Hide in The Immortal Cultivation World, Strike Hard in the Martial World-Chapter 254 - 141: Cold-faced Sword Cultivator

"If the Zhao Family Head extends such a warm welcome, how could Chen Yi pass up the opportunity?"

Chen Yi responded.

Zhao Chongjian's face twitched. This ingrate was still holding a grudge.

Still, his animosity towards Chen Yi had lessened significantly over the years. Thanks to his various schemes, his daughter, Chengjing, had become increasingly entangled in the Zhao family's affairs and had gradually assumed responsibility for the family's obligations.

Her mind now focused on the family, she had stopped talking about eloping with this brat.

He snorted to himself, as long as one has thick enough skin, victory belongs to him.

"Of course you're welcome. All of you are young and talented, it's my honor to have you at the Zhao residence. Come in, come in!" He invited cheerily.

Just then, from not too far behind him, a weary looking Chengjing flew over hastily. Upon quick glance, it was obvious that her clothes were somewhat disheveled.

With a sweep of his divine sense, Zhao Chongjian discovered something. Recalling the report he just received about this brat spending three days and nights in his daughter's cave mansion, his mood soured.

But this time, he had to keep smiling, regardless of his mood, as he led the group to the first banquet table.

Seeing the two elders of the Zhao Family leading three young men, the cultivators present at the banquet stood up in respect. They bowed, greeted, and watched with admiration.

The family had already spread the word about these young men's identities.

This was the most flattering aspect for the Zhao family.

Zhao Chongjian and Zhao Chengyu led the three men to the main table, where Song Chengcheng was politely led to the top seat, followed by Wang Tengfei, with Chen Yi in accompaniment.

Zhao Chengyu made some grandiose statements on the stage, while Zhao Chongjian, knowing he was disliked by the youngsters, excused himself to join another table.

When Zhao Chengyu started toasting at each table,

Song Chengcheng looked around the room and eventually spotted Liu Huo in a group of junior family members slightly towards the back.

She gave a generous smile and waved towards Liu Huo without toning down her voice, saying,

"Come, Daoist Liu, come sit here."

Liu Huo was taken aback and hurriedly waved his hands in refusal.

However, Song Chengcheng insisted, attracting attention from quite a few people in the room who were already watching her anyway. Many started to question who Liu Huo was.

Liu Huo, seeing that all the cultivators were looking at him, felt a bit bashful and hastily excused himself from his table amidst the envious gazes.

He then made his way to the first table.

Zhao Chengyu stepped forward at the right time to explain, "Liu Huo and a few of us grew up together on the 32nd island. All these years, we've maintained a good relationship."

The cultivators present understood and envied this middle-aged, somewhat overweight man at the Qi Refining Seventh Layer.

Being friends with Fairy Song and Officer Wang for so many years was indeed a blessing.

Seeing this, Zhao Chongjian thought for a moment, then sent a message to his son, "Didn't you request that Liu Huo's son, Zhao Changsheng, change his surname to Liu's? I've approved it. When you go sit with him later, you tell Liu Huo."

Friendships among cultivators vary greatly in their depth, and as cultivation level increases, so too does disparity in status.

Besides becoming completely estranged, Zhao Chongjian had even seen people backstabbing their friends numerous times.

However, it was his first time seeing friendships like the one between Chen Yi and his friends.

He admitted to himself that he had underestimated Liu Huo and Chen Yi.

Both seemed to be lucky young fellows who managed to cling to the mighty.

...

The group was in the main banquet only for the first half of the day,

Afterwards, they had small gatherings in Zhao Chengyu's cave mansion.

Also in attendance were Liu Huo and his son, Liu Changsheng, who was now a teenager with good spiritual roots and already at the Qi Refining First Layer.

With Zhao Chengyu's announcement this time, Liu Changsheng officially changed his surname to Liu, and would be cultivating under Liu Huo in the future.

Grateful, Liu Huo took his son to formally meet his 'uncles' and 'aunties'.

Liu Huo understood that the opportunity for his son to change his surname back to Liu's before Zhao Chengyu took over the family was due to the influence of his friends.

He also knew that his greatest wealth in life was not being the shopkeeper of the Zhao family's restaurant,

but his relationship with his friends,

Especially Fairy Song and Wang Tengfei, both Foundation Establishment stage cultivators holding important posts, possibly advancing to higher positions in the future.

This would secure resources for Liu Changsheng in the future.

Liu Changsheng, the smart kid he was, heedfully called out to his 'uncles' and 'aunties', helped pour wine and pass dishes. He was happily busy.

Seeing this, Song Chengcheng, Wang Tengfei, and Chen Yi all grinned as they accepted the attention from their young 'nephew'.

This made Liu Huo very happy and thus, he raised several additional toasts for them.

Their acceptance indicated their recognition of Liu Changsheng as their nephew, with an understanding that in the future, if Liu Huo was no more and Liu Changsheng needed help,

They would not just stand by and watch.

Liu Huo said this as he raised his cup to toast, and the three laughed and drank the wine in response.

After several rounds of wine and multiple courses of dishes,

Liu Huo dismissed his son,

Leaving only the original five juniors in the room.

By now, Song Chengcheng, Wang Tengfei, and Zhao Chengyu had all successfully reached the Foundation Establishment stage. Liu Huo had completely given up cultivation to enjoy life, with a growing belly to show for it.

Meanwhile, Chen Yi was still struggling in the Wangyue Immortal City in search of some elusive Foundation Establishment resources.

Finally, the friends started to address serious matters.

Song Chengcheng and Wang Tengfei simultaneously turned to look at Zhao Chengyu, both of their expressions somber.

"Daoist Zhao, is your injury serious?"

Having reached the Foundation Establishment stage and possessing divine senses, they had noticed that something was off with Zhao Chengyu during these two days of close proximity.