Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Exotic Allure of Foreign Tribes
On the day the banquet concluded, the Ten Thousand Talisman Pavilion tribute arrived as promised.
Li Jizhou repeatedly declined the Patriarch of the Yang family’s gracious invitation and, as an Honored Guest Elder of the Ten Thousand Talisman Pavilion, left with Lu Zhenhua, bidding farewell to everyone from the Yang family.
"Big brother, you must stay in touch!" Wu Daniu, having untangled his grievances and received special praise from his clan thanks to Li Jizhou’s influential network, was now completely at ease and hoped Li Jizhou would achieve greater success in the future.
He wished for the blessings where one person’s success benefits all their kin.
He brought his beloved son, Yang Ziling, to Li Jizhou.
Yang Ziling held a crookedly sewn sachet in both hands, respectfully handing it to Li Jizhou: "Uncle Li, this is a token of my care, inside is my Peace Blessing, it will surely ensure you live longer than a turtle!"
Li Jizhou was both amused and exasperated, smiling as he glared at Wu Daniu.
This man, having developed so small cunning due to his childhood environnt, carefully concealed it beneath his honest appearance.
At this mont, he was even applying his cunning to forge an extraordinary emotional bond between his son and himself.
However, as a parent, such actions are quite understandable.
"Thank you, young Ziling, Uncle Li will strive to live longer than a turtle!" Li Jizhou gently patted Yang Ziling’s head.
Nonetheless, although Li Jizhou understood Wu Daniu’s intentions, he did not agree with them.
Nobody is obligated to help you,
Not to ntion future generations.
In the sa way, when soone harbors the thought of receiving help out of thin air, they’ve already fallen from grace.
Such people, if they receive help effortlessly, will think it’s due to their own social skills.
The mont they don’t get further help, they might even turn hostile.
These matters, he had experienced in a past life, and would not allow to happen again.
"Brother Ji, are you going to Golden Crow Immortal City? If I ever get the chance, I will co to find you and treat you to the most authentic Dragon and Tiger Battle at Dingxian Restaurant!" Yang Yutong asked expectantly.
Of course, her purpose in saying this was clear, she wanted to establish a connection with Li Jizhou, thereby providing a reason for her father to fund her trip to Golden Crow Immortal City, to once more savor the culinary delights she had described years ago as out of this world.
After all, this was an opportunity for the Yang family to connect with the Ten Thousand Talisman Pavilion, and they would surely agree.
Yet, unfortunately, Li Jizhou saw through her little sche in a heartbeat, and did not fulfill her wishes.
"Not yet!"
"What? Brother Ji, why aren’t you going to Golden Crow Immortal City?" The little girl panicked, quickly turning away from the Yang family, repeatedly winking at Li Jizhou.
Li Jizhou pretended not to notice, shaking his head again: "The Immortal City is large, but not easy to settle in; my cultivation is shallow, and my skills inadequate to establish myself."
Yang Yutong pouted, sulking at Li Jizhou’s lack of cooperation.
Li Jizhou, unwilling to delay further, clasped his fists towards everyone and said: "The Immortal Dao prospers, until we et again."
He then stepped onto the Ten Thousand Talisman Pavilion’s Flying Ship without looking back, heading eastward.
As the Flying Ship drifted farther, a graceful figure slowly erged on the Yang family’s Observatory Tower.
Her willow brows accumulated erald hue, apricot eyes glead with silver sparkle,
free of makeup, pure and refined.
Indeed, a stunning maiden in the bloom of youth.
She chuckled softly, shook her head, and turned to leave.
-----
On the Flying Ship,
"Brother, when we go to Golden Crow Immortal City, I will show you extraordinary delights!"
Lu Zhenhua had just probed the tribute for news.
He learned that the Pavilion held him in high regard for risking his life to protect their resources during the recent upheaval at Inverted Mountain.
Once he reports at the Immortal City, he might even receive Celestial Grace.
There was even talk that the Pavilion might engage in an extravagant gesture of rewarding loyalty and talent.
Since its inception, the Ten Thousand Talisman Pavilion has run smoothly, but the recent sudden change at Inverted Mountain was unprecedented.
During the communication last ti, Lu Zhenhua thoroughly reported the situation,
proving his adaptability and especially his loyalty.
Thus, at this mont, Lu Zhenhua was sowhat exuberantly indulgent!
Li Jizhou naturally overheard Lu Zhenhua’s exchange with the tribute guard, understanding his current mood.
Yet he waved his hand dismissively.
Before he could speak, Lu Zhenhua gripped his hand tightly, eyes sparkling, and whispered, "Brother, don’t rush to decline."
"Although there are nurous part-ti female cultivators at Inverted Mountain, including high-quality ones, there are no true beauties there."
"And I tell you, what I’m going to show you this ti is sothing beyond what you can imagine!"
Lu Zhenhua grew more mysterious, even a bit vulgar.
Li Jizhou, however, felt increasingly indifferent.
His indifference extended towards Lu Zhenhua as a person.
Though the road to immortality is long, food and desire are natural, not proven in the Dao still bound by human form, difficult to sever the seven emotions and six desires.
Moreover, the cycle of fulfillnt and lack, the full essence overflowing is also an aspect of Dao.
Hence, moderate balance of yin and yang is beneficial.
Li Jizhou was not adverse to fleeting connections if there were mutual attraction, willingness, initiative, and no future worries.
Even so playful indulgence, both parties reaching bliss, could be a delightful affair.
Yet, too much is excessive.
If one’s constant thoughts and desires revolve around pleasure,
how are they different from those enslaved by the Joyful Union Sect?
Of course, perhaps Lu Zhenhua is just a talker.
"Brother Lu, I appreciate your kindness, but I’ll pass this ti." Li Jizhou shook his head slightly.
"Hmm? Brother, you don’t have so hidden difficulty, do you?" Lu Zhenhua’s eyes widened in concern, looking at Li Jizhou’s lower region.
Li Jizhou cast him a faint glance, smiling softly inside.
I’ve ntioned I cultivate wood attribute techniques, vibrant and enduring vitality.
"Brother Lu misunderstood; I an there’s no opportunity for this now, maybe we’ll consider it when I have the chance to visit the Immortal City later!"
"What do you an, brother? You’re not coming to the Immortal City with ? Where are you going?" Lu Zhenhua exclaid in surprise.
"I’ve decided to settle in a market town where my current skills can sustain !" Li Jizhou didn’t hide it.
"You’re worried about the challenges of living in Golden Crow Immortal City? Haha, brother, leave this to ; when we get back, I’ll personally vouch for you and secure a superior position, ensuring you can reside and thrive in the Immortal City! Perhaps, in a few years, a senior in the Pavilion could find you a worthy partner for cultivation!" With rit under his belt, Lu Zhenhua spoke boldly.
"I appreciate Brother Lu’s kindness, but as I ntioned, I’m used to freedom and don’t adapt well to constraints." Li Jizhou declined.
"But..."
"Brother Lu, let’s not pursue this further; everyone has their own aspirations, cannot be forced." Li Jizhou firmly closed the discussion.
Lu Zhenhua’s gaze glimred, looking at Li Jizhou more sincerely.
Having narrowly escaped death before, he had contemplated Li Jizhou’s motives.
Facing thousands of resources without temptation, freely saving his life.
Especially considering Li Jizhou’s status and circumstances,
it seed sowhat unreal.
Thus, he concluded that perhaps Li Jizhou, upon leaving Inverted Mountain, had no family, nowhere to settle.
And the living expenses in the Immortal City market are quite high; given his current talisman crafting skills, he might struggle financially.
Hence his attempt to connect with Lu Zhenhua, relying on the Ten Thousand Talisman Pavilion to establish himself in the Immortal City.
But now... he realized he’d underestimated Li Jizhou.
Indeed, in the harsh world of cultivation, where the strong prey and fight over every bit, there was truly soone like Li Jizhou, inherently kind!
Thinking of this, his guilt deepened, quickly handing Li Jizhou a storage bag containing his personal Spirit Stones: "Brother, you saved my life; I should repay you with everything but these years I’ve been slowly preparing Foundation Establishnt Materials, and all I can offer now are these, for your imdiate needs."
"Please don’t refuse; otherwise, my heart would not be at ease!" Lu Zhenhua decisively stuffed it into Li Jizhou’s hands.
Li Jizhou slightly probed, finding it contained as many as three hundred Lower Grade Spirit Stones.
Equivalent to his entire fortune!
As a Shopkeeper of the Ten Thousand Talisman Pavilion, Lu Zhenhua earned about thirty Lower Grade Spirit Stones monthly; subtracting expenses, this was about two years of savings, indeed a heartfelt gesture.
"In that case, we’re even!" Li Jizhou no longer refused, opting to clear matters of that life-saving kindness with Lu Zhenhua.
"Even? Do you really think I, Lu, am only worth these Spirit Stones in your eyes?" Lu Zhenhua’s face instantly turned stern.
"Haha, my mistake, Brother Lu, don’t be offended!" Li Jizhou did not elaborate further and stored the Spirit Stones away.
Lu Zhenhua finally felt satisfied.
But then sighed softly: "Alas, it’s a pity; I originally planned to spend lavishly, taking you to the Immortal City to experience unique exotic wonders that many cultivators may never encounter in a lifeti, but it seems there won’t be an opportunity this ti!"
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