Chapter 160: Banquet for Wang Ruyan

The next morning, Wang Changsheng and Wang Qingze left for the Spirit Armament Pavilion.

Wang Ruyan warmly welcomed Wang Changsheng, providing him with a crafting blueprint and two sets of materials.

Wang Changsheng brought Wang Qingze to the backyard. Wang Shuchong was already drinking, reeking of alcohol but still quite lucid, overseeing several crafting apprentices as they refined materials.

“Old Wang,” Wang Changsheng began, “this is my nephew, Qingze. Please just give him some work to do. I’ll be in the crafting room. Qingze, make sure you learn diligently from Old Wang, alright?”

Technically, Wang Changsheng could have addressed Wang Shuchong as 'Little Friend Wang,' but he was deliberately trying to cultivate a closer relationship with Wang Ruyan. Given that Wang Shuchong was Wang Ruyan's clan uncle, referring to him as 'Old Wang' was also suitable.

“Senior Wang, you're too kind,” Wang Shuchong replied. “Since he’s your nephew, I’ll certainly look after him. You go on and attend to your work!”

Wang Shuchong readily agreed, grabbing a few peanuts and tossing them into his mouth.

After giving Wang Qingze a few instructions, Wang Changsheng strode towards the crafting room.

Once the room’s sound-insulating array was activated, all outside noise faded away.

He took out the crafting blueprint and examined it meticulously.

He was tasked with crafting a low-grade magic tool, the Golden Moon Blade. However, with the blueprint, sufficient materials, and a high level of crafting skill, producing a high-grade magic tool would be well within his capabilities.

With a tap of his storage pouch, the Purple Sun Furnace flew out. It spun rapidly, grew in size upon contact with the air, and settled firmly on the ground.

Wang Changsheng flicked his fingers, sending several magical incantations into the Purple Sun Furnace. The furnace lid automatically lifted off and gently landed on the ground.

He dropped two fist-sized pieces of golden ore into the Purple Sun Furnace, closed the lid, and changed his incantations.

With a muffled thud, a ball of purple flame materialized at the base of the Purple Sun Furnace, and the room's temperature gradually began to rise.

A day quickly passed.

Inside the crafting room, Wang Changsheng sat cross-legged on a green meditation cushion, his complexion slightly pale.

A vast expanse of purple flames enveloped the Purple Sun Furnace, emanating rolling waves of heat.

After a moment, Wang Changsheng performed an incantation, striking the Purple Sun Furnace with a magical art.

With a muffled thud, the furnace lid flew open, and a stream of golden liquid poured out.

Under the precise control of Wang Changsheng’s divine sense, the golden liquid twisted and reformed, slowly coalescing into a three-foot-long golden blade.

Wang Changsheng produced a blue porcelain bottle, tossed it forward, and cast an incantation upon it. A substantial quantity of black liquid surged out, swirling rapidly to envelop the golden blade.

The moment the black liquid contacted the golden blade, a muffled 'hiss' sound erupted, accompanied by a puff of white smoke.

As the white smoke cleared, a pale golden long blade hovered in mid-air.

Wang Changsheng beckoned with a single hand, and the golden blade flew to him, settling firmly in his palm.

This golden blade was currently only a raw form, not even qualifying as a spiritual artifact. Blade and sword-type magic tools require extensive hammering to remove impurities, followed by repeated quenching, re-forging, and finally successful inscription of spirit patterns to be truly considered a magic tool.

He performed an incantation, and the flame at the bottom of the Purple Sun Furnace dissipated. The furnace then rapidly shrank, disappearing back into the storage pouch at his waist.

Wang Changsheng stored the golden blade in his storage pouch and exited the crafting room.

It was dusk, and the evening glow draped Canglan City in hues of red.

Next to the furnace, the incessant clang of metal echoed. Wang Qingze and Wang Shuchong were sitting together, drinking and chatting.

Wang Changsheng’s brow furrowed slightly, and he asked with a stern expression, “Qingze, wasn’t I clear that you were to assist Old Wang? What exactly are you doing?”

“Senior Wang,” Wang Shuchong interjected, “don’t blame him. Drinking alone is boring, so I asked him to keep me company. If you must blame someone, blame me.”

Wang Changsheng’s expression softened. “For Old Wang’s sake, I’ll overlook it this time. Come on, let’s go back.”

Wang Qingze acknowledged, bid farewell to Wang Shuchong, and followed Wang Changsheng out.

As they reached the main hall, Wang Ruyan was just descending the stairs.

Wang Ruyan offered Wang Changsheng a slight smile and asked, “Fellow Daoist Wang, how are things? Are you settling in well with the work?”

“It’s fine, Fairy Wang,” Wang Changsheng replied. “I’ll return to bathe and change. See you at Hundred Fragrances Pavilion.”

Wang Ruyan smiled and assented, watching Wang Changsheng depart.

“Ruyan,” Wang Shuchong said, “this young man invited you to dinner so quickly; he must be interested in you.”

Wang Shuchong approached, let out a burp, and chuckled teasingly.

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruyan’s beautiful cheeks flushed with a rosy hue. Blushing, she retorted, “Eighteenth Uncle, what nonsense are you speaking? There’s nothing going on between Fellow Daoist Wang and me.”

“I know you might not feel anything for him, but he might feel differently,” Wang Shuchong cautioned. “This young man addresses me as ‘Old Wang’ with such politeness; it’s quite obvious he’s interested in you. If I weren't your Eighteenth Uncle, he wouldn't be this courteous to me. Keep your eyes open and don’t let him deceive you. They say a man fears choosing the wrong profession, and a woman fears marrying the wrong man.”

Wang Shuchong offered his well-intentioned advice.

“I know, Eighteenth Uncle,” Wang Ruyan replied. “Please don’t drink all day. It’s never too late to drink after your work is done.”

“Hehe,” Wang Shuchong chuckled, “let’s live for today; who knows what tomorrow holds? I know my limits.”

Upon returning to their residence, Wang Qingze truthfully reported to Wang Changsheng what he had done that day.

“You need to cultivate a good relationship with Wang Shuchong,” Wang Changsheng advised. “He’ll be of great use in the future, understand?”

Wang Qingze nodded honestly and replied, “I understand, Ninth Uncle. Are you, by any chance, pursuing Senior Wang, Wang Shuchong’s niece?”

“Who told you that?”

“No one told me; I figured it out myself,” Wang Qingze admitted. “Wang Shuchong probably caught on as well; he was asking me about you. However, I remembered your instructions to plead ignorance. I initially wanted to speak well of you, but then I realized that since we are uncle and nephew, Wang Shuchong might not believe me, and it could even be counterproductive, so I stayed silent.”

Wang Changsheng looked approvingly at him, then took out a blue jade slip and handed it to Wang Qingze. “This contains some fundamental crafting knowledge,” he explained. “Take it and study it. Do not share its contents. If anything is unclear, ask me tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Ninth Uncle. I’ll return to my room to study it immediately.”

After bathing and changing, Wang Changsheng headed directly to Hundred Fragrances Pavilion.

He had reserved a private room the day before. Upon arriving, he ordered a pot of spiritual tea and quietly awaited Wang Ruyan’s arrival.

At *xushi* (7-9 PM), a knock came from outside, and Wang Ruyan’s voice suddenly rang out, “Fellow Daoist Wang, I apologize for the wait. I’m here.”

Wang Changsheng’s face lit up with joy, and he quickly walked over to open the door.

Wang Ruyan had changed her attire. She wore a green *ruqun*, with light makeup and a natural complexion.

Wang Changsheng invited Wang Ruyan inside, handing her a thick menu. He smiled and said, “Fairy Wang, I wasn’t sure what you’d prefer, so I haven’t ordered anything yet. What would you like to eat?”

“Fellow Daoist Wang, you are too kind,” Wang Ruyan replied. “I have no particular preferences. Please order for us.”

“Very well then,” Wang Changsheng said. “I’ll order a few dishes to start. If it’s not enough, Fairy Wang, you can order more.”

Wang Changsheng called for the waiter and ordered seven dishes and one soup, ensuring a variety of flavors including sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy.

Before the dishes arrived, Wang Changsheng and Wang Ruyan engaged in casual conversation.

Wang Ruyan spoke little, offering only occasional brief responses, appearing somewhat disengaged.

Noticing this, Wang Changsheng shifted the conversation to crafting, which prompted Wang Ruyan to speak a bit more.

Soon after, the dishes were served.

Wang Ruyan remained quiet, and Wang Changsheng understood not to rush her. He did observe, however, that she preferred milder dishes, frequently choosing steamed and blanched options, while leaving spicy dishes untouched.

About half an hour later, noticing Wang Ruyan’s disinterest in further conversation, Wang Changsheng smiled and said, “Fairy Wang, perhaps we should conclude our meal here for today. We still have crafting to attend to tomorrow.”

“Very well,” she replied. “Another day, when I have time, I shall be your host.”

As they exited the private room, a joyous voice suddenly rang out, “Fairy Wang, are you here for a meal as well?”

Wang Changsheng looked towards the source of the sound and saw a refined scholar in white robes approaching rapidly, his face beaming with joy.

“Yes, just a casual meal with Fellow Daoist Wang,” Wang Ruyan replied with a slight nod. “Fellow Daoist Song, are you dining here as well?”

Wang Ruyan smiled and nodded, her tone rather flat.

“I encountered an old acquaintance from White Cloud Temple, Fellow Daoist Li,” the scholar explained. “I’m dining here with him.”

The white-robed scholar indicated a middle-aged man behind him, who carried a green wooden sword on his back.

As Wang Changsheng’s gaze fell upon the middle-aged man, a flicker of surprise crossed deep within his eyes.

The middle-aged man was none other than the Foundation Establishment cultivator who had argued with Wang Qingze at Tianyun Pavilion.