The next morning, when Lin Fuqing woke up, the millet boat had already arrived at Liuhua Continent.
He calmly washed up, changed his clothes, tied his hair, grabbed his sword, and got off the flying boat with his fellow junior brothers and sisters.
Ye Huaguo and Shen Xiaojiang had difficulties standing upright the moment their feet touched the ground. They both opened their mouths and said, “Oh my God…”
Cultivators could fly their swords thousands of miles away, and one continent was often equivalent to a city in the mortal world. Liuhua Continent was the most prosperous in the immortal world, with soft red fragrant soil everywhere, dazzling foreign guests.
There was a shocking array of red bricks and green tiles, and the flying eaves and brackets were dazzling. The main street was connected to the alleys, and the teahouse was connected to the tavern. It was all well connected, with heavy traffic, and it was very lively early in the morning.
The streets were crowded with people, including cultivators with swords and long knives, noble men and ladies holding spiritual beasts, and almost no mortals were seen.
The vendors at the roadside stalls were very smart. They knew how to take advantage of the Golden Osmanthus Challenge and started shouting loudly from the morning market:
“Fire talisman! The best fire talisman!”
“A three-tailed mink that has just awakened its spiritual power! You can take it away for only 800 taels of spirit stones!”
“My Lord Immortal! Take a look at this Qi-restoring pill, which was made by the medical immortals of Furong Pavilion—”
………
Song Youdu recited a few words and pointed at the huge wooden boat behind him. “Collect!”
The giant boat, which was several stories high, folded and shrank rapidly, and the young tool cultivator placed it into his Qiankun bag.
“We’ve arrived early,” Xun Mingsi said. “The Golden Osmanthus Challenge will begin tomorrow.”
Lin Fuqing said, “Then let’s play for a day first.”
Xun Mingsi smiled. “That’s good. We’re invited by the Golden Osmanthus Palace, so we don’t have to worry about where to stay.”
The Golden Osmanthus Palace had always been very grand, and the guests invited were always provided with food and lodging.
As luck would have it, when he finished speaking, a handsome monk in a golden, sleeveless top approached him and started a conversation. He bowed respectfully and said, “Forgive me for being impolite, but may I ask if you are the guests invited by the Golden Osmanthus Palace?”
Fang Zhiyuan, who had been silent the whole time, suddenly raised his eyes. Lin Fuqing understood and took out the fragrant osmanthus flower from his Qiankun bag. “Yes.”
The monk quickly bowed again and said, “Excuse me, may I ask the names of the immortals and their masters?”
Lin Fuqing understood that this monk must be a disciple sent by the Golden Osmanthus Palace to receive guests, and he had probably been eyeing them since their millet boat had landed.
It was just that the Xuyun’s disciples remained isolated on the island all year round, so no one outside recognized or knew them. Fifth Song’s dragon head millet boat also didn’t display a sect symbol, and so the monk had to ask this question.
The Golden Osmanthus Palace was worthy of its name, and this big brother of the immortal realm was an apt representative.
Just looking at the manners and behaviors of this palace disciple only made one admire them more.
Xun Mingsi returned the greeting. “We dare not accept. We are all from Taiqing Island.”
Unexpectedly, the monk was shocked when he heard this. “Ah, could it be that you are the little immortals from the four peaks of Xuyun?!”
“I apologize for neglecting our distinguished guests.” He bowed for the third time, this time deeper than the previous two times, and his tone changed from politeness to complete respect.
Lin Fuqing frowned slightly, inwardly puzzled.
He felt that this reception was somewhat strange. Although Xuyun had a powerful master behind them, it wasn’t to the point that the Golden Osmanthus Palace would be so humble toward them…
After this, the monk led them to the most luxurious inn in Liuhua Continent.
Indeed, quite a few prominent young cultivators were gathered here. They were sitting in groups of three or four in the downstairs area, discussing all kinds of things and fermenting an atmosphere of impending storm.
The rooms reserved for the disciples of Xuyun Sect were all top-grade. Considering Yin Changxin’s strengths and the talents of several of the sect’s disciples, this was not surprising.
But then, something strange happened again.
Before leaving, the monk said, “Our leader has given special instructions that the people of Xuyun are our most distinguished guests. During your stay in Liuhua Continent, if there are any inconveniences, no matter how big or small, please send a letter post haste to the Golden Osmanthus Palace. We will do our best to help you. Please do not be polite.”
“…….”
After sending the monk away and closing the door, Lin Fuqing looked at Fang Zhiyuan suspiciously. “What happened to the agreement that…the Golden Osmanthus Palace is always fair and impartial?”
Fang Zhiyuan sneered. “You’re asking me?”
He wasn’t the current Golden Osmanthus Palace master!
Naturally, the others didn’t understand the hidden meanings between their words. They just thought that their second shixiong was finding faults again and using it to bully their da shixiong, which was something that they’re already used to.
Xun Mingsi quickly stepped forward to smooth things over. “Forget it, the current Immortal Sovereign Lu has always been known as a chivalrous man. It’s impossible for him to have any intentions towards us. Since we’re here, we should just make the best of it and see how things develop.”
It would have been better if Third Xun hadn’t said this. As soon as he mentioned the name Lu Kuifu, Lin Fuqing and Fang Zhiyuan’s expressions became even more strange.
Who would have expected—
The current leader of the immortal way and the master of the Golden Osmanthus Palace, Lu Kuifu, was at the peak of the Tribulation Crossing and one of the most powerful beings in the immortal world!
Who would have imagined that, in the immortal calamity three years later, such a powerful figure that was fanatically admired by everyone would lose most of his cultivation, fall into the devil’s path, and become the right protector who loyally followed the young demon lord of Snow Bone City?
Lin Fuqing thought about it and found it a bit funny.
Did he have a physique that was specifically designed to absorb the leader of the immortal cultivators?
One of them gave up being the Immortal Sovereign and followed him, and the other gave up being the Immortal Sovereign to save him…
However, what Third Xun had said made sense, and they couldn’t figure out the reason anyway, so they decided to put the matter behind them for now.
All Song Youdu thought about was refining tools, so he remained in his room.
Shen Xiaojiang was already nervous about leaving the island, and fearing that his low cultivation level would make him lose face for Xuyun Sect, he also hid in his room to meditate and practice.
Ye Huaguo really wanted to go and watch the fun, but she was too timid to go out alone. Initially, she had wanted to stick with Lin Da Shixiong, but Fang Zhiyuan’s warning look frightened her to tears. In the end, she pestered Xun Mingsi into taking her out to play.
Lin Fuqing pulled his shidi’s sleeve and said, “Well, now that we’re here, why don’t you come and accompany me for a walk?”
Fang Zhiyuan then took his wrist and said, “Let’s go.”
After leaving the inn, Fang Zhiyuan pushed Lin Fuqing through many turns until they finally entered a narrowed, empty alley. He then pressed his shige’s right shoulder, pushing him against the wall. “Shige, don’t move.”
The alley was half in shadow, and their surroundings were cloaked in silence. The two of them were very close to each other in this posture, making their figures seem a little ambiguous.
Lin Fuqing was completely enveloped by the shadow cast by his shidi. He blinked and smiled, looking at the man leisurely to see what he was planning to do.
Fang Zhiyuan narrowed his eyes, slowly stretched out a hand, and brushed it across Lin Fuqing’s face. “Don’t move, a small spell.”
Spiritual energy passed by, but Lin Fuqing felt nothing. Fang Zhiyuan casted a water mirror spell and said, “Take a look.”
Lin Fuqing took a quick look and found that although his reflected face still had very handsome features, it was no longer the same as before.
He was somewhat pleased but also somewhat surprised. “A spell? You can even learn this unconventional trick.”
Fang Zhiyuan snorted and laughed, “You can say that. Back then, I had to take a big devil around with me and hide from place to place.”
As he spoke, he cast a spell to change his appearance. Then he took Lin Fuqing’s hand and said, “Let’s go.”
Cultivators underwent a cleansing of their meridians and marrow, and as a result, their appearances were generally not bad. However, the two of them were originally considered very handsome when compared to other cultivators. Now that they had changed their appearances, they no longer drew so much attention when walking down the street, which was indeed a lot more comfortable.
The streets were bustling with people. Fang Zhiyuan had become accustomed to protecting Lin Fuqing, and so he subconsciously blocked the flow of people for him. The latter was happy to sneak around and look at the stalls and vendors.
In fact, Lin Fuqing had already seen all kinds of treasures in his previous life. There was nothing good here that could really pique his interest. His enthusiasm was just to create a lively atmosphere.
For the most part, they just looked and didn’t buy, and even if they bought something, it was mostly snacks.
After walking for a while, they came upon a busy avenue that stretched as far as the eye could see. A strange building built in the shape of a toad was shining brightly, which was extremely eye-catching.
Lin Fuqing’s eyes lit up, and he thought it was very interesting. He asked seriously, “Could that vulgar toad be the Golden Toad House, which is said to be the richest in the Immortal Realm?”
Vulgar toad…Okay. Fang Zhiyuan suppressed his laughter and nodded, saying, “Correct. This street is the main thoroughfare of Liuhua Continent. There will be a night market at sunset, and the Golden Toad House will have an auction to sell all kinds of good things.”
“Even if you don’t buy anything, there will be lights hanging on the streets for a month before and after the Golden Osmanthus Challenge. It’ll be good to go and take a look.”
Liuhua Continent was prosperous and colorful. Since they had a rare moment of leisure, they spent it strolling around until sunset.
Lin Fuqing calculated that time was almost up, so he sent a paper goose to Xun Mingsi and Ye Huaguo, asking them to come and take a look at the underground auction at the Golden Toad House.
The Golden Toad House was the largest chamber of commerce in the Immortal Realm, with branches all over the place. It was said that as long as you have enough money, you can even buy the magic weapons used by Mahayana cultivators. It was a veritable “treasure chest” for cultivators.
When Third Xun and Fourth Ye found the corresponding private room, their Lin Da Shixiong was holding a bag of melon seeds, cracking them while seriously discussing with Fang Shixiong the meaningless question of “which one is richer, the Golden Toad House or the Golden Osmanthus Palace.”
“……..”
Xun Mingsi had a strange look on his face.
In the past, their second shixiong had always been extremely disdainful of these kinds of playing and strolling around, but unexpectedly… he’d actually played with their da shixiong for a whole day without even practicing his swordsmanship!
There was indeed something fishy going on, something incredibly fishy!