Seeing one spot to know the whole leopard—Xu Xing, having once been a Capital Official, recognized the chicanery involved at a single glance.
He too had received such "bribes" in the past.
Charcoal tribute and ice tribute were customary silver received by Capital Officials.
It wasn't considered corruption!
However, unlike Capital Officials who served as patrons for officials from other regions, the Sect Executives and House Elders lacked the capability to become such patrons for the External Cultivators.
Such "bribery" was mostly for mutual benefit—it's always easier to get things done when you have connections in the Sect!
The banquet in the inner palace continued uninterrupted for three days. During this time, Xu Xing not only became acquainted with Fengping Valley and the Luo Ying Two Immortals but also several other External Cultivators.
Besides the External Cultivators, there was also Executor Ding Zhong from the Lianbao Pavilion.
