The City Lord's residence, inner hall.
Long Yuqing carefully accepted the azure bamboo branch from Ren Ye. After studying it closely, his face flushed with excitement, and he exclaimed, "This branch gives off exceptionally abundant spiritual energy and holds a vast, righteous essence that directly counters that eerie netherworld aura. Green as a ruyi scepter, with crystalline leaves that signify good fortune-it truly is a branch broken from an immortal bamboo treasure. Wonderful, wonderful...!"
His excited eyes remained fixed on the branch as he admired it with extreme care. Perhaps even the woman whose "cave" was inauspicious had never received such cautious treatment.
Heh, this City Lord really is a green-loving player. He has exceptional discernment and appreciation for every verdant rarity and immortal herb. But... if he knew this noble branch had once merely been Ren Ye's tool for robbing Chijin, no different from tape or binding rope, would he still treat it so carefully?
Ren Ye's mind worked quickly. "As long as you like it, City Lord."
Admiring the branch, Long Yuqing asked delightedly, "You gave away such a treasure so casually. Your family must be astonishingly wealthy."
"Not at all." Ren Ye immediately waved his hand. "How could a gift to someone of your standing be called casually giving something away? When I obtained it, I was overjoyed and nearly made it a family heirloom... But now that I know you love rare flowers and immortal herbs, naturally, a fine sword should go to a hero."
A smile immediately spread across Long Yuqing's face. "Where did you obtain it?"
"Oh, on my birthday last year, Master was in a good mood and casually broke off an azure bamboo branch from his flower garden as a gift for me," Ren Ye improvised. "Azure bamboo signifies steady advancement and