The Lake Heart Pavilion, built by Guan Lin for his three brothers, Guan Yi and the other, was rich in Spiritual Power, quiet, and comfortable, making it very suitable for cultivation.
Chu Canyuan agreed to the condition of listening to music with Guan Yi every night in exchange for Guan Yi accompanying him to meditate at the Lake Heart Pavilion daily.
In the blink of an eye, Chu Canyuan had been in Jade City for a full month.
At the hour of Xu (9 PM), Guan Yi and Chu Canyuan were still listening to music at the Drunken Dream Pavilion.
"Tomorrow is my eighteenth birthday banquet. Just come over with Xu Pian then."
Chu Canyuan turned his side profile toward Guan Yi, hesitating slightly: "I still have to go?"
Guan Yi leaned back against the chair, speaking lazily.
"Of course, my capable assistant must make an early appearance."
"Don't you want to get to know your competitors beforehand?"
Chu Canyuan asked doubtfully: "You mean the helpers invited by your elder brother and Second Brother? They will also show up at your eighteenth birthday banquet?"
Seeing Guan Yi nod, Chu Canyuan pondered for a moment, believing he indeed needed to make more preparations before the Young City Lord Contest, and subsequently agreed.
"Fine, I'll go take a look."
The two chatted until the hour of Zi (11 PM), and Guan Yi returned to the City Lord's Mansion to conserve energy for the next day's birthday banquet.
Chu Canyuan also returned to his room. Just as he was about to bathe and change, a knock came at the door.
"Young Master Chu, is now a convenient time?"
When Chu Canyuan opened the door, he saw Zhi Yu holding a wooden box.
"What business do you have with Miss Zhi Yu?"
"Young Master Chu, I managed to find those three Medicinal herbs for me through someone, but..."
"But not only are there no Alchemists in Jade City capable of refining these three Medicinal herbs into pills, but no one in the entirety of Qingzhou can either."
Chu Canyuan was slightly surprised upon hearing this: "Could it be that the composition of these three Medicinal herbs is too complex, making it difficult to extract their properties for combination?"
Zhi Yu nodded gently, and Chu Canyuan also fell into deep thought.
"I apologize, Miss Zhi Yu. It is due to my insufficient strength that I did not anticipate that refining these three Medicinal herbs would cause a repulsive reaction."
Zhi Yu quickly shook her head upon hearing this and explained: "Please do not blame yourself, Young Master. If you had not helped me find the God Devouring Incense, I probably would have lost my life sooner or later due to carelessness."
"Qingzhou is remote, and there were never many Pill Refining Grandmasters here to begin with."
"I can ask someone to search other prefectures for a master capable of refining this pill."
Chu Canyuan spoke hesitantly: "When I arrive in Huangzhou, I will certainly do my utmost to find someone capable of refining this pill for Miss Zhi Yu."
"The Young Master is from Huangzhou?"
Chu Canyuan scratched his head and spoke awkwardly: "It's just due to some past karma."
"In that case, Zhi Yu thanks the Young Master first."
"If I owe the Young Master a favor, please feel free to ask. As long as it is within Zhi Yu's capabilities, Zhi Yu will definitely help."
Seeing Chu Canyuan respond, Zhi Yu bowed and left, returning to her own room.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Chu Canyuan had completely solidified the foundation of the Second Realm after a month of cultivation at the Lake Heart Pavilion.
Now, all he hoped for was to successfully pass the Sacred Hall Selection, and since he had promised to find a Pill Refining Grandmaster for Miss Zhi Yu, he definitely needed a stronger background or status.
He meditated until the hour of Chou (1 AM to 3 AM), and Chu Canyuan slowly opened his eyes and exhaled.
"Tomorrow is the Little Young Master's birthday banquet; I should wash up properly."
After bathing and changing, Chu Canyuan lay comfortably on the bed.
...
"Brother Chu, Brother Chu, hurry up and come out! It's time to take you to attend Brother Guan Yi's eighteenth birthday banquet."
At the hour of Chen (7 AM to 9 AM), Xu Pian shouted outside Chu Canyuan's room.
Chu Canyuan lazily got up and opened the door, and Xu Pian strode past him.
Xu Pian, who had collapsed onto the bed, urged him somewhat impatiently.
"Brother Chu, hurry up and get ready; we are about to depart."
Chu Canyuan looked at Xu Pian with some surprise: "So early?"
"Of course, as Brother Guan Yi's..."
Seeing Xu Pian stop mid-sentence, Chu Canyuan was a bit confused.
"Brother Chu, the scent of incense in your room is quite unique."
Xu Pian got up and walked toward the square table, staring at Chu Canyuan with interest.
Chu Canyuan turned upon hearing this, chuckling lightly while changing his clothes.
"Is that so? It's a new incense I found by chance. I think it's quite nice too."
"Alright, I'll wait for you downstairs, Brother Chu. Please finish getting ready quickly."
As Xu Pian left, he glanced back at Chu Canyuan. Noticing that Chu Canyuan hadn't reacted, he instead smiled and said:
"No problem!"
After Xu Pian was far away, Chu Canyuan took out the incense box and examined it carefully.
"He could recognize such a faint scent so quickly? It's hard to believe he claimed not to know what this incense was."
After some preparation, Chu Canyuan strapped the Wooden Sword on his back and stepped out of the Drunken Dream Pavilion.
Seeing Chu Canyuan emerge, Xu Pian invited him onto the Carriage, and they set off toward the City Lord's Mansion.
Outside the City Lord's Mansion, carriages were parked everywhere. The carriages were exquisitely carved, inlaid with gold and jade, appearing luxurious and elegant.
Inside the City Lord's Mansion, the crowd was dense and bustling, filled with laughter and cheerful voices, creating a lively atmosphere.
Chu Canyuan and Xu Pian got off the Carriage and walked straight toward the main gate.
Guan Lin, Guan Xun, and several servants were standing at the main entrance, greeting the guests attending the birthday banquet.
"Uncle Guan Lin, Elder Brother Guan Xun."
Upon seeing the two, Xu Pian immediately bowed in greeting. Chu Canyuan remained silent, cupping his hands in greeting alongside Xu Pian.
Even though Chu Canyuan hadn't spoken, the Peach Wood Sword on his back immediately caught Guan Lin's attention.
Seeing Guan Lin about to speak, Guan Xun preempted him.
"This person is also a friend of Guan Yi. His surname is Chu and his given name is Canyuan. He is also the helper Guan Yi sought for the Young City Lord Contest."
Guan Lin nodded slightly upon hearing this, as if acknowledging Chu Canyuan's strength.
"No wonder he looks unfamiliar. You can sit with Xu Pian and the others."
Chu Canyuan quickly responded: "Thank you, Uncle!"
After Chu Canyuan and Xu Pian entered the City Lord's Mansion, Guan Lin looked toward Guan Xun with some expectation.
"What do you think of this young man?"
Guan Xun said somewhat indifferently.
"Other than his appearance, I haven't seen anything outstanding. He's just another bad influence that Guan Yi found at the Drunken Dream Pavilion."
"Xu Pian is the same. If it weren't for Xu Pian's father, Xu Miao, being sworn brothers with Father, I wouldn't be so polite to Xu Pian."
Guan Lin turned his head and let out a long sigh.
"Guan Xun, you always overcomplicate things. This young man named Chu Canyuan is not simple; I'm actually quite interested in him."
"This time, it's really hard to say who will win the Young City Lord Contest."
Guan Xun didn't understand why his father placed such importance on Chu Canyuan; he was just another liar trying to curry favor with the Little Young Master.
"Hmph, how strong can someone so young be?"
"Could it be that he possesses the physique most suitable for cultivation in the world, or is he a Monstrous talent like the two inner-sect prodigies of the Sacred Hall from over a decade ago?"
Knowing he couldn't persuade Guan Xun, Guan Lin didn't argue back, merely shaking his head slightly.
"You are still young; there are many things you cannot see."