Three days later, Xu Fugui's residence was decked in lanterns and festoons, brimming with festivity.
Lin Changheng circulated the Breath Concealment Art, which he had cultivated to the proficient realm, concealing his mid-stage cultivation as he arrived on time.
He presented two genuine Wood Origin Pills as a gift, worth at least four spirit stones—quite a valuable offering.
"Brother Lin, please come in, quickly."
Xu Fugui beamed with delight and hastily welcomed Lin Changheng inside. He personally escorted him to the banquet table, poured him a cup of wine, then turned back to receive the other guests.
Before long, several Immortal Seeds familiar with him came over and sat at his table.
They began chatting easily.
At Fugui's gathering when his child was born, the Immortal Seeds had still been somewhat restrained. Lin Changheng's status was no longer what it had once been, and they did not dare act as casually around him as before.
Lin Changheng could not help but sigh inwardly.
Yet after each of them had downed half a jin of spirit wine and exchanged several rounds of cups, the barrier between them was instead broken.
They returned to how things had once been.
Naturally, Lin Changheng was glad to see this. Perhaps in the future he would be alone, enduring forever by himself, but at least that was not the case now.
After all, a person was the sum total of all their social relations. This saying still held true in the Qi Refining Realm.
While waiting for the banquet to begin, they talked about many things.
Lin Changheng also learned some news. Among those who had died in the swamp last time was a third-layer Qi Refining cultivator, one of the Immortal Seeds who had come to the Xu Family with them.
When this matter was mentioned, the several Immortal Seeds all wore sorrowful expressions.
Lin Changheng let out a long sigh. He did not know what to say, only becoming even more resolved in his fundamental policy of developing steadily and cautiously.
He knew that Immortal Seed. Though the man had married into a household, he had never had children. Instead, he had cultivated desperately, only to be drafted onto the battlefield and lose his life.
"Perhaps I, too, will soon have to head to the Land Reclamation battlefield."
One of the Immortal Seeds, Bai Fengxian, suddenly drained a cup of wine and said gloomily.
"Didn't you have two sons? Why do you still have to go reclaim land?" another asked in surprise.
"Sadly, neither son has a Spirit Root. Once the front line grows urgent, I'll have to go. Damn that useless thing for not giving me a child with a Spirit Root!"
Bai Fengxian downed another cup of wine and explained a little, his tone filled with resentment at his own inadequacy.
Lin Changheng did not know what to say either. Sure enough, everything carried risks. Presumably, in later conscriptions, even Immortal Seeds with Spirit Root descendants would be called up.
As an alchemist, he should be among the last of the Immortal Seeds to take the field. If it truly came to that, he could consider fleeing.
If even alchemists were sent into battle, the Xu Family would likely be on the verge of collapse. Why remain any longer?
The table fell silent at once. No one spoke further; they merely raised their cups and drank together.
Before long, the bustling venue suddenly fell quiet.
Lin Changheng looked up to see Xu Fugui escorting a group inside. At their head was none other than the Xu Family head, Xu Xuheng. Beside him stood a girl in a pale purple gown, radiant and striking—it was the Xu Family Eldest Miss, Xu Hanji.
Xu Xuheng stepped into the center of the hall and offered a few words of blessing, drawing waves of applause. After the cheers, he drifted away with his companions.
However, all those with keen eyes and clear minds knew that the Family Head's and Eldest Miss's brief appearance was merely meant to convey an attitude.
The wedding feast was already half over.
Xu Fugui was drunk and flushed. With his waist and belly growing broader, he greeted the guests in high spirits.
At his side stood a delicate female cultivator, dressed in a bright red robe and seemingly just over twenty.
Beside the dark-skinned Xu Fugui, they gave off the impression of an old husband and young wife.
In the cultivation world, there was no saying that women could not show their faces in public. The two of them went around together, toasting the guests.
"Han Ling, these are all friends your husband has known for many years. This is Brother Lin, the one I told you about earlier!"
Xu Fugui came to the Immortal Seeds' table and introduced them loudly, placing particular emphasis on Lin Changheng at the end.
"Greetings, everyone. Greetings, Brother Lin."
Xu Hanling was quite obedient and did as she was told.
The Immortal Seeds showed no surprise at Xu Fugui's separate introduction of Lin Changheng. Instead, they all smiled in response and raised their cups in return.
Lin Changheng also nodded with a smile and offered, "May you remain united for ten thousand years."
He watched the newlyweds head to the neighboring table to offer more toasts.
Once all the guests had left, the several Immortal Seeds still did not disperse, having been kept behind by Xu Fugui alone.
They indulged in another lavish drinking bout.
Seeing that the night had grown deep, Lin Changheng urged him to hurry to the bridal chamber. Only then did Xu Fugui reluctantly bring things to an end and head toward the rear courtyard.
His current courtyard was larger and more spacious than those of the Immortal Seeds, including Lin Changheng.
Moreover, it was not within the Tide-Listening Dojo, where the Immortal Seeds gathered.
Such treatment clearly meant he was already regarded as one of the Xu Family.
Lin Changheng and the others left together. When they reached the front of the Tide-Listening Dojo, they saw beneath the moonlight a tall female cultivator standing quietly, noble grace suffusing her whole body.
Dantai Feiyue.
Whether because it was too late or for some other reason, Dantai Feiyue was no longer surrounded by a dark swarm of people.
"Fellow Daoist Lin, might I ask you to step aside for a few words?"
Her voice was elegant as a jade hall and golden sparrow, gentle yet not lacking in nobility.
At once, the several Immortal Seeds winked and nudged at Lin Changheng. A beauty inviting him out late at night was difficult not to speculate about. Besides, the Immortal Seeds had drunk too much, their thoughts running wild as vivid, rapturous scenes naturally filled their minds.
Then, with knowing smiles, they quickly entered the dojo, leaving space for the two of them.
Lin Changheng laughed helplessly at them, then turned to Dantai Feiyue with a faint smile.
"Did Fairy Dantai wait here especially for Lin? Is there some important matter?"
Lin Changheng did not move, but Dantai Feiyue had already taken light lotus steps toward him. A waft of feminine fragrance rose around her—not orchid, not musk, yet refreshing to the heart and lungs.
"Brother Lin, this little woman seems to recall never offending you. Why, then, do you keep me at arm's length? We are both Bing-Gui Immortal Seeds; there ought to be some bond between us..."
Lin Changheng had guessed at many reasons for why this woman sought him out, but he had not expected Dantai Feiyue to begin with words carrying such faint grievance.
It caught him somewhat off guard.
"Fairy Dantai misunderstands."
After pondering briefly, Lin Changheng's lips curved into a faint smile. "Lin merely... dislikes trouble by nature."
She let out a soft laugh.
Dantai Feiyue suddenly spread her wide sleeves and spun gracefully before Lin Changheng. Her skirt fluttered, and beneath the moonlight in the night, she seemed like an immortal taking flight.
"Brother Lin, look at me from head to toe—where is there any trouble left?"
"What do you mean?"
"Those Xu Family disciples who used to swarm around beauty all day and neglect their proper duties went too far. The Family Head has already ordered them reprimanded, telling their parents to discipline them strictly and make them diligently practice their arts and work. Otherwise, every last one of them will be sent to the front lines for Land Reclamation..."
She suddenly stopped, lifted her face fairer than frost and snow, and looked at Lin Changheng.
"In that case, we Immortal Seeds may interact more often as well."
Lin Changheng's heart stirred. He gave the female cultivator a deep look, then smiled.
"That is only proper."
Dantai Feiyue's bright eyes sparkled. Having obtained the result she wanted, she bade him farewell and left.
Only Lin Changheng remained where he stood, his slender figure casting a cold, solitary silhouette beneath the moonlight.
So long as she did not bring mindless trouble down upon him, even if this woman harbored schemes in her heart, what harm was there in associating with her a little?
Besides, she was also a ranked talisman master and could provide him with some assistance.
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