After being away from his friend circle for thirteen years, trying to reintegrate did feel somewhat odd. Fortunately, the seminar and celebration that Chi Ling had arranged helped dissolve much of that awkwardness with clever precision. The seminar was brief. Wang Sheng simply explained how he had survived, placing emphasis on Yaoyun's boundless love and self-sacrificing spirit. The Heavenly Court princess had not only safeguarded all living beings but also preserved Wang Sheng's life. In a flash of insight, she came up with a solution to the crisis—setting a gradually weakening seal that allowed the Earth Qi Immortal Spring's accumulated primal qi over the millennia to slowly be released. This explained the many strange phenomena of the past thirteen years. Whether others believed it or not, Wang Sheng had survived. They could call it whatever they wanted, even a miracle or cheating, but the cultivation world would surely once again have a place for Wang Sheng. After the seminar came a grand and elegant buffet. In a magnificent hall, elderly, middle-aged, and young Daoists in their Daoist robes held wine glasses, listened to soothing Western music, and chatted in small groups. In one corner, over a dozen young cultivators had gathered. The long table they surrounded was piled with both Chinese and Western delicacies. Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan sat at the main seat. Wang Sheng was chatting animatedly with others nearby, while his senior sister sat gracefully and took small, elegant bites of the food before her. Despite her refined manner, she ate with remarkable speed and frequency, leaving several young female Daoists who wanted to talk to her unable to even find an opening. "So many years have passed, and everyone's really matured." Wang Sheng had drunk a few glasses of wine. He was expecting to be tipsy, but he found himself remarkably clear-headed instead. Hence, he just pretended to be a bit drunk and started talking about life and how great it was to be alive. "Amitabha. Over the past thirteen years, we have only been cultivating," Huai Jing said. "I can't speak for others, but Qianzhang has become much more reliable." Shi Qianzhang waved his hand sheepishly. "Not at all. I just found the right outlet for my particular skill." Huai Jing calmly added, "At the very least, during team fights now, he no longer abandons us and runs off alone." Everyone burst out laughing. Wang Sheng asked, "What's this special skill of yours, Qianzhang?" "Trash-talking, arguing, and saying wild things," Liu Yunzhi answered in Shi Qianzhang's stead. "Over the years, during our repeated verbal wars with Sakura Island's cultivators, we've relied on his outstanding performance to secure overwhelming victories for the Hua Republic's cultivation world." Wang Sheng was speechless. "Cultivate diligently," he said with a serious expression. He then scanned the room with his spiritual perception and noticed a few young Golden Core Realm cultivators. Because of the Earth Qi Seal's gradual release and the Hua Republic's qi meridians, cultivators' progress had seen great improvement. The top-performing young talents had already reached the Golden Core Realm. Forming a core was a threshold. How long one lingered before breaking through, and the risk of that breakthrough, varied from person to person. Their cultivation speed now could not be used to judge their future achievements. Still, Wang Sheng was quite surprised to find out that Shi Qianzhang had managed to catch up to Liu Yunzhi. Huai Jing was a Buddhist cultivator; he did not pursue the Great Dao of the Golden Core. Still, his aura now was comparable to that of a peak Golden Core Realm cultivator. In today's cultivation world, that made him a formidable figure. "Brother Sheng, what realm are you at now?" Wang Sheng replied calmly, "Heavenly Abode. About the same as my senior sister." Huai Jing, who had maintained a serene expression all along, couldn't help but sigh. The corners of his mouth twitched as well. "I figured that after more than a decade, you might have already reached the peak of the Golden Core Realm. I didn't expect you to shoot all the way up to the Heavenly Abode Realm… I guess I'll still have to cling to your coattails." Zhou Yinglong, who had just entered the Illusory Core Realm, kept his head down and ate silently, not daring to participate in the conversation. He had spent the past ten years repairing his foundation, making his progress quite slow. Wang Sheng shifted the conversation to the changes in the Hua Republic over the years. Everyone spoke in turn, each recalling major events that they had witnessed or taken part in. Hearing it firsthand made Wang Sheng feel like he had experienced it all himself. Glasses of fruit juice, beer, or cola clinked. Lively chatter and laughter flew alongside jokes and banter. From time to time, Qing Yanzi would call over Wang Sheng or his senior sister to chat with some of the elders of the cultivation world. They mostly just exchanged polite greetings, though. More guests arrived throughout the celebration. As the guest of honor, Wang Sheng left the corner of the room with his sword case and began socializing. "Senior Brother!" someone tremblingly called. Turning toward the source, he almost failed to recognize Chi Wen. Once a crybaby, she now had a serene and graceful air that reminded him of Jingyun. Her years of cultivation had clearly transformed her. Wang Sheng smiled and greeted her. Chi Wen stepped forward, bowed gracefully, and then wiped her eyes. Softly, she said, "It's a blessing you're alive, Senior brother. Please don't make Senior Sister sad again. She suffered so much for you for the past thirteen years. Now that you've returned from the Small Nether Realm, it's time for a happy ending." "I'm working on it," Wang Sheng replied. He then blinked and sent her a voice transmission. Chi Wen's cheeks immediately turned red. "Why don't you just ask her yourself? Why make me do it?" she scolded softly. Nonetheless, she agreed. "Fine. I'll try to sound her out for you." She made her way to the table at the corner, greeted the others, and took Wang Sheng's seat, linking arms with Mu Wanxuan and chatting sweetly. Wang Sheng quietly gave her a thumbs-up. In the thirteen years that Wang Sheng had been trapped, Shi Qianzhang had grown more mature, and the once little crybaby had become unexpectedly dependable. Gao Shixing and Fei Lianzi arrived together. Wang Sheng welcomed them with a smile. Itching to compare notes, the three immediately discussed the Dao of the Sword, each sharing their unique understanding of sword techniques. While their discussion was in full swing, Chi Ling and several high-ranking officials arrived. Without needing his master's cue, Wang Sheng and a few other Daoist masters went to greet them. Wang Sheng didn't know what had happened to her over the past thirteen years, but he could feel a clear change in her. The harshness once evident in her looks was now gone; she appeared more composed and more gentle. "Fei Yu," Chi Ling called gently as she grabbed his arm. She then gave him one of her rare warm smiles. "It's good to have you back. Your master and senior sister were heartbroken over you." This update is available on novęlfire.net "Thank you for your concern, Mistress," Wang Sheng replied respectfully. "Mm, you haven't changed much over the years." She glanced at the sword case on his back and gave him a meaningful look, clearly aware of Yaoyun's presence. Her expression seemed to suggest that he should keep the matter discreet for now. Wang Sheng subtly nodded. The officials behind her stepped forward, offering their praises and metaphorically planting flags of "righteousness" and "self-sacrifice" on his forehead. Chi Ling then warmly asked, "Do you need anything? Just name it, and we'll do our best to get it for you. We really have no idea how we can adequately reward you for what you've done." From a corner, Shi Qianzhang shouted through pinched nostrils, "Grant him the title of—" Before he could finish, a talisman sealed his mouth. It then turned into chains and wrapped around him. Liu Yunzhi hummed lightly and continued drinking tea unfazed. Cultivators were forbidden from interfering in secular politics. That was an iron rule of the Hua Republic's cultivation world. "If you're really willing, Mistress, can the institute craft me a high-tech sword scabbard? It can be a bit inconvenient to carry this case around. And if possible, I'd like to keep a few more spiritless swords as spares. "Oh, it would also be great to have one of those projection smartphones that are popular now and two of the largest possible storage artifacts. Just stuff them with various pills and talismans." He rubbed his thumb and index finger together. "Ahem, I might also need some spending money. Could you help me with that…?" Chi Ling's eyes crinkled as she smiled and agreed to everything. Behind him, most of the cultivators were completely speechless. Isn't this the moment to politely decline, say something lofty like, 'I risked my life for righteousness, not for material gain,' and let your legend live on? This felt far too real. Meanwhile, Qing Yanzi and a few Daoist elders nodded in approval. Wang Sheng's request showed maturity. These were all things that the government would've provided without him even asking. He was a peak-stage Heavenly Abode Realm cultivator whose cultivation progress alone placed him among the top ten in today's cultivation world. Moreover, in this era, he was unrivaled in combat. The authorities could not afford to leave such a powerful individual unrewarded. Wang Sheng had just requested a couple of items: a scabbard, weapons, a mobile phone, a storage artifact, alchemical pills, talismans, money... He only requested the standard benefits that any cultivator at the Heavenly Abode Realm would receive. Still, by taking the initiative to ask for them as his own reward, he had both given the authorities a gesture of respect and provided them a graceful way to save face. He also tactfully declined being saddled with more titles and responsibilities. Upon closer reflection, it was quite a clever move. "Very well. I'll have someone prepare all of those for you right away. Chi Ling beckoned with a wave of her hand. The young secretary nearby hurried over with a bag in her hands. Chi Ling drew out a small crystal disc no more than two centimeters in diameter. She smiled casually as she handed it to Wang Sheng. "This has nothing to do with authorities. Consider it pocket money from me. You can install it onto your phone and use it however you like." Wang Sheng accepted it with a cheerful grin, making no effort to stand on ceremony with his mistress. Since she was already supporting his master financially, there was no reason for him to pretend to be modest. As the celebratory reception drew to a close, several Daoist elders and Daoist masters began to bid farewell and take their leave. Wang Sheng quietly pulled Chi Wen into a corner, laid down a layer of soundproofing enchanted power, and began whispering to each other. Wang Sheng's eyes were filled with anticipation. "Are you sure?" "Of course," Chi Wen confidently answered. "I used the excuse of having romantic troubles to ask Senior Sister for advice, then watched her facial expressions as she responded. Senior Sister clearly understands…" She briefly cleared her throat. "Ahem, she understands the steps leading up to kissing and knows that those are things couples do together. What she doesn't seem to understand is what comes after. She didn't blush, though; she was just genuinely confused." Wang Sheng immediately fell silent. What manga has Senior Sister been reading all these years? That much made sense, though. The Hua Republic had always been a nation rooted in millennia of tradition and propriety. The manga and entertainment media allowed to circulate domestically were not permitted to depict anything beyond a kiss. Right now, Mu Wanxuan could actually believe that kissing led to pregnancy. Chi Wen worriedly asked, "Senior Brother, you're not seriously thinking of..." Wang Sheng shook his head and flatly replied, "Of course not. Don't be ridiculous. Do I seem like a beast to you? Just being able to spend the rest of my life with her is already more than enough." Chi Wen blinked and whispered, "But she's so beautiful, and you two are clearly in love. Can you really restrain yourself?" Wang Sheng was just about to pat his chest with pride when an excited shout rang out from outside the venue. It was so loud that even the soundproofing enchanted power he had set up could not block it. "Fei Yu! Where is little Fei Yu? Big Sister has missed you so much!" Wang Sheng's eyes lit up. "Look. The person who can give our senior sister a proper crash course has arrived." Chi Wen didn't know whether to laugh or cry.