Ascending from the mortal realm to become an immortal begins with taking charge of a grotto-heaven.

As Zhang Li returned to the island in the middle of the lake and was about to enter the courtyard, two soft splashes came from behind him.

In the entire Crescent Lake spiritual field, besides Zhang Li, only Wang Mu and Li He have this ability.

"What's wrong?"

"Senior brother." After the two exchanged greetings, Wang Mu stepped forward and said, "At 9:00 AM today, the Qin family of Xiaohuan Mountain sent someone to deliver an invitation."

Zhang Li accepted the invitation, glanced at it, and asked, "Is there anything else?"

"No," Li He shook his head.

"Alright, I understand. You two can go about your business." Zhang Li casually tucked the invitation into his sleeve and waved for the two to leave.

Zhang Li was the only one left on the small island in the lake. He slowly walked to the stone table in the courtyard, sat down, and took out the invitation to read it carefully.

The invitation was signed by Qin Mu, the head of the Qin family, inviting him to the wedding banquet of his eldest son, Qin Changyuan, in ten days.

"Qin Changyuan...wedding banquet..."

Zhang Li put the invitation into his storage bag and muttered to himself.

Zhang Li didn't have a deep impression of Qin Changyuan. He only knew that Qin Changyuan's cultivation was not bad, and that if he cultivated diligently, it would only be a matter of time before he broke through to the late stage of Qi Refining. He didn't know much else about him.

He had received many gifts from the Qin family over the past two years, and after learning that he had broken through to the fifth level of Qi Refining, they even prepared a separate gift for him. He really couldn't refuse this wedding banquet.

Well then, I'll just consider it my last pastime before going into seclusion for intensive training, and go join in the fun.

"What kind of gift should I buy?"

With these thoughts in mind, Zhang Li walked into the house.

……

Qin Family of Xiaohuan Mountain.

From the entrance to Xiaohuan Mountain, the entire area was filled with the festive atmosphere of a grand wedding.

Along the long blue stone steps leading up the mountain, every ten feet or so a red oil paper lantern stands, its surface painted with simple mandarin duck and auspicious cloud patterns, with delicate gold and red tassels hanging from its base. Bundles of red silk ribbons are tied to the branches of the trees growing along the mountain path. When the wind blows, the red ribbons flutter and spread along the winding mountain path all the way to the Qin family mansion at the top of the mountain.

At the fork in the road halfway up the mountain leading to the Qin family's gate, a festive archway made of spirit wood was erected. The wooden frame was wrapped in bright red brocade, and the arch was adorned with a dozen or so silk embroidered balls. Both sides were filled with blooming vermilion spirit flowers, their petals bright red, appearing vividly red from afar.

The Qin family mansion was decorated meticulously. The two heavy wooden doors were covered with gilded double happiness symbols as tall as a person. The door frames were wrapped with double layers of red silk. Two blue stone piers beside the door were each tied with a large bundle of red silk embroidered balls. Eight large wedding lanterns were lined up under the eaves, their warm light faintly contained within the lantern paper, exuding a warm and joyful atmosphere.

The Qin family was considered a medium-sized Qi Refining family in Yulin County, and quite a few cultivators came to offer their congratulations and have a drink at their wedding.

In addition, the ordinary people living on the mountainside have filled the once spacious mountaintop courtyard to the brim.

Zhang Li controlled the black shadow boat to slowly descend, and showed the invitation to the Qin clan members who were welcoming them at the entrance of the mountain path.

"So it's Master Zhang from the Qingxuan Sect!"

The Qin family members guarding the gate lit up and immediately bowed, showing far more respect than they would to other guests.

At the entrance of the mountain path, the other cultivators who had come to offer their congratulations with invitations also turned their heads and followed the gaze of the Qin family member to look at the newcomer.

All eyes turned to Zhang Li.

He was dressed in a simple and clean blue robe, with an upright posture and a handsome and calm face. Anyone who saw him would have to call him handsome.

"Immortal Master, you have come from afar, you must be tired from your journey, please come in!" The Qin family member immediately stepped aside to lead the way, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.

Zhang Li nodded slightly, put away the Black Shadow Boat, and carrying the exquisite congratulatory gift he had prepared, followed them up the mountain.

This was his first time attending a wedding banquet in this world, and he really didn't know what to buy. So he simply picked out some auspicious gifts from Chang Song, seasonal spiritual fruits, and a few bottles of pills he had made himself, which together cost more than a hundred spirit stones.

For those independent cultivators who come to the wedding banquet, if they are just casual acquaintances, giving them a bottle of pills, a few-year-old spiritual herbs, or some spirit stones would be enough to make a decent impression.

Zhang Li's gift was truly substantial.

Passing through the archway, one arrives at the Qin family mansion. Inside, the courtyard is bustling with activity, filled with guests, and filled with festive cheer.

Qin Mu was entertaining several cultivators when he caught a glimpse of a figure in a blue robe entering the room. He immediately stopped talking, smiled, and quickly stepped forward to greet him personally: "Fellow Daoist Zhang, it is an honor to have you here. I should have greeted you in person, but I am tied up with trivial matters, so I had to have a member of my clan do it on my behalf."

"Fellow Daoist Qin, you flatter me. Today is a joyous occasion for the Qin family. As the head of the Qin family, you have many guests and should take care of everyone. There is no need for you to personally welcome me."

As he spoke, Zhang Li raised his hand and bowed slightly, handing over the box in his hand, "A small gift to congratulate your son on his marriage."

Qin Mu quickly accepted the jade box, his smile widening as he repeatedly expressed his gratitude: "Fellow Daoist, you are too kind. Your presence at the banquet is a great honor for the Qin family. There is no need to prepare any more lavish gifts."

After saying that, he stepped aside to make way for Zhang Li and led him to the main hall. Qin Changyuan, dressed in a bright red wedding robe, stepped forward quickly and bowed deeply to Zhang Li, saying, "Thank you for coming to the banquet, Fellow Daoist Zhang. I am deeply grateful."

Zhang Li quickly raised his hand to help Qin Changyuan up, and said in a calm tone, "Today is your wedding day, fellow Daoist. How can you bow to me? Besides, I have been well taken care of by the Qin family in the past. Today is my wedding day, so it is only natural that I come to offer my congratulations."

Seeing the Qin family patriarch and his son treating Zhang Li with such courtesy, the guests around them lowered their voices and kept glancing over, secretly assessing Zhang Li's worth.

After the Qin family's master of ceremonies finished counting the gifts brought by Zhang Li in front of everyone, he announced loudly, "Immortal Master Zhang Li of the Qingxuan Sect presents a generous gift! Two bottles of Qi Condensation Pills, a portion of seasonal spiritual fruits, and a pair of spirit-patterned jade ornaments! Congratulations to Young Master Qin on your marriage! May your union be a match made in heaven and your destiny be ever prosperous!"

It was only then that they realized how important Zhang Li was.

Many cultivators were secretly amazed. Only a handful of people at the entire banquet could afford a gift like Zhang Li's, which included pills, spiritual fruits, and spiritual jade.

Qin Mu's face lit up even more as he led Zhang Li to the front seat in the main hall, where a refreshing spirit wine and various fruits had already been prepared.

Qin Changyuan followed closely behind, picked up the jade pot on the table, carefully poured a cup of spiritual wine for Zhang Li, and said, "I am truly unworthy of such a generous gift from you, fellow Daoist."

Zhang Li picked up his wine glass, swirled it gently, and smiled faintly: "It's just a small gift. I hope you don't mind. You have many guests coming and going today, so please don't worry about me. Just go and do your own thing."

As soon as he finished speaking, he looked around at the courtyard filled with red silk lanterns and listened to the congratulatory laughter and chatter. He sighed to himself that this was the first time he had attended a cultivator's wedding banquet since he transmigrated to this world. The lively and festive scene was quite a unique experience.

Upon hearing this, Qin Mu and his son exchanged a few more polite words with Zhang Li before leaving to greet the other guests.

Alone, Zhang Li slowly sipped his spiritual wine, his gaze sweeping over the red silk lanterns and the clansmen and guests coming and going in the courtyard. He quietly watched this grand wedding scene belonging to this cultivation world, completely immersed in the liveliness, yet seemingly detached from the hustle and bustle.