Chapter 378: Shangyuan

“Shangyuan, I’ve returned.” The Lingxiao Kingdom Lord stood at the entrance of Shangyuan, her gaze deeply fixed on this magnificent garden.

The Flower Goddesses gathered here not for business, but primarily as a collective dormitory-like place.

In the past, the Flower Goddesses each lived in their own Immortal Caves, but that resulted in a great deal of unrest, with many troubles arising from it from time to time.

There was even a time when talented scholars dueled over a Flower Goddess, with half of Chang'an watching the spectacle.

And the Flower Goddesses were indispensable; it was impossible to simply kill them off.

The Flower Goddesses controlled the myriad flowers, and these flowers were not mere ornamental plants.

Seasonal changes, the passage of time, and even various rituals, medicines, and cultivation methods all required the cooperation of the myriad flowers. The existence of the Flower Goddesses was very important.

The Flower Goddesses were the reason for the natural growth of the myriad flowers, and even their timely blooming, just like many other plant and tree gods. It’s just that the Flower Goddesses… had more appeal.

After all, flowers have been symbols of beauty and attracting attention since ancient times.

Therefore, to solve this problem, the Human Emperor, with a grand wave of his hand, allocated Shangyuan to the Flower Goddesses.

Allowing the myriad flowers to reside in Shangyuan was a great honor. No matter where they lived, it couldn’t be better or more prestigious than Shangyuan, as it was once the Human Emperor's temporary palace.

Here, the Flower Goddesses and their followers could be kept in check, and the myriad flowers could feel they had gained a higher status, as they indeed each had their own roles throughout the world.

Recalling the many honors and disgraces experienced here, the Lingxiao Kingdom Lord… no, at this moment she should be called the Lingxiao Flower Goddess.

The Lingxiao Flower Goddess had already shed her Baiyue attire and changed into the splendid robes worn by the Flower Goddesses, slowly walking inside.

Shangyuan was a place of extreme beauty, but the Flower Goddesses did not live directly there. Instead, they resided in the various Immortal Caves within Shangyuan. Theoretically, the outer area was merely a garden.

As the Lingxiao Flower Goddess walked in, it was not desolate here; on the contrary, it was very lively.

Everywhere, there were romantic scholars, Daoist priests and monks, students and elders, families with old and young, and even couples wandering and admiring the sights.

Many, many years ago, when the Human Emperor still held supreme privileges, Shangyuan was once his temporary palace. However, in this era, it had long since been opened to the general public, becoming a tourist attraction.

The Flower Goddesses, meanwhile, lived within the Immortal Caves inside, becoming one of the attractions of the scenic area. Of course, it wasn't just that.

The Flower Goddesses also managed the place and frequently held various events here.

It was actually quite lively.

Walking through this familiar place, the Lingxiao Flower Goddess surveyed the surrounding scenery.

The buildings were tall, but without excessive gold and jade. Instead, there were more Immortal Plants, myriad flowers, and trees in the garden.

It was as if there were the Gardens of Kunlun and the Courtyard of Langfeng.

The Towers of Qionghua stood tall, and the Halls of Guangbi opened wide.

The Nine-Layered Mysterious Chambers were quiet, and the Purple-Green and Cinnabar Rooms wafted fragrance.

To the left, the Jade Pond was full of spring; to the right, the emerald water encircled with leaping fish.

Looking at the surrounding trees:

Cassia branches were full, and the auspicious plant opened its eight bundles; with flowers, they seemed like Phoenix dancing; facing bamboos, they resembled Dragon roaring.

Auspicious Qi overlooked the green pavilion, and a misty expanse ascended the emerald peaks; jade hung on the cinnabar thorns, and pearls shimmered in the green lotus.

It was as vibrant as ever.

The Lingxiao Flower Goddess kept her eyes straight. These scenes, which were extremely beautiful to newcomers, were commonplace to her.

However, as she passed a high platform, she saw a young Flower Goddess, only of the ninth rank, performing a dance for the numerous spectators.

Her dance was like rosy mists and brocade waves moving, and moonlit ponds opening like flowers; her rosy clothes twirled on the stage, and her floral sleeves shone before the snow.

The Lingxiao Flower Goddess paused to watch. From the appearance on the stage, it should be a Sunflower.

Sunflowers, those that face the sun among flowers, but their branches are messy and their status is low, unable to grace the main table.

Nevertheless, she was still a Flower Goddess, and she had many admirers, so there were many spectators. Many people cheered, including quite a few of noble status.

Some people just preferred these smaller Flower Goddesses and didn't like to watch the high and mighty Peonies.

Of course, Peonies were still the most popular, visible everywhere.

After watching for a while, the Lingxiao Flower Goddess suddenly heard someone call out to her from behind.

“Lingxiao, why are you here?”

The voice sounded very surprised, as if in disbelief.

The Lingxiao Flower Goddess raised her head and turned to look at the source of the voice behind her.

“Iron Begonia…” She frowned in disgust.

Iron Begonia, also known as Crown of Thorns, has delicate and beautiful flowers, but thorns among them. And these are not like rose thorns, but small, sharp, and conspicuous ones.

This flower looks very beautiful, but its personality and temper are very easily hurtful. Although her beauty made people drool, her nature was acrimonious and sharp-tongued, self-centered.

Her mouth and personality had hurt many people back then.

However, she also had many admirers. The main reason, besides her delicate beauty, was that her personality was surprisingly likable. Her sharp tongue became a point many people liked, and she was also lucky, with the saying of Qilin thorns, which is a flower that can bring good fortune.

As is well known, things associated with bringing good luck never lack popularity.

Iron Begonia stepped forward, sizing up the Lingxiao Flower Goddess: “Oh, I thought you’d never come back in this lifetime. I heard you were quite happy being a chieftain in the savage den down south. Did you not get used to their blood food, or do you find Chang'an’s delicacies more to your taste?”

The Lingxiao Flower Goddess held her neck high, ignoring her, and wanted to leave.

She knew that Iron Begonia was sharp-tongued and annoying, but she wasn't a bad person, just a lucky idiot who could live well even without a brain.

That's why so many people liked her.

No one likes a truly malicious woman, but a person with a sharp tongue but a kind heart is a favorite of many.

It's just that the Lingxiao Flower Goddess didn't like it.

Seeing the Lingxiao Flower Goddess ignore her and walk straight away, Iron Begonia pouted and also turned to leave.

At this moment, the maid beside her said to Iron Begonia: “Young Miss, that lingxiao flower is so arrogant, treating us like a screen, ignoring us. Are we just going to let her go?”

When she asked this, there was no malice, but rather full of curiosity.

After all, as a personal maid, she knew Iron Begonia’s character best. Although her heart wasn't bad, her mouth was unforgiving.

Iron Begonia heard this, but shook her head and chuckled: “You, do you really want to quarrel with her in the street? You don't mind losing face, but I do.”

“Lingxiao just came back from that remote wilderness. Maybe she’s figured things out and is willing to lower her head. Alas, to be honest, among us who show our faces, who isn’t talked about behind their back? Who doesn’t have some dirt, real or imagined, on them? A single word, a single glance, can be seized upon and discussed.”

“Lingxiao couldn't lower her head back then, which is why she was pushed out and ran to that desolate place to eat dust and mud. Now that she's learned to lower her head, it’s a good thing. Later, I’ll write this into a letter and send it to the other sisters, telling them Lingxiao is back.”

The maid looked at Iron Begonia in astonishment, stunned.

“Why are you standing there blankly? Haven’t you eaten?” Iron Begonia frowned.

“No, it’s just… Young Miss suddenly saying these things, it doesn’t quite fit the usual impression?” the maid said, choosing her words carefully.

Iron Begonia immediately widened her eyes: “You wretched girl, do you really think your Young Miss is a fool!? Now hurry up and go write that letter!”

She pretended to kick the maid away, then stood still and seriously looked at the Lingxiao Flower Goddess’s retreating back.

Hopefully, Lingxiao really has learned to lower her head.

Otherwise, there’ll be fun to be had.

— — — — — — — — — —

On the other side, Li Qi finally visited the Liu family late at night.

As he walked, he reflected on the lessons from this experience.

Leaving aside the Imperial Academy for now… the demonic blood incident, that was truly uncalled for. He was really overconfident then, thinking that since it had been purified, he wasn't afraid.

Reflecting on his mistakes, he arrived at the Liu family.

The Liu family was as peaceful as ever. Father Liu passed down the family through poetry and books. Although Liu Canzhi seemed a bit peculiar, the family atmosphere was still quite good.

The Liu family had no servants; they opened their own doors. However, this time, it was Liu Junyi who opened the door for Li Qi.

“Ah? Brother Li, you’re back?” Liu Junyi looked at Li Qi with some surprise after opening the door.

He didn't know the exact situation at the time, but Liu Junyi knew that Li Qi, who had been attending classes perfectly fine, suddenly said one day that he needed to take leave to return to Shaman God Mountain for something very important.

However, now it seemed the matter was resolved?

It’s just that Li Qi looked a bit off. The Qi on his body subtly gave off a special feeling.

In just over ten days, Li Qi’s cultivation had improved again? Hadn’t he just achieved a Breakthrough to the seventh rank? How could he progress so quickly? And what was this strange area… enveloping his body?

It seemed as if a mysterious halo subtly enveloped him, separating him from the world, making it difficult for the outside world to notice him.

Liu Junyi scrutinized Li Qi, his eyes filled with curiosity. How could there be such a big change in just over half a month?

As for Li Qi, with a wave of his hand, he dispelled the technique of blending into natural, returning to a state where he could be perceived by others. Then he cupped his hands and said to Liu Junyi: “Disturbing you late at night is quite rude. I hope Brother Liu will forgive me.”

Li Qi’s eyes were also filled with surprise.

After comprehending ‘Boundary,’ he tentatively applied the formula he had realized to many spells, giving these spells many additional effects.

For example, blending into natural: he could now clearly blur the boundary between himself and natural, making it harder for people to discover him. At the same time, the human body's microcosm became even more orderly.

He could now distinguish the boundaries of mountains and rivers, the boundaries of heaven and earth, and the boundaries of various different Qi within the human body's microcosm, allowing for clearer classification when assembling them.

However, reorganizing the human body's microcosm was not a matter of a day or two. That required seclusion, spending over a decade slowly adjusting and gradually changing it.

That’s why Li Qi felt surprised.

The human body's microcosm couldn't be changed immediately, but… blending into natural was changed on the spot. He was a seventh-rank cultivator, and he had an optimized spell. He didn't expect Liu Junyi to see through it at a glance, crossing a rank. Did Liu Junyi also have an ability similar to the Buddhist Celestial Eye?

As expected of a top student in the Imperial Academy, he had many trump cards.

Both parties, despite their surprise, did not lose their manners. Liu Junyi made way: “Visiting late at night, there must be an important matter. Brother Li, please come in quickly. If there’s anything you need help with, Junyi will not refuse.”

“Thank you, Brother Liu.” Li Qi thanked him and entered.

After entering, his first question was: “May I ask where Canzhi is now?”

“It’s just past midnight now. Canzhi should still be awake. If Brother Li wants to find him, I will lead you there,” Liu Junyi said.

“Then I thank you. How has Canzhi been recently?” Li Qi asked again.

As the two exchanged questions and answers, they walked towards the courtyard.

The courtyard here was still the same. Although built from mundane materials, through clever arrangement, it managed to create the feeling of a large Formation. However, Li Qi and Liu Junyi were both familiar with the layout here, so they wouldn’t get lost.

Liu Junyi said with a sigh of emotion: “Thanks to Brother Li, my younger brother’s cultivation has advanced by leaps and bounds recently, subtly feeling like he’s about to touch the seventh rank. It’s all thanks to Brother Li’s guidance for him. In the past, Mencius’s mother moved three times to choose good friends to cultivate good habits. Brother Li is indeed my younger brother’s good friend.”

“Since getting to know Brother Li, he no longer hangs out outside. He focuses on cultivation every day. Although he studies the art of Gu, there must be profound mysteries within it. Now his cultivation has advanced by leaps and bounds. I truly must thank Brother Li greatly.”

“It’s just mutual help. We are already good friends, and good friends should be like this,” Li Qi said with a smile.

Liu Junyi also said gently: “The Sage said: Living with good people is like entering a room of orchids; one can be imbued with their fragrance. Associating with good people is like walking in a mist; though not wet, one is subtly moistened. Befriending a virtuous person like Brother Li is also my younger brother’s good fortune. Now he is imbued with the fragrance of orchids without realizing it, and he has distanced himself from those troublesome friends he used to hang out with. This is truly a good thing.”

“Troublesome friends? Although I heard Canzhi was somewhat reckless in the past, I never asked what was going on. What did he used to like?” Li Qi asked curiously.

He was genuinely a bit curious about what Liu Canzhi was doing before he became obsessed with the Shamanic Silkworm Artifact. He hadn't asked before, but now that Liu Canzhi's past friends were described as 'troublesome,' it was quite unusual.

However, it was also easy to imagine. He used to wear flowers in his hair and dress flamboyantly. But… he couldn't have gone to brothels every day, could he? He would probably have been beaten to death in the house by Liu Donghe then.

Besides, although Liu Canzhi was frivolous, he wasn't so desperate.

Liu Junyi explained: “He was previously obsessed with the ‘Hundred Flowers List,’ liking to wander around Shangyuan with a group of idlers, cheering on those Flower Goddesses, using his Imperial Academy status to be a honored guest of those smaller Flower Goddesses, helping them make connections and accumulate influence. Although he never indulged in scandalous affairs, it wasn't a proper occupation, and Uncle was quite helpless several times.”

Li Qi was stunned.

Uh, this Second Young Master Liu… he even ran a fan club and chased celebrities?

From the looks of it, he really did become a fan leader, probably able to privately contact Flower Goddesses, feast with them in private, and get their contact information. No wonder he used to wear flowers in his hair; turns out he had connections with Flower Goddesses.

However, after Li Qi’s astonishment, he suddenly realized something.

Oh no, isn't this background story a bit too coincidental?

Liu Donghe wouldn't have a prejudice against Flower Goddesses because of this, would he?

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