Chapter 61: A Special Hobby

When Xiao Zhangqing and Pill Master Zhu Youlong rushed to the Yi Zi No. 1 Cave Dwelling, several maidens were already waiting to receive guests.

Cultivators who come to attend the exchange meeting, after showing their invitation letters, will be led inside.

This was Xiao Zhangqing's first time coming to this Yi Zi No. 1 Cave Dwelling, and he was slightly shocked by the environment, the decoration, and the richness of the spiritual energy.

The Yi Ten Cave Dwelling he currently resides in already satisfies him. It spans a vast area, no longer a villa but more like an estate, with hot springs and a small spiritual field; not long ago Lin Ziyu, when idle, planted some spiritual crops there.

But this Yi Zi No. 1 Cave Dwelling is more than twice the size of his Yi Ten Cave Dwelling, and its spiritual energy density has increased by several tens of percent, making cultivation there inevitably more convenient.

"No wonder the Yi Zi First Three Cave Dwellings have a special status; they can compare with Jia-level Cave Dwellings. Compared with the latter seven of the top ten, there is indeed a fundamental difference."

He thought to himself.

The manager of Baibao Lou, Ruan Qingzhu, and the former manager of Lingfu Pavilion, Hong Jiantao, both lived in the Yi Zi First Three Cave Dwellings.

When Zhou Changkong first arrived, he also lived in the Yi Three Cave Dwelling, but after several foundation families in Nanshan Fang fought bloody wars and the number of foundation cultivators decreased, he moved to a first-level Cave Dwelling.

Xiao Zhangqing looked around curiously, while Zhu Pill Master seemed very familiar with the place, as if he knew the Yi Zi Cave Dwellings well.

He has attended many exchange gatherings, and in private he also likes to come here whenever he can, just to see Ruan Qingzhu.

Although Ruan Qingzhu sometimes uses various excuses to give him the cold shoulder, he doesn't get angry at all, appearing to enjoy it.

"Zhu Pill Master, long time no see. Who is the person beside you?"

"A new face, that's quite rare. Zhu Pill Master, quickly introduce them."

The two, led by the maidens, arrived at the exchange hall, where many cultivators had already arrived ahead of them.

Seeing Zhu Pill Master, they all rose to greet him.

Zhu Pill Master's cultivation level is not particularly outstanding among Yi-level Cave Dwellings, only at the eighth layer of Qi cultivation. Yet his status as a First-tier Upper-grade Pill Refiner places him in a lofty position among Qi-refining cultivators, enough to make foundation families bow and invite him.

Therefore, the cultivators attending the exchange naturally all want to get on good terms with him.

After all, in a place like Nanshan Fang, many first-tier precious Pills are hard to obtain, and no one can be sure when they might need to ask a Pill Refiner.

When Zhu Pill Master cheerfully finished introducing Xiao Zhangqing's identity, all the cultivators became even more enthusiastic.

"Is this Xiao Symbol Master? I've long heard of your great name!"

"Indeed, following Symbol Master Lu Qiu, you are another talented Symbol Master in Nanshan Fang poised to advance to Second-rank, truly extraordinary!"

"Xiao Symbol Master, I reside in Yi Twenty-six Cave Dwelling; feel free to visit whenever you have time. My spouse is skilled in cooking and is famous in Nanshan Fang; you can spare a moment to taste the dishes."

"That's true. Zheng Dao Companion's Dao Partner was once the head chef at Lai Feng Lou, but after marrying Zheng Dao Companion, she left Lai Feng Lou to become Zheng Dao Companion's private chef… Zheng Dao Companion, why didn't you invite me? I still can't forget the Seven‑colored Spiritual Flame Dumplings of Lady Ling."

"Haha, everyone, everyone! Dao Companions, after the exchange ends, if you have time, come to my house for a simple meal."

Xiao Zhangqing is still only a First-tier Mid-grade Symbol Master outwardly, but the warm greetings he receives are no less than those given to First-tier Upper-grade Pill Master Zhu Youlong.

After all, Zhu Youlong is a First-tier Upper-grade Pill Refiner, whose current skill level surpasses Xiao Zhangqing's. Yet, as he himself said, he has virtually no hope of becoming a Second-rank Pill Master in this life, whereas Xiao Zhangqing has great prospects.

During his first time at the exchange, Xiao Zhangqing naturally didn't put on airs; he responded to each greeting and carefully memorized each person's identity.

As for whether they will keep in touch after the exchange, that's a story for later; for now, he doesn't consider it.

However, Xiao Zhangqing felt that although everyone lives in Yi-level Cave Dwellings, their status and the hospitality they receive differ vastly. For example, Zheng Bo, who lives in Yi Twenty-six Cave Dwelling, has seventh‑layer Qi cultivation and a specialty; he is a First-tier Lower-grade Instrument Refiner, and if placed outside, he would be a sought‑after figure among early and mid‑stage Qi cultivators.

But at this exchange gathering, he is clearly at the bottom, so he is extremely eager to get along with every cultivator.

If he doesn't display extraordinary talent, with seventh‑layer Qi cultivation and also being a First-tier Mid-grade Symbol Master, his situation would still be better than Zheng Bo's. Yet it remains average; others would merely nod and smile, never so enthusiastic.

"It's the same everywhere! Whether mundane or the lower or upper layers of the Cultivation World."

After the greetings, Zhu Youlong also directly pulled Xiao Zhangqing to sit in the frontmost seat.

The seating order also has its own conventions, reminding Xiao Zhangqing of various past galas where celebrities jostle for prime seats and the coveted C position.

As more cultivators arrived later, almost everyone would greet Zhu Youlong, and then get to know Xiao Zhangqing.

Just before the exchange was about to start, the host Ruan Qingzhu arrived fashionably late.

Seeing Ruan Qingzhu, Zhu Youlong didn't wait for her to greet him; he proactively went up to welcome her, asking after her health.

The other cultivators attending the exchange were already accustomed to this.

Who doesn't know that Zhu Youlong has a special affection for Ruan Qingzhu, pursuing her consistently for years?

"Come, Qingzhu, let me introduce you. This is the currently most renowned talented Symbol Master of Nanshan Fang, Xiao Zhangqing; perhaps in a few years, Nanshan Fang will produce another Second‑rank Symbol Master."

Zhu Youlong tried to seize the chance to grab her hand, but she subtly evaded, and he didn't get angry, still smiling.

"I've long heard stories about Xiao Symbol Master; today I finally have the chance to see the real person. I wish Xiao Symbol Master can purchase the items he desires at today's exchange, and may he soon ascend to Second‑rank Symbol Master."

Ruan Qingzhu's eyes flashed, her aura was extraordinary, truly beautiful.

"I don't dare to accept. I'll just borrow the manager Ruan's good words."

Xiao Zhangqing hadn't known about the entanglement between Zhu Pill Master and Ruan Qingzhu before, but from the recent scene he roughly understood it.

Ruan Qingzhu's aura was indeed strikingly beautiful, yet she was clearly the type of a mature woman, not young.

Before arriving, Xiao Zhangqing had also inquired about the background and status of Ruan, the manager of Baibao Lou, gathering some basic information.

It is true that Ruan Qingzhu is a fairy from Baihua Valley.

However, unlike most single fairies of Baihua Valley, Ruan Qingzhu not only had a Way Partner long ago, but also a son! This is why she was assigned to Nanshan Fang.

Unexpectedly, Zhu Pill Master, you enjoy this? When the host arrived, everyone made small talk for a moment, and Ruan Qingzhu was about to announce the official start of the exchange.

Only unexpected was that at this moment, two more people arrived under the maidens' guidance, even later than Ruan Qingzhu.

This made many cultivators present, including Zhu Pill Master, somewhat displeased.

Whose ego is so big? Anyway.

After seeing the newcomers, any complaints could only be kept inside.

Because the final act featured the undisputed leading family of Nanshan Fang, the Mu Elder, who even the Jia-level Cave Dwellings behind Baibao Lou and Lingfu Pavilion have to consider! (End of chapter)