Submissive Above, Unrestrained Below

Chapter 58: Lavish Gift

Almost died?

This is unacceptable!

Upon hearing this, the members of the Long Family became extremely worried.

“Shaoyan, are you talking about the notorious Demoness Xue Sanlang who lures young men and commits evil deeds?” asked the Old Ancestor of the Long Family with a serious expression.

“That’s exactly her,” Long Shaoyan nodded and then explained, “That day, I was overcome by evil fire, my mind was slightly disoriented, and I inexplicably slipped out of the clan territory. I met her in a desolate mountain. At first, I didn’t know she was the notorious Demoness that everyone wants to eliminate. Thus…”

Long Shaoyan recounted the sequence of events in full detail. Of course, when it came to certain specific details, he firmly stated that it was due to the enchantments cast by Demoness Xue Sanlang and the influence of evil fire that he was deceived.

As for the truth of the matter, only Long Shaoyan was aware.

Upon hearing that Long Shaoyan had been tortured, his meridians torn apart, and that he was to have his heart dug out and be drained of blood, the upper echelons of the Long Family were heartbroken.

“It was precisely this venerable person who not only killed Demoness Xue Sanlang and saved our boy but also used celestial-grade elixirs to heal him. He even gave up the celestial fruit that was nearing maturity to ensure our boy returned home safely.”

While speaking emotionally, Long Shaoyan looked at Chen Ansheng with tearful eyes.

“The elder respectfully thanks you, Daoist Brother!”

“Thank you greatly, Celestial Immortal, for rescuing him!”

The upper level of the Long Family were deeply moved and all bowed to Chen Ansheng in gratitude.

“May I inquire about your sect or faction, and how shall we address you?”

The old ancestor of the Long Family flew forward and courteously greeted Chen Ansheng.

“My surname is Chen, and my name Ansheng. I am merely a wandering cultivator.” Chen Ansheng returned the bow respectfully.

A wandering cultivator?

The Long Family’s top tier was astonished.

All of them knew that Xue Sanlang was a top-level expert in the Youxuan Realm, reaching the fourth level of divinity.

Being able to confront and defeat such a formidable opponent indicated the man’s strength was certainly at least equal to hers.

It was truly unexpected that such an incomparably skilled person was a wandering cultivator.

To be a wandering cultivator, meaning a cultivator without the backing of a family or sect, makes growth exponentially harder compared to those within an institution or family. After all, wanderers don’t have vast resources or powerful factions to support them. To survive, let alone ascend, is incredibly difficult.

Therefore, great factions always hold high reverence for accomplished wandering cultivators and are willing to pay exorbitant prices to recruit them.

“Apologies, apologies.”

The Long Family’s old ancestor looked upon him with admiration.

“I am Long Que, may I invite Brother Chen to come to the palace to allow me to offer my hospitality as your host in gratitude for saving our younger generation.”

This is probably the first time anyone from the Long Family had heard the elder reveal his name, or seen him this humbly respect someone else.

The gratitude for saving their descendants is part of it, but the main reason, of course, is that the elder holds the other’s strength in high regard. The Long Family knows this very well.

“Senior, please, come this way.”

Long Shaoyan also quickly invited Chen Ansheng, fearing that he would feel even the slightest neglect.

“Ha ha.”

Chen Ansheng smiled faintly.

“Civility is unnecessary. Let’s just get a cup of tea.”

Upon hearing this, everyone was pleased.

“Please, please, do come.”

The old ancestor Long Que personally led the way, flying alongside Chen Ansheng toward the palace complex within the clan territory.

Once inside the palace,

Rare treasures and delicacies, vintage celestial wine were served.

Long Que only left the family’s upper echelons to keep Chen Ansheng company; the rest were dismissed as they didn’t have the qualifications to sit at the same table with Chen Ansheng, such a summit grandmaster.

“The ancient noble houses are indeed extraordinary; fine wine and delicious dishes surpass those of the Yunlong Realm by a hundredfold or a thousandfold.”

This feast was extraordinarily enjoyable for Chen Ansheng.

The delicacies were as sumptuous as the celestial realm’s inns. As for the celestial wine, they were superior to the ordinary wines he had tasted in the celestial realm.

It was unsurprising. The Long Family sits at the apex of their world, enjoying resources far superior to those of the lower tiers in the celestial realm, and this was naturally only reasonable.

“Bring forth the gifts of gratitude.”

As the feast was nearly over, Long Que ordered the presentation of their thanksgiving offerings.

“A pair of elite dragon horns, two mountain ginsengs a million years old, ten million supreme spiritual stones, a protective celestial armor… ”

The gifts were presented one by one, respectfully delivered to Chen Ansheng.

If other cultivators from the Youxuan Realm witnessed this scene, it would send their blood pressure through the roof.

Each gift was enough to make even a major sect go absolutely mad!

Presenting such lavish gifts shows not only gratitude for saving a life but also the Long Family’s determined intention to forge a connection with Chen Ansheng.

However, Chen Ansheng didn’t express any particular emotions upon facing such abundant gifts.

To him, these resources were comparable to the herbs and weapons in his storage bag, and they even fell short compared to the value of that feast.

“It was just a trivial matter; there’s no need for gifts.”

Chen Ansheng waved lightly, declining the presents.

“This…”

The upper ranks of the Long Family exchanged glances.

“Brother Chen, have I treated you with disrespect?” Long Que politely asked.

“The feast is lavish, how could it possibly be disrespectful?” Chen Ansheng politely replied: “I just don’t like these external possessions.”

Seeing the slightly awkward atmosphere, Long Shaoyan quickly stood up and said, “Senior, the young one understands your transcendent state, not moving by outward things. However, you know, if I don’t repay you the debt of saving my life, it would likely leave a lingering issue affecting my cultivation. Therefore, I dare humbly request that the Senior kindly accept our humble gift, once again aiding me.”

This was actually something Chen Ansheng himself said previously.

As for the influence?

It’s just rhetoric.

Hearing this remark, Long Que and the remaining elders all admired how adept Young Shaoyan was at handling affairs and speaking appropriately.

At this point, Chen Ansheng didn’t bother to say more and simply accepted the gifts saying, “It’s impolite not to return a gift. Since fate connects me with the young Long, I will reciprocate with this celestial pill for cultivating energy and blood.”

As he spoke, Chen Ansheng manifested a purple pill.

Upon appearing, the entire palace was surrounded by purple light with intoxicating fragrances filling the air and rushing straight into their heads.

This pill was given as a greeting gift from the outer disciples of Qianyue Cave to Li Xiuyuan. It was far superior to the inferior pills bought from a market stall. There were ten in total, and Chen Ansheng had not sold them, intending to keep them for his own use.

“Wow, indeed a top-grade celestial pill!”

“How potent the divine purple energy, this is truly an extraordinary pill among top grade ones!”

Seeing this pill, everyone present was amazed.

This pill had been personally crafted by a master alchemist at the peak of true immortality. With even the best resources in the cultivation world at the disposal of any sect, they wouldn’t be able to craft such a pill.

Does exchanging one celestial pill make any sense?

Chen Ansheng need not consider such questions. After all, for him, these celestial pills aren’t particularly useful. Using one to solidify a good relationship with the Long family was absolutely worthwhile.

After all, long-term benefits will always pay off.

As for being concerned about exposing his wealth and potentially provoking envy?

Chen Ansheng paid no attention. If he feels like fighting, he’ll fight. If he wants to withdraw, he can easily do so. Everything is completely under his command. There’s no need to hide or worry about it like an incompetent fool.

Act freely and without restraint.

“Senior’s generous gift, how can I possibly accept it?”

Faced with such precious treasures, Long Shaoyan truly felt overwhelmed.

Not just him, even the higher-level celestial members from the Long family present felt a bit of unease.

“Such external belongings. This is also your opportunity; wouldn’t you want to seize it?” Chen Ansheng said calmly.

“True, true, true, Shaoyan, you must quickly kneel down and thank the Senior for his gift.” Long Que hastened to provide a reminder. As for how to repay after accepting such a generous gift, that discussion could wait!

Hearing the words from Chen Ansheng and receiving a command from the Elder, Long Shaoyan didn’t dare to refuse further and knelt to accept the offering.

In the process, Long Shaoyan had a small thought and kowtowed three times to Chen Ansheng: “I hope the Senior will accept me as a disciple.”

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