, "But I have no interest in troubling him. He's a destined mediocre ant, destined to die as a low‑level Qi Refining waste... Hey, look, that's Miss Mu!"

Hu Youquan and Zhou Yun'e could no longer keep their eyes on Xiao Zhangqing in the distance.

Because Mu Chunfeng arrived! As the only daughter of Foundation Establishment cultivator Mu Renjie and with exceptional talent, Mu Chunfeng is not only the star of the Mu family's younger generation but also very famous throughout Nanshan Fang.

If not for this banquet, Hu Youquan would probably never have a chance in his life to intersect with such a heavenly favored lady.

Hu Youquan gazed at Miss Mu with admiration and sighs, then glanced at his Dao Partner; in his mind he thought that in terms of looks, Zhou Yun'e is not far behind Mu Chunfeng—each has their own merits. Even in temperament, Zhou Yun'e's cool pride is comparable. Yet for some reason, compared side by side, Mu Chunfeng seems like a celestial maiden aloft, while Zhou Yun'e is merely mortal, a gulf as vast as clouds and mud.

Zhou Yun'e felt envy in her heart, unable to stop imagining that one day she might be like Mu Chunfeng, attracting countless cultivators to seek her acquaintance, making all her hardships in seeking a celestial fate and venturing into the Cultivation World worthwhile.

Their myriad thoughts flashed in an instant; the two exchanged a glance, steadied their emotions, and prepared to step forward to meet Mu Chunfeng.

Tonight they came here without daring to hope to see a Foundation Establishment cultivator; their greatest wish was simply to befriend several of the Mu family's younger disciples, especially Mu Chunfeng.

Coincidentally, Mu Chunfeng's gaze also swept over the two of them, pausing slightly.

When their eyes met, Hu Youquan and Zhou Yun'e felt great joy.

Because they inexplicably sensed that this Miss of the Mu family seemed to recognize them? Before they could act, Mu Chunfeng waved to the crowd and walked toward a cultivator they could never have imagined.

"Dao Companion Xiao, my apologies. I was delayed earlier and couldn't attend to you right away; please forgive me," Mu Chunfeng said with a bright smile.

"Miss Mu, you're being too formal. You're certainly busy today; you needn't worry about me," Xiao Zhangqing replied modestly, not being boastful.

"Hmm? Dao Companion Xiao, your cultivation has advanced, breaking through to Qi Refining Fourth Level?" Mu Chunfeng, while contemplating how to launch the show she had planned for tonight, suddenly noticed an odd fluctuation of magical energy occasionally emanating from Xiao Zhangqing.

According to intelligence, Xiao Zhangqing has a low‑grade spiritual root; after more than ten years in Nanshan Fang, he only raised his cultivation from Qi Refining First Level to Qi Refining Second Level.

Half a year ago, after being formalized at Lingfu Pavilion, his cultivation finally rose to Qi Refining Third Level.

But how, in only half a year, did his cultivation advance again?

Is it a promotion from early to mid Qi Refining? This speed is rather unusual.

"I just broke through yesterday and am still adjusting," Xiao Zhangqing explained.

The jump from Qi Refining Third to Fourth Level involves a huge surge of magical power, requiring time to fully adapt.

Thus Mu Chunfeng could spot his cultivation at a glance.

"Congratulations," Mu Chunfeng said, though she was not particularly concerned about it.

She and her family value Xiao Zhangqing's Talisman Path talent, not his cultivation talent.

A low‑grade spiritual root, even if occasionally lucky enough to breakthrough, can achieve nothing great. Does he still aim for Foundation Establishment? If a low‑grade spiritual root were to establish the foundation, he would become the first in over four hundred years of the Da Yu Cultivation World!

Thinking about it, it's impossible.

So Mu Chunfeng didn't care at all about Xiao Zhangqing's cultivation increase; what she wanted to see was Xiao Zhangqing's talisman skill breakthrough, to become a First-rank Talisman Master as soon as possible! However.

Xiao Zhangqing's cultivation breakthrough, on the other hand, made her think of how to kick off the play she had arranged for tonight.

(End of chapter)