Chapter 608: Chapter 268: The Celebration—Treasures Abound, Honored Guests Arrive

"Clan Leader Liang, you’ve gone to great lengths, please come inside."

The four families entered Demon-Defying City one after another. Fu Yongshang personally received them. With prior introduction and experience from the Demon-Defying City, this time his persuasion almost made Liang Zhiqing place an order on the spot. Fortunately, Clan Leader Liang remained rational and held back.

Not long after the four families entered.

The newly appointed leader of the Hongg Family also arrived with a pair of twin daughters:

"When we enter the Inner City shortly, as I toast to Fu Yongfan, you two be perceptive and accompany me. Whether Fu Yongfan takes a liking to you depends on your fortune."

The twins, however, smiled charmingly with confidence:

"Patriarch, you can rest assured, no man has been born who can resist the allure of us sisters."

The two sisters possessed a naturally enchanting physique.

They practiced a beguiling cultivation technique.

With every frown and every smile.

They could make noble family men fall under their spell.

This was the congratulatory gift the Hongg Family intended to present.

Once the Ninth-Grade Noble Families of South Huai Prefecture and several Qi Cultivation Clans gathered.

Three streaks of rainbow light swiftly approached from the horizon.

From afar, Fu Changli saw this scene, promptly took out the Communication Jade Talisman, and quickly infused a technique: "Patriarch, the Eighth-Grade Shi Family, the Shangguan Family, and the Nangong Family are about to arrive!"

Shortly after sending the message.

A breeze swept past behind the four people.

Turning around.

They saw Fu Changsheng in a moon-white brocade robe embroidered with spiritual cranes. His waist was adorned with an ice silkworm belt, embedded with Water Cold Crystal. On his head was the Star Shining Crown, studded with Star Glass Stone. He wore the Purple Star Feather Cloak and Cloud-Stepping Boots. His face was like jade, eyes like starry depths, resembling a Banished Immortal descended to the mortal realm.

Fu Changsheng was clearly specially dressed for the celebration today, starkly different from his usual simple appearance.

Runzhi couldn’t help but take another look. Under Yaoyao’s mischievous gaze, she finally snapped back to her senses, lightly coughed, and quickly looked away.

However, her cheeks were slightly flushed.

The three streaks of rainbow light dissipated in the sky.

They were Shangguan Feng, the Grand Elder of the Shi Family, and the Grand Elder of the Nangong Family.

All three were at Half-Step Purple Mansion.

Fu Changli and others were taken aback for a moment.

They thought one of these Eighth-Grade Shi Family clans sending a Foundation Establishment Elder would already be a great honor, considering the Fu Family was a newly promoted Eighth-Grade, still quite different from these well-established Eighth-Grade Shi Families.

Who would have thought.

That all three families would send their top leaders to attend.

Seeing this.

Under Fu Changsheng’s lead, everyone hurriedly went forward to salute.

The Fu Family, Shangguan Family, and Shi Family had previously collaborated to establish the Cloud Dragon Marketplace, but the Shi Family remained too low-key. Thus, the Fu Family had minimal contact and understanding with them.

As for the Nangong Family.

The Fu Family had even less interaction with them.

The three of them arriving together this time.

Fu Changsheng vaguely suspected there might be a significant matter to discuss.

After the courtesies.

The Grand Elder Nangong waved his sleeve, and a box floated towards Fu Changsheng:

"Fu Clan Leader, congratulations on your promotion to Eighth-Grade."

Fu Changsheng received it with both hands.

With a sweep of his Divine Sense.

Upon seeing the contents, his eyes lit up.

It was actually a piece of Tier Three Low-Grade Celestial Thunder Bamboo, complete with roots.

The Celestial Thunder Bamboo was nurtured through Thunder Tribulation.

Its material was hard and contained Thunder Attribute spiritual power, making it an excellent material for crafting Thunder Element Spiritual Artifacts.

If this Celestial Thunder Bamboo could be successfully cultivated, its branches and leaves could be used to make Thunder Element Spirit Talismans. Those who practice Thunder Attribute Techniques could also cultivate near the Celestial Thunder Bamboo.

The Celestial Thunder Bamboo could be described as a treasure in its entire form.

"The Eighth-Grade Nangong Family gifts a piece of Celestial Thunder Bamboo."

With this announcement, amplified by Fu Yongqi’s Amplification Technique.

Everyone in the Reception Hall chatting away turned wide-eyed in disbelief, especially the newly promoted Ninth-Grade Wu Family and Liuu Family.

Wu Clan Leader and Liuu Qingmin whispered:

"Brother Liuu, I’ve heard the Celestial Thunder Bamboo is a counterpart to one of the Ten Great Divine Woods, the Golden Thunder Bamboo. It’s said that if cultivated to a certain age, the Celestial Thunder Bamboo has a chance of transforming into Golden Thunder Bamboo."

"The Nangong Family is certainly generous."

If he recalled correctly.

The Golden Thunder Bamboo was said to have formed when a bolt of Thunderfire struck Spirit Soil at the dawn of creation, combining with the Spirit Bamboo seeds within, and maturing over ages into a Spirit Plant.

Thousands of years ago.

A piece once circulated within the Cultivation Realm.

It sparked a storm, and in the struggle for it, many Golden Core Masters met their end, some with the shadow of Nascent Soul True Monarchs among them.

Liuu Qingmin was also inexplicably astonished.

Yet recalling something, he shook his head, saying:

"For the Celestial Thunder Bamboo to evolve into Golden Thunder Bamboo requires it to grow for thousands of years; it also once needed the manure of Treasure Beasts as fertilizer, which is non-existent in our Great Zhou today."

So, the Nangong Family was willing to offer the Celestial Thunder Bamboo as a congratulatory gift.

However.

Even so.

Possessing the means to craft Tier Three Spiritual Artifacts.

Was enough to make everyone envious.

Hearing that three Eighth-Grade Noble Families had arrived together, the crowd lost their desire for casual conversation, instead perking up their ears eager to know what congratulatory gifts the Shangguan Family and Shi Family had brought.

After a brief moment.

Fu Yongqi’s voice sounded again:

"The Eighth-Grade Shi Family gifts a single Tier Two Top-Grade Purple Luo Celestial Fragrance Grass."

The crowd heard this.

Exchanging glances among themselves.

As none present seemed to have heard of the Purple Luo Celestial Fragrance Grass, given it was only Tier Two, their interest was lukewarm.

No matter how rare.

It was only Tier Two.

For the Eighth-Grade Shi Family, this congratulatory gift seemed neither light nor heavy.

Much in line with the Shi Family’s low-key approach.

Liuu Qingmin noticed Wu Clan Leader’s breathing became heavy; his curiosity piqued, he immediately asked:

"Younger Brother Wu, could it be that you know the effects of this Purple Luo Celestial Fragrance Grass?"