The Lin family, as the wealthiest landowners in Rongcheng, naturally resided in the best part of the city.
The entire central district of Rongcheng belonged to the Lin family, and their buildings towered far above their surroundings, offering an excellent vantage point.
As Su Xi and Chen Ruixin arrived at the Lin family's gates, they noticed a considerable number of guests coming and going. It seemed the Lin family was celebrating a joyous occasion, and everyone's face was alight with smiles.
Before Su Xi could even ask what was happening, the Lin mansion's steward approached them and enthusiastically took them by the arm.
"It's fortunate you two are here today. Since you've arrived, please don't be shy; eat to your heart's content," the steward said with such sincerity that both Chen Ruixin and Su Xi were utterly bewildered.
Were landlords this kind and hospitable nowadays?
They were just passing by, yet they were being led in and offered free food.
Was the world changing too quickly, or were their own minds failing to keep up with the times?
Su Xi swallowed hard, her eyes on the food, and said somewhat awkwardly, "But we don't know anyone from the Lin family."
While the food the Lin family had prepared was delicious, she was more worried about the embarrassment of being recognized and then driven away. To avoid this, she chose honesty.
Food could be foregone, but dignity could not be lost.
Hearing Su Xi's words, the steward dismissed it with a wave of his hand, "You're being too polite. We don't know most of the people here today. It's simply because our master is in a good mood and wishes to share his joy with the common folk. Please, eat your fill with peace of mind."
"Not just today, you can come here and eat every day for the next month."
Upon hearing this, Su Xi couldn't help but give the steward a thumbs-up.
There were easily over a hundred people present, and the delicacies before each person were rare and precious. The cost of a single banquet would undoubtedly be no less than a hundred taels of silver.
Just how much money did the Lin family head possess to choose such an extravagant way of celebrating?
This approach was far more effective than feigned donations and ostentatious displays of donation receipts.
Although she didn't understand what was happening, she wisely chose to remain silent. What mattered most to her now was to start eating.
While eating, Su Xi didn't solely focus on the food. She used the opportunity to discreetly inquire with those around her.
There had to be a reasonable explanation for such a grand feast.
After all, a full stomach often led to a loose tongue.
Therefore, people were quite willing to explain when Su Xi asked, "It's because the Lin family's son, Lin Feng, has gained the appreciation of an immortal master and is about to embark on the path to becoming immortal."
"A cultivator?" Su Xi's eyes widened upon hearing this. She instantly understood why the Lin family patriarch was acting this way.
For ordinary people, the moment they stepped onto the path of cultivation, it was indeed a cause for celebration.
However, Su Xi was now eager to know which sect would be recruiting disciples at this particular time.
Moreover, rumor had it that Lin Feng was a simpleton.
So, she turned to the person next to her with a look of inquiry and asked, "May I know which sect's immortal master has taken an interest in the Lin family's young master?"
The person glanced left and right, then whispered mysteriously, "How would we know the immortal master's name? But he will appear soon, and you will have the chance to see him."
After saying this, the person added with a cautious tone, "Even if you wish to become immortal, remember to control yourself. If you anger the immortal master, it will be us who suffer."
Everyone desired immortality, and everyone yearned for the immortal master's favor. Yet, they also understood that one could not force such things; otherwise, it would only backfire.
Knowing that she would soon have the opportunity to see the so-called immortal master, Su Xi stopped talking and lowered her head to eat. Only after filling her stomach could she better deal with whatever was to come.
Watching Su Xi devour the food, Chen Ruixin silently chose to sit a little further away from her.
Despite his less-than-stellar character, he still cared somewhat about his reputation.
Su Xi's ravenous eating was simply too undignified. He didn't want to be misunderstood and lose face.
Su Xi paid no mind to what others thought of her and continued to eat as she pleased.
She was, however, quite perplexed. She hadn't sensed any fluctuations of spiritual energy within the Lin residence; it was evident there were no cultivators here. Who was this so-called immortal master?
As noon approached, a portly man, resembling a barrel, walked out with a wide smile. Beside him followed a man exuding an air of immortal grace.
The latter was dressed in flowing robes, appearing like an immortal descending from the heavens. He wore an arrogant smile, gazing down at the crowd with a lofty and otherworldly demeanor.
Setting aside all else, Su Xi felt inadequate just by his appearance.
Lin Dong surveyed the crowd and proudly introduced, "This immortal master is a venerable expert from the Heavenly Gate, who has chosen my son as his final disciple. Because our Lin family does not wish for the people of Rongcheng to miss this opportunity, we have implored the immortal master to grant everyone a chance to attain immortality..."
Under Lin Dong's eloquent persuasion, everyone present became eager.
The mortal world was fraught with hardships, and people were desperate for liberation from their suffering.
They had been wondering how to catch the immortal master's eye, but Lin Dong's actions had greatly assisted them.
Seeing the anticipation on everyone's faces, Lin Dong knew their emotions were sufficiently stirred. He continued, "Without further delay, please form a queue and be examined by the immortal master. Those who pass the aptitude test will have the opportunity to become immortal."
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately scrambled to form a line, fearing they might fall behind.
Soon, a long queue had formed.
However, despite the crowd's enthusiasm, Su Xi remained on the sidelines, an anomaly compared to those rushing forward.
Lin Dong paid Su Xi no mind; an individual was insignificant. Seeing that others had formed a line, he respectfully said to Xu Ge beside him, "Immortal Master Xu, the people are ready. Let us begin."
Xu Ge nodded, pulled out a mirror from his person, and tossed it into the air.
The mirror quickly enlarged after leaving his hand and hovered above him. It then cast a gentle white light down upon him, bathing Xu Ge in an aura of increased sanctity.
"Everyone, stand one by one under the white light. Those who are touched by the sacred light will be qualified to cultivate," Xu Ge declared, instantly sending a wave of excitement through the crowd.
Everyone rushed forward, scrambling towards the white light, afraid of missing their chance.
Out of the more than a hundred people present, over ninety were covered by the so-called sacred light. The odds were higher than selecting cabbage at a market. Cheers of ecstasy could be heard from the crowd.
Those enveloped by the sacred light were filled with excitement, believing they were on the verge of becoming immortal.
Seeing this, Su Xi's brows furrowed.
She had only intended to search for the Fire Spirit Pearl, but she hadn't expected to encounter such a peculiar situation. This so-called venerable expert from the Heavenly Gate was, in fact, no human at all.