The day after Xiao Chen obtained the Spirit-Nurturing Technique, his new courtyard in Cuiwei Valley was completed.
Disciples within the sect who specialized in architectural magic built with incredible speed, and the courtyards they created were both beautiful and elegant.
Since there were still some details being debated regarding the sect’s Demon Extermination Hall, it had yet to begin operations.
So, Xiao Chen simply shut his main gate and began to cultivate in seclusion within the valley.
During this time, as news of his Foundation Establishment spread, many people came to visit.
They wanted to invite him to a meal at Baiyu Studio or to be a guest in their clans.
From families large and small to the numerous disciples of the Inner and Outer Sects, the stream of visitors was endlessly troublesome.
Because of this, Xiao Chen made a special trip to Bishui Peak to find Shen Siyue and ask her to act as his Gate God.
"Hey, what are you doing here?"
After finally getting a day of peace, he cultivated until evening.
When Xiao Chen stepped outside to thank Shen Siyue, he was surprised to find Su Wanqing sitting in the chair by the door instead.
"Junior Martial Master Xiao! Aren’t you surprised to see me!"
"What are you doing here?"
"I’m here to help Senior Sister Shen out."
"Help her out? What do you mean?"
"Oh, Junior Martial Master Xiao, you have no idea how many people came looking for you today. There were even representatives from various families. Turning people like that away is a thankless job that’s bound to offend someone."
Su Wanqing put her hands on her hips, looking smug. "Senior Sister Shen found it awkward to turn them down, so I took her place."
"Even if I stop them, they wouldn’t dare hold a grudge against me."
’Hmm, she’s actually got a point.’
Su Wanqing started fishing for praise. "Junior Martial Master Xiao, I turned all those people away for Senior Sister Shen. It was a win-win, don’t you think? You should probably thank me."
Xiao Chen nodded. "Yes, that was an oversight on my part. Thank you."
"So!"
Su Wanqing batted her eyelashes. "In that case, Junior Martial Master Xiao, could you do me a tiny little favor?"
Xiao Chen frowned. "Tell me what it is first."
Su Wanqing took out an invitation. "Hehehe, my family is hosting a Grand Fish Feast in October, and my great-grandfather would like to meet you."
Xiao Chen took the invitation in surprise. "But this seems to say the Zhou Family?"
"Oops, wrong one!"
Su Wanqing hastily snatched the invitation back and pulled a whole stack of them from her Storage Bag.
She then fished out another one—an invitation from the Su Family, nearly identical in color to the Zhou Family’s. "This is the one."
Xiao Chen took it and confirmed the contents.
"The tenth of October, a fish feast at South Lake. Got it. If nothing unexpected comes up, I’ll be there."
"Also, here’s a bottle of Five-Colored Essence Pills as a thank-you gift for your help."
While Five-Colored Essence Pills were useful for Qi Refining Cultivators, they were merely better than nothing for a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, which made them a perfect reward.
Over the next two days, as word spread that Xiao Chen was in seclusion, the number of visitors gradually dwindled.
However, no sooner had Su Wanqing left than an unexpected guest arrived.
The visitor was the Foundation Establishment Patriarch of the Jing Family from Jingchuan County, located five hundred li west of the Li Huo Sect.
After entering, he took out an Upper Grade Magic Sword with a smile. "Congratulations on reaching Foundation Establishment, Xiao."
"A fine sword belongs with a hero. Please, you must accept this Cangmu Sword."
Xiao Chen didn’t take it. Instead, he asked, "Jing, a gift this generous... you’re not just here to offer congratulations, are you?"
Gifts had ranged from small items worth a dozen or so Spirit Stones—like embroidery, decorative trinkets, and various plants—to large ones worth hundreds, such as Spirit Fruits, Spirit Tea, and Spirit Wine. The variety was endless.
However, Xiao Chen had instructed Su Wanqing to refuse them all. Thanks to the "generosity" of the Hundred Poison Demon and the Black Wind Wanderer, he was in no short supply of Spirit Stones.
But even great clans like the Song Family and the Su Family had not been as generous as the Jing Family.
This was too good to be true; something was definitely afoot.
The Jing Patriarch maintained his smile. "Xiao, to be perfectly honest, the Jiang Family entrusted me with a message for you."
"He said..."
"Save it." Xiao Chen cut him off, pointing to the gate. "Take your sword and get out."
The Jing Patriarch was clearly taken aback, not expecting Xiao Chen to be so dismissive of an Upper Grade Magical Artifact. "Xiao, this is..."
Xiao Chen raised a hand, cutting him off. "I don’t want to say it a third time. Get out."
Seeing the surrounding Spiritual Qi begin to gather, the Jing Patriarch hastily retreated with the Flying Sword.
Later, another of the Sect Elders came to act as a mediator, but was similarly thrown out by Xiao Chen.