Friends reunited!

Lu Changsheng's breakthrough to the third layer of Chain Qi had delayed their departure somewhat.

Worried that they might miss their three-year reunion, the two traveled day and night the entire way.

It took them only nineteen days to reach Ruyi Commandery's capital from Green Bamboo Mountain.

Their journey went smoothly. Apart from encountering a few fierce birds and wild beasts, they ran into no danger.

By the time they reached the city, night had already fallen.

"So this is Ruyi Commandery's capital."

Lu Changsheng was somewhat surprised by the sight before him.

Ruyi Commandery was several times more prosperous and magnificent than he had imagined.

The city's towering walls stood majestic, like a great beast crouching upon the earth.

Within, brilliant lights made the night as bright as day. Houses, grand buildings, and shops stood in tightly packed rows, brimming with prosperity.

Crowds streamed along the bustling streets, weaving back and forth like shuttles on a loom. Looking into the distance, they could even see several magnificent buildings soaring into the clouds.

It seems even the mortal world here is more prosperous than I imagined.

Lu Changsheng marveled inwardly as he gazed at the thriving city before him.

Before his memories awakened, he had been nothing more than an ordinary farmer's son. The farthest he had ever traveled was to Qinghe County's seat.

Never mind Ruyi Commandery-he had never even visited Southern Yu Prefecture, which governed Qinghe County.

As a result, he knew little about the mortal world's major cities.

Seeing Ruyi Commandery now left him feeling rather like a country bumpkin arriving in Shanghai.

After entering the city and asking for directions, the two arrived at the Ruyi Tower.

True to its reputation as Ruyi Commandery's largest restaurant, the Ruyi Tower stood over a hundred feet tall.

A jade ruyi scepter hung in front of the building, engraved with the large characters "Ruyi Tower." It was lavish indeed.

Strings of bright red lanterns hung from the upturned eaves on all four sides, while luminous murals of landscapes and beautiful women adorned the walls.

Li Feiyu stepped forward and said they were looking for Hong Yi.

The doorkeeper had already received instructions and immediately went inside to announce their arrival.

Before long, the tall Hong Yi emerged from the Ruyi Tower, dressed in splendid brocade robes.

"Brother Li, Brother Lu!"

Hong Yi greeted them warmly.

But when he saw Lu Changsheng, he could not help looking him over a few more times, as though unsure it was really him.

Both Lu Changsheng's appearance and bearing had changed considerably over the past three years.

"What's this, Brother Hong Yi? Don't you recognize me anymore?"

Seeing his reaction, Lu Changsheng teased him.

"If Brother Li weren't here, you've changed so much that I really wouldn't have dared recognize you at first."

Hong Yi shook his head, smiling as he spoke with feeling.

He was much warmer and more outgoing than he had been three years ago.

"Even when I see him every so often, I feel he's changed enormously. No wonder you're surprised after so long."

Li Feiyu joined in.

He met Lu Changsheng every few months to catch up.

He did not notice much during their meetings, but looking back afterward, he always felt that Lu Changsheng had changed in some hard-to-describe way.

"Indeed. Brother Lu, what happened to you? How have you changed so much? Brother Li, on the other hand, looks much the same."

Hong Yi nodded and continued, "This isn't the place to chat. I've already booked rooms and a private dining room at the Ruyi Tower. You've both had a long journey. Let's head upstairs so I can welcome you and wash away the dust of the road."

"Xiao Xiyue, Zhao Qingqing, and Han Lin haven't arrived yet, but they should be here within the next couple of days."

As he spoke, Hong Yi led them into the Ruyi Tower.

The interior gleamed with gold and jade, its beams carved and painted. A spiral staircase stood in the center.

The three climbed the stairs to an elegant private dining room on the ninth floor, whose windows offered a direct view of the city at night.

"Brother Li, Brother Lu, it's been three years. Have you been doing well with the Lu Lineage on Green Bamboo Mountain?"

Once they were seated, Hong Yi warmly poured tea for them as he asked.

"Well enough."

Li Feiyu answered simply.

He felt there was really nothing worth saying about his circumstances.

"I've been getting by, too."

Lu Changsheng's answer was equally brief.

"I'd believe that coming from Brother Li, but not from you, Brother Lu."

"I've dealt with people often these past few years, and I like to think I have a decent eye. Unless I'm mistaken, those clothes you're wearing are a cultivation robe, aren't they?"

"Besides, if I hadn't known you before, your looks and bearing would have made me certain you were some young noble from a cultivation lineage."

"So you're not being honest with me, Brother Lu. You don't think of me as a friend."

Hong Yi smiled, putting on an exaggerated show of hurt.

Though the three had never been particularly close before, Hong Yi's words made them feel much closer.

"I really haven't been hiding anything from you, Brother Hong."

"If I had to explain it, I discovered I had some talent for making talismans while with the Lu Lineage. I've become a talisman master now, so my living conditions are fairly good."

Lu Changsheng shook his head as he explained.

He was not saying this to show off.

There was simply no need to conceal such a thing.

He had come to this reunion with certain aims in mind.

He wanted to befriend Xiao Xiyue, Zhao Qingqing, and Han Lin, the three immortal sect disciples, and maintain those connections.

But to maintain a friendship, he naturally needed something to offer.

Otherwise, what standing did a cultivation lineage's live-in son-in-law have to befriend immortal sect disciples?

For now, his status as a first-rank talisman master was the asset he could openly present.

"Ah! I never imagined you had such talent, Brother Lu!"

"To become a talisman master in just three short years! Let me offer you a toast with tea in place of wine!"

Hong Yi drew in a sharp breath of surprise. His manner grew warmer still as he raised his cup.

"You're too kind, Brother Hong. I'm merely a ranked talisman master. I can hardly compare to your carefree life."

Lu Changsheng raised his own cup in return.

The lord of Ruyi Commandery's capital was the Ruyi Marquis.

He was also Hong Yi's father.

In the mortal world, such standing was certainly extraordinary.

Yet seeing how warm and courteous Hong Yi was now-a complete reversal from three years ago-Lu Changsheng figured life must have dealt him quite a few harsh blows in that time.

"I'm only a concubine's son. That status is hardly worth mentioning. I truly can't compare to you, Brother Lu."

"Besides, becoming a ranked talisman master in such a short time proves your exceptional talent. You're a dragon or phoenix among men. Becoming a second-rank talisman master someday is entirely possible."

Hong Yi shook his head with feeling, then spoke with utmost sincerity.

"You flatter me, Brother Hong."

Hong Yi's words did indeed make Lu Changsheng feel rather pleased.

As he remembered it, Hong Yi had carried an air of arrogance three years ago.

He had never gone so far as to mock Lu Changsheng and Han Lin or do anything to them.

Still, his words and actions had betrayed a lofty attitude and a certain disdain for them.

The contrast between his former attitude and his present one inevitably gave Lu Changsheng a measure of satisfaction.

Of course, he was not about to put on airs merely because of Hong Yi's attitude. He began chatting cordially with him.

With Hong Yi keeping the conversation lively, the three gradually grew more familiar with one another.

It truly felt like a reunion of old friends who had not met for years.

And so, under Hong Yi's generous hospitality, Lu Changsheng and Li Feiyu stayed at the Ruyi Tower for three days.

Three days later, Xiao Xiyue, Zhao Qingqing, and Han Lin arrived in Ruyi.

Upon receiving the news, Lu Changsheng and Li Feiyu went downstairs with Hong Yi to welcome them.

They spotted Xiao Xiyue and her two companions as soon as they reached the ground floor.

"Brother Li, Young Marquis... are you Lu Changsheng?"

Dressed in a long white gown whiter than snow, Xiao Xiyue had an oval face of incomparable beauty. When she saw Lu Changsheng and the others, she immediately stepped forward with a smile to greet them.

She was frank and poised, her smile as radiant as a spring breeze, its warmth spreading to everyone around her.

Beside her, Zhao Qingqing merely nodded in greeting.

Her hair was loosely pinned up, and she wore an emerald-green gown. Her face was not breathtakingly beautiful, but it was delicate and graceful.

Standing beside the stunning Xiao Xiyue, she seemed all the more overshadowed, becoming the green leaves that set off a flower.

Still, she had fair skin and an excellent, tall figure. Her long legs and slender waist were particularly striking.

"Brother Changsheng, Brother Li, Young Marquis."

Han Lin greeted them as well.

Compared with the two women, he seemed even more unremarkable, barely making his presence felt.

He wore a grayish-brown robe and had slightly dark skin and ordinary features. He was neither tall nor short, neither fat nor thin.