A Family of Hopeless Romantics, Except for the Evil Little Junior Brother-Chapter 137: Fish and Meat on the Chopping Block

Right now, in order to avoid revealing his identity, Li Xuanxiao had only two options before him.

One was to keep finding ways to stay hidden.

The second was to become a Tribulation Stage powerhouse within two months.

Li Xuanxiao didn’t hesitate and chose the first option.

As for the Shencao Mountain Layout Plan, it could be carried out at the same time.

Step one: refine the Heaven-Deceiving Talisman.

Use the Heaven-Deceiving Talisman at the sect gate to obscure heavenly insights—when powerful cultivators try to divine, all they’ll see is mist.

This was the top priority, because only with this in place could he act as a secret pawn and catch others off guard.

But refining the Heaven-Deceiving Talisman wasn’t so easy.

Li Xuanxiao had wanted to make one for a long time, but the materials were just too rare.

Wuyin Wood—rootless, leafless, untouched by karma.

Void Spirit Ink—formed from the lingering obsession of a fallen Confucian Nascent Soul cultivator, capable of erasing presence when used in writing.

Reverse Tribulation Stone—a thunder tribulation crystal left behind by a failed Tribulation Stage cultivator, imbued with the backlash of Heavenly Dao...

After years of collecting, and his previous trip to the Thousand Lakes Desert, treasure-hunting through the shell of the trapped Old Turtle—

Li Xuanxiao now only lacked the Fate-Severing Sand and Wuyin Wood.

Fate-Severing Sand came from the Nether Abyss and could cut off threads of fate.

It was also one of the key materials for refining the Heaven-Deceiving Talisman.

Technically, it could be done without Fate-Severing Sand, but the result wouldn’t be nearly as good.

“........”

In the blink of an eye, two months passed.

Li Xuanxiao, in the guise of Jia Sidào, headed for the Capital City of Great Sui, chanting inwardly along the journey:

All goes well, everything goes smoothly, may wind and rain be favorable, may peace prevail.

The Sword Spirit’s intent could only last one month outside Shencao Mountain.

If during this time someone with higher cultivation made physical contact, he’d be completely exposed.

Capital City of Great Sui.

An official from the Ministry of Rites led Daoist Jia all the way to the Imperial Palace.

Even the Minister of Rites personally came to receive him. After entering the palace—

Li Xuanxiao could clearly feel the imperial grand formation suppressing his cultivation.

The hall where the banquet was held was already dazzling and extravagant.

All the sects within Great Sui had gathered in the capital. Though not every disciple had come,

even if only the sect leaders and a handful of others attended, it still added up to over a thousand people.

And based on the hall assigned and seat arrangement,

one could tell a sect’s status and strength.

While this didn’t change much year to year, for the sake of that ranking,

many sects secretly competed to improve their strength.

But this year, a mysterious Daoist had shown up at the Great Sui Palace.

No one knew where he came from, which faction he belonged to, his name, his cultivation, or where he trained.

All they knew was—when he arrived,

he was seated directly opposite Elder Sun, the Chief Offering of Great Sui.

The main seat belonged to the Emperor of Great Sui.

This left everyone puzzled. So after their greetings, people began sneaking glances at the mysterious Daoist.

Some tried to probe into the old Daoist’s roots—only to nearly get injured by the sharp sword intent.

Jia Sidào sat cross-legged with his eyes half-closed, fully embodying the demeanor of a reclusive master.

Everyone exchanged pleasantries.

Jia Sidào knew no one, and followed the principle: the more you talk, the more mistakes you make.

So he simply closed his eyes to rest.

Not long after, the banquet officially began.

A group of graceful and stunning dancers floated into the hall like fluttering butterflies, catching everyone’s eyes.

As soft and melodious music played, the beautiful dancers began to move, their motions elegant and fluid.

Meanwhile, exquisite dishes and fine wine were served one after another by the attendants.

Jia Sidào opened his eyes slightly and glanced at the food before him.

He wasn’t someone greedy for food—but he noticed that after placing the food and drink,

the attendant didn’t leave, still holding the tray and standing there.

Jia Sidào glanced sideways at the others.

The sect leader sitting just below him slowly raised his hand and flicked his finger.

With a flash of light, a square cauldron appeared.

It was made of ancient bronze, adorned with intricate carvings and mysterious runes, exuding a sense of history.

Just one look and it was obvious this was no ordinary artifact.

That sect leader placed the cauldron on the attendant’s tray, stroking his beard with a confident smile.

The others looked over and couldn’t help but exclaim—

“Tianxuan Sect is so generous!”

“No kidding, even brought out the Six-Serpent Square Cauldron. Looks like they’re really aiming to win this time.”

“........”

Sects visiting the Capital City of Great Sui never came empty-handed. They all brought some kind of offering.

And the gifts couldn’t be too shabby, or they’d become a laughingstock.

Over time, this morphed into an unspoken contest between the sects.

One outdoing the other, offering rarer, more precious treasures.

Some even went bankrupt—all for the sake of face.

Great Sui, of course, fanned the flames behind the scenes, handing out rankings and rewards to the winners, enjoying all the benefits.

Seeing the Tianxuan Sect Leader take the lead, the others also began to bring out their carefully prepared treasures.

Cries of surprise and awe echoed now and then.

“You bastard, even brought out your bottom-of-the-chest magical artifact?”

“Didn’t you say you were going to resist this vile comparison culture?”

“You even said you’d stand with me! And now you brought out your father’s heirloom!”

“........”

A piece of cured meat, two salted fish.

“What smells so strong?”

“Did someone crap their pants?”

“Vulgar! Don’t say things like that!!”

The already much-watched Daoist Jia Sidào became even more the center of attention.

Jia Sidào calmly placed the salted fish and cured meat onto the attendant’s tray.

The Emperor of Great Sui and Elder Sun both glanced over, puzzled.

What the hell is that?

But Jia Sidào had thought it through.

Rather than stressing over finding a suitable treasure and risking embarrassment—

it was better to just give two plain, unimpressive items. No heartbreak, no effort.

Leave others baffled—the Great Dao is in simplicity!

Jia Sidào stroked his beard.

Elder Sun began inspecting the fish and meat with his divine sense.

If it could make a Tribulation Stage powerhouse do a full scan, those fish and pigs didn’t die in vain.

The Emperor of Great Sui looked at Elder Sun.

Elder Sun gently shook his head. Just ordinary cured meat and fish.

The Emperor couldn’t help but ponder—cured meat and fish.

What does that mean?

Are you saying Great Sui is just fish and meat on the chopping board?

At that thought, the Emperor’s frown deepened.