Calabash Fairy

East of the ancient ferry city, there is the City God Temple.

As the birthday of the City God arrived, the ancient ferry city was filled with a joyous atmosphere.

After the city lord and his wife lit the first incense stick together, worshippers flocked to the city god temple.

The city's guards skillfully maintained order, yet the street where the City God Temple was located remained packed with people.

Unbeknownst to many worshippers, a grand banquet was being held in the incense-burning space of the City God Temple from early morning...

Holding the birthday banquet invitation, Fang Yan calmly walked through the crowd. As soon as he stepped into the gate of the City God Temple, the noisy and crowded people around him suddenly disappeared, and a rich aroma of incense wafted over him.

Once Fang Yan had completely crossed the gate of the City God Temple, his figure appeared in a misty, cloud-shrouded place. Before him was a vermilion wall and a completely open gate, above which hung a plaque that read "Ancient Ferry City God Temple".

At this moment, two elderly men holding invitations were handing birthday gifts to Lu Zhang, who was leading a group of underworld officials to greet the guests outside the gate. After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two men walked together through the gate.

On the other side, Lu Zhang, who had just handed the congratulatory gift to the underworld messenger behind him, noticed Fang Yan approaching. He then smiled, stepped forward, and bowed, saying:

"Mountain God Fang, you've arrived."

"Has the Mountain God enjoyed his stay in the ancient ferry city for the rest of this month?"

Fang Yan nodded with a smile and said:

"Thanks to the blessings of Zhang Chenghuang and Wenpan, I have had a very pleasant month. Gudu City is indeed a blessed land with outstanding people and a deep impression on me."

After Fang Yan finished speaking, he handed the exquisitely carved cloud-patterned jade box to Lu Zhang and then said:

"This Nine-Herb Soul-Nourishing Pill was personally refined by me, and it is a birthday gift for Zhang Chenghuang."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhang was moved, but he did not accept the gift. Instead, he solemnly said:

"This gift is quite precious; the mountain god has gone to great lengths."

"But you are different from others; you are a distinguished guest of the City God. Your birthday gift is not given to us. Please accept it for now, and I will explain this to you on the way."

"Please, Mountain God, come with me into the palace."

As Lu Zhang spoke, he gestured with his hand toward the doorway.

Upon hearing this, Fang Yan flipped the jade box in his hand and put it away, shaking his head as he said:

"Judge Lu, there's no need for that. This is the City God's birthday celebration; you should attend to your own business."

Lu Zhang waved his hand and laughed:

"To be honest, the reason the City God arranged for me to greet guests outside was actually to wait for you to arrive so that I could lead you inside."

"Now that you're here, leave the rest to my men."

"Mountain God, please~"

Fang Yan vaguely understood that this birthday banquet must be somewhat different for him, and then nodded and smiled:

"In that case, Judge Lu, please..."

As soon as Fang Yan followed Lu Zhang through the gate, the view suddenly opened up, revealing a secluded garden with winding paths and beautiful scenery.

This place is planted with all kinds of exotic flowers and plants that compete for beauty, as well as evergreen bamboo, pines and cypresses.

The layout of this vast garden is natural and harmonious, and just looking at it brings joy to the heart.

Fang Yan followed Lu Zhang along the path, through a series of moon gates, and continued towards the main hall in the center of the garden.

As the two continued to talk, Fang Yan finally learned that Zhang Chenghuang had placed him in the inner hall, not the main hall.

"There are many guests at this birthday banquet, including twenty-one local deities, one hundred and sixty-three immortals, and eighteen independent cultivators. Most of these guests will take their seats in the main hall after the banquet begins."

"And you, Fangshan God, are seated in the inner hall with Yang Xiangu from Ancient Tree Mountain, Xiaolongjun from Crescent Moon River, and a manager from Wanbao Trading Company, together with the City God."

Fang Yan was aware that in some places, when a birthday banquet is held, the birthday person is often not seated in the main hall, but rather in a separate seat in the inner hall.

Clearly, those who could enter the inner hall at the City God's birthday banquet were all quite remarkable figures.

Fang Yan had expected Zhang Chenghuang to give him a rather prominent position in the main hall, but to his surprise, Zhang Chenghuang assigned him to the inner hall instead...

Before long, the two walked through the garden and entered the magnificent palace gate. The sounds of cheerful drums and lively conversations reached their ears.

As the second-in-command of the City God Temple, Lu Zhang attracted the attention of everyone present as soon as he appeared. Many surprised gazes also fell on Fang Yan beside him, and they began to whisper among themselves.

"Who is this person? I don't think I've seen him before, but to be accompanied by Lord Wenpan personally, he must be a very remarkable person."

"Fellow Daoist, have you ever seen this person before?"

"No, no... Perhaps he is a senior from another region who has come to offer birthday greetings. Little Gu, you and your fellow disciples should be careful. If you see him in the future, do not offend him."

"Yes, Master."

With a smile on his face, Lu Zhang calmly dealt with the many guests who came to chat, and led Fang Yan into the inner hall behind the main hall.

In a corner of the main hall, Yu Zhenzi was watching this scene with a shocked expression.

"Master, is that the senior mountain god of Qingfeng Mountain you mentioned? This senior seems to be quite extraordinary!"

Beside Yu Zhenzi, an elderly man who looked older than Yu Zhenzi himself was exclaiming in amazement as he transmitted his voice to Yu Zhenzi.

Perhaps no one would guess that this elderly man, who looks to be over seventy, is the Taoist temple's most talented disciple in the past century.

This was personally confirmed by the abbot of Qingxuan Taoist Temple.

In fact, this young man is mature beyond his years. When he entered the Taoist temple to cultivate, he was only thirty-nine years old, and he already had the wrinkled face and gray hair he has now.

After Yu Zhenzi took him as his disciple, he himself felt awkward looking at him, but his disciple quite enjoyed his appearance, earning respect wherever he went, which is why he kept it that way...

"Xiao Qiao, let's find an opportunity to visit the Mountain God together sometime, and at least return this treasure to him."

As Yu Zhenzi spoke, he gripped the snakeskin bag in his sleeve with a complicated expression.

The mountain god seemed to give away this treasure casually that day, and he didn't think much of it. But when he returned to the Taoist temple, he discovered that the bag was full of the highest quality elixirs and talismans.

These things may not be particularly precious to our predecessors, but their value is undeniable.

This is almost equal to the revenue of their Taoist temple's sacred site over fifty years...

Even though this senior was an old friend of the founder, their Qingxuan Taoist Temple could not accept such a favor for nothing.

..............................

On the other side, Fang Yan and Lu Zhang entered the simple and elegant inner hall together.

Fang Yan looked around and was somewhat surprised to see another acquaintance besides Zhang Chenghuang.

Upon seeing Fang Yan enter the inner hall, Zhang Chenghuang smiled and rose to greet him, saying:

"Young friend Fang has arrived."

Fang Yan glanced at the money rat that was winking at him before bowing respectfully to Zhang Chenghuang.