Chapter 98: Guest Elder Chong’s Banquet
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Five days later, in the jade square outside Qingyang City.
The large flying ship of the True Treasure Pavilion slowly floated hundreds of feet above the ground. The exquisite spirit patterns carved on the ship’s pole were shockingly large array formations. Not only could it resist attacks, but it could also condense spiritual energy to attack.
Shopkeeper Ding, Guest Elder Cui, Guest Elder Ruan, and the others bade farewell to some cultivators they were familiar with.
Although Cloud Mountain Parlour was a sad place for many guest elders, compared to Qingyang City, Cloud Mountain Parlour was more relaxed and free. It would be more comfortable to stay there as a third-grade guest elder.
Especially for an old guest like Guest Elder Luo, it was almost impossible for him to advance to the second-grade. He might as well go to the Cloud Mountain Parlour’s True Treasure Pavilion.
“Talisman Master Shen. See you again!” Guest Elder Cui and the others boarded the flying ship.
When Shen Ping saw Shopkeeper Ding walking over, he cupped his hands and said helplessly, “If Shopkeeper Ding leaves, I’m afraid it will be difficult for me to attend your Foundation Establishment banquet.”
Shopkeeper Ding laughed. “If it’s a Foundation Establishment, I’ll return to Qingyang City to hold it. Cloud Mountain Parlour is a little small after all. If there were Golden Sun Sect and other sects in the past, it wouldn’t be a problem to hold it there. Although there’s still a large-scale Flame Gold Mine now, the other sects have sent some outer sect disciples to manage the mineral vein.”
Shen Ping understood what Shopkeeper Ding meant. Without the protection of the Golden Sun Sect, Cloud Mountain Parlour would no longer be as prosperous and lively as before. Even if it was maintained by a mineral vein, it would at most be a medium-sized market in the future.
“Then I’ll await Shopkeeper Ding’s return as soon as possible.”
Soon, the flying ship turned into a rainbow and quickly disappeared into the horizon.
“Cloud Mountain Parlour.”
A few figures appeared in front of Shen Ping. In the end, he shook his head and sighed. He would not go back again.
An hour passed.
He went to Peng Yun Shop on the way. He hadn’t reached the door yet when waves of fragrance wafted over.
Mu Jin, who was wearing a silver-patterned dress with hundreds of flowers embroidered with butterflies, looked happy. She couldn’t help but rush forward. “Talisman Master Shen, why didn’t you tell me that you were coming?”
Shen Ping said casually, “I sent Shopkeeper Ding back to Cloud Mountain Parlour, so I came over.”
Mu Jin was stunned. “Has Shopkeeper Ding gone back?”
“The True Treasure Pavilion will be reopened. That’s where Shopkeeper Ding should stay. Fellow Daoist Mu, it’s not too late if you want to.” Shen Ping smiled.
Mu Jin shook her head and was about to speak when the shopkeeper of Peng Yun Shop came up to her.
“You must be Talisman Master Shen! I’ve heard Fellow Daoist Mu mention you a few times. Please come in.”
Peng Yun Shop was not small. There was a room in the backyard on the upper and lower floors. Although it was not a prosperous area, to be able to have such a shop in a place like Qingyang City, the owner was also a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator.
They arrived at the room and chatted casually. Shen Ping reached a simple cooperation with Peng Yun Shop. He only needed to sell five to six Spirit Protection Talismans every month. The other party actually only valued his identity and connections. After all, the guest elder of the True Treasure Pavilion had many benefits. For example, if the guest elder wanted to inquire about the auction, he could find out the specific list of items.
A moment later, the shopkeeper sent Shen Ping out respectfully. He could tell that Shen Ping had yet to build his foundation, but he could become a guest elder at the late stage of Qi Refinement. This potential was really extraordinary.
When he returned to the shop, the shopkeeper quickly told the owner. The other party only replied, “We must deepen our cooperation.”
The shopkeeper walked to Mu Jin’s side with a smile. “As expected of an external member of the True Treasure Pavilion. Your ability is enviable. The owner has already replied that from today onwards, your monthly treatment of spirit stones will increase by 30%.”
Mu Jin smiled sweetly to express her gratitude. She returned to her house in Lushui Alley at night. She carefully closed the cubicle door. She pasted a Silent Talisman on the back of the door and the roof respectively. Then, she seriously checked the door to confirm that it could not be pushed open. Only then did she sit cross-legged on the pink cushion.
She took off her dress. Honeydew was no longer bound. The exquisite curve spread along the beautiful arc to become round. She sat cross-legged just like that.
The broad figure appeared in front of her eyes. She carefully recalled everything in the private room of the Hidden Spirit House. The rough patterns on his palm were calloused, but they were very powerful. She slowly closed her eyes.
Under her nose, at the corner of her lips.
It was as if they were covered in calluses.
Not long after, Mu Jin opened her eyes and shook her head gently.
No. It’s not like that.
She suddenly thought of something and removed the jade hairpin from her hair. Her black hair fell down like a waterfall. Then, she leaned forward and smiled. After closing her eyes again, there was only one thought left in her mind: So it was really better than an illustration.
After sending Shopkeeper Ding off, Shen Ping’s cultivation life returned to being boring.
Every day, he would make talismans, meditate, dual cultivate, create puppets, accompany his wife and concubines, occasionally visit his neighbors, and from time to time, go to Master Huo’s alchemy hut. Then, he would go to the private room on the second floor of the True Treasure Pavilion to drink spirit tea.
His schedule was very full, especially when he had a goal in his heart. He became fully focused.
Cultivation, Talisman Master, divine sense.
The easiest to reach was a Talisman Master, so Shen Ping worked even harder.
Under such circumstances, three months passed in the blink of an eye.
With the help of the spirit pool, spirit liquid, and medicinal pills, his cultivation progressed very quickly. He had already polished 30% of the spiritual energy in his dantian.
Moreover, the experience he obtained in the Dao of Talismans could be described as advancing by leaps and bounds. According to his speed, he would at most be able to attain the High-grade Level Two in another month.
However, the growth of his divine sense slowed down.
This was within Shen Ping’s expectations.
After all, improving one’s divine sense was the most difficult. It was relatively rare for cultivators to have a Foundation Establishment Divine Sense at the Qi Refinement Realm. Although he shared his cultivation insights with Yu Yan every day, the divine sense he obtained would decrease every time after breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm.
On this day, the communication talisman vibrated slightly. He opened it and saw that it was a message from Guest Elder Chong.
“Talisman Master Shen, I’m going to hold a small banquet at Qingyang Lake in three days. At that time, there will be many delicacies and spirit wines. Do you want to come?”
Shen Ping hurriedly replied, “Senior Chong, you’re too polite. I’ll definitely be there!”
“Haha, good!” Guest Elder Chong was indeed straightforward, but he was also careful in his words. He gave Shen Ping enough respect. Although he was qualified to apply for the position of special-class guest elder, qualifications were only qualifications.
He did not become a special-class guest elder. He was only a third-grade guest elder at the late-stage of Qi Refinement.
Shen Ping knew this very well.
In the blink of an eye, three days passed. In order to be full of energy, he did not communicate with Yu Yan in the morning.
He changed into a brand new plain white embroidered silver robe. The jade bead at his waist was embedded in the belt at the side. He combed his hair a few times seriously. Wang Yun and Bai Yuying stood on both sides and carefully helped Shen Ping take care of it.
Yu Yan could not help but say, “Husband, I think it’s better if I don’t go to such an occasion. That’s a banquet for late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators. The participants will definitely be Foundation Establishment cultivators. It’s very difficult for me to resist the spiritual pressure. If the Foundation Establishment seniors deliberately restrain themselves, it will make people think that you’re too important.”
Shen Ping thought about it carefully and nodded. Yu Yan’s cultivation level was still a little low.
“Husband, do you want to wear a headpiece?”
“No, it’s too eye-catching. I just need to tie my hair up.”
“What about the shield?”
“I’ll put it in my storage bag.”
“What about the jade pendant?”
“I’ll hang on my waist like the guest elder’s wooden token.”
After his wife and concubines were satisfied, Shen Ping walked out of the courtyard. He arrived at the True Treasure Pavilion. Shopkeeper Qu, Guest Elder Zhen, and a few other Guest Elders with extraordinary strength were waiting. When they saw Shen Ping, they greeted him warmly. No one really treated him as a junior at the ninth level of Qi Refinement.
When they rushed to Qingyang Lake, Shopkeeper Qu said through voice transmission, “Talisman Master Shen, this small banquet hosted by Guest Elder Chong is mainly to celebrate his disciple’s Foundation Establishment. Therefore, to be honest, this small banquet is his disciple’s Foundation Establishment banquet. When the time comes, you can sit at the same table as me.”
Shen Ping knew that Shopkeeper Qu was flattering him. He hurriedly said, “Senior Qu, I’m only a guest at the ninth level of Qi Refinement. How can I sit with Senior Qu?”
“Don’t worry about it.” Shopkeeper Qu smiled. “Talisman Master Shen, don’t belittle yourself. Even if you didn’t become a special-class guest elder, with your Talisman Daoism standards, it won’t be difficult for you to become a second-class guest elder in the future.”
Shen Ping shook his head repeatedly and said with a bitter expression, “Senior Qu, don’t flatter me!”
Seeing Shen Ping like this, Shopkeeper Qu could not force it anymore. After leaving the city, he stepped onto the Dharma artifact and flew towards the East Lake of Qingyang Lake.
Not long after, Shen Ping saw a pleasure boat floating on the lake. This pleasure boat was exquisitely decorated and elegant. Moreover, there were detailed spirit patterns on the surface like the large flying ship of the True Treasure Pavilion. Clearly, there was an array engraving.
Swoosh! Swoosh!
A few rainbow lights fell from the pleasure boat from time to time. They were all cultivators who had participated in this small banquet. After Shen Ping and the others put away the Dharma artifact, Guest Elder Chong personally welcomed them and said with a straightforward smile, “Old Qu, where’s the good wine I asked you to bring?”
Shopkeeper Qu smiled and flipped his palm. The spirit wine sealed in the ancient jar was revealed. “Ice Dew Jade Treasure Wine.”
“Tsk tsk, I knew you had a treasure, Old Qu.. I can finally enjoy the spiritual wine that the Golden Core drank this time!”