Chapter 2559 - 2557: Heavenly Might Bestowed
March ushers in the spring, and the month draws to a close.
The sound of bells and drums thundered on Liangshan Island, with tens of thousands of people seated around the Dao venue.
Chu Feng sat at the front with his disciples while the rear was filled with loose cultivators who had traveled specifically to listen to the lecture.
Now, the banks of Liangshan Lake have become the gathering place for loose cultivators, a once unknown spot now lined with streets encircling the lake.
Daily, loose cultivators arrive, needing money for food, drinks, lodging, and travel.
These streets were naturally built and rented out by Chu Feng and his disciples.
This place was originally a desolate area within the territory of Qizhou, and the official residence was eager for someone to develop it.
Chu Feng signed a contract with the official residence, renting the hundreds of miles along the shore of Liangshan Lake.
Knowing the power of this Dao venue, the worldly official residence wouldn’t dare say a word even if given the land for free.
However, they never expected a Dao venue specifically built for renting houses.
In their eyes, cultivation sects should be detached from worldly affairs.
The buildings along the lakefront streets are all designed with ancient architecture.
Of varying heights, the sizes of the storefronts also differ.
The majority of Liangshan Island is rented out, with only a few storefronts being directly operated.
There’s a pill workshop, a stone workshop, an armory workshop, an auction workshop, and a culinary workshop.
All are specifically built to cater to cultivators, only conducting business for them.
The major families inside the territory of Qizhou are keenly perceptive, soon engaging in large-scale building outside the hundred-mile perimeter of Liangshan Island’s lakefront.
In merely a year, this place became akin to other Dao venues, surrounded by a commercial city.
Long Fei sits atop the twelfth-grade green lotus, his Dharma Laksana solemn, articulating words of wisdom.
Every move he makes causes the laws to ripple and light to glimmer.
Since the lecture began, he never spoke of specific cultivation methods, only expounded on the Dao from its roots.
Some listened with bright eyes, as if enlightened.
Others were sleepy, as if under a hypnotic tune.
Before the lecture concluded, suddenly purple qi descended from the sky, hanging countless strands of purple qi.
The crowd looked up in astonishment, seeing a procession descending from the heavens.
At the front were celestial maidens scattering flowers, followed by golden-armored soldiers guarding behind.
Indeed, their demeanor was extraordinary and their celestial might imposing.
The cultivators below discussed, "Could it be the Jade Emperor’s reward has arrived?"
"The rumors are true!"
"Did the Island Master indeed become the Eastern Emperor?"
"Wow, the Jade Emperor surely has a generous heart!"
"..."
After the procession descended, Little Kirin went over to welcome them, greeting Taibai Venus with clasped fists and saying, "Noble Immortal, you’ve had a long journey, please follow me to the main hall first for tea and rest."
Taibai Venus stroked his beard and chuckled, "Is your father giving a lecture down there?"
Little Kirin replied, "Yes, he’s been lecturing for more than half an hour, about to conclude soon."
Taibai Venus looked at the scene below and sighed lightly, saying, "In just a year, this place has such a magnificent aura. Truly blessed by fate, this old senile admires it!"
"The Noble Immortal is too kind."
Little Kirin felt comforted hearing this, thinking the old noble immortal truly knew how to speak.
Only a few words quietly praised someone to the point of comfort.
He led the procession of heavenly soldiers down, intentionally glancing within the ranks and quickly making eye contact with Zixuan.
Zixuan seemed less enthusiastic this time, instead cold-faced, appearing all businesslike.
However, her sisters behind her giggled and whispered continuously.
In the newly built guest hall, Little Kirin greeted them, inviting them to sit at the already prepared banquet.
The group put down their gifts and exclaimed in surprise, "Could someone have leaked the news? How did they know we’d be coming today?"
"Indeed, these banquets are all prepared in advance."
"The Island Master wields great divine skills; what’s there to be surprised about!"
"..."
Outside, Taibai Venus handed the gift list to Little Kirin, asking him to check.
He went alone to the venue, standing at the back listening to Long Fei’s lecture.
Originally, he only assumed Long Fei was bestowing some small favors, estimating he’d give bits of minor teachings to these loose cultivators.
Unexpectedly, after listening for a while, he grew increasingly surprised; what Long Fei spoke were all words of the Dao.
Some principles he hadn’t even comprehended.
Just listening to a sentence here, he found himself nodding in agreement, thinking inwardly that this lad’s understanding of the Heavenly Dao was truly extraordinary.
Inside the guest hall, Little Kirin had tea served to the accompanying heavenly immortals.
He specifically introduced, "This tea is brewed with peach blossoms; its taste is sweet and refreshing, with an endless aftertaste. Please savor it."
After speaking, he especially approached Zixuan’s side, courteously greeting, "Fairy Zixuan, if you need anything, just let me know, I’ll arrange it for you."
Zixuan didn’t look at him, simply shaking her head politely, "That’s all, you may attend to other matters!"
Little Kirin raised his eyebrows, wondering what was up with this girl.
He didn’t recall offending her; why has she turned cold this time?
Zixuan’s sisters burst out laughing, calling to Little Kirin, "You rascal, last time you almost got us locked in the Heavenly Prison, nearly taking a trip to the Nine Nether Platform. Speak up; how do you plan to compensate us?"
Little Kirin chuckled dryly, asking, "I wonder what the fairies desire?"
A female immortal exclaimed, "We want to eat fish!"
Others followed suit, laughing, "You know what fish that is!"
Zixuan glared at them, signaling for them to be serious.
Little Kirin chuckled, "No problem, I had it prepared long ago. It’s a famous dish from our hometown, surely something you’ve never tasted."
"Then we’re grateful to you, young master."
The female immortals laughed heartily, and amidst their mirth, one shouted, "Brother-in-law is so generous!"
The female immortals laughed even harder, and Zixuan’s face flushed red to her neck.
Little Kirin was embarrassed too, never expecting these fairies to be so playful.
He went down to have the prepared candies and sweets served first, and to avoid the awkwardness, he stayed outside without daring to go back in.
Little Bai and the other three sneaked out of the Dao venue, peeking into the hall from outside.
Little Kirin, with a black face, coughed at them promptly.
They laughed as they came over, putting an arm around his shoulder with a mischievous smile, "Boss, why didn’t you go in to host Lady Zixuan?"
Little Kirin said gloomily, "It’s all because of you guys, teasing her last time. She didn’t even speak to me today."
"Is that so?"
Little Bai and the three exchanged glances, looking toward Little Qing and Vermilion Bird, "Second sister, fourth sister, you’re women, explain what’s happening?"
Little Qing analyzed, "What’s odd about it? The girl’s just shy! In front of so many people, she can’t act too close to you. What if you’re not interested, wouldn’t she lose face?"
Vermilion Bird nodded her head, "Yes, yes, blame the eldest brother. If you like her, just say it! Always acting indecisive makes her feel insecure, so she’s more reserved this time."
"What do you know!"
Little Kirin glared at them, sending them off, "If you’re free, go help out in the kitchen!"
Little Bai stretched lazily, "How can we say we’re free, inside there’s no one to greet them. We should go inside to entertain the fairies, lest they say we lack etiquette on Liangshan Island."
He led the laughing Little Xuan and the others into the hall, intentionally approaching Zixuan’s table.
Little Kirin, staying outside, was speechless, wishing he could go in and give them a beating.