Chapter 247

Chapter 247: Birthday

Geng Feng held a birthday celebration for himself every year, claiming it was a time to reflect upon himself and remind himself to cherish time and not waste his years.

He invited only a few people with whom he maintained good relationships.

Even though the guest list was small, it didn’t mean this guy refused gifts.

As Wang Lang had put it, this guy was pretending to be honorable. If he were truly honorable, why would he specially organize a birthday celebration every single year.

Especially considering he was a top-level Pill Master and had a second level Pill Master backing him.

For ordinary cultivators, especially loose cultivators, potions had become an essential part of cultivation.

Whether for breaking through cultivation stages, healing injuries, dispelling toxins, or other needs, potions were indispensable.

Therefore, as a neighbor, when this top-level Pill Master held a birthday celebration, you couldn’t just show up empty-handed.

After all, what if you needed to ask him for a favor in the future?

Of course, since Zhou Luo’s arrival, this situation had improved somewhat.

But they discovered that although Zhou Luo could also refine potions, the time he took for each session was noticeably longer than Geng Feng’s. Overall, people still had to choose the latter.

This was primarily because Zhou Luo disliked excessive disturbance and intentionally hid his true skill.

He wasn’t like Geng Feng, playing at aloofness; he genuinely disliked crowds and noise.

By the time Zhou Luo arrived at the mansion entrance, the place was already decorated with lanterns and colorful hangings, with a constant stream of cultivators arriving to present their congratulatory gifts.

Most cultivators left their gifts and departed. Some, whom Geng Feng had specifically invited, entered the mansion itself.

Zhou Luo also offered a modest gift.

He was a Pill Master himself and had no need of anything from Geng Feng. If not for wanting to meet that second level Pill Master, he might have disdained to have dealings with such a person.

Entering the courtyard, Geng Feng, wearing a white alchemy robe, was welcoming guests. Seeing Zhou Luo arrive, he walked over with a smile.

"Ah, Pill Master Zhou. Come, please have a seat inside." He led Zhou Luo into the main hall.

In the main hall were several tables laden with spirit wine and spiritual delicacies. Several people dressed in fine silks and robes, clearly of high status, were already seated.

Seeing Zhou Luo personally escorted in by Geng Feng, they all rose to pay their respects.

These individuals included shopkeepers, cultivators skilled in other disciplines, and influential figures from various organizations – all possessed some measure of standing.

Some sought to befriend Geng Feng, while others aimed for connections with the second level Pill Master supporting him.

Zhou Luo nodded politely towards them before Geng Feng led him to an empty table nearby.

"Master, Miss Xu has arrived."

At that moment, a servant swiftly approached, whispering softly in his ear.

Hearing that Xu Tian had come, Geng Feng hurried out to greet her.

Watching him, Zhou Luo remembered Wang Lang once saying this guy seemed interested in the woman Xu Tian. It seemed this was true.

He then sat down. No sooner had he sat than a stout, pot-bellied cultivator approached holding a cup of spirit wine.

"Friend," the cultivator introduced himself cheerfully, "I am Qian San."

Such banquets, frankly, were mostly for socializing.

As for this cultivator named Qian San, he was actually a shopkeeper. Seeing that Zhou Luo seemed extraordinary, he came over specifically to make his acquaintance.

Zhou Luo wasn’t interested in such matters, so he exchanged only a few perfunctory words.

Noticing Zhou Luo’s lack of enthusiasm, Qian San left awkwardly.

This deterred others from approaching, teaching them to mind their boundaries.

Before long, Xu Tian appeared in the crowd’s sight, her figure elegant and curves enchanting. Today, she wore a red gown that swayed gently with her steps, resembling a blooming rose.

Her fragrant shoulders were bare, snowy skin contrasting sharply with the scarlet dress, accentuating her charm and allure.

Xu Tian’s entrance instantly captivated everyone, drawing looks of stunned admiration.

Meeting their gazes, Xu Tian curled her lips as if casting a spell over their souls, then seated herself beside Zhou Luo under their watchful eyes.

"Pill Master Zhou, it’s been a while. Thank you again for your help last time," she greeted him with a honeyed voice.

"It was only natural," Zhou Luo replied with measured calm.

Payment for service—only natural.

Xu Tian chuckled lightly, her beautiful eyes fixed on him as she probed, "Rumor says Pill Master Zhou has been spending much time with Pill Master Geng this past month. Pray tell, what do you seek?"

"Only exchanging Alchemy Techniques," Zhou Luo answered frankly.

Xu Tian remained skeptical.

Through covert investigation, she had uncovered his identity—

A steward from the long-life families, even touted as a genius Pill Master who’d risen to second level twenty years prior. Yet here he dwelled now; clearly he sought something else.

Xu Tian suspected he must covet the Foundation Establishment Dan.

After all, all knew Geng Feng’s mentor was a second level Pill Master.

But what weighed most on Xu Tian’s mind—

This guy might know how her Senior Brothers truly died.

She pressed no further though; some matters required only unspoken understanding.

As most guests arrived, Geng Feng too took his seat beside Xu Tian.

At his gesture, the birthday banquet formally began.

Though called a celebration, it was mere social pretense. To Zhou Luo, Geng Feng’s theatrics seemed specially arranged for Xu Tian’s sake.

Throughout, Xu Tian playfully teased Zhou Luo, frequently signaling her attraction—much to Geng Feng’s visible displeasure.

Zhou Luo could only remain guarded; this woman was bolder than he’d imagined.

During the feast, Geng Feng and Xu Tian cast a sound barrier to speak privately.

Yet every word reached Zhou Luo’s ears.

As a Second Level Poison Master and Second Level spiritual symbol master, his mental strength neared Foundation Establishment level—rendering their barrier useless.

Their conversation centered on Foundation Establishment Dan.

Only then did Zhou Luo grasp Xu Tian held half-step Foundation Establishment power—no wonder her cultivation seemed veiled.

This very lack fueled her urgency for the elixir.

Yet as Geng Feng noted, countless sought his mentor’s aid; her wait would span three years at least.

Xu Tian claimed patience.

But Zhou Luo keenly noted—though refining Foundation Establishment Dan required personal ingredients, cultivators might pool resources.

Amassing full Foundation Establishment materials alone proved arduous—Zhou Luo knew this all too well.

Since Pill Masters fired kilns yielding more than one pill, crowdsource for alchemy became the solution.

Xu Tian held but partial materials yet seemed to have found partners. She merely yearned swift audience with Pill Master Sun.

These words plunged Zhou Luo into thought—

Should he fail to uncover materials or Draw the Second Level alchemy skill, crowdsourcing might prove wisest.

Yet partners demanded careful selection—tempted by Foundation Establishment Dan, any might unveil expression of greed.

Were materials secured alone, and the skill Drawn, he would never choose this path.

Once wined and dined, guests dispersed one by one.

Geng Feng retained Zhou Luo alone, seeking to purchase spirit wine.

Since tasting Zhou Luo’s brew that night a month ago, he’d grown uncontrollably addicted.

Now depleted, restocking became imperative.

Zhou Luo refused not—

Human bonds deepen through reciprocity.