The Pei Household's Daughter Comes of Age; Rongquan Welcomes an Old Friend to Xuanwei

----Six months later, in Yangming Mountain

Pei Xiangcao, who had just completed her Foundation Establishment, had just finished trying on her wedding dress. Accompanying her were several junior maids from Green Lotus Courtyard who had not been taken away by Fei Shuhe. They chattered incessantly at the gentle and graceful face reflected in the silver mirror, adding a touch of joy to the young lady's boudoir.

At this moment, a begonia-shaped glass lamp hung in the room, its warm yellow light enveloping the crimson tassels hanging from the curtains, gently swaying and creating dappled light spots.

On the dressing table stood a gilded and jewel-encrusted comb and a rouge box. The "Drunken Spring Red" rouge in the box was stained with fine Second Tier red goose down, which was quite luxurious and made the tuberose in the corner of the table, which was just beginning to bloom, appear even more vibrant.

The nun's wedding dress was embroidered with colorful gold thread, and the collar and cuffs were decorated with lotus scroll patterns. The gold thread shimmered softly under the lamplight, and the pearl buttons on the skirt jingled gently as it swept across the large red carpet.

Several maids gathered around them with glowing gold scissors and ribbons, and the handkerchiefs they held on their fingertips were embroidered with the word "" for mandarin ducks. Even their voices were filled with sweetness, causing Pei Xiangxiang's eyebrows to slightly raise in the mirror, and the light blush on her cheeks to be even more vivid than rouge.

Inside the room sat an elderly woman with silver hair, also from the Pei Household, but of a different generation than Pei Xiangcao. She was currently staring intently at the person in the mirror, tears welling in her eyes.

"The sect leader is merciful; at least he hasn't forgotten the Pei Household."

"Silence!" Upon hearing this, Pei Xiangcao's cheerful expression vanished instantly, replaced by a harsh rebuke. "If you're too old to speak properly, then don't come to this immortal mountain to cultivate with me!"

"Oh, oh, Aunt, please don't be offended. I only misspoke," the old woman said, quickly wiping her eyes. She then squeezed a young maid aside and earnestly helped Pei Xiangcao tie her hair up.

"It is an honor that our sect leader is willing to select a talented person from the Kang family to become a son-in-law of our Pei Household."

She had just praised them when she suddenly changed her tone and said, "It's a pity they're from the lineage of Senior Kang Xiangyi. Although they were both included in the Kang Clan's minor branch by the sect leader, they're ultimately a level below."

Pei Xiangcao knew that her junior's words made sense, but after all, the sect masters wanted the new son-in-law to change his name and marry into the Pei Household. This arrangement showed that Sect Leader Kang Da was very serious. Otherwise, he would have had a hard time getting past the Pill Master Kang Xiangyi.

"These words cannot be spoken outside." Pei Xiangcao had just finished giving her instructions when a maid came to report that a guest had arrived outside.

She immediately and swiftly removed all her extravagant attire, then changed into a simple dress and went out to greet them.

Several True Cultivator were seated in the reception hall. Kang Rongquan, the leader, glanced at Pei Xiangcao after she emerged, and a look of appreciation immediately appeared on his face.

"The Pei Household Double Brightness has always produced beauties."

Pei Xiangcao blushed at the praise, and Kang Rongquan didn't seem to notice anything amiss. However, Ye Yaoling, who was standing beside him, lightly patted him and said angrily, "Senior brother, how can you speak like an elder?!"

The cultivators in the hall laughed upon hearing this, which gradually eased the embarrassment on Pei Xiangcao's face. She then regained her composure and bowed to each of the cultivators in the hall, saying, "Xiangcao greets all the masters and elders."

"Your wedding is in half a month, but we have received a sudden decree from the sect leader and must go on a trip. We may not be able to return in time, so we have come to offer you a congratulatory gift in advance."

As soon as Kang Rongquan's laughter subsided, all the True Cultivator began to move. Then, streaks of spiritual light appeared one after another and fell down, crowding Pei Xiangcao's body so much that there was almost no room for her to stand.

"Thank you all for your kind gifts, teachers."

Even without examining them, Pei Xiangcao only glanced at them briefly, yet she knew that these precious items were not something that even the elders with some status in the Chongming Sect could easily produce, which showed the deep affection and friendship behind them.

"Your ancestor is my teacher; why bother with these empty formalities?!"

Kang Rongquan chuckled again and sighed softly. A hint of sorrow flashed in his no-longer-bright eyes, forcing him to lower his head slightly.

Seeing the silence in the hall, which seemed somewhat out of place for the recent joyous occasion, Ye Yaoling, standing to the side, changed the subject and said softly:

"Although Senior Kang Xiangyi's eldest grandson is not favored, he is a promising talent with one or two Spirit Root, making him a good match for you, Yu Xiangcao. Our sect leader has put a lot of thought into this."

Pei Xiangcao obediently nodded, but Zhu Yunsheng, fearing she might not understand the reason, explained further:

"Originally Senior Martial Uncle Ye said that Senior Yang Wuwei of the Yang Ye Prefecture Yang Household had just attained the Golden Core, and there happened to be a direct descendant whose talent and aptitude were suitable. Moreover, the two families had always been on good terms, so he thought of asking the matchmaker to facilitate this good match, so that the relationship between the two families could be further improved and they could become husband and wife."

However, Senior Martial Uncle Yuan said that the Pei Household family was small, and it was not convenient for the Qilin girl to marry far away. Otherwise, even if she entered the Golden Core sect, she would suffer some resentment in the future, but there would be no one to tell her. It would be much more appropriate for her to stay by his side.

The two senior masters each held their own opinions, and presented this dispute to the head master, who, after half a day, chose Senior Martial Uncle Yuan's suggestion.

Pei Xiangcao was somewhat surprised to hear this, after all, since Kang Lingyi went to Ying Prefecture, she thought that without her aunt's care, she would gradually fall out of favor.

This female Daoist priest truly had no idea that her own marriage could make three grandmasters take it so seriously.

"After this discussion, although we know that we should arrange a son-in-law, all the families in the jurisdiction are very enthusiastic," Zhu Yunsheng raised his hand and smiled, pointing Shan Yong was quietly drinking tea to the side, and said, "The Jade Moon Shan Household, from which Junior Brother Shan comes, has this intention."

Upon hearing this, the latter showed some annoyance, but then smiled helplessly and said, "Senior Brother Zhu, please don't tease me. I know my Shan Household is a small and insignificant family. But wait until my Lineage brother becomes Pill Master, then let's see if you still dare to say such things."

"Ha, so unambitious! Why don't you think about when you'll be able to become Pill Master?!" Kang Rongquan laughed and scolded, and all the cultivators, including Shan Yong, laughed along with him.

"Alright, we unscrupulous elders should get back to work. The sooner we go, the sooner we'll be back; who knows, we might even make it back for a cup of herbal wedding wine."

"What Senior Sister Ye said is very true. Let's go, let's not linger."

"Wait a moment, wait a moment. These Twin Flood Dragon Gold-Inscripted Shears are mid-grade Spirit Artifact newly crafted by a master craftsman. I need to have a good talk with Xiangcao about how to use them."

After another short while, Kang Rongquan and the others bid farewell to Pei Xiangcao and left amidst the cheerful laughter of the room.

Perhaps because it involved serious business, the smiles on the faces of the cultivators who were landing on the Yunzhou gradually faded. It was Shan Yong was the first to lose his composure, approaching Kang Rongquan and asking curiously:

"Senior Brother Kang, we don't know which guest has come from afar. Our Sect Leader Uncle has to come and give you instructions, asking you to personally lead a group to Xuanwei City to welcome them."

"Junior Brother Shan, how dare I question the orders given by the sect leader?" Kang Rongquan shook his head for a while, and found Shan Yong's words amusing.

The latter also felt this made sense, so he stopped worrying about it. Just as he was about to move aside, he heard Kang Rongquan add, "But judging from the sect leader's words, it seems to be an important figure from the capital."

"The capital region?! A big shot?!"

Upon hearing this, Kang Rongquan and his fellow disciples all wore different expressions. This was because, ever since the Silver Saber Prince Consort Shen Lingfeng personally led the Imperial Guards to Mountain North Circuit a month ago, the situation between the Star-Picking Pavilion and the Office of the Duke of Qin had undergone some subtle changes.

In particular, Bai Canhong, the Master of the Star-Picking Pavilion, made another move, challenging Shen Lingfeng, True Person Crimson Snow, and True Person Moon Hidden to three duels, but failing to win any of them. This made the battle situation even more intense.

According to what the cultivators heard from outside, the officials of the Duke's Mansion had repeatedly suggested that the Cloud Horn Prefecture military camp send more troops to resolve the crisis. However, it was unclear whether the Fei Household was pulling strings outside, but the proposal ultimately came to nothing.

However, the Fei Household's patriarch with the flat hair rushed off to the battlefield in Mountain North Circuit.

Recently, rumors have circulated that the reason why the three True Person on our side only suffered minor defeats in their battle against Bai Canhong was due to the help of Fei Tianqin and Kuang Liuting, a man and a bird.

Kang Rongquan guessed that his great-uncle could get the exact information from the Fei Household, but since the latter had not brought it up, he was curious but didn't feel comfortable asking.

Moreover, for the Chongming Sect, who had already settled in Xian Prefecture, the more truthful these things were, the better.

There have been many happy events recently. In addition to Pei Xiangcao's marriage, Kang Dabao has generously displayed a group of Foundation Establishment spiritual objects that he had worked so hard to obtain. This has also led Chongming Sect to hold more than ten Dao Assembly in the past six months, which has naturally made all the cultivators very happy.

Of course, it would be even better if Merit Points Hall charged less interest.

So they chatted and laughed all the way, and didn't feel bored. After about seven days on the spirit boat, Kang Rongquan and his party finally landed back in Xuanwei City.

The newly appointed garrison commander Duan Anle Duan Yunzhou Anle, is indeed serious about cultivation, but he lacks experience in governance and has only recently Foundation Establishment. He also needs to balance cultivation, so most of the city's affairs, large and small, are currently managed by Kang Xiangyi, the grandson of the Sect Leader Kang Da.

Kang Dabao had a high opinion of him, stating that he was an excellent ruler who could maintain the status quo. Indeed, in just half a year, Xuanwei City had already regained much of its former prosperity.

Meanwhile, Yang Xun, the head of the Chongming Sect City Defense Army, is currently in seclusion, seeking to obtain the elixir of False Core. Therefore, most of the city's defense affairs are now being managed by You Xiaobao, a Qi Refinement.

Kang Rongquan was also moved when he saw the latter, an acquaintance.

You Xiaobao is already well past his eighties. It seems that his position as a city defense soldier and the closed-door disciple of the Pill Master can only bring some prestige to the You Xiaobao Lineage and future generations, but it is unlikely to bring him much more.

Whether the You Household can prosper in the future depends on how descendants like You Wenrui act.

Kang Rongquan was busy with his duties, so he only exchanged pleasantries with You Xiaobao for a while, gave him two Qi-cultivating herbs and a few unused pills and magical Spirit Artifact, before bidding farewell to this old friend.

Upon hearing the news, Kang Xiangyi also came to greet them. He first bowed respectfully to the group of Double Brightness disciples, and before they could return the greeting, he spoke warmly to Kang Rongquan:

"I had heard that the patriarch was going to send someone to welcome our distinguished guest, but I never expected it would be my uncle coming in person. That's why I didn't make any arrangements. Please forgive me, uncle."

Kang Rongquan had been accustomed to being a senior figure since childhood, and he and Kang Xiangyi were genuine relatives who had discussed the genealogy together. Therefore, even seeing a dignified False Core so respectful before him, he did not feel apprehensive, but instead calmly replied:

"Xiangyi, why be so extravagant? Keep everything simple."

Kang Xiangyi, the old cultivator, was quite clever. He disregarded the prestige of the Pill Master and actually put on a relieved expression, which surprised the others who were serving beside the two.

Not long after, Zhang Huangshi, who was also assisting Duan Yunzhou in Xuanwei City, also appeared. Facing the group of juniors, he was still very respectful.

The two men led Kang Rongquan and his group to a newly built platform. Kang Rongquan, now in charge of some affairs, could distinguish good from bad, and knew that these spiritual materials alone would consume a lot.

"But we have distinguished guests," Kang Rongquan sighed softly. He checked the time with Kang Xiangyi and Zhang Huangshi and determined that there were still three days before the distinguished guests arrived. He then took the jade tablets for Double Brightness's temporary cave abode from the two of them before going to the Fei Household mansion.

As a junior member of the Double Brightness Kang Household, it would be inappropriate for him not to pay respects to the Fei Household, his in-laws and elders, upon arriving here.

However, after submitting his name card, the Fei Household's guest attendant on duty, without the immediate authorization of the clan's superiors, dared not bring Kang Rongquan into the inner courtyard without permission.

So they had no choice but to invite a chef to cook a table of fine dishes in the front yard, and also opened some Higher Vehicle spirit wines, and invited a few close relatives and clansmen to have a good drink with Kang Rongquan, so that they would not have neglected their in-law.

Kang Rongquan had never expected to be summoned by Golden Core before he came. He did this merely to fulfill his due respect, not to mention that he was treated with hospitality. Therefore, he had no resentment.

To be honest, he had sent visiting cards to the Fei Household before, but he had never received a reply, and such courtesy was unprecedented.

"My great-uncle's status is truly different now; we younger generations are indeed benefiting from his influence once again," Kang Rongquan thought to himself, feeling slightly smug after being plied with a few cups of spirit wine.

He had just bid farewell to the few Fei Household relatives who had come to see him off when he mounted his Cloud-Treading Colt. However, after traveling for only a short while, the sound of air being torn apart came from above Xuanwei City.

The city-protecting array, which should have been under strict guard and reinforced by the Fei Household's array masters, gradually opened up after a jade pendant was placed on the spirit boat, its spiritual energy dissipating.

Kang Rongquan had a bad feeling. He looked up and saw a gilded flying boat breaking through the clouds. The boat was inlaid with a hundred South China Sea mermaid pearls, which reflected a seven-colored halo in the sunlight. The phoenix statue carved at the bow held a spirit jade in its beak.

As it flew, the jade light flowed, even the surrounding air currents seemed to be stirred, turning into faint auspicious clouds that swirled around the boat. A black brocade banner hung at the stern, with the words "Benevolent Grace" written on it. The characters, embroidered by a skilled embroiderer, exuded a dignified spiritual power, inspiring awe from afar.

Upon seeing this, Kang Rongquan immediately realized that a distinguished guest had arrived ahead of schedule. He quickly dispelled the smell of alcohol on his body and spurred his horse toward the high platform.

Fortunately, the arrival of the guests was quite grand, and Kang Rongquan managed to catch up without delaying his business. However, as soon as he gathered with his fellow disciples, he saw two teams of guards clad in silver armor emerge from the cabin door, all of whom were at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

These guards were not only all the same height and build, but even their facial features were almost identical, making them truly solemn and orderly.

Holding long swords inlaid with spirit crystals, they stood on both sides forming a ceremonial guard.

Then a nobleman slowly walked out, wearing a crown adorned with seven precious jewels. The seven precious jewels of the Buddhist school, arranged in Third Tier, surrounded the mermaid-shaped pearl at the top like stars. Twelve golden chains hanging from the crown's brim were decorated with small, delicate bells, which rang melodiously and rhythmically as he walked.

The peacock feather brocade cloak she wore made her look even more luxurious. The hidden pattern of a thousand birds carrying a lingzhi mushroom was made of purple gold powder and spirit silk. Each "bird feather" shimmered with a faint spiritual light. The jade belt buckles with dragon heads and phoenix feathers on her shoulders were even more exquisite. When the dragon heads breathed, there was a faint golden spiritual power swirling around them. When the phoenix feathers trembled slightly, there was a hidden aura of wind blades. The powerful aura of offense and defense was overwhelming.

"Golden Core cultivator at the upper level, with this kind of pomp and circumstance, they're probably not even newly promoted upper level cultivators." Ye Yaoling's mutterings reached Kang Rongquan's ears, making the latter even more uneasy.

"How could my great-uncle not tell me who such a person is? If we were to mistreat this senior, wouldn't that damage the sect's reputation?!"

At this moment, he looked back and saw that Zhang Huangshi and Kang Xiangyi also looked bewildered. He also saw that the Fei Household mansion was showing signs of spiritual light, indicating that the person who came was of high status, and even the Fei Household had to come out to greet him.

Fortunately, his unease didn't last long. Just as he was about to muster his courage and step forward to pay his respects, he looked up and saw the nobleman's face clearly, and was suddenly stunned.

"The Earl of Fengen has arrived!"

" By the Earl of Fengen!!!!"

The announcement was followed by a chorus of shouts from the silver-armored guards, which jolted Kang Rongquan back to his senses.

Over the years, he had seen his share of the world, so he wouldn't be completely flustered. After straightening his clothes and composing himself, he walked unhurriedly to the foot of the high platform, his face solemn yet neither humble nor arrogant.

"Junior Kang Rongquan pays his respects to Feng En."

He had only bent halfway down when the distinguished guest helped him up. After thanking him and raising his head, he saw a hint of emotion on the much younger-looking face. "Kuai En has not seen Brother Kang for a long time. How have you been?"