By the ti they left, ng Bai's cheeks were sore from blushing—and smiling.
"Well?" Daoist Chu asked as they stepped back into the street.
"…That was fun," ng Bai admitted, adjusting his collar.
"Knew it," Daoist Chu laughed. "Told you I deliver on my promises. Next ti, we visit the Crimson Flute Terrace. They have rooftop dancing."
ng Bai groaned. "Heaven help ."
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting golden hues over Golden Scales City, Lin Mu continued his shopping spree with an unusual level of enthusiasm.
He walked from one store to the next, making purchases that would make most rchants consider early retirent. Rare herbs, beast cores, scrolls of ancient formations, spiritual fabrics, and even so exotic cooking tools for Little Shrubby—all found their way into his spatial ring.
Little Shrubby followed along gleefully, munching on spirit peach pastries with golden flakes while pointing out things he thought looked fun or tasty.
"I want that wok!" he exclaid, tail wagging, as they passed a high-end culinary tool vendor.
Lin Mu didn't even blink. "Pack it. And that fla-adjusting tripod too."
The rchant bowed so deeply his forehead nearly touched the counter. "Right away, esteed custor!"
Another vendor, an elderly woman selling refined qi threads used in high-grade clothing talismans, was so overjoyed by Lin Mu's large order that she nearly wept.
"Oh bless your generous soul, young master," she said. "If all my custors were like you, I'd have opened a branch in the Capital by now!"
It was at a gem appraisal stall that Lin Mu's na seed to catch special attention. The rchant, a middle-aged man with rings on every finger and a braided beard, stared at him wide-eyed for a mont before clapping his hands together.
"You're Lin Mu, aren't you? The cultivator who's been buying a lot here?"
Lin Mu tilted his head. "You know of ?"
He hadn't expected his na would spread so quickly within the shopping district. Of course he never considered the fact that the amount that he had spent here in a day was probably a tenth of their yearly revenue.
"Incredible!" the rchant gushed. "It's an honor to have you in our humble district. In fact, the Golden Scales rchant Union is hosting a private banquet tonight for special guests—and I insist that you attend."
He pulled a shimring invitation scroll from under the counter and offered it with both hands.
"Please, show this at the entrance of the Golden Pearl Courtyard at sundown. It would bring great honor to our Union if soone of your prestige made an appearance." The man said. "You can bring your attendants, servants or companions as well." he added.
Lin Mu glanced at the gilded scroll. "Alright. I'll bring my companions."
"Even better! Bring as many as you like!" the man said with visible delight, bowing several more tis as Lin Mu took his leave.
That evening, the trio regrouped at a quiet pavilion near the inn they were staying at. ng Bai was still recovering from his earlier embarrassnt, while Daoist Chu looked like he'd found new aning in life.
"You two look suspiciously happy," Lin Mu remarked.
"We had snacks, music, and conversation," Daoist Chu said innocently.
"Very cultured," ng Bai added, trying not to smile.
"Well, good. Because we've got a banquet to attend tonight." Lin Mu tossed the scroll to Daoist Chu, who caught it and whistled as he read.
"The Golden Scales rchant Union? Fancy."
"They gave it to after I spent a small mountain of immortal stones across the city."
"Shopping like that? Of course you're gonna get invited." Daoist Chu raised a brow before laughing. "If they don't invite soone like you they'll be regretting it."
"I just needed supplies, and Little Shrubby kept pointing at things," Lin Mu replied flatly. "Didn't expect they'd send an invitation so quickly."
"It was fun!" Little Shrubby chid in.
The Golden Pearl Courtyard was located on a terraced rise at the northern end of the city. Surrounded by tall pines and golden lantern trees, the estate stood resplendent with its curved roofs, shimring red tiles, and dozens of spiritual light orbs floating like fireflies.
When the trio arrived, dressed in clean formal robes—Daoist Chu with his long overcoat, ng Bai in blue silk, and Lin Mu in his subdued gray with silver trim—they were imdiately greeted by stewards.
"Welco honored guests," said a young woman with golden embroidery on her uniform. She led them through a polished jade gate and into a grand hall alive with conversation and music.
Inside, the banquet was in full swing.
Long banquet tables made of spiritwood were laid out in rows, each stacked with delicacies both earthly and spiritual—crystal shrimp, qi-laced dumplings, roast star boar, and platters of jeweled fruit. Wine flowed from carved jade pitchers into ornate cups that never seed to empty.
They were clearly specialized Spatial Storage Tools ant for just wine. It was quite extravagant.
Nobles dressed in exquisite robes mingled with influential cultivators, each wearing emblems of their sects or clans. A group from the Sky Feather Sect conversed with envoys from the Red Glade Pavilion. Near the center, Immortal Realm elders sat at a table of their own, sipping slowly and observing everyone.
A tall man with golden armor and a flowing red cape stood near the main stage—likely an official of the rchant Union.
"Quite the crowd," Daoist Chu murmured. "I see a few faces from the central prefectures too."
Lin Mu nodded. "This isn't just a social gathering. There's networking happening everywhere."
As they moved through the banquet hall, several rchants recognized Lin Mu and offered greetings or quick words of appreciation. A few asked after his experiences or praised his efforts at raising the 'economic status' of humble rchants in the shopping district.
They were guided to a table near the eastern side of the hall, with a good view of the stage and plenty of distance from the more boastful guests.
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