Refuse to trample on the pride of heaven

Chapter 499: Preparation for the Contract

In the mortal world, at the headquarters of Zhitonghui in Beijing, most of the young people who used to run around the fields and countryside are now dressed in official robes, with a calm and capable temperament.

When they received the parchment letter that crossed the boundary and the jade invitation filled with spiritual energy, they were stunned at first, and then burst into great surprise and cheers.

"Yes, sir! Sir, you still remember us!" Meng Chuanbai was so excited that he almost jumped up. Holding his own invitation, his hands were shaking. "I said it! The atmosphere between you and that Mr. Liu was different! It's not that my eyes are wrong, they are real! A match made in heaven!"

Qi Zhaoshu carefully stroked the smooth lines on the jade invitation, his eyes filled with emotion. "Sir, you're so busy during this time of renewal in the mortal world, yet you still thought of us and wrote invitations personally, each with a different content... Such kindness and friendship, we must go and congratulate you!"

Jiang Cailin began to think about practical issues: "Sir, the marriage ceremony in the world of cultivation must have different rules than ordinary people's marriages, right? What kind of gifts should we prepare? We can't just follow the rules of marriage here."

This question stumped everyone.

Most of the members of Zhitonghui are young people with great ambitions and are devoted to their careers. Most of them are single and lack experience in choosing high-level gifts.

Everyone looked at each other, and finally all their eyes turned to Lou Wancen, the only person present who had experience in marriage.

Lou Wancen looked at everyone's expectant eyes and smiled helplessly, "Everyone...my wedding back then, compared to yours, a grand ceremony with heaven and earth as witnesses, I'm afraid...it's of no reference value at all."

Liu Jun scratched his head and suggested another idea: "Besides Mr. Yan, can't we ask Ms. Yan for advice? She must know the answer."

However, Meng Shu seemed somewhat worried. "I'm naturally overjoyed to be able to go to the Immortal Realm and witness Master's big day. But... the gifts we can offer wouldn't be considered presentable in the eyes of those Immortal Masters... wouldn't they? Wouldn't that actually bring shame to Master?"

When they thought about the fairy-like light surrounding the ceremony and the guests who would be either rich or noble cultivators, and how these mortal officials and their "small gifts" would seem out of place, their enthusiasm, which had just been boiling, couldn't help but cool down a bit, and a hint of embarrassment and loss appeared on their faces.

Rong Xiang, who had been reading quietly on the side, saw all the changes in everyone's emotions.

He put the book down and sighed softly. His voice was gentle, yet it carried the indifference of someone who had seen through the world. "You guys...you're all so smart and quick-witted on a normal day. Why are you so stubborn right now?"

Hearing this, everyone looked up at him.

Rong Xiang said slowly, "Since your master has sincerely invited you, given his usual demeanor, would he put you in a situation where you might be looked down upon or embarrassed?"

Everyone shook their heads. They knew Lu Wensheng very well.

"Then do you think that the chasm between mortals and immortal masters is something that Master is unaware of?"

Rong Xiang continued, "Since he still invites you, knowing this, it means he truly considers you his friends and confidants, and hopes you can share his joy. The weight of your thoughts far outweighs the value of the gift—why bother arguing with such a huge difference? The intention and sincerity are there, and that's the best. I suspect he'll be genuinely happy if you can go."

These words were like a gentle spring breeze, dispelling the gloom in everyone's hearts.

Yes, sir, when have you ever measured friendship by status or wealth? They are really too concerned.

At this time, Jiang Xiulan picked up the jade invitation with a special texture and a warm touch, and suddenly thought of a practical problem. She asked weakly: "Um... Speaking of which, will this kind of invitation be collected during the ceremony?" She was still thinking about keeping it well.

As soon as these words were spoken, they immediately triggered another small "howl".

"Yes! This is the invitation card with our names written by the gentleman himself!"

"There's also Master Liu's signature!"

"I want to take it home and frame it to pass down to my family! I can't give it to anyone else!"

"Wow...I can't bear to give it to you..."

Seeing the young people who were just worried about the quality of their gifts, and then suddenly became too stingy to spend the invitations, Rong Xiang was really amused and shook his head helplessly: "Look at your lack of ambition! Such a specially made private invitation with a teleportation array, how can it be an ordinary invitation that you receive as soon as you enter? I can see that you haven't even attended many wealthy weddings in the mortal world!"

Lou Wancen looked at his colleagues who were usually smart and capable but now seemed a little "silly" because of an invitation, and a knowing and warm smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.

She was well aware of the procedures for this kind of ceremony, but in this kind of occasion, it was better to let these guys maintain some anticipation and mystery, so she just smiled and didn't point it out.

------

Lin Zhengxiu may have learned the news through the jade mirror, and sent a message from a distant place. His words were sincere but he could not hide his regret. He just said that the journey was too far and it was inconvenient to travel between realms, so he could not come to watch the ceremony in person this time.

Lu Wensheng didn't know where he was traveling to now. He only knew that he had sent some local specialties as a gift to celebrate the marriage, and also attached several volumes of landscape paintings he had painted himself. The brushstrokes were broad and the artistic conception was profound, depicting the strange mountains and rivers he had never seen before.

As Lu Wensheng looked at these gifts from afar, a strange sense of familiarity inexplicably surged in his heart - it was very similar to the feeling of seeing the traveling frog. That little frog was the same, going out on long journeys from time to time, and then sending back some photos of the scenery and some strange local specialties.

He couldn't help laughing and shook his head to dispel this nonsensical association.

As the discussion on the contract deepened, a practical problem gradually surfaced.

Liu Jiqian was thoughtful and considered that the covenant was a good relationship between two families, and the participation of the elders and families of both sides was crucial in terms of etiquette and regulations.

On his own side, his grandfather, the Supreme Elder, is naturally the strongest support, but what about Ah Sheng?

He always remembered that when Lu Wensheng first joined the sect, his background was reported as a "declining immortal cultivation family". After that, he rarely mentioned his family again, which made him seem quite mysterious.

But this is a lifelong event, and at such an important moment, someone from the family should come forward.

Moreover, based on his understanding of Ah Sheng, such a bright and cheerful person with a warm and open heart must have grown up in an environment full of love and tolerance. Otherwise, it would be difficult for him to understand and give love so naturally, and he would not be so frank when facing love.

He also vaguely heard from Yan Qingshu that Ah Sheng seemed to have an older sister, and they should have a very close relationship.

The more Liu Jiqian thought about it, the more he felt that there might be some unspeakable secret.

He didn't want to make Ah Sheng feel any discomfort or regret due to negligence, so he found an opportunity and tactfully asked Yan Qingshu, who seemed to know the truth.

Upon hearing this, Yan Qingshu's usual lively smile faded a little, and a complex emotion that Liu Jiqian could not understand flashed across her eyes. There seemed to be a mixture of nostalgia, helplessness, and a very faint sense of desolation, as if isolated in time and space.

She just waved her hand, her tone was unusually calm and straightforward, even with a hint of imperceptible sigh: "They can't come." She was usually talkative, but at this moment she was unusually stingy with words and didn't explain a single word.

Liu Jiqian was so perceptive that he immediately sensed something unusual in it. He considerately did not ask any further questions, but kept his doubts and concerns in his heart, and became even more determined to do his best in other aspects to make up for this possible shortcoming.

Coincidentally, the disciples of the Discipline Hall, who attached great importance to Lu Wensheng's lifelong affairs, also thought of this problem.

With this mentioned, everyone suddenly realized that the leader seemed to have never mentioned his family, nor had they seen him communicating with any relatives. If we really want to talk about the feeling of closeness and common origin, perhaps only Yan Qingshu has the most special relationship with him, as if they have a tacit understanding that is difficult for others to interfere with.

Tang He is a straightforward man. Compared with Wu Feipeng who is thoughtful and cautious, he has always been a man of action. He ran to Lu Wensheng and asked him directly.

Lu Wensheng was reviewing documents. Upon hearing this, he paused his pen and raised his eyes.

He looked into Tang He's eyes, filled with pure curiosity and concern. After a moment's hesitation, he spoke in a gentle voice, yet with an unmistakable calmness that had settled everything. "My hometown... is so far away from here, beyond your imagination. In short, they can't get here no matter what."

He paused for a moment, as if he could see through the air into the distance. His voice was soft but clear, "If I really have to say, at this moment, I am truly the only one in this world."

This answer seemed a little vague at first, and even carried a hint of indescribable loneliness, but Lu Wensheng's expression was calm and composed, without the slightest hint of sadness.

However, when Tang He and the disciples like Wu Feipeng who quietly gathered around him heard these words, they automatically understood a "tragic background" - perhaps all of the senior brother's family and friends are gone, and he is all alone, drifting here... No wonder he never mentioned it!

In an instant, everyone's eyes looking at Lu Wensheng were involuntarily filled with deep heartache and respect, as if they were looking at a legend of a man with a miserable life but unremitting self-reliance.

Lu Wensheng took in the disciples' sympathy and love that were almost overflowing, and the corner of his eye twitched slightly, almost imperceptibly.

He felt a little amused, knowing that they had a deep misunderstanding, but the specific reason behind this did involve the secret of time travel, which was difficult to explain in a few words. In the end, he just curled the corners of his lips helplessly, without any further explanation, allowing this beautiful misunderstanding to continue.