The grass in the factory should be plucked

Chapter 617 Yaochi

Xie Chang'an smiled wryly: "It was just a misunderstanding. I'm also a victim, and I can only try my best to make amends."

Seeing that he was being vague, Jiang Li assumed it was an internal matter of the Sword Sect and not convenient for outsiders to know, so she didn't press him further.

The topic grew increasingly heated, with many busybodies joining the discussion and various speculations emerging.

Some people, who were eager to stir up trouble, even started betting on who the bride was, and quite a few people placed bets.

Jiang Li listened to the gossip with great interest. Every time someone mentioned a "bride candidate," she would turn her head to carefully study Xie Chang'an's expression, trying to find some clues, which made Xie Chang'an both amused and exasperated.

Not wanting Jiang Li to listen any longer, he asked, "The market outside your sect is very lively. I wonder if there are any famous restaurants here?"

When it came to food, Jiang Li's attention was immediately diverted: "Nine Heavens Pavilion is naturally the most famous! Huizhen Pavilion is also good."

Xie Chang'an's lips curled up slightly. "It's easier to change the landscape than to change one's nature. He's still that greedy little fox!"

He continued to coax her, "What are some of the signature dishes at Jiuxiaolou? Could you tell me about them, junior sister?"

Jiang Li's eyes lit up: "The most famous thing about Jiuxiao Tower is, of course, the Yaochi Banquet! It's a pity it's too expensive, even Master can't bear to take us there."

Xie Chang'an laughed and said, "Then I must go and see for myself. I'll treat you another day, would you do me the honor?"

"This...isn't that a bit much?" Jiang Li hesitated. "It's too expensive!"

"Please invite your senior brothers and sisters to come along too. Thank you all for your warm hospitality these past few days."

Xie Chang'an planned to "save the country through a roundabout way" by first bribing his "relatives and friends".

"Well... okay, I'll go back and ask them for their opinion."

Upon returning to her sect, Jiang Li went to find Zhu Yingying.

"Senior Sister, True Lord Chonghua said he's inviting us to the Jade Pool Banquet. Should we go?"

Zhu Yingying's expression was complicated: "Did he tell me why he's treating us to a meal?"

Jiang Li scratched his head. "He said it was to thank everyone for their warm hospitality these past few days."

Zhu Yingying was speechless. These past few days, True Lord Chonghua had been busy with Xiao Lili, and they hadn't had a chance to see him. How could they possibly offer him a warm welcome?

Remembering the hints her master had given, she nodded in agreement: "Since you are so kind, I will respectfully accept your offer."

It would be good to help Xiaolili make a selection.

Nine Heavens Tower was overjoyed to receive the message from True Lord Chonghua. This hot new True Lord had actually graced their restaurant with his presence!

This is a great opportunity to increase the popularity of Jiuxiao Tower!

The restaurant owner personally supervised the operation, remaining on high alert, determined to leave a deep impression on this sword sect genius.

As the most expensive restaurant in the area, Jiuxiaolou naturally boasts an extremely high level of sophistication.

Nine phoenix-shaped carriages came slowly from the eastern clouds and stopped directly at the foot of Baohua Peak of the Beast Taming Sect.

The lead carriage, the Luanfeng Carriage, was particularly luxurious. It was pulled by four Luan birds, with a frame made of thousand-year-old paulownia wood, and the carriage was adorned with luminous pearls and fluorite, making it radiant and colorful.

True Lord Chonghua was dressed in a moon-white Taoist robe, his black hair tied up with a jade crown. He was truly handsome and elegant, with an outstanding demeanor, which made Zhu Yingying, Yun Jiuzhong and other senior brothers and sisters secretly worried.

Could such a godlike figure truly remain faithful to his junior sister?

"Greetings, True Lord Chonghua."

Zhu Yingying led her junior brothers and sisters to respectfully bow to Xie Chang'an.

"The Sword Sect and the Beast Taming Sect are like brothers. You can call me Senior Brother, just like Junior Sister Jiang does."

Xie Chang'an smiled slightly and invited everyone to get into the car, but his eyes couldn't help but look at Jiang Li, who was following Zhu Yingying.

Today, Zhu Yingying and Xu Qing dressed her up beautifully, making her look like a pink fairy dress with flowing clouds. The dress was made of silk blended with moonlight silk, as thin as a cicada's wing, layer upon layer, with a lustrous pearly sheen. When she walked, it was like a flowing breeze or a cloud unfolding, making her look like a fairy descending to earth.

Zhu Yingying thought to herself, "Besides Xiao Lili, who would dare to address you, a Nascent Soul True Monarch, as their senior brother or sister?"

"Junior Sister Jiang, please—"

Seeing that Xie Chang'an only had eyes for Jiang Li, Zhu Yingying pushed her into the lead carriage.

"Little Lili, you are familiar with the True Lord, so please take good care of him."

She and several disciples, including Yun Jiuzhong and Xu Qing, climbed into the carriage at the back.

Once everyone was seated, the phoenixes let out clear and melodious cries and flew into the clouds.

Jiang Li sat down next to Xie Chang'an and stuck out her tongue: "If Master finds out that I went to eat something delicious behind his back, he'll definitely be very angry!"

Xie Chang'an laughed and said, "With my master here, the elders have their own places to go, so we won't get involved with them."

Jiang Li glanced sideways, secretly thinking, "Compared to us, aren't you an elder?"

She didn't understand why a dignified True Lord would insist on mingling with these junior disciples. Perhaps... he refused to acknowledge his age?

Before long, a towering pavilion appeared amidst the layers of clouds, a magnificent and beautiful palace, with a gilded plaque in the center bearing the three large characters "Nine Heavens Pavilion," shimmering with seven-colored light.

The phoenix-shaped carriage stopped in front of the steps paved with Kunlun jade. The shopkeeper personally came out to greet them and led them to the back.

Behind the restaurant, a vast and misty Jade Pool suddenly appeared out of thin air. This was created by the Nine Heavens Pavilion Master using the "Illusion Realm Condensation" technique, which cost 100,000 spirit jades to draw in a spiritual spring and replicate the Jade Pool of the Queen Mother of the West.

The pool was shrouded in a milky white mist, and jade trees and magnolias grew along its banks, making one feel as if they were in a celestial palace.

"Wow, so the Jade Pool Banquet really does have a Jade Pool!"

Jiang Li exclaimed in surprise, eagerly anticipating the delicious food to come.

Xie Chang'an smiled and said, "I'm glad you like it."

The banquet was held in a white jade pavilion in the center of the Jade Pool. Several lotus-shaped jade platforms were covered with ice silk brocade and filled with delicacies arranged according to the standards of the Jade Pool.

There are various spiritual fruits such as purple-veined peaches and jade-dew grapes. The fine wine is served in a luminous wine vessel, and when the wine is swirled, it reflects the scene of a flowing starry river.

After everyone took their seats as guests and hosts, celestial music suddenly began.

The musicians stood in the pavilion by the pond and played "Fairy Music of the Jade Pool," a duet of phoenix flutes, dragon flutes, and jade chimes. The melodious tune attracted countless cranes to circle in the air.

Dancers in colorful gowns emerged from behind the magnolia tree, stepping barefoot onto the water. Their wide sleeves billowed as they danced gracefully, their figures as light as startled birds, their skirts spreading out like blooming lotus petals—a breathtaking sight.

The servants of Jiuxiao Tower walked on water, using their spiritual power to carry jade platters and offer freshly baked delicacies in succession, such as "Dragon Liver and Phoenix Marrow Soup," "Roasted Qilin Tendons," "Sashimi of Wenyao Fish," "Braised Turtle Fish," "Nine-Turned Spirit Mushrooms," and "Peach Pastries"...

The dishes were dazzling, with perfect color, aroma, and taste; even the serving dishes were glass cups made in imitation of the Eight Treasures of Yaochi.

Jiang Li muttered under her breath, "Dragon liver and phoenix marrow, unicorn tendons, these names sound impressive, but I don't believe they can get their hands on real mythical beasts."

Even if we managed to get a real divine beast, we wouldn't dare eat it. Under the very nose of the Beast Taming Sect, who would dare to eat a divine beast?

Xie Chang'an asked curiously, "What ingredients are they made of?"

Zhu Yingying laughed and said, "They're nothing more than snakes or pheasants."

Xie Chang'an smiled slightly and raised his glass first: "I am fortunate to have you all here today for the Yaochi Banquet. May the friendship between the Beast Taming Sect and the Sword Sect last forever, and may we be as close as family."

Zhu Yingying and the others, sensing his implied meaning, couldn't help but look at the bewildered Jiang Li, their eyes filled with worry.