A Gift at the Banquet, an Appointment Refused

Anping County, Wind-and-Moon Residence.

As the finest restaurant in the city, the Li Household's Wind-and-Moon Residence had, for the first time, hung out a red sign announcing that the entire establishment had been reserved.

The broad bluestone street had been swept spotless. A red carpet stretched from the restaurant entrance straight down the street like a long crimson dragon.

The air no longer carried the worldly scent of powder and perfume, but the faint, refreshing fragrance of spirit wine.

Even cultivators could hardly smell that wine without growing intoxicated. A single breath of it might cure an ordinary person of a stubborn illness that had plagued them for half a year.

Yet a solemn weight hung over Wind-and-Moon Residence today.

The lingering pressure of Chu Bai's breakthrough into Qi Refining Late-Stage had yet to fade or be drawn inward.

Every weaker attendant who entered felt a slight tremor in their spirit. Even their footsteps grew lighter, lest they disturb the "Tiger of Anping" seated at the head of the room.

On the restaurant's second floor, at the head of the table.

Chu Xianglin and Li had changed into close-fitting silk robes for the occasion.

Chu Xianglin wore his hair beneath a crown. He still looked a little awkward amid the restaurant's gilded splendor, but his clouded eyes brimmed with pride in his son. Li clasped Xiao Man's hand tightly, her eyes full of warmth as she watched her eldest son, who now seemed capable of swallowing mountains and rivers.

Seated among the family was Chu Bai's teacher, Daoist Zhang.

"Good! Wonderful!"

Dressed in a new blue Daoist robe, Daoist Zhang stroked his beard and laughed, his voice ringing like a bell. "Back when you were still at the Qi Induction stage, I knew you had talent."

"But I never imagined