A Fated Encounter

Upon entering the private room, Liu Xiaolou was stunned. It wasn't just him; his "good friend" in the room was also taken aback.

Tan Bazhang, with a chicken foot stuffed in his mouth, stared back at Liu Xiaolou.

"This is Brother Tan Bazhang from Tan Family Manor. He's quite famous for his Water-Fire Staff and the Eight Forms of Spirit Birds! Brother Tan, this is Liu Xiaolou, the sect leader of the Three Xuan Sect, whom I mentioned to you before. He's already a sect leader at such a young age, haha!"

Liu Xiaolou coughed dryly and cupped his hands in greeting, "Brother Tan, what a coincidence to meet after traveling a thousand miles."

The half-eaten chicken foot fell from Tan Bazhang's mouth. He finally came to his senses and cupped his fists, saying, "Indeed, what a coincidence, what a coincidence."

Wei Hongqing said joyfully, "So you two already know each other? That's great, great. It saves me the trouble of introductions."

As they spoke, a pot of Bamboo Leaf Green was brought in by a waiter. Wei Hongqing arranged for some leftover dishes to be cleared and two new ones added. He poured a full cup for Liu Xiaolou, and the three raised their cups and drank.

Bamboo Leaf Green was a fine spirit wine. Liu Xiaolou had asked about it outside; a pot of less than half a pound cost twenty taels. But there was a reason for the high price. After a cup, the spiritual energy contained within was much richer than the spirit wine he had drunk earlier.

"Brother Wei, have you struck it rich?" Liu Xiaolou asked.

Wei Hongqing waved his hand, "Just a little bit of wealth, not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning."

Although he said it wasn't worth mentioning, he went on to briefly recount his experiences over the past six months. After leaving Wulong Mountain, he had planned to travel a thousand miles away. When he passed through the blessed land of Tianmu Mountain, he stayed for a few days, hoping to find some opportunities from the Lu clan, who occupied Tianmu Mountain. To his surprise, he did find an opportunity and made a fortune.

As for what the opportunity was and how much he made, Wei Hongqing didn't elaborate.

When he went out again to hurry the food and drinks, Liu Xiaolou and Tan Bazhang exchanged glances. Liu Xiaolou broke the awkward silence, asking, "Brother Tan, what's Brother Wei's connection with the Lu clan?"

Tan Bazhang whispered, "I don't know either, but with his philandering nature, who doesn't he provoke women wherever he goes? It's probably related to women. Hey? Brother Liu, your appearance is no less than Hongqing's. In the future, perhaps..." he chuckled.

Liu Xiaolou adjusted his hair with the edge of his palm, humbly saying, "Brother Tan is joking."

Tan Bazhang picked up a chicken foot and put it in his mouth, then picked up another and offered it to Liu Xiaolou, "These claws taste good, they're delicious. Brother, try them."

Just as they were talking, Wei Hongqing's hearty laughter sounded from outside the curtain again, "Hahahaha, Brother Zuo, you've arrived at just the right time. Let me introduce two good friends to Brother Zuo..."

The door curtain was lifted, and Wei Hongqing pulled someone in. Who else could it be but Zuo Gaofeng, whom they had parted ways with at noon?

The chicken claws that Liu Xiaolou and Tan Bazhang had been gnawing on for less than two bites suddenly dropped to the ground.

Zuo Gaofeng blinked his eyes, stunned for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter, "What a coincidence to meet after traveling a thousand miles! Brothers, I've truly missed you all, hahahaha!"

"Indeed, what a coincidence, what a coincidence!"

"That's right, it's truly too coincidental..."

Wei Hongqing asked, "Oh? You three know each other?"

Zuo Gaofeng said with a hint of annoyance, "When Brother Wei was wandering the world, we gathered at Ghost Dream Cliff to see him off."

Wei Hongqing understood. After he left, these friends must have gotten together and kept in touch. He chuckled, "Then it truly is fate."

Tan Bazhang picked up a chicken claw, put it in Zuo Gaofeng's mouth, "Chieftain Zuo, try this."

Seeing the three of them busy gnawing on chicken claws, Wei Hongqing also picked one up, "Are they that delicious?"

The three of them, while chewing, said in unison, "Delicious!"

After eating the chicken claws, the awkwardness gradually dissipated, and the atmosphere became lively. They asked Wei Hongqing the purpose of his invitation. Wei Hongqing said, "We're still waiting for one more friend. We'll discuss everything once he arrives."

"Is Brother Wei inviting the Western Mountain Hermit?"

"Or the Lingling Guest?"

"It shouldn't be the Lingling Guest."

Wei Hongqing exclaimed in surprise, "How did you brothers guess? It is indeed the Hermit."

He then added disdainfully, "We're about to do something big. People like the Lingling Guest are too calculating and cannot be involved in such plans."

Tan Bazhang smiled, "We rogue cultivators, what big things are we talking about? We're grateful just to be able to make a living."

Zuo Gaofeng said, "Why be so self-deprecating? We cultivators of Wulong Mountain, can't we do great things?"

Then, everyone started discussing recent interesting events in the cultivation world. Wei Hongqing said, "Speaking of big things, there really is one. Have you all heard? It seems the Heavenly Tome has descended again."

Everyone had heard of the Heavenly Tome, including Liu Xiaolou.

His master had mentioned it to him before his death. It was said that the Heavenly Tome was the greatest secret in the cultivation world. Some said that the Heavenly Tome recorded the cultivation methods for achieving immortality; some said that the Heavenly Tome was a map marking the ruins of ancient immortals and gods; others said that the Heavenly Tome was the recipe for an immortal pill, and by refining it, one could ascend to the heavens in broad daylight; still others said that the Heavenly Tome itself was an immortal artifact, and possessing it would make one invincible.

Zuo Gaofeng frowned, "The so-called Heavenly Tome, the legends are extremely mysterious. I believe it's just hearsay and not to be trusted."

Tan Bazhang disagreed with his view, shaking his head, "If it's all hearsay, then how did True Lord Tong of the Weiyu Xianghe Sect achieve immortality three hundred years ago? Pei Qingling of the Xixuan Longtu Pavilion two hundred years ago? Tang Lan of the Emei Sect a hundred years ago?"

Zuo Gaofeng retorted, "That's precisely where the hearsay lies. In my opinion, True Lord Tong, Pei Qingling, and Tang Lan all ascended. Where is this talk of achieving immortality? If they truly achieved immortality, why haven't they left any immortal traces?"

Tan Bazhang replied, "If they achieved immortality, why would they still remain in the mortal world? What do you think, Brother Liu?"

Liu Xiaolou said with a wry smile, "How would I know? It's all just rumors, and no one has ever seen it. They say all these powerful figures achieved their status by obtaining the Heavenly Tome, and their cultivation path became unparalleled. I wonder if it's true?"

"It's true!"

"It's false!"

"How can it be false?"

"Have you seen it? It's just a rumor!"

"Otherwise, why would their cultivation be so high? Is it due to talent? I believe my talent is no less than anyone else's! Or do you think your own aptitude is dull, Brother Zuo?"

"That's a different matter..."

While they were arguing, the Western Mountain Hermit arrived. As soon as he entered, he stroked his beard and smiled, "I calculated it with my fingers and knew you all must be here. Brothers, are you discussing the Heavenly Tome? I have heard some rumors that the Emei Sect recently refined a God Transformation Pill, following the recipe recorded in the Heavenly Tome..."

At this point, even Liu Xiaolou couldn't stand it, and together with Zuo Gaofeng and Tan Bazhang, they booed, "You're going too far, it's not credible."

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Wei Hongqing closed the door tightly, looking quite pleased with himself. "What Heavenly Tome, what God Transformation Pill, they have nothing to do with us brothers. Let's talk business. I am not someone who forgets his roots. Although I have left Wulong Mountain, my heart is always with you all. Now that I have found a way, I naturally want to get rich with you brothers."

Seeing everyone holding their breath and looking at him, Wei Hongqing lowered his voice and said, "Do you all know that a Foundation Establishment Pill was just stolen from Tianmu Mountain?"