Chapter 38

As the lute and zither played in unison on the opposite bank, the strings resonating, the sound grew louder as the fishing boat gradually approached.

Only to see a hundred or so female laborers standing together, encircling a woman in white like stars surrounding the moon.

This woman, with a hat and a veil, her face obscured, yet her graceful figure sparked endless imagination. She gently held the brim of her hat, lifting a corner of the veil, glanced at the lake twice, and then stepped out of the crowd, walking onto the stone embankment where the boat was moored.

At first, the people on the boat curiously observed the scene as if it were a spectacle, but gradually they felt something was amiss. In the vast marsh, only their solitary boat was floating, and the gazes from the opposite bank were all directed at them. The people on the boat exchanged glances, wondering if... they were here to welcome someone on their boat?

Who could it be? They began to scrutinize each other.

Finally, everyone's gaze focused on Qin Gui, who was handsome and fair-skinned. One of them stepped forward and clasped his hands, saying, "Congratulations, Senior Brother Qin."

Qin Gui barely suppressed the excitement in his heart but feigned surprise, "What do you mean, Brother Chen?"

"Among those on this fishing boat, only Brother Qin stands out with his charm and extraordinary appearance, and he is from the Qin family of Yongxi. This immortal lady might have chosen you." Brother Chen glanced around and took a step back, raising his voice, "If Brother Qin ascends to the Dragon Gate, don't forget us, your humble friends."

"Exactly, exactly." The others around him teased Qin Gui, "If it's not Senior Brother Qin, who else could it be? If you join the immortal sect, don't forget us."

Everyone's attention was on Qin Gui, and they barely glanced at Zhang Yan, treating him like a passerby.

"Why do you all mock me? I know my own worth; how could I have such good fortune? Don't speak rashly and anger the immortal lady." Although he denied it, Qin Gui's eyes were fixed on the shore, a faint hope stirring in his heart. He tightly gripped the boat's railing, trying to maintain a calm demeanor.

The fishing boat soon reached the dock. The boatman, Qian, who usually managed the comings and goings here, was just an ordinary person and had never seen such a scene before. His hands trembled, and he looked nervous.

As the woman in white approached, everyone held their breath, their hearts pounding. Her gaze, through the thin veil, swept over everyone's faces and paused at Qin Gui.

"Could it really be me?"

Qin Gui felt his mouth dry, and his legs wobbled. He shouted in his heart that it was impossible, but seeing the woman walking toward him, he was overjoyed. He stepped forward involuntarily, but someone grabbed his sleeve, making him furious. Turning around, he saw a companion signaling to him. He then realized that the immortal lady had not even glanced at him but was walking straight to Zhang Yan behind him. His face turned red with shame and anger, and he could not bear to stay any longer. He covered his face with his sleeve and hurried away.

"Who could this person be, to have caught the eye of the immortal lady!"

Seeing Qin Gui leave in a hurry, the dozen or so people who accompanied him looked at Zhang Yan with various envious and jealous gazes, sighing deeply before leaving.

The woman in white gracefully approached Zhang Yan, bowed, and said in a voice like pearls falling on a jade plate, "This humble girl, Tang Yan, greets you, Sir Zhang."

Zhang Yan frowned at this sudden appearance of the so-called immortal lady. He was wary, thinking that something unusual must be afoot. He asked sternly, "Who are you?"

"I am a maid from the Changguan Grotto, and I have been sent by Senior Brother Ning to specially welcome you, Sir." The woman took a step forward, lowering her head, and said, "Senior Brother Ning's intention is for me to accompany Sir Zhang... in cultivation." Her voice grew almost inaudible at the end, as if filled with shyness.

Zhang Yan narrowed his eyes. He was not blinded by the unexpected good fortune but felt something was amiss.

Such a grand welcome seemed impressive but offered no real benefit except drawing attention. He had just entered the upper academy; how could he be so ostentatious?

He glanced around and noticed that many people had stopped to watch. This place was already bustling, and the commotion had attracted even more onlookers.

Although he had only spoken a few words to Ning Chongxuan, he did not believe the other would arrange such a scene. If this woman had acted on her own, her intentions were worth pondering.

He sneered inwardly, thinking, "Do you think I have no means to deal with this?"

Numerous thoughts flashed through his mind, but he smiled and said, "Since it's arranged by Senior Brother Ning, I have no objections. Lady Tang, you may call me Senior Brother."

Tang Yan responded with a soft "Mm" and said, "Yes, Senior Brother."

Zhang Yan asked, "Since you have come with a group, do you have a place to stay?"

"We have moved out of the Changguan Grotto, but since you are from the lower academy, you can receive a granted cave dwelling at the Yuetian Pavilion." Tang Yan instructed a maid beside her, "Butterfly, lead the way and take Senior Brother Zhang to the Yuetian Pavilion."

A petite maid stepped forward and said crisply, "Yes."

Tang Yan turned to Zhang Yan and said, "Our group of over a hundred people needs a spacious cave dwelling. Senior Brother, don't forget. Butterfly is clever and will explain everything along the way."

Zhang Yan's eyes flickered, and he nodded, "Thank you, Lady Tang."

Tang Yan bowed again and said, "No, you can call me Yan."

Zhang Yan nodded, "Alright, Yan, wait a moment, I'll be right back."

Tang Yan's face under the veil seemed to smile, and she said, "I'll wait for you here, Senior Brother."

After Zhang Yan left, a pretty maid beside Tang Yan whispered, "Lady Yan, apart from his good looks, there's nothing special about Zhang Yan. Why does Senior Brother Ning value him so much? But this man is also impolite, just a low-grade qi channel cultivator, and he wants to become your dao companion? Pfft, does he think he's worthy?"

Tang Yan said coolly, "Ling, speak less. Have you done what I asked?"

Ling laughed, "Don't worry, Lady Yan. I informed Wang Lang yesterday, and he has already arranged everything. This time, Zhang Yan will be in a bind, losing all his dignity."

Tang Yan smoothed her hair and sighed, "That's good." Her gaze turned distant, then flashed with determination.

She had started practicing at the age of five and was brought up by the real person Sun Zhiyan. Knowing her humble origins, she was used to being a tool to attract talented disciples in the grotto. However, because the real person favored her, she began to have different thoughts, thinking she was superior. But now, just a word from Ning Chongxuan, and she was sent away like a piece of goods, to a cultivator who hadn't even reached the qi channel stage. She felt both hurt and resentful.

Even though Ning Chongxuan said Zhang Yan had a bright future, to her, it was just a castle in the air, a mirage. Knowing Zhang Yan's background, she was even less optimistic. A cultivator with no background and a low-grade qi channel, did he really think everyone was as talented as Sun Zhiyan?

Actually, she had originally favored Ning Chongxuan, who reached the third level of the Xuan Guang stage in less than fifty years, a sign of outstanding talent. However, Ning Chongxuan's heart was firmly set on the dao, leaving no room for other desires. So she settled for a dao companion from a prestigious dao family, but never expected the real person to give her to Zhang Yan.

She was not willing to accept this!

The grand scene on the shore was not to truly welcome Zhang Yan but to first elevate him and then bring him down.

Their group of over a hundred people, regardless of cultivation, required a significant daily expense. Only a top-grade cave dwelling could support them. She had already arranged everything. If Zhang Yan could not secure a top-grade cave dwelling for them, they would stand here for several days and nights, causing a commotion, making the entire Lingcang Sect aware. Then, Zhang Yan would have no face to keep her.

She knew the real person's temper. If Zhang Yan failed and was forced into a corner, the real person would not blame her but praise her for her intelligence, and she might even return to the Changguan Grotto.

At this moment, the maid named "Butterfly" was leading Zhang Yan to the Yuetian Pavilion.

The Yuetian Pavilion was not in Jiuyi City but on a separate spirit peak. The courtyard was vast, with tall pavilions on both sides. A ten-zhang-wide white marble staircase led from the bottom of the mountain to the peak, and rare birds and precious animals could be seen on the eaves and corridors.

The sign "Yuetian Pavilion" hung at the front of the hall, the characters flowing and dynamic, giving a sense of soaring and flying.

Zhang Yan and Butterfly entered the hall and explained their purpose. A duty boy bowed and went to report. Soon, a middle-aged Taoist with a lean face came out.

Zhang Yan looked at him; his cultivation was roughly the same as the two who had greeted him that day, just a qi channel cultivator. He clasped his hands and said, "I am Zhang Yan. May I ask how to address this immortal master?"

Actually, the cultivations of the officials in the Yuetian Pavilion were not high. Due to the need to manage the cultivation cave dwellings and various affairs for disciples from different sects and peaks, the daily tasks were numerous. Therefore, high-cultivation cultivators were not interested in such positions. Those who managed here were mostly cultivators who no longer aspired to advance in cultivation.

The Taoist glanced at Zhang Yan and said coolly, "I am Taoist Huang Shouhe. Are you here to request a cultivation cave dwelling?"

"Exactly."

The Taoist said indifferently, "Each cultivation cave dwelling has a fixed number, divided into four grades: Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding. You are unlucky; the Jia and Yi grade cave dwellings are all occupied. Only the Bing and Ding grade cave dwellings are left. Do you find them suitable?"

Before Zhang Yan could speak, Butterfly interrupted, "Sir, the Bing and Ding grade cave dwellings are small, only able to accommodate a dozen people, and the qi is murky. How can they be habitable?"

The Taoist sneered, "Now, there are still Bing and Ding grade cave dwellings available. If you wait a few more days, even these might be gone. If you are not satisfied, you can choose your own residence!"

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