Chapter 57

Chapter 57: Ceremony Invitation

Starting from the day after the Grand Ceremony, various forces within the two towns began visiting one after another.

The Yang Family’s Grand Ceremony had made a significant impact, and they had received word of it early on.

Those who normally had no reason to interact with the Yang Family took this opportunity to pay a visit.

The mortal families were received by the Yang Family at the foot of the mountain.

If any cultivators attended, they would be escorted to Misty Mountain by Zhao Qi and Liang Yi.

Yang Lingqing issued the Master’s orders: guests should be treated with respect, and no one should be neglected.

However, no items brought by these families, regardless of the reasons, would be accepted.

In the early days, when the Yang Family struggled in Willow Leaf Town, no one came to visit. Now that they had established themselves, these visitors thought they could gain favor by offering gifts?

Such good fortune does not exist in the world.

The Yang Family was hardly in need of the trifling offerings these families brought.

As a result, after a few days of festive bustle, the visitors soon quieted down.

Knowing that the Yang Family had to deal with these guests, Gao Hui did not arrive until the fourth day after the Grand Ceremony.

He came to present the spiritual crystals awarded by the dynasty for the month, and he also brought an important piece of news.

The "Golden Scales Ceremony," held once every ten years by Moon Watching City, would begin in six months.

This time, the Songshan Yang Family was also on the guest list.

Upon hearing this news, everyone in the Yang Family was genuinely delighted.

The golden scales are not mere creatures; they transform into dragons when they encounter storms!

The Golden Scales Ceremony is a grand gathering hosted by the city lord of Moon Watching City, where outstanding young cultivators come together to exchange ideas. Only invited families and individuals can participate.

Previously, the Yang Family was too weak to be recommended and had never received an invitation.

"I truly appreciate Mayor Gao for recommending our family."

Everyone in the Yang Family believed they had been invited due to Gao Hui’s support.

However, as soon as these words left their lips, Gao Hui shook his head repeatedly.

"You have misunderstood; the Golden Scales Ceremony is personally organized by the city lord. All prominent forces under Moon Watching City will participate, and with my status, I do not have the right to recommend others."

Yang Lingqing felt puzzled: "If it’s not Mayor Gao, then who would recommend our family?"

The others in the Yang Family shared her confusion.

"It was recommended by the Nanshan Li Family. It is said that their second young master strongly pushed for the Yang Family, which secured the spot."

"The Li Family!"

Upon hearing these words, Old Yu, Yang Lingqing, and Yang Linghu all turned their gazes onto Yang Lingrui simultaneously.

"What are you staring at me for?" Yang Lingrui said, feeling a bit uncomfortable under their scrutiny.

Gao Hui was also intrigued: "I was wondering how you managed to establish a connection with the Li Family; could this matter be related to Lingrui?"

“Of course it’s related! It’s incredibly related!”

Yang Linghu then recounted the incident where Yang Lingrui met Fengling and Li Cheng, during which the latter expressed intentions of forming a marriage alliance.

Upon hearing this, Gao Hui immediately straightened in his seat, turned to look at Yang Lingrui, and showed a look of admiration.

“So, something like this happened during the Fengling trip. Lingrui, earning the eye of the second young master of the Li Family is impressive! Although he has many acquaintances, I know that very few can truly catch his interest.”

Gao Hui continued, “This is a good thing. Regardless of whether it ultimately leads to anything, it will be beneficial for your family.”

He understood that such a significant matter would need to be discussed and prepared for within the Yang Family, so he took his leave after saying this.

After Gao Hui left, Yang Lingrui breathed a sigh of relief.

He could handle both cultivation and fighting enemies, but when it came to matters of romance, he was completely at a loss and had no thoughts in that direction.

“Elder Yu, Sister Qing, Brother Hu, you don’t think there’s something fishy about this, do you?” Yang Lingrui asked.

Back in Fengling, he and Zhao Qi had suspected the Li Family’s motives and felt that this matter was unlikely to be that simple.

“There’s definitely something fishy. The second young master of the Li Family must be after something from us. If it was only about you, that wouldn’t be enough. You and Zhao Qi are correct; something must be happening within the Li Family that we don’t know about,” Yang Lingqing replied.

“However, weighing everything, the ceremony is beneficial for the future development of our Yang Family. It’s a rare opportunity worth pursuing.”

The Yang Family was undeniably the leading power between the two towns now.

But just like their previous development in Willow Leaf Town had limitations.

Becoming a top power meant that the Yang Family’s growth in this area had nearly reached saturation.

In the past year, they had acquired all the resources available for takeover and should be focusing on digesting these resources and consolidating their strength.

If they wanted to make further achievements, they would have to engage in coercive and opportunistic actions.

Such lowly methods lacked vision and ambition, and Yang Lingqing certainly disdained to use them.

Thus, for the Yang Family to seek greater future development space, they needed to broaden their horizons and look beyond the two towns, aiming at higher levels.

Above the eight towns was, of course, Moon Watching City.

Yang Lingqing had thought about this matter since taking charge, but after much contemplation, she realized the Yang Family had no channels to connect with Moon Watching City.

But now things were different.

The Golden Scales Ceremony!

All prominent forces under Moon Watching City would participate, and there would even be true disciples from established families.

This represented a fantastic opportunity for the Yang Family!

“Lingqing has a point; as for the marriage alliance, let’s put that aside. Just the ceremonial gathering itself is of great significance to our family,” Elder Yu nodded.

Yang Linghu also agreed, but he quickly identified a problem, speaking up, “If we are to let Lingrui attend, that’s fine, but Moon Watching City is not like the two towns. There are indeed Condensing Essence cultivators there. When the time comes, Lingrui’s realm cannot be hidden. What will we do?”

Elder Yu and Yang Lingrui nodded, thinking deeply.

Although Elder Yu had excellent concealment techniques, due to his current realm, he could only manage to deceive Perfected Gathering Qi cultivators, and if he met a Condensing Essence cultivator, he would be exposed immediately.

Having broken through to the third level of Gathering Qi in three years could still be explained by the use of spirit liquids in the past.

But now, after just over a year, he had another breakthrough, going from early-stage Gathering Qi to mid-stage. Anyone who looked would notice something was off.

How to resolve this?

Seeing the three of them deep in thought, Yang Lingqing smiled reassuringly.

“There’s no need to worry. I agreed to this matter precisely because I found a solution.”

“No wonder you are Lingqing; please tell us your plan,” Yang Linghu said eagerly.

Yang Lingqing straightened her voice and explained her plan in detail.

“First, the mysterious stone that Lingrui obtained during the treasure hunt in the ancient tomb is unknown to others. We can say it is a treasure with Gathering Qi capability.”

“Second, others are unaware that we have obtained a complete Talisman Inheritance. We can claim that Elder Yu encountered talisman techniques in the sect years ago and got lucky with a few methods to create basic talismans from a fragment of inheritance. Furthermore, the Immortal Master refined many talismans for the family, and we can select some to sell at the marketplace next season, along with spiritual crystals accumulated at home to buy elixirs that enhance early-stage Gathering Qi cultivation.”

“Finally, before departing, Lingrui can intentionally disrupt his Qi flow under the Immortal Master’s supervision.”

Yang Lingqing looked up, “With over a year’s time, and with the aid of the Gathering Qi mysterious stone and spirit liquids, along with various elixirs pushing his cultivation, and his already outstanding talent, Lingrui can forcibly break through to the fourth level.”

“However, it’s unfortunate that although he can barely succeed, he has been too eager for quick gains during this process, leading to problems that have damaged his Qi meridians, resulting in weak blood and spiritual power.”