The table is full of delicacies, such as fiery red shrimps, tender and fresh fish, and verdant vegetables. Not only are they full of color and flavor, but they are also filled with various auras, making people salivate.
The food is good, the wine is even better! Susha Qingying picked up the wine glass and said with a smile: "The elders are hosting a big banquet, and we are hosting a small banquet. Please invite me."
The spirit wine is green in color and fragrant.
Du Ruozhou drank several cups in a row and groaned: "Good wine, good wine. This wine is full of spiritual power. One cup is better than half a month of meditation."
After saying that, Chao Yan said: "Junior brother is so happy that he forgets to return home, but is he nostalgic for this thing?"
Yan Ci took a sip of the spirit wine and said with a smile, "Senior brother, please don't be jealous. This is my first taste of the wine."
Du Ruozhou didn't believe it and said, "Junior brother, could it be that he refuses to admit his debt after drinking? This is not the way the Susha family treats guests."
Susha Qingying said with a smile: "This wine is brewed by picking jade flowers. There are less than dozens of jars of it every year. This is only the second time I have tasted it since I can remember."
Du Ruozhou said: "Oh, if I hadn't congratulated the head of the Ling family on his birthday, we wouldn't have had the opportunity."
He stretched out his arm to pour a full glass for Yan Ci, shook the wine bottle and said with a smile: "Junior brother, hurry up and drink a few more glasses, I will save some for junior brother."
Yu Lu put down the jade chopsticks and said with a smile: "What a drunkard, look at what you said. People who are cultivators are used to fasting, so it is better to just taste this delicacy."
Susha Qingying said with a smile: "It doesn't hurt to try it occasionally. The master of the house cannot just drink some spiritual wine and eat some spiritual fruits when hosting a banquet."
Du Ruozhou had no time to talk to the two of them, and he and Liao just ate and drank in silence. The others looked at each other, secretly amused.
Yu Lu suddenly said: "Junior brother will be stranded for a few days. A reprimand after returning to the garden is probably unavoidable."
Yan Ci hurriedly asked the reason, and Yu Lu said: "Li Yedi searched for his junior brother all over the place but couldn't find him. Junior Uncle Qingming was a little unhappy."
Yan Ci asked curiously: "My master has left seclusion?"
Yu Lu said: "Exactly, Uncle Qingming has been promoted to the third great monk of the Kongming Stage in this garden."
Yan Ci was overjoyed, and when she saw Susha Qingying turning a deaf ear, she couldn't help but sneer in her heart, thinking to herself that this girl already knew about it, no wonder Susha Qiuyin was so polite to him, and most likely wanted to hug him, hum, he The two of them really put on a good show.
Du Ruozhou changed cups and drank happily. Yu Lu frowned and said, "Junior brother, be careful of the blame from Master Wanfeng."
Du Ruozhou said: "Hey, Qingying said that all the monks in the Transformation Stage live on the top of the high cliff in the north and will not come here."
Yu Lu suddenly said: "Oh, no wonder Junior Brother is so wild!"
The banquet lasted until late in the day, and Susha Qingying arranged rooms for the others before leaving happily.
※
In the beautifully decorated room, a fresh smell filled the air. At the antique low table, Xiao Ninglu stretched out her delicate hands and rolled up her sleeves to make tea.
The boiling water pours over the tender green tea buds, and the petals float as light as emeralds. The fragrance of tea lingers in the cup, and you take a slight sip, and the fragrance lingers on your teeth and cheeks.
Wan Lifeng sighed: "With a cup of Lingyin Incense in my hand, I will forget all about fame and wealth."
Hua Xi said: "This tea is slightly bitter in the mouth, just like the youthful years when you first entered the world. However, when you taste it with your heart, the bitterness is replaced by the sweetness, and the mellow and strong fragrance lingers between the teeth for a long time. After several ups and downs, the taste is light and the fragrance is quiet, which makes the taster's heart Plain as simple.”
Xie Bo'an clicked his tongue and said: "I don't know this truth, but the abundant spiritual power contained in it is quite helpful to those who cultivate."
Xiao Ninglu said happily: "It's easy to find out the news for a thousand pieces of gold, but I almost missed the fairy!"
Xie Bo'an said displeasedly: "My wife and I have known each other for hundreds of years. Could it be that we are not as good as this little girl who knows a little about tea ceremony?"
Liu Ruoxi said with a smile: "As the saying goes, the white head is as new and the top is as old as before. Thank you for your kindness and you don't have to worry yourself."
Xiao Ninglu also smiled and said: "Lingyin Incense is a rare thing in Zhaoyao Mountain. I'm afraid Mr. Xie drank 20-30% of it, but he even spared the false words of praise. Do you still dare to accuse it now?"
Xie Bo'an choked and said: "Hey, I actually admire it very much in my heart, but 20/30 out of 10 are a bit exaggerated."
Xiao Ninglu blinked and said, "There are always 10 out of 10, right?"
Xie Bo'an showed his face and said: "It's okay for me to have a false reputation. Madam will have to show this number after the birthday banquet."
Xiao Ninglu shook her head and said: "Only yesterday did a lion speak loudly. Why did Mr. Xie come to beat the autumn wind?"
Liu Ruoxi thought deeply: "Fellow Taoist Li Chen from Huanye Palace is also good at tea ceremony. Could it be this person?"
Xiao Ninglu said: "Exactly."
Wan Lifeng said: "I heard earlier that Li Chen and his wife are clan relatives. Is this true?"
Xiao Ninglu said: "Li Chen's family name is also Xiao, and he is still an uncle from the concubine's family in the genealogy."
Xie Bo'an joked: "Uncle Ling has come all the way, Madam must not be stingy."
Xiao Ninglu sighed: "I really want to be stingy about this uninvited guest."
Wan Lifeng said in surprise: "What do you think Madam said?"
Xiao Ninglu said seriously: "The Susha family and Huanye Palace have never had any contact. Huanye Palace is not included in my husband's birthday invitation."
The group of cultivators were astonished, and Liu Ruoxi said: "Madam, despite her busy schedule, came to keep me company. If you have anything to say, you might as well say it directly."
Xiao Ninglu nodded and said: "The master of Liufeng has a bright eye. In addition to Huanye Palace, Cheyu Island also came uninvited. This matter has troubled my husband and me for several days, so I came here to ask for help."
Liu Ruoxi understood the reason and said solemnly: "In the past year, our sect has killed several Huanye Palace disciples who came close to spy. Although the two major sects may not have a falling out in the day and night, they did not expect that Li Chen would take the opportunity to celebrate his birthday. Come and test it out.”
Xiao Ninglu was a little surprised and said: "The reason for this was mentioned briefly by Huangfu Yong. He said that he suspected that someone was pregnant with a rare treasure and worshiped Tongchenyuan. This treasure was suspected of causing chaos in the world of cultivation. Li Chen sent people to spy on it. It’s a last resort.”
Wan Lifeng sneered and said: "I thought Huangfu Yong was a humble gentleman, but now it seems that he is just a shameless person."
Liu Ruoxi said: "The four major aristocratic families have lived in seclusion for a long time, and their status is similar to that of each sect. How can the Huangfu family be willing to become a vassal?"
Xiao Ninglu sighed: "The aristocratic family originally shared weal and woe, but now the Huangfu family has ulterior motives, and the Ji family has also wholeheartedly served Dahuangxu."
Liu Ruoxi said: "The storm is coming, and the power of Su Sha and Murong Zhongli will be broken. Your mansion should make plans early."
Xiao Ninglu smiled bitterly and said: "Although my husband and Murong Houde have an ambiguous attitude, there are quite a few disciples from aristocratic families who have come to practice in Tongchen Garden and Cheyu Island. I'm afraid other forces have already lined up our ranks."
Liu Ruoxi said: "Even so, there is still a difference between active and passive."
Xiao Ninglu was tangled in her heart for a while, and said with a wry smile: "Please allow us to discuss this matter later, but I don't know what's going on with Cheyu Island?"
Wan Lifeng asked: "How many people are here to congratulate you?"
Xiao Ninglu said: "It's Elder Qiu Wulang, Qin Wuya, and two accompanying disciples."
Wanlifeng said: "Che Yudao must have no ill intentions. You will know when we see him tomorrow. Madam, there is no need to worry."
Liu Ruoxi meditated for a while and suddenly asked: "I wonder if anyone from Dahuangxu and the Ji family will come?"
Xiao Ninglu said: "Only Ji Pan showed up, and no one came to Dahuang Ruins."
Liu Ruoxi said: "Ever since Fu Liuyun took over the academic affairs of Dahuang Ruins, he has ignored the peace doctrine of Fu Ling's agreement and wants to openly become an enemy of the cultivation world. This birthday banquet is a good opportunity for him to show his strength. We still need to be fully prepared. .”
Xiao Ninglu said: "Master Liu Peak thinks that Dahuang Ruins will invade this place."
Liu Ruoxi said: "With this possibility, the two demon leaders Fu and Yang are arrogant, and we have to guard against it."
Xiao Ninglu said: "Although the formation gate is open during the birthday banquet, there are many powerful people here, how can Dahuang Ruins have no concerns?"
Liu Ruoxi said: "Dahuang Ruins and Huanye Palace have been sending people to spy on the forbidden area. I guess they are secretly suspected of liaison. If Dahuang Ruins really has a spy here, how should we deal with it?"
The words shocked everyone, Xie Bo'an's eyelids twitched a few times and said: "Huanye Palace is the right path after all, how dare you collude with Dahuangxu, the public enemy of cultivation?"
Liu Ruoxi said: "There are no absolutes. I just hope that the guess is wrong."
Wan Lifeng said: "No matter what, it is always right for us to be prepared accordingly."
Xiao Ninglu said: "This matter is serious, I will go and discuss it with my husband right now. You can rest peacefully tonight. If something happens tomorrow, I hope you can help me."
Wanlifeng said: "This garden and your mansion are on the same boat, so I will help you if you have any questions."
Xiao Ninglu said a blessing and left in a hurry. Xie Bo'an asked, "Are the words of junior sister exaggerated?"
Liu Ruoxi said: "It's just the worst plan. My little sister has been uneasy since she came here. I'm afraid everything will not go smoothly."
Wan Lifeng said: "Brother, I will send a message to the garden master to report this matter."
Hua Xi interjected: "Tomorrow is the birthday of fellow Taoist Qiu Hong. Even if the garden master comes, he will not be able to make it in time. Senior sister is the brains behind the garden. Do you have any good strategies to deal with it?"
Liu Ruoxi shook his head and said: "This situation and scene have exceeded my expectations. I can only take action tomorrow."
Seeing that everyone was worried, Liu Ruoxi smiled and said: "Everyone, the Susha family has more than meets the eye. If people can come and go here, I'm afraid the Susha family will no longer exist."
Everyone's faces became a little brighter, seeing that late night was approaching, so they each went back to their rooms to rest.
※
The high cliff in the north is called Weiwu Nei Island, which has been shrouded in light all year round. Only an iron cable bridge made of fine iron can enter the island, which is euphemistically called "Fan Yun Ladder".
An endless stream of guests passed through the dense forest and saw a towering iron cable bridge rising from the ground and reaching into the sky.
Nearly a hundred iron cables lead from deep underground to the top of the cliff. The iron cables are connected by copper rings a few feet apart. Tough huanghuali wood is embedded in the bridge, and flower branches and vines are entangled on both sides.
Climbing up the ladder is like a rock, and stepping on it is like walking on flat ground.
At the end of the ladder is an iron forest, with more than a hundred iron trees in different postures, acting as rivets to firmly imprison the iron rope on the edge of the cliff.
Passing through the iron forest, you will see a green lake with clear and smooth waves, where fish compete for food and turn up the blue waves, which contrasts with the winding corridor.
Behind the archway engraved with the words "Purple Air Comes from the East" is a spacious courtyard with numerous pavilions and lush vegetation.
Each pillar and sill is graceful and luxurious, and each branch and leaf is pure and pure.
The small bridges, flowing water, and pottery are comfortable, and the secluded paths, strange stones, and beautiful scenery are far away.
Deep in the courtyard, the Zhiwu Hall stands majestically, with embroidered doors and carved carvings, all shining brightly. The four corners of the hall stand upright, as if they are about to spread their wings and are about to fly. On the side, they are surrounded by Qiong towers and flying pavilions with flowing elixirs.
When the auspicious time comes, the bells and bells will ring, and the ceremony officer will invite the guests into the palace.
The interior of Zhiwu Hall is luxuriously decorated and extremely spacious, but it seems empty even with more than a hundred guests inside.
A row of long tables were covered with red cloth, and there was only one kind of spiritual fruit on the plate: spiritual peach.
The spiritual peach is emerald green, filled with green smoke, and is not an ordinary thing.
On both sides of the hall, dozens of men and women in brocade attire had just sat down. Their auras were deep and sharp, and they were all monks in the Transformation Stage.
Everyone was as silent as cicadas, not daring to make any noise.
Susha Qiuhong's eyes were warm, and he was sitting alone in the depths of the hall wearing an exquisite robe. The word "Shou" inlaid on the screen behind him was made of a pearl the size of a dragon's eye.
