31: You're here, why are you being so polite?

At this moment, Qingxuan Sect was celebrating throughout the entire Sect!

All the Sect Disciples had learned about the Sect's victory against the Hong Family, and even the news that they had subdued the Hong Family to become their subordinate Sect.

This was something previously unimaginable!

Now, due to Lu Hao's appearance, this dreamlike event had come true!

The Sect Disciples' most revered figure was no longer the Sect Leader, but Lu Hao.

While the Sect Disciples celebrated outside, the Sect Leader, the seven Prefecture Lords, and Lu Hao were also busy.

Inside the spacious Deliberation Hall, exquisite tables and chairs were laid out, adorned with a lavish spread of delicious food and fine wine.

Delicacies from land and sea, and exquisite jade-like liquors, were arrayed in dazzling abundance, making one's mouth water.

This grand banquet was specially held to celebrate Qingxuan Sect's victory over the Hong Family.

The nine people seated were Lu Hao and the others.

The Sect Leader was the first to raise his cup and speak:

"Qingxuan Sect's ability to achieve its current scale is truly all thanks to Lu Hao.

Lu Hao not only helped Qingxuan Sect subdue a behemoth like the Hong Family but also selflessly assisted us and the Disciples of Qingxuan Sect in achieving Breakthroughs in their cultivation.

For such actions, I am truly at a loss for how to repay him.

Today, taking this opportunity, to express my gratitude to Lu Hao, I shall toast him first!"

Hearing the Sect Leader's words, Lu Hao felt a bit embarrassed, as, to be honest, he hadn't exerted much effort; everything was the System's doing.

Thus, Lu Hao raised his cup and replied:

"Sect Leader, you flatter me.

I once heard a saying: 'When poor, one cultivates oneself; when prosperous, one benefits the world.'

As a member of Qingxuan Sect, I am now capable of making a small contribution to Qingxuan Sect, which is only right.

Sect Leader, there is no need for such formality.

Lu Hao should also thank Qingxuan Sect for taking him in back then."

"Hahaha, Lu Hao is truly a favored son of Heaven in this world!

Your joining is Qingxuan Sect's great fortune.

Come, let's drain this cup!"

With that, both raised their cups and drank them dry!

What a joy!

As the Sect Leader started, the other six Prefecture Lords also raised their wine cups one after another, toasting Lu Hao, and the atmosphere became exceptionally lively.

Especially Lu Hongzhe, the Golden Light House Lord, who, taking advantage of the toast, publicly apologized for his previous disrespectful attitude towards Lu Hao in front of others.

This made Lu Hao quite awkward, and he could only use drinking to cover it up.

After one round, Lu Hao walked over to Ling Tian and said:

"Master, I toast you."

The two exchanged glances, laughed heartily, raised their cups, clinked them, and then tilted their heads back, drinking them in one gulp.

......

During the banquet, the Sect Leader proposed making Ling Tian the Vice Sect Master of Qingxuan Sect, which received everyone's support.

From then on, Ling Tian's status within Qingxuan Sect became even higher, and he happily drank three cups of wine in a row.

Subsequently, the Sect Leader proposed that Lu Hao become the Prefecture Lord of Qing Xuan Prefecture, to which everyone naturally had no objections.

But Lu Hao became anxious!

No, absolutely not; he knew his own temperament.

Letting him fight was naturally no problem, as his cultivation was high, but if they asked him to manage the internal affairs of a prefecture, he absolutely couldn't handle it at all.

Just like the Hall of Points, ever since Lu Hao established it, he only took charge of replenishing Medicinal Pills; he didn't manage anything else at all.

Under Lu Hao's strong opposition, the matter was dropped.

The Sect Leader was naturally a bit disappointed; if he could, he would have even wanted Lu Hao to directly take over his position as Sect Leader!

While the group was enjoying their drinks, a person ran into the Deliberation Hall and said:

"Sect Leader, the people of New Dao Sect request an audience!"

"Oh? Quickly, invite them in!"

A short while later, the New Dao Sect Sect Master entered with several Elders, respectfully cupping their hands and saying:

"White Sect Leader, we heard that you have already incorporated the Hong Family.

Our New Dao Sect has specially come to offer our congratulations.

This is a small token of our Sect's sincerity, and we hope White Sect Leader will not disdain it."

Wu Guanghe clapped his hands, and a group of people carried in dozens of boxes, which were then opened one by one.

As soon as they were opened, the people of Qingxuan Sect were instantly shocked by the sight before them.

Inside the boxes were various precious items, astonishing to behold.

The first few boxes were filled with Spirit Stones; upon closer inspection, they were actually Mid-Grade Spirit Stones!

It should be known that one Mid-Grade Spirit Stone has a market value of ten thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones, but generally, no one would exchange Mid-Grade Spirit Stones for Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

Roughly calculated, there were about five hundred Mid-Grade Spirit Stones here, which amounted to five million Low-Grade Spirit Stones!

The boxes next to the Spirit Stones contained various rare medicinal Materials, emitting bursts of refreshing fragrance that permeated the entire hall.

Not only were there rare Heaven And Earth Treasures like Fire Phoenix Grass and Dragon Spirit Flower, but also various uniquely shaped and colorful rare medicinal Materials; these Materials were simply Alchemists' dream Materials.

Furthermore, several boxes contained powerful Magic Treasures.

Those Magic Treasures were either swords, halberds, sabers, and spears, or bells, tripods, furnaces, and pagodas, all exuding a sharp aura.

They were all Magic Treasures that had entered a rank!

It seemed there was even a Profound Rank Magic Treasure!

At once, over a dozen boxes were opened simultaneously, causing the people of Qingxuan Sect to lose themselves in awe.

Of course, Lu Hao was an exception.

The Sect Leader quickly walked forward, looking at Wu Guanghe with a beaming smile and saying:

"Oh my, Fellow Daoist Wu, look at what you've done.

It's fine to come and offer congratulations, but bringing so many things makes me feel quite embarrassed.

Next time, you're not allowed to bring these things, alright?

It makes us seem so distant, you see."

Then he said to the person who had just delivered the message:

"You go call a few people to move all these boxes into the treasury.

Remember to be careful; don't damage these treasures!"

After giving the instructions, the Sect Leader directly hooked his arm around Wu Guanghe's shoulder.

"Come, come, come, just in time, my Qingxuan Sect is holding a banquet; let's drink together, Fellow Daoist Wu, I toast you to thank you for the generous gifts, hahaha."

Wu Guanghe was a bit speechless seeing Bai Daoren's demeanor, but he still maintained a flawless facade.

A short while later...

"Report! The people of Baoyuan Sect request an audience."

"Quickly, invite them in!!!"

Bai Daoren put down the wine cup he had brought to his lips and looked towards the entrance of the hall.

The Baoyuan Sect Sect Master entered and saw the people of New Dao Sect; the two exchanged glances, feeling a bit awkward.

"White Sect Leader, we heard that you have already incorporated the Hong Family.

Our Baoyuan Sect has specially come to offer our congratulations.

This is a small token of our Sect's sincerity, and we hope White Sect Leader will not disdain it."

Saying that, another dozen or so boxes were opened, again revealing various rare treasures.

Bai Daoren was overjoyed and quickly said:

"No disdain, no disdain.

You all continue to move them into the treasury.

Come, come, come, Fellow Daoists of Baoyuan Sect, let's drink to our hearts' content!

Don't be shy, don't be shy, haha."

The banquet continued, but during the rest of the banquet, White Sect Leader clearly kept glancing towards the hall entrance from time to time, as if waiting for something.

The rest of the Qingxuan Sect members also watched, feeling secretly amused; the Sect Leader was truly a little money grubber.