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As your energy have been depleted by the ritual, you happily let Ryota and the Cat Mistress take over, while you're offered a cup of spiritual tea by the Sovereign's dao partner, Inborn Rui Fei. You behave politely during small talk, and soon enough you're joined by Ping Jun - your friend makes you much more easily feel relaxed and soon the conversation among you flow.
"<span class="mu-s">Thanks for the spirit. It will be a great bound to my fencing abilities.</span>
- Well, we had to strike a deal with your master; the very least I could do was making you benefit somehow of it... Did you broke through Dragon Tail dantian?
- <span class="mu-s">Last month. Mainly due to the Sovereign rewarding me handsomely for showing the cultivation world the skills of our lowly sect. I'll be fully ready for the tournament!</span>"
You definitely will be at a disadvantage if you are overtaken even by a minor realm. Keeping your stress under check by repeating yourself you'll breakthrough at the end of the week, you book yet another afternoon after the daily foundation training to visit your friend LienWen YanEr - well, her father for a diplomatic visit including a gift. This time, Ryota is charged with writing the letter.
"<span class="mu-s">It's a matter of subtle diplomacy indicating we are gifting some precious thing to them - but implying strings are attached.
I'll emphasis your diligence and giving umprompted the only spoils of a fortuitous encounter to the dear LienWen YanEr</span>"
The answer comes back the very next day, inviting you to bring your offering to the Stable Lotus compound the very next day. This time, only you and Ryota go to town; crossing the main square where the Merchant guild is surrounded by expensive, luxury craft shops, the decrepit bookstore of Old Jiang a sore spot among the richly decorated stores. The disciples affected to the boring job of gatekeep warned of your visit drag you in the red-painted bridges over canals filled with Lotus flower, all the way toward the sect's Grand Hall.
There, the Venerable Stable Lotus is waiting for you, sitting in a richly carved lotus-themed (what else, really?) wooden throne; the seat seemingly made of the mystical flower. You and Ryota knee.
"<span class="mu-s"><span class="mu-g">Rise, Beast Tamers. You're bringing gifts to your liege?</span></span>
- <span class="mu-s">Destined to your prized daughter and precious niece. A strong spiritual beast to bind each.</span>"
Wait, if you count right... A horse for you, Sin Din, Man Din (somewhat), Ping Jun and now LienWen JiaLin opens a few interresting strategical possibilities for your squad.
"<span class="mu-s"><span class="mu-g">Not only you let the town shine over the whole country, even overshadowing my precious daughter, you keep exceeding all expectations?
You never heard that "The nail that sticks out gets hammered down" ?</span></span>"
A shiver down your spine. Did you stole all the face you should have given to the town's owners?
"<span class="mu-s"><span class="mu-g">Anyway, let me show you my appreciation of our town harboring such a promising young man.</span></span>"
