Chapter 83: Banquet at Yaxiang Garden

"This isn’t bad at all!"

Li Yunjing nodded. Truth be told, he was moved.

The higher the strength he aimed for, the more resources he needed. With so many books in the "Scripture Pavilion", turning that knowledge into combat power would require Spirit Stones and heavenly materials!

If he relied only on the passage of time, he would go gray but still struggle to master the contents of all the books he had read.

"Junior Brother, would you be willing to act together with Senior Sister? We can look out for each other, and we’d have a higher chance of success."

Seeing Li Yunjing’s interest, Fairy Linghua perked up and continued to persuade him.

"When should we move? I still have tasks on hand!"

Li Yunjing raised an eyebrow, showing a hint of hesitation.

"In seven days. By then, you’ll have some time off."

Fairy Linghua said with a smile.

"Yes! It will be the third day of my break. I can participate!"

Li Yunjing nodded and asked, "How long will the task take? The Youlan Mountain Range is far; wouldn’t making a round trip delay my duty time?"

"Junior Brother, don’t worry! The people from the ’Law Enforcement Hall’ will use the Teleportation Array to directly transport us to the market outside the ’Youlan Mountain Range’. Then we’ll use the Sect’s Flying Ship to enter the mountains, so we won’t waste any time."

Fairy Linghua continued to explain, but inwardly cursed, "What a cunning fellow, asking so many questions!"

"If we were to set a trap specifically for him, we might not even be able to catch him! This mission is a Sect bounty task from the ’Law Enforcement Hall’, so I’m not worried about Li Yunjing not taking the bait!"

"Alright! Let’s set it then!"

Li Yunjing nodded, finally agreeing.

"Very good! Junior Brother Li, when the time comes, I’ll come over and we’ll depart together to meet up with the people from the ’Law Enforcement Hall’."

Fairy Linghua smiled, very satisfied that her goal was achieved.

Seeing Fairy Linghua off, Li Yunjing sneered, wondering who would end up getting tricked.

This matter wasn’t urgent right now.

There was still time, so he could plan leisurely.

Li Yunjing’s life calmed down once more. He was still as immersed in the sea of knowledge as ever, without a care.

When Yan Dingzhi came to relieve him, Li Yunjing even seemed somewhat reluctant.

"Hahaha! It looks like Junior Brother Li wants to work for another half month?"

Seeing Li Yunjing’s expression, Yan Dingzhi teased.

He had seen this look many times.

When he first came to the "Scripture Pavilion" for duty, he too would lose himself in reading.

But over time, it became numbing, and he no longer wanted to read as much.

He did not expect this Junior Brother Li to still be like this on his second tour.

"I can’t help it. With a weak foundation, I can’t stop when I find knowledge that I can use."

Li Yunjing shook his head slightly, smiling with self-deprecation.

This wasn’t an excuse; he really was absorbed in the ocean of knowledge.

He always felt like time was never enough, never enough to study.

Every book brought great interest to Li Yunjing, drawing him in, eager to master its content.

"Haha! That’s a good thing. It seems that it won’t be long before Junior Brother Li makes great strides in his cultivation!"

Yan Dingzhi couldn’t help but praise.

Everyone knew the "Scripture Pavilion" was a treasure trove, but not everyone could maintain such intense study.

Even someone as diligent as Yan Dingzhi could only manage to read one book in a fortnight!

That’s the difference in talent!

But Li Yunjing could read three or four dozen books in a fortnight and truly grasp their contents.

His accumulation of knowledge was worlds apart.

If anyone was destined to soar with such enlightenment, it had to be Li Yunjing.

"Haha! Senior Brother Yan, you’re too kind. I just believe that diligence can make up for lack of talent; slow birds must start earlier. Compared to you, it’s like comparing a firefly to the moon."

When it came to reciprocal praises, Li Yunjing was no slouch.

Yan Dingzhi found this hard to stomach.

He never expected this Junior Brother Li to be so good at flattering, making him feel a bit embarrassed.

"Junior Brother! You’re overpraising me! How could I deserve such words?"

Yan Dingzhi shook his hand repeatedly, admitting defeat.

"Hahaha!"

Li Yunjing laughed heartily before exchanging some more banter with Yan Dingzhi.

Thinking he could drown him in flattery?

Brother Yan was still far behind!

Before leaving the "Scripture Pavilion", Li Yunjing gave some instructions to his team members and then headed directly to the western mountains.

The western mountains weren’t far from the central mountains.

With Li Yunjing’s cultivation level and no rush, he opted not to use the expensive Teleportation Array.

He skillfully descended the "Brocade Peak", greeting some fellow disciples, chatting briefly, and then elegantly traversed the mountain paths like a dragon in a stream, nimble and graceful.

His speed was incredibly fast, his whole figure resembling a streak of light, free and unrestrained.

Before long, having exited the central mountain range, Li Yunjing frowned. Ever since being struck by lightning, his Divine Sense had become exceptional, far surpassing cultivators of his realm.

Sensing someone getting closer, seemingly tracking him secretly, Li Yunjing remained composed, not slowing his pace.

"Hmm? Who could it be? Members of the ’Laws Association’?"

Silently, Li Yunjing continued his journey with undiminished speed.

Within the Sect’s territory, even with a hundred guts, the ’Laws Association’ personnel wouldn’t dare attack him outright!

So, why were they following him?

To see where he went during his break?

Not to guard against him but against him bringing in the Yu Family’s or Fu Family’s forces?

It seemed that Fairy Linghua was indeed affiliated with the ’Laws Association’.

From now on, they intended to keep track of his every move, ensuring that he couldn’t counter their plans.

"Heh! They sure are meticulous in dealing with me!"

Soon after, Li Yunjing stopped, seemingly resting on the mountain path, adjusting his breath.

His pursuer, caught off guard, came into view within a mile.

Li Yunjing could now see his stalker’s appearance—a furtive figure, visibly shocked upon seeing him.

Li Yunjing smiled slightly, nodding at the person, an Outer Disciple!

Decent body technique, probably at the sixth layer of Qi Cultivation!

The ’Laws Association’ really put in effort!

Seeing Li Yunjing’s smile, the follower’s face stiffened, barely managing a smile in return before swaggering past, pretending to be just a passerby.

The monitor had no idea if Li Yunjing had noticed the tail.

All he could do was play the passerby role to lower Li Yunjing’s guard.

Once he reported back, he would have to fabricate his story.

Admitting to Fairy Linghua that he had been discovered would spell trouble for him.

Thinking of this, the monitor shivered slightly, disappearing out of Li Yunjing’s sight.

"How interesting! They really do value my movements!"

Li Yunjing chuckled, then continued his journey.

Heading for the "Yaxiang Garden" wasn’t a secret, so he wasn’t afraid of being followed!

Openly, he made his way to the peak of the "Miscellaneous Hall".

With the bustling crowds, he couldn’t tell if someone was still watching him.

But it didn’t matter; he confidently made his way to the "Yaxiang Garden".

Standing before the "Yaxiang Garden", Li Yunjing felt a sense of change and nostalgia.

In just under four months, his status had completely transformed.

He was no longer a lowly servant disciple, ordered around.

Passing servant disciples now greeted him with respect and envy in their eyes.

Such familiar feelings!

At the entrance of "Yaxiang Garden", Ma Xingyuan, Yue Zhouwang, Wang Yun, and the eight Outer Sect stewards all stood waiting for Li Yunjing’s arrival.

In a place like the "Miscellaneous Hall", having eight Outer Sect disciples waiting at the door was definitely a big scene.

It drew a lot of curious servant disciples.

"Senior Brother Li, you’re here! Long time no see; we missed you."

"Indeed! Senior Brother Li, now that you’re the steward of the ’Scripture Pavilion’, don’t forget us old brothers. Keep an eye out for us."

"Senior Brother Li, please come in. We’ve arranged a banquet in a private room!"

"Thank you, Senior Brother Li, for coming to the ’Yaxiang Garden’ to guide our work!"

...

Seeing Li Yunjing, the Outer Sect disciples beamed, crowding around him enthusiastically.

Ma Xingyuan was pushed to the back by Yue Zhouwang and the others, unable to get close, anxiously sweating.

Meanwhile, the astonished servant disciples dining nearby gaped at the scene.

Many curiously inquired about the newcomer who prompted such bootlicking from "Yaxiang Garden" stewards!

Amid the buzzing discussions and the chaotic scene, Li Yunjing sighed deeply.

As the chaos grew, Li Yunjing scanned the curious servant disciples around, frowning slightly, "What’s this nonsense! Let’s talk inside!"

"Yes, Senior Brother Li!"

Yue Zhouwang and the others finally noticed the situation outside.

Realizing they had gone overboard and made a mess, displeasing Senior Brother Li, they smiled sheepishly.

Although they were all Outer Sect disciples and stewards within a department, their levels of authority were completely different.

Yue Zhouwang and the others managed daily meals for servant disciples and a small portion of Outer Sect disciples.

They were at the lowest level of management in the Shenxiao Dao Sect, dealing mainly with subordinates.

But Li Yunjing, as the steward of the "Scripture Pavilion", held a position at the core of the Sect’s power.

In the "Scripture Pavilion", Li Yunjing interacted with influential and powerful people, including many Inner Sect disciples.

Li Yunjing even had opportunities to converse freely with people in the Foundation Establishment Realm.

His social circle was top-tier among the Outer Sect, placing him at the pinnacle, unlike Yue Zhouwang and the others.

Their worlds were entirely separate.

If Li Yunjing hadn’t come to the "Yaxiang Garden", they might never have seen him!

Because of this disparity, Yue Zhouwang and the others were exceedingly deferential.

They treated him as if he were already a steward of the "Miscellaneous Hall".

They hoped to curry favor with Li Yunjing, so that when he became even more successful, he might look out for them.