Facing Zhang Wei's question.
The old willow tree ghost felt both amused and exasperated, choosing not to answer and instead changing the subject.
"Thank you for the gift, young man, but I cannot accept it. I do not accept rewards without merit."
Zhang Wei waved his hand and cupped his fists.
"Old Master Willow, you are too kind. It is but a small gift, and I have come to you with a matter, so it is not a case of unearned reward."
With his words.
Zhang Wei stopped joking and bowed respectfully.
He knew the old willow tree ghost had lived for three to four hundred years, at least since the Ming Dynasty. Judging by its tone, the ghost still adhered to ancient ways of life.
Upon speaking.
The old willow tree ghost smiled and nodded, showing no surprise at Zhang Wei's words.
This was not the first time it had encountered a ghost exorcist like Zhang Wei coming with a gift.
Many ghost exorcists had sought it out previously.
Having lived here for three to four hundred years, and becoming powerful after its death, it was unable to leave this place. However, as a first-tier city, Xiamen, through word-of-mouth among the ghost exorcists it occasionally encountered, its reputation had spread.
Because of this.
Many ghost exorcists had come seeking it.
Among them, there were not a few who came with good intentions like Zhang Wei.
"Young man, what business do you have with me?"
The old willow tree ghost asked leisurely.
Zhang Wei did not hide anything and bowed respectfully.
"Old Master Willow, I came today because a friend mentioned that three years ago, she met a powerful ghost senior here."
"My friend told me that this senior was powerful, kind-hearted, and did not do evil, guarding this place for three to four hundred years."
"It is precisely upon learning this that I have come specifically."
Saying this.
Zhang Wei bowed again.
"I am Zhang Wei, and I hope the senior can form a contract with me."
Hmm?
The old willow tree ghost was slightly surprised. "You wish to contract with me? Do you know my situation?"
It had indeed met many ghost exorcists who sought it out, some of whom came seeking its help, perhaps to ask for willow branches or something similar.
However.
It had not encountered anyone seeking a contract with it for many years.
The reason was simple.
In the beginning, when ghost exorcists learned of the old willow tree ghost's power, many had wanted to subdue or contract with it. After all, having a ghost partner was not unheard of, especially since the old willow tree ghost was no ordinary ghost, making it worth their while.
However, upon learning of the old willow tree ghost's true strength and its status as a guardian spirit unable to leave this place, they all returned disappointed.
Over time, as these ghost exorcists spread the word, people no longer came to subdue or contract with the old willow tree ghost.
It was unavoidable.
A guardian spirit could not leave its designated location and had to remain there. To break such a bond, especially for a powerful old willow tree ghost, was extremely difficult.
For a moment, the old willow tree ghost felt astonished.
How many years had it been? Twenty years? Thirty years? It hadn't expected anyone to seek a contract with it.
Zhang Wei, seeing the old willow tree ghost's thoughts, nodded with a smile.
"I know, Old Master Willow. You are a guardian spirit and cannot leave this place."
"However, I have a way to allow you to leave."
【Ding! Old Willow Tree Ghost is surprised.】
【Host gains System Points +100】
"Young man, you have a way?" The old willow tree ghost thought it was hearing things.
When it saw Zhang Wei nod, it knew it wasn't hallucinating; this young man before it could break the bindings on it.
At this moment.
Even the old willow tree ghost, having lived for three to four hundred years, was astonished.
Having lived for so long, it had seen all sorts of storms and encountered many ghost exorcists seeking contracts or subjugation, including some very powerful ones.
Even.
The former sect leader of the Maoshan Sect and other experts from powerful lineages had come.
These were at least top-tier Qilin Guard level existences.
But without exception, they had all failed. The bonds of guardianship involved karma in the unseen realms, and these bindings would increase with one's own strength, making them even harder to break.
"Yes, I have my own methods."
Zhang Wei smiled enigmatically.
The old willow tree ghost's cloudy old eyes gazed at Zhang Wei for a long time, then finally spoke leisurely.
"If you can find a way for me to leave this place, I might consider forming a contract with you."
Whether human or ghost.
No one wished to be confined to one place for centuries; everyone yearned to leave and experience the bustling world.
The old willow tree ghost was no exception.
Upon learning that Zhang Wei had a way to let it leave, it was impossible for it not to be moved.
But moved as it was.
The old willow tree ghost gently raised its hand, and with a sweep, ethereal energy surged, forming a tea table and chairs between them.
"It is my oversight in hospitality. You have traveled far, young man, and have stood for so long."
"If you don't mind, please be seated, and let us chat over tea."
"That would be wonderful."
Zhang Wei did not refuse, grinning.
"But before we drink tea, Old Master Willow, may I ask a question?"
"Ask away." The old willow tree ghost nodded with a smile.
"Alright, Old Master Willow, I want to ask, tea is also a plant, isn't it? So, when you drink tea, is it considered cannibalism?"
*Plop.*
The old willow tree ghost, which had just sat down, trembled, almost dropping the teapot in its hand.
The old willow tree ghost: "..."
【Ding! The old willow tree ghost's eyelid twitched. It shouldn't have let you ask questions.】
【Host gains System Points +50】
Zhang Wei's voice continued.
"Old Master Willow, please don't mind. I'm just thinking, you are also a plant, and tea leaves are plants too, right? Although different varieties, isn't it similar to the difference between white people and black people?"
"So, what does it feel like for you to drink tea? Is it like how Cantonese people eat Fujianese people?"
The old willow tree ghost: "@@￥%..."
【Ding! The old willow tree ghost feels a headache. You've steered the conversation wildly off course!】
【Host gains System Points +50】
Facing Zhang Wei's words.
The old willow tree ghost was at a loss for words, as it felt Zhang Wei's points were quite reasonable.
Moreover, if Zhang Wei hadn't mentioned it, it had never considered this when drinking tea before. It saw humans drinking tea and thought it looked delicious, so it tried it and found it quite tasty, developing a liking for it without much thought.
Inevitably.
The old willow tree ghost silently put down the teapot in its hand.
It was at this moment that Zhang Wei's voice came.
"Old Master Willow, I apologize. My curiosity got the better of me. Please don't mind. But Old Master Willow, your tea set and leaves look excellent. It seems you really enjoy tea."
"Coincidentally, I know where to get the finest West Lake Longjing and Da Hong Pao. I'll bring them for you next time."
"Given that you cannot leave this place, Old Master Willow, you probably haven't tasted West Lake Longjing yet."
"West Lake Longjing is incredibly delicious. How should I put it? Let me use this analogy: West Lake Longjing is like Dilraba Dilmurat or Gulnazar Kelimuv, the most beautiful and delicious among teas."
【Ding! The old willow tree ghost feels a severe headache. This tea is for you to drink, like soliciting prostitution!】
【Host gains System Points +150】
...