Cultivation of Immortality: This is what unorthodox methods are like.

Wu Yong was stunned.

He thought that Wang Quan would feel ashamed and make excuses, that the other party would feel inferior and politely refuse, and that he would be cowardly and let him drag him to the table.

In the instant he invited Wang Quan, he considered more than a dozen possibilities.

But what I didn't expect was that the king would refuse so vehemently.

Is there something you need to discuss after the banquet?

These words echoed in Wu Yong's ears: "He's rejecting me!"

"You refuse to talk to me!"

"What do you mean by saying it's your first time attending a banquet and you should enjoy it? Ha... those are just excuses."

"Does he feel that I neglected him recently and didn't congratulate him on his cultivation practice?"

"Or are you upset that I didn't provide him with the initial resources for refining techniques?"

"What right does he have to look down on me?"

Displeased, Wu Yong turned and left.

When he returned to his seat, he was quite displeased to see Zhao Hongyi using a handsome young man as a chair.

"Red-clad, I just met Wang Quan!"

He recounted what had just happened, concluding angrily, "Wang Quan is resentful that I didn't help him!"

"But we were busy salvaging the Wuchensha at the time, and time was tight; moreover, a lot of resources were given to the higher-ups, and I didn't have many resources to support him."

Why should he blame me for this?

Zhao Hongyi chuckled: "He has just begun practicing magic and has not yet grasped the difficulties on the path to immortality."

"When he finds out later, he won't resent you; he might even feel guilty and come to apologize!"

Wu Yong sighed, "I hope so!"

"I also thoughtfully chose the [White Bone Hercules Magic] for him and found him a spot in our team in advance."

"But he didn't appreciate it!"

"This is truly...disappointing!"

At this moment, Qian Xiuyue arrived with two wine jars that had transformed into a pregnant beauty and a pregnant handsome young man.

"What are you talking about!"

Wu Yong recounted what had just happened, and finally couldn't help but say, "I just don't understand why he's so cold to me!"

Qian Xiuyue chuckled. At that moment, the wine jar transformed into a beautiful woman and a handsome young man, who gathered around Wu Yong and Zhao Hongyi and opened their mouths to pour wine for them.

The two indulged in unrestrained behavior, drinking heartily with fine wine.

The wine spilled, its aroma intoxicating. Winged fairies flew out from the wine's fragrance, clapping and dancing around the two.

A mocking glint flashed in Qian Xiuyue's eyes as she turned and walked towards the lower seats: "When you arrogantly ordered Wang Quan to practice the [White Bone Hercules Magic], he became cold towards you!"

"What gives you, Wu Yong, the right to plan his future?"

"Do you really think your Taoist scriptures are more extensive than his?"

"Do you really think he knows nothing?"

"We should have been friends, not superiors and subordinates."

Qian Xiuyue is gone.

Wu Yong was stunned.

Instead, Zhao Hongyi chuckled lightly: "Influenced by Qian Xiuyue?"

"If you also want to start your own business, then go ahead and do it. I won't stop you!"

"Furthermore, I have never treated you as a subordinate!"

Wu Yong stood up, muttering to himself, "Does Wang Quan really possess more Daoist scriptures than I do?"

Zhao Hongyi remained silent, simply holding the two jars of fine wine and drinking heartily.

Wu Yong looked around, searching for any trace of Wang Quan.

He didn't find Wang Quan in the lower seats, but only saw Qian Xiuyue drinking fine wine with many other cultivators.

He looked around at the middle seats, but still couldn't find Wang Quan.

Finally, he slowly looked at the superior seats:

The upper-class seats were on a high platform, and on the platform, monks bowed to those in all directions.

"Everyone, starting today, the Star Alliance's [Seven Maidens Mountain Courtyard] is officially open!"

"From now on, fellow Daoists, when you pass by the [Seven Maidens Mountain Courtyard], you may rest and stay there!"

"Gentlemen, please drink this cup to your heart's content!"

Everyone raised their glasses: "Drink up!"

At this moment, Wu Yong saw Wang Quan drinking.

This young man was surrounded by handsome young men and beautiful women who fawned over him; he was also fawned over by fox spirits, cat spirits, rabbit spirits, and other creatures.

However, he always felt that the monarchy was out of place with all of this.

The other person quietly ate the delicious food and drank the fine wine, surrounded by a lively atmosphere, yet felt rather—lonely.

-----------------

The sun sets in the west:

Some cultivators rode away on clouds of smoke, gourds, thunder and fire.

Some monks rode away drunkenly on parrots, butterflies, and fluttering moths.

However, many cultivators remained at the Seven Maidens Mountain Villa.

The spirits exchanged fine wines and delicacies, and lantern spirits danced in the sky; firefly spirits led the villagers in a graceful dance, rehearsing in advance for the nighttime light show.

Qian Xiuyue approached Wang Quan, who was still drinking alone, and asked, "Why are you so quiet?"

Wang Quan smiled and said, "The liveliness here surpasses that of the marketplace a thousand times!"

"But it doesn't belong to me!"

Qian Xiuyue's eyes crinkled with laughter: "As long as you join the Star Alliance, this place is your home!"

"But it's fine if you don't join; you can always come here as a guest!"

"Come here, and this place will be yours!"

Wang Quan smiled and changed the subject, saying, "Well, I have a friend..."

Qian Xiuyue flicked her sleeve, sweeping away the delicacies and wine on the table beside her, and sat cross-legged, resting her chin on her hand: "Hmm, that friend wasn't you?"

Wang Quan shook his head: "My friend wants to ask, is your villa still short of people?"

"She wants to arrange for some family members to come and get positions!"

Qian Xiuyue pondered for a moment: "Ten people."

"Your friend can arrange for ten people to come; but I won't give any of them special treatment."

"Because, apart from a few of us, everyone else in this manor has connections!"

Wang Quan smiled: "Thank you!"

Qian Xiuyue chuckled: "We cultivators are all about mutual help!"

"I know there will be a day when I need your help!"

Wang Quan smiled and said, "I will definitely help when the time comes."

Qian Xiuyue nodded.

After exchanging pleasantries, night fell.

"Tonight, the Seven Maidens Mountain Villa will officially activate the Celestial Star Array."

"The power of the formation is enough to cover almost the entire Seven Maidens Mountain."

Wang Quan stood up: "I'll go to the second level of the world tonight, which will save me from having to practice my magic."

"You can practice your cultivation techniques on your own; you don't need to worry about me!"

Qian Xiuyue frowned: "Although the second world is novel and offers opportunities, it really wastes time in refining techniques."

"After all, magical power is fundamental!"

"Furthermore, it will be safer to go inside once the Yin spirit has become stronger!"

Wang Quan nodded.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Qian Xiuyue got up to take her leave.

Before long, a large flag, several dozen feet tall, rose from the ground.

There are a total of 365 banners, each embroidered with a pattern of the stars in the heavens: Ziwei, Jidu, Rahu, Feilian, Taibai, Yinghuo, Yuheng, etc.

The banners fluttered, and streaks of starlight fell down, only to be swept away by the banners.

Looking around, Wang Quan saw that the starlight from more than ten mountains in the surrounding area had been swept over him.

A thought struck him: "Why is the power of the Zhou Tian Star Array so greatly increased tonight?"

"Could it be that the Celestial Star Array of the Seven Maidens Mountain Villa is actually a node within a larger Star Array?"

"Star Covenant? That's a big deal!"

In the first half of the night, Wang Quan struggled in the second layer of the world.

He continued to clean the reliefs and ghost faces on the pillars, doors, and windows of the dining hall in an orderly manner.

However, as time went on, his cleaning speed gradually decreased.

Initially, five recitations of the "Salvation Sutra" were enough to obtain a relief sculpture or a ghost mask.

Now, it takes six or seven tries to get one done.

When encountering a bas-relief ghost face that likes to curse, it takes ten recitations of the "Save People Sutra" to subdue it.

Permanent cleanup is more difficult, but the benefits are also greater.

You won't lose out.