Chapter 131: Willows by the Lake

After meeting the dean, he found some free time to temper his body another time. Finally, he accompanied Song Lian to the woman's house for a meal. When they walked out of the woman's courtyard, Song Lian, who had lost count of how many times he touched his round belly, exclaimed, "I have to say, braised cowpea with dried bamboo shoots is truly delicious."

Chen Chao smiled and said, "Yes. Your Excellency, you had eight bowls of rice. If it weren't for your occasional purchases of rice, I'm afraid that next time, Your Excellency really wouldn't be able to get a free meal from Elder Sister anymore."

Song Lian smiled without saying a word, feeling very satisfied.

"Eating braised cowpea with dried bamboo shoots every day is something that I wouldn't trade anything for."

Song Lian made a final judgment, his voice filled with pure joy.

Chen Chao chuckled and said, "Having a wife who can cook this dish is the most important thing, isn't it?"

Upon hearing this, Song Lian immediately looked at Chen Chao and asked, "How much longer do I have to wait?"

Rubbing his head, Chen Chao smiled and said, "Perhaps not much longer."

During his time here, he had already discerned that the woman had some interest in Song Lian. However, the woman was shy. It should ultimately be Song Lian taking the initiative in such matters. But, Chen Chao knew that this immediate superior still had reservations and could not make up his mind to open his mouth.

Song Lian snorted coldly, not completely satisfied with such an answer. But he did not say anything. Instead, he changed the subject and said, "These days, the Divine Capital has been very calm. Everyone is waiting for the Myriad Willow Convention."

Chen Chao nodded and said, "I'm waiting too."

Song Lian asked in all seriousness, "Are you confident or not? The Great Liang Dynasty's cultivators have never been the champions before."

Chen Chao pondered for a moment and smiled, saying, "If it were before, I'd have at most answered Your Excellency that I'll give it a shot. Now, well, I can say that I'll go all out."

Song Lian sighed and said, "You still need to consider your capabilities in such matters. Even if you don't win the championship, with your potential, you're destined to be an extremely important figure in our Great Liang Dynasty in the future. Don't think too much."

Chen Chao was quite touched when he heard this and was about to say something when Song Lian lowered his voice and asked, "Do you have any confidence in how far you can go? Top eight or the top four?"

Chen Chao frowned and asked, "What do you mean by that, Your Excellency?"

Song Lian said faintly, "A few days ago, the major gambling houses in the Divine Capital have already opened their books. I have some spare money and I want to place a bet."

Those were the truly important figures among the immortal cultivators who had come to the Divine Capital. Some were the heads of their sect, while others held important positions within their respective sects.

Perhaps it was because the Great Liang Dynasty was hosting the Myriad Willow Convention, or perhaps it was because the Myriad Willow Convention had lost much of its previous significance in recent years, but none of the truly top-notch sects had arrived.

No big shots came to observe the ceremony, nor did any young cultivators from those sects came to participate in this Myriad Willow Convention.

Several figures landed on the pavilions, and the young cultivators ascended the steps to their pre-assigned areas.

They were also wondering if the Great Liang emperor would attend today's Myriad Willow Convention in person. If it was not His Majesty the Emperor, then could it be that Warden?

For such a grand event, there had to be a powerful figure to preside over it on behalf of the Great Liang Dynasty.

Suddenly, a cry of astonishment rang out in the venue.

Two figures appeared by the lakeside, an old man in hemp robe brought a young girl along, slowly walking along the lakeside.

As the cultivators looked at the old man and the young girl, they quickly fell silent.

It was the same for the prominent figures.

The cultivation realm of the old man in hemp robe was too high. He was a great daoist sage from one of the two major Daoism sects, the Myriad Heaven Palace. It was impossible for them not to show respect.

The young girl had a low cultivation level, but her status was too high; the Saintess of the Myriad Heaven Palace. Among the young generation of cultivators, no one dared to provoke her.

Mentioning the word provoke, it brought to mind an earlier story.

Not far away from the pavilions, the cultivators from Old Pine Mountain had ugly expressions on their faces. The two people who had a dispute with Zhu Xia on the street over honey dates had silently hidden themselves in the crowd, afraid to look towards the lakeside.

As the old man in hemp robe slowly arrived at the pavilion, the cultivators all quietly paid their respects, including those so-called big shots.

They all displayed great respect.

However, Zhu Xia kept looking around, as if searching for something.