The dinner party didn't go quite as Chu Xingchen had expected.
He had thought it might be an inquiry session with the Tianyan Sect's Sect Master, or perhaps a business negotiation over interests. At the very least, it should have been a friendly exchange where both sides could discuss their future directions and work together toward the future.
After all, with Bai Xuanling present, even if they had differing ideas and paths, they should have been able to reach some consensus.
But he never imagined it would be such a blatant flattery session.
The extent to which the Tianyan Sect's Sect Master was flattering him made Chu Xingchen recall that first-reception elder from Qingfeng Sect in Yuzhou City—Zheng Xiaofeng.
The current Sect Master's tone was almost identical to Zheng Xiaofeng's.
He praised Chu Xingchen from his handsome appearance to his profound cultivation. After chatting about all sorts of topics from far and wide, he began lavishly praising Chu Xingchen for being widely traveled and knowledgeable. Seeing that he had exhausted Chu Xingchen's virtues, he started praising Li Yingling and the others.
Little Zheng had at least focused his flattery on just him, but this Tianyan Sect Sect Master was even more formidable, flattering almost everyone.
Li Xingtian was indeed brimming with bloodlust, but the Sect Master praised him for having the body of a Rakshasa but a truly kind heart, clearly a fine seedling of the righteous path. Perhaps having been called an evil cultivator so many times, Li Xingtian was being acknowledged as a righteous path cultivator for the first time, and he seemed rather pleased by it. At the very least, Li Xingtian proactively raised his cup to toast Lu Xuan.
The only one the Sect Master didn't praise was Zhou Ping, who had lost all his cultivation.
After looking at Zhou Ping for a long time, the Sect Master could only offer—what a good child.
Even Cui Hao had received a few nice words from the Tianyan Sect Sect Master.
Naturally, this might have had something to do with Zhou Ping having completely lost his cultivation. After all, at first glance, Zhou Ping was the type of person whose eyes showed a hint of foolishness. At least, he appeared that way in front of this group of sharp-witted individuals, which was also related to Zhou Ping's limited experience. And Cui Hao had also earned some reputation in the Tianyan Sect, although it wasn't particularly good.
Chu Xingchen listened to the flattery for so long that he could barely sit still.
Could this Sect Master have something to ask of him? Planning to get it for free with just words?
Chu Xingchen couldn't agree to that—what was the difference between being taken advantage of and being robbed?
After all, even at this moment, not just Chu Xingchen, but even Yanyun was looking at Lu Xuan with a strange expression.
She naturally knew that her Sect Master just wanted to build a good relationship with this cultivator who bore the karmic consequences of the Heavenly Dao. After all, besides being a bit shameless, flattering someone didn't cost anything. Flattery itself was the thing that required the least effort while potentially gaining the most friendship.
But... wasn't this going a bit too far?
Hearing this, even Yanyun felt that the Sect Master was only missing the line—"Young man, I feel an instant connection with you, why don't you take over as the Sect Master."
She had never seen her own master praise her like this.
Her master hadn't been like this before; could it be that becoming a Sect Master really changed one's disposition?
Lu Xuan raised his wine cup, his tone joyful:
"Hahaha, it's a shame we didn't meet sooner."
Chu Xingchen couldn't bear it anymore and first glanced at Bai Xuanling, but only saw her silently drinking wine, her gaze looking out the window, seemingly ignoring the Sect Master's current behavior.
Was this her tacit permission for him to speak his mind?
Chu Xingchen cupped his hands and laughed: "I also feel an instant connection with you, Senior Sect Master, but may I ask if there's something you'd like me to do?"
Lu Xuan quickly understood the true meaning behind Chu Xingchen's words—you've been flattering for so long, is there something you want me to do?
The Sect Master chuckled and shook his head:
"Naturally not. It's just that meeting a talented person makes me happy and want to say more. Perhaps it's because I'm getting old... I've become talkative."
Bai Xuanling's gaze shifted, looking at the two of them:
"Sect Master, this young man is detail-oriented. Unwarranted praise sounds like an insult to him."
Hearing this, Li Yingling's mouth instantly pouted—Big Sister Bai is actually quite interesting when she speaks.
Lu Xuan's face showed realization, then he apologetically smiled.
Bai Xuanling took a light sip of wine and directly transmitted her voice to Lu Xuan: "When it comes to talking, this young man is even better. Don't think you can make him bow down just by saying a few nice words because you're the Tianyan Sect's Sect Master. It won't work on him. Show some sincerity. He came to Zhongzhou this time looking for a prime location to settle down. If you really think he has potential, you should offer something. At least, I have high hopes for him."
Lu Xuan didn't look up at Bai Xuanling but instead turned his gaze to Chu Xingchen.
"In that case, there is one matter that would trouble Fellow Daoist."
Chu Xingchen's expression remained calm: "What is it?"
Lu Xuan used his spiritual power to project a map of Zhongzhou, marking a particular spot:
"There's something abnormal in this area. I would trouble Fellow Daoist to go and take a look."
Chu Xingchen glanced slightly at Bai Xuanling, but found her gaze naturally looking out at the scenery again.
Seeing this, Chu Xingchen didn't refuse and readily agreed:
"Since the Sect Master has a request, I must comply. If the matter is urgent, I can depart today."
Lu Xuan shook his head with a smile: "Not urgent at all. Fellow Daoist can go and search carefully when you have the time."
Hearing this, Chu Xingchen understood the general situation and naturally raised his cup to toast Lu Xuan.
Lu Xuan accepted with a smile.
Afterward, the Sect Master stopped his flattery, and the dinner party soon came to an end amidst a lively atmosphere.
Qinghe was also very satisfied as he left, rubbing his stomach—presumably this one meal would keep him full for several days.
Zhujifeng.
Qinghe happily patted his stomach and said to Xie Lingyu:
"Qinghe has avenged you!"
Xie Lingyu had to admit defeat to Qinghe and sighed lightly:
"All I saw was you eating your fill."
Qinghe said with righteous indignation: "That's right! The bill for this meal was paid by Yanyun. I ate heartily, while she paid heavily! Paid until it hurts her! That's a proper revenge for us."
"Well then, thank you..."
"We're family! No need to be polite!"
After glancing at the lively Qinghe, Chu Xingchen's gaze naturally fell upon Bai Xuanling, who was calmly preparing to brew tea herself.
He walked forward quickly and said with a smile:
"Hey, why is a small matter like this requiring Big Sister Bai to do it herself?"
Bai Xuanling paused in her movements and looked at Chu Xingchen with a half-smile:
"What? You know how to brew tea?"
"I don't, but my disciple does." Chu Xingchen said, turning to the side, "Baiqing, come quickly and brew a cup of tea for Big Sister Bai."
"Coming."
Chen Baiqing responded and hurried over to start preparing the tea.
Chu Xingchen said: "Thank you for your guidance this time, Big Sister Bai. I'll remember this!"
Bai Xuanling casually dismissed it: "What guidance? I don't understand what you're talking about."
Chu Xingchen didn't continue the topic; if Bai Xuanling didn't want to talk about it, then they wouldn't. He just needed to remember it himself.
Chu Xingchen took out a purple bead with cracks from his spatial ring.
This was the one the dream-immortal evil cultivator from the Flower of Dreams had given his second disciple after he was beaten up.
Chu Xingchen handed the bead to Bai Xuanling and said:
"I can't figure this thing out. I also kept the profit we agreed on to myself. This can be considered repaying some interest from last time."
Bai Xuanling's expression had been casual at first, but when her gaze locked onto the bead, it became slightly sharp.
She took the bead and examined it seriously for a moment.
Bai Xuanling put the bead away and said: "This thing is somewhat useful to me... Since you're so fond of calculating, then let's call it even."
Hearing this, Chu Xingchen's expression instantly turned serious:
"What are you talking about, Big Sister Bai? I was always the worst at numerology and have always hated calculations and don't like to keep accounts."
Hearing this, Bai Xuanling chuckled:
"Compared to your thick skin, numerology is indeed not worth mentioning."
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