Chapter 387

Chapter 387: The Banquet Commences

Combining formations with Gu techniques wasn’t simply placing several Gu insects within the formation. It required exceptionally high skill in formations, and additionally, ensuring the formation could accommodate these Gu insects.

After all, Gu insects weren’t inanimate objects; they required a specific living environment.

Upon coming into contact with these intricacies, he realized this was far from simple.

Therefore, Zhou Luo could only choose to abandon that path and instead shift his focus entirely to studying formations.

Three months later, Yao Wu could be considered to have fully mastered the youth-preserving cultivation art.

This cultivation art wasn’t actually very difficult; it primarily required a massive amount of rare celestial treasures and earthly essences.

Once she mastered it, Zhou Luo immediately arranged for Wang Lang to deliver the necessary materials and instructed Wang Lang to teach the cultivation art to several concubines residing in Zhou Fu. This was so it could eventually be transmitted back to the Lin Family.

Another two months passed, and Yao Wu successfully became pregnant. The long-lost notification sound rang out once again.

[Congratulations Host! Through your unrelenting efforts, you have successfully impregnated your partner. You have gained one lottery draw chance.]

Looking at Yao Wu lying beside him, completely naked with not a scrap of cloth after their recent dual cultivation session, a pleased expression blossomed on Zhou Luo’s face. Unable to resist, he leaned down and planted a kiss on her.

"Mmph…"

Because he kissed her near the ear root, the sensitive Yao Wu let out a low, relaxed moan.

Zhou Luo then calmed his mind and spirit, turning his gaze towards the red lottery wheel.

Upon the wheel, seven sectors were silently laid out before him.

The long-awaited lottery draw filled Zhou Luo with immense anticipation.

Currently, with the Cold Ice Spear’s final charge completely exhausted, he had lost his greatest reliance.

Although he still possessed items like Second Level spiritual potions and Second Level poisons, none of them were comparable to treasures that could create such a vast gap in power.

If he could draw another high-grade treasure now, given his current realm, he wouldn’t need to worry about that Golden Core master from the Chimagong Sect.

Even if it wasn’t a treasure, getting another high-grade prized item would still be acceptable.

It could be said that with the fallout from the Qi Chuan incident spreading, Zhou Luo felt an overwhelming sense of urgency.

Offending a Golden Core master was far, far more terrifying than angering a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The other party might even disregard the rules of the Immortal City and attack him directly; furthermore, the Qinyuan Sect would definitely stand idly by.

Although it was unknown for what reason Shangguan Qianxue hadn’t exposed him, he couldn’t place his hopes by betting on her actions.

Therefore, at this moment, he urgently needed something powerful to rely upon for protection.

His eyes locked intently onto the lottery wheel.

As his realm had advanced, the rewards produced by the wheel had also improved slightly, but it was still far from sufficient.

He only hoped to draw a reward capable of contending against a Golden Core master.

"Start the lottery draw."

Zhou Luo willed it in his mind, causing that shimmering sphere of light to begin rapidly spinning.

Under his intense scrutiny, the speed of the gleaming sphere of light gradually slowed down until it finally halted on the ‘Cultivation Art’ sector.

Cultivation Art?

Zhou Luo’s heart sank within his chest, gripped by inexplicable nervousness.

Truthfully, he currently possessed very few cultivation methods. Earlier, when facing Qi Chuan in a duel, he had realized his offensive capabilities were somewhat lacking. He had only managed to hold his own by relying on pills and talismans.

It would be really excellent if he could draw a quality cultivation method.

He absolutely hoped it wouldn’t be a support type cultivation method; that kind would offer too little improvement to his own strength.

As this thought crossed his mind, the system’s mechanical notification sound slowly rang out.

[Congratulations, Host, on obtaining the Evolving Dragon Cloud Palm!]

[The reward has been automatically sent to the Host’s backpack. Please check!]

A palm technique?

Surprise flashed before Zhou Luo’s eyes; he hadn’t expected to draw a palm technique.

He had assumed it would be something related to sword techniques after all.

Techniques like palm techniques placed great emphasis on physical body ability.

Because without relying on a magical artifact, all the force you could unleash had to flow directly from your physical frame.

Fortunately, his physical body was now nearly comparable to a Foundation Establishment magical artifact, so cultivating a palm technique wasn’t an issue.

He just didn’t know what grade this palm technique was.

He shifted his gaze to his backpack.

Among the nine backpack slots, four were occupied, holding items extremely precious to Zhou Luo.

A jade slip-like symbol had appeared in the fifth slot.

He looked towards it.

[Cultivation Method: Evolving Dragon Cloud Palm]

[Grade: Upper Grade Foundation Establishment]

[Description: A method created by a certain Nascent Soul cultivator. Upon mastery, it drives physical strength to its limits. Combined with a powerful physical form, it can unleash explosive power with the capability to annihilate heavens and earth…]

Upper Grade Foundation Establishment!

Seeing the grade of the method, Zhou Luo’s eyes lit up.

He hadn’t expected to draw such an exceptional technique.

Currently, he urgently needed a cultivation method that could enhance his combat strength. This grade was perfectly suited for his present stage.

It was just a pity that during this particular draw, he hadn’t found any powerful tool that could counter a Golden Core master.

However, he wasn’t overly fixated on that. After all, his current situation was safe. He could just put in more effort later, make more draws, and see if he could successfully obtain such an item then.

Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately used it.

After acquiring this palm technique, Zhou Luo felt a surge of confidence within his heart.

…

Another period of time passed, and suddenly, the entire Qingyuan City transformed into a scene of bustling excitement.

Countless shops hung lanterns and festoons, creating a joyous and celebratory atmosphere throughout the city.

This was because the day for Master Xuanlong’s banquet was fast approaching.

To comply with the theme, every single shop in the Immortal City presented a lively, festive facade, without exception.

Zhou Luo had also specially prepared a substantial gift, planning to seize any opportunity at the banquet to become acquainted with the master himself.

If he could manage to win the master’s favor, that would naturally be a splendid outcome.

As the awaited day drew near, Zhou Luo changed into relatively simple attire. Watching cultivators continuously flying towards the depths of the inner city district, he too departed from Zhou Fu.

"Pill Master Zhou, how have you been progressing in mastering that technique?"

Outside, the tall figure of Hong Xiu, clad in a light blue dress, appeared before him.

As the person in charge of the Yao Chi Pavilion, she naturally also featured on the guest list.

And since their last transaction, her favorable impression of Zhou Luo had soared significantly. Therefore, she suggested they could attend the banquet together.

Zhou Luo naturally agreed readily.

"Friend Hong Xiu, do you know what the main purpose of this banquet is?" Zhou Luo stepped closer and asked.

Upon hearing these words, a spark flashed in Hong Xiu’s beautiful eyes. "Pill Master Zhou actually doesn’t know?"

Zhou Luo shook his head helplessly.

Hong Xiu glanced towards the depths of the inner city district and gave a faint smile. "Let’s talk as we walk."

The two then began walking deeper into the inner city district.

Along the way, Zhou Luo finally learned the true purpose behind this banquet.

It turned out the banquet wasn’t merely to celebrate Master Xuanlong’s birthday; it was primarily about reconceptualizing the distribution of the city’s major industries.

As the primary source of income for the Qinyuan Sect, the taxation of these industries had always been under the close watch of the Immortal Sect.

This impending change actually concerned the distribution rights of these industries.

The metaphorical pie was only so large, and everyone desired their own slice. The method of division became the critical issue.

Hearing these words, Zhou Luo raised an eyebrow.

According to Hong Xiu’s explanation, anyone wishing to establish significant holdings within the Immortal City still had to pass scrutiny by the Immortal Sects.

But what about his own collaboration with Tian Xia Restaurant?

Could it be that Master Xuanlong had been paying attention all along?

Was this banquet perhaps specifically targeted at him?