Walnut used me to boost her sales performance.

The group parted ways, and Hu Tao, with her hands behind her head, walked towards the Shengtang Hall.

Jiang Bai walked beside him, "Sect Leader, what do you think of Kong?"

Which aspect are you referring to?

"Appearance, personality, abilities..."

Hu Taopo gave him a strange look. "Of all the things you mentioned, only the first one is obvious from the first meeting. Which of the rest is something you could tell from the first meeting?"

"I was just asking..."

"His looks are alright, but this leader isn't someone who judges by appearances..."

"Then, Master, what do you think of Chongyun and Xingqiu's appearances?"

Hu Tao's gaze became even stranger. "Why are you asking this?"

"I'm just curious about your opinion of them, Master..."

"They're all alright!" Hu Tao gave a generic answer.

"What about the immortal Xiao?"

"The Great Sage Who Subdues Demons possesses extraordinary bearing; he is no ordinary mortal..."

"What about me?" Jiang Bai shamelessly leaned closer, letting Hu Tao get a better look.

Suddenly being so close, Hu Tao's heart skipped a beat. She pushed his face away and didn't answer the question.

"Just talk, why are you getting so close!"

Chapter 263 Quickly, come with me to invite the Immortal Ceremony

Back at the Hall of Rebirth, Jiang Bai took Hu Tao for a walk around Zhong Li's courtyard.

He wanted to see if Zhongli would be present on this crucial day, the day before the invocation ceremony.

If they're not there, there's an 80% chance they're up to no good.

Just as he had expected, Zhongli was not in the courtyard.

"Strange, where did Mr. Zhongli go?" Jiang Bai murmured, feigning curiosity.

Hu Tao shrugged. "There are so many places he can go, I, as the head of the hall, can't control him."

Jiang Bai suggested, "Master, let's see if Mr. Zhongli is around when we leave tomorrow morning. If he is, let's ask him to come with us to the Immortal Invitation Ceremony..."

"Row……"

Zhongli was currently on the roof of Wangshu Inn, and Xiao stood beside him with his head slightly bowed.

They gazed at Liyue Harbor from afar, but could see nothing due to the obstruction of the mountains.

"Your Majesty...do you really want to do this?" Xiao looked up at him.

Although he had already anticipated this day during his previous meeting with the Emperor.

But I never expected this day to come so soon.

"I've made up my mind."

Zhongli looked up at the starry sky and watched the birds flying overhead, and sighed:

“Liyue has a history of 3,700 years. I have led her through such a long period of time, and it is time for her to transition from the age of gods to the age of humans…”

"But can they really do it well?" Xiao was still very worried.

The Emperor has led them through so many years, can the people of Liyue really live without him?

Zhongli chuckled, "That remains to be seen whether they can deliver a satisfactory answer when faced with the threat of my death..."

He has high hopes for this year's Seven Stars.

Whether it's Keqing, who strives for change, or Ningguang, who climbed up from the bottom, they are both outstanding leaders, one in a million.

"What about the other immortals? Has the Emperor told them this?"

Zhongli slowly shook his head, "How to handle the relationship between humans and immortals is also a test I have left behind."

The reason he told these things only to Xiao was that he was afraid the impulsive child would hear the news of his death and immediately shoot himself at Yuehai Pavilion.

Zhongli looked at him, who was bowing his head slightly, and said slowly, "The contract you signed with me can also end now."

Xiao didn't speak, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes.

Having protected Liyue for thousands of years, which had become second nature to him, he could suddenly be relieved of this burden.

But fighting has become his instinct over thousands of years. If he no longer needs to fight, what should he do?

Zhongli knew he was confused, but these were things he could only figure out on his own; there was not much he could do to help.

……

The sunlight pierced the horizon, gradually enveloping Liyue and awakening the slumbering Liyue Harbor.

Today is the annual day for the ritual of inviting the immortals, but it has little to do with most people.

The docks were already bustling before dawn. The Thousand Rock Army, armed with long guns, patrolled incessantly, while busy workers moved goods and sailors, preparing for their voyages, inspected their ships.

Ships came and went, bringing wealth from all over the world to this port.

The wealthiest woman in Liyue Harbor is preparing for the most important event of the year.

Before the sun had even risen, she was already sitting in front of her dressing table, personally applying her dignified and beautiful makeup.

She carefully selected from among many hairpins, and finally chose her favorite golden phoenix glass hairpin to tie in her hair.

Applying lip rouge and nail polish, she slowly put on the magnificent gown specially made for the ritual of inviting immortals.

After doing all this, she walked out of the house, stood on the platform of the Qunyu Pavilion, and gazed in the direction where the sun was rising.

The horizon gradually turned golden, and the clouds on the horizon were also tinged with gold.

The golden morning sun bathed her, who stood atop the lofty Qunyu Pavilion, in a golden glow, making her appear exceptionally noble and magnificent.

Her face didn't show much expression; she had suppressed all her emotions deep inside.

She stood there for a long time, until the sun fully emerged above the horizon and slowly rose into the sky.

Finally, she turned and left, heading to Yujingtai to do what she had to do.

……

The sun shone through the windowpane onto Jiang Bai's face, and Jiang Bai's eyelids trembled before he opened them.

Thinking about today, he had no intention of sleeping in, so he threw off the covers and crawled out of bed.

After quickly washing up, he easily climbed over the threshold into Walnut's yard and knocked on Walnut's door.

"Master, wake up! The sun's already high in the sky!"

Walnut came out of the backyard with a cup and a toothbrush. "I've been up for ages, you didn't have to call me."

"Hehehe, I was just afraid you'd forget, Master."

While Hu Tao was washing up, Jiang Bai sat on the swing and wiped his precious sword.

Even if you don't know what will happen, it's always good to be prepared.

"Let's go!"

After washing up, Hu Tao changed into her usual clothes, grabbed a few steamed buns from the kitchen with Jiang Bai, and then walked to Zhong Li's door.

She pushed the door open and came in without knocking.

"Grandpa, get up!"

Zhongli was teasing the bird when he heard this and turned to look at her.

"Why is the hall master here?"

Hu Tao chuckled, stepped forward and took one of his arms, then gestured to Jiang Bai to take the other arm, thus supporting Zhong Li.

"Oh dear, today is the Summoning Ceremony of Immortals. I have a feeling that the Fools might cause trouble during the ceremony. Old man, why don't you come with us and take a look?"

Zhongli, who was being supported by the two men, thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.

"Alright."

Jiang Bai was somewhat surprised that he had agreed to this.

He still remembered how he had tried to persuade Zhongli last year, but she just wouldn't go because she thought it was boring.

They agreed so readily this year.

There's definitely something fishy going on!

He had to keep a close eye on Zhongli during today's invocation ceremony and not let his every move slip by.

Hu Tao was quite excited and shared a steamed bun with Zhong Li.

"Then pack your things and come with us. We also have two friends who have come from afar who are going along."

The three arrived at the agreed location on time, where Sora and Paimon were already waiting.

Because it's such an important day, they got up very early.

Upon seeing the empty space, Zhongli's gaze flickered before landing on Paimon.

He asked with some curiosity, as if he were seeing the two of them for the first time:

Who are these two?

"Let me introduce you. This is Zhongli, a guest elder of our Rebirth Hall. And these two are Kong, the traveler from afar, and his companion Paimon!"

Zhongli extended his hand and shook hands with Kong simply.

"Nice to meet you."

"Me too, it's nice to meet you."

Their hands touched and then immediately let go.

Hu Tao looked at the two of them and said, "Have you had breakfast yet? If you have, we'll head straight there."

"I've eaten, I've eaten! Let's get going, I can't wait!" Paimon rubbed his hands and stomped his feet in the air.

Chapter 264 The Emperor is assassinated, and the entire area is sealed off.

As Hu Tao led the group uphill, she recounted:

"The ceremony for inviting the immortals is held at Jade Peak, the highest point in Liyue Harbor. Anyone can attend, but because the ceremony is too complicated and boring, most Liyue residents don't go often."

"Oh, I see. I thought the ceremony of inviting the immortals would be very lively and there would be lots of delicious food." Paimon was a little disappointed.

Jiang Bai reached out and tapped her headdress. "Are you stupid? How could you possibly set up a food stall for such a serious ceremony as the Invitation of Immortals?"

Paimon covered his crown and pouted.

She was just saying it, why take it so seriously...

As he walked uphill, he observed the surrounding shops and pedestrians.

Just as Hu Tao said, although today is the day of the Summoning Ceremony, nothing has changed in Liyue Harbor.

Merchants still open their doors to do business, and busy people remain busy.

The only difference is that some shrewd merchants have put up signs offering discounts on the ritual of inviting immortals, trying to attract customers in this way.

As they traveled along the Jade Capital Terrace, the number of Thousand Rock Army soldiers around them gradually increased.

When D'Artagnan, who had also come to observe the ceremony, saw them, she waved and greeted them as she walked over: "Oh, you're here too! Do you want to come with me?"

Jiang Bai initially wanted to say forget it, not wanting to stay with the Fools, but then he thought that staying together would allow him to keep a close eye on the guy and detect anything unusual immediately.

Then, he smiled brightly and put his arm around the young master's shoulder.

"Mr. Zhongli was just saying whether you would come or not! Come on, let's go together."

Dadalia was quite surprised by Jiang Bai's behavior.

This person was clearly very hostile before, why is he suddenly so enthusiastic towards me?

There's always a reason behind unusual events.