"Do you like it?"
Su Qingjiu looked at Xu Zhi with a gentle smile.
"I do..."
Xu Zhi accepted Cheng Xin. As the sword intent within her circulated, a celestial qi, vastly different from before, enveloped the blade. The same sword, in different hands, manifested different powers. When Su Qingjiu wielded his sword intent, Cheng Xin unleashed an irresistible divine sword dao aura. In Xu Zhi's hands, Cheng Xin emitted an aura of unyielding sword immortal ambition.
"Amazing, truly amazing..."
Lin Zhao, on the side, appeared weak and helpless. "Xu Zhi, can I touch your sword?"
Xu Zhi chuckled, placed the sword horizontally in front of her chest, and then slowly onto the desk. "My lord, please admire it."
"Alright."
Lin Zhao reached out and grasped the hilt, but when he tried to lift it, he gasped. He couldn't move it at all. The sword seemed embedded in the desk. With Lin Zhao's current cultivation, he couldn't lift it. The system only displayed: Cheng Xin, Immortal Sword, with no further details, indicating that Lin Zhao wasn't even qualified to look at it. He was too weak.
"Alas..."
Su Qingjiu stifled a laugh. Lin Zhao's cultivation was truly low now.
Xu Zhi also tried her best not to laugh. "My lord, perhaps... your cultivation is not yet sufficient?"
"Yes, yes, yes."
Lin Zhao nodded repeatedly. "I must continue to work hard..."
With that, he sat down to look at the evening menu, not wanting to speak any further.
...
Night fell, and the mountain villa was brightly lit.
A mist of water vapor filled the air, and soon after, a River God, clad in golden armor and a flowing golden cape, arrived. Lin Xingchu did not fly directly to Tianran Ju. Instead, she landed in front of the mountain gate. A scruffy man, who prided himself on his keen eyesight, volunteered as the gatekeeper. Upon seeing the River God descend, he quickly cupped his fists and said solemnly, "Tang Guangjun of the military, pays respects to the River God!"
"Mm."
Lin Xingchu smiled slightly, feeling a hint of joy in her heart. Her little Zhao was truly remarkable, having a twelfth-realm sword immortal as a gatekeeper. Such prestige was unmatched, even in the Ancestral Mountain of the demon race. She nodded and smiled at Tang Guangjun before striding up the mountain path. She wasn't in a hurry, wanting to first inspect how Lin Zhao's mountain sect had been built.
Following Lin Xingchu, a rainbow light descended from the sky. It was a flying sword, and upon it stood a peerlessly beautiful woman dressed in snow-white robes—Lin Wanhua of Fusuguan. Lin Wanhua arrived alone with her sword, without much fanfare.
"..."
Tang Guangjun frowned but dared not say anything further. He simply cupped his fists and said solemnly, "Tang Guangjun, gatekeeper of Xueyu Tianchi, pays respects to Sword Immortal Lin."
"Mm."
Lin Wanhua returned his greeting with a smile. "Is the place where Lin Zhao is hosting dinner up the mountain?"
"Yes!"
Tang Guangjun nodded repeatedly. "Sword Immortal Lin, just follow the mountain path upwards, and you'll reach Tianran Ju. Tong Yu should already be waiting at the entrance."
"Alright."
Lin Wanhua ascended the mountain with her sword.
A while later, an eleventh-realm sword immortal descended from the sky—Han Yetang, the Palace Commander of Shanhai Pass. He wore deep red armor and a sword at his waist. He glanced at Tang Guangjun, unable to discern his cultivation, and said with a smile, "Han Yetang, invited to visit Xueyu Tianchi."
"It's Commander Han!"
Tang Guangjun respectfully cupped his fists. "The banquet is at Tianran Ju. Commander Han, just follow the mountain path upwards, and you'll see it."
"Thank you!"
"No need for formalities, Commander!"
After seeing Han Yetang off, Tang Guangjun plopped down on a rock beside the mountain gate and took out a handful of melon seeds from his embrace. These melon seeds were dried and fried from pumpkin seeds by Dong Zang, and they were very fragrant. Tang Guangjun was leisurely. He assumed there would be no more guests today, right? However, before he could even eat a few seeds, two people walked up side-by-side: Su Shanjun and Han Buyu.
"Yo!"
Tang Guangjun immediately got up and smiled. "Lord Su Shanjun has come for dinner himself!"
"Of course!"
Su Shanjun laughed heartily. "I can't just stretch this big head of mine from the foot of the mountain to eat, scaring Tong Yu and Dong Zang, those young ladies, wouldn't be good."
Tang Guangjun grinned. When it came to witty banter, Su Shanjun was the top of Xueyu Tianchi, and there was nothing to be said about that. So, he picked on someone easier, looking at Han Buyu. "Old Sword Immortal Han, still haven't broken through? It's truly worrying. What's so good about the Star River Realm? Does it mean that sword intent for Star River Realm sword cultivators is more potent? Are you planning to nurture it for another hundred years before breaking through?"
Han Buyu rolled his eyes. "I'll convey all of these words to the Third Manager later."
"Oh dear~~~"
Tang Guangjun offered Han Buyu some melon seeds and slung an arm around his shoulder. "I was just kidding with you, Old Han. What kind of relationship do we have? We're like sworn brothers born from different mothers! Right, Lord Su Shanjun?"
Su Shanjun ignored him and went up the mountain with Han Buyu.
Tang Guangjun, feeling dejected, sat alone at the foot of the mountain, continuing to crack melon seeds and guard the gate.
...
Up on the mountain, a grand gathering.
In the reception hall on the first floor of Tianran Ju, a large table was set. Dong Zang was an excellent cook and also very diligent, making her the head chef for the banquet. Chu Yu and Tong Yu assisted her, while Mu Zha and Lin Zhao were outside receiving guests.
"Aunt!"
After Lin Zhao escorted Lin Xingchu into the main hall, he went out to welcome Lin Wanhua.
"Miss Lin!"
He cupped his fists and smiled. "Welcome."
Lin Wanhua smiled and nodded, taking a seat to the left of Lin Xingchu. Su Qingjiu sat to her right. The seating arrangement was based on cultivation level. Clearly, only these two were qualified to sit on Lin Xingchu's left and right. Following them were Han Yetang, Mu Zha, and Chu Yu, Xu Zhi, and others. Lin Zhao retrieved two jars of peach blossom wine from his inventory. Both were personally brewed by Han Yourou. This wine was an absolute delicacy, brewed by a peach blossom demon. Even ordinary celestial beings from the mountains rarely had the chance to taste it.
Lin Zhao only brought out two jars; he couldn't bring more. He had only obtained ten jars of wine from Han Yourou in total, and he couldn't possibly use them all up at one banquet. He had to conserve them. He continued to busy himself inside and out. The fish head soup was personally simmered by him, using the head of a twelfth-realm giant catfish, which would undoubtedly be flavorful.
Soon, the fish head pot was served, exuding a rich aroma.
A twelfth-realm fish head was indeed different. While it wouldn't grant immortality with a single bite, it could increase one's current level's experience points by as much as 75% within a day. Therefore, Lin Zhao had no worries now, just waiting to level up at Xueyu Tianchi. If he could also receive some plot compensation rewards, his level would remain at the forefront of the national server.
"Come!"
Lin Zhao filled everyone's cups and stood up, smiling. "Today, I've invited everyone here for a simple home-cooked meal. Firstly, to welcome my little Jiu'er. Secondly, to celebrate the completion of our Xueyu Tianchi's teleportation array, mountain villa, and academy. Lin Zhao thanks everyone for their previous help to Xueyu Tianchi. In short... I'm not very good with words, so thank you all. This wine is peach blossom brew from Miss Han Yourou of Tongjing Lake. It's exclusive and there are only two jars tonight. Please drink to your heart's content. After the peach blossom brew, we'll move on to my famously treasured strong liquors."
Lin Xingchu suppressed a smile. She had witnessed this "10g per pot" fine wine.
Xu Zhi and Chu Yu also smiled without speaking. "Our lord is so shrewd, it would be a shame if he weren't a deceitful merchant."
Only Lin Wanhua's beautiful eyes widened. She wasn't a heavy drinker and had been so deceived by Lin Zhao that she genuinely believed the "10g per pot" wine was truly good. Once she got used to it, she truly considered it fine wine. Therefore, among everyone present, only Lin Wanhua believed Lin Zhao.
As for wine connoisseurs like Han Buyu, they truly wished they could spit in the Third Manager's face. He was so handsome, yet he loved to tell lies! And the irony was that someone believed those lies, and that someone was a peak twelfth-realm sword immortal. It was truly unfair.
The two jars of peach blossom brew were neither too little nor too much.
Especially with an old drunkard like Han Buyu present, the wine was consumed at an astonishing rate. Lin Zhao felt a pang of heartache watching him. Old Sword Immortal Han was truly a connoisseur of fine food. With a bite of fish and a sip of peach blossom brew, he savored it with a look of satisfaction, making Lin Zhao sigh with dismay at how quickly he was drinking it.
After a few drinks, Su Shanjun began to incite everyone, suggesting that no one should leave tonight. Since the two strongest twelfth-realm sword immortals in the human world were present, they should have a martial arts duel and a sword fight to see who was the strongest twelfth-realm cultivator.
Old Sword Immortal Han also joined in the teasing, saying he wanted to observe and perhaps even gain a wisp of sword intent to complete his sword dao.
Ultimately, Lin Zhao had the final say. "What sword fight? After we've eaten and drunk our fill, Little Jiu'er and Miss Lin will come to my room. None of you are getting away!"
Su Qingjiu smiled, her eyes narrowing. She was happy to go along with whatever Lin Zhao said.
Lin Wanhua, however, held her forehead. She was experienced and knew what that guy was planning again.
...
Dozens of miles north of Xueyu Tianchi.
An eleventh-realm Rain Master, clad in a dark green python robe, stood atop the clouds, gazing at the distant mountain villa with a complex expression. He had originally intended to teach the mountain villa another lesson, subtly punishing them and evading the notice of the twelfth-realm sword immortal Tang Guangjun. But at this moment, looking at the group of people at the table in Tianran Ju, Yue Ling's heart sank into despair.
How could he possibly seek revenge now? What kind of people were gathered at that table?
The thirteenth-realm River God Lin Xingchu was terrifying enough. But then there were the twelfth-realm peak sword immortals Su Qingjiu and Lin Wanhua, not to mention Tang Guangjun, the gatekeeper at the foot of the mountain – three twelfth-realm sword immortals! Furthermore, there was the eleventh-realm sword immortal Han Yetang, the eleventh-realm martial artist Mu Zha, and a crowd of tenth and ninth-realm cultivators. Such a gathering at Xueyu Tianchi, what kind of weight did that carry? Perhaps even the legendary Demon Ancestor would have to reconsider, wouldn't they?
"This is outrageous!"
Yue Ling retreated and concealed himself within the layers of clouds.
...
At the foot of the mountain villa.
The scruffy man was still cracking melon seeds. He looked up towards the direction of Tianran Ju, almost able to smell the aroma of wine and food. He, a twelfth-realm sword immortal with formidable killing power, was now relegated to not even being able to sit at the table here. How pathetic!
He lamented his fate, sighing repeatedly. Even with a good state of mind, he couldn't be treated like this. Lacking even the qualification to sit at the table, like a wronged young wife, how infuriating! When had he, Tang Guangjun, ever fallen to such a state?
Just then, a figure descended from the mountain.
It was Dong Zang, carrying a basket. She smiled and nodded slightly at Tang Guangjun. "Tang Guangjun, my young master has asked me to bring you some dishes and wine. Please dine down here on the mountain."
The dishes were wild vegetables and spring bamboo shoots stir-fried by Dong Zang herself, along with a large bowl of fish head soup and a bowl of braised chicken. The wine was a pot of peach blossom brew decanted from the jar.
Dong Zang left.
Tang Guangjun took a bite of the food and a sip of the wine. It was truly delicious! He couldn't help but shed tears, looking into the distance and murmuring, "Master, you told me to learn how to behave by following my junior brother. I am truly learning something now..."