Chapter 60
Zheng Fa felt a bit more at ease; no matter the reason, the tranquility in the cultivation world was a welcome relief for him.
“Don’t celebrate too soon. From my perspective, this situation won’t last long. All the major factions are concentrating resources on their prodigies, likely preparing for the future,” said Zhang Shijie.
Zheng Fa understood what Sister Zhang meant. Even if one managed to scrape by, there would come a day when resources ran out, and when that day arrived, peace would be a distant memory.
It felt very much like an arms race.
For the sects, the disparity in cultivation levels among practitioners was too great; perhaps one Yuanying (Nascent Soul) could rival a small sect, making it far more cost-effective to nurture a genius.
“I’m telling you this to make it clear: time waits for no one. And…,” Zhang Shijie reiterated, “Don’t hide.”
“Thank you for your guidance, Master.” Zheng Fa appreciated her good intentions. After a moment of hesitation, he suddenly asked, “Zhang Zhenren, do you know how to test for spiritual roots?”
This had always been a source of anxiety for him. His wife believed he was valued by the powerful, never suspecting that he wasn’t even sure if he had spiritual roots.
He certainly couldn’t ask his wife to check his spiritual root aptitude.
But Zhang Shijie was different…
At least, compared to his wife, he trusted Zhang Shijie a bit more.
Sure enough, Zhang Shijie merely glanced at him, then pointed her finger in the air. A golden talisman flew toward Zheng Fa.
A blend of green and red light erupted from his chest and abdomen.
“Fire-Wood Dual Spiritual Roots,” Zhang Shijie stated, pausing for a moment, “...not bad.”
“Thank you, Master.” Zheng Fa felt a surge of emotion; the words “not bad” likely contained the limited emotional intelligence of Zhang Shijie.
He was somewhat satisfied. After hearing what she said, he had already thought it through: if his spiritual roots were even worse than those of the Seventh Young Master, he might as well return the Xianpin Ling (Immortal Token) and live a hundred years as a mortal with his Linghe (Spirit Crane) body, which might even be more enjoyable.
“…”
The two fell into silence. Zhang Shijie glanced at the exercise book in her hand, then at Zheng Fa, her expression clearly conveying four words:
Do you have more to say?
She seemed eager to dive into her game.
Zheng Fa was at a loss for words. He bowed to Zhang Shijie in farewell and walked toward the door.
“This time at the Xianpin Hui…”
“Hmm?” Zheng Fa turned back to look at Zhang Shijie.
Zhang Shijie spoke with a hint of uncertainty, “These families are holding the Xianpin Hui early out of selfishness. The Hundred Immortals Alliance probably won’t just sit back and watch; there might be some changes.”
Zheng Fa felt a flicker of curiosity, but Zhang Shijie seemed to be merely speculating, offering no further comments.
……
Zheng Fa tucked the Xianpin Ling away and headed toward the Seventh Young Master’s study.
As he reached the entrance of the Seventh Young Master’s courtyard, he happened to run into the eldest young lady coming out.
She glanced at Zheng Fa, didn’t say a word, just nodded slightly.
Zheng Fa returned the gesture, stepping aside to let her pass, feeling a bit puzzled by the strange look she had given him.
It felt like the eldest young lady’s gaze was a bit odd…
Upon entering the study, he found the Seventh Young Master not lost in a sea of books, but rather engaged in a lively discussion with Gao Yuan.
The Seventh Young Master wore a broad smile.
Gao Yuan’s joy, however, seemed a bit forced.
“What’s going on?” Zheng Fa asked as he stepped into the study.
“Zheng Fa, you’re here!” The Seventh Young Master strode toward him, his demeanor more familiar than usual. He patted Zheng Fa on the back, saying, “I’ve got news for you: we’re family now!”
“Uh?”
“My sister just told me that Mother intends for you to marry in, and she’s looking to betroth you to a half-sister.”
“…”
Zheng Fa was taken aback, looking at the Seventh Young Master’s face, which didn’t seem to be joking.
Glancing at Gao Yuan, he saw a smile on his face too, as he clasped his hands in congratulations.
Yet there was a hint of discomfort in his expression, as if he felt a twinge of jealousy.
It was this small hint of jealousy that made Zheng Fa more certain that the Seventh Young Master wasn’t pulling his leg.
The Seventh Young Master continued excitedly, “I don’t think my sisters are up to much, so I’m sorry for putting you in this position. But don’t worry, I’ll treat you like a real brother from now on!”
Gao Yuan couldn’t hold back any longer: “How is that a hardship? He was a servant before, and now he’s the master of the house.”
The Seventh Young Master fell silent, mumbling, “Those people in the front courtyard aren’t on the same page as me and Mother…”
Zheng Fa could guess a bit about the past; the Seventh Young Master’s family likely consisted of just his sister and mother, while his father’s stance was uncertain.
Gao Yuan rolled his eyes: “If it doesn’t work out, you can give him to me!”
The Seventh Young Master glared at Gao Yuan, his eyes filled with disdain: “Why do you seem so unhappy? That petty attitude of yours is resurfacing, isn’t it?”
Gao Yuan muttered, “In a study with three people, and now there are two masters, I’m the only one left as a servant. There are more masters than servants… who could be happy about that?”
Zheng Fa patted his shoulder in comfort: “You won’t be my servant.”
Gao Yuan laughed: “I knew you wouldn’t change!”
“Actually, I have changed.”
“Uh?”
“Zhang Zhenren gave me an Xianpin Ling.”
The Seventh Young Master’s eyes widened as he stared at Zheng Fa: “Who gave you what?”
“Zhang Zhenren, the Xianpin Ling.”
Zheng Fa’s response was clear and concise, enough to leave the Seventh Young Master speechless.
“What’s an Xianpin Ling?” Gao Yuan asked, confused.
“It’s a token for participating in the Xianpin Hui.” The joy on the Seventh Young Master’s face gradually morphed into gloom: “Ten years ago, my maternal grandfather had too many descendants and took one of our Zhao family’s Xianpin Lings, which prevented me from going to the sect. I waited in vain for ten years.”
“…”
“So, Zhang Shijie just gave you one?”
“Maybe it’s because she’s unmarried and childless?”
The Seventh Young Master’s expression was hard to describe. Gao Yuan somehow pulled out a bronze mirror and held it up in front of him.
“What are you doing?”
“Master, take a look at the person in the mirror. Doesn’t he bear quite a resemblance to me?”
“…”
---
**Chapter 68: Worth Something**
In the lady’s small building.
“You’re saying Zhang Zhenren gave Zheng Fa an Xianpin Ling?” the lady asked the Seventh Young Master.
The Seventh Young Master noticed the astonishment on both his sister’s and mother’s faces.
“Yeah, Zheng Fa told me… He also said he has no plans to marry right now.”
The Seventh Young Master cautiously observed his mother as he relayed Zheng Fa’s words, worried that she might be upset over Zheng Fa’s refusal.
What he didn’t expect was that his mother’s expression was not one of anger, but rather a hint of melancholy.
After a long silence, she finally spoke: “I thought we had time, but it seems I was too late.”
Hearing this, the Seventh Young Master felt even more confused: “What do you mean, too late?”
His mother didn’t answer him, instead turning her gaze toward his sister.
Following her gaze, the Seventh Young Master saw that his sister’s emotions were even more complex than their mother’s.
The eldest young lady, noticing both of them looking at her, reined in her complicated feelings and said, “It must be from a couple of days ago when he visited Zhang Shijie’s courtyard.”
Their mother nodded, the sigh in her tone still lingering: “Even though I’ve tried to think highly of Zheng Fa, I never expected Zhang Zhenren would value him so much.”
With that, she suddenly stood up and walked downstairs.
“Mother? Where are you going?” the Seventh Young Master asked.
“I’m bored; I’m going out for a walk.”
“...Do you think I’m three years old?”
“You’ve grown up; it’s harder to fool you now,” their mother replied, a hint of nostalgia in her voice.
The Seventh Young Master rolled his eyes; that excuse was far too flimsy.
Since he could remember, his mother had secluded herself in the small building.
Even when his sister returned, their mother would only wait on the first floor, never stepping outside.
And now she suddenly wanted to leave this small building?
“Are you going to find Zheng Fa?”
The Seventh Young Master thought for a moment; he had only mentioned Zheng Fa’s situation.
“Is that a problem?”
“Why?”
His mother turned back to look at him, her expression one of surprise, as if she found his question foolish: “If even Zhang Zhenren has given him an Xianpin Ling, shouldn’t I go congratulate him? After all, he grew up in our Zhao family. Once he goes to the sect, he’ll be a connection for our Zhao family. As the head of the Zhao family, should I just sit back and watch?”
The Seventh Young Master looked at his mother with suspicion, filled with disbelief.
Zheng Fa receiving an Xianpin Ling from Zhang Shijie was indeed impressive.
But had his mother really broken her twenty-year seclusion for this?
“Mother… are you trying to apologize to Zheng Fa?” he suddenly thought of something and asked.
His mother paused, a look of distaste and embarrassment crossing her face as she said, “I told you, your timing for being clever is always off.”
“Mother, why would it come to this?”
“I’m worried. What if he gains power in the sect and comes looking for trouble with me?” His mother’s expression was genuinely fearful.
“You know Zheng Fa isn’t that kind of person.”
“Can you guarantee that? You trust him, but I don’t.”
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