Ghost Peak's Hidden Weapon, Ghost Python Silver Spear, Green Snake Leaves the Island, the Madam Arrives

Li Xian's poisoned injuries had fully healed, and the news spread without wings. All the elders came to offer congratulations. Ye Cheng told Li Xian that once a serious injury was healed, he needed to hold a celebratory feast to scatter the bad luck. It would also announce to everyone that they were not to covet his beautiful wife or family wealth again. Li Xian followed his advice, laying out a banquet and inviting commoners, disciples, elders... and everyone else.

It cost over a hundred taels of silver altogether.

The banquet's wine and dishes were all of the finest quality. There was "steamed perch," "fresh peach blossom brew," "buttery crisp crab"... river delicacies, seafood, mountain fare—the spread was abundant and varied.

After the feast, several Flower Cage Sect disciples wished to join Li Xian's household.

The Flower Cage Sect was loose and disorderly. Its disciples came from all walks of life, born poor and lowly, with shallow martial skills, unable to become much. The sect elders all cultivated trusted followers and gathered disciples beneath them for their own use. Those who wished to gain favor and climb higher would also take the initiative to attach themselves to elders, running errands before and after them, fawning and flattering, all in exchange for a future.

Though Li Xian was only temporarily a "Token-Bearing Disciple," the position of "prospective elder" was already within arm's reach, and everyone knew it. It had merely not been announced because his seniority was insufficient. Thus, those clever, opportunistic, and quick-witted disciples took the lead in joining him, displaying their loyalty in exchange for notice.

Li Xian had no mind to form factions for now, so he declined them one by one. Though the disciples felt regretful, they did not dare say more. Once the banquet ended, the