Lin Zhan and Old Ancestor Yan Di lay on separate lounge chairs, basking in the sun in the Shennong Tribe's medicinal garden.
Little Tuanzi and a group of children of similar age were receiving instruction from the Shennong Tribe, learning various herbal knowledge.
Meanwhile, Zhang Lingxiu sat cross-legged beneath a giant tree not far away, attempting to break through to the Diamond level.
Only the young Taoist priest, clad in an apron, was scurrying back and forth, undergoing manual labor as punishment.
In Lin Da Shao's words, if they dared to treat him like a dog and make him shake hands, his sister's betrothal gift would have to be doubled.
Thus, the young Taoist priest, who valued money over life, had no choice but to work to repay his debt.
Lin Zhan looked in Zhang Lingxiu's direction with a worried expression.
Old Ancestor Yan Di, seeing Lin Zhan's action, couldn't help but chuckle.
"You kid, stop worrying. Do you think everyone is as wicked as you, causing trouble everywhere? Even breakthroughs are filled with all sorts of tricks."
"Xiu'er is a natural with both lightning and water bloodlines. It's just that her water element has always been suppressed by her lightning element, so it never manifested before."
"If Xiu'er were a boy, you wouldn't stand a chance. This Imperial Son title wouldn't have fallen to you."
Lin Zhan blinked in surprise and asked, "Old Ancestor, I didn't know my own wife was so outstanding. Since Xiu'er has a dual bloodline, her breakthrough is quite dangerous. Can you watch over her for me?"
Old Ancestor Yan Di looked at Lin Zhan's anxious expression and felt amused.
This wicked kid could kill people, whether of his own tribe or others, without batting an eye. Yet, he was so concerned about his little wife.
"Alright, why are you making such a fuss? See that tree next to your wife? That is Jianmu, a divine tree that awakened its sentience in ancient times. This old fellow is not younger than I am, and his strength has reached the Half-Ancestor level. Protecting your wife is more than enough."
Lin Zhan blinked and then carefully examined Jianmu. "Old Ancestor, are you trying to fool me? This is just a bare tree, with hardly any leaves. It looks like it's about to be used as firewood, not like a divine tree... Ah."
Before Lin Da Shao could finish speaking, a leaf fell from Jianmu, knocking him over.
From Jianmu emerged an old man who staggered over to Old Ancestor Yan Di.
He casually pushed aside the fallen Lin Da Shao and plopped himself onto Lin Zhan's lounge chair. He then said to Yan Di, "Yan Di, where did you find this wicked brat? Look at his luck and karma. Others are bathed in golden light, while this kid is shrouded in darkness. How many wicked deeds must one commit to become like this?"
Yan Di chuckled wryly. "He's a descendant of Ziqi. He's killed too many people, both humans and non-humans. He's ordered the deaths of hundreds of millions, and even wiped out several planes."
The old man of Jianmu froze, then looked at Lin Zhan, who was getting up with a large bump on his head. "Oh, damn it! You're quite something, kid. It's fortunate you've made great contributions to the human race, otherwise..."
He then turned to Yan Di and said, "It's over, Old Ancestor. He's beyond saving. Prepare for the feast."
Yan Di, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, kicked the young Taoist priest aside. "Get lost, you little scoundrel. You're no good yourself."
Yan Di flicked his finger, and a small green orb of light entered Lin Zhan's body.
After a short while, Lin Zhan slowly woke up.
The young Taoist priest looked at Lin Zhan, who had sat up, and said dejectedly, "It's over. I won't get to eat at the feast. My property is gone, and I still have to pay double the betrothal money. Sigh, I guess I'll continue with manual labor."
Lin Zhan, holding a branch from Jianmu, furiously lunged towards the old man of Jianmu, intending to fight him. He was immediately stopped by Old Ancestor Yan Di.
"Don't be like a mad dog, biting everyone. You've struck gold this time, and you're not even coming over to thank your Jianmu ancestor."
Lin Zhan froze, but then noticed the look Yan Di gave him.
He quickly slid to his knees before the old man of Jianmu and bowed, "This kid thanks Jianmu ancestor for his affection and for bestowing this treasure."
The old man of Jianmu was taken aback, then asked Yan Di, "Is this wicked brat always this shameless?"
Yan Di shook his head with a helpless smile. "He's much better now..."
As they were chatting, several bolts of lightning struck down. Zhang Lingxiu let out a soft cry and leaped into the air.
She met the falling lightning, her long spear flashing, shattering several bolts.
The old man of Jianmu's eyes widened. "This girl is remarkably powerful. To shatter the heavenly punishment just by breaking through to Diamond is a rare talent."
Lin Zhan was taken aback and quickly said to Yan Di and the old man of Jianmu, "Old Ancestor, why is there heavenly punishment when breaking through to Diamond? Why didn't I have that?"
Yan Di shook his head. "You went to the Great Shang Ancestral Court to break through. With that unreasonable family of yours guarding you, which lightning would dare to strike there? Those guys like Ziqi are too much, even daring to threaten the heavenly punishment of fate. Is there anything in this world that the Great Shang dares not do?"
Lin Zhan pouted, then hurried towards Zhang Lingxiu, opening his arms and shouting, "Wife, I'm here!"
Zhang Lingxiu's beautiful eyes narrowed. She flicked her long spear, which shot out like a dragon. A hint of coldness arrived first, aimed precisely at the spot three inches below Lin Zhan's navel.
Lin Zhan was startled and quickly summoned Xiao Bao.
Zhang Lingxiu was startled by the giant beast before her. Unable to stop, her spear directly pierced Xiao Bao's backside.
A hundred-meter-tall giant beast, pierced by a one-zhang long spear, showed no reaction. Xiao Bao simply asked blankly, "Sister-in-law, why did you stab me?"