Chapter 168: Friendly Alliance

The Flower War Chariot halted at a floating outer pavilion outside the Luo Sha Palace, decorated to resemble clouds in the heavens, surrounded by colorful flowers, with a single golden palace at its center.

"Lord Wenguan, you and your companions may rest here. I must return promptly to report, so I won't overstay."

Shui Yao performed an unusual hand salute.

"Please, Envoy Shui Yao."

After seeing off the guests, Lu Fang led Yue You and the others into the pavilion to rest; they would soon attend the banquet, which was likely to last a long time.

About two hours later.

A Luo Sha came to summon Lu Fang and his party; this time, they did not ride the Flower War Chariot but boarded a massive flying bird, resembling an eagle.

They arrived at the main hall.

Lu Fang noticed that, besides the path paved with petals, there were numerous flowerpots scattered throughout, much like the palaces of the Great Zhou.

The same white stone flooring, the same hall.

Outside the main hall, chairs and tables were arranged on left and right, laden with all manner of fruits, melons, and wines.

Besides the Luo Sha King and Queen seated on the main throne, all officials at the side tables stood.

Lu Fang led his group forward, bowed to the Luo Sha King, exchanged a few formal pleasantries, then presented the gifts he had brought.

The Luo Sha King laughed: "Lord Wenguan, I've long heard of you; today I see you are indeed a man of distinguished bearing. Your long journey must have tired you—please, be seated."

"Thank you, Luo Sha King."

Lu Fang bowed again and, guided by the attendants, took the first seat closest to the Luo Sha King; as the Great Zhou's envoy, this placement was entirely appropriate.

The Luo Sha King waved his hand: "All of you, take your seats! Today is a grand day for our Luo Sha Kingdom—no need for excessive formality!"

After everyone was seated, Lu Fang noticed Shui Yao sitting beside him; logically, she shouldn't have been here, but as the reception envoy and someone connected to him, she had been deliberately seated here.

Not many were seated here.

Most were the Luo Sha Kingdom's pillars, and nearly ninety percent were Luo Sha; only a tiny fraction were ghost cultivators.

Even Xue Luo Sha was not present.

As music slowly began to play, a line of women in palace attire stepped to the front and began to dance.

"Lord Wenguan, if not for you in the Seventh-Class Minor Realm, Prince Xue and I would have been in grave danger—thank you."

Shui Yao raised her cup and clinked it with Lu Fang's.

Lu Fang smiled and raised his cup: "You're too kind. In the Minor Realm, if not for you and Prince Xue, I wouldn't have gained such a rare opportunity. By the way, is this a unique Luo Sha dance?"

He gazed at the dancers before him; their movements lacked soft grace, instead radiating strength.

The dancers held skull ornaments, resembling shamanic rites of blessing, yet their motions were far more elegant.

"You've never seen this before?" Shui Yao explained. "This is our Luo Sha Kingdom's unique blessing dance. Does the Great Zhou not have something similar?"

Lu Fang nodded with a smile: "We have similar blessing dances, but they differ somewhat."

Shui Yao chuckled lightly: "If you want the best dancer, it's undoubtedly Prince Xue—her dance is universally recognized as the finest in Luo Sha."

Lu Fang was surprised: "Really? I never noticed. So Prince Xue is such a gifted dancer—I hope I get to see her perform someday."

In his mind, Xue Luo Sha was the type who was carefree and boisterous; imagining her dancing made him barely suppress a laugh.

The blessing dance ended.

The Luo Sha King turned to Lu Fang and smiled: "Lord Wenguan, I've read all your elegant writings, but alas, I cannot perceive their literary aura—if I could, I would make the Great Zhou's Literary Gazette widely circulated in Luo Sha."

"I've heard that since the Literary Gazette spread through the Great Zhou, many have gained cultivation power and literary aura, greatly boosting the nation's overall strength."

"I once worried the Demon and Barbarian tribes might unite and invade your northern and southern borders, but they suffered a crushing defeat upon meeting you."

"This was thanks largely to you."

Lu Fang bowed: "It was merely fortune. Before I departed, His Majesty instructed me to convey his greetings to you and to express his hope that the Luo Sha Kingdom and the Great Zhou will forever remain friendly allies."

"Naturally," the Luo Sha King boomed. "Lord Wenguan, you don't know how ambitious these Demon and Barbarian tribes are—they've reached even into Luo Sha territory. Recently, I uncovered several traitors."

Lu Fang replied: "The Demon and Barbarian tribes have always harbored a mindset of plunder. They never hide their ambitions; every Demon and Barbarian knows they must seize the Great Zhou and become masters of this world."

"His Majesty often says that if the Demon and Barbarian tribes would simply remain in their northern and southern borders, there would be far fewer wars and far fewer deaths."

"But from their recent actions, it's clear they've united—determined to settle matters with the Great Zhou once and for all."

"Then the Great Zhou must match their strength. His Majesty is benevolent and wishes to avoid unnecessary war, but he will not fear such provocation."

"Well said."

The Luo Sha King nodded with a smile: "Lord Wenguan, drink. Taste our Luo Sha Kingdom's unique Hundred Flower Wine—it carries a delightful floral fragrance and enhances cultivation and helps break through realms, even surpassing the Bodhi Fruit Wine of the Buddha Kingdom."

"I'll have some sent with you when you return."

"When Xue that girl recklessly entered the Seventh-Class Minor Realm last time, it was your aid that saved her. These Hundred Flower Wines are my thanks—please don't refuse."

Lu Fang bowed: "Then I shall not refuse your generous gift."

It was quite remarkable.

Just now, as he drank the Hundred Flower Wine, his first instinctive thought was: if possible, he'd bring some back for Li Yu to taste.

He believed she would love its flavor.

The Luo Sha King's gift of the Hundred Flower Wine perfectly aligned with his own desire.

The Luo Sha Queen smiled at Lu Fang and said:

"Xue heard you were the Great Zhou's envoy and was delighted for days. She kept telling me about your heroic rescue in the Seventh-Class Minor Realm—under her recommendation, I read your writings and was utterly captivated. Lord Wenguan, you truly are gifted."

Lu Fang bowed: "In the Seventh-Class Minor Realm, I was greatly aided by Prince Xue—she is truly extraordinary."

"She's too reckless," the Luo Sha Queen laughed. "If her actions ever troubled you, please bear with her."

"I heard you weren't even Seventh-Class Third Rank then—yet now you've reached Sixth-Class Second Rank. Isn't your cultivation supposed to be restricted by Heaven's Mandate?"