Li Lingbi's gaze lingered on Xu Changqing for only a moment.
After all, he was the protagonist of this birthday banquet.
After exchanging greetings, Li Sancai brought Xu Changqing back to their previous seats, and the two sat down again.
At that moment, Lu Yuanyuan, one of the Farmer's Heart Society's managers, was the first to speak. "I'll begin. On behalf of all members of the Farmer's Heart Society, I wish Senior Brother Li a happy birthday. Ten thousand jin of Second-Grade Spirit Rice is but a modest token of respect!"
"Hiss!"
Everyone around them sucked in a breath of cold air.
A thousand jin, even several thousand jin, they could understand.
But Lu Yuanyuan had handed over ten thousand jin of Second-Grade Spirit Rice in one breath.
One had to know that the current market ratio was terrifying.
This was no longer as simple as giving a birthday gift.
Clearly, she was using this method to express the importance she attached to him.
"Thank you, Junior Sister Lu!" Li Lingbi was also surprised, his smile radiant.
At that moment, another person stepped forward. "I, Rong Teng, represent the Rong Family in presenting five thousand jin of Second-Grade Spirit Rice!"
Upon hearing "Rong Family," the foremost cultivation lineage of the Spirit Fields—
Xu Changqing looked over curiously.
He found that this man named Rong Teng gave off an utterly ordinary impression in every respect.
An ordinary appearance.
An ordinary temperament.
Ordinary clothing.
If he were not a member of the Rong Family, one would have taken him for a passerby.
But as the foremost cultivation lineage of the Spirit Fields, the Rong Family naturally could not be underestimated.
However, someone beside Rong Teng slightly surprised Xu Changqing.
It was actually Zhang Su.
He had not expected Zhang Su to be able to attend a birthday banquet of this level as well.
But judging from how Zhang Su stood beside Rong Teng—
He had probably tagged along.
Just like Xu Changqing himself.
"I, Jue Zijiao, present a core component from a five-hundred-year-old demon beast!"
"Senior Brother Li, please accept this Thousand-Mile Lightning Shuttle!"
"This is the Yellow Earth Banner. Plant it in the ground, and it can seal off an area within a hundred zhang!"
Because Lu Yuanyuan had made such a fine opening—
Everyone began presenting gifts.
Listening to the things these people offered, Xu Changqing could not help looking at Li Sancai.
His eyes asked whether he needed to offer something too.
Yet Li Sancai still shook his head. "Remember, those giving gifts are outsiders. We insiders do not need such formalities."
Xu Changqing froze. "Lu Yuanyuan gave ten thousand jin of Second-Grade Spirit Rice, and that Jue Zijiao even gave a core component from a five-hundred-year-old demon beast. They are all outsiders?"
These people were investing so heavily in Li Lingbi.
By rights, they should all have been insiders.
Otherwise, why would they give such valuable things?
Li Sancai said meaningfully, "When you are outstanding enough, especially when your backer is powerful enough, you will grow accustomed to it."
Xu Changqing was dumbfounded.
He had thought these people gave gifts because they valued Li Lingbi.
Only now did he realize that was merely one reason.
The true reason seemed to be currying favor with Li Lingbi's master.
Namely, the Nascent Soul True Lord who controlled the entire Water-Control Pavilion.
Sure enough, nowhere was free from the ways of human sentiment and worldly dealings.
Aside from a handful of people, nearly everyone attending Li Lingbi's birthday banquet gave gifts.
Their values could not be ranked, but every one of them looked priceless.
Even Pei Mo gave a jug of wine.
Seeing the pained expression on his face, one knew it was no cheap item.
Next came the food.
The spread was plentiful as well.
Fish made up the largest portion.
After all, beneath the Water-Control Pavilion lay a lake.
All manner of rare and precious fish could be found within.
There were even species that had lived for over a hundred years.
Like the plate of fish soup before them.
It was fresh, fragrant, and delicious.
The fish meat was extraordinarily springy.
Especially the spiritual energy contained within it—it was unimaginably rich.
Compared to it, Second-Grade Spirit Rice fell short by more than a little.
Yet at Li Lingbi's birthday banquet, dishes like these kept arriving in an endless stream, impossible to finish.
Half an hour later, Xu Changqing felt the spiritual power inside his body constantly rising.
One had to know that ever since spring ended, he had remained at four strands.
After eating these foods rich in spiritual energy, he had actually nurtured a fifth strand.
One could imagine how astonishing the effects of these delicacies from mountain and sea were.
However, the intoxicated expressions of those around him showed—
Clearly, they did not eat such food every day either.
Since Li Lingbi accepted everyone's gifts, he naturally could not be stingy.
What was more, this was also one display of the Water-Control Pavilion's strength.
Just as everyone was feasting like Taotie, the surrounding space suddenly trembled.
Everyone immediately stopped and became cautious.
Then they saw streak after streak of golden lines drilling out from the nearby water walls.
They traced patterns through the air, eventually forming a rippling "spirit talisman."
"Th-this seems to be the Profound Origin Golden Light Talisman, one of the Water-Control Pavilion's three great spirit talismans!"
"Such extravagance must be that lord!"
"Greetings, True Lord Mo!"
Amid their shock, everyone rose to their feet, then knelt once more in worship.
Li Lingbi looked at the Profound Origin Golden Light Talisman before him, his eyes slightly moist. "Thank you, Master!"
Not long after accepting this generous gift, the birthday banquet ended.
One after another, everyone departed except Lu Yuanyuan.
"What are you waiting for?" Rong Teng looked at the hesitant Zhang Su beside him.
"Nothing... nothing." Zhang Su smiled awkwardly.
He had originally wanted to wait for Xu Changqing to come out so the two could have a proper chat.
Never had he expected that even he and Rong Teng had come out—
Yet Xu Changqing was still inside.
Seeing Rong Teng grow increasingly dissatisfied, Zhang Su could only give up waiting.
Elsewhere, on the third floor of the Water-Control Pavilion.
Li Lingbi said seriously, "Junior Sister Lu, your gift this time was extremely precious."
Lu Yuanyuan's pretty little face flushed red. "As long as Senior Brother Li likes it."
Li Lingbi continued, "When I have the chance, I will certainly visit your home to thank you properly!"
Lu Yuanyuan froze for a moment, then said with slight regret, "Then I'll be leaving first."
Soon, she turned and left with her handsome male Dao companion.
Only five people remained on the third floor of the Water-Control Pavilion.
They were Li Sancai, Xu Changqing, Li Lingbi, and Pei Mo.
As for the fifth person, not only did Xu Changqing not know her—
He had not even had the slightest impression of her.
He had no idea when she had entered.
Only after seeing her did he suddenly realize there had been someone here all along.
Li Sancai teased, "Cousin, Lu Yuanyuan seems to like you very much."
Li Lingbi shook his head. "She merely likes handsome men."
"Pfft." The fifth person could not help laughing aloud.
Li Lingbi turned toward her. "Junior Sister Han, where is your gift?"
Han Xin casually tossed out an item. "This is a set of advanced formation arrays called the Earth Qi Attractor. Once installed, it can gather a great amount of Earth Qi in a short time, with pressure weighing as much as fifty thousand jin."
"A formation master?" Xu Changqing could not help taking another look at her.
After receiving it, Li Lingbi said solemnly, "The rest of you are insiders, so I will not hide it from you.
Once the birthday banquet ends, I will head to the Central Region to hunt demons and devils.
That is also why Master bestowed the Profound Origin Golden Light Talisman upon me."
"The Central Region?" Xu Changqing quickly recalled, "The Black Rust Dynasty!"
Li Lingbi nodded slightly. "Yes, that place."
Li Sancai could not help feeling worried. "I heard demons and devils cover that place like weeds, while humans are like penned pigs, becoming food upon the table one after another."
Li Lingbi shrugged. "Only the Central Region has demons and devils over a thousand years old."
Pei Mo stepped forward, the centipede scar on his face twitching several times. "I'll go with you."
"Oh?" Li Lingbi was surprised.
Pei Mo said playfully, "I heard the Black Rust Dynasty has a Meat-Simmering Blood Pool that tempers the body. I want to see exactly what effect it has."
The moment he said this, everyone fell silent.
Madman. He was a complete madman.
This thought surged through everyone's mind!!!
Before you continue