After choosing the martial and literary arts, Mu Yan took out another art.
"This is the Dragon-Phoenix Fate Binding Art.
It binds the fate of a dragon together with that of a phoenix.
I haven’t told you yet, but I, too, possess a spirit. Not only one but two! A dragon and a phoenix to be specific.
By binding your phoenix fate with my phoenix spirit, and your dragon fate with my dragon spirit, together we form a double connection.
Here, take these two copies and study them after you have learned two arts.
Only after you have learned all arts can we leave.
I will also choose several techniques and spells for you, which should be enough learning material for at least a year."
Mu Yan kept taking out some, sorting them for those that should be learned right away, those that can be learned later, and those that are just additional and don’t need to be forced.
...
"The Ning Dynasty is so generous, giving several inheritances to their Royals, not just the descendants but also the eunuchs!
Ah, to be born in the Ning Dynasty!" Fu Xian grumbled, but internally, he was delighted.
The investment was an all-in profit!
He didn’t even need to invest additional origin to give Mu Yan a cultivation art. Everything was delivered to the door.
Of course he still wanted to pass on the two auxiliary spiritual inspirations... but that was a matter for next time.
Standing up once more, he walked to the construction outside.
These days, the courtyard was closer and closer to being completed! He even had a feeling that it might be completed today already!
Just as he walked out and stood in front of the courtyard, he suddenly saw something shocking!
The veil that had covered the construction site for so long suddenly dissipated –
Instead, inside, he saw thick fog surrounding something.
Through the fog nothing was visible.
But a moment later, the fog gathered together into clouds, flying above the courtyard.
From afar he could already smell the sweet and sour scent of citrus, with a mild yet clearing bitter undertone.
He looked at the courtyard in shock.
In the centre there was a large pavilion and to the four corners there were four more pavilions. Each had their own unique look, with an atmosphere of spirituality and clarity.
Walking to it, he was greeted with rising spirituality.
It was of a much higher quality than the one in his courtyard.
Even more, there was a strong dual elemental power of Wood and Water...
"Eight hundred citrus fruit trees and a spiritual spring have coloured the spirituality a lemon yellow, spreading throughout the whole neighbourhood," a voice arrived.
Looking at where it came from, Fu Xian saw Senior Ruan!
"Senior Ruan, I hope you don’t mind this scent..."
"Mind? How could I mind it? Haha, finally you have brought some good smell to our little neighbourhood. Compared to the burnt smell of alchemy or the thick smell of fruits, this smell of sweet, sour and bitter truly clears one’s mind!
It would be great if you could always open the formation slightly and spread the smell."
"If senior likes it that much, once I’m done, I will make sure to serve him a Citrus Platter. Although it won’t be as luxurious as senior brother Puyan’s fruit and juice platter, I hope it will have its own unique flavour!"
"Hehe, junior brother, are you trying to compete with me?" just as Fu Xian was talking with Senior Ruan, he saw his senior brothers and sisters arrive one after another.
"So this is what eldest sister has been doing all this while?" Huan Jiming arrived too.
"Sister told me specifically that she had been busy with construction affairs," Miaoyu who arrived with Jiming commented, "to think these affairs were in the vicinity all along.
Couldn’t she have just invited me over?"
"You were also forgotten by senior sister? Alas, it’s been a month and my deal for the future construction material still hasn’t been completed.
Fu Xian, do tell, is this matter related to you?" Zui Longbao, the last to arrive, asked.
Hearing this, Senior Ruan looked over them and smiled "You four are still so close. When you first came here, you befriended each other. And now, after so many years, you’re still at each other’s hip.
To think that the infamous merchant Zui Longbao was so worried about a lady?
Haha, if I told people about this, no one would believe me!"
"What?" Longbao looked fierce "What reputation do I have? I am a kind, serious and lawful merchant! I have never done anything to earn an infamous reputation!"
"You haven’t done anything? Brother Longbao, please... if it wasn’t for you, how would my Lotion Shop have survived in the difficult market of the Lian Empire?" Miaoyu grinned.
"You! All of you are just trying to make me look bad, aren’t you?!"
"Senior brother Longbao, isn’t a merchant without a reputation just a salesman? When I look for a merchant to help me sell my talisman, I would rather sell them to a reputable merchant who is able to defend my items...
If senior brother isn’t like this, then I am very sorry for having thought badly about you!
Just in case, could you recommend me some of those merchants?
Oh never mind, the name of such people is always known to many..."
"You too!" Longbao looked over to Fu Xian in exasperation, then he shook his head "Although I am not infamous, I have a little reputation in the city and can help you with the talisman business. Just tell me whenever you are ready..."
"Hahaha!" all of them laughed at the same time.
"You guys are enjoying your time without me?" suddenly, a lady arrived from afar.
Graceful yet strong, with muscles visible on her arms. Sweat was dripping down her face while a light gleamed in her eyes, seemingly encompassing the whole world.
"You have achieved the state of Soul Awakening! To think that among all three, you are the first to achieve it in my neighbourhood! Good, good, good!"
Senior Ruan laughed aloud, calling good three times.
He instantly flew into the sky, ignoring the others, taking Qian Ziling with him.
Fu Xian looked a bit perplexed when he saw a plate fall towards him, "Refine this Courtyard Plate!"
Afterwards, he saw that the light left completely.
Looking around, he saw that all his senior brothers and sister seemed excited.
Just as he was about to ask what it was about, he heard his senior brother Puyan say "Let’s look at the courtyard."
"Brothers and sisters, let me show you my great courtyard!" Fu Xian smiled and led them in.