Liang Country is vast, comprising thirty-two Prefectures.
Each Prefecture governs six to eight Commanderies, and each Commandery encompasses over ten counties.
Of course, the above does not include Immortal Family blessed lands.
The Spirit Steed was very fast.
In less than a month, the two arrived at Hengshui Prefecture.
Hengshui City is the political center of the Prefecture, embracing three rivers and five lakes, with well-developed water resources.
To enter the city, a travel permit was required, and Li Ergou took out the Little Marquis’s token.
“Brother Lu, Brother Li!”
Before long, Little Marquis Lin Yi actively came out to greet them.
The three rode in a luxurious carriage and entered Hengshui Prefecture City.
“For this appointment, I booked the Heaven-rank Room No. 1 in Juxian Tower for two months.”
Lin Yi, dressed in luxurious brocade robes, with sword-like brows and sharp eyes, had shed some of his youthful sharpness from three years ago, gaining more straightforwardness and enthusiasm.
“Brother Lin, we’re not late, are we?” Lu Chang’an said with a smile.
“Not at all! You arrived earlier than I expected. Zhao Siyao mentioned in her letter that she would arrive in Hengshui Prefecture within the next two days.”
Although it was called a three-year appointment, it had already exceeded three years by some time.
That evening, Lin Yi generously hosted the two at Wanghou Manor.
Two days later.
Lin Yi received news that Zhao Siyao had arrived at Hengshui Prefecture.
Finally.
The several Immortal Sprouts who had left Hengshui Prefecture three years ago reunited at their original starting point.
...
Hengshui Prefecture, the Heaven-rank private room of Juxian Tower.
Zhao Siyao, Lin Yi, Lu Chang’an, Li Ergou, and Xia Feilun gathered at one table for the first time.
Xia Feilun was also an Immortal Sprout from Hengshui Prefecture; he was introverted and dull in personality back then and hadn't integrated into their circle.
This person had ordinary Aptitude and barely passed the assessment. After entering Golden Cloud Valley, he was fortunate enough to become an Alchemist’s apprentice.
Originally, Xia Feilun was not part of the three-year appointment.
Given his identity as an Alchemy apprentice, Lin Yi tentatively invited him, not expecting him to actually show up.
“Miss Zhao, there’s no need to decline! In the Cultivation World, strength is paramount. Please take the main seat.”
After some polite refusals, Zhao Siyao finally took the main seat.
Today, three years later.
Zhao Siyao was eighteen years old, dressed in a goose-yellow long dress, with a graceful figure and a beautiful, picturesque face.
With every move and smile, she exuded an air of peerless beauty.
Upon their first sight of her, Lin Yi and Li Ergou could not hide the amazement on their faces.
When they last met, Zhao Siyao was fifteen, slender and graceful, already a budding beauty.
Among the four, Zhao Siyao had changed the most, both in appearance and inner demeanor.
Qi Refining Third Layer Peak.
Her current Cultivation was even slightly superior to Lin Yi’s.
Although she was only one layer higher in Cultivation than Li Ergou, the gap between them was more than just one or two years.
This was because the Qi Refining Third Layer Peak faced a Bottleneck, and the next step was to break through to the Qi Refining Middle Stage.
This Bottleneck period required a period of refinement.
“Although Zhao Siyao’s Spiritual Root Aptitude is also Medium Grade, her Spiritual Root sensitivity is as high as thirty-six, close to High Grade Spiritual Root.”
Lu Chang’an recalled Zhao Siyao’s Aptitude during the first stage of the Sect assessment.
Lu Chang’an’s Fire Spiritual Root had a sensitivity barely over twenty, just qualifying as a Medium Grade Spiritual Root. The Cultivation Technique he used was for Wood Spiritual Root, with a sensitivity of seventeen.
The difference between the two was like heaven and earth.
Not to mention, Zhao Siyao had become an Inner Sect Disciple of Golden Cloud Valley, and the gap would only widen in the future.
If Lu Chang’an were just an ordinary Cultivator, he probably wouldn't be able to catch up to her in this lifetime.
...
Li Ergou’s transformation was second only to Zhao Siyao’s.
Upon learning of Ergou’s treatment in the Mu Family, Zhao Siyao, Lin Yi, and Xia Feilun were all amazed.
Who would have thought that a simple, uncultured farm boy, lacking both knowledge and talent, would thrive in a Cultivation Family in just three short years?
Lin Yi, being the illegitimate son of a Marquis, even felt a bit envious and jealous.
Three years ago, he was seventeen and had just entered Qi Refining Third Layer, having spent a large amount of Wanghou Manor’s wealth and connections.
Later, he “failed” the Sect assessment, and Marquis Guang’an was very disappointed in him.
From then on, he lost significant support.
In the mundane world of the Spirit-poor Land, Lin Yi’s Aptitude was ordinary, and his Cultivation progress was as slow as a snail.
After three years, he still hadn't reached Qi Refining Third Layer Peak, and Li Ergou was about to catch up to him.
“However, Lu Chang’an, with a Medium Grade Spiritual Root, isn’t doing so well either.”
Lin Yi felt a little better as his gaze swept over Lu Chang’an.
“Brother Lu, your Aptitude is far superior to Li Ergou’s. Since you’re in the same Family, why have you fallen into such a predicament?”
Xia Feilun said with a slight smile, feigning surprise.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Siyao and Lin Yi frowned slightly.
Xia Feilun’s tone seemed like friendly banter. In reality, he wasn’t familiar with Lu Chang’an at all and had barely exchanged two words with him before.
Li Ergou was displeased: “Surname Xia! What do you mean by that? Brother Lu just doesn’t want to enter…”
“Brother Lu has his reasons, no need to say more.”
Zhao Siyao’s pair of clear, beautiful eyes fell upon Lu Chang’an’s face, a hint of concern flashing through them.
In fact, Zhao Siyao and the other two could roughly guess Lu Chang’an’s current situation.
“I misspoke. I’ll replace wine with tea and drink first as a toast.”
Xia Feilun laughed awkwardly, afraid of displeasing Zhao Siyao, and said no more.
At this gathering, Xia Feilun didn’t pay much attention to Lu Chang’an and the other two, only being polite to Zhao Siyao and occasionally showing eagerness.
“It’s just a simple ‘Brother Lu’.”
Lu Chang’an felt extremely speechless.
His senses were keen; Xia Feilun hadn’t paid much attention to him when he first arrived.
Only after hearing Zhao Siyao’s “Brother Lu” did his expression change for an instant.
This was only natural.
Three years ago, Zhao Siyao could already attract Little Marquis Lin Yi. What more of today’s heavenly maiden, whose beauty was extraordinary and ethereal?
Lin Yi felt a pang of bitterness in his heart; he no longer dared to harbor any hopes for Zhao Siyao.
However, Xia Feilun, as an Alchemy apprentice, had the potential to become an Alchemist. Being in Golden Cloud Valley, he had a chance to pursue her.
Alchemists were considered paramount among the hundred arts of Cultivation.
...
Next, Xia Feilun spoke little. The atmosphere of this three-year appointment gradually became harmonious.
They exchanged Cultivation insights, discussed strange tales and anecdotes of Sects and the Cultivation World…
The banquet continued until evening, entering its final stages.
“Miss Zhao, now that you and I are both Cultivators, there’s no need to maintain worldly titles. In the future, why don’t we address each other as Fellow Daoist?”
Lu Chang’an proactively suggested.
This suggestion conformed to the customs of the Cultivation World.
Zhao Siyao, in terms of both Cultivation and status, far surpassed him.
Without a blood relation, continuing to address him as Brother Lu would no longer be appropriate.
As Zhao Siyao became increasingly outstanding.
Those continuous calls of “Brother Lu” would undoubtedly attract a lot of animosity.
An unintentional act could lead to life-threatening danger.
“My Lifespan is abundant in this life, and I operate steadily. Building connections is good, but I shouldn't invite trouble because of this little girl’s address.”
It wasn’t that Lu Chang’an was afraid of Xia Feilun, but rather that this incident had made him vigilant.
“Alright, Daoist Lu.”
Zhao Siyao was silent for a moment, understood Lu Chang’an’s thoughts, and gave him a deep look.
This address, “Daoist Lu.”
When it reached Lu Chang’an’s ears, it carried a little less intimacy than before.
Seeing this, Xia Feilun revealed a reserved smile, satisfied with Lu Chang’an’s “understanding.”
“Brother Lu, if you ever need cheap Medicinal Pills in the future, you can buy them from me. I’ll give you a ten percent discount!”
Xia Feilun proactively offered goodwill.
Zhao Siyao hesitated, then thought about it and didn’t stop him.
Cheap Medicinal Pills?
Lu Chang’an sneered inwardly, guessing the other party’s intentions.
As an Alchemy apprentice, Xia Feilun often received some substandard or even waste Medicinal Pills.
These might be rewards that the Alchemist didn’t want, or perhaps failed attempts from his own practice.
Such Medicinal Pills, besides having poor efficacy, contained high levels of pill toxins, and Sect Cultivators generally looked down on them.
However, these Medicinal Pills were cheap.
Selling them to Loose Cultivators outside the Sect, or to Families with limited financial resources, still had a certain market.
“Thank you for your kindness, Brother Xia, but unfortunately, I am short on funds and cannot afford Spirit Pills.”
Lu Chang’an said with a bitter smile.
He was telling the truth; he didn’t have a single Spirit Stone on hand.
“If you don’t have Spirit Stones, you can borrow from Ergou! Your relationship is so solid…” Xia Feilun chuckled, unconcerned.
He had a batch of inferior Medicinal Pills and needed someone to take them off his hands.
If sold in bulk to professional immortal shops, the profit margin would be relatively low.
Selling directly to Cultivators could earn a bit more.
If he managed to trick a wealthy simpleton, it would be a huge profit.
“May I ask about the quality of the Medicinal Pills Brother Xia sells, and if they can be traded for worldly goods?”
Lin Yi was quite tempted upon learning about the cheap Medicinal Pills.
“I don’t accept worldly gold or silver! Only Spirit Stones or Cultivation resources can be exchanged.”
Xia Feilun glanced at Lin Yi, his tone slightly disdainful.
The tables had turned.
Back then, on the way to the assessment, Lin Yi, relying on his background and Cultivation, had somewhat looked down on him.
Today, three years later, Lin Yi was no longer in his sight.
Lin Yi gave an awkward smile; facing Xia Feilun, an Alchemy apprentice from a Sect, he dared not offend him in the slightest.
Xia Feilun, if he became an Alchemist in the future, would be a great figure they needed to look up to.
Fortunately, Lu Chang’an spoke up at the right time, helping Lin Yi out of his predicament:
“By the way, Brother Lin, you are considered a local expert in the Hengshui Prefecture area. Do you know where there are places for Cultivators to trade?”
Lu Chang’an had some Talismans to sell and planned to find a place to earn some Spirit Stones.
He could also trade within the Mu Family, but he couldn’t reveal his identity as a Talisman Master too quickly.
A year ago, he bought Talisman-drawing Materials from Mu Xiuyun. From a newcomer to the Dao of Talismans, becoming an official Talisman Master required a gradual process.
“There’s a trade fair organized by Loose Cultivators in the Hengshui Prefecture area, and there happens to be one this month. If Brother Lu needs it, I can help with an introduction.”
Lin Yi replied enthusiastically, giving him a grateful look.
Lu Chang’an nodded: “Then I’ll trouble Brother Lin.”