Chapter 847: Jujube Girl's Gift

"The sweet potatoes are cooked!"

Soon, Hu Yun's joyful voice echoed from the kitchen. He and Zaoniang emerged, each carrying a tray—one with steamed sweet potatoes and the other with roasted ones. A unique aroma wafted through the air, causing Ji Yuan to sniff wistfully and Xiezhi to sniff hungrily.

The roasted sweet potatoes tasted just as Ji Yuan remembered roasted yams, but there were too many people to go around. Xiezhi, in particular, showed no restraint, leaving only a small piece for guests like Yang Zong and Lu Xiaoyou to sample.

Yang Zong and Lu Xiaoyou only ate a single piece out of politeness before immediately taking their leave. They needed to return to the Imperial City of Dazhen. Besides discussing matters with the Dazhen officials, Yang Zong also planned to visit Yang Hao.

As soon as the two left, Xiezhi immediately slapped Hu Yun, who was sitting beside him.

"Go buy more! This time, get a hundred catties."

"Huh? But they've already sold out! There was only one cartload, meant for seeds, so they're all gone."

Hu Yun also wanted to taste more, but it was true—they were all gone.

"Oh, come on, you're usually so clever! Think of something."

At Xiezhi's words, Hu Yun's eyes darted around. After a glance at Ji Yuan, an idea sparked in his mind.

"Alright then, I'll go find someone from the Wei Merchant Guild. They'll definitely be able to get sweet potatoes. Master, Mr. Ji, just wait here."

As soon as Hu Yun left this time, Xiezhi laid his cards on the table with Ji Yuan.

"Ji Yuan, you brought me this clever kid, but I don't think I have much to teach him. I've observed him these past two days, and he already has his own cultivation method. Though not perfect, it directly points towards the Great Dao."

Zaoniang had already brought out tea. With nimble movements, she first poured a cup for Ji Yuan, then refilled Xiezhi's teacup, speaking with a smile.

"Well, Mr. Xie can't eat the sweet potatoes for free, nor can he take the money for nothing."

"Of course, I won't expect benefits for nothing."

Xiezhi grinned without saying much more. His gaze shifted instead to the ground beneath the large jujube tree, where the layer of peach tree ash had already vanished. Then, he looked up at the jujube tree itself.

Zaoniang looked at Ji Yuan, who nodded resignedly.

"Mr. Xie will get to taste the fire dates in the future."

Xiezhi's eyes lit up, and he quickly said,

"I don't want those half-ripe ones. I want truly mature ones, and I'll wait however many years it takes."

While fire dates had been given away before, Xiezhi knew that the large jujube tree wasn't yet a fully mature spiritual root of heaven and earth, and thus, its fire dates were far from ripe. Even a single day's difference in ripeness could be monumental, and he certainly didn't want to waste such a precious resource now.

As he spoke, Xiezhi's expression turned thoughtful.

"Hu Yun's cultivation method is quite similar to the Nine-tailed Fox lineage from the Jade Fox Cavern. How about I help him modify it so his path is different from theirs?"

Ji Yuan smiled.

"As long as you put your heart into it, I won't interfere with the rest. Just make sure you don't tarnish the reputation of you, Great Lord Xiezhi."

"Hahahaha! Don't forget to bring me to the Dragon Transformation Feast!"

Ji Yuan's mouth twitched. He couldn't count how many times he had wanted to complain about Xiezhi's gluttonous nature.

"Are you really a Xiezhi and not a Taotie?"

Ji Yuan said, his tone mocking, then looked at Zaoniang.

"Zaoniang."

"Yes?"

"If Ruoli successfully transforms into a dragon, as her good friend, you should naturally go congratulate her. Afterwards, when the Tongtian River extends invitations to the Four Seas, you can come with me, and I'll also bring Hu Yun to experience the world."

"Yes, if Master says I should go, then I'll go."

Ji Yuan nodded.

"The Dazhen region isn't too far, and occasionally venturing out will do you good. There are also many good books to read in various places."

"Hmm... but Master, what kind of congratulatory gift should I give Ruoli? She's given me so many valuable things..."

"Well, actually, the things Ruoli gave you aren't considered much to her."

"But they are very precious and beautiful to me."

Zaoniang touched the crystal hairpin at the side of her head; it was perfectly translucent. Perhaps she could only give a few fire dates, but as Mr. Xie said, the fire dates weren't truly ripe yet. Others might treasure them, but once Ruoli successfully transformed into a true dragon, their value would be negligible.

Seeing Zaoniang's slightly worried expression, Ji Yuan followed her gaze to the jujube tree, then pondered before speaking.

"How about this? I still have some magically refined silk, which is a treasure of gold spiritual energy. We can use a side branch from your jujube tree as the frame, and weave the magically refined silk for the fan's surface. We'll make a small, delicate lace folding fan. I believe Ruoli will like it."

"Really? She'll like it? Master, will we refine it? Zaoniang has also read your *Wondrous Transformation Divine Tome*."

Zaoniang's face lit up with surprise. She believed she had nothing truly valuable to offer; her most precious possessions were books and the jewelry given by the Dragon Maiden. The Dragon Maiden certainly lacked nothing in terms of books, and the jewelry was from her in the first place, so how could Zaoniang return it as a gift?

Ji Yuan had forgotten about this. The large jujube tree in the courtyard had been watching him practice calligraphy, read, and even deduce and create cultivation methods, so it had indeed absorbed quite a lot.

"Alright then, I'll just observe while you refine it. Don't worry, as long as it comes from your heart, Ruoli will be happy with even a simple gift, let alone this fan."

Xiezhi grinned. Even he wanted to play with this fan after hearing about it. He wondered if it would have any powerful mystical uses.

"Well, I reckon who wouldn't like this if it were given as a gift? So, Ji Yuan, what about you? Zaoniang is being so generous, what will you give?"

Ji Yuan looked at Xiezhi and said very seriously,

"I'm helping her parents resolve their misunderstanding. Isn't that enough of a gift? At most, I'll add a piece of my calligraphy or painting."

"Heh heh..."

Xiezhi chuckled, about to scold Ji Yuan for being stingy, but then he suddenly remembered. He had seen Ji Yuan's calligraphy and paintings before, and even he quite desired them.

"So, Master, when should we start?"

"We'll start after Hu Yun comes back with the sweet potatoes and we've eaten our fill."

"Okay!"

That evening, while eating sweet potatoes, Hu Yun became incredibly excited upon hearing that Zaoniang was making a fan for Ruoli and that he could also attend the Dragon Transformation Feast. He brought up his experience making the red fox mask, asserting that he could be helpful.

To make the fan, Zaoniang used a jujube branch and wove the fan surface. Hu Yun also bought folding fans used by young ladies and scholars to research what styles Ruoli might like. After much deliberation, they realized that Ji Yuan's initial suggestion of a design that was soft yet strong was the most suitable, though the fan surface might be a bit plain.

Throughout the entire process, Ji Yuan and Xiezhi simply watched from the side, not even offering a single piece of advice. Xiezhi commented on Ji Yuan's patience, while Ji Yuan chuckled, noting that Xiezhi had become increasingly lively.

"Zaoniang, the frame is complete, but the fabric of the fan surface looks a bit plain."

Under the jujube tree, Hu Yun, in his human form, pointed to the magically refined silk fabric that Zaoniang had personally woven. Ji Yuan turned to look; indeed, it was a blank surface. If Zaoniang were to ask him to write or draw something on it, he would certainly be happy to.

"Don't worry, I've already thought of something."

Zaoniang smiled, reaching back to gather a strand of her long hair. Although her body was an ethereal condensed spirit, not true flesh and blood, it was still a solid form—indeed, it was the refined body of a spiritual root.

The long hair in Zaoniang's hand broke into pieces inch by inch, then reconnected as her fingers brushed them together. Zaoniang then took a needle from her hair bun and threaded the long hair through it.

"I'll embroider it."

Hu Yun scratched his head. He hadn't thought of this move; he had assumed the blank space was meant for Mr. Ji's calligraphy.

Not just Hu Yun, but Ji Yuan also hadn't anticipated this, yet he found it brilliant. Watching Zaoniang thread the needle and embroider, she certainly didn't look like a novice.

Days passed, and Ji Yuan finally heard the words he was waiting for from Zaoniang.

"Master, may I borrow your Samadhi True Fire? Not too much, just a flicker of flame and a wisp of smoke, with its strength unaltered."

"Alright!"

Ji Yuan nodded, opening his mouth to blow out a plume of reddish-gray smoke, threaded with faint flames. It circled around Zaoniang and began to burn in mid-air. Zaoniang, holding the completed fan frame, started attaching the fan surface near the flame. Occasionally, she would fan the flames, causing them to dance with the breeze. As she rotated the fan to the rhythm of the flames, distinct colors of light emanated from its surface.

"It seems I, Ji, also need to prepare my own gift now."

Controlling the cluster of Samadhi True Fire with his thoughts, Ji Yuan stood up, patted his leg, arranged his Four Treasures of the Study, and began to write.

Two months later, the Dragon Prince arrived at Ju'an Study. The courtyard gate appeared locked at first glance, but Ji Yuan's voice emanated from within.

"Is that Ying Feng? Come in."

"Uncle Ji, Ruoli hasn't returned from overseas yet, but preparations for the Dragon Transformation Feast have begun. My parents are busy entertaining dragons from the Four Seas, so I, your humble nephew, am specially here on Ruoli's behalf to invite you, Uncle Ji, to the banquet."

After bowing respectfully, the Dragon Prince entered Ju'an Study as the courtyard gate opened. However, he immediately saw Hu Yun standing with his arms outstretched, seemingly blocking something behind a tree.

Hu Yun's body alone couldn't block much, but he had three fluffy tails, six or seven feet long, almost completely obscuring what was behind him.

Ying Feng paid no mind to this, simply looking at Ji Yuan, who was writing something.

"Uncle Ji, Ruoli's successful dragon transformation will happen very quickly this time. The banquet is set for New Year's Eve."

"Alright, it's fine if I bring a few people with me, isn't it?"

"Uncle Ji, you can bring whoever you wish, and as many as you like."

As Ying Feng spoke, he turned to glance at the spot Hu Yun was blocking. He could tell Zaoniang was busy with something, and there was light emanating from it.

"Don't look! It's not convenient!"

Hu Yun shouted loudly, and Ying Feng's face showed embarrassment. He tried to approach Ji Yuan, but Ji Yuan waved his hand.

"You can't look at my work either. You go take care of your business for now."

"Uh, alright. Then, I'll go invite them from Yu Huai Mountain to the banquet first. I won't disturb you further."

Ying Feng bowed once more, then retreated from Ju'an Study with a slightly crestfallen expression. Inside the courtyard, Ji Yuan looked up, seemingly at the direction where the Dragon Prince had left, and gently shook his head. Such a state made things even more difficult, but as an elder, he indeed ought to provide some guidance.