The Mulberry Gathering Concludes

Having successfully driven the fierce bear away, Chi Qiu allowed herself a brief moment to alleviate the stinging pain in her chest.

Without further delay, she hastened back to the edge of the formation, where she once more summoned the Night Ling Vines, resuming the intricate weaving of the protective wall.

Fortunately, once the formidable bear had retreated, no other demonic beasts of the Heart Scripture Realm dared to trespass upon the area.

This allowed Chi Qiu to maintain her defensive position, relying solely on the resilient Night Ling Vine wall.

Over an hour later, the black iron token clutched in Chi Qiu’s hand vibrated, and Le Shan’s voice resonated from within.

“Fellow Daoists, the mulberry sprouts have been fully harvested, and the demonic beasts shall retreat immediately. We extend our deepest gratitude for your invaluable assistance. A grand banquet will be held at the City Lord’s Manor shortly, and we earnestly request your esteemed presence.”

A wave of relief washed over Chi Qiu.

Peering through the sea of indigo flowers, she observed the demonic beasts indeed beginning their slow retreat.

Her gaze then shifted to the colossal mulberry tree. Its crown, once wreathed in ethereal energy, now appeared merely immense, devoid of its previous mystical aura.

It must be the disappearance of the giant mulberry’s anomaly that has prompted the demonic beasts to withdraw, Chi Qiu mused, nodding subtly to herself.

Chi Qiu remained still, refraining from any hasty actions, patiently waiting in her position.

Only when the very last minor demon had vanished from the indigo flower sea did she finally cease the activation of her divine ability, ‘Blooming Life’.

The Night Ling Vine wall before her dissolved rapidly, and the indigo flowers spanning a hundred zhang around her feet withered and perished just as swiftly.

A profound sense of disorientation washed over Chi Qiu. The sustained, high-intensity exertion of her divine ability had taken a considerable toll.

Fortunately, the divine ability ‘Blooming Life’ was exceptionally profound.

The exotic flora it conjured primarily drew upon the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, rather than the cultivator’s own internal reserves.

Had it been otherwise, Chi Qiu’s spiritual energy would have long since been depleted, rendering it impossible for her to sustain the ability for two full hours.

Chi Qiu meticulously wiped the demonic blood from her Azure Frost Sword against the withered grass, then slid the blade back into its sheath.

With her task complete, she made her way back to her personal residence.

Once back at her estate, Chi Qiu immediately dispatched Anling to summon Physician Wu Yuling.

Wu Yuling arrived in haste, conducting a thorough examination of Chi Qiu. She determined that there were no broken bones or torn tendons, and after prescribing a suitable remedy, she departed just as swiftly.

Chi Qiu took the prescription and handed it to Anling, who promptly left to procure the medicine.

Meanwhile, Chi Qiu refreshed herself at home, then changed back into her elegant silver Transcendent Skirt.

Once ready, she set off for the City Lord’s Manor to attend the much-anticipated banquet.

Upon reaching the City Lord’s Manor, Chi Qiu, having visited once before, no longer required a guard to guide her.

She navigated effortlessly to the Azure Grand Hall, where she found Le Shan seated cross-legged on the main dais, silently sipping wine.

Apart from him, the vast hall was utterly empty.

As Chi Qiu entered, Le Shan’s face lit up with pleasure. He set down his wine pot and rose to greet her.

“Fellow Daoist Chi, you arrived swiftly! I am deeply grateful for your invaluable assistance. Please, take a seat.”

“I merely performed my duty,” Chi Qiu replied, offering a respectful salute.

She then followed Le Shan into the grand hall, selecting an available seat.

Le Shan settled back into his seat on the main dais, then raised his wine cup, preparing to offer a toast to Chi Qiu.

“Fellow Daoist Chi, your strength is truly remarkable. The Sanwei Meeting has concluded, and most cultivators have returned bearing injuries. Yet, you alone are unscathed, arriving at my City Lord’s Manor for the banquet at the earliest moment. It seems I have indeed underestimated you, Fellow Daoist Chi.”

Chi Qiu, her spirits lifted, raised her own cup and drained it in a single gulp.

“It was merely a stroke of good fortune,” she replied, “I simply avoided encountering any truly formidable demonic beasts.”

Le Shan offered his praise without reservation, his words flowing freely.

“Fellow Daoist Chi, there is no need for such modesty. I have already dispatched my soldiers to clear the battlefield. The southern formation you guarded is covered in bloodstains, suggesting a truly fierce battle must have taken place there.”

“Yet, you, Fellow Daoist Chi, are completely unharmed. This can only be attributed to your exceptional strength, allowing you to repel such a multitude of demonic beasts.”

Chi Qiu simply smiled, offering no further reply.

Only after another half an hour did cultivators begin to trickle into the hall from outside.

Many were bandaged about the face, others limped, all bearing the clear marks of injury.

Their expressions turned to surprise as they spotted Chi Qiu, who had arrived early and remained entirely unscathed.

Another half an hour elapsed, and though it was well past noon, the cultivators had still not fully assembled.

Notably absent were the brown-robed elder and the man in the Taiji Daoist robe, both of whom had harbored animosity towards Chi Qiu just a few days prior.

Clap clap—

Le Shan clapped his hands from the main dais, a smile gracing his lips.

“Everyone who can attend is present. Those who have not arrived are seriously injured and unable to partake in the banquet.”

Having explained the reason for the fewer attendees, Le Shan then rose, raising his wine cup aloft.

“This Sanwei Meeting has concluded successfully,” he announced. “Though some fellow Daoists have sustained injuries, fortunately, none are severe, and all should recover within one or two months of rest.”

“To commemorate the triumphant conclusion of this gathering, I shall drink this cup first.” With those words, Le Shan drained his cup in a single motion.

Witnessing his action, the assembled guests likewise rose, emptying their own cups.

Le Shan refilled his cup once more, then turned to face Chi Qiu, Wang Ji, Chen Ya, and Ji Feng, raising his drink in their direction.

“It is entirely thanks to Fellow Daoists Wang Ji, Chen Ya, Ji Feng, and Chi Qiu, who bravely fought to the death against the demonic beasts, that this Sanwei Meeting had sufficient time to harvest every single tender sprout from the giant mulberry tree. I toast you four once more.”

He then drained his cup again.

Chi Qiu simply joined the others, drinking another cup alongside them.

Fortunately, cultivators were immune to intoxication, making the amount consumed entirely inconsequential.

After offering two toasts, Le Shan settled back into his main seat, then began to address the matter of remuneration—the topic of greatest interest to the assembled cultivators.

“Fellow Daoists, our Sang City has reaped a truly bountiful harvest this time, and your contributions are indispensable. The remuneration promised to each of you will naturally not be diminished by a single coin.”

“However, refining these mulberry sprouts into Sang Tea will require a few more days. All fellow Daoists are welcome to extend your stay in Sang City for a short while longer. Once the refining is complete, we will personally ensure the delivery of your rewards.”

“We naturally place our trust in City Lord Le, hahahahaha.”

“With City Lord Le’s assurance, our hearts are naturally put at ease.”

“Many thanks, City Lord Le…”

Upon hearing Le Shan’s words, the cultivators within the grand hall beamed with smiles, clasping their hands in respectful salutes and chuckling.

Le Shan let out a hearty laugh.

“Hahahaha, there’s no need for further pleasantries. Fellow Daoists have toiled all morning and must be ravenously hungry by now. I shall say no more; please, enjoy the banquet!”

He gestured towards the lavish spread of exquisite delicacies adorning the long tables, inviting everyone to partake freely.

At Le Shan’s words, Chi Qiu suddenly felt her stomach growling with hunger.

She reached for a spirit fruit on the rosewood table before her and began to gnaw on it with hearty, unrefined bites, entirely unconcerned with her image.

Throughout the banquet, Le Shan, whether by design or accident, made several mentions of the fierce battle that had raged in the southern formation where Chi Qiu was stationed.

This subtly yet effectively dissuaded any cultivators who might have harbored intentions of causing trouble for her.

Chi Qiu was profoundly grateful to Le Shan for this, understanding that an interrupted meal was hardly a pleasant affair.

The banquet continued for approximately two hours.

By the time the festivities concluded and Chi Qiu emerged from the grand hall, the sky was already beginning to yield to the encroaching twilight.

Chi Qiu exited the City Lord’s Manor and, after orienting herself, prepared to return to her own residence.

Just as she was about to depart, a figure stepped forward, blocking her path.

“Fellow Daoist Chi, please halt.”

Chi Qiu turned at the sound, recognizing Wang Ji, the young cultivator from Three Peaks Altar.

A subtle furrow appeared between her brows. She had once defeated a disciple from Three Peaks Altar during the Martial Arts Tournament.

Could Wang Ji be here to seek retribution, just as Zhong Jing had? she wondered.

No, that couldn’t be right.

If he intended revenge, he certainly wouldn’t accost me directly at the City Lord’s Manor entrance.

With this realization, Chi Qiu’s expression softened marginally, and she spoke, “Fellow Daoist Wang, is there something you require?”

Wang Ji leaned in closer to Chi Qiu, his voice hushed.

“Might I inquire, Fellow Daoist Chi, if you participated in the Martial Arts Tournament, and if you emerged victorious over a disciple of my Three Peaks Altar during that event?”

Chi Qiu subtly increased the distance between them, then nodded.

“That is indeed true,” she confirmed.

Hearing Chi Qiu confirm her participation in the Martial Arts Tournament, Wang Ji’s face lit up with surprise and delight. He immediately extended an invitation.

“Excellent! I heard that Fellow Daoist Chi is ranked seventh on the Daqi Heavenly Pride Rankings, yet you remain without a sect or faction. I wonder if Fellow Daoist Chi would be willing to join my Three Peaks Altar?”

“I have no intention of joining any aristocratic family or sect,” Chi Qiu stated.

“Thank you for your kind offer, but I must take my leave.”

Possessing a rare divine ability and still lacking sufficient personal strength, Chi Qiu naturally would not casually align herself with any sect or aristocratic family.

With a respectful bow, she turned and departed, allowing Wang Ji no further opportunity to speak.

Wang Ji remained rooted to the spot, his hand reaching out towards Chi Qiu’s receding figure, only to halt awkwardly in mid-air.

She just refused so straightforwardly?

Wang Ji mumbled to himself, his gaze fixed on Chi Qiu until she vanished from his sight.

Five days later, a knock echoed at the gate of Chi Qiu’s residence.

Anling stepped out to investigate, discovering that Ding Shi had come to visit.

Chi Qiu’s face brightened with joy as she emerged to greet him.

She had, a few days prior, entrusted Ding Shi with the task of acquiring a movement technique for her, and his current visit strongly suggested he had made progress.

Chi Qiu ushered Ding Shi into the main hall.

“Steward Ding, please have a seat. Anling, tea.”

Ding Shi politely declined the tea Anling offered.

“No need, Fellow Daoist Chi. I have urgent matters to attend to; I will simply leave what you requested and depart.”

He retrieved a brocade pouch from his pocket and placed it on the table.

“This contains ten liang of Sang Tea, your remuneration from the Sanwei Meeting. It was just refined and delivered, see, it’s still warm.”

Upon seeing the familiar brocade pouch, Chi Qiu had already guessed its contents. She picked it up, and indeed, it was still warm to the touch.

Ding Shi then produced a crystal tablet.

“This is the movement technique you asked me to find, Fellow Daoist. It is called the Seven Stars Step, a seventh-grade secret art, which should meet your requirements.”

This tablet possessed the wondrous ability to record the flow of spiritual and true energy, making it ideal for documenting secret arts.

Chi Qiu was naturally delighted to hear it was a seventh-grade secret art.

“Many thanks, Steward Ding. What is the value of this Seven Stars Step? I will pay you now.”

Ding Shi rose and waved his hand, refusing Chi Qiu’s offer.

“No need for payment. This is a gift from our City Lord, intended as a gesture of friendship.”

“This…” Chi Qiu hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty crossing her face.

Seeing her hesitation, Ding Shi offered reassurance.

“Fellow Daoist Chi, there’s no need to be so polite. City Lord Le knows that the cultivation method you practice seems to be related to the stars and moon, so he specifically sought out this Seven Stars Step to present to you.

“It is his way of thanking you for resisting the demonic beasts with your Spirit Nourishing cultivation.”

“I have already received Sang Tea as remuneration; why bestow another secret art?” Chi Qiu, ever cautious, was wary of benefits whose true intentions were unclear.

Ding Shi stroked his grizzled beard and chuckled.

“Fellow Daoist, there is no need for suspicion. This year’s mulberry sprout harvest was exceptionally good, and City Lord Le has significantly increased everyone’s remuneration.

“However, considering you already possess a considerable amount of Sang Tea, more would be of little use, so he decided to substitute it with this method instead.”

“Is that so… Then please convey my thanks to City Lord Le.” Chi Qiu accepted the Seven Stars Step, expressing her gratitude.

Ding Shi nodded in satisfaction upon seeing Chi Qiu accept the Seven Stars Step.

“Excellent. I have other urgent matters, so I shall take my leave first.”

He then turned and hastily departed from the main hall.

“Steward Ding, take care.”

Clutching the Seven Stars Step, Chi Qiu felt a pang of uncertainty regarding this sudden show of goodwill.

She paced the great hall for a while, finally making up her mind to depart from Sang City immediately and continue her journey.

This way, even if Le Shan harbored ulterior motives, she would be far away from Sang City by then.