Chapter 328: Brother Li, You Have Fate with Our Ask-Immortal Tower

Gu Changsheng!

The world's fifteenth-ranked, Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, and Master of the Ask-Immortal Tower—Gu Changsheng??

Any one of those titles alone would be enough to scare someone to death.

Brother Li?

Li Rui had never met Gu Changsheng before, yet this world's fifteenth-ranked figure was calling him "brother" on first meeting.

How bold of him!

If this got out, the whole world would probably grow bitter with envy.

"Master Gu."

Li Rui's expression didn't change at all; he returned the bow.

Gu Changsheng: "Brother Li, may I come in for a cup of tea? I've long heard of you from Xiao Xue. If not for you, the third generation of our Ask-Immortal Tower disciples would have been wiped out—I'd be failing my ancestors as Master."

As he spoke, Li Rui led Gu Changsheng into the room.

The Guest Affairs Office was this small; there was no way everyone could have their own room.

Only Nie Siming, He Qian Nian, and he himself were lucky enough to have private quarters—even Ning Zhongtian had to share.

Li Rui brewed a pot of tea for Gu Changsheng.

Only then did he chuckle and say, "Master Gu, you're too kind—it's just fate."

He didn't say anything about it being a trivial matter.

Gu Changsheng was a Daoist alchemist; he naturally spoke of fate.

"Brother Li truly has great fate with our Ask-Immortal Tower."

"How about this?"

"Why not become our Ask-Immortal Tower's Honored Guest?"

"!!!"

Li Rui never imagined Gu Changsheng would launch straight into it—right out of the gate, offering him the position of Honored Guest.

Though Honored Guest wasn't a high-ranking post, it still meant being one of the inner circle.

The Ask-Immortal Tower had only a few people total.

Fewer than five fingers' worth.

Xu Xuan the old Daoist had passed on his arts and then vanished—likely resting somewhere among green hills and clear waters. Now Li Rui, as Honored Guest, became the fifth member.

The fewer the members, the better the cohesion.

With only five people, there was no question of who was core or not.

Everyone was core!

Li Rui didn't hesitate a moment—he immediately nodded: "If Master sees fit to honor me, I shall not fail your expectations."

This attitude was utterly different from how he'd treated Xia Yun before.

The key lay in Gu Changsheng being the world's fifteenth-ranked.

Even without the titles of Ask-Immortal Tower Master or Director of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, he was still the world's fifteenth-ranked.

Absolute strength was the greatest asset.

No matter how the imperial court shifted, Gu Changsheng would remain unshaken—such a powerful ally was definitely worth clinging to.

Moreover, given his relationship with Jiang Linxian, who in the Yu Kingdom's court didn't consider him Gu Changsheng's man?

If that was the case, there was no need to play coy like a courtesan in the Music Bureau—just accept it openly.

Gu Changsheng smiled and nodded:

"Brother Li, from now on we're family. Take this token—it's not particularly useful, you know our tower has so few people, and you already know them all. Just keep it as a memento."

Saying this,

he pulled from his sleeve a crystal-clear jade tablet, inscribed with two characters: "Ask-Immortal."

Li Rui accepted the jade tablet.

At that moment—

a line of small characters appeared before his eyes.

【Congratulations, Host! You've completed the Intermediate Plot Achievement: Joining a Major Sect.】

【Entering the Jianghu, choosing an outstanding sect is essential. Congratulations, Host, on joining a major Jianghu sect—your path ahead will now be smooth and unobstructed.】

【Completing Achievement: Joining a Major Sect. Rewards being calculated.】

【Achievement Rating: C.】

【Obtained 20 Achievement Points!】

【Name: Li Rui】

【Age: 15】

【Talents: Martial Bone, Extraordinary Comprehension, Insightful Eyes, Great Dream Immortal Travel, Demon-Slaying Advantage, Dao Seed】

【Techniques: Changchun Art, Dragon Soaring Through Nine Heavens, Dragon-Elephant True Qi Power】

【Items: Spirit-Ascending Book】

【Achievements: 30/100】

Li Rui rubbed his chin.

Though the Ask-Immortal Tower had only five people, its Master was a world-class powerhouse—how could it not count as a major sect?

What made a sect powerful?

The key was always its leader.

A powerful leader could make a single person into a legendary sect.

From this perspective, the Ask-Immortal Tower was powerful—extremely powerful. Did any sect in the Yu Kingdom have a Master ranked fifteenth in the world?

Clearly not.

What a windfall!

【If I'd known, I should've asked Master Gu to make me an Elder—that might've earned me an A rating.】

Obviously,

the reason the rating was low was because the Honored Guest position was, in any sect, a semi-outsider role—a free and idle title.

Only a reclusive sect like the Ask-Immortal Tower would treat an Honored Guest as core.

He'd gained a title.

As Li Rui drifted in thought,

Gu Changsheng happily sipped his tea: "What bad luck—Jiang Brother has left on business. Brother Li, since you're in the capital, you should wander around. There are plenty of interesting places—like the Divine Elixirs of the Dan Ding Pavilion, the Talismans of the San Yi Sect, the rouge of the Tianxiang Pavilion."

He went on at length.

If you didn't know better, you'd think they were old friends reunited after years apart.

Until evening came.

Only then did Gu Changsheng rise, reluctant to leave, gazing out at the deep night beyond the window.

He slapped his forehead.

"Brother Li, look at me—I got so excited I forgot the time. I wouldn't want to disturb your rest."

Li Rui: "As long as Master is in the mood, we could talk all night." Gu Changsheng firmly declined Li Rui's invitation to share a bed.

As he was about to leave,

as if remembering something, he nearly crossed the threshold of the Guest Affairs Office, then pulled his foot back.

He rummaged in his sleeve and pulled out a delicate little jade vial.

"I left in a hurry and brought nothing. Take this Yijin Pill—it's for you, Brother."

"It's our Ask-Immortal Tower's custom. As Master, I should offer a welcome gift."

"Don't refuse it, Brother Li."

Li Rui sucked in a sharp breath, staring wide-eyed at the jade vial in Gu Changsheng's hand.

Yijin Great Pill!

Gu Changsheng, no surprise, was truly extraordinary—just casually producing a secret elixir forged by Wanfa Temple, the foremost Buddhist sect in the Yu Kingdom.

For a sea-level martial artist on the verge of entering the Primordial Realm, this Yijin Great Pill was an ultimate treasure.

No mistake—every word here is true!

Powerful sect masters would travel all the way to Wanfa Temple, hoping to beg for even one Yijin Pill for their disciples.

Now it was right here, shimmering before Li Rui's eyes.

"I wouldn't dare refuse. I wouldn't dare."

Without hesitation, Li Rui snatched the jade vial from Gu Changsheng's hand.

This was no time for modesty.

Such a divine artifact couldn't be bought with gold—once this chance passed, it would never come again.

How could he miss it?

Besides, Gu Changsheng himself said it was his initiation gift—how could he possibly refuse?

After tucking the vial safely into his chest, Li Rui spoke:

"Master, you came all this way and brought gifts? That's too formal."

Gu Changsheng smiled as he looked at Li Rui's slightly bulging chest: "Since Brother Li likes it, that's good."

Saying this,

He stepped out of the Guest Office again, this time for real.

As he left, he added:

"By the way, Brother Li, if you have time, drop by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau—Xiao Xue often speaks of you."

With that, he vanished into the night.

Li Rui was in high spirits.

Smiling, he turned and walked back into the courtyard of the Guest Office.

As for Gu Changsheng's final words, he took them as mere politeness.

The Imperial Astronomical Bureau? That was inside the imperial palace.

Even if he were merely a fifth-rank Assistant Regional Commander of the Anning Guard, let alone if he became a third-rank Vice Minister, the palace was not a place one could enter at will.

He'd probably be killed by the Imperial Guards before even getting inside.

By the time Li Rui had washed up and finished his cultivation, the courtyard of the Guest Office outside the window was still pitch black, with only a few scattered lanterns glowing.

By the time Li Rui had finished washing up and practicing, the Office of Guest Affairs outside the window was still pitch black, with only a few scattered lamps glowing.

Ning Zhongtian and the others had not returned yet.

"It's true what they say—earn money in Yunzhou, spend it all in Jingcheng, not a single coin left to take home."

Li Rui shook his head with a smile.

Without doubt, his young brothers were living it up tonight, throwing money around like water.

Even Nie Siming and He Qianian were gone.

They were just keeping watch, that's all.

The night passed without incident.

At dawn,

Li Rui's consciousness stirred from his Great Dream of Immortal Wanderings, and faint cries of street vendors reached his ears.

The bustle of Jingcheng revealed itself the moment he opened his eyes.

He dressed fully, then stepped out of the Guest Office.

Li Rui walked along the street beside Jishuitan.

"Sir, try these Jingcheng fried rings and soy milk—this shop's been here for over a decade, absolutely authentic."

A vendor approached him eagerly.

Li Rui grew curious: "How did you know I'm from out of town?"

The vendor grinned, his eyes glinting with cunning: "Your clothes are fine, but you don't wear a jade pendant—no Jingcheng gentleman would go without one. That's how I guessed."

"And you just came out of the Guest Office—I took a smart guess."

"Besides, I just slipped out of the Office of Guest Affairs and took a shortcut."

Li Rui chuckled.

Even a street vendor had such sharp eyes—Jingcheng truly was a nest of hidden dragons and tigers.

"Fine, give me a few fried rings. Skip the soy milk."

"Fine, wrap me up a few fried dough twists, and the soybean juice—skip the soybean juice."

The vendor swiftly wrapped three crispy, oil-stained fried rings and handed them to Li Rui.

Li Rui took the fried rings.

As he ate, he asked: "By the way, young man, can you tell me how to get to the Dan Ding Pavilion?"

He also slipped the vendor twenty copper coins.

The fried rings cost only eight coins.

The vendor instantly understood—the extra coins were for directions.

The vendor immediately understood: the extra money was for his directions.

He tucked away the coins and began speaking freely: "Sir, you don't know—Dan Ding Pavilion, Tianxiang Shop, and the Talisman House are all in the East Market. Just walk straight down Divine Dragon Avenue—you can't miss the signs."

The vendor was talkative, rattling off much information.

Li Rui found it all fresh and interesting.

By noon,

he bought some food from the vendor and carried it back to his room at the Guest Office.

He resumed his cultivation.

He made no change to his routine, even though he was in Jingcheng.

He did this, of course, because of the Yi Jin Great Elixir in his chest.

(End of Chapter)

(End of chapter)