The teahouse is named "Ting Song," located halfway up the mountain, surrounded by openness on three sides, with windows that offer a view of distant mountains like ink.
Kong Ran reserved a private room here, and when Liu Fushu and Bai Jiyun entered at dawn, the room was already filled with the fragrant aroma of tea.
Kong Ran sat in the main seat, his apricot-yellow short jacket particularly bright in the morning light, his cheeks slightly reddened by the steam rising from the teacup.
"Brother Bai, Brother Liu, please be seated," Kong Ran invited.
The relationship between the three had grown much deeper than at the beginning of the Feiyun Conference, and Kong Ran behaved more casually.
Liu Fushu and Bai Jiyun responded with smiles, taking their seats.
The trio enjoyed the tea while appreciating the view.
Sunlight flowed through the carved windows, spreading a layer of golden fragments on the table. Outside, the distant mountains were shrouded in thin mist, resembling an unfinished ink painting, with clouds slowly drifting along the mountainside, as if a giant beast had slept through the night and was now turning.
The tea was freshly brewed "Green Brook Spring," with leaves unfolding like orchids in the green porcelain bowl, the tea bright like morning dew. Steam rose from the spout of the purple clay teapot, with the wisps of mist slowly ascending in the morning light.
Kong Ran put down his teacup and took out the invitation sent by Ning Zhuo: "You all received it, right? I’m going."
He was the first to express his intention.
Liu Fushu nodded: "Brother Ning’s vast righteous energy mands my admiration. To be invited by such a person, it would be disrespectful not to attend."
Bai Jiyun let the tea roll over his tongue before swallowing it: "Naturally, I will also go."
His nature was carefree and disengaged, quite different from Ning Zhuo, categorically mismatched.
"I enjoy exploring the world’s beauty. This Feiyun Conference, where talents, hermits, lords, and strong figures gather, each is a scenic view."
"Honestly, I am very much looking forward to tomorrow’s spectacle at the Heavenly Treasure Building. Such ’human scenery’ is a must-see."
Kong Ran chuckled: "The Confucian cultivators of Myriad Images Sect all admire Ning Zhuo. Though Ning Zhuo hasn’t practiced the Confucian Skill Method, he closely associates with us Confucian cultivators, almost like a half Confucian cultivator."
"He only has Foundation Establishment Cultivation but can stir up the storm, admired by Zhong Dao and Tuoba Huang, yet chooses to contend on Flowing Cloud Peak. That’s quite a different matter from the Feiyun Conference!"
"With such prospects and methods, even if he fails at Flowing Cloud Peak this time, he surely will achieve extraordinary acplishments in the future."
"Establishing friendly ties with him will certainly be beneficial."
"I’ve invited you two esteemed brothers to discuss what celebratory gift would be appropriate."
Ning Zhuo booked the Heavenly Treasure Building and arranged a feast, widely inviting fellow Daoists to witness the ceremony. So, according to etiquette, these cultivators should bring some gifts to celebrate.
Liu Fushu smiled: "I have already prepared."
He took out an item from his storage bag and gently placed it on the table.
It was a brush, at Magic Artifact Level.
"I crafted this myself," Liu Fushu stated.
At that moment, the morning light shone through the brush shaft, which appeared jade-like, with the bamboo texture clearly visible, each line extending along the shaft uniformly and intricately.
Bai Jiyun nodded: "A fine brush."
Although it was merely Magic Artifact Level, he could feel an overflow of Literary Energy.
This was a Wenbao!
Kong Ran looked at Bai Jiyun: "And yours?"
Bai Jiyun shook his head: "I haven’t yet decided."
He was always like this, naturally carefree and laid-back.
"If nothing else, I’ll pose a poem for him in Mingri Building tomorrow."
"And you?" Bai Jiyun asked Kong Ran.
Kong Ran took out a stack of paper.
The paper was slightly yellow, with a texture delicate as fat, faintly showing a flow of light on its surface. The corners were adorned with cloud patterns outlined in golden powder, lines as fine as hair yet clearly discernible. A subtle aroma of ink floated over the paper.
Liu Fushu’s pupils slightly expanded: "Is this official paper?"
Bai Jiyun was also drawn, adding: "And special-grade official paper at that!"
Kong Ran said: "This is used from my father’s study, an exclusive supply from the palace."
He clapped his hands and praised: "Inviting you two esteemed brothers was indeed wise. Given our gifts, why not present them together tomorrow?"
"Let Brother Bai pose on the official paper and give to Daoist Fellow Ning Zhuo, how about that?"
Liu Fushu’s eyes lit up: "That suggestion is splendid."
Bai Jiyun, meanwhile, felt the pressure as he touched the paper, smiling: "Such a proposal from Kong Ran forces me to seriously ponder and craft a poem worthy of this paper and pen."
Liu Fushu, always fond of Bai Jiyun’s poetry, couldn’t help but joyfully declare: "With the elder brother’s poetry, I eagerly anticipate tomorrow’s arrival!"
Che Zhuzi entered his Treasure Room.
Embedded in the vault’s dome were three hundred sixty Star Beads. Starlight spilled forth, brightening the octagonal chamber like daylight, devoid of any lamp’s harshness.
The floor was laid with Flowing Light Bricks, where from time to time, streams of blue Spirit Light meandered like a creek, or a snake, traveling from the east wall to the west and then back again, continuously, never ceasing.
Che Zhuzi stepped into the center of the Treasure Room, manipulating with Divine Sense, the surrounding eight bronze wall panels consecutively opened, revealing the treasures within.
"This time, Ning Zhuo stirred up the storm, intending to gather forces to seize Flowing Cloud Peak. Young people today are truly bold beyond measure!"
"Regardless of success or failure this time, it matters not. He possesses the Nanming Fire Furnace and is esteemed by Zhong Dao and Tuoba Huang, destined to bee a powerful figure within the sect."
"Most importantly... he has long been a major client of mine!"
The scene most vivid in Che Zhuzi’s memory was when, during a business transaction, Ning Zhuo directly took out a Golden Core as a deposit.
At that time, Ning Zhuo was calm, without a hint of blinking.
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