The scene suddenly quieted down.

Everyone looked towards a certain place with fear and reverence on their faces.

City Lord Lu Xunzhou strode out, having changed into a brocade robe and jade crown suitable for attending the birthday banquet, his every move exuding majesty and awe-inspiring presence.

In the Immortal Sect, he may be just an Outer Sect Steward, but in Lin Xian City, he is the absolute Dominator.

Moreover, Lu Xunzhou is not too old, and further progress in the future is not out of reach.

Looking around, the guests all stood up, Qin Yu also understood etiquette and stood up, following his master’s wife Yin Qinghe to bow and offer congratulations.

"Congratulations to the City Lord on your birthday!"

"May the Lord live long with immortal life and have enduring blessings!"

The sounds of congratulations echoed throughout the Inner Mansion.

"Dear Dao friends, please take your seats."

Lu Xunzhou slightly raised his hand, and naturally took the main seat carved from sandalwood, overlooking the entire hall, like a towering mountain.

As the City Lord took his seat, the guests dared to sit down.

The delicacies of the banquet were already served.

But the cultivators who came to attend were certainly not for the pleasure of taste, but to get closer to City Lord Lu Xunzhou. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Just after taking their seats.

A middle-aged man approached, holding a wooden box respectfully over his head, presenting it to Lu Xunzhou.

"City Lord, I have benefited from your care over the years; this is a humble gift, not to express my full gratitude."

Although he called it a humble gift, when the box opened, the Spirit Stone inside shone crystal clear.

Middle Grade Spirit Stones!

And moreover, a whole ten of them!

On top of the Spirit Stones, there was a piece of brocade cloth wrapping a Spirit Medicine resembling Treasure Ginseng.

This Spirit Medicine had leaves as green as emeralds, and its roots revealing the accumulation of years, recognized by those knowledgeable as a rare Treasure Medicine of fifty years!

Qin Yu was secretly surprised, even knowing that the Spirit Medicine’s value exceeded that of the Spirit Stones!

However, Lu Xunzhou merely nodded slightly and smiled, saying, "Thank you for your thoughtfulness, friend Chen."

"I’ve heard that your family has a promising junior, and they could be arranged into the Law Enforcement Team..."

Upon hearing this, the man was overjoyed, "At your command, City Lord!"

Then, guests continuously presented gifts, and Qin Yu observed silently, truly gaining quite an insight.

Many items were unseen in the market, and were highly valuable.

Lu Xunzhou’s occasional words could make influential figures in Lin Xian City, in the eyes of countless cultivators, tearfully grateful.

Sitting in the first row, Cheng Yi looked on with composure, even with a confident smile.

Finally, it was his turn.

Cheng Yi slowly stood up, without needing a wooden box, removing a ring with intricate spiritual patterns from his finger.

Storage Ring!

A space to store treasures!

Of incomparable value!

Zhao Mengli softly transmitted her voice to Qin Yu, describing the ring’s function.

Before, even his frugal mentor had one, or rather, the Danxin Herb Hall only possessed one.

Of course, before Lu Xunzhou, Cheng Yi had to respectfully offer the ring up high: "City Lord, this is a small token of my appreciation, please accept it with a smile..."

Though he called it a small token, the gift Cheng Yi presented still surprised Lu Xunzhou.

Spirit Tempering Pills!

These were elixirs sought by Foundation Establishment Great Cultivators!

And not only one, but two; if refined, they would significantly enhance cultivation.

Additionally, there were twenty Middle Grade Spirit Stones!

Lu Xunzhou quickly composed himself, immediately expressing appreciation: "Friend Cheng, your sincere and generous gesture is truly commendable!"

"In my heart, the City Lord is as noble as the sun and moon in the sky, unparalleled by anyone."

While Cheng Yi secretly rejoiced, he approached further, smiling and whispered: "City Lord, after the feast, I dare to invite you for a cup of tea and a small chat; I wonder if you would agree?"

This scene, caused everyone to glance at Yin Qinghe.

It seemed that Cheng Yi was determined to take over Danxin Herb Hall!

Both wealth and people gained!

Lu Xunzhou nodded in agreement: "Alright, later this City Lord will join you for a drink."

"Thank you, Lord!"

Seeing it succeed, not only Cheng Yi but even Cheng Hua became excited, that ugly face turning even more hideous out of joy.

He proudly looked at Zhao Mengli.

Only to find she didn’t even glance at him, this made his originally fiery eyes flash with a hint of gloom.

Hmph!

No matter how aloof, once Danxin Herb Hall is swallowed, could it escape?!

After presenting gifts, Cheng Yi leisurely walked back to his seat, yet did not sit down, instead speaking to Yin Qinghe, "Madam Yin, for the City Lord’s grand occasion, have you prepared a birthday gift?"

Yin Qinghe still ignored him.

She then rose gracefully, like a blooming lotus, elegant yet abundant in her stance.

Her hands lifted the jade box she brought, with a respectful expression, stepping towards Lu Xunzhou.

This scene of the beauty presenting a gift instantly attracted the attention of most guests at the banquet; even those raising their wine glasses quietly lowered them, unanimously admiring her—Madam Yin was indeed a rare beauty in Lin Xian City!

City Lord Lu Xunzhou’s eyes also showed a flash of appreciation.

Unfortunately, everyone knew the City Lord’s Dao Companion managed strictly; otherwise how could there be no serving maids or attendants gifted at the grand occasion?

"Junior brother!"

Zhao Mengli was very nervous, her delicate hand tightly holding Qin Yu’s hand.

Though she was young, she knew that behind such exchanges of gifts were interests being traded.

Currently, Danxin Herb Hall couldn’t afford a worthy gift after more than a year of depletion!

If they lost the City Lord’s protection, the surrounding wolves would pounce without hesitation, sharing everything from the Herb Hall.

"Madam Yin, it’s been a while..."

Lu Xunzhou changed his posture to an upright one as he looked at Yin Qinghe approaching.

He intended to comfort her with a few words, but found it inappropriate to express condolences during a birthday banquet.

Besides, when the tea cools after the guest leaves.

Zhao the Master was gone, and allowing Yin Qinghe to attend the feast in the Inner Mansion was already his utmost effort.

Survival of the fittest.

It’s like that everywhere; without support, Danxin Herb Hall should be replaced by others.

Yin Qinghe, with her graceful stature like a lotus in a pond, stood elegantly before the hall, a gentle smile spreading across her lips: "On the occasion of City Lord’s thousand-year joy, Qinghe is fortunate to be present, feeling greatly honored."

Finishing, she gently leaned her waist forward, stepping up to present the jade box to the table.

"Though my late husband is gone, Danxin Herb Hall has always remembered City Lord’s care over the years, this token represents but a fraction of gratitude for the City Lord’s benevolence."

Click...

The jade box opened, devoid of radiant lights, yet it made City Lord Lu Xunzhou’s eyes widen abruptly, his body leaning forward slightly.

Inside were several scrolls, neatly lying within the jade box!

"This is..."

Even though Lu Xunzhou hadn’t uncovered them, he knew those scrolls contained Zhao the Master’s lifetime knowledge!