Chapter 54

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Chapter 54

It was only then that Gong Wu had time to recount everything that had happened earlier.

About that mountain, the bamboo forest of purple bamboos, and that mysterious monk, and the dragon he was waiting for.

Upon hearing the latter part, many people present could no longer drink the soup, feeling quite reluctant.

"I thought it was wild bamboo shoots from Night Poison Mountain," Cheng Ji said cautiously, "but it turns out they were planted by him personally. What a treasure they must be!"

Old Celestial Ancestor lowered his head to sniff the soup, then gulped down half a bowl in one go.

"Fresh," the old man smacked his lips. "Exquisite. Pour me another bowl."

Gong Wu held her bowl, bent down to take a small sip, still unable to fully process what was happening.

The rich aroma of the chicken soup blended perfectly with the tender bamboo shoots, each drop brimming with spiritual energy, infused with the essence of Night Poison Mountain.

No elixir could compare to this bowl of soup.

It was like scooping up sunlight and moonlight as if they were spring water, drinking it down in a single, refreshing gulp.

Her Spiritual Orifice felt clear, her mind refreshed, and her meridians cleansed and unblocked.

The little girl was reluctant to finish it, savoring the aroma with small, deliberate sips.

Nearby, the Daoists chatted quietly as they drank their soup, murmuring about how unbelievable the rumors seemed.

That monk still hadn’t passed away?

Did Night Poison Mountain become so fearsome because of his presence, or was he suppressing something even more terrifying?

But this bamboo shoot soup was undeniable proof!

Everyone feared this mountain, and only those with extraordinary skills could even wander its midway point. To this day, the number of people who had reached the peak could be counted on one hand!

Who would have thought the monk lived at the most perilous and evil summit? Truly, he was a powerful one beyond the mortal world!

Just then, a disciple came to report.

"The five elders from Tianji Palace have arrived!"

Before the seated elders could respond, another wave of disciples arrived with more news.

"Zhi Bai Guan has sent an invitation—"

"Report! Dozens of carriages and sedan chairs are parked outside the valley, claiming to be from Xiao Xiang Pavilion!"

"Report! The master of Qing Xing Pavilion has arrived with his children to visit—"

It was as if New Year’s gifts were being exchanged, with invitations from Tianji Palace arriving first, followed by a steady stream of disciples delivering news.

Gong Wu listened carefully, trying to make sense of it all, though she felt utterly bewildered.

"I remember in my little notebook… these sects weren’t listed."

"Actually, I don’t recognize them either," Tu Xuixin whispered. "Is there really an Immortal Sect called Tianji Palace? Are they from the Central Plains?"

Old Ancestor had widely issued the announcement to clear grievances, startling cultivators from all corners of the world.

In no time, those coming to apologize, to make amends, or to present gifts for the Yuan Xian Immortal Assembly nearly overwhelmed the threshold of Moonfire Valley.

Yan Fangji instinctively rose to welcome them, but Kan Jixuan cleared her throat sharply.

At her signal, Master Yan remembered his current position and, as if waking from a dream, said, "Let’s open the valley to welcome the guests and arrange the reception in the order of their arrival. Master, what do you think?"

The old valley master nodded in approval.

In an instant, the sky and ground of Moonfire Valley were illuminated with lights, turning the night as bright as day, reminiscent of the Lantern Festival.

Both sides found themselves somewhat unaccustomed to the situation.

The wealthy clans have always favored forming connections with long-established families, but now they found themselves reluctantly venturing to the Southwest for a cup of hot tea for the very first time.

Since its founding, Moonfire Valley had been a place of tranquility and quiet, often engaging in mutual exchanges with local farmers. Yet tonight, the valley’s entrance was jammed with carriages, and the narrow mountain path could scarcely accommodate the procession of visitors arriving to offer their apologies.

In preparation for the Yuan Xian Immortal Assembly, the three Palace Lords who remained in the valley had been toiling for days. Despite the bustling activity tonight, after savoring the bamboo shoot soup, they felt a wave of drowsiness and longed for a deep, restorative sleep.

Kan Jixuan chuckled, “Given the situation, you all might as well retire for a good night’s sleep.”

“It’s just that there are too many unfamiliar Immortal Sects arriving,” Tu Xuixin said with a yawn. “What if valuables are damaged or someone gets injured—or worse—in the front valley? Wouldn’t the blame fall on us?”

“Unlikely,” the old ancestor said calmly. “They wouldn’t dare.”

His words acted like a stabilizing anchor, prompting the younger generation to exchange glances before politely taking their leave.

Old Lady Kan was settled in the east wing of Tianhua Palace, with two capable disciples assigned to attend to her.

The entire affair was so extraordinary that when members of the major Immortal Sects began arriving at the elegant courtyard of the front valley, their greetings were tinged with awkward smiles.

“You’re here too?”

“Indeed, just here to make friends.”

“Oh, isn’t this that person!”

“Who would’ve thought we’d end up staying across from each other…”

By the next morning, gifts began pouring into Moonfire Valley like a steady stream, while invitations and friendly letters fluttered in like snowflakes.

Moonfire Valley announced that due to the overwhelming number of visitors, guests would be received in order. Some harbored suspicions about the arrangement, while others dared not show any negligence.

“What if we send more gifts and they prioritize meeting us?”

“We came to apologize, after all. Why not send another letter and ask the elders to contribute more gifts?”

“Ordering is fine; we can wait. But we should hand over the gifts sooner so the disciples can register them and avoid complications!”

In no time, the disciples and masters of Moonfire Valley divided into three groups, each flowing seamlessly into their roles.

One group continued their usual practice of alchemy, another focused on welcoming guests and building connections, while the last took breaks whenever possible.

The Grand Palace Lords, being somewhat reserved, left the hosting duties to Yan Fangji and Master Hua, who adeptly handled both apologies and friendships with ease.

Ji Yang accompanied them, learning the intricacies of human relationships and meticulously attending to every detail.

The disciples in the old storage room were so overwhelmed that they had to open two additional storage rooms in the northeast and northwest, temporarily overseen by Cheng Ji and Tu Xuixin.

According to the plans of Yan Fangji and Hao Chengzi, half of the gifts would be used to make up for losses and restore records damaged during previous relief efforts, while the other half would expand accommodations and improve the disciples’ food and clothing, ensuring a better life for the children.

“Yan He Tower sent three thousand taels of silver, a coral jade cauldron, ten crane-feather cloaks, and one Earth Mother spiritual pill.”

“Zhi Bai Guan sent eight thousand eight hundred eighty taels of silver, a pair of crystal flower agate prayer beads, and five pairs of engraved cloud shoes.”

“Zhi Bai Guan sent six thousand eight hundred eighty taels of silver, five celestial dog teeth, and one sword made of red jade and peach wood.”

“Zhi Bai Guan sent…”

“Wait a moment,” a young disciple stammered, fumbling with the abacus beads. “What’s eight thousand eight hundred eighty plus six thousand eight hundred eighty?”

“Ask your Senior Brother Ji Yang to calculate,” Tu Xuixin said, cracking sunflower seeds. “He made a mistake earlier; his basics still need work.”

“Master Ji Qing,” the young disciple said pitifully, “all I’ve learned is how to grind herbs and practice alchemy. I only touched an abacus for the first time a few days ago!”

“Oh, no rush,” Tu Xuixin said, handing him a bottle of elixir. “Take this to replenish your energy. Once your mind is clear, go over the previous figures again.”

The young disciple was torn between laughter and helplessness. He let out a long sigh and, upon looking up, saw Gong Wu entering the inner hall. His heart leaped with joy as if he had found a savior.

“Senior Sister Gong!! You’ve finally arrived!!”

“This Zhi Bai Guan has gone mad, sending over a jumble of gifts every few hours! It’s impossible to keep track of them all. With all the big and small sects coming and going, my inkstone is nearly worn out from the constant use!”

Gong Wu touched the abacus and remarked, “This thing is quite peculiar; I don’t know how to use it either.”

The young disciple was left speechless.

“Master, I’ve brought Elder Fang to supervise in your stead. Master Ancestor has requested your presence.”

Tu Xuixin was still shelling pickled peanuts, slipping a handful into his sleeve while carefully observing Gong Wu’s expression.

His little disciple had endured too much in her early years. Though she maintained a calm and composed demeanor, there was a trace of weariness in her that didn’t match her age.

At just seven or eight years old, this little girl had already learned the harsh realities of human relationships and the struggles of daily life, displaying a steadiness and serenity more befitting someone in their thirties.

After experiencing the strange cycle of rebirth, where life and death repeated themselves, Gong Wu seemed to have gradually softened, revealing a bit of the anger and grievances that someone her age should naturally feel.

Feeling such grievances was, in fact, a good sign.

Now, looking at her, it was hard to tell whether it was the bowl of hot bamboo shoot soup, her various adventures in the fox den and the capital, or the protection Ji Yang offered during the Yuan Xian Immortal Assembly that had brought about this change.

This child finally had a spark of joy in her eyes when she looked at others, as if she had finally realized that she had a strong foundation of support and that many people cared for her, ensuring she was never truly alone.

“I’ll head over now,” Tu Xuixin said, smiling at his little disciple. Feeling a surge of happiness, he casually asked, “It seems you’ve been receiving guests for three or four days now. Who’s next?”

“Zhi Bai Guan,” Gong Wu replied. Seeing her master’s expression darken, she quickly grabbed his sleeve, fearing he might bolt. “Master, please don’t be angry. Zhi Bai Guan was originally scheduled for the eighth day, but due to special circumstances, they’ve moved it up. Master Ancestor insisted that you must attend.”

Tu Xuixin’s anger hadn’t subsided. Watching her, he felt a pang of heartache, shaking his head as he spat into a corner.

“Back when Moonfire Valley was weak, those people were furious, shouting every day that they wanted to kill you and destroy your spiritual core and soul. If it weren’t for Senior Brother Yan stopping them, I would have already poisoned them with ten packs of laxatives to teach those vile Daoists a lesson!”

Gong Wu stifled a laugh and remained silent.

Tu Xuixin thought she was too soft-hearted, too quick to forgive others, and said, “Zhi Bai Guan’s Jin Hu Daoist is six and a half feet tall with a mole on his nose. He’s been causing trouble, picking fights, and holding grudges twice over.”

“Zhi Bai Guan often houses sword cultivators who threaten with invitations and secretly inquire about your birthdate to determine if you’re a demoness.”

“And…”

“Has Master remembered all these people?” Gong Wu looked up at him. “You remember them so clearly?”

Tu Xuixin was momentarily stunned, then replied earnestly, “I may forget other things, but this is something I must remember.”

“When we go over, let me give them a good scolding so those bullies understand their place!”

Gong Wu whispered, “Master, I’m afraid we won’t have time for that.”

“What? Are they in a hurry to be reborn?”

“Not exactly,” Gong Wu said. “They sent someone to apologize, and despite their numerous gifts, I haven’t shown my face. You’ve also been mysteriously absent.”

“Zhi Bai Guan is deeply afraid of making enemies afterward. I don’t know what trick they’ve used, but they’ve sent word saying…”

“What could they possibly say?” Tu Xuixin shelled peanuts and fed them to her. “Did they admit their mistake, say they shouldn’t have bullied a little girl like you, and promise to pray and release lives for you from now on?”

Gong Wu chewed the peanuts, momentarily choking on the large amount she had been given.

The young disciple, while calculating on the abacus, brought her a cup of hot tea and urged her to drink it slowly.

“They say there is a reason why you cannot ascend to immortality, Master.”

“Over the years, all the spiritual energy and cultivation you have accumulated have been stolen.”