Inner Demons

Chapter 75: A Joke

The apprentice was merely going through the motions, a quick glance, and then it was done.

Such a grand event, with so many important people, those who dared to come were not here to cause trouble.

He took it, glanced at it, and said, "Both of you, this way—"

But he stopped after those four words, subconsciously looked at the invitation again, then looked up at the old Daoist and Li Yunxin.

The invitation Old Daoist Liu handed him, he knew its style—hot-stamped gold, ornate, exquisitely crafted, a total of twelve copies issued, all to the top figures in Weicheng.

Now this item appeared in Old Daoist Liu's hand...

He stared at Old Daoist Liu for a while, then politely smiled and asked, "Daoist master, you look somewhat familiar. May I ask if we have met somewhere before?"

Qionghua Tower was one of Weicheng's top entertainment venues. Those working here and greeting guests today must be quick-witted and intelligent individuals—they would certainly not just judge people by their appearance, as in the stories Li Yunxin had read, but would use their brains. So he asked cleverly, only asking if the old Daoist was from Weicheng—if he was from Weicheng and held this invitation, he shouldn't fail to recognize him.

The old Daoist was no greenhorn and knew something might be amiss. So he said, "Hmm... this humble Daoist is from Weicheng. Dragon King Temple on Taoxi Road, Liuhe Prefecture—this humble Daoist is the Temple Keeper there."

The apprentice thought for a moment, then smiled again, "Daoist master, please wait. There might be a slight mistake. I dare not make a decision, and must report to the manager—there's a chair here, would you like to rest?"The two apprentices at the reception desk had tables and chairs for recording visiting guests, which they now offered.

The old Daoist, seeing his politeness, quickly said, "No matter, no matter. You go!"

The apprentice bowed again, excused himself, and, holding the invitation, jogged into the building.

Originally, people coming and going wouldn't have noticed this area until this small incident occurred. Shi Kuizi walked into the crowd, exchanged a few greetings, and when she turned to look at Old Daoist Liu again, she found that the master and disciple were stopped.

Almost everyone waiting here knew each other—since this world had cultivators, Daoist Arts were bound to be flourishing. While wild Daoist priests didn't have Celestial Heart Orthodox Law to cultivate, there were many methods for strengthening the body, sitting in meditation, and refining qi.

This was also a world where demons, monsters, and divine beasts truly existed, so there were quite a few Daoist temples and monasteries near Weicheng. Cultivators knew each other's sects, and these wild Daoist priests, at least, knew each other. A few people saw that Shi Kuizi had come with the old Daoist and asked about him, learning his identity. Seeing him stopped, they couldn't help but start discussing.

With two or three dozen people waiting here, occasionally casting their gaze towards that side, the old Daoist became uncomfortable.

Shi Kuizi then slowly walked over and asked, "What's wrong?"

Li Yunxin then smiled faintly again in his heart. This Daoist nun truly had a good impression of the old Daoist—at this moment, she thought of coming over to talk, so as not to make him too embarrassed.

The old Daoist then explained the reason to her. Shi Kuizi listened, and lightly "hmm"-ed, "Oh, something like that happened. Ah... then it's probably a mistake."

Hearing the old Daoist mention the invitation, she knew it was for honored guests. She and Old Daoist Liu had known each other for a long time and knew he wouldn't be such an "honored guest." But after saying that, she worried the old Daoist would feel uncomfortable, so she smiled and turned to Li Yunxin, saying, "Do you know that your master is actually very capable?"

Old Daoist Liu became embarrassed.

Shi Kuizi, thinking he was being humble, added, "There are five Intent Realm Artificers in Weicheng, and your master can be considered one of them. Although compared to the other four, he's not entirely satisfactory—"

She said, looking at Old Daoist Liu with a smile, "But compared to us, he's a true master. Your master cultivated by himself, comprehending methods, and achieved minor success in his twenties, before he met your grandmaster and was taught the methods of cultivation."

"Alas. It's also fate playing tricks." Shi Kuizi sighed sincerely, "If your master had been lucky, meeting a Grotto-heaven School cultivator traveling in the secular world when he was young... perhaps he would be among the immortals today."

Li Yunxin looked at Old Daoist Liu with slight surprise, but Shi Kuizi merely assumed he "never knew his master was so powerful."

But indeed, he didn't know.

Li Yunxin was taught by his parents, two Painting Daoists, little by little. He surpassed any Artificer or Painting Daoist in the world. Therefore, even the four Intent Realm Artificers in Weicheng and the Illusory Realm Grand Artificer in Jinghua seemed like children playing house in his eyes...

How could he care about Old Daoist Liu's level among these wild Daoist priests?

This was probably like... in his previous world, a billionaire wouldn't care about the difference between a multi-millionaire and a millionaire.

In fact, in his eyes, they were all still "somewhat wealthy."

Looking at it this way... what Old Daoist Liu had said to him before wasn't entirely "bragging."

He had once just barely touched the edge of the Intent Realm; now, he could be considered a legitimate Intent Realm Artificer. He had also paid attention to the situation of those four Intent Realm Artificers—they all came from wealthy families in Weicheng, built up with various methods and resources.

There was a reason why it was said that it was hard for humble families to produce noble sons. But Old Daoist Liu, a person with no background, truly relied on his own abilities, bit by bit... to reach this point.

Li Yunxin felt that he had probably underestimated him before.

Just as the old Daoist was about to humbly say a few words, the apprentice returned with the manager, rushing over.

Before the old Daoist could speak, the manager quickly bowed, "Daoist master, you've waited long. It's the fault of my subordinates for being ignorant and delaying your time. I have already reprimanded him, and he will not be working today to bother you. Please follow me, I will lead you into the building."

The old Daoist and Shi Kuizi both froze for a moment.

The people waiting there also heard the manager's words and looked over. Those who knew Old Daoist Liu frowned slightly, wondering what had happened. Those who weren't familiar were listening to others speak.

Old Daoist Liu subconsciously asked, "That invitation... didn't you say there was a mistake?"

The manager, who had seen many noble guests at the building, knew that some people seemed amiable but were actually very temperamental and not to be trifled with. He took it that the old Daoist was displeased and acting difficult, so he quickly smiled and said, "Those children were blind. You, Daoist Hunyuanzi, are one of the five great Intent Realm Artificers of Weicheng. This invitation is indeed for you. There are twelve copies in total; besides the five of you, the other seven are all top-tier figures—how could there be a mistake?"

The manager only assumed that the old Daoist felt he had lost face by being stopped in front of these wild Daoist priests. Therefore, wanting to save his face and appease him, he spoke these words in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, but just loud enough for those nearby to hear.

But Old Daoist Liu's title of "one of Weicheng's five great Intent Realm Artificers" was mostly something he said for fun, and others listened for fun.

Now, with the manager saying it so seriously and formally...

Everyone was stunned.

After a short while of stunned silence, before anyone spoke, a young voice from the side, near the main entrance, scoffed, "Can such a joke be spoken here?"