Chapter 706: Old Fan

At this moment, Jujube Maiden had no idea who was arriving, just as the three flying visitors were unaware that the person inside Ju'an Pavilion was not Ji Yuan.

To show respect for Ji Yuan, the elder surnamed Lian, who hailed from the Tianji Pavilion, was the highly esteemed Long-Bearded Elder of the Grotto-heaven. He was naturally very proud of his skills in divination.

While the Long-Bearded Elder couldn't directly divine Ji Yuan, he approached the matter from a different angle. If he couldn't divine Ji Yuan himself, he would divine things related to him—if not living beings, then inanimate objects. Thus, when he divined that someone was present in Ju'an Pavilion and sensed the day was particularly auspicious, he immediately asked the people from YuHuai Mountain to bring him to Ning'an County.

While Qiu Feng was speaking, the Long-Bearded Elder, surnamed Lian, didn't explicitly state his thoughts, but he was convinced that Ji Yuan was inside Ju'an Pavilion.

To reach Ning'an County, one must first pass Niukui Mountain. Flying through the air, the three travelers first came across it. The Long-Bearded Elder of Tianji Pavilion immediately recognized the mountain's extraordinary geological formation.

"This mountain is truly extraordinary; it possesses a spiritual essence and bears the marks of wind and thunder."

"We concur, Master. Elder Lian, Ning'an County is not far now. Would it be better for us to land and walk into the city?"

"That is only appropriate!" "Indeed, it is."

The two had no objections. They landed just outside Ning'an County and then proceeded on foot into the county, heading towards Tianniu Square.

While Qiu Feng and the others were not as striking as a woman like Sun Yaya, the Long-Bearded Elder alone, though not stout, had a beard more exaggerated than an enhanced Santa Claus. This appearance would undoubtedly attract unwanted attention. To avoid trouble, they cast an illusion, making them appear ordinary to regular people, resembling at most three refined gentlemen of different ages.

Outside Tianniu Square, Sun's Noodle Stall had already packed up and left, so Qiu Feng and his companions did not see it upon their arrival. However, once they reached the vicinity of Tianniu Square, the Long-Bearded Elder could already faintly sense a spiritual aura, carried on the wind, seemingly originating from Ju'an Pavilion.

This was not immediately obvious, but before entering Ning'an County, the Long-Bearded Elder had meticulously observed the landscape stretching from Niukui Mountain to the county itself, trying to discern what made this place special enough for Ji Yuan to choose it as his hermitage.

"Mr. Ji's hermitage is indeed a wonderful place!"

"Yes." "Quite right, Ning'an County is indeed a lovely place. I wonder, though, if the county's charm existed before Mr. Ji chose to reside here, or if his presence made it so."

Hearing Qiu Feng's comment, both the Long-Bearded Elder and Pei Zheng cast a glance at him, but neither spoke. They simply gestured for him to enter Tianniu Square.

In a secluded corner of Tianniu Square, Ju'an Pavilion's large jujube tree always stood out. Upon reaching the courtyard, even the three highly cultivated immortals felt their spirits lift slightly.

"Master, Elder Lian, we have reached Ju'an Pavilion. I will knock on the door."

"Wait a moment!"

The Long-Bearded Elder raised a hand to stop Qiu Feng, then looked at the two others.

"Please allow me to compose myself and straighten my attire."

Qiu Feng and Pei Zheng had expected the Long-Bearded Elder's notion of "composing himself" to simply involve checking his tidiness. To their surprise, after speaking, he not only adjusted his attire but also produced a whisk and began to brush his entire body, as if removing non-existent dust. Following this, he took out a silver flask.

The Long-Bearded Elder gently tossed the silver flask into the air. It hovered there, opening on its own, and clear spring water streamed out. The elder caught the water with both hands and began to wash his hands and then his face.

Qiu Feng had never witnessed such a scene and looked at his master with mild surprise, hoping for an explanation. However, Pei Zheng had never seen such a display either. While he understood it was an act of respect from the Long-Bearded Elder, it struck him as excessive.

Yet, no matter how curious Qiu Feng and Pei Zheng were, they would never ask, "Is that perhaps too much, fellow Daoist?" right at Ji Yuan's doorstep.

The Long-Bearded Elder's entire ritual of preparation lasted about twenty breaths. Only then did he use a silk scarf to wipe his hands and face clean, turning to the two beside him with a somewhat beatific smile.

"My fellow Daoists, thank you for waiting. Ancient scriptures state that to meet a sage, one must possess a devout heart... Fellow Daoist Qiu Feng, I, Lian, will knock on the door myself."

With that said, the Long-Bearded Elder stepped forward to the main entrance of Ju'an Pavilion. He first gazed at the pavilion's plaque for a long time, then gently knocked on the door.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

"This is Lian Baiping, the Long-Bearded Elder of Tianji Pavilion, requesting an audience with Mr. Ji!"

The Long-Bearded Elder's voice echoed into Ju'an Pavilion. Inside, Jujube Maiden, perched on a branch of the large jujube tree, heard him clearly. She looked towards the courtyard gate, uncertain whether to open it.

Lian Baiping of Tianji Pavilion? She didn't recognize the name nor had she heard of him before, and besides, Mr. Ji was not present.

There was certainly someone inside Ju'an Pavilion, so it was highly probable that the occupant was pretending not to hear. This caused Lian Baiping some embarrassment. He discreetly cleared his throat, then knocked again.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

"This junior, Lian Baiping, is here to request an audience with Mr. Ji. I earnestly hope Mr. Ji will grant me a meeting."

After speaking, he waited a moment longer, but there was still no response from Ju'an Pavilion. Pei Zheng glanced at Qiu Feng, who then stepped forward.

"Perhaps I should call out instead?"

Lian Baiping, clearly dejected, stepped back.

"Please, Fellow Daoist Qiu, you may speak..."

"Very well."

After Qiu Feng nodded and was about to knock, faint footsteps approached from behind. Initially, they dismissed it as a passing mortal and paid no heed, but then a clear, resonant voice followed.

"My apologies for not coming out to greet you three, who have journeyed to visit my humble abode. I have only just returned from a distant journey and haven't even entered my home yet."

"Mr. Ji!"

The three men's hearts leaped. They all turned around to see Ji Yuan emerging from a nearby alley and walking towards them.

"Mr. Ji!" "So, Mr. Ji has only just returned!"

"We wouldn't dream of troubling you to come out so far to greet us; we have only just arrived ourselves."

Ji Yuan and the three exchanged bows. Ji Yuan's attention particularly focused on the Long-Bearded Elder; even if he hadn't just heard the other's voice, his appearance alone would have led him to associate the man with the Long-Bearded Elder of Tianji Pavilion.

At this moment, Lian Baiping's eyes gleamed, and his expression as he looked at Ji Yuan was noticeably emotional, though the excitement in his heart far surpassed what was visible.

"This is Mr. Ji. Truly, his Dao is integrated with heaven and earth..."

Just then, the door of Ju'an Pavilion creaked open on its own. Jujube Maiden had already descended from the branch and quickly made her way to the courtyard gate.

"Master, you're back!"

"A woman?" "Is she human or immortal?"

Qiu Feng and the others exchanged glances, momentarily unable to discern Jujube Maiden's true identity. Ji Yuan said nothing further; after a slight nod to Jujube Maiden, he directly invited the three visitors inside.

"You three have traveled a long way; please come in. Jujube Maiden, would you please brew a pot of honey tea for me? I've run out of honey here."

"Yes, Jujube Maiden always makes sure to collect some!"

Jujube Maiden happily went to the kitchen to brew tea, while Ji Yuan invited the three to sit in the courtyard. He first offered his apologies to Lian Baiping.

"Fellow Daoist Lian, I had originally planned to visit Tianji Pavilion, but I was delayed by pressing matters. I apologize to Tianji Pavilion for this..."

"Mr. Ji, please don't speak like that!"

Lian Baiping, who had already settled into his seat, immediately stood up again and bowed to Ji Yuan.

"Who is Mr. Ji? It is Tianji Pavilion that should have come to welcome you at your doorstep; that would be proper etiquette! How could Mr. Ji be at fault?"

From the moment he first saw Ji Yuan, Lian Baiping had been meticulously observing him. He noted that Ji Yuan's robes were simple, devoid of any spiritual script or spells, and he had not employed any magical abilities. Yet, all visible dust and invisible impurities seemed to be repelled from his person. This sight only deepened his reverence for Ji Yuan.

"Fellow Daoist Lian, you flatter me. However, since you have come, perhaps I won't need to visit Tianji Pavilion this time."

Ji Yuan's words startled Lian Baiping. "What? You, revered elder, are not going to Tianji Pavilion? And it's because of me? Won't the Pavilion Elders tear me apart when I return?"

"Absolutely not, Mr. Ji, you must not! Please, Mr. Ji, you must come with me to the Tianji Grotto-Heaven. Ever since my Tianji Pavilion learned of your impending visit, everyone, from the highest to the lowest, has been preparing the Grotto-Heaven, clearing the path, and eagerly awaiting this day for a long time. If you do not come, the Pavilion will surely blame me for my failure. At best, I will face a hundred years of confinement; at worst, two-tenths of my cultivation will be stripped away..."

Ji Yuan's eyebrow twitched. *Is it really that serious? This old man surely isn't just fabricating a story, is he?*

"Uh, what if I write a letter for Fellow Daoist Lian to deliver?"

"That won't do either, alas! How about Mr. Ji simply allows me to stay by his side? If Mr. Ji doesn't go to Tianji Pavilion, then I won't return either. That way, it won't be counted as a failure on my part to invite you!"

It was unexpected that this Long-Bearded Elder would act so childishly stubborn. Ji Yuan, having no other recourse, could only agree.

"Very well, I will make a trip to Tianji Pavilion."

Jujube Maiden now emerged with a tea tray. She arranged the teacups on the table, picked up the teapot, and poured tea for everyone. A delicate fragrance of honey tea wafted through the air.

Upon a closer sniff, the tea's aroma was not merely spiritual energy; it possessed a distinct spiritual charm, a fact the Long-Bearded Elder understood perfectly.

"Please, partake of the tea."

"Thank you!" "Thank you, Mr. Ji, and thank you, Fairy Jujube!"

Jujube Maiden smiled, finding the title rather unfitting.

"Just call me Jujube Maiden. Oh, and Master, Ya Ya has returned as well."

"Yes, I am aware."

On the other side, the Long-Bearded Elder, sipping his tea, suddenly remembered something. He quickly flicked his sleeve, and several translucent, large fish emerged. Each was enveloped in a layer of water, swimming continuously in mid-air. They were shuttle-shaped, and not one was smaller than a human arm.

"I heard Mr. Ji enjoys eating fish, so I specially prepared a few excellent ones before my visit. Please accept them, Mr. Ji!"

*This person certainly came prepared...*

Ji Yuan looked at the fish, finding himself truly unable to refuse.

"In that case, I would be impolite to refuse. It so happens that I plan to cook these fish today, and we can enjoy them together, my fellow Daoists. Hmm, Jujube Maiden, are you hungry? Would you like to join us?"

Seeing Ji Yuan look at her, Jujube Maiden's face lit up with joy, and she quickly nodded in response.

"Yes, I'm hungry! Jujube Maiden will eat!"