No one except Wu Guang knew the real reason for this dinner, taking it as a gathering before his first real duel. And so except for small talk, the only other themes touched were cultivation and what had happened during the last month.

Wu Guang's team had not added any members and continued as a three-man team. They also retained the name 'Spring Flower', though Kuang Jing did ask Wu Guang why he had called them like this. He responded sincerely, that the name was given by an elder, and that he was sorry for that. Still, as they decided to keep it, then everything was fine.

He discovered that Lang Juan and Duqi had formed their team as well, under the leadership of a high inner disciple clansman. The latter was also the one that had been their mentor before. Their team was called 'Hunting Pack' and a pair of weeks ago had worked alongside 'Spring Flower', which strangely was now lead by Kuang Jing. Strangely in terms of combat ability, as both Yuan Taotu and Wei were stronger, still considering their lack of social skills, Wu Guang found it pretty logical.

As they had worked together and had a shared friend, Wu Guang, they hit off pretty well. Lan Yanzhi was acquainted with Wu Guang's three teammates as well, so there was no issue for her to enter the talking. That left Xiao Feng and Li Xia. The former was very social and had been in the sect for a year more than them, so he quickly joined. As for Li Xia, although she was a mortal and Wu Guang had not introduced her to anyone, it seemed that she had somehow already met them before and so also was in the conversation.

This fact was something that surprised Wu Guang, so he asked. It turned out that every one of his friends was notified of the fact that Li Xia's store was Wu Guang's, and so while he was training, everyone paid a few visits. Mostly to check on her and see if there was anything they could help her with. Which was required once, when Lan Yanzhi wasn't present and Li Xia was harassed by some men. Wu Guang did not need to ask what happened to the latter, especially as the ones paying a visit at that time were Yuan Taotu and Wei.

Suspiciously the notification came along with the permit to freely exit the sect and go to the city, even without being on a mission, so Wu Guang could only think that either Zhen Mang or Elder Mo was responsible for it.

Speaking of the store, it was doing pretty well. An Elder related to Wu Guang had made the arrangements he had postponed because of the training, and so the store was stocked with some of the freely available Halls production. Lang Zheng also did his part, and there had been already two or three merchants from the Wolf Clan that paid a visit. Someone from the Boar clan was due to arrive in a pair of days as well. Obviously, the dinner was not a place to discuss money and Wu Guang was honestly not interested, so it was set aside for later.

Everyone's cultivation had increased, which was a very good thing. At least in Wu Guang's eyes, the stronger they were, the safer they would be during the Eagle Kingdom invasion. Yuan Taotu and Wei had reached the 6th level of the Spirit realm. Kuang Jing and Lang Juan were currently on the 4th level. As for Duqi, he also had improved, being on the brink of entering the 3rd level.

Lan Yanzhi had not made a breakthrough, but being in a good environment and having the chance to train, she was near it. As for Xiao Feng, he had entered the 7th level of the Spirit realm a month ago, and so now was both a high inner circle disciple and an official member of the Martial Palace.

Wu Guang's cultivation had surpassed everyone present, even though most of them had been stronger than him a few weeks or months ago. Thankfully everyone around was his friend, and so except for a few words of surprise, everyone simply felt that it was great for him to be advancing so quickly.

The male part of the present left a pair of hours after they met, saying that they had something to do. The latter was an obvious lie, as Duqi was practically dragged by Xiao Feng. As for why? It seemed that they wanted to leave him alone with the girls. Well, the two girls and Lan Yanzhi.

________________________________________________________________________

An hour later, Wu Guang arrived at Li Xia's, now his, residence. He was accompanied by Lan Yanzhi and Li Xia. As for Lang Juan, after a few awkward intents of her to approach him, he resorted to talking about random things before citing that he had to rest today. He knew that Lang Juan was interested in him since the start, but he never considered her as anything else than a young girl. Granted, they were now friends, but advancing it? Wu Guang had no interest at all. So in the end after receiving her encouragement to win his duel and saying his farewells, he accompanied her to the City gate and left.

After arriving, Li Xia quickly went over some numbers with Wu Guang. He wasn't truly interested as he was most probably the richest youngster on the entire island, but as it was important to her, he listened earnestly. The numbers were indeed astonishing, as they had already recuperated every coin invested in the store! Considering that it had been opened for less than a month, it could be only considered an extreme success. Wu Guang had no real instructions to give as he intended to have Li Xia manage it until forced to close, and so he simply congratulated her and said that she could continue dispensing of all the funds.

"I said that you will manage the store, and you are doing a splendid job. I did not contribute much, so it's your accomplishment. So if it's going well, rejoice that you are a good merchant. If the heavens allow us, then after the danger passes, I will officially pass all this to you"

Hearing this, Li Xia almost kneeled. Well, she intended to do it, but Wu Guang held her before she did.

"Don't. I never intended to buy and retain your father's store or home. If you want to repay me for it, well... Just make a killing profit"

"I... I will!"

"Good. I will take a hundred coins for my own needs. As for the rest, use it as you see fit. But don't forget that in about two months the Eagle Kingdom troops will arrive, and so this store will have to be closed"

"About that..."

"Don't worry, I already spoke with an Elder in the Sect and you will be sheltered by them"

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"...Thank you"

"I have to take responsibility, don't I?"

"Mmm..."

"Now go sleep. You have almost two months more of hard work!"

"Mmm"

After sending Li Xia off, Wu Guang was finally alone with Lan Yanzhi.

He had her remain as he wanted to pass a few instructions, as well to find out about the tasks he had given her.

For the latter, Lan Yanzhi had done everything perfectly. She bought 25 different kinds of Spirit herbs and spent the rest buying whatever was available, to a total of 48 stalks of Spirt herbs and 85 stalks of quasi-spirit ones. Quasi-spirit herbs were not as valuable or rare, but potions required several complementary ingredients, so it was all done as instructed. She bought in different stores and disguised herself a bit between the deals. Mostly to not become a mark for robbing, after all, she had spent a thousand gold coins in total. And so between her cultivation and experience in the criminal underworld, she met no trouble at all.

For the investigation task, she also succeeded. Purple-colored trees were indeed rare and so it was pretty easy to find about them if asking the right people. These trees were a sort of Spirit plant, called the 'Lighting Attraction Tree'. They only grew in a few places, but all of them were located inside the forest that covered most of the east coast. As for the greatest number, after all, in the memories Wu Guang had seen a bunch of them, they grew around the 'Salty Lake'. This lake was a famous spot, and if not for the enormous amount of Spirit beasts that lived in the forest around, would be treated as a sightseeing spot.

Wu Guang had read about the place, but what had caught his attention was the fact that it could be used for cultivation. Albeit only a few crazy people tried to do so, after all, it was not so beneficial for Soul realm experts while the dangers required at least a pair of them to secure a cultivation spot.

"Thank you. You did a great job. I think you deserve a reward" Wu Guang spoke up after hearing the report. Afterward, he quickly called out a holding pouch from his storage ring and passed it to her. This pouch contained the ten stones of Fiery rock he had left, as well a rune weapon he had set aside for her. The latter was found between the belongings of the 'Double Shadow Assasin' and when Elder Mo asked him if he was interested in any other of the spoils obtained inside the 'Earth Cry Ridge', he had taken it for her.

"I...don't...oh..." Lan Yanzhi stuttered after checking the contents and tried to push it back at Wu Guang.

"Stop. Don't try a Li Xia, and don't forget what I told you. Even though you declared to be my servant, I will treat you as a follower. Well, I prefer to think that you are a friend. In any case, what good friend or master would let a pretty woman like you remain undefended?" Wu Guang smiled at her while pressing the pouch back into her hands.

"Haa... Thank you. Sorry for that" Lan Yanzhi was the oldest in Wu Guang's group, and so apart of her looks, cultivation and charm... at least some maturity would be expected. She recovered quickly, and simply thanked Wu Guang for the gift.

"Before I ask you to do something else, I need to ask. Did the sect follow up on the agreement about the 'Shadow Clone' martial skill?"

"Yes. I would say that they even overpaid me. Not only I was given a thousand gold coins, but they also offered me to choose a pair of techniques from the Martial library. I visited it a few days ago"

"Good! Speaking of techniques, how did it go with the 'Earth Spiked Shield'?"

"Great! I managed to reach intermediate success during this month, and it's as strong as you said" After some praise, Lan Yanzhi face was covered with a sly grin and she asked

"I wonder if young Master Wu can share other such techniques with me?" She even shot a seductive glance at him while asking.

"Hmm? That is just shameless. But truth to be told, I don't currently own any other such techniques. Still, if you reaaally want something, I can think about something" Wu Guang followed the game and answered in the same manner. Strangely, he felt at ease when being around Lan Yanzhi. If judging from his current persona, it could be said that this was because of their similar past. But truthfully Wu Guang simply felt like she was someone close to his own, Bai Qi's, manner of thinking. Granted, she was far weaker than he was, but on the other hand, she never had any opportunities like the ones he had. Still, the mindset of doing whatever and however you want but still retain a moral compass was really like him.

"I will think about what do I want. I hope that when I come up with it, Young Master will remember his words" With a radiant smile she responded before turning serious and asking

"Back on track, what do I need to do?"

"Cultivate and protect Li Xia. When the invasion starts, join her in taking shelter behind the Sect walls"

"That's all?"

"Mostly" Before continuing, Wu Guang used his mind power to set a protective barrier around them. Such a barrier would not allow even a beginner Earth realm warrior to eavesdrop on them. Seeing Lan Yanzhi surprise as the barrier was visible and felt indestructible for her, he added a brief explanation to his intended next words

"It's a barrier to not let anyone hear what I will tell you. Don't ask me how, this has to remain a secret. What I will tell you also has to. Understood?"

"I will not even dare to think of the matter"

"No need to go to such lengths, but okay. After the duel, I will disappear. The news will be that I was killed or kidnapped, whatever the Sect says. Don't believe in that, it's part of my cover for what I will be doing next"

"Understood" She nodded

"In any case, when that happens, be sure to calm Li Xia. If the chance arises, then also inform the others. Just make sure it stays between our group"

"Understood" Again nodded Lan Yanzhi

"Good, now go. It's no time for an unmarried male and female to be alone in a room"

"Hoh? So Young Master is interested in this old lady?"

"If you are fishing for compliments, there were enough given out today. Go"

"Yes. Rest well and good luck with everything"

"Thank you"