Chapter 1397 - 410: Oh My, This... This Is So Embarrassing!
"By the way, after the banquet ended, thanks to my husband’s reminder, I remembered that many years ago, after a business transaction, I obtained a treasure called ’Mystic Cold Jade’, and have kept it treasured until now."
Lu Ruxiang’s eyes glimmered as her fingertips gently caressed the surface of the box, "They say a hero deserves a fine sword, after much thought, in the Shen family, only a master like yourself deserves such a treasure."
As she spoke, she gently opened the lid of the box, and the moment it was opened, a brilliant blue light flowed out.
The temperature outside the hall suddenly dropped, and the air even condensed into tiny ice crystals.
Inside the box lay a cold jade about the size of a fist, completely crystalline and transparent, as if thousands of stars were swirling within.
Most fascinating were the naturally formed patterns inside the jade, which subtly matched the constellation of the Circulation of Stars, vaguely forming a profound array.
"This jade comes from the North Nether’s Abyss of Cold, where it takes five thousand years to obtain a single inch." Lu Ruxiang’s voice carried a hint of pride.
"If used to refine the array’s core, it can not only increase its power by thirty percent, but also help the master comprehend the wonders of the cosmic changes."
Zhou Qing’s pupils contracted slightly, a hint of undisguisable delight flashing in his eyes.
The high-tier array restrictions left by Master Xuanqing, especially most of the four-color and five-color arrays that formed later, required such a spiritual object as a core.
This item is not only invaluable but also beyond price.
He originally thought that finding a small piece in this fifth-level cultivation country would be a stroke of luck, never expecting to receive such a large piece directly.
Zhou Qing gazed at the cold jade in the wooden box, his fingertips trembling slightly: "This... This is too valuable..."
Then he took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm his thoughts, and shook his head: "Such a generous gift from Madam Lu, I indeed feel unworthy."
Seeing this, Lu Ruxiang’s eyes flashed with satisfaction: "Why decline, master? This item in my hands is just a dusty pearl; better to give it to someone who appreciates it."
After seemingly struggling for a moment, Zhou Qing finally gave a solemn salute: "In that case, I’ll accept it with thick skin. Should I achieve success one day, I will surely not forget the grace of Madam Lu’s gift today."
Lu Ruxiang covered her mouth and laughed lightly, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction: "Master, you overstate. It’s getting late, so I won’t intrude further."
She made a graceful salute and turned to leave, a smile playing at her lips, clearly pleased with the results of her gesture of goodwill.
As her figure disappeared at the end of the corridor, Zhou Qing gazed at the cold jade in his hand, a meaningful smile curving his lips, then turned and entered the hall.
"What a good item!" After closing the hall door, Zhou Qing looked at the cold jade in the box, reaching out to lightly touch it.
As his fingertip barely touched the jade’s surface, a penetrating cold surged along his meridians towards the Dantian, but when it was about to invade his heart meridian, the circulating spiritual power within him instantly neutralized it.
"It’s indeed an unexpected joy..." Zhou Qing murmured to himself, then carefully stored it away.
Afterward, he did not rush to rest but sat quietly waiting.
Both the second and third houses had already made moves to entice him; he didn’t believe the first house would take no action.
Indeed, after about half an incense stick’s time, the sound of knocking echoed outside the hall for the third time.
His blood-red pupils flickered slightly, piercing the hall door to see—Madam Shen Lin of the first house stood outside.
She wore a plain, elegant long gown, with only a wooden hairpin in her hair, in stark contrast to the opulent attire of the second and third houses, yet exuding a calm demeanor.
Zhou Qing rose to open the door, cupping his hands: "So it is the First Madam; what guidance might you have with your visit tonight?"
Shen Lin lightly smiled: "I apologize for intruding and hope the Master will forgive me."
"Just thinking that the master is new to the Shen family, perhaps unfamiliar with the rules of the house, I came specifically to pay my respects."
Her tone was gentle, neither intentionally close like the second house nor secretly barbed like the third house, instead inspiring some goodwill.
Zhou Qing stepped aside: "Please come in, madam."
After Shen Lin entered and took her seat, she did not rush to speak, but first looked around.
Her gaze lingered slightly on the furnishings of the hall, ensuring Zhou Qing was treated with no disrespect before finally smiling brightly and speaking.
"Interestingly, my Shen family also has an array genius; I wonder if Master Qingzhou has heard of them?"
Lin Jingtang folded her hands on her lap, maintaining a dignified posture.
Zhou Qing’s heart stirred: "I only heard briefly upon my arrival, I suppose it’s the fourth household’s Shen Hanyi?"
"Indeed." Lin Jingtang nodded slightly, "The child has had a tough life, losing her mother at a young age, fortunately gifted beyond others."
She paused for a moment, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, "So young yet already at the Spirit Slash Realm Perfection, though her temperament... sigh~"
A soft sigh echoed distinctly through the silent hall.
Zhou Qing did not express much but appeared as though he were attentively listening.
He knew exactly what her temperament was, both in reality and in the Divine Ruins Celestial Palace.
It could even be said that no one understood Shen Hanyi better, including Shen Huangmao and her father Shen Juefeng.
"Tonight’s banquet did not allow the younger generation to attend, fearing to disturb the master."
Soon Lin Jingtang changed the topic, "Besides, Hanyi hasn’t lived in the house for years."
Zhou Qing’s eyes flickered slightly.
No wonder he couldn’t reach Lu; it seems they live quite far from the Shen family’s main house, causing even the three-color Communication Jade Scrolls to lose effectiveness.
"That’s a pity indeed." His tone was calm, yet his gaze seemed thoughtful.
Lin Jingtang suddenly chuckled softly, the fine lines at the corners of her eyes relaxing: "If she returns, knowing that a master who gathers thirty thousand Spirit Seals is at home, she would surely be thrilled."
As she spoke, as if suddenly recalling something, she retrieved a small Cyan Jade jar from her storage bag, gently placing it upon the table.
"This is ’Qingxin Tea’, specially made by the Shen family, the most calming."
Zhou Qing accepted the jade jar, feeling its smooth warmth.
Compared to the maid from the second house or the cold jade from the third house, this seemingly ordinary gift offered a deeper sincerity.