Gifted a Flying Sword

They have arrived.

Lu Li's heart tightened as he looked toward the entrance of the cave dwelling.

He saw Bai Jinfei leading a group of people, drifting slowly toward them.

The man in the lead was a middle-aged man of about thirty-five or thirty-six, with a face as fair as jade, elegant and handsome. Dressed in green robes with a white sword strapped to his back, his eyes were like stars, as if an immortal had descended from the heavens.

Beside him followed a purple-faced elder with a powerful aura, also a Nascent Soul True Lord.

Behind the two of them followed a crowd.

Li Jing was among them.

Lu Li spotted Li Jing at a glance.

Their gazes met in the air, sparks flying in a silent, tense standoff.

"Junior Brother Li, congratulations."

At that moment, the middle-aged man in green cupped his hands and offered his congratulations quite casually.

"True Lord Yellow Spring, no need for formalities. Please, take a seat."

Ghost Demon True Person narrowed his eyes and waved his hand dismissively, not bothering to stand up to welcome him.

Only then did Lu Li realize that Ghost Demon True Person's surname was Li.

The middle-aged man in green before him must be Li Jing's master, True Lord Yellow Spring!

Immediately after, the purple-faced elder to the left of True Lord Yellow Spring cupped his hands and said, "Old Ghost Li, I didn't expect you to actually cultivate a Nascent Soul without being beaten to death! Congratulations!"

The hostility in his words was undisguised.

"As long as a wretch like you, True Lord Flying Fox, hasn't died, this Seat naturally won't die."

From his throne of white bone, Ghost Demon True Person replied coldly.

"You!"

Upon hearing this, the purple-faced elder's eyes widened, his face flushing red.

But then, he let out a cold snort: "When there is time, this old man shall experience your Kunpeng Devil Art!"

"I am at your disposal at any time. Sit."

Ghost Demon True Person's expression remained indifferent, carrying a hint of disdain.

"Hmph!"

The purple-faced elder flicked his sleeve, his figure flashed, and he took a seat at the head of the left row.

True Lord Yellow Spring followed suit and took his seat.

Li Jing and the others were led by a maidservant to a table to the side.

At the same time, the Second Senior Sister began to announce the gifts: "True Lord Yellow Spring gifts one low-grade Dharma Treasure; True Lord Flying Fox gifts ten thousand medium-grade spirit stones; True Person Blood-Transforming gifts one thousand medium-grade spirit stones. Wishing Master boundless longevity."

As her voice faded, the hall fell into silence.

Ghost Demon True Person's expression turned quite ugly.

These three gifts could be summed up in two words: stingy!

Was he lacking in medium-grade spirit stones?

Furthermore, it was common knowledge that Qi Refining cultivators used magical tools, Foundation Establishment cultivators used spirit tools, Golden Core cultivators used Dharma Treasures, and those above the Nascent Soul stage used spirit treasures.

A low-grade Dharma Treasure meant for a Golden Core cultivator as a congratulatory gift?

Was this not looking down on him?

Faintly, Ghost Demon True Person's face turned icy, and a chilling Sha Qi radiated from his entire body.

Lu Li, standing beside him, felt it immediately.

However, he kept his eyes on his nose, his nose on his mouth, and his mouth on his heart, remaining as calm as an ancient well, motionless.

It was not yet his time to step forward.

Soon, another guest arrived.

"Great Devil King Heaven-Shaking has arrived!"

Accompanied by Bai Jinfei's loud shout, a giant of a man, ten feet tall, walked in step by step, the ground shaking with every stride as he entered the hall.

Behind him followed a young Daoist boy in purple.

"Yo, Old Ghost Li, you're not dead yet? Congratulations."

The giant curled his lips, offered a greeting, and casually tossed out a piece of white jade brimming with spiritual energy.

Second Senior Sister Meimei continued the announcements: "Great Devil King Heaven-Shaking gifts one high-grade spirit stone. Wishing Master eternal longevity."

Ghost Demon True Person's expression sank once more.

A single high-grade spirit stone could be exchanged for ten thousand medium-grade spirit stones.

This gift was nothing to write home about either.

"Sit. Someone, bring this big guy a larger stone stool." Ghost Demon True Person ordered with a darkened face.

"Yes."

A maidservant acknowledged the order and went to swap the stool.

Following that, Great Devil King Heaven-Shaking sat down beside True Lord Yellow Spring and True Lord Flying Fox, and they began chatting heatedly.

From time to time, they let out deafening bursts of laughter.

They acted as if Ghost Demon True Person, the host of the event, did not exist at all.

The atmosphere was incredibly stiff.

"..."

Ghost Demon True Person's face was so gloomy it looked like it could drip water.

Watching from the side, Lu Li felt embarrassed for him.

It seemed that Ghost Demon True Person truly had no friends in the Yin Underworld Ghost Sect.

At this moment, more people arrived.

This time, it was a Golden Core True Person.

Upon entering, he offered his congratulations and gifts in a very formal and polite manner.

It was a high-grade magical treasure.

It was passable.

Then, Ghost Demon True Person began to engage in awkward small talk with this True Person.

The atmosphere was finally not quite as stiff as before.

Not long after, guests arrived one after another.

Most of them were Golden Core True Persons.

After presenting their gifts, these Golden Cores noticed the strange atmosphere in the hall and, not wanting to pick the wrong side and offend anyone, simply found excuses to slip away.

Just like that, an hour passed, and the sun climbed high.

It was almost noon.

In total, only about twenty people were sitting in the center of the hall, scattered about; it was not lively in the slightest.

Among them were three Nascent Soul True Lords who had come from other demonic sects.

The congratulatory gifts they brought were abysmal, not even worth a hundred mid-grade spirit stones.

It was clear they had come to stir up trouble and watch a joke.

Standing beside Ghost Demon True Person, Lu Li sensed the Sha Qi radiating from him—it was bone-chillingly cold, almost condensing into a physical form.

Furthermore, he had been standing for nearly the entire morning and hadn't received a single gift.

Ghost Demon True Person's poor popularity was on full display.

"Lu Li, whoever provokes us later, cut them down, their mother included!"

Suddenly, a cold, teeth-gritting voice transmission entered his ears.

Lu Li's heart tightened. With a solemn expression, he cupped his hands and said, "This disciple understands. Please rest assured, Master."

"True Lord Red Furnace has arrived!"

Just then, Bai Jinfei shouted loudly, leading two women as they drifted in.

One was about thirty years old, dressed in a blue robe, still possessing a lingering charm; the other was in the bloom of youth, wearing a green dress, delicate and bright.

It was that Green Lotus!

"Junior Brother Li, congratulations on your promotion to Nascent Soul. This spirit treasure, known as the Soul-Devouring Rod, is this Concubine's gift. I wish you an early breakthrough to Spirit Transformation."

The blue-robed woman said with a gentle, beaming smile.

Her voice was soft, delicate, and refined.

As she spoke, Green Lotus, standing beside her, took out a long wooden box wrapped in a red ribbon, held it with both hands, and presented it to Meimei.

"Many thanks, Lady Red Furnace. Please, take a seat."

Ghost Demon True Person's expression softened slightly. He stood up to welcome her and ordered, "Someone, bring out the finest tea."

"Sorry for the trouble."

The blue-robed woman bowed slightly in return, her smile soft and moving.

Immediately after, she sat in the upper right seat and nodded with a smile to True Lord Yellow Spring, True Lord Flying Fox, and Great Devil King Heaven-Shaking, acknowledging them.

The three of them nodded in return.

It seems this Lady Red Furnace holds an extraordinary status within the Yin Underworld Ghost Sect, Lu Li thought to himself.

At that moment, catching a glimpse out of the corner of his eye, he saw Green Lotus, who was standing behind Lady Red Furnace, wink at him, her smiling eyes curving like crescent moons.

Lu Li returned her smile.

This scene was naturally taken in by everyone in the hall.

The expressions on their faces varied.

Several sharp, hostile gazes swept over Lu Li, as if they were looking at a romantic rival.

This woman actually has so many simps?

Lu Li raised an eyebrow.

Suddenly, he sensed a gentle gaze sweep over him.

It was the charming and mature Lady Red Furnace.

This Nascent Soul True Lord looked Lu Li up and down.

Lu Li felt as if his heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys were being seen through; he felt completely exposed, with nothing hidden at all.

"Eh?"

The next moment, Lady Red Furnace let out a sound of surprise.

She seemed to have discovered something.

A trace of strange confusion flashed through her water-like, gentle eyes.

"Junior Brother Li, is this young man the new inner disciple you have taken in, Lu Li?" Lady Red Furnace asked softly.

"That is correct. Lu Li, why don't you step forward and pay your respects to True Lord Red Furnace?"

Ghost Demon True Person turned his head to say.

Hearing this, Lu Li immediately stepped forward, cupped his hands, and bowed: "Junior Lu Li pays his respects to True Lord Red Furnace! May the True Lord remain eighteen forever, as beautiful as a flower! May your magic power be boundless, surpassing even the celestial immortals!"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone cast sidelong glances.

Green Lotus, who was currently kneading Lady Red Furnace's shoulders, was also stunned for a moment.

"You little fellow, your mouth is certainly sweet."

At this, Lady Red Furnace smiled gently and elegantly flicked her snow-white palm, causing a three-inch-long golden sword to appear in it.

"This is the Flowing Gold Sword, a high-grade spiritual artifact. Consider it a greeting gift from This Concubine."

Lu Li turned to look at Ghost Demon True Person.

"Since the True Lord is bestowing a gift, you should accept it. Why haven't you thanked the True Lord yet?" A rare smile appeared on Ghost Demon True Person's face.

"This... thank you, True Lord, for your gift!"

Lu Li's expression brightened as he held out both hands, preparing to receive the sword.

Just then, Lady Red Furnace lightly picked up the small golden sword and placed it in Lu Li's palm.

Whether intentional or accidental, her slender, jade-like fingers lightly brushed against Lu Li's palm.

It was very soft.

But in that instant, it felt as if an invisible true qi coursed through Lu Li's entire body.

Ding.

A system notification immediately rang in his mind:

"Your Purple Haze Sun-Refining Scripture has sensed the presence of Supreme Daoist True Qi; it feels admiration and is incredibly invigorated, increasing cultivation speed by 10,000%."

Almost in an instant, the Purple Haze Sun-Refining Scripture began to circulate automatically.

Progress +1 +1 +1 +1... it began to rack up points incessantly.