Jin Liyang was the patriarch of the Jin family, a late Nascent Soul stage expert.
Such a distinguished figure's visit, regardless of his intentions or mindset, warranted utmost importance.
In the main hall of the Wu mansion, a conversation laced with hidden intentions began.
"Before I came here, I had wondered what kind of person fellow Daoist you were, but I never expected…"
After taking a sip of the spirit tea served to him, Jin Liyang said slowly.
Before arriving, he had pondered what this prodigy, who had carved out his territory with his bare hands, would be like.
What sort of person could achieve such a status as a rogue cultivator?
However, now that he had truly met him, his confusion had not diminished, but rather increased.
Because, at first glance, Jin Liyang saw nothing extraordinary about Wu Tao. His appearance was ordinary, his physique ordinary, his demeanor ordinary; he was almost entirely unremarkable, looking like an average person.
This greatly surprised him.
"Fellow Daoist, your words are quite interesting…"
Looking at Jin Liyang, who spoke only half a sentence, Wu Tao's expression was calm, showing no emotion. A faint smile played on his lips.
At this point, the atmosphere suddenly became awkward, as if stuck at a standstill, with neither person willing to continue the conversation.
As time slowly ticked by, Jin Liyang, as the guest, finally could not hold back and proactively asked, "Fellow Daoist, have the five hundred Lesser Returning Pills and seven Hua Xian Spirit Pills that our Jin family reserved previously been refined?"
Upon hearing this, Wu Tao could not help but curl his lips.
*Putting on airs? Trying to play the role of a senior expert? Why aren't you continuing?*
*Still trying to feign composure and drive down the price? I've seen plenty of your kind.*
Wu Tao nodded and said, "Fellow Daoist, the five hundred Lesser Returning Pills and seven Hua Xian Spirit Pills you previously reserved have been prepared. You can collect them shortly."
...
Then, Wu Tao changed the subject and asked tentatively, "However, for such a minor matter, fellow Daoist didn't need to come in person. You could have simply sent someone to collect them."
Jin Liyang gave a wry smile and replied, "To be honest, it's simply due to the circumstances, a matter of helplessness." Da Feng Novel Network.
"Since the power of the Liu imperial clan has declined, the world has become increasingly chaotic with the constant battles between the noble families."
"In our Jin Territory alone, countless noble families have been clashing, turning the world upside down."
"As the nominal rulers of Jin Territory, our Jin family naturally had to intervene and mediate. But after much mediation, we ended up losing two or three early Nascent Soul cultivators from our own family."
...
Wu Tao was stunned. At this moment, he could not help but feel a sense of surprise.
He first looked at Jin Liyang suspiciously, fearing that this fellow was putting on an act. Then he said, "Is that so? The Jin family is also a noble family with a long heritage and profound background. Can't you even suppress the chaos within your own territory?"
Hearing Wu Tao's words, Jin Liyang smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying, "No matter how strong the Jin family's foundation is, how can it contend with the great noble families of an entire territory?"
"Decades ago, what was the tragic fate of the Han family in Han Territory? We all know that, don't we?"
"Relying on their strongest position in Han Territory, they wantonly devoured and offended others. As a result, they were besieged by all the noble families in Han Territory, leading to the annihilation of their clan and the death of its members…"
Wu Tao, whose intentions were already not entirely pure, felt his face flush upon hearing Jin Liyang's words, and his previous composure vanished.
Seeing that the conversation had reached this point, Jin Liyang decided to speak his mind directly.
He frankly admitted that besides collecting the pills, he had another primary purpose for this visit.
Wu Tao naturally knew what his purpose was, and after considering various factors, he ultimately agreed to an alliance with him.
...
Looking at Wu Tao, a hint of hesitation appeared on Jin Liyang's face, and he spoke haltingly.
"There is another matter. I don't know if I should mention it or not."
...
Seeing Jin Liyang in this state, Wu Tao's right eyelid twitched, and he suddenly had a bad premonition.
"Fellow Daoist, if you have something to say, please speak directly. There's no need to beat around the bush."
...
Jin Liyang seemed relieved upon hearing this and then said.
"This matter concerns your family's internal affairs. I shouldn't have brought it up, but as an ally, I should mention it."
"I recall that some time ago, a junior from my family informed me that he saw your son and a certain woman in Qing County of Chu Territory forming a Dao companion…"
"And I remember that your son has a marriage contract with the Yin family of Yin Territory, doesn't he…"
Jin Liyang's words were very subtle, but the meaning was extremely clear.
"Hmm…"
Wu Tao understood Jin Liyang's meaning perfectly.
...
It was precisely because of this that Wu Tao felt a splitting headache.
Years ago, in order to stabilize his then-unsteady foundation, Wu Tao, under the guise of Ye Yu's father, arranged a marriage for Ye Yu.
Ye Yu's in-laws were the Yin family, a first-class family in Yin Territory.
And based on Jin Liyang's current statement, his eldest disciple seemed to have encountered someone he liked during his travels.
In the world of Zi Zhou, where noble families were deeply entrenched, breaking off an engagement was not a matter to be taken lightly.
Listening to Jin Liyang's words, Wu Tao's mind raced, but his surface remained calm: "Thank you, fellow Daoist, for informing me. However, this matter has not yet been decided."
"No one knows the inside story except the parties involved."
...
Seeing Wu Tao stubbornly refusing to budge, Jin Liyang let out a hearty laugh, tinged with mockery, saying, "Hahaha, perhaps my juniors mistook them…"
Although he said this, in reality, both parties knew that it was highly unlikely they had been mistaken.
If Jin Liyang's juniors dared to report this matter to him, they must have had absolute certainty.
Otherwise, Jin Liyang would not have dared to speak to Wu Tao about it today.
After all, this was Wu Tao's territory.
The matter of his eldest disciple Ye Yu forming a Dao companion with another woman was almost certainly true.
If it were an ordinary noble family disciple daring to defy the family's wishes and take another woman as his wife, he would have been severely punished.
To the point of never being able to reincarnate.
However, the Wu family established by Wu Tao was essentially a facade for the Ascension Gate. Although they all shared the surname Wu on the surface, it was, in fact, a thoroughly religious sect.
Moreover, Wu Tao's personality, while not overly kind, would not resort to punishing his disciple over such a minor matter.
Therefore, Wu Tao's headache was not about anything else but how to clean up his disciple's mess.
Meanwhile.
Although Jin Liyang was unaware of these intricacies, he had merely mentioned it out of consideration for their alliance.
The meaning was clear.
I have already given you a heads-up. If there are any issues, resolve them quickly to avoid future complications.
Given that the Jin family was a first-class family of the era, and Jin Liyang was a late Nascent Soul stage patriarch of the Jin family, his actions were considered quite considerate, showing respect for Wu Tao's status as a Grandmaster Alchemist.
Wu Tao naturally understood this.
...
Therefore, after a moment of silence, a smile returned to his face, and he personally escorted Jin Liyang out.
Only after Jin Liyang left was Wu Tao alone.
Standing alone in the garden, recalling Jin Liyang's words, Wu Tao was still contemplating how to resolve this matter.
As for breaking up a loving couple, Wu Tao could not bring himself to do it.
He himself had experienced such a heartbreak years ago…
Had the dragon slayer become the dragon, repeating the past?
"Master."
A clear voice sounded from behind him.
Wu Tao turned and saw Ye Qingyi, dressed in a white dress, approaching from a distance.
Over the past century, as Wu Tao's influence gradually expanded, the reputation of his four disciples—Ye Yu, Ye Qingyi, Nangong Nan, and Nangong Xing—had also begun to spread.
During these hundred years of tumultuous change, Ye Yu, Ye Qingyi, Nangong Nan, and Nangong Xing had all reached the late Core Formation stage. They had killed many, and their names echoed in all directions.
Especially the sisters Nangong Nan and Nangong Xing. With their Twin Divine Body under their divine might, they had jointly killed several early Nascent Soul cultivators, forging a great reputation!
Among Wu Tao's four disciples, all were peerless experts of the younger generation. If one were to consider who was the most troublesome and least desirable to provoke, it would be the sisters Nangong Nan and Nangong Xing.
In terms of approachability and kindness, Ye Qingyi was the one!
But in terms of gaining the most popularity and having the strongest cohesion, it was Ye Yu, who was steady as a mountain and did not reveal his true capabilities.
Wu Tao was grooming Ye Yu to be his successor.
Therefore, after hearing about matters unfavorable to Ye Yu, Wu Tao finally began to feel restless and decided to personally go and investigate.
And at this very moment, Ye Qingyi arrived.
In the garden, willows swayed gently, a soft breeze caressed the hundred flowers, creating ripples and scattering petals.
A century had passed, and Ye Qingyi had grown not only in body but also in wisdom.
Even a single unconscious gesture, the graceful sweep of her bangs from her forehead, already exuded the unique charm of a captivating woman, enough to make countless men yearn for her day and night.
Looking at such an outstanding disciple, Wu Tao smiled with satisfaction.
People often said that daughters were a father's little warm jackets, and it seemed to be true.
His other three disciples—Ye Yu, Nangong Nan, and Nangong Xing—had long since gone out to stir up trouble and seek their own destinies.
Only Ye Qingyi was willing to stay honestly and assist him.
This time, Ye Qingyi had come to see Wu Tao because she had something important to discuss.
...
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