Chapter 355

Chapter 355: Until We Meet Again

On New Year’s Eve, a sudden snowstorm hit Datian Village last night, blanketing the village in a thick layer of snow.

The snow continued to fall today, though the wind had ceased. As dusk approached, the village suddenly buzzed with activity.

The crackling of firecrackers filled the air, mingling with the innocent and joyous laughter of children.

They gathered wild bean pods from the mountains and fields, dried them, and sifted out the beans. When placed inside bamboo tubes or wooden sticks and ignited, the dried beans burst into fluffy, delightful treats.

The popping sound was crisp and loud, believed to ward off Evil Spirits.

While this belief might be dubious, the popped bean treats were undeniably delicious, becoming the favorite snack for the village children during the New Year.

Dipping them in honeycomb made them even more delectable!

Inside the village chief’s residence, Little He carried a large bowl of freshly popped bean treats to the dining table.

Her cheeks were flushed with excitement.

The table was already laden with delicious food.

This New Year’s Eve dinner had been prepared by the village’s finest chef, using all spiritual materials contributed by the three elders.

After retrieving the exorcising drum, Wang Chen’s influence in the village had soared, and the villagers were even more eager to curry his favor.

Picking up a pair of ivory chopsticks, Wang Chen smiled at Little He and said, “Come, sit and eat with me.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his expression changed abruptly, and he stood up immediately.

Little He, caught off guard, was startled.

Wang Chen’s gaze fixed on the tightly closed door, his eyes sharp and intense.

Creak!

The door of the village chief’s residence suddenly swung open on its own, and a tall figure swept into the courtyard, accompanied by swirling wind and snow.

Recognizing the visitor, Wang Chen felt a wave of relief and stepped out to greet him: “Greetings, fellow traveler!”

The unexpected guest was none other than Luo Zhen!

Months had passed since their last meeting, but the West Sea Sect’s South Region Patrol Division cultivator appeared unchanged, though his eyes bore a hint of weariness.

He smiled and said, “You should call me brother now.”

It was settled!

Wang Chen was overjoyed: “Greetings, Brother Luo! Please, come in and talk!”

Luo Zhen did not hesitate and took a seat at the dining table.

“Hmm, the dishes look excellent.”

Wang Chen had not anticipated Luo Zhen’s arrival at this moment to share good news.

Had he known, he would have surely added hundreds or thousands of spirit stones to select better spiritual materials to entertain this West Sea Sect brother.

“Tonight is New Year’s Eve, and this dinner has not been touched yet. If you don’t mind, let’s make do with what we have.”

Wang Chen personally poured a glass of spiritual wine for Luo Zhen, while signaling Little He to step back.

He could share the New Year’s Eve dinner with Little He, but it would not be appropriate to host Luo Zhen.

After all, the distinctions of rank were deeply ingrained in this world.

Moreover, the content of his conversation with Luo Zhen should not be overheard by Little He, lest it cause her trouble or distress.

Luo Zhen raised his goblet and drained it in one gulp, sighing, “It’s been so many years since I last had a New Year’s Eve dinner.”

He was a cultivator with a story.

Wang Chen silently mused to himself, offering an awkward yet polite smile.

Luo Zhen shook his head, then lifted the wine flask: “Come, Junior Brother, let’s drink to our heart’s content!”

Since Luo Zhen was in high spirits, Wang Chen naturally obliged.

The two of them drank and laughed, exchanging cups as they finished one jar of spiritual wine after another.

After Wang Chen’s own spiritual wine ran out, Luo Zhen retrieved another jar from his storage bag.

The two of them drank for a full two hours during this New Year’s Eve dinner!

They likely consumed over a thousand spirit stones’ worth of wine.

By the end, Wang Chen couldn’t help but feel a slight intoxication.

This wasn’t from the wine itself but from absorbing too much spiritual energy in a short span of time.

It was akin to the effects of drunken spiritual energy.

In contrast, Luo Zhen, with his far superior cultivation level, remained composed and even kindly advised Wang Chen: “Once you enter the inner sect, you’ll need to hone your drinking skills; otherwise, others might take advantage of you.”

Wang Chen asked curiously, “Does one’s drinking ability matter in the inner sect?”

Luo Zhen replied with a meaningful tone, “You’ll understand once you’re there.”

After a pause, he set his goblet down and continued, “I’m here to officially inform you that your merits have been reviewed and approved by the Merit Department and reported to the sect for the rewards of an inner sect disciple.”

“After the New Year, you can head to the Central Region to report to the sect!”

As he spoke, Luo Zhen produced a glowing jade token and handed it to Wang Chen: “Congratulations.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother!”

Wang Chen accepted the jade token with both hands, feeling its weight.

The front of the jade token was engraved with the ancient characters “West Sea Sect,” and on the back, his name was boldly inscribed.

The design of the jade token was simple, devoid of any ornate decorations.

Yet Wang Chen sensed that this identity token was extraordinary, akin to a top-tier magical artifact.

There must be some profound secret to it!

“Take your time to study it.”

Luo Zhen saw through Wang Chen’s thoughts and said, “Remember, where the token is, there you will be; if the token is destroyed, so are you.”

Wang Chen’s heart tightened: “Understood.”

He promptly stored the identity token in his storage bag: “Thank you, Senior Brother!”

“Don’t be in a hurry to thank me.”

Luo Zhen waved his hand: “Yuan Shen Kui’s case is of great significance, and he carries a substantial bounty. Aside from the reward for inner sect discipleship, everything I could secure has already been used to smooth things over.”

He looked at Wang Chen with calm, unwavering eyes.

“Thank you for your hard work, Senior Brother!”

Without hesitation, Wang Chen handed over a prepared storage bag: “A small token of appreciation; please accept it, Senior Brother.”

The West Sea Spiritual Realm is the domain of the West Sea Sect, home to the inner sect disciples of the Mountain-Sea Realm’s foremost immortal sect, truly among the elite.

Countless cultivators within the Spiritual Realm have schemed tirelessly to ascend to that level.

If Wang Chen thought that his feat of capturing Yuan Shen Kui would allow him to claim all the benefits, he was being naive.

As an outsider, he had no roots or connections in the West Sea Spiritual Realm.

Others could easily find ways to silence him and usurp his achievements.

What was a Purple Palace master compared to the many in remote towns?

Wang Chen’s encounter with Luo Zhen was undoubtedly a stroke of luck.

Thus, Wang Chen trusted Luo Zhen and had no other choice but to rely on him!

The storage bag contained one hundred thousand spirit stones, prepared as a token of gratitude.

All Wang Chen desired was the identity of an inner sect disciple in the West Sea Sect!

Luo Zhen accepted the storage bag and weighed it, a flicker of surprise in his eyes: “You’re quite generous.”

He tossed the storage bag back to Wang Chen and said: “I don’t need these spirit stones. If you wish to repay me, just help me with a task in the future; keep it in mind.”

Wang Chen didn’t hesitate: “Agreed!”

Luo Zhen smiled: “I knew I didn’t misjudge you.”

He grabbed a nearby jar of wine, drained the remaining wine in one go, and then tossed the empty jar to the ground.

“Junior Brother, until we meet again!”