In the afternoon, both parties reached an agreement.
Lin Zhao handed over the land deeds and property deeds of the entire manor to Xu Qingyi. These deeds were all stamped with the vermilion seal of Shan Dian Bie Yuan. This manor was not charged any rent. In return, 10% of the net profit from this Mo Family ancestral home branch store would be given to Shan Dian Bie Yuan, making it a long-term collaboration.
The Mo Family ancestral home acted swiftly. By evening, a colossal Immortal Boat shaped like a giant tortoise docked above the town. Such a majestic behemoth was a form of effective promotion in itself. However, Xu Qingyi was not satisfied. She ordered Mo Family cultivators to use array stones and talismans at the bottom of the giant tortoise Immortal Boat to spell out the words "Mo Family Snow Region Heavenly Pool Branch Store Grand Opening Soon" to publicize the event. In an instant, everyone in the town knew about it.
By late night, the large quantity of precious artifacts brought by the giant tortoise Immortal Boat had been cataloged into the branch store's inventory. Xu Qingyi, along with the Mo Family's skilled artisans, had begun extensive renovations, transforming the front hall into a spacious store lobby. Various shelves were erected, and all sorts of treasures were put on display. From construction to opening, it seemed to have happened in the blink of an eye.
...
The next day, at noon, this Mo Family Northern Region flagship store, named "Qian Ji Ge," was officially unveiled. Xu Qingyi had invited many distinguished guests from the Snow Region Heavenly Pool. Among them, Lin Zhao, Xu Zhi, Chu Yu, Huang Tingyu, and Tang Guangjun from Shan Dian Bie Yuan all received invitations. Others included Gu Lingyu from Hefeng Academy, Su Shanjun, Old Sword Immortal Han, and various master cultivators who were traveling the martial world and happened to be in the Snow Region Heavenly Pool. Additionally, many from the Mo Family attended, with the representative figure being the Twelfth Realm Sword Immortal Xu Shuo.
A luncheon.
Lin Zhao sat at a table with Huang Tingyu, Xu Zhi, Mu Gua, Chu Yu, and Tang Guangjun. Also present were Xu Shuo and several Eleventh Realm cultivators from the Mo Family ancestral home, along with Xu Qingyi, Uncle Ding, Su Shanjun, and Han Buyu. They all gathered around one table.
When Xu Shuo looked at Xu Zhi, a slight ripple stirred in his heart. It was an affection that arose from the bottom of his heart; his master's disapproval of such feelings did not truly extinguish them. However, seeing Xu Zhi sitting beside Lin Zhao, looking like a small bird nesting by his side, made Xu Shuo feel a pang of sadness. This brother of his, Lin Zhao, had absolutely no sense of propriety. If only he would shift his position slightly, allowing Xu Zhi to sit beside him. If he could sit next to Xu Zhi, his life would be complete...
"Second Brother Xu!"
Lin Zhao was aware of Xu Shuo's feelings for Xu Zhi, but he couldn't openly acknowledge it, nor could he force Xu Zhi to like Xu Shuo, as that would be utterly unreasonable. Thus, he decided to resolve the awkward atmosphere himself. As for Xu Shuo, he was known as "Second Oldest Brother Xu" of the Mo Family ancestral home. However, Lin Zhao could not directly call him by this nickname, so he invented "Second Brother Xu," which indeed made Xu Shuo feel a little awkward.
"Mm, Lin Zhao."
As the representative of the Mo Family ancestral home, and with the opening of Qian Ji Ge today, Xu Shuo was the host. He grinned and said, "You must drink plenty today. Our Mo Family ancestral home may not have much else, but we have plenty of centuries-old fine wine."
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded.
As the cups clinked and the conversation flowed, soon everyone was a bit tipsy. Huang Tingyu and Tang Guangjun, the two immortal drinkers, rarely appeared at such gatherings. They simply lowered their heads and kept drinking. The two held a large jar of fine wine from the Mo Family ancestral home, scooping wine from the jar bowl by bowl with their wine bowls. Huang Tingyu whispered, "Drink more, Brother Tang. Oh, the wine from the Mo Family ancestral home is truly good. The key is that there's plenty of it. Unlike that kid Lin Zhao, who drinks Qingzhu wine as if his life depended on it."
Tang Guangjun repeatedly nodded, "Yes, yes, the wine from the Mo Family ancestral home is truly good."
Suddenly, he shivered and changed the subject, "But you can't say the Mountain Master is stingy, right? After all, Qingzhu wine diminishes with each drink. He's just trying to preserve the lingering fragrance for Shan Dian Bie Yuan. Brother Huang, you should appreciate the Mountain Master's thoughtful intentions!"
"Indeed, indeed."
Huang Tingyu's face was flushed red. "Brother Tang, could you please pull the braised old turtle dish on your left towards me? Your elder brother wants to try it."
"Alright, Elder Brother Huang!"
Lin Zhao covered his face, unable to watch any longer. Their Twelfth Realm Great Sword Immortal from the Snow Region Heavenly Pool had lost all dignity. Fortunately, Xu Shuo didn't seem to mind. He was also a Twelfth Realm sword cultivator, and deep down, he greatly admired these two Twelfth Realm cultivators, Huang Tingyu and Tang Guangjun. Huang Tingyu, a demon who dared to draw his sword against the Demon Ancestor, what else could be said besides "brave"? Tang Guangjun, a Twelfth Realm sword cultivator of the Military School. With such a lofty realm and status, he was willing to be a gatekeeper in a small town, living in a dilapidated house, always dressed in rags, and bathing only twice a year. How many of the Twelfth Realm cultivators on the mountain peak possessed such a simple state of mind?
Shortly after, Zhang Luobai arrived at Qian Ji Ge, looking dejected. He walked behind Lin Zhao and said, "Master, I didn't complete my homework yesterday and was spanked by the teacher... Huh? Dean Gu is here too..."
"Mm, she is," Gu Lingyu nodded with a smile.
"Does it hurt?"
Lin Zhao looked at the scoundrel's palm, which showed no marks at all. After all, with the physique of a First Realm sword cultivator, a few spanks were like nothing.
"It hurt so much..."
Zhang Luobai was on the verge of tears, feeling wronged.
Lin Zhao smiled and asked, "Why didn't you do your homework?"
"I was busy sparring with Zhuang Yirong yesterday..."
"Serves you right!"
Lin Zhao looked at Gu Lingyu and said with a laugh, "Lingyu, next time, tell Mr. Xiao to spank him harder. This brat deserves it."
Gu Lingyu smiled and nodded, "Understood, Junior Uncle. I'll tell them!"
"Oh dear..."
Zhang Luobai felt dizzy. There wasn't a single good person in this world. Just then, Xu Shuo squinted at Zhang Luobai and said, "Lin Zhao, is this your disciple? Not bad. A seedling of a sword immortal, with a sharp edge. He'll surely start at the Eleventh Realm, at the very least. And his spirit is not low. He's still daring to be lazy under Mr. Gu's tutelage? This courage, tsk tsk, rare..."
Gu Lingyu smiled without saying anything. When was this brat ever not lazy?
"Luobai!"
Lin Zhao took the scoundrel's hand and said, "Come here, pay your respects to Sword Immortal Xu. Sword Immortal Xu is a Twelfth Realm sword cultivator from the Mo Family ancestral home, a genuine Great Sword Immortal. Sword Immortal Xu and I are like brothers, so it's perfectly fine for you to call him Uncle Xu."
"???"
Xu Shuo's heart skipped a beat. Damn it, there's no good intention here!
Zhang Luobai immediately straightened his posture and called out crisply, "Uncle Xu, Sword Immortal Xu, hello!"
As he spoke, he performed a Confucian salute.
"See?"
Lin Zhao grinned, "Second Brother Xu, the child has bowed. Didn't you just say you have nothing else but many hidden swords? It just so happens that my disciple Zhang Luobai recently awakened a Sword Lake and is lacking an immortal sword embryo. How about... you take one from your collection as a meeting gift? See how nicely the child addresses you as Uncle Xu!" Da Feng Novel Network
Xu Qingyi covered her face and laughed. Did Lin Zhao have this side to him?
Xu Zhi and Chu Yu remained expressionless; they were long accustomed to it. Their master was always like this.
Xu Shuo felt he had fallen into the trap from the beginning. Fortunately, Zhang Luobai's address as "Uncle Xu" was indeed pleasant to hear. He took a deep breath and flicked his finger. A black flying sword embryo, only thirty centimeters long, flew out from his storage bag. He said with a smile, "How about this one? I refined it from the essence of a Flood Dragon's bone when I killed a flood dragon in the East Sea years ago."
"Is it an immortal sword?" Lin Zhao asked.
"Mm, genuine immortal grade."
Lin Zhao looked at Zhang Luobai. What are you waiting for?
The rascal immediately bowed again, "Zhang Luobai thanks Uncle Xu!"
As he spoke, he quickly accepted the sword embryo.
Lin Zhao waved his hand, signaling Zhang Luobai to get lost. Then, he whispered something to Xu Zhi, who went to personally teach Zhang Luobai how to nurture and temper the flying sword in his Sword Lake, to prevent the scoundrel from making any blunders.
...
Late at night, at Tian Ran Ju.
Lin Zhao stood by the lotus pond, practicing his fist stances, his fist intent flowing all around him. At this moment, Xu Zhi returned with Zhang Luobai. Zhang Luobai now seemed different from before. His sword intent had intensified by at least thirty percent, and his gaze finally held the demeanor of a sword cultivator. Holding the sword Willow, a Sword Lake buzzed loudly, and a flying sword was being tempered.
"Has the flying sword been refined?" Lin Zhao asked.
"Mm."
Zhang Luobai smiled and waved his hand. Instantly, the black flying sword stopped in his palm. Zhang Luobai said, "Master, I want to name this flying sword 'Loach,' what do you think?"
"Ah?!"
Lin Zhao was taken aback and asked with a smile, "Sword Immortal Xu gave you an immortal sword embryo, why give it such a strange name?"
"Because..."
Zhang Luobai pursed his lips and revealed a brilliant smile. "Because a while ago, Sister Dongcang made a bowl of loach swimming in tofu, which was especially delicious. The loaches were everywhere in the tofu, capable of penetrating any gap. So, I thought, my flying sword should also be as pervasive as a loach in the future, only then can it kill people invisibly. What do you think, Master?"
"Understood."
Lin Zhao smiled and said, "It's your flying sword; you name it yourself. This name... is not bad~~~"
"Great!"
The young man nodded with a smile, his face beaming.
...
Above the myriad heavens, the Immortal Realm.
In the Immortal Realm, an immortal mountain rose from the ground, appearing exceptionally ethereal amidst the swirling sea of clouds.
This mountain was named Bai Yu Mountain, the place with the most abundant spiritual energy in the Upper Realm.
On Bai Yu Mountain stood a Bai Yu Jing, known to the world as the Twelve Towers and Five Cities. At this moment, on top of one of the jade pavilions, a young Taoist stood on the roof, gazing outwards beyond the heavens.
Suddenly, it was as if heaven and earth were torn apart. A giant claw tore through the sky and viciously slashed towards a white jade mountain.
"Bold!"
The young Taoist leaped up abruptly, his entire body radiating immense light as he manifested a ten-thousand-zhang dharma image. He raised a fingertip, and a Taoist imperial edict roared, directly colliding with the claw filled with black energy in the sky. Instantly, the claw shattered. However, strands of black energy, like venomous snakes, backlasShed along the Taoist's arm.
"Boom—"
The young Taoist's sleeve fluttered, forcefully shattering these strands of black energy. Yet, a wisp of black energy still invaded his heart, causing him to frown. Within his mind, images of figures clad in golden armor, riding warhorses, and engaging in battle even appeared. Although they were instantly eradicated, they still stirred his emotions. That thing was the invincible inner demon of the Military School.
He frowned and looked up at the sky. The outer-heaven inner demons were becoming increasingly rampant, even daring to directly threaten the sacred realm of Bai Yu Mountain?