Lin Changheng shrugged, indicating that wasn’t the case.

But Bai Fengxian didn’t believe him. The last time the three of them had a small gathering, Xu Fugui had expressed his hope to get acquainted with Tantai Feiyue, the clan’s sought-after, prospective chief Talisman Master.

After all, he had put down roots in the Xu Family and was still sprouting; he wouldn’t be leaving in this lifetime.

Tantai Feiyue, on the other hand, had been exceptionally appointed as a Guest Minister Talisman Master and was rumored to be the designated chief. She was most likely tied to the Xu Family as well. Since they were both Bing Gui Immortal Seedlings, they had the foundation of a shared peerage and could certainly help each other out.

Although he had climbed the ranks and had one foot in the door of the upper echelons with his father-in-law’s support, he was still lacking a bit of a push.

He either had to grit his teeth, pop pills, and break through to the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation, or he needed some external help.

Tantai Feiyue was an excellent potential partner.

And yet, not even half a month later, Tantai Feiyue had taken the initiative to show up at the banquet to offer her congratulations.

If Brother Lin hadn’t played a huge part in it, why would Tantai Talisman Master, who had never associated with them before, have come?

Besides... the way the two of them were whispering to each other looked very suspicious.

As someone with experience, he naturally understood.

...

Just then, a surprised and joyful laugh came from a distance:

"Brother Lin! Ah, and Fairy Tantai is here too! Your presence truly brings light to my humble home."

Xu Fugui, his belly even more pronounced and his air of prosperity at its peak, approached quickly with a joyful expression.

"Congratulations, Fugui, on the addition of a pair of Qilin’Er."

Tantai Feiyue rose gracefully, took out a gift basket, and presented it.

"Congratulations."

Lin Changheng also stood up, smiling as he watched the scene unfold.

"Thank you, thank you."

Xu Fugui accepted it with both hands and chatted enthusiastically with the two for a long time. It wasn’t until another high-ranking clan member arrived that he excused himself and temporarily departed.

Now, only the two of them remained at the table. Tantai Feiyue looked at Lin Changheng again, her star-like eyes curving slightly, a smile playing on her lips as if she were waiting for something.

"Thank you, Feiyue, for giving me this face."

Lin Changheng seemed to understand and immediately chuckled.

"Could it be that Brother Lin is so stingy as to only offer a verbal thank you?" Tantai Feiyue countered.

Hearing this, Lin Changheng immediately cupped his chin and said uncertainly, "You don’t want a verbal thank you..."

Then his eyes widened slightly as he stared at the Commandery Princess’s pretty face, continuing in disbelief, "Don’t tell me Feiyue wants me to offer myself in return?"

Just then, someone passed by and might have overheard. Tantai Feiyue’s pretty face immediately flushed red. She spat lightly, "Have you no shame?"

"Oh? So that’s not what Feiyue meant. In that case, I must have misunderstood."

Lin Changheng offered a quick apology, but his face showed not the slightest hint of embarrassment. This infuriated Tantai Feiyue so much that she ground her teeth, all her noble grace thrown to the nine heavens.

...

Before long, all the high-ranking members of the Xu Family who were still in the clan had come to the banquet.

It wasn’t that Fugui’s influence was so great, but rather that everyone had to give face to his father-in-law, Xu Qianzhan, and also to maintain harmony within the clan.

However, Patriarch Xu was busy with other matters and was not in the clan, so he did not attend. But his legitimate daughter, Xu Hanji, came in his stead and brought a gift basket on his behalf.

This time, however, Xu Hanji didn’t just show up at the banquet, say a few pleasantries, and then leave as she had done before. Instead, she stopped and remained for the time being.

She planned to eat before leaving.

Standing beside the young lady, Xu Fugui instantly understood her intention from her actions. He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, ’I, Xu Fugui, am not the man I used to be.’

’For a mere Son-in-Law to have come this far and receive such high regard, it truly hasn’t been easy!’

’Although I still relied on... my father-in-law’s influence, it’s still quite remarkable.’

Though he was thinking this, it didn’t affect his actions in the slightest. He whispered, "This way, Young Lady," and began to lead her forward.

His destination was none other than Lin Changheng’s table.

Lin Changheng noticed this and understood Xu Fugui’s little scheme. Both of his friends were at this table. If they could get on good terms with the young lady, or even just become a familiar face, it could benefit them in the future.

"Greetings, Young Lady."

"There’s no need for such formalities."

Xu Hanji was not wearing a veil today. With a beauty like the moon’s soul and frost’s bearing, skin of ice and bones of jade, she resembled a moon goddess descended to the mortal realm. Many who caught a glimpse of her didn’t dare to look a second time, their gazes darting away.

Lin Changheng, however, met her gaze with a smile.

A faint smile touched Xu Hanji’s cool face, and she nodded in response.

Then, her gaze shifted slightly from Lin Changheng to the equally stunning Tantai Feiyue sitting next to him, a flash of surprise crossing her eyes.

She knew a fair bit about Tantai Feiyue. Ever since her father had issued an order allowing her to shake off the persistent entanglements of the clan’s young men, the woman seemed to have had very little contact with male cultivators. Many sons of the clan’s upper echelon had taken a fancy to this mortal Commandery Princess and had asked matchmakers to speak for them, but none had succeeded.

It had gotten to the point where if Tantai Feiyue even heard a hint of a similar intention, she would immediately, without a word, slam the door in their face.

It had to be said, there was a reason the Xu Family was on the rise. They governed the clan strictly, and its atmosphere was upright and clean.

When their marriage proposals failed, not a single one of the young men dared to resort to dishonorable means to threaten or coerce her. Instead, once rejected, they simply stopped bothering her.

The clan had even once concluded that Tantai Feiyue was solely focused on the Talisman Dao, had no interest in matters between men and women, and perhaps even detested them.

But now, she was actually sitting with Lin Changheng, shoulder to shoulder at that. It was something Xu Hanji would never have imagined.

’Then again, Alchemist Lin really is a man of no small skill. His appearance and Heart Nature are both excellent; it’s only natural that he would attract the attention of women...’

...

Tantai Feiyue, however, was having different thoughts.

Xu Hanji’s gaze swept back and forth between her and Brother Lin, making her heart flutter in slight disarray.

She was now closely connected to the Xu Family and had naturally interacted with Xu Hanji many times. The woman’s face was cold, but her heart was not, and she was perceptive down to the finest detail.

Therefore, she had a good impression of her.

But the clearly thoughtful gaze directed at her felt as if it could see through anything, so she summoned the confident composure of her former self as a Commandery Princess and calmly met her eyes.

Her star-like eyes shone brightly as she returned the gaze with grace.

After a few breaths, Xu Hanji found nothing and was met with an equally resolute gaze. She offered a slight smile.

Tantai Feiyue did the same, returning the smile.

It was Bai Fengxian who noticed something was slightly off. He quietly glanced at Lin Changheng, the suspected eye of the storm, who remained as composed as ever.

’As expected of Brother Lin,’ he praised silently, then quickly and loudly called for the meal to begin.

He thus prevented the strange atmosphere from lingering.

...

After the banquet, the guests began to disperse.

Lin Changheng and Tantai Feiyue did not stay for long either.

Tantai Feiyue had come today simply to get the ball rolling; it didn’t mean they had to map out a plan or reach a conclusion right then and there.

But they both knew that their future cooperation was set in stone.

The key was the powerful "bonding agent" between them—the presence of Lin Changheng.

Both parties trusted him and would give him face. As long as he was there, the cooperation was a sure thing.

"Are you about to break through to the Fifth Layer of Qi Cultivation?"

Night had fallen. The moon was bright and the stars were few. The two walked side-by-side, a sight that would make any onlooker call them a perfect couple.

The question had come suddenly from Lin Changheng.

"Brother Lin, you even know this?"

Tantai Feiyue was astonished, her star-like eyes staring at the male cultivator before her as if she’d seen a ghost.

"It’s just that I happen to have practiced the Qi Concealing Skill, which allows me to deduce a thing or two. If I’m not mistaken, Feiyue has also cultivated this skill, correct?"

Lin Changheng said in a low voice.