Old Xia noticed Zhang Sheng's hesitation, and a flicker of disappointment flashed in his eyes. Their future son-in-law was good in every way, but too pragmatic and overly cunning, which made him seem rather petty.
"Speaking of which, Young Master Zhang is about to reach the Foundation Establishment stage, isn't he?"
Zhang Sheng hesitated for a moment before saying, "Alas, Foundation Establishment is indeed not easy. I have failed to reach it many times. I don't know if I can complete it before the enrollment of the Seven Great Sects."
"Doesn't Young Master Zhang also have a Foundation Establishment Pill in his possession? Did you still fail to establish your foundation after taking it?"
"Yes, now I don't know what to do," Zhang Sheng put on a troubled expression. "Foundation Establishment Pills are rare, and one is priceless and impossible to find. Our Zhang family probably cannot afford a second one. I don't know if I will ever have the chance to establish my foundation in this life."
Old Xia let out a cold laugh. How could he not see that Zhang Sheng had only cultivated to the ninth stage of Qi Refining and had not reached the Foundation Establishment level? The reason he said this was because he feared they would ask for the Foundation Establishment Pill in his possession. Although he and the young lady were engaged, even husband and wife would go their separate ways in times of great peril, let alone fiancés.
It was one thing to understand this internally, but facing it directly still made Old Xia feel a bit uncomfortable. He initially thought that Xiao Qin was glib and unreliable, tricking the young lady out of her Foundation Establishment Pill. But now, it seemed that this young Zhang was not as straightforward and likable as Xiao Qin. Although Xiao Qin had deceived the young lady for the pill, he had kept his promise and healed the old city lord, which was something no amount of Foundation Establishment Pills could achieve!
And the young master of the Zhang family, as the young lady's fiancé, was first involved with an immortal master from the Hundred Medicines Hall, and now he harbored petty thoughts, fearing that the City Lord's Mansion would seize his Foundation Establishment Pill. Even though Foundation Establishment Pills were rare, their City Lord's Mansion was not unreasonable. Even if they needed one, they would ask the Hundred Medicines Hall, not seize his!
"Eldest Miss, Young Master Zhang has come to see you."
"Grandpa Xia," Yan Yan saw Old Xia and immediately went to greet him, hugging his arm affectionately. "Grandpa Xia, you're finally out. I made your favorite steamed osmanthus fish today, and I also have the rice wine you brewed last year. I've put it in the kitchen for you."
Old Xia dotingly patted Yan Yan's hand. "You child, why would a young lady from a noble family go into the kitchen? What if you hurt your beautiful hands? Did you put scallions in the fish?"
"Yes, I did. I guarantee Grandpa Xia will like it."
"Cough, cough, I won't disturb the Eldest Miss and Young Master Zhang's reunion." Old Xia stooped and walked towards the kitchen. After turning a corner, when no one was watching, the formerly frail old man suddenly moved with agility, disappearing in an instant.
Seeing Old Xia's figure disappear, Yan Yan turned around. "Brother Sheng, I heard you went out for training. Did you gain anything?"
Zhang Sheng smiled and said, "I gained a lot from this training excursion, and I also obtained many demon cores. I've chosen the best quality one to give to you as a gift."
Yan Yan took it and opened the box. Inside lay a demon core. Demon cores were not too rare but required luck. However, she wished even more that they could be honest with each other, without any deception.
"I heard that the immortal master from the Hundred Medicines Hall trained with you this time. Is she very powerful?"
"Yes, she is a strong cultivator in the late Foundation Establishment stage, just one step away from the Golden Core stage. She holds a significant position in the Hundred Medicines Hall. She came out this time to find medicinal ingredients for condensing pills."
"You must have experienced many interesting things."
"Yes."
"Is she very beautiful?"
"Yes."
Zhang Sheng blurted it out, then immediately realized it was not right. He quickly looked at Yan Yan. Seeing no abnormality on her face, he breathed a small sigh of relief. However, he didn't know that his expression was a sign of guilt in Yan Yan's eyes.
After Zhang Sheng left, Yan Yan became somewhat dejected.
Fan Ting glanced from outside the door. He ultimately chose not to disturb her. The marriage between the two families was predetermined and unchangeable. The only thing he could do was protect the City Lord's Mansion and ensure the Eldest Miss always had a retreat. Su Dan Novels
Old Xia came over and saw Fan Ting guarding the door. He couldn't help but sigh, "That Zhang family boy is too cunning."
"Old Xia."
"Is Xiao Qin still sleeping?"
"He hasn't woken up yet. He expended a lot of energy to treat the old city lord. He needs time to recover." Whenever Xiao Qin was mentioned, Fan Ting thought of the giant snake coiled at the entrance, and his chest ached.
"I'll go take a look." Old Xia's expression was worried. The City Lord's Mansion had been restless lately. First, the old city lord was ambushed, his Golden Core damaged, and then he was poisoned. A poison that could incapacitate a Golden Core realm cultivator was not common. Someone in Wuji City was colluding with the Seven Great Sects, intending to change the ruler of Wuji City.
Xiao Man's courtyard was very close to the old city lord's courtyard. The old city lord had lost his immortal crane and was dejected. However, he did not send anyone to disturb Xiao Man's rest. He only had people keep an eye on the situation. If Xiao Man woke up, he would be notified.
Xiao Man ate his fill and slept for another day. Only then did he feel rested. Seeing Ze Fang sleeping soundly, he didn't wake him. He tiptoed out and saw a hunched old man sitting outside the door, his head drooping, seemingly asleep.
Seeing Xiao Man awake, Xiao Bai transformed into a white snake and crawled up Xiao Man's leg to sit on his shoulder, staring at the old man.
"He came yesterday and has been waiting here all along." Xiao Man nodded in understanding, then stepped forward. "Senior, I am ignorant and did not know you were waiting outside. I apologize for making you wait."
Old Xia opened his eyes. Within his cloudy irises, a sharp glint flashed. He reached out and grabbed Xiao Man's wrist. "I've been sitting for too long and can't get up. I need some help."
Xiao Man naturally supported Old Xia. "Senior, please come in."
Old Xia glanced at the room and slowly shook his head. "Isn't someone still sleeping inside? This old man won't go in and disturb them. Young friend, you cured the old city lord, and this old man specifically came to thank you."
"Senior, you don't need to thank me. I only accepted Miss Yan's reward and came to fulfill my promise."
Old Xia glanced at Xiao Man, signaling him to help him walk outside. His character was resilient, he did not take credit for himself, and he was humble and respectful, much better than the Zhang family's boy.
"Is young friend married?"
"Yes, I am married."
Old Xia looked at Xiao Man in astonishment. He didn't look old, but he was already married. Were cultivators these days so unprofessional? Instead of focusing on cultivation, they were consumed by romance. At the age of ten-something, they were already husbands!
He then relaxed. Good men were already taken. Such an excellent young man was envied by many. But what kind of good girls were there in such a lawless place?
"I presume your wife must also be an exceptional person?"
"Naturally, she is outstanding."
Old Xia looked at Xiao Man's decisive and unwavering expression. He immediately understood that trying to poach him was impossible. This young man was stubborn. If he tried to dig him up unsuccessfully, he might end up burying himself.