Zhang Yuyan, Zhang Yuruo

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Shen Long appeared at the entrance of a nine-story golden pavilion. The plaque bore the three golden characters "Rain-Listening Pavilion." This was a teahouse where many Qi Refining cultivators liked to gather to drink tea, make friends, and incidentally pick up news.

Shen Long walked into the Rain-Listening Pavilion and arrived on the fifth floor, which was packed with people. Just as he was about to head to the upper floors, a hearty male voice rang out: "Fellow Daoist Li, are you looking for someone?"

Shen Long followed the source of the voice and saw a tall, thin youth in silver robes. The youth had refined features, fair skin, and held a cyan folding fan, looking every bit the dashing young master.

"No, I came here on my own. Is Fellow Daoist Wei waiting for someone?"

Shen Long said with a smile.

The youth in silver robes was named Wei Tianbao, who hailed from a cultivation family that was an affiliate of the Tyrant Blade Villa.

Wei Tianbao had followed his clan elders to Yunmeng Mountain, intending to participate in the Immortal Ascension Assembly to join the Tyrant Blade Villa.

"I'm waiting for two friends. If Fellow Daoist Li doesn't mind, why not join me at my table? I just bought a jar of fine tea leaves."

Wei Tianbao said enthusiastically.

"Wouldn't that be an intrusion?"

Shen Long said politely.

"Not at all. I've mentioned you to them, and they've been wanting to meet you too. Sit down, let's drink and wait together!"

Wei Tianbao gestured for Shen Long to sit, picked up the teapot, and poured a cup of spirit tea for him.

The tea was golden and emitted a unique, fragrant aroma.

Shen Long picked up the cup and took a sip. He could clearly feel his divine sense strengthen slightly; even a slight increase was quite good.

"What kind of spirit tea is this?"

Shen Long asked curiously, downing the rest in one gulp.

"Spirit-Nourishing Tea! I traded for it with Fellow Daoist Jiang. I heard it takes a hundred years to harvest, and a single tea tree yields no more than ten catties. It's usually supplied to Foundation Establishment cultivators, but since it can strengthen divine sense, it's even more effective for us Qi Refining cultivators."

Wei Tianbao said with a smile, picking up the teapot to pour Shen Long another cup.

"Fellow Daoist Wei is well-connected; only you would have the ability to get your hands on such fine spirit tea."

Shen Long praised, picking up his cup to take another sip.

Wei Tianbao was skilled at socializing, knew many Qi Refining cultivators, and was keen on making friends.

"Fellow Daoist Li is too kind. It's all thanks to Fellow Daoist Jiang giving me face; otherwise, it wouldn't have been so easy for me to trade for a jar of Spirit-Nourishing Tea!"

Wei Tianbao said modestly, though a look of smug satisfaction appeared on his face.

"Fellow Daoist Wei truly has skill. I visited the Jiang family last time and found it difficult to trade for even two taels of Spirit-Nourishing Tea, yet he traded a whole jar directly to you."

A voice like silver bells rang out.

As soon as the words fell, a fragrant breeze drifted by, and a girl in a purple dress in her early twenties and a girl in a blue dress with slightly chubby cheeks walked over.

The girl in the purple dress had a heart-shaped face, cherry lips, a delicate nose, skin like snow, and bright, lively eyes. The girl in the blue dress had a round face, large eyes, an exceptionally prominent chest, and a slender waist.

"Fellow Daoist Li, let me introduce you. These two are the Zhang fairies."

Wei Tianbao stood up to make the introductions.

Shen Long hurriedly stood up, cupped his hands, and said, "I am Li Xiao, greetings to both fairies."

"I am Zhang Yuyan, greetings to Fellow Daoist Li."

The girl in the purple dress introduced herself.

"I've long heard Fellow Daoist Wei speak of you. I am Zhang Yuruo. Shall we find a place to spar? Just comparing spells."

The girl in the blue dress had eyes that lit up with excitement.

"Uh... let's do it another day!"

Shen Long gave an awkward smile and politely declined.

"Don't take offense, Fellow Daoist Li. My sister has cultivated four first-tier spells to Great Perfection, and hearing that you have done the same, she just wanted to spar with you."

Zhang Yuyan explained.

Shen Long suddenly realized and nodded, indicating he understood.

Wei Tianbao invited them to sit down to enjoy tea and chat.

"By the way, Fellow Daoist Li, which sect do you intend to join? Are you interested in joining the Seven Rosy Clouds Sect?"

Zhang Yuyan asked casually.

The Zhang family was an affiliate of the Seven Rosy Clouds Sect. They had come specifically to participate in the Immortal Ascension Assembly, acting on orders from their elders to recruit talented Qi Refining cultivators to join the sect.

"It's not really up to me; I'll just have to try them one by one!"

Shen Long said vaguely.

Qi Refining cultivators from families affiliated with the Seven Rosy Clouds Sect, Tyrant Blade Villa, and Purple Firmament Gate had all tried to persuade Shen Long to join their respective sects. Their families held a certain amount of influence within those sects, and they promised him some care if they entered together.

This wasn't to say Shen Long was particularly outstanding; it was just polite talk. They had said similar things to many other Qi Refining cultivators.

"The assessment for the Mystic Yang Sect is very difficult to pass. The Purple Firmament Gate likes to recruit talisman makers. The Tyrant Blade Villa is famous for its blade techniques, and most of their disciples practice them. The Spirit Control Sect specializes in insect and beast taming. The Seven Rosy Clouds Sect is different; they have high-level talisman makers, seniors proficient in blade-control arts, and disciples skilled in insect and beast taming."

Zhang Yuyan said slowly.

"Hmph, the heritage of the Seven Rosy Clouds Sect is far inferior to our Spirit Control Sect, let alone the Tyrant Blade Villa. Doesn't Fairy Zhang feel ridiculous boasting about the Seven Rosy Clouds Sect like this?"

A mocking male voice rang out.

As soon as the words fell, a burly man in a golden robe walked up, three Spirit Beast Bags tied to his waist and patterns of birds, beasts, fish, and insects embroidered on his sleeves—the mark of the Spirit Control Sect.

Zhang Yuyan gave an awkward smile and hurriedly explained, "Every sect has its own unique features; I had no intention of belittling the Spirit Control Sect."

"The fairy didn't belittle our Spirit Control Sect, but she blew the Seven Rosy Clouds Sect out of proportion. Anyone who didn't know better would think the Seven Rosy Clouds Sect was the number one sect in the Qin Kingdom!"

The man in the golden robe sneered.

"We, the Seven Rosy Clouds Sect, are indeed not the number one sect in the Qin Kingdom, but neither are you, the Spirit Control Sect. Fairy Zhang merely offered a few words of praise for the Seven Rosy Clouds Sect, yet Fellow Daoist Xu keeps making things difficult. Is this because you look down on our Seven Rosy Clouds Sect?"

A cold female voice rang out.

As soon as the words fell, a young woman in a golden dress in her twenties walked up. The girl had hair like a waterfall, eyes like clear water, brows like distant mountains, and a slightly upturned, delicate nose. On her sleeve was a seven-colored rainbow pattern—the mark of the Seven Rosy Clouds Sect.

"I have no such intention. I simply felt Fairy Zhang was overhyping your sect and spoke a few fair words. Our Spirit Control Sect may not compare to the Mystic Yang Sect, but we are certainly stronger than your Seven Rosy Clouds Sect."

The man in the golden robe was full of pride.

"Hmph, anyone can talk big. If you have the guts, let's head to the Martial Arts Arena and spar. We shall see the truth through our actions and let our skills do the talking."

The girl in the golden dress proposed.

"Let's go then. Do you think I'm afraid of you?"

The man in the golden robe agreed readily.

Shen Long and the other three looked at each other, none of them having expected such a situation to unfold.

The girl in the golden dress and the man in the golden robe were both fiercely protective of their sects' reputations and highly competitive.

The man in the golden robe looked toward Shen Long and the others, saying, "You all come along too! Let me show you which is stronger: the Spirit Control Sect or the Seven Rosy Clouds Sect."

Shen Long and the others naturally had no objections and followed them to a vast Bluestone Square, where several high bluestone platforms stood.