Bai Qi's mind had aptly named the invitation to share a cup as a drinking party. Indeed, even though the invitation from Wu Ren mentioned that he would be only inviting his two young friends, the number of bottles waiting for them at arrival was enough for a dozen cultivators at least.

Even Body realm cultivators could not get drunk on common wine, but the 'Persimmon Tower', where they met today, was a place meant only for cultivators. And so, no bottle of theirs was mortal wine. In place, they only served the one brewed from spiritual herbs. From which the cheapest one would cost a spirit shard, while the most expensive one would ascend to a mid-grade spirit stone per bottle.

Wu Ren wasn't wealthy, at least from his words, and so he had settled for a wine called 'Thousand Sprouts of the Lake', with decent quality, flavor, and most importantly, price.

Brewed with the water herbs and even water from the lake that bordered Shuomen City from the west, its taste was mellow, but even though it was a wine, it had a good influence on one's cultivation and water element.

In small quantities at least. Not that it could be applied to the trio.

Qiu Zemin had been a bit reluctant to speak as an equal with Wu Ren before, but fighting together always brought cultivators close. And so on this day, the three of them filled up the small private room on the 4th floor with jokes, stories, and other small talks that provoked raucous laughter.

Wu Ren proved to be a deep trove for all of the latter, being more than ten times older and someone who did not hail from the same region. Bai Qi had long guessed that Wu Ren was someone from the Ten Families controlled region, after all, why would he hate them as so if he did not cross their path?

Still, as Wu Ren did not explain much, and didn't even touch the theme about his true cultivation, Bai Qi decided to not pry. Simply enjoying one of the rare, peaceful, and enjoyable evenings that all cultivators craved... And always never got.

Bai Qi shared the previously undisclosed information about his 'Seven Islands' origins. After all, hiding it from someone he now considered close would be not right. He also shared that he had arrived with a group of people, that were now disciples or apprentices at different powers.

"So one of your brothers... Yuan Taotu, you said? Is now in my 'Fish Gazing Sect'?" Qiu Zemin, with a reddened complexion but only slightly drunk at the moment asked shortly after the reveal.

"Yes, Revered Elder Deng recommended him to join it" Bai Qi, who drank the same but still appeared fresh answered with a smile.

"When I get back, I will definitively look for him. I am no genius disciple, but if I can help him with something, I will" Qiu Zemin hit his chest as he said the phrase. His build was slender, and so it looked half-comical, a fact that Wu Ren immediately laughed about.

Bai Qi only smiled, containing his own laughter, and nodded while saying a few words of thanks.

***

It wasn't late in the evening when they had started, but as they finished, the moon was already close to setting down.

Wu Ren and Bai Qi walked almost steadily while carrying Qiu Zemin. The latter had no experience resisting the cup, at least from how it appeared, and so had slightly gone over the limits.

"Don't worry, I will make sure he reaches the 'Forest' district with no problems. You should probably get some rest. Especially with that dinner, you told us about coming up in less than half a day" Wu Ren had discarded his bamboo hat inside, revealing his scarred forehead, but had already put it on before leaving.

"Are you sure, senior?" Bai Qi asked while Wu Ren lifted Qui Zemin and placed it on his shoulder.

"Senior? Bah, what did we talk about? You can talk to me without the senior stuff. But yes, I am sure, there are no problems. I have a pair of acquaintances in the district so entering isn't a problem, and his sect only owns a single building anyway" Wu Ren half-answered and half-berated.

"Mmm, I will take up the offer then. Have a nice rest as well" Bai Qi nodded and cupped his hands.

"Hahahaha, I will!" As Wu Ren laughed, he nodded in farewell and walking at a normal pace began moving south-east, where the 'Forest' district gate was located.

Bai Qi only spent a few seconds looking at his back before turning around and starting towards his manor. It was at this moment that a qi transmission reached him, and forced him to look back.

"Be careful when dealing with old Deng. On his own, he isn't a bad person, and I would say that trusting him is right. Still, he has been a dog of Shuomen, and especially for the City Lord for over 50 years... And neither the City nor its Lord can be considered pure as snow" As the words registered, Bai Qi tried to look for Wu Ren to no avail. Seemingly the old man had activated a movement technique or concealed himself right after sending the transmission.

His words made a few questions arise in Bai Qi's mind, but the old cultivator had probably guessed that it would be so and quickly disappeared to avoid answering them.

"Interesting" Bai Qi could only mutter under his breath as he turned around and restarted his path.

___________________________________________________________________

By the time Bai Qi reached the 'Purple Haze' manor, the spirit's effect had already left his body. Probably resting would not be a bad idea, but between Wu Ren's cryptic words and the, even more, 'Come Prepared' ones from the invitation... It was better to spend the leftover time in a more meaningful way.

The furnace had greatly limited the quality of the pills he could produce, but Bai Qi had managed to reach the upper ranks easily, at least for all pills except the 'Tiger Vigor'.

As he had explained to Xie Fan, this pill effect was to refine one's body, and if used correctly, it would allow a cultivator to improve one's speed.

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But Bai Qi was still a Sage realm cultivator, and so even a 1st rank, not to mention the 3rd and 4th ones he had would be extremely effective.

And so, as soon as he greeted Xie Fan, who as always was standing near the pond, he proceeded towards the cultivation room.

Albeit he had no space to train his speed, Bai Qi planned to not truly consume the pills but fuse them into his body. Thus allowing him to call on the ready essences to improve himself as soon as it was possible.

If any cultivator knew of what Bai Qi was thinking, he would definitively cross him for a madman. Indeed, pills were meant to be absorbed, what was that about fusing with one and not using its effects?

But if he was asked, Bai Qi could only shrug off and ask in turn - If methods, and even entire schools of quickening and strengthening the effects of a pill existed, why wouldn't the contrary exist as well?

***

Deng Guiying's manor was indeed impressive. Even to Bai Qi, who had seen things that could not even cross the mind of the local cultivators, it appeared so.

Different from the courtyards that surrounded it, the 'Towering Void' resembled a watchtower. With no gardens or multiple buildings, it was a square, five-story tall building. The entrance was accessible directly from the street, and there were no guards or even servants until one entered the always open arch.

For Bai Qi, the most impressive detail was the material used for the building, as it appeared to be not built, but carved from a single piece, or mountain, of white stone. One that had then been covered with a void stone plating outside, making it impenetrable to senses.

A single female servant, more a girl than a woman received him as soon as he entered. After glancing at the invitation letter he extended, she politely bowed and asked him to follow her.

The place for the dinner was the enormous hall that occupied most of the 2nd floor, and from the few glances that Bai Qi managed to take while they walked there, the 1st floor was a mix of servant and utility rooms.

"Young Friend Chen! I am glad you could join me today" Deng Guiying was dressed in a long and flowing robe decorated with gold threading, as opposed to his usual martial robes. He greeted Bai Qi right away, and the latter found with surprise that there was no one else except the Gate Elder in the entire hall.

"Elder Deng" Bai Qi returned the greeting with a courteous salute while thinking to himself "Not that I had an option, did I?"

Near the wall that faced the street, there were two long tables and Deng Guiying motioned for Bai Qi to move there.

One, near the window that allowed to see the majestic City Palace, was already filled with different refreshments. Each of which could be considered luxurious, being made from Spirit- or even Earth-grade ingredients.

But Bai Qi's attention was grabbed by the other table, one that had several items placed on it. And neither of them was something to be expected for a 'normal' dinner. For starters, there was an exquisitely drawn map of the entire plane.

The map was surrounded by pouches and small sealed boxes from both sides. As well as two small jade statuettes that resembled an open hand and stood out from the former.

One of this 'hands' had a ring placed in the middle of the palm, while the other one was wearing an intricately decorated glove made of cloth and metallic strands.

"We will probably get to that later, for now, let's us enjoy the food" Deng Guiying followed Bai Qi's gaze, and commented with a slight smile while pointing at one of the four chairs surrounding the near window table.

***

If one asked Bai Qi about the dinner, he could only say that it was at the highest level. Even when applying the standards of his native, 'Four Forests' plane.

The two servants, the same girl that had received him and an old man who had suspiciously high cultivation - Peak Warrior Lord! - were also above any praise.

Whoever had cooked the dishes was so as well, with the main dish consisting of a 'Razorglade' high-level aquatic Spirit Beast being a masterpiece. It was so good that Bai Qi felt himself floating from the place for a bit, forgetting that such a dinner could not be without reason.

Not that he did allow himself to do so for more than a moment, quickly retaking the small talk that Elder Deng felt appropriate for the moment.

Indeed, small talk, as except a few questions about his wellbeing, Deng Guiying had not spoken or asked anything related to the previous week's incident. Or even about his previous plane. They barely touched any of the current plane or even region situation either, speaking mostly about the atmosphere of the city, Chen Guang's impressions on the locals, and so on.

It was only after the dinner was finished, the table cleaned, and tea served that Deng Guiying motioned for the servants to disappear and close doors. Bai Qi immediately straightened, as such actions could only mean one thing - the true reason for his invitation was about to begin being discussed.

"If Young Friend Chen considers that me asking isn't prying, there are a few things that this old man would like to know" The starting phrase confirmed Bai Qi's thoughts. As well as the following questions that Deng Guiying asked while pausing to sip his tea in a relaxed, even slightly over, manner.

"Now that you settled in the city, and ignoring the incident that should have not happened... What do you plan to do now?

"Continue to cultivate by yourself?

"Reach a level enough to travel the region and visit your friends?

"And leave after everyone reaches the required level for you to become overlords of your plane?"

In short, the questions weren't anything else than a probing of what Bai Qi had told him during their first meeting. He had not allowed the latter to answer, motioning him to wait until he finished, and now, Bai Qi was faced with a dilemma. Should he simply confirm everything? Deny a part of it? Or..?