- In Marvel: I Start by Marrying Scarlett Witch [Complete]
- MWM Chapter 228
“Honored seniors above, may I invite you down for a meeting?”
After storing away the Nine Demon Heavenly Xuanyin Banner, Leo returned to his normal form and used a Repair Charm to fix his torn robe. Smiling, he shouted up to the seven figures in the sky.
When he burst out of the formation earlier, he had noticed the seven cultivators fighting the demonic soldiers in the distance. Since they had helped, and given that they were sword cultivators, it was highly likely they were righteous cultivators, so Leo adopted a friendly attitude.
Li Qingfeng, having spent all his time cultivating at Xiaozhushan, had never met other sect cultivators before this first journey down the mountain. Leo, however, knew the importance of making connections with righteous cultivators, not only for cultivation but also to seize future opportunities, rare resources, and treasures.
From Li Qingfeng’s memories, Leo also knew that the Kunlun Sect had been destroyed by the Youquan Blood Demon from the Demonic Sect nearly 197 years ago. The next demonic assault, likely on the Emei Sect, was less than three years away. Forming alliances with righteous cultivators could prove beneficial when the time came, offering him opportunities amidst the chaos.
“We’re not worthy of such a title. We are the Seven Sons of the Cloud from the Emei Sect. Greetings, fellow Daoist!”
Hearing Leo’s call, the leader of the seven, Chu Yuxiang, led his companions down and politely bowed to him. Strong cultivators were respected wherever they went, and since Leo had defeated Nantong, his strength was at least on par with theirs, earning him their respect.
Moreover, Leo didn’t seem like a demonic cultivator. The incredible physical strength he displayed made him seem more like a rogue or unorthodox cultivator. Many such cultivators leaned toward either righteousness or demonic paths, but the Lotus Fairy, who had invited them for assistance, was also an unorthodox cultivator who leaned toward the righteous side and was long allied with Emei. Since this man fought against the Xuanyin Sect elder, he likely wasn’t aligned with the demonic path.
When Leo heard they were the famous Seven Sons of the Cloud from Emei, his eyes lit up, and he smiled even more warmly. Returning their bow, he said, “It’s an honor to meet the renowned Seven Sons of the Cloud from Emei! With your unmatched skills and righteous zeal, you’ve even vanquished a Nascent Soul stage demon in the past. I’m truly fortunate to meet you today. I am Li Qingfeng from Xiaozhushan. Thank you, seniors, for your assistance just now!”
Given that they were Emei sword cultivators, Leo was eager to make connections, as he hoped there might be a chance to learn their powerful flying sword techniques in the future.
“So, you’re a fellow cultivator from Xiaozhushan. You flatter us. With your strength, we didn’t do much to help,” Chu Yuxiang responded with a smile, warming to Leo even more upon learning he hailed from a reputable righteous sect like Xiaozhushan. Moreover, Leo’s tone carried deep respect for them, which made them more inclined to befriend him.
Though Xiaozhushan wasn’t particularly famous, it was a long-standing righteous sect. Its sect leader, Daoist Qingzhu, had cultivated for over 400 years. Though only at the Core Formation stage, his experience put him on par with the likes of their senior brother, Danchenzi. What surprised Chu Yuxiang was that Xiaozhushan, besides having Daoist Qingzhu, also had such a powerful cultivator like Li Qingfeng.
The rest of the group couldn’t help but smile as well, their gazes toward Leo filled with goodwill. Praise from someone as strong as Leo, who could match them in power, naturally carried more weight.
“If it weren’t for you seven appearing and causing the Xuanyin Sect elder to falter, I wouldn’t have been able to break the formation so easily. You’ve definitely helped me. If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to invite you to my residence in the nearby city for a meal and drinks,” Leo offered warmly.
In truth, he would have defeated the Xuanyin Sect elder even without their arrival, but he wanted to strengthen his bond with them. By giving them more credit, he could better build a friendship.
Sometimes, letting someone feel like they’ve done you a favor can foster relationships more effectively than making them owe you one. If they owe you a favor, they might feel burdened. If you owe them a favor, they feel comfortable accepting your hospitality, and over time, a friendship naturally forms.
As expected, a few of the Seven Sons of the Cloud licked their lips at the mention of food and drink. As cultivators, they spent most of their time in the mountains, where they relied on fasting techniques and rarely indulged in fine food or drink. So, when they had the chance to enjoy earthly pleasures, it was always a welcome treat.
“We’re all fond of wine, and under normal circumstances, we’d gladly drink with you for three days and nights, but we’ve been summoned by the Lotus Fairy to subdue a demon at Drunken Immortal Cliff. If it’s not too much trouble, perhaps we can visit after we’ve dealt with the demon?” Chu Yuxiang replied apologetically after some thought.
Leo was clearly a powerful and good-natured righteous cultivator, someone they would like to befriend. However, their current mission couldn’t wait.
Leo’s eyes gleamed at the mention of a demon hunt. “A demon? I’ve only recently left the mountain for the first time, and I’ve never seen a demon before. If it’s not too much of a disturbance, could I join you and gain some experience?”
With most of Li Qingfeng’s knowledge already mastered, Leo didn’t mind whether he cultivated a little sooner or later. This opportunity to accompany the Seven Sons on a demon hunt might bring unexpected rewards. Additionally, meeting the Lotus Fairy could open more doors for future connections.
“What? This is your first time leaving the mountain?” The youngest of the group, Shangguan Qian, widened her eyes in surprise. The others also looked astonished. Given Leo’s strength, they assumed he had been cultivating for at least seventy to eighty years. For someone to have such power and only be leaving the mountain for the first time was rare indeed.
“Yes, this is my first time out, and it’s been less than two months,” Leo confirmed honestly, nodding.
There was no need to lie about such things. He was now Li Qingfeng, and he stuck to that backstory.
“There’s no trouble at all! If you’d like to join us, it would be our pleasure,” Chu Yuxiang immediately agreed without much hesitation.