On the first day of the second month of the twenty-third year of Chongming reign (lunar calendar), the weather changed from sunny to torrential rain.
Rumble—
Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed.
The sky was clear and sunny, and the people, who had endured a long winter, took out their clothes and bedding from their closets and brought them out to air in the yard. But who knew that the sky, which had only been clear for half a day, would suddenly turn gloomy.
"What's wrong with this weather? It's changing so fast!"
The people in Qingshan County looked at the rolling dark clouds in the sky, jogging to collect their laundry while complaining that it was rare for the weather to be so changeable in early spring.
"These clothes aren't even properly dried yet. How are we going to wear them tomorrow?"
"Don't talk nonsense, tomorrow is the second day of the second lunar month."
Seeing the sudden change in weather, an elderly person quickly scolded the complaining younger generation.
What's wrong with the second day of the second lunar month?
"The dragon raises its head!"
"Even the Dragon King shouldn't do this. We've finally waited for a sunny day."
"If you keep talking nonsense, believe me, I'll slap you."
"Father, please stop hitting me. I won't talk nonsense anymore."
Under the rapidly darkening sky, the people of Qingshan County clamored as they brought in all the clothes and bedding that had been drying outside.
In Fengjia Village, after several years of development, the Feng family mansion has acquired a certain scholarly atmosphere. A young man practicing calligraphy holds a wolf-hair brush dripping with ink, looks up at the suddenly changing sky, and smiles on his face.
"They're quite polite, sending someone to pick me up. But this entourage is a bit too much; it wasn't necessary!"
As he spoke, the tall, handsome young man raised his hand and waved his sleeve. Instantly, the clouds parted and the sun shone brightly once more, and the howling wind stopped.
This sudden change in the celestial phenomena startled many people, but Feng Bingwen didn't care. The entourage that came to pick him up was almost at his doorstep, and it was time for him to go to the banquet.
"Hmm! Same old rule as always, longevity!"
In an instant, a young man in blue robes, whose stature was not much different from his, appeared behind Feng Bingwen. This young man was also extraordinary. At first glance, he stirred one's heart. In a daze, one could almost see a vibrant green vine, its tendrils strong and powerful, like a coiled dragon.
"These next few days, you'll have to suffer in my place!"
"Yes, sir!"
Having followed Feng Bingwen for several years and learned a great deal about human affairs, Qing Teng Xing Ling Chang Shou accepted the mission.
He was used to this. Whenever Feng Bingwen wanted to go out to handle some matters, he would pretend to be the master and deal with the two old men.
"Sir, aren't you going too far?"
At this moment, a small head peeked out from Feng Bingwen's collar, revealing a delicate and handsome face.
"Um?"
Feng Bingwen, who was used to longevity, was not able to react for a moment.
How did I go too far?
"Master, are you going to a banquet at the Dragon Palace?"
Little White Peony Su Ya looked up and questioned her with a serious expression.
"Yes, you all felt it too. That mighty dragon energy made it rain in our Qingshan County, causing a lot of complaints. There's no sun at all."
Feng Bingwen laughed and said, "The wind follows the dragon, and the clouds follow the tiger. When the dragon goes out, the clouds and rain follow. This sudden change in the celestial phenomena is naturally caused by the dragon emerging from the water."
"Master, are there many delicious foods to eat near the Dragon Palace?"
"I think so."
Feng Bingwen stroked his chin. In folk tales, the Dragon King was always a man who was never short of money. He lived in a crystal palace, and all the utensils he used were made of gold and jade, and decorated with pearls, giant clam shells, corals, agates and other embellishments.
"Then why don't you bring Changshou (Longevity) with you?"
"Well!"
The question from the little white peony in his arms left Feng Bingwen speechless.
"That's right, sir, please don't leave Changshou behind this time. Let him go with you. The Dragon Palace is so big, surely you can bring along at least one attendant!"
At this moment, another little chrysanthemum spirit, Bo Yao, also emerged and pleaded for her companion.
It was already arranged for the two of them to go along. But they didn't expect that their master didn't plan to bring anyone else to the Dragon Palace except for them.
“That makes sense. In that case, Changshou, you should come with me!”
Feng Bingwen was not one to mince words; with a wave of his hand, he made his decision.
The True Dragon Banquet is not only for ordinary mortals, but even ordinary cultivators, demons, and spirits can benefit greatly from participating, and it can even be a great opportunity.
“Sir, if I go with you, who will play your role?”
"I won't be gone for more than a few days; I'll just leave behind a magical illusion!"
Feng Bingwen swung his wolf-hair brush, flicking out ink that landed on the ground. Instantly, a figure appeared that was exactly the same as his current appearance, even down to his eyes and demeanor.
This was a skill he was already adept at when he got the Dragon Balls, and now he's mastered it to perfection. However, the weakness remains the same: without his magical power to sustain it, it will collapse on its own in a very short time, only able to deceive the naked eye.
Meow~
Before Feng Bingwen could even set off, another meow rang out. A magnificent cat with black fur that shone like a burning flame in the sunlight strolled over, then squatted down in front of Feng Bingwen, looking up at him.
Let's go together!
There's nothing to say about that; the kitten isn't afraid to go into the water, so what else could he possibly say?
So Feng Bingwen took his family out of the mansion, and as soon as he stepped out of the gate, he saw a magnificent and imposing procession with flags waving, waiting at the entrance.
At the front of the procession stood a dashing young man in a purple dragon robe. When he saw Feng Bingwen riding the clouds over the courtyard wall, he immediately stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Mr. Feng, Qingyi has been waiting for you for a long time. Please get in the carriage. My father is already waiting in the palace."
"Brother in blue, why are you calling me 'sir' again?"
Seeing the familiar face of the young man in front of him, Feng Bingwen landed on the ground, grabbed his wrist, helped him up, and started joking with him.
"Have you forgotten what I once told you?"
“Mr. Feng, you are a sage reincarnated. For me to address you as a brother is truly presumptuous. My father will not let me off easily.”
Xi Qingyi, now the son of the Dragon King, wore a bitter smile.
He did want to become sworn brothers with a reincarnated sage, but he didn't have the guts. He had initially thought that the young man in front of him was just a reincarnated true cultivator with a powerful background, but he never expected that the other party's background was so great.
"Brother Qingyi, I really can't be bothered to argue with ordinary people, but I still have to say something about you: I am really not a reincarnation of a saint!"
Feng Bingwen's tone was very serious.
Although it was only his second meeting with this prince, he had a very good impression of him. He was gentle, refined, humble, and courteous, befitting a gentleman. He was very happy to befriend such a gentleman.
Of course, the most crucial thing is that Feng Bingwen really needs a few friends, or even fellow Daoists, with whom he can talk, otherwise he might really go crazy from loneliness.
Spiritual practice and the pursuit of the Tao are never done in isolation; exchanging ideas and discussing the Tao with others is also crucial.
But if Feng Bingwen stayed in his own house, who could he communicate and discuss philosophy with? He only interacted with a group of spirits and demons.
To be honest, many of these guys were quite to his liking, but frankly speaking, they couldn't be his friends; they weren't qualified at all.
Looking back on his experiences over the years and counting the extraordinary cultivators he had met, the Dragon Prince before him was undoubtedly the best choice to be his friend. He had a powerful background, high cultivation level, and extensive knowledge. Most importantly, he also had a stunningly beautiful dragon girl sister.
Ah, I didn't mean anything by it, I just wanted to make another friend.
"Mr. Feng, please don't joke with Qingyi. Please get in the carriage, and I will drive for you myself!"
Xi Qingyi naturally didn't take Feng Bingwen's explanation seriously. He was never one to blindly follow others, and he had inquired about such shocking news through the Dragon Palace's channels.
The result of his investigation was that Mr. Feng Bingwen was most likely a reincarnation of a sage, or at least not very close.
The Qilin is a companion animal, what more is there to say? Do you really think just anyone can get on the back of a Qilin?
"Oh dear, why won't you believe me when I tell the truth!"
Seeing the Dragon Prince's appearance, Feng Bingwen couldn't help but sigh repeatedly and had no choice but to get into the carriage and sit down.
He genuinely wanted to find a few fellow Daoists. Ordinary cultivators were naturally beneath his notice, but discussing Dao with immortals and saints like Xuan Ting Dragon King was too advanced for him at his current level. Although they would be at the same level in the future, he was still far behind them now.
"Mr. Feng is really joking!"
Indeed, Xi Qingyi, who was driving Feng Bingwen's chariot, turned her head and smiled.
"Even if I were a true reincarnation of a sage, I would not have the memories of a sage. Wouldn't it be better if we treated each other as equals?"
Feng Bingwen felt troubled at this moment. Even the Crown Prince of the Dragon Palace did not dare to address him as an equal. How many people in this world could be his fellow Daoist?
“Mr. Feng, it’s not that I’m being too formal, but my father has given me instructions that I must be extremely respectful to you on the way to the Dragon Palace and not overstep my bounds in the slightest.”
Xi Qingyi explained earnestly.
"I understand what's going on, but this has nothing to do with you. Let me ask you, do you have the heart to transform into a dragon?"
Feng Bingwen realized that the Dragon Lord must have been intimidated when he casually spied on him.
“Naturally, my grandfather and father have both transformed into true dragons, so I cannot disgrace this lineage.”
"That's right. Do you think your father, having encountered a sage, is qualified to be discussed on equal footing with him?"
"Of course I'm qualified!"
"So, isn't it perfectly reasonable for you, a prince of the Dragon Palace with the desire to transform into a dragon, to be on equal footing with me, a reincarnated sage who has no memory of the past?"
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