Chapter 63: Treasures Abound at the Yuyang Dharma Assembly; A Request Made for Reasons of Connection

Jin Chan stepped aside, and Fang Longye, accompanied by the two women, followed him inside.

He saw that the interior was unexpectedly elegant.

The small studio, which had appeared no larger than a room in the corridor, had been subjected to the Pot Heaven Technique, making it appear exceptionally spacious and transforming it into the likeness of a Cave Abode complete with a main hall.

On three sides of the main hall, bright windows had been opened, using a method of folded and interlaced space to reveal the various beautiful sceneries of Tianxiang Lou before the windows.

At a glance, the surroundings were filled with lush pines beyond the mist, with wood and stone arranged in a jagged, natural fashion.

The lake's shimmer and the colors of the rocks drifted in, alternating as they entered the windows, all captured within his view.

Under the illumination of the daylight, it was transcendently beautiful, surpassing the ordinary.

The Golden Toad demon Jin Feng closed the door after Fang Longye entered. A halo of light rippled, and a Restriction isolating the interior from the exterior took effect, causing the various noises in the corridor to vanish instantly.

He smiled and teased, "I never imagined that when you, Brother Dao, came to a place like this, you would still bring your own maids along~"

"Why is Miss Jinghuan not here?"

Fang Longye was dumbfounded. *Brother, are we even that close? And you seem quite familiar with my subordinates. * Seeing Fang Longye's expression, Qingshe immediately sent a voice transmission: "Young Master, you have been away for nearly two months, but this Young Master Jin Feng has visited every few days, asking when you would return. He is very enthusiastic!"

"He never comes inside to sit for a while, saying that since there are womenfolk at home, he should avoid suspicion. He only chats briefly in front of the pavilion, though he does send many gifts. After coming and going, we became acquainted."

Fang Longye was speechless inside. Trying to win over the maids around the master—the more he heard, the more it sounded like the tactics used to pursue a young lady of a noble family in ancient times.

Casting aside the various chaotic thoughts rising in his mind, he smiled immediately, "Jinghuan has been in seclusion for cultivation these days, so it is inconvenient for her to travel with me~"

"Brother Dao is truly benevolent; there are not many masters who care so much for their maids' cultivation~" The Golden Toad sighed with admiration and flattered him.

Fang Longye replied repeatedly that it was nothing.

At this moment, he also cast aside his previous wild thoughts. That talk of "sleeve-cutting" was naturally just a joke.

That this Golden Toad was so eager, he reckoned it was still because of that non-existent Laozi behind him.

After some pleasantries, the two paced forward, preparing to sit down and talk in detail.

Walking inward, Fang Longye examined his surroundings.

He saw that in the center of the main hall stood an iron tree, tall and imposing, its branches green and jade-like, with only the leaves a deep red, bright as fire.

Small, brilliant flowers grew upon it, occasionally falling to the ground and emitting a clear sound, followed by ripples of fire spreading out, with starlight dancing within.

Facing the direction of the door, in the depths of the main hall, three or five jade steps were laid out, with a jade desk placed at the head.

On the left and right sides, there were Cloud Couches, set opposite each other.

On the jade desk, a small incense burner emitted thin wisps of blue smoke; from the copper chimera, colorful rays emerged, condensing into blooming jade pistil flowers, with waves of cold fragrance lingering.

If not for the two beauties sitting gracefully on the Cloud Couch to the left, their clothes in disarray and their faces flushed like peach blossoms, Fang Longye would have truly thought this was a good place for discussing the Dao.

As he sat down, the Golden Toad demon, having returned to his own Cloud Couch on the left, saw Fang Longye's brows slightly furrowed.

He gave an awkward smile: "I couldn't wait for you, Brother Dao, so I enjoyed myself first! I didn't expect that when you came to a place like this today, you would have maids in tow. It makes me seem abrupt~"

Immediately, he took out a bag of Incense Dharma Money, stuffed it into the arms of a fox-woman on his left, and scolded, "Alright, all of you, get out!"

"Oh, Young Master~"

"Get out, all of you, get out! I want to reminisce with my brother; what do I need you eyesores for?"

He chased the two warbling beauties out of the hall.

He then turned back, sat down, poured a cup of wine for Fang Longye, and smiled: "Brother Dao, please appraise this. It was brewed by a True Immortal Bee King under my father's command, using a spirit spring and Bee King Spirit Honey. The taste is quite good."

Fang Longye picked up the wine cup and saw that in the green wood cup, the wine was bright yellow, with a fragrance of flowers assailing his nostrils.

He took a small sip; the mellow richness overflowed, and beneath the spiciness, a sweetness entered his throat. Under the influence of the Dao Rhyme, an inexplicable joy surged into his heart, and he recalled beautiful things from his past.

*Not bad~* Fang Longye was not a man obsessed with alcohol, but he did have a fondness for wine as a soul-soothing, sorrow-relieving substance. His eyes lit up immediately.

Not wanting to let the other party have all the glory, he signaled, "Qingli~"

The Qingshe serving to the side nodded and summoned a small Ruyi, its jade light cold and sharp, swirling with color.

With a thought, mysterious ice condensed into the shape of a wine pot, and a stream of clear liquid gurgled forth, condensing into a line that poured into the ice pot, filling it without spilling.

This Jade Ruyi was the one that had originally belonged to Jinshe; he did not know which wine-loving immortal god had refined it, though it certainly possessed offensive power.

Its exclusive function, however, was to absorb spiritual energy and condense an Immortal Brew known as Clear Heart Wine, which, when drunk, cleared the heart and brightened the spirit.

"Brother Jin, please~"

Jin Feng picked up the wine goblet and drank it in one gulp. The cold chill entered his throat, and beneath the cold fragrance, it penetrated his heart, leaving him free of distracting thoughts for a time.

"Good wine! As expected of you, Brother Dao, with your illustrious family background, to have such Immortal Brew on your person~ Thinking back to the spirit wine I asked you to appraise, the two are truly as different as clouds and mud."

The Golden Toad closed his eyes to savor it for a long time, then opened them, his face full of admiration.

Fang Longye shook his head and said, "You exaggerate; one can only say each has its own merits."

"I cannot agree with you there, Brother Dao. This Immortal Brew is not only crisp and delicious, but it can also clear the heart and brighten the spirit.

My Bee King honey brew can only be considered to have some unique characteristics in flavor. How can it compare to this Immortal Brew that even aids in cultivation?" the Golden Toad demon said flatteringly.

"It is merely of some small help, just to lift the spirits," Fang Longye waved his hand, being modest.

Besides, even if it clears the heart and brightens the spirit, one must be healthy to begin with. Otherwise, he had never seen the Snake and Scorpion Demons of the past have particularly clear minds~

After some back-and-forth, they chatted about many things. The Golden Toad demon finally got to the point.

"Inviting you to meet today, Brother Dao, besides reminiscing, is also to discuss with you how we might trade what we have for what we lack, and at the upcoming Yuyang Dharma Assembly, join forces to avoid unnecessary competition."

Fang Longye understood in his heart; he knew what the Golden Toad demon meant.

The Yuyang Treasure Appraisal Dharma Assembly, while called an appraisal, was actually an auction.

As a millennium-once-in-a-lifetime event, the Yuyang Dharma Assembly was a significant occasion in the surrounding area. At this assembly, all kinds of treasures would appear.

Except for treasures added at the last minute, most of the treasures were prepared well in advance.

They were rare items that the Yuyang Yaofang had collected over the past thousand years and deliberately kept hidden from the public. They waited specifically for this millennium-once-in-a-lifetime assembly to announce them, serving as a gimmick.

When the surrounding powers received the invitation to the assembly, it would also be accompanied by a rough list of treasures, so that these powers would be aware of what to expect.

Although Fang Longye was a non-existent son of the Dragon King, he had also obtained a list from the old turtle.

It was precisely because of this that he had been at the Yaofang for two months, and aside from purchasing some cultivation resources for the three women, he had basically not spent much money.

It was precisely because he saw quite a few good things on that list of treasures; with his current net worth, even if he cleared out everything he could sell, he would only be able to trade for a few items.

And the alliance that Jin Chan spoke of was for both sides to sit together, communicate what they were each seeking, eliminate conflicts between them, and strive not to bid against each other for the same item.

"I'm afraid it's more than just that, isn't it!"

"Hehe, Daoist Brother is sharp-eyed, of course that is so. My father also has a few familiar rivals. When the time comes, they will certainly oppose me and drive up the prices."

"Therefore, haven't I come to bring Daoist Brother money to spend~"

The second chapter for today~ There is no third chapter, I can't make it in time, I have a work engagement tonight. Consider it owed, I will make up for it later~

There will be no update at midnight; I plan to gather them together and release several chapters in a row tomorrow when I find the time.

(End of this chapter)