Chapter 25: Friends Reunited!

Due to Lu Changsheng’s breakthrough to the third level of Qi Refinement, their departure was slightly delayed.

Worried about missing their three-year appointment, the two traveled day and night.

It took them only nineteen days to reach Ruyi County from Qingzhu Mountain.

The journey was smooth, with only a few encounters with fierce birds and beasts, but no real danger.

When they arrived at Ruyi County, night had fallen.

“So this is Ruyi County.”

Lu Changsheng was surprised by the sight of Ruyi County before him.

Ruyi County was several times more prosperous and grand than he had imagined.

The entire city was majestic and tall, sprawling like a giant beast.

The city lights shone as bright as day, with rows of homes, buildings, and shops bustling with activity.

The streets were alive with people coming and going, very lively. In the distance, several towering structures could be seen reaching into the clouds.

“It seems the mortal world is more prosperous than I imagined.”

Lu Changsheng marveled at the bustling city before him.

Before awakening his memories, he was just a farmer’s son. The farthest place he’d been was Qinghe District.

He hadn’t even been to Nanyu Prefecture, let alone Ruyi County.

This left him with little understanding of these large cities in the mortal world.

Seeing Ruyi County now gave him a feeling of a country boy coming to Shanghai.

After entering the city and asking for directions, they arrived at Ruyi Tower.

Ruyi Tower lived up to its reputation as the largest restaurant in Ruyi County, standing over ten zhang tall.

A jade ruyi hung in front of the building, engraved with the words ‘Ruyi Tower’ in large characters, looking very grand.

Large red lanterns hung from the four corners of the eaves, and the walls were painted with glowing landscapes and beautiful women.

Li Feiyu stepped forward, saying they were looking for Hong Yi.

The doorman, who had been informed earlier, immediately went inside to announce their arrival.

Soon, Hong Yi, tall and dressed in fine silk clothing, came out from Ruyi Tower.

“Brother Li, Brother Lu!”

Hong Yi greeted them enthusiastically upon seeing the two.

But when he saw Lu Changsheng, he couldn’t help but look him over a few times, as if unsure.

Lu Changsheng’s appearance and demeanor had changed significantly from three years ago.

“Brother Hong, don’t you recognize me?”

Lu Changsheng joked, seeing Hong Yi’s reaction.

“If Brother Li weren’t here, I might not have recognized you, Brother Lu, given how much you’ve changed.”

Hong Yi shook his head, exclaiming with a broad smile.

He had become much more enthusiastic and generous than three years ago.

“I see him every so often and still notice big changes. No wonder you’re surprised after such a long time.”

Li Feiyu chimed in.

He met with Lu Changsheng every few months to catch up.

He hadn’t noticed much at the time, but looking back, he felt Lu Changsheng had undergone some indescribable changes.

“Indeed, Brother Lu, what happened? You’ve changed so much, while Brother Li hasn’t changed much at all.”

Hong Yi nodded and continued, “This isn’t the place for chitchat. I’ve booked rooms and a private room at Ruyi Tower. Brothers Li and Lu must be tired from your journey. Let’s go upstairs and I’ll treat you to a welcome meal.”

“Xiao Xiyue, Zhao Qingqing, and Han Lin haven’t arrived yet, but they should be here in the next day or two.”

As he spoke, Hong Yi led the two into Ruyi Tower.

Inside, it was resplendent with carved beams and painted pillars, with a spiral staircase in the center.

The three climbed the stairs to an elegant private room on the ninth floor, where they could enjoy the night view through the window.

“Brothers Li and Lu, it’s been three years. How have you been at the Lu Family on Qingzhu Mountain?”

After they were seated, Hong Yi enthusiastically poured tea for the two and asked.

“It’s been alright.”

Li Feiyu replied simply.

He felt there wasn’t much to say about his situation.

“I’ve been getting by.”

Lu Changsheng also answered briefly.

“If Brother Li said that, I’d believe it. But coming from you, Brother Lu, I’m not so sure.”

“I’ve dealt with many people these past few years and like to think I have a good eye. That robe you’re wearing, if I’m not mistaken, is a magical garment, isn’t it?”

“Moreover, if I didn’t know you from before, Brother Lu, with your current appearance and demeanor, I’d surely mistake you for a young master from some cultivation family.”

“So, Brother Lu, you’re not being honest. Don’t you consider me a friend?”

Hong Yi joked, putting on an exaggerated expression of disappointment.

Though the three weren’t particularly close before, Hong Yi’s words made them seem much more familiar.

“I’m really not hiding anything from you, Brother Hong.”

“If I must say, I discovered I have some talent for talisman-making in the Lu Family. I’ve become a Talisman Master, so my living conditions are quite good.”

Lu Changsheng shook his head and explained.

He wasn’t saying this to show off.

Rather, there was no need to hide such things.

He had come to this appointment with some purpose.

He wanted to build and maintain relationships with Xiao Xiyue, Zhao Qingqing, and Han Lin, the three disciples from immortal sects.

But to maintain such relationships, he needed to have some standing of his own.

Otherwise, how could a son-in-law from a cultivation family associate with disciples from immortal sects?

His current status as a first-rank Talisman Master was the capital he could show openly.

“Wow, I never imagined Brother Lu had such talent!”

“To become a Talisman Master in just three short years! Let me toast you with tea!”

Upon hearing this, Hong Yi was shocked. He drew in a sharp breath, became even more enthusiastic, and raised his tea cup.

“You’re too kind, Brother Hong. I’m merely an entry-level Talisman Master, nothing compared to your carefree lifestyle.”

Lu Changsheng also raised his tea cup in response.

The city lord of Ruyi County was the Marquis of Ruyi.

That is, Hong Yi’s father.

His status in the mortal world was indeed extraordinary.

But seeing how warmly and politely he treated others now, completely different from three years ago, it seemed he must have gone through some hard lessons in these three years.

“I’m just a concubine’s son, my status isn’t worth mentioning. I really can’t compare to you, Brother Lu.”

“Besides, for Brother Lu to become an entry-level Talisman Master in such a short time shows exceptional talent. You’re a real dragon among men, with great potential to reach the second rank in the future.”

Hong Yi shook his head and sighed, then spoke with utmost sincerity.

“You flatter me, Brother Hong.”

Hong Yi’s words indeed made Lu Changsheng feel good.

In his memories, Hong Yi had an air of arrogance three years ago.

Though he didn’t mock or look down on him and Han Lin outright.

But his words and actions conveyed a sense of superiority, of looking down on them.

So this change in attitude, this contrast, gave him a sense of satisfaction.

Of course, he wouldn’t let someone’s attitude go to his head or start putting on airs with Hong Yi.

Under Hong Yi’s warm hospitality, the three gradually chatted more freely.

It was as if old friends were reuniting after many years apart.

And so, under Hong Yi’s generous hospitality, Lu Changsheng and Li Feiyu stayed at Ruyi Tower for three days.

Three days later, Xiao Xiyue, Zhao Qingqing, and Han Lin arrived in Ruyi.

Upon receiving the news, Lu Changsheng and Li Feiyu went downstairs with Hong Yi to greet them.

As soon as they came down, they saw Xiao Xiyue and the others.

“Big Brother Li, Young Lord, are you Lu Changsheng?”

Xiao Xiyue, dressed in a snow-white long dress, her oval face stunningly beautiful, smiled and greeted Lu Changsheng and the others as she approached.

She was frank and natural, her smile as bright and infectious as the spring breeze.

Beside her, Zhao Qingqing merely nodded in acknowledgment.

Her hair was lightly pinned up, and she wore a green long dress. Her face wasn’t strikingly beautiful, more elegantly pretty.

Especially standing next to the gorgeous Xiao Xiyue, she seemed to fade into the background, like green leaves setting off flowers.

However, her fair skin and tall, slender figure with long legs and a tiny waist were quite eye-catching.

“Brother Changsheng, Brother Li, Young Lord.”

Han Lin also greeted everyone.

Compared to the two women, he seemed even more unremarkable, hardly noticeable.

Dressed in a gray-brown robe, with slightly dark skin, an ordinary face, average height, and build.