Mysterious Origin Golden Light Talisman, Stewing Meat in a Blood-Colored Pool

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 led Xu Changqing back to their previous seats, and the two sat down again.

At that moment, Lu Yuanyuan, one of Farmer's Heart Society's managers, was the first to speak. "I'll start. On behalf of all members of Farmer's Heart Society, I wish Senior Brother Li a happy birthday. Ten thousand jin of Second-Grade Spirit Rice is but a humble token of respect!"

"Hiss!"

The people around them all drew sharp breaths.

A thousand jin, or even several thousand jin, they could understand.

But Lu Yuanyuan had given ten thousand jin of Second-Grade Spirit Rice in one breath.

One had to know that the market exchange rate was terrifying now.

This was no longer as simple as giving a birthday present.

Clearly, she was using this method to show just how much importance she attached to him.

"Thank you, Junior Sister Lu!" Li Lingbi was also quite surprised, and his smile was 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 the words "Rong Family," the foremost cultivation lineage of spirit fields—

Xu Changqing looked over curiously.

He found that Rong Teng gave off an utterly ordinary impression in every respect.

An ordinary face.

An ordinary temperament.

Ordinary clothes.

If he were not from the Rong Family, one would have taken him for a passerby.

But as the foremost cultivation lineage of spirit fields, they naturally could not be underestimated.

However, someone beside Rong Teng slightly surprised Xu Changqing.

It was actually Zhang Su.

He had not expected him to attend a birthday banquet of this level as well.

Yet judging by how he stood beside Rong Teng—

He had likely tagged along.

Just like Xu Changqing himself.

"I, Jue Zijiao, present one core body part from a five-hundred-year-old demon!"

"Senior Brother Li, please accept this Thousand-Mile Lightning Shuttle!"

"This is the Yellow Earth Banner. Once planted in the ground, it can seal off an area a hundred zhang wide!"

Because Lu Yuanyuan had set such a fine example—

Everyone began presenting gifts.

Listening to the items these people offered, Xu Changqing could not help looking at Li Sancai.

He asked with his eyes whether he ought to give something as well.

However, Li Sancai still shook his head. "Remember, those giving gifts are outsiders. We insiders don't 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 body part from a five-hundred-year-old demon. They're all outsiders?"

These people were investing so heavily in Li Lingbi.

By all 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 patron is powerful enough, you'll grow used to it."

Xu Changqing was stunned.

He had thought these people gave gifts because they valued Li Lingbi.

Only now did he realize that was merely one reason.

The real reason seemed to be that they wanted to curry favor with Li Lingbi's master.

That was, the Nascent Soul True Lord who controlled the entire Water-Control Pavilion.

Sure enough, nowhere could one escape the ways of human relationships and worldly affairs.

Aside from a few people, nearly everyone attending Li Lingbi's birthday banquet this time was giving gifts.

It was impossible to rank them by size; in any case, they all looked priceless.

Even Pei Mo gave a flask of wine.

Seeing the pained look on that fellow's face, one could tell it was no cheap gift.

Next came the food.

The spread was equally lavish.

Fish dishes made up the greatest portion.

After all, beneath the Water-Control Pavilion lay a lake.

All manner of rare and precious fish were everywhere within it.

There were even species that had lived for more than 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 qi contained within—it was incomparably dense.

Compared to it, Second-Grade Spirit Rice fell short by more than a single star and a half.

Yet at Li Lingbi's birthday banquet, similar dishes kept arriving in an endless stream, far more than they could eat.

Half an hour later, Xu Changqing felt the spiritual power within his body continuously rising.

Ever since spring had ended, he had remained at four strands.

After eating these foods containing spiritual qi, he had actually nurtured a fifth strand.

One could imagine how astonishing the effects of these mountain and sea delicacies were.

Yet from the intoxicated expressions of those around him—

It was clear that they did not eat such food every day either.

Since Li Lingbi had 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 gluttons, the surrounding space suddenly trembled.

Everyone immediately stopped, becoming cautious and vigilant.

Then, streak after streak of golden light emerged from the nearby walls of water.

They traced patterns through the air, eventually forming a rippling "spirit talisman."

"Th-this seems to be one of the Water-Control Pavilion's three great spirit talismans, the Profound Origin Golden Light Talisman!"

"Such a grand gesture—it must be that lord!"

"Greetings, True Lord Mo!"

Amid their shock, everyone rose to their feet, then knelt once more in worship.

Looking at the Profound Origin Golden Light Talisman before him, Li Lingbi's eyes grew somewhat moist. "Thank you, Master!"

Not long after accepting this generous gift, the birthday banquet came to an end.

Aside from Lu Yuanyuan, everyone left one after another.

"What are you waiting for?" Rong Teng looked at the hesitant Zhang Su beside him.

"N-nothing." Zhang Su gave an awkward smile.

He had originally wanted to wait for Xu Changqing to come out so the two could have a proper talk.

Never had he expected that even he and Rong Teng would come out—

Yet Xu Changqing still remained 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 is extremely precious."

With her pretty little face flushed red, Lu Yuanyuan said, "As long as Senior Brother Li likes it."

Li Lingbi continued, "When I have the chance, I will certainly visit your home to express my gratitude!"

Lu Yuanyuan froze for a moment, then said with a hint of regret, "Then I'll be going first."

Very quickly, 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 no impression of her at all.

He had no idea when she had entered.

Only upon seeing her would he suddenly realize there had been someone there 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 hold back her laughter.

Li Lingbi turned to look at her. "Junior Sister Han, where is your gift?"

Han Xin casually tossed out an item. "This is a set of advanced formations called the Earth Qi Attractor. Once installed, it will gather a large amount of earth qi in a short time, with pressure weighing fifty thousand jin."

"A formation master?" Xu Changqing could not help taking a few more looks at her.

After taking it, Li Lingbi said in a deep voice, "The rest of you are insiders, so I won't 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 somewhat worried. "I've heard demons and devils cover that place like the earth, while humans are like penned pigs and dogs, becoming food upon dining tables one after another."

Li Lingbi shrugged. "Only the Central Region has demons and devils more than 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."

At those words, everyone fell silent.

A madman—he was simply a madman.

This thought surged through everyone's mind.