It was already midday when Li Jizhou returned from the central region's periphery to the eastern district, just in time for the banquet. He went straight to Lin Chaobei's home.
As a Tier One Advanced Level Talisman Master, Lin Chaobei had the financial means to move to a market under the jurisdiction of an external immortal family, or even manage to stand in one of the small Immortal Cities affiliated with the sect.
Unfortunately, his partner, Zhang Caifeng, had mistakenly entered the Poison Barrier Swamp while hunting demon beasts in the Purple Vine Mountain Range in her early years. With spirit poison seeping into her bones, Lin Chaobei had to constantly use Tier One Advanced Level Detoxification Pills to neutralize it, spending almost all the spirit stones earned from creating talismans on this over the years.
Li Jizhou often heard his father lament as a child that if it weren't for such misfortune, with Lin Chaobei's talent and talisman crafting skills, he would have already reached Foundation Establishment.
He might have already been a somewhat renowned Tier Two Talisman Master in the Foundation Establishment Stage.
Back then, naive Li Jizhou couldn't understand his father's regrets and even admired Lin Chaobei for his deep feelings and righteousness, seeing him as a role model and aspiring to be such a good and righteous man when he grew up.
However, now…
Li Jizhou chuckled lightly and shook his head.
A man achieves what he desires; as long as he doesn't regret it, it's no one's concern.
Every choice a person makes has a corresponding result.
As long as he accepts the outcome of his choices, others have nothing to say.
"Big brother, you're here!" Just as Li Jizhou reached the entrance of Lin Chaobei's small courtyard, Wu Daniu enthusiastically came up to greet him.
Quite a few people had already gathered in the courtyard, all of them neighbors from around the area.
Lin Chaobei and Zhang Caifeng were spirited, basking in the flattery of the crowd.
"Jizhou, why so late? Come, come." Wu Daniu's voice caught the attention of Lin Chaobei and the others, prompting Lin Chaobei to walk up smiling and take Li Jizhou by the hand.
"Uncle Lin, Aunt Zhang, congratulations! Caiwei has been accepted into the Immortal Sect; she will surely soar to great heights in the future!" As Li Jizhou spoke, he handed Zhang Caifeng some mundane gold and silver jewelry he had just purchased at the market for a small amount of Spiritual Sand.
"Jizhou, why still so formal with us?" Zhang Caifeng accepted the jewelry with a smile.
"Alright, go find a seat, and we'll talk later." Lin Chaobei patted Li Jizhou on the shoulder.
Wu Daniu immediately led Li Jizhou to a seat at a table near the front.
"Second Elder, this is my big brother, Li Jizhou. He nearly possesses a Middle Grade Fire Spirit Root, and among our group, his Divine Soul is the strongest."
"Brother, this here is the Second Elder of our Yang family, who is in charge of recruiting new talents for the family." Wu Daniu introduced the two to each other.
"Jizhou greets the elder." Li Jizhou cupped his fists and bowed.
"Not bad, truly impressive. Have a seat and let's talk." Second Elder Yang Yuanzhen looked Li Jizhou over with satisfaction and indicated for him to sit by his side.
"Xiaoli, you... wait, you've already reached Qi Cultivation? Are you practicing... Evergreen Skill?" Yang Yuanzhen was just about to make his offer when he suddenly sensed the magical power aura emanating from Li Jizhou.
Having just entered Qi Cultivation, Li Jizhou's Dantian magical power was unstable, temporarily unable to fully control the leaking energy, and since Evergreen Skill is a common choice for many cultivators starting out, its magical power properties were relatively recognizable.
"What? Brother, why are you cultivating Evergreen Skill? It's known to be the most useless…" Wu Daniu's expression changed instantly.
Yang Yuanzhen took a deep breath, regaining his composure, and interrupted Wu Daniu, saying, "Daniu, do not speak recklessly. Since Little Friend Li has already begun practicing a Qi Cultivation Technique and gotten started, you should address him differently from now on, you should call him Daoist Friend."
"Second Elder, what about what we discussed..." Wu Daniu seemed anxious.
"Ah, people have their own aspirations, don't force it. Alright, Daniu, as I told you yesterday, we cultivators can't always go it alone and build behind closed doors. We need to network and exchange insights, so go on. While Lin Daoyou is hosting today, make more connections." The Second Elder quickly silenced Wu Daniu and sent him away.
Li Jizhou remained indifferent, pretending not to notice Yang Yuanzhen's attitude.
Indeed, 'Evergreen Skill' is considered the lowest tier cultivation technique by everyone.
A loose cultivator who primarily practices Evergreen Skill has limited potential and isn't worth recruiting.
"Young friend, Daniu is moving to our Yang family, and if you get the chance, you're welcome to visit us. Given your relationship with Daniu, you'd be a distinguished guest in our Yang family."
"Thank you for your kindness, elder!" Li Jizhou replied with a smile.
After Yang Yuanzhen spoke, he closed his eyes to meditate,
Li Jizhou, aware of the situation, excused himself and got up to leave.
"Jizhou, come with me. I have something to tell you." Just then, Lin Chaobei, having entertained his guests, came over to take Li Jizhou inside.
"Uncle Lin."
"Have a seat and let's talk."
"Jizhou, we watched you grow up. Your father and I collaborated many times, but unfortunately... Ah, the cultivation world is cruel, with the law of the jungle, opportunities, and risks coexisting, and life and death unpredictable!"
"There is a constant threat of death, especially here."
Li Jizhou listened silently.
"I've always wished to leave here, to go to an Immortal City, a market, a place where I'm under the protection of the strong.
Only in such places can one avoid having to sleep with one eye open, avoid living in fear day after day."
"Yet, I lack the ability and have had no choice but to struggle here for decades."
"Therefore, I can only pin my hopes on Caiwei, hoping she won't follow in my old footsteps and waste her life stagnating here."
"I believe your father wishes the same for you. Otherwise, he wouldn't have worked so hard, taking on quests and commissions."
"Jizhou, this is not a place to stay for long. You shouldn't belong here!" Lin Chaobei spoke earnestly, looking seriously at Li Jizhou.
Li Jizhou nodded: "Uncle Lin speaks the truth. I have also considered this and hope to leave if the opportunity arises."
"Good, the fact that you're thinking so means you've truly grown!"
"I should honestly tell you, your Aunt Zhang and I are leaving!" Lin Chaobei said with relief.
"Oh?" Li Jizhou couldn't help but feel a tinge of anticipation. He only wished to live long and naturally hoped to leave this chaotic place as soon as possible.
"Don't be surprised. Our chance to leave is thanks to Caiwei. The Golden Sun Sect will send a flying ship for us tomorrow, taking us to Golden Crow Immortal City and providing free housing!" Lin Chaobei said with a face full of happiness.
"Golden Crow Immortal City!" Li Jizhou's eyes shone with anticipation.
Golden Crow Immortal City, governed by the Golden Sun Sect, is one of the top Immortal Cities in Qi Kingdom, located downstream of a Tier Three Spirit Vein under the Golden Sun Sect. With abundant Spiritual Qi and several elders guarding it, it's counted among the safest loose cultivator gathering places in the Qi Kingdom's cultivation world.
It's exactly the place Li Jizhou has dreamed of settling in!
"Yes, it's Golden Crow Immortal City. Back in my youth, I had been there…" Lin Chaobei became animated, starting to reminisce the former glorious days.
Li Jizhou listened silently, filled with a sense of longing.
Not until Lin Chaobei snapped back to reality did he apologize with a laugh: "Haha, ah, I'm getting old and love to reminisce."
"Let's stop talking about us and discuss your situation."
Li Jizhou immediately sat up straight.
"Jizhou, now that we're leaving, you should make plans quickly."
"..."