Translator: CinderTL
As Xu Sanyan entered the courtyard, the women gathered there paused, then realized these must be the maids Wang Zixuan had selected.
In the courtyard, Wang Zixuan was directing the maids like a matriarch. Spotting Xu Sanyan, she greeted him with a radiant smile, "Brother Lin, where have you been these past few days?"
"Greetings, Master," the maids said in unison, bowing respectfully.
Xu Sanyan ignored her, his gaze sweeping over the women. He nodded inwardly—their appearances were passable, but he wondered if they met his standards. He had specifically instructed her to choose the saucier ones.
Wang Zixuan eyed Lin Fan curiously. "This beggar... uh, young master is?"
Lin Fan sighed. Do I really look that much like a beggar?
Xu Sanyan explained, "This is my younger brother, Lin Xiaofan. Have two maids help him clean up and change into fresh clothes."
"Of course, Brother Lin." Wang Zixuan turned and called out, "Chunmei, Xiazhu, assist our young master with changing."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Two strikingly beautiful young women stepped forward, reaching out to help Lin Fan despite his filthy, foul-smelling state. Startled, Lin Fan quickly recoiled, utterly unprepared for such attention. A blush of embarrassment crept across his face.
"I wouldn't dare trouble you two sisters," he stammered. "I can manage on my own."
Xu Sanyan curled his lip, thinking, Look at this spineless fool. He's blessed with fortune but refuses to enjoy it, choosing instead to live like a hermit?
He's a Dao Seeking Realm cultivator, yet he insists on suffering needlessly. Isn't that just plain crazy?
Back when Xu Sanyan had been at the Dao Seeking Realm, he had already indulged in every worldly pleasure. Now, such temptations held little allure for him.
Isn't the whole point of cultivation to make life better?
Xu Sanyan neither understood nor cared to understand Lin Fan's mindset. With a dismissive wave, he said, "Hurry up and get cleaned up. This stench is giving me a headache. Come find me after you're presentable."
"Oh..." Lin Fan mumbled awkwardly as he followed the two women away.
Wang Zixuan pressed close, her voice laced with curiosity. "Why haven't I ever heard Brother Lin mention having a younger brother? If we'd known sooner, we could have sent someone to fetch him and spare him this arduous journey."
Xu Sanyan shot her a sidelong glance. "Are you telling me how to do my job?"
Wang Zixuan playfully punched his shoulder, feigning offense. "Aiya, Brother Lin, you're misunderstanding me! I only meant well."
"Hmph," Xu Sanyan scoffed.
He pinched her cheeks, leaning close. "Just focus on your own affairs. Don't ask unnecessary questions or pry into things that don't concern you. Understand?"
Wang Zixuan's cheeks stung from the pinch, her eyes misting over. "I understand," she murmured.
Xu Sanyan conjured another Demonic Seed and slowly imprinted it on her forehead. He sensed the Demonic Seed within her weakening again.
As the Demonic Seed's influence waned, Wang Zixuan would inevitably try to break free of his control, leading to these recurring problems.
"Oh, right! Father said the eighth day of next month is an auspicious date for our wedding."
"Fine," Xu Sanyan replied indifferently. Marriage was just another routine—nothing to fuss over. After all, it wasn't his first time.
"Has anything significant happened these past few days?" Xu Sanyan asked casually as he wrapped his arm around her and led her toward the stone pavilion.
"Hmm..." Wang Zixuan pondered briefly. "There was one thing. Recently, that void harmony realm expert from the Qian Kingdom transformed into a calamity and wandered near Sui Xin Temple. The monks there subdued him."
Xu Sanyan sat on a stone bench, lifting Wang Zixuan onto his lap. "They captured it? I thought they destroyed it?"
"I don't know the specifics. I only heard about it once."
"Hmm."
Xu Sanyan suddenly paused, patted her bottom, and said, "Get up. We have a guest."
Wang Zixuan obediently rose and stood beside him.
Xu Sanyan went to the room where he had last met Zuoqiu Zhen. She was sitting upright on the bed, waiting quietly.
Xu Sanyan said with a hint of exasperation, "You know, you could just use the main gate. There's no need to jump through the window every time."
Zuoqiu Zhen ignored him and continued, "Have you considered my offer?"
"The Soul-Gathering Brilliance-Preserving Grand Formation contains countless variations. You might not fully grasp its complexity in just three days, but you should recognize its extraordinary nature. Trading your treasure for it would be a worthwhile exchange."
Xu Sanyan asked, "What do you want me to do?"
The Soul-Gathering Brilliance-Preserving Grand Formation was indeed tempting, but the secret realm fruit was equally precious. If he sensed any risk, he would refuse.
Zuoqiu Zhen pointed to the secret realm fruit behind him. "Tomorrow at dusk, when the sky takes on an unusual hue, the formation will manifest. Simply take this fruit to the Wang Clan Ancestral Hall and sever the formation."
"How do I sever it?"
"Cut off the formation pattern and place it over the existing one."
Xu Sanyan frowned in contemplation.
The Wang Clan Ancestral Hall flashed through his mind—the tightly sealed doors and the wisps of incense smoke.
Though unguarded, it was undoubtedly a vital location for the Wang Family. Perhaps no guards were needed at all. Xu Sanyan vividly recalled the fleeting glimpse of a tentacle.
That tentacle...
He seemed to have seen it somewhere before...
He remembered the void harmony realm expert from the Qian Kingdom, his revolting appearance after casting the forbidden art. There was a faint resemblance—both twisted and chaotic, evoking a visceral sense of unease and repulsion.
Xu Sanyan slowly shook his head. "I'm sorry, I can't agree."
After careful consideration, he decided not to take the risk. If his suspicions were correct, the Wang Family's Eighth-Generation Ancestor might be concealed within the ancestral hall.
This individual possessed at least Peak Stage void harmony realm cultivation, while Xu Sanyan was merely at the Initial Stage of the Soul Refining Realm. The gap between them spanned five minor realms—a mere flick of the ancestor's finger could crush him.
A treasure, however valuable, was useless if you lacked the fate to claim it.
Zuoqiu Zhen seemed to anticipate his concerns. "If you're worried about the Wang Family Ancestor, you needn't be. He can't leave the ancestral hall right now."
Xu Sanyan asked curiously, "How so?"
Zuoqiu Zhen extended a finger and drew a human figure in the void. "If we compare this Great Formation to a woman, the ancestral hall would be her womb, and the Wang Clan Ancestor would be like an infant. If he were to leave the hall, he would lose his sustenance and die instantly."
Xu Sanyan remained skeptical. "How do you know this?"
"Hmph," Zuoqiu Zhen scoffed, her eyes filled with disdain. "Even with my eyes closed, I could arrange a better formation than this. I can discern its flaws with a single glance. This formation is all form and no soul—its patterns are chaotic, and its foundations are flawed. If it weren't for..."
She shook her head and sighed, refusing to elaborate further.
"If it's so crude, why don't you rearrange it yourself?"
Zuoqiu Zhen spread her hands. "I'm broke."
Her treasures had long been lost, leaving her with only the meager possessions accumulated by her original body.
"Though the arrangement is crude, the materials used are decent enough. With some modifications, it could still be usable."
"Oh..."
"Words are cheap. What if you're trying to trick me?" Xu Sanyan remained unconvinced.
"Hmm..."
Zuoqiu Zhen pondered for a moment, realizing he wouldn't cooperate without reassurance. With a reluctant expression, she opened her mouth, and a faint golden orb slowly drifted out.
(End of the Chapter)
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