Witch, please have some self-respect!

There was no longer any dispute over the main seat, and Song Da and his son sat down.

It was only recently that Shen Yun learned that not all those selected for the Holy Sect in Seeking Immortals City back then successfully joined the sect.

Those with a Dao Foundation of 33 or above, who pass the examination before the age of eighteen, can enter the Holy Sect as outer disciples.

Those who have reached the Dao Foundation level of 44 or above can directly enter the Holy Sect.

Song Zichen's Dao Foundation is 38, and he is following the first route.

A dashing young man in fine clothes, riding a spirited horse, Song Zichen was at the height of his ambition when he entered the Holy Sect.

During the conversation, there was a hint of superiority towards the old neighbors in Lingnongfang.

I don't have much in common with these old neighbors.

After the initial enthusiasm subsided, everyone realized this and stopped trying to win them over.

"With Zichen joining the Holy Sect, the future belongs to the young generation."

After taking a sip of the spirit rice wine, Old Liu sighed with emotion.

"Old Liu, you should really learn from Brother Shen. Why don't you get married and enjoy your old age? You might even have a child later in life."

Song Da looked at Old Liu, whose head was full of silver hair. He used to ask Old Liu for help when he was farming, so he didn't dare to say anything.

Today, thanks to his son's rise to prominence, he couldn't help but kindly advise, "It's too difficult to advance to the next level and join the Holy Sect through auxiliary cultivation. You're already so old; it's time to give up."

Shen Yun was somewhat surprised to hear this, not knowing that Old Liu had actually been planning this.

To assist in the cultivation of the Holy Sect.

A look of confusion flashed in Old Liu's eyes across from him; over the years, this had become his obsession.

But they are always just one step away from becoming true spiritual plant masters.

They just couldn't get past that one fine line, and the older they got, the less hope they could see.

Seeing the younger generation's Song Zichen join the Holy Sect today, the confidence he had been holding onto wavered a bit.

I'm getting old, I'm getting old after all.

"Brother Shen is indeed living a more comfortable life than me; at least he can enjoy a few years before he dies."

After glancing past Shen Yun, Old Liu subtly glanced at Lin Qiaoniang and began to ponder.

"You can't compare Old Man Shen, who barely reached the level, with Old Man Liu, who can become a spirit plant master at any time. One relies on luck, and the other relies on ability."

Seeing that Old Liu remained silent for a long time, Wei Hu quickly spoke up to defuse the situation, saying, "There are examples of late bloomers in the Holy City."

Wei Hu's child was of average talent, and it would be better for him to learn spiritual plant cultivation as a secondary skill than to follow him to the wilderness to risk his life. Therefore, he always tried to please Old Liu.

However, upon hearing this, many people at the table frowned.

Wei Hu's contrasting attitude was displeasing, especially since today's banquet was hosted by Shen Yun, who was serving them spirit wine and savage beast meat.

The pretty widow Lin Qiaoniang said unhappily, "Wei Hu, what do you mean by that...?"

"My situation is different from Brother Shen's, so there's no need to elaborate."

Old Liu also came to his senses and quickly interrupted the argument: "Brother Shen, you've treated us to good wine and food. Let's talk about some pleasant things."

"My brother is quick-witted and speaks without thinking. Let's drink this glass first as a sign of respect."

Wei Jiao helped Wei Hu up and tried to smooth things over, saying that his younger brother was too anxious and might displease Old Liu.

Although they live in the same alley, the neighbors look pretty much the same.

But this is ultimately a world of cultivation, and many people see Shen Yun as nothing more than a lucky old man, unworthy of being associated with them.

As the person involved, Shen Yun was utterly speechless.

I've been keeping a low profile and being kind to others these days, but I never expected to get caught in the crossfire.

"When the weak interact with others, they are only seen as showing goodwill."

Since they were all neighbors, a dinner party would allow Shen Yun to see who he could befriend and who he should avoid.

Qiaoniang and Old Liu are both good people to befriend.

As they drank cup after cup of spirit wine, and exchanged toasts, Shen Yun gained an understanding of each person's personality.

The atmosphere gradually became more harmonious.

They started addressing him as Brother Shen, Little Brother, and Uncle Shen, no longer as distant as they had been before, like Fellow Daoist Shen.

Even the two Wei brothers started calling him Uncle Shen.

They discussed their cultivation experiences, the upcoming Demon-Slaying Festival, and other strange and wonderful tales from the cultivation world...

The banquet came to an end as the moon rose high in the sky.

"During the Demon Slaughtering Ceremony, the disciples of the Holy Sect will purge the demons and beasts within a radius of several thousand miles, making the wilderness much safer. It's a rare and excellent opportunity."

I know a few good places where we can go out and collect herbs together.

Wang Xuan offered his suggestion.

In previous years, the annual Demon Slaying Festival was indeed a good opportunity to go out. Wild beasts were hard to find, and in order not to return empty-handed, many disciples of the Holy Sect also killed wild beasts.

Moreover, Lingnongfang is very close to the wilderness, making it convenient to enter and exit, which is also an advantage.

"Wang Xuan is right. We might encounter some wild spiritual plants. If you plan to go out, my brother and I are willing to accompany you."

Wei Jiao and Wei Hu patted their chests and looked at Old Liu, who was acting strangely.

"With the Wei brothers' martial prowess and my own alchemy skills, we're sure to reap considerable rewards."

Wang Xuan was somewhat excited, as he had been severely short of money recently.

Shen Yun didn't say anything; he absolutely wouldn't go.

Moreover, they don't even look down on those who prioritize physical health.

Apart from Song Zichen, who remained unmoved, everyone else at the table showed signs of interest to varying degrees.

In the Holy City, who doesn't dream of soaring to the heavens after seizing an opportunity in the wilderness?

Wei Hu had drunk a bit too much and was unhappy that Wang Xuan had placed him on par with the two brothers. He retorted sarcastically:

"Haha, you're calling yourself an alchemist again."

"I'm just one step away; isn't the Bigu Pill a pill?"

Wang Xuan met Wei Hu's gaze, and his voice gradually lowered as he retorted.

"But you can't even properly refine the Body Nourishing Pill, what do you mean by 'just a hair's breadth away'?"

Everyone burst into laughter, and the table was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

As for going to the wilderness, this is a very big matter. If we can't decide on it over drinks, we need to think about it some more.

"If you're looking for a chance, why not go check out Jinyan Mountain? It's rumored that there's a demigod's legacy within the scale gold veins there."

Song Zichen suddenly spoke up, interrupting the conversation.

The table fell silent. Some of them had heard about this, and many traces of powerful demons had been found there.

But they just wanted to go to the wilderness to pick up some opportunities that the disciples of the Holy Sect didn't care about. They all had families and businesses, and they didn't want to risk their lives!

"Thank you for the reminder, Zichen. Venturing more than 800 li into the wilderness is too dangerous for us."

Wang Xuan smiled sheepishly, knowing his own limitations.

He always only wandered around the area within a hundred miles of the Holy City, and the Wei brothers only hunted wild beasts within a three-hundred-mile radius.

"Oh, you guys!"

Song Zichen shook his head, feeling bored.

The people in Lingnongfang lacked a spirit of adventure.

"You little brat, you want to go? I'm telling you, you're not allowed."

Song Da sensed his son's thoughts and jumped up.

"Father, I've already joined the Holy Sect, and a senior brother has invited me..."

This time, Song Zichen did not yield to his father's reprimand and, unusually, argued back.

"I don't know your own limitations. Don't think you're so great just because you've become a disciple of the Holy Sect. I can still teach you a lesson."

Song Da reached out to hit him, but then remembered that this was Shen Yun's house and he wanted to save face for his son.

He kicked Song Zichen, said goodbye, and left to go home and discipline his son.

Song Da had to dissuade his son from this idea; he didn't want to outlive his son.

"Father, I must go. Entering the inner cultivation of breathing techniques will require a lot of contributions, and if I can't repay them, my blood will be drawn to refine my soul."

"Your father isn't dead yet. He'll think of a way for you. You've only reached the mid-stage of the Body Nourishing realm; going there will be a good opportunity to curry favor..."

In the end, Song Da pinched his son's ear and closed the courtyard gate.

Everyone chuckled at this; even becoming a disciple of the Holy Sect couldn't change the fact that he was the son's son.

Shen Yun never expected that the honest and simple-minded Song Da could still so easily become the son of a disciple of the Holy Sect.

Becoming a disciple of the Holy Sect does not increase combat power; even a late-stage Body Nourishing cultivator can still easily defeat a mid-stage Body Nourishing cultivator.

As the father and son left, the others also gradually said their goodbyes and departed.

After the banquet ended, Lin Qiaoniang didn't rush to leave. Instead, she called a few female neighbors to stay and help clean up the dishes.

Shen Yun noticed that Qiao Niang had been very hospitable to their family these past few days, but he didn't know why.

This usually indicates that he needs something from someone, and he really doesn't know how he can help Lin Qiaoniang.

"Qiao Niang, the other day the alchemist's apprentice next door was arrested for privately passing on his cultivation techniques. Where can we buy the official methods?"

Shen Yun casually asked, pretending to be chatting.

Having saved money, he wanted to buy some methods to save his life or escape.

The second level of body cultivation is still too weak in the Holy City.

"Of course it's the Sacred Treasure Pavilion. The entire first floor is filled with cultivation techniques and treasures suitable for us body-cultivating cultivators, but it's just too expensive."

Lin Qiaoniang answered without hesitation.

Shen Yun hesitated upon hearing this, "Isn't Shengbaolou too high-end? Aren't there any places with better value for money?"

I've heard that the Holy Treasure Pavilion has a Holy Sect background, so it should be the best shop in the Holy City.

His savings probably aren't enough.

"On the contrary, Shengbaolou is the most cost-effective place."

Lin Qiaoniang tidied up the yard quickly and explained with a smile.

"The truly luxurious place is the Azure Netherworld Immortal Palace floating in the sky in the heart of the city." She paused here, her eyes filled with envy.

"I heard that the maids inside are all Blood Sea Realm experts, and the things they sell are all imported from our Azure Fiend Secret Realm..."

Upon hearing this, Shen Yun was speechless with astonishment—a figure of the ancestor level serving as a maid.

However, the name "Cangming Immortal Treasure Palace" sounds very familiar.

There are rumors of the Azure Nether Treasure Ship in Seeking Immortals City, which seems to be a formidable force.

Judging from Qiaoniang's tone, she seems even stronger than Emperor Shengzong.