Chapter 10

Mubei chuckled, knowing what Yiyi was thinking, and gently pinched her little nose: "You are the most important person to me. Situ Reading

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"Brother is also the most important person to Yiyi! As important as Father and Mother!"

Yiyi said sweetly.

The two walked neither too fast nor too slow, and before long, the Mufu estate was in sight.

The Mufu estate was festooned with lanterns, and large "Longevity" characters were pasted on both sides of the gate.

Mubei was not surprised, as tomorrow was the old matriarch's ninetieth birthday, and the Mufu estate had been preparing for several days.

"I've prepared a three-leaf snow lotus as a gift, Brother, what about you?"

Yiyi asked.

"I haven't prepared anything," Mubei smiled, "but there's no rush."

After a bit of idle chat, he parted ways with Yiyi and returned to his own courtyard.

In the evening, he sat in a bath containing thirty-six medicinal herbs, diligently cultivating.

The "Sword of Supreme World" circulated, and the energy within his body flowed like a sharp sword, causing intense pain.

Mubei remained unperturbed, and with each breath, it seemed as if thunder and wind were resonating in his chest.

An hour later, he stopped cultivating and stood up from the tub.

The impurities in the tub had decreased significantly compared to three days ago. After a simple rinse, his skin was smooth and lustrous, like flawless white jade.

Pausing for a moment, he extended his right hand in a sword gesture and casually stabbed at a stone pillar inside the room.

With a hiss, his two fingers sank entirely into the stone pillar.

When he pulled them out, his fingers were unharmed, leaving only a finger-sized hole in the stone pillar.

Though he appeared delicate, he was actually invincible!

Mubei nodded to himself, quite satisfied.

With the "Sword of Supreme World," even with his meridians shattered, he could still cultivate at the martial level. Now, he had entered the second stage of martial cultivation, the Bone Tempering stage.

Though only in the early Bone Tempering stage, his strength was formidable, capable of lifting a tripod and splitting metal!

Looking out the window, the Mufu estate was brightly lit and bustling with noise.

"Reaching ninety, the age of old age."

Mubei walked to his desk, picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and soon the white paper was densely covered with characters.

The sky was dotted with stars, and the moonlight bathed the earth.

The night passed quickly, and the next morning, Mubei was practicing breathing exercises in the courtyard when Yiyi arrived, inviting him to join the birthday banquet.

"I heard that a second-rank alchemist will be visiting our Mufu today!"

On the way, Yiyi said mysteriously.

"A second-rank alchemist is coming?"

The Alchemist Guild divides alchemists into ranks one through nine. In the Northern Prefecture, a second-rank alchemist is considered very powerful, and they are extremely rare even in the capital city.

Such a person would come to the Mufu?

Yiyi nodded: "It's said that Muwu's alchemy talent has been recognized by the second-rank alchemist, who has taken him as a disciple. This time, he's coming to the matriarch's birthday banquet out of respect for Muwu."

"I see."

Mubei said.

The Mu family has five brothers, and his adoptive father was the eldest, who passed away in an accident a few years ago.

Now, the Mufu estate has four brothers left, with the second brother, Muyuanshan, serving as the clan leader, and the other three as the first, second, and third elders.

This Muwu is the son of the current clan leader, Muyuanshan.

As they walked and chatted, they soon arrived at the main courtyard of the estate, where dozens of lavish banquet tables were already set up.

"Yiyi, you're here."

Several young men and women were standing in the courtyard, mostly collateral descendants of the Mufu estate. Seeing Yiyi, many of them greeted her.

As for Mubei, everyone chose to ignore him.

Just an adopted son, and now with his cultivation lost, he was not even worth their attention.

"Mu Yiyi, why are you still hanging around with him? Don't you know he has lost all his cultivation? They say those who stay close to ink will turn black. If you continue like this, you'll end up a failure too."

A young woman in a green skirt walked over, glancing at Mubei with undisguised disdain and mockery. Muranran, the daughter of the Mufu estate's first elder, was sixteen, a year older than Yiyi.

Yiyi glanced at Muranran and said, "There's a black dog by the city wall that's said to have lived for fifty-three years. Muranran, do you know why?"

Muranran was taken aback and instinctively asked, "Why?"

"Because the dog never bites mice."

Yiyi said coolly.

Muranran was stunned, then turned angry: "You're insulting me!"

"Which word did I use to insult you?"

Yiyi feigned confusion.

Muranran huffed and turned to leave, heading toward the main table.

"Who dares look down on my brother, I'll crush you!"

Yiyi muttered.

Mubei couldn't help but smile; this little sister was both warm-hearted and adorable.

"Brother, let's go over there."

Yiyi said to Mubei, her face full of smiles.

"No, I'll sit here. You go over there."

Mubei pointed to a seat at the end of the table.

He knew very well that the main table would not have a place for him now.

Of course, he didn't care.

Yiyi was very smart and immediately understood. The clan members were biased and would not allow Mubei to sit at the main table.

"Tell them you know Princess Yueyao, and they'll cry and beg you to sit there!"

She muttered.

Mubei pinched her nose: "There's no need. It's fine here, quiet and peaceful."

Saying that, he casually sat down at the end of the table.

Yiyi huffed in the direction of the main table and then sat down next to Mubei: "I like it quiet too."

"My mother will scold me later."

Mubei said with a smile.

Though he said this, his heart was warm.

"No, she won't!" Yiyi quickly denied, then, lacking confidence, whispered, "Brother, don't be angry with my mother. She, she just..."

Mubei tapped her forehead: "Don't worry. For Yiyi's sake, I won't be angry."

Actually, Du Qingyue was just a bit snobbish, with no other faults.

"Thank you, Brother!" Yiyi was delighted and playfully said, "Actually, I'm just being prepared. What if she becomes your mother-in-law in the future? If I let her have her way now, I won't lose out in the future, right?"

Mubei was both amused and exasperated; this girl was really mischievous.

Just then, a voice from the main table called out: "Brother Muwu is here!"

In the main courtyard, all the Mufu disciples turned to look, seeing a young man in a dark robe walking over, handsome and outstanding.

"Brother Muwu!"

"Brother Muwu is not only handsome and powerful, but now he's been recognized by a second-rank alchemist and taken as a disciple. He surely has a bright future!"

"In the future, our Mufu will rely on Brother Muwu!"

"Yes!"

"With Brother Muwu, our Mufu will surely achieve glory!"

Many young disciples of the Mufu estate gathered around, full of admiration.

Muwu looked arrogant, enjoying the flattery, and said, "To contribute to the family's glory, I, Muwu, will take the lead, but the family's development still requires everyone's efforts."

"Brother Muwu is right!"

Everyone responded.

Muwu, with one hand behind his back, looked like a leader: "That's enough. Today is the matriarch's ninetieth birthday, so don't keep surrounding me. Disperse and behave well later."

"Yes!"

Everyone immediately dispersed.

Yiyi pouted: "Just like his father, putting on airs!"

She had never had a good impression of Muwu.

Mubei smiled but said nothing.

The main courtyard of the Mufu estate was very spacious, and guests kept arriving to celebrate the birthday. Soon, the Mufu's high-ranking officials also arrived.

The old matriarch, dressed in a red birthday robe, was supported by two young maids and walked to the main table, taking her seat.

"Grandmother."

Muwu stepped forward and called out.

The old matriarch nodded and smiled: "I heard you've been taken as a disciple by a second-rank alchemist?"

"I'm not very talented, but I was fortunate to be recognized by my master."

Muwu said proudly.

"Good, good. Yuanshan, you have a good son." The old matriarch, leaning on her phoenix cane, looked pleased and then said to Muwu, "Today is my birthday, but you are also the focus today. The Mufu is proud to have you."

Being taken as a disciple by a second-rank alchemist means a bright future, and the Mufu will advance further because of you.

Muyuanshan patted Muwu's shoulder, his face full of pride and admiration: "Work hard, I'm proud of you!"

At this moment, a servant came over and whispered a few words, making Muyuanshan's expression turn serious.

"Alchemist Liang has arrived. Wu'er, come with me to welcome him!"

Father and son quickly left.

The Mufu's high-ranking officials were moved and hurriedly joined them to welcome the guest.

Soon, an old man in a green robe was escorted to the main table.

The old matriarch stood up and said, "Welcome, Alchemist Liang, your presence honors our humble abode."

Alchemist Liang, around seventy, nodded at the old matriarch and said coolly, "You're too kind."

Despite Alchemist Liang's coldness, the old matriarch was not offended. After all, he was a second-rank alchemist, a prominent figure even in the capital city. His visit to the Mufu was already a great honor, and some arrogance was normal.

"Alchemist Liang, please take your seat!"

Muyuanshan warmly invited.

Muwu also spoke, very respectfully: "Master, please take your seat!"

"Alright."

Alchemist Liang looked at Muwu, his expression softening. He disliked the vulgar attitude of Muyuanshan and others, but Muwu's alchemy talent was exceptional. With careful cultivation, he could become a first-rank alchemist in the future.

Mubei glanced at the scene but paid no attention, sipping his tea and chatting with Yiyi.

At the end of the table, it was just him and Yiyi, very quiet, but he found it quite pleasant.

"Yiyi, why are you sitting at the end of the table? Come over here!"

At the main table, Du Qingyue frowned.

"I'll sit here. I can still celebrate the matriarch's birthday from here."

Yiyi said.

Du Qingyue was about to scold her, but was stopped by Mu Yunfeng. Since it was the old matriarch's ninetieth birthday and a distinguished guest had arrived, it was not appropriate to argue: "Forget it, let her be. It's not a big deal."

Du Qingyue said nothing but glared at Mubei.

Mubei: "…"

Soon, the birthday banquet began.

After a brief feast, led by Muwu, the younger generation of the Mufu estate began to present their gifts one by one.

"Master Muwu presents a hundred-year-old sea cucumber, wishing the old matriarch good fortune!"

"Miss Muranran presents a pearl necklace, wishing the old matriarch good luck and prosperity!"

"Miss Yiyi presents a three-leaf snow lotus, wishing the old matriarch longevity!"

"Master Mujin presents a pair of jade bracelets, wishing the old matriarch to shine like the sun and moon!"

"Collateral descendant Musource presents a famous painting of a crane, wishing the old matriarch eternal life!"

The Mufu steward announced.

Soon, a pile of valuable gifts was displayed.

"Good, good, good children!"

The old matriarch beamed with joy.

"Mubei, what about your gift? Have you been eating and drinking at my Mufu for so many years, and you didn't even prepare a gift?"

At this moment, a voice rang out.

At the main table, Mujin spoke, looking mockingly at Mubei.