Chapter 26: I

From start to finish, the five brothers hunched against the wall never acknowledged Yan Xiao Hu, instead whispering among themselves.

“Do you really think it’s true?”

“I don’t know, but the more I look at them, the more they seem like mother and daughter.”

“Psychological effect—didn’t our Master say he subtly asked yesterday? The Xuan You Immortal has no cultivation partner yet, and even Senior Si Kong Yan of Cangyan Dao Palace hasn’t won her over.”

“Just because she says she doesn’t, doesn’t mean it’s true—this kind of thing is hard to tell.”

“Didn’t our Master also ask Little Sister? What did she say?”

“Little Sister said she’s never seen her parents since she could remember; she’s spent her whole life hiding and running. It’s truly heartbreaking.”

“I have one question: why did Little Sister bring that guy here? To eat breakfast? We never even get a chance to taste such spiritually rich food.”

“Second Brother, what did Little Sister tell you to do when you brought him? Watching him eat with grease dripping from his mouth makes me furious!”

…………

At this moment, Zhou Qing was utterly satisfied—he never expected to eat the Jade Banquet Hall’s spiritual food again so soon.

No, it was even better, since this meal was prepared for the leader of Qingyu Immortal Sect, brimming with even greater spiritual energy.

As host, we couldn’t let them think we skimped on food.

Yet she only took two bites and stopped, claiming she wanted to maintain her figure—so much food, wasted entirely.

Thus, at Lu Yaoyao’s suggestion, Zhou Qing was called to “clean up the mess.”

For a moment, Zhou Qing couldn’t tell whether he felt gratitude or a hint of resentment toward Lu Yaoyao.

It was his own fault—he couldn’t control his mouth—but thankfully, almost every dish remained untouched, so it wasn’t really clearing leftovers.

“The leader of Qingyu Immortal Sect, the Xuan You Immortal—turns out she’s such a down-to-earth beauty.”

Zhou Qing muttered in amazement—he’d expected an old crone.

Lu Yaoyao was also a social butterfly; the woman had only arrived yesterday, yet today she chatted and laughed like a long-lost relative, utterly unafraid.

“Sister, I know a secret beauty regimen—this came from an almost-extinct ancient book, and I guarantee no one else knows it.” Lu Yaoyao’s expression turned mysterious.

The Xuan You Immortal’s eyes lit up instantly, her voice eager: “Tell me quickly.”

Lu Yaoyao grinned: “You’ve heard of the Eternal Youth Pill, right? Ancient texts say it was inspired by this.”

“Really?” The Xuan You Immortal grew even more curious.

Lu Yaoyao nodded vigorously: “Absolutely. The ingredients are expensive and obscure—for example, the first one, Ink Treasure Mud, comes from soil ten meters underground, where a thousand-year-old tree rotted away—the deeper the color, the better…”

Watching the two women speak with serious intensity, Zhou Qing grew bored and increasingly awkward.

He couldn’t understand a word, and found it dull.

He quietly stood up, preparing to leave.

After two steps, he sensed something was off, turned back, gathered the dishes on the stone table, and carried them away.

“So it really was just for breakfast?” No one called him after he left the corridor—he was delighted.

If only such days could come every day.

As he walked out of the back garden in high spirits, he felt something and turned to see five hostile faces peering over the courtyard wall.

After thinking for a moment, he walked over.

“Greetings, Senior Brothers!” Zhou Qing bowed.

The five leapt down from the wall, immediately surrounding Zhou Qing with clenched fists.

[Heart Insight Points +5]

Li Daoxuan’s label above his head, [Skin Patch-Like Lustful Scoundrel], visibly changed to [Stubborn Lustful Scoundrel].

Zhou Qing’s face flushed awkwardly.

“Taste good?” Li Daoxuan asked, envious and furious.

Zhou Qing nodded eagerly: “Delicious—but the spiritual rice was overcooked, and meat buns for breakfast get too greasy, though the filling was great—probably white spirit rabbit leg meat—and also, that…”

“Shut up!” Li Daoxuan roared, eyes nearly spitting fire.

He’d never met such a brazen, shameless person—got the advantage and still complained, how could he be so insatiable?

“What were you two talking about?” He Han, the second brother, demanded.

Zhou Qing scratched his head: “I was too busy eating, didn’t say anything. Besides, they were talking about women’s topics—I didn’t dare interrupt. Oh, He Senior Brother, will there be more tomorrow? If so, no need for you to come get me—I’ll arrive early and wait.”

“Get lost!”

The group cursed as Zhou Qing sprinted down the mountain.

Afraid that if he ran too slowly, they’d stuff him in a sack and drag him off to beat him up.

…………

Arriving at the foot of the mountain in Yanlong City, Zhou Qing picked his teeth while strolling around.

Today’s stalls were much the same as yesterday’s—mostly items hard to judge as real or fake.

At that moment, with a flick of his mind, his personal panel appeared.

【Name: Zhou Qing】

【Age: Nineteen】

【Cultivation Base: Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage】

【Cultivation Technique: Taiqing Xuan Qi Jue】

【Talent Skill: Heart Insight Vision—LV2 (31/200),】

【Reduced Presence—LV2 (51/100)】

【Skill Fragment: 1/3 (Unobtainable)】

Heart Insight Points had been rising fast lately, but the Reduced Presence points hadn’t moved in days—he needed to find time to grind more.

After wandering around, Zhou Qing finally found his Third Brother’s stall.

“Oh my, finished feasting and now you remember your Third Brother?” Yan Xiao Hu sneered the moment he saw Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing grinned—he knew his Third Brother wouldn’t abandon him.

“I was dragged there against my will, no explanation given. After today’s market closes, I’ll treat you!” Zhou Qing declared generously.

Yan Xiao Hu brightened immediately: “You said it—I’m going to Jade Banquet Hall.”

“Brother, that place is way too expensive—we can’t afford it. I just passed Yuxian Zhenxiu Pavilion, looks great—let’s go there!” Zhou Qing pointed in a direction.

Yan Xiao Hu shrugged: “Fine, I’ll let you off this time. Tell me—what did the Xuan You Immortal want with you?”

“I don’t know—we barely exchanged a few words,” Zhou Qing said.

Yan Xiao Hu pressed: “But what exactly did she say?”

Zhou Qing thought hard.

“Came?”

“Came!!”

“Came?”

“Came!”

“Come again?”

“Won’t come?”

“Come again!”

“Then come again!”

Yan Xiao Hu stared, dumbfounded, unable to recover.

[Heart Insight Points +9]

Yan Xiao Hu’s label above his head rapidly changed from [Lustful, Bold Little Brother] to [Mind-Blowing Little Brother].

Zhou Qing scratched his head—it was just those lines. When he first arrived to pay respects, the Xuan You Immortal pointed at the food and asked, “Came?”

Since he hadn’t eaten breakfast, and Lu Yaoyao was winking beside him, he didn’t hold back and started eating.

He felt embarrassed, ate half-full, then when she urged him to come again, he saw she clearly didn’t want more—so he finished everything clean.

What could he do? He wasn’t as smooth-tongued as Lu Yaoyao; such a senior figure was already generous to speak two words to a stranger.

Though brief, he understood the meaning.

At this moment, Yan Xiao Hu, eyes full of awe, gripped Zhou Qing’s shoulders: “From now on, you’re my big brother—if we can connect with Qingyu Immortal Sect, even our Master will have to call you Dad…”

SMACK!!!

Before Yan Xiao Hu finished speaking, a hard slap landed on the back of his neck.

(End of Chapter)