86: Gift Giving

Lu Ming felt a bit awkward. Could it be that this guy wouldn't even show his Face?

Although it wouldn't matter if he didn't come, he could always go to him himself, but it just felt a bit off.

Thankfully, Liu Yunlong wasn't so shameless; at least he was using the excuse of celebrating his Foundation Establishment.

As it neared Hai Shi (9-11 PM).

A voice from outside the door announced.

"Poisonous Dragon Gang, Foundation Establishment Cultivator Chief Liu has arrived!"

The somewhat boisterous banquet hall suddenly fell silent.

Cultivators stood up straight, looking towards the entrance of the banquet hall.

A middle-aged man with a stern Face, dressed in a black Dragon Magical Robe, was escorted in by Poisonous Dragon Gang Cultivators.

Liu Yunlong strode confidently through the door and walked towards the high platform.

Whether it was to intimidate or to show off, from the moment he entered, the Spiritual Pressure of a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator subtly permeated the hall.

This caused everyone in his path to step aside.

He arrived at the high platform, and Wu Qishan, who was following him, quickly took a chair from his Storage Pouch and placed it behind him.

Liu Yunlong sat down grandly, looking at the Cultivators below with an air of disdain.

Lu Ming, watching from below, felt an acute sense of embarrassment.

"Is this what they mean by 'if I'm not embarrassed, then others will be embarrassing'?"

He even brought his own chair; Lu Ming wondered what he was thinking.

"Could it be that my overuse broke his brain...?"

As Lu Ming was secretly grumbling, Liu Yunlong on the platform spoke.

"Breaking through to Foundation Establishment is a great joyous occasion. I thank all Fellow Daoists for coming to support me."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Poisonous Dragon Gang Cultivators in the hall shouted in unison.

"We respectfully congratulate Chief for forging his Immortal Foundation! May his Immortal Dao be everlasting!"

Although the Cultivators present were displeased and felt that the Chief of the Poisonous Dragon Gang was acting improperly.

They dared not delay and quickly bowed respectfully to offer their congratulations.

"Congratulations, Chief Liu, on forging your Immortal Foundation! May your Immortal Dao be everlasting!"

"Congratulations, Chief Liu, on forging your Immortal Foundation..."

The voices were uneven, and with so many people in the hall, it became quite noisy.

Liu Yunlong watched this scene with some dissatisfaction.

However, he also knew that what he had done was a bit excessive, a bit inhuman.

But so what?

He was already a great Foundation Establishment Cultivator; inviting these commoners was giving them Face.

Besides, once he stabilized his Realm, there might even be hope for further progress in his Dao in the future.

At that time, who would dare to speak ill of him?

Sacrificing Face for Spirit Stones—this trade seemed worthwhile no matter how one looked at it.

After everyone below finished their congratulations, Liu Yunlong gave a look to Wu Qishan beside him.

Wu Qishan immediately understood, but he felt every cell in his body resisting.

Chief! We'll Face retribution for doing these things!

Even though he wasn't a good person and had committed evil deeds like burning, killing, and looting.

He believed he couldn't be as shameless as the Chief.

But now he had no choice but to announce, steeling himself.

"Fellow Daoists, since you have met the Chief, it's time to show your appreciation. What gift you give is not important; your sincerity is what matters most.

Please move to the high platform, one by one. The Chief will remember each of you."

Hmm, very direct, no beating around the bush.

The Cultivators below had extremely ugly expressions.

They had thought that losing some wealth would at least get them a good meal and something to brag about later.

'I was invited by a great Foundation Establishment Cultivator!'

'Have you been to a great Foundation Establishment Cultivator's celebration banquet? You bumpkins, I have!'

'It's not me bragging, but back then, I actually dined with a Foundation Establishment Cultivator!'

They had rehearsed these lines in their minds many times.

Now? Who would dare to say such things!

They'd probably be laughed to death if they did.

'I heard you went to a Foundation Establishment Banquet, gave a gift, and didn't even get a bite to eat?'

This was a nightmare. If they could, they would even want to erase this memory and leave.

But circumstances were stronger than them. Didn't they see the Cultivators of the Poisonous Dragon Gang all glaring menacingly?

Anyone who dared to leave now would surely be resented by those bastards.

Everyone dejectedly stepped forward one by one, coming before the Cultivator recording the roster.

One by one, they reluctantly pulled out the congratulatory gifts they had prepared.

Spirit Stones, Medicinal Pills, spiritual materials, Magical Artifacts...

But these were all low-level Loose Cultivators; what good things could they possibly have?

Everything they brought out was some kind of shoddy item.

Yet, our Chief Liu showed no disdain and accepted everything.

Anyway, it could all be sold for Spirit Stones in the end.

However, Cultivators weren't fools. Knowing there was no advantage to be gained, why would they eagerly offer gifts?

Except for the first few who had no one to set an example and honestly brought out their family's savings.

The Cultivators who came after became sly. Since giving something was giving something, why not give a little less?

Thus, the atmosphere in the hall became strange.

Fewer and fewer Spirit Stones were given, and the Medicinal Pills became worse and worse.

Some gave one Spirit Stone, some gave inferior Medicinal Pills, and some even gave damaged Magical Artifacts.

Liu Yunlong's originally smiling Face also turned gloomy.

How could he not see through the little schemes of these commoners?

However, he had already anticipated this situation and made corresponding preparations.

Although he looked down on these people, if pushed too hard, even a rabbit would bite.

So, he couldn't openly threaten them; he had to kill a chicken to scare the monkeys.

He then gave a look to Duan Tianya, the Left Protector, on the other side.

After receiving the Chief's instruction, Duan Tianya made a gesture to his subordinates.

The subordinate received the order and quickly left.

These small actions didn't attract anyone else's attention, but Lu Ming saw them.

He was a bit curious about what Liu Yunlong was going to do.

Not long after, the subordinate who had just left returned, carrying several people.

Lu Ming hadn't paid much attention at first, but when he clearly saw the people being brought in, his Face sank.

He never expected to encounter him here.

Zhou Yang!

Lu Ming had been in Heavenly Star Immortal City for almost two months, and Zhou Yang had been completely out of contact.

He also didn't know how Zhou Yang was doing, guessing that either he hadn't come and had gone to another Market, or he had died in the beast tide.

He had felt a bit regretful, and gradually almost forgotten about this kid, but he never expected to meet him here today.

However, Zhou Yang's condition at this moment was not good. His body was bloody and mangled, and his limbs hung limply, clearly broken. He was truly miserable.

Lu Ming felt a surge of anger. Zhou Yang was the person who had been with him the longest. Although he gradually became less helpful later.

But because of him, Lu Ming had lived an incredibly easy life in Green Bamboo Market.

Moreover, this kid was obedient, sensible, and clever. Although he did cause some trouble, that was understandable, and he even followed Lu Ming's arrangements.

If it weren't for the long journey, Lu Ming wouldn't have minded bringing him to Heavenly Star Immortal City.

Later, when Zhou Yang suggested continuing to follow him, Lu Ming told him to come to Heavenly Star Immortal City himself, which was also a way to dissuade him.

He never expected him to actually come, but to see him again in such a state.

Before, Lu Ming treated him as a chess piece, to be discarded if things became impossible, but now he didn't want to do that anymore.

He already had the strength to protect himself. For such a subordinate, Lu Ming would no longer stand by and do nothing.

(P.S.: This venerable one will not participate in the battle, Fellow Daoists, rest assured!)