Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 1563 - 962: Clash of Immortals (Part 3)

"Miss Fang is truly a straightforward person, quite different from the ladies Mu Yunye has met in his life."

Fang Geyu, never one to mince words, tilted her head slightly, her gaze sweeping over the noble young immortal seated opposite her.

She let out a soft chuckle, asking, "Oh? Has Mr. Mu encountered many ladies in his days?"

Mu Yunye, usually composed, found himself momentarily speechless; Fang Geyu had been remarkably quiet since the banquet commenced.

Her tone, when she finally spoke, was unexpected, and for a gentleman like Mu Yunye, he was unsure how to proceed.

Successfully halting Mu Yunye’s response, Fang Geyu indulged in a casual yawn, as if growing weary of sitting:

"Since you've all come seeking my hand, and you've indulged in so much food, surely you've prepared gifts for this occasion? Shifang City doesn't offer free meals, you know."

"Miss Fang..." Qin Lou’s complexion shifted subtly.

It was unprecedented for a young lady to directly request meeting gifts from gentlemen.

While it was true that one of the criteria for selecting a husband in Shifang City involved assessing the suitors' generosity, given Shifang City's affluent standing.

A suitor proving too stingy would likely be dismissed in the initial stage.

However, this ceremony should have been presided over by her as the steward, with the suitors offering their gifts voluntarily to uphold the prestige of a prominent family.

Her blunt demand starkly altered the atmosphere.

"Why the surprise, Steward Qin? I'm actually trying to help you. You speak so sparingly, uttering only a few words at a time. If we proceed at your pace, who knows when this banquet will conclude? I'm simply assisting in expediting the process, isn't that a good thing?"

Qin Lou’s face flushed, unsure how to navigate the awkwardness of the situation.

Fortunately, Mu Yunye possessed a magnanimous spirit and didn't dwell on past disagreements, taking the initiative to steer the conversation toward the main purpose.

"I understand that Miss has been experiencing restless nights recently and is seeking tranquility. Therefore, I have specially prepared a pair of Treasure Beads, harvested from beneath the chin of a Dragon Saliva Whale.

This artifact possesses the ability to soothe the soul, stabilize the spiritual platform, ward off malevolent influences, and greatly assist in Qi cultivation."

As a celestial beast from the Heavenly Court, the Dragon Saliva Whale traverses the Star River Galaxy. The pair of Treasure Beads from its chin are exceptionally rare treasures, renowned for their unique properties.

They are known to calm Heart Demons and enhance spiritual cultivation, which is particularly beneficial for Shifang City, where the primary focus is on cultivating spiritual power and talismanic arts.

Such a lavish offering sincerely touched the hearts of those present, and everyone marveled at Mu Yunye’s dedication in procuring such an extraordinary item, making their own well-prepared gifts seem rather unremarkable in comparison.

Yet, mere insignificance did not deter the others from presenting their own contributions.

The remaining suitors one by one presented their meticulously chosen gifts.

The 'Sparrow Divine Gentleman' bestowed a jade peach blossom fan, its surface adorned with a miniature landscape of mountains and rivers, a treasure containing a world within itself.’

Meanwhile, Rong Lijun’s gift was a celadon pillow embroidered with phoenix feathers, rumored to allow the dreamer to encounter whomever they desire, a truly ingenious artifact.

As for the other descendants of Daoist Immortals, each offered peculiar and rare gifts seldom found in the Mortal Realm.

There were nine suitors in total, and eight of them presented their thoughtfully prepared offerings.

Only Baili An remained seated in the back row, seemingly having come unprepared.

Having received the Hong Zhuang Jade Pendant, he should have been aware of Shifang City’s customs, so how could he arrive empty-handed?

Even ordinary gentry understand the necessity of preparing a substantial dowry and sending formal gift letters for betrothals.

Observing his delay, the others began to speculate that perhaps he was merely a poor, hardworking commoner, possessing no wealth, and despite emptying his pockets for what he believed was a grand gesture,

he felt ashamed seeing the extravagant displays of others and preferred not to reveal his gift?

Baili An, sensing the weight of everyone’s scrutiny, remained silent for a moment before speaking: "My apologies, I had to depart in haste today and did not prepare a meeting gift. Might I be permitted to offer it at a later time?"

The atmosphere instantly fell into a profound silence, and even Mu Yunye, who had just presented the Dragon Saliva Whale Treasure Beads, cast a serious glance toward Baili An.