Chapter 76: Five Missing One: Outer Disciple Gathering

Yu Ke stared at the message jade token, a message flickering within it.

He lightly touched his fingertip to it, and characters flowed onto the surface like water.

【“Yu brother, come quickly to the West Courtyard’s Xiao Sheng Xian Zhuang!”】

Yu Ke fell into thought.

Xiao Sheng Xian Zhuang.

That was a famed tavern among the outer disciples, and the prices were far from low.

As he pondered, the message flashed again, urgently.

【“Online?”】

【“You there? You there?”】

This message jade token was a masterpiece of the Shenxiao Sect.

Within the sect’s territory, simply adding the other’s token number to your “Jade Token Friend” list allowed unrestricted messaging.

Its convenience was like the modern “Qiuqiu Hao.”

Too bad it lacked a “Moments” feature—only direct chat was possible.

Yu Ke couldn’t help but marvel: the world had no shortage of geniuses, capable of crafting such wondrous devices.

He tapped the jade token, a faint spiritual energy flowing from his fingertip.

Had his meridians still been clogged yesterday, with spiritual energy hard to circulate, he’d have been unable to reply at all.

He swiftly replied with a question mark: 【?】

Zhou Liang’s message followed immediately:

【“This year’s Outer Disciple Gathering of the Great Zhou Divine Nation? All gorgeous senior sisters and junior sisters—beauties everywhere! Come quick!”】

Yu Ke: 【“No time.”】

But!

Zhou Liang didn’t give up—he sent two more messages in succession.

【Sisters from Luoshui are here too—don’t miss out!】

【Even the stunning inner disciple sister is coming tonight—it’s a grand gathering!】

【Five are here, one missing—come quick!】

Yu Ke: 【No time.】

His body had fully recovered; he’d planned to begin a Small Heavenly Cycle this afternoon—now he could finally cultivate again.

He should reject all useless social engagements.

In his view, those pretty junior and senior sisters, though eye-catching, were fleeting illusions.

Of course, there was one more crucial reason!

Aside from last time when Wang Yunxi’s promotion to inner disciple triggered a banquet, every other such gathering required splitting the bill.

Yu Ke was broke.

Don’t call me for anything over three spirit stones.

Besides!

What good are pretty junior and senior sisters if you can only look? Wait till my cultivation takes off—I’ll have everything!

No need to rush!

I, Yu Ke, have lofty ambitions—I aim for the soaring crane.

Even if tonight there are JK, white socks, black stockings—

I, Yu Ke, won’t miss a single one.

After replying, he picked up the pot and resumed rinsing rice.

The jade token flashed again.

Zhou Liang: 【An inner disciple brother is footing the bill—meals are free!】

Yu Ke dropped the pot instantly—why wash it at all?

The tavern’s food was far tastier than his own cooking.

Yu Ke: 【On my way!】

Zhou Liang: 【?】

Yu Ke: 【Coming, coming right away.】

Zhou Liang: 【Good good good—tonight, brothers, we’ll dominate the place.】

The sun had passed its zenith—it was afternoon.

Yu Ke tidied himself briefly and strode toward Xiao Sheng Xian Zhuang with light steps.

Zhou Liang’s messages kept pouring in on the jade token:

【Yu brother, let me tell you, tonight’s junior sisters are all breathtakingly beautiful—you get it? The prettiest ones from outside are here.】

【My celestial maiden will arrive any moment—my heart races, I can’t contain myself.】

Messages kept coming.

Yu Ke simply ignored them all.

Yet just then, a special message caught his attention.

【Xie Wanwan requests to add you as a Jade Token Friend.】

Xie Wanwan?

The little rich girl wants to add me as a friend.

She’s my biggest creditor—I must treat her with care.

Just as he was about to accept—

【Xie Wanwan withdrew the request to add you as a Jade Token Friend.】

Yu Ke: ?

What’s going on? He was puzzled.

But soon after, the same message appeared again.

【Xie Wanwan requests to add you as a Jade Token Friend.】

【Xie Wanwan withdrew the request to add you as a Jade Token Friend.】

Again?

What’s wrong with the little rich girl—or is the jade token malfunctioning?

Always coming and going? Never fully added.

Next time, don’t do this.

After several back-and-forths, it stopped.

Yu Ke let it go.

…

…

Shenxiao Sect Outer Disciples, West Courtyard Market.

One of the outer disciples’ busiest places.

Shops lined both sides of the street, their colorful wares dazzling.

Vendors shouted incessantly, their calls never ceasing.

As Yu Ke walked, he felt like he was in a commercial street from his past life.

The goods here, of course, weren’t mundane—they were cultivation artifacts and spirit herbs.

Amid the clamor!

Yu Ke halted, his gaze drawn to a towering tavern.

Above its entrance,

the four characters “Xiao Sheng Xian Zhuang” were carved in bold, swirling strokes.

He stepped inside, and a serving girl immediately approached.

She led him through winding corridors to a quiet private room.

Yu Ke thanked her.

It made the girl blush.

“Senior brother, you’re too kind.”

Yu Ke was puzzled—why were girls so shy all of a sudden?

He adjusted his robes.

Eating free meals? I’m a professional.

He pushed open the door.

A wave of noise hit him—the interior was lively indeed.

Beyond the door lay an open space, as if stepping into a summer retreat.

Lush green grass spread out; a stream murmured gently.

A spiritual array on the ceiling stirred a soft breeze, bringing coolness that refreshed the spirit.

Dozens of tables were set with an array of spirit fruits and spirit wine, their enticing aromas making one’s mouth water.

At the very center, a stage had been erected.

The sound of qin and se harmonized softly, while dancers swayed gracefully.

Yu Ke looked around.

He found many outer-disciple students already seated around tables, some raising cups in merriment, others whispering quietly—the atmosphere was lively beyond measure.

Yu Ke even wondered if he had entered the wrong venue.

He had arrived—

the Shenxiao Sect’s “bar”!

Among these people, Yu Ke also recognized several familiar faces; after all, this was a gathering of outer-disciples from the Da Zhou Dynasty, and their paths often crossed.

“Are you Senior Brother Yu?”

“Senior Brother Yu, it’s been so long.”

“Junior Brother Yu, I didn’t expect you to come too.”

In response to these warm greetings, Yu Ke naturally returned each with polite courtesy and exchanged pleasantries with the crowd.

Yet!

Yu Ke noticed that some people’s expressions were hesitant, studying him several times before confirming his identity.

This made him curious.

“Senior Brother Yu, it’s been only a few days, but you’ve changed a great deal,” someone couldn’t help saying.

Yu Ke smiled slightly and replied:

“Senior Brother Chen, you’re teasing me—I’m still the same as always.”

Though puzzled inside, he did not press further.

He would first find Zhou Liang.

Among the crowd, Yu Ke scanned about, searching for Zhou Liang’s figure.

Soon!

He spotted Zhou Liang at a distant table, chatting animatedly with several young men and women.

Zhou Liang was dressed elegantly, radiant and spirited.

Yu Ke walked over with a smile and greeted him:

“Senior Brother Zhou, it’s been a long time.”

Zhou Liang saw Yu Ke and his face lit up with delight; he immediately stood to greet him:

“Junior Brother Yu, you’ve finally arrived! Come, let me introduce you to a few friends.”

“We’re one short.”

Saying this, Zhou Liang pulled Yu Ke toward the group of young men and women, ready to make the introductions.

“Wait a moment, Junior Brother Yu, how come you…”

Zhou Liang’s eyes darted back and forth over Yu Ke’s face.

Yu Ke was puzzled.

“What’s wrong?”

“Do I have flowers on my face?”

(End of Chapter)