In just a few words, Zhang Mingze dissolved the initially tense atmosphere in the room.
It must be said, this person indeed has a knack for dealing with social matters.
Even the gift he presented was something Ji Haoyuan found hard to refuse.
It was an item that truly helps improve the quality of Fire Attribute Tier 2 Spiritual Artifacts.
Ordinarily, even if you wanted to buy it, it might not be available.
Clearly.
The Zhang Family Brothers' visit was not aimed at overt conflict with the Ji Family.
At least for now, they didn't want that.
The Ji Family also needed such a buffer time.
Thus.
When Zhang Mingze took out the Flame Gold and Red Iron, Ji Haoyuan did not refuse it but instead accepted it with a smile and expressed his thanks.
Seeing this, Liu Hongyu didn't pursue the previous topic but instead smiled and offered a jade bottle from her person, handing it to Ji Haoyuan:
"Haoyuan Dao You, if there was any offense earlier, I hope you forgive me.
This is a gift I specifically prepared for you; it is Clear Spirit Jade Marrow from beneath the Cold Pond, capable of greatly replenishing a cultivator's vitality and restoring lost primordial essence."
"Cold Pond Jade Marrow?"
Seeing the item Liu Hongyu presented, Ji Haoyuan, Ji Bochang, and even the Zhang Family Brothers were slightly shocked.
As Liu Hongyu just said, its biggest function is to replenish a cultivator's vitality and restore previously depleted primordial essence.
To put it plainly, this item has the effect of extending lifespan.
Moreover, it falls into the category of natural spiritual objects.
No matter where such a spiritual object is placed, it's considered a fairly precious treasure.
Crucially, even for Liu Hongyu herself, this item has its uses.
She was willing to take it out.
Either she truly wanted to use this item to foster a good relationship with Ji Haoyuan and saw a promising future for him.
Or she had already consumed the item herself, and it no longer had any effect on her.
Since every lifespan-extending spiritual object only works during the first consumption.
This is the rule in this realm; no one can defy it.
Taking the jade bottle containing the Cold Pond Jade Marrow from Liu Hongyu's hand, Ji Haoyuan sincerely thanked her:
"Thank you, Liu Dao You, for this gift. This item is indeed very important to me."
While saying this, he didn't forget to bow in thanks to Liu Hongyu.
"Haha, as long as Haoyuan Dao You isn't offended by my earlier slip of the tongue."
Liu Hongyu shook her head with a smile.
Although the purpose of Liu Hongyu's earlier words wasn't clear.
Whatever the ultimate motive might be.
But it was nothing more than that.
At this moment, those things weren't so crucial anymore.
Her willingness to present the Cold Pond Jade Marrow was enough for Ji Haoyuan and them not to hold a grudge.
A while later.
The Zhang Family Brothers were the first to leave.
Seeing this, Liu Hongyu also didn't plan to stay longer.
Just before leaving, she suddenly remembered something and turned to Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang:
"Gentlemen, I heard that among the younger generation of the Zhang family, there seems to be a Celestial Spirit Root descendent who has been sent to the Crimson Sunset Sect and has apprenticed under a Golden Core True Man.
Moreover, their family's long-unseen elder seems not to have passed away.
On the contrary, their elder seems very likely to make further advancement."
"What?"
Upon hearing Liu Hongyu's news, Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang were both shocked.
In recent years, the Ji Family has devoted most of its energy to self-preservation and seeking future paths.
Therefore, their intelligence in other areas inevitably lagged.
Unexpectedly, the Zhang Family quietly produced such an outstanding descendent.
Celestial Spirit Root, a definite Golden Core seed.
The only surprise was that the Zhang Family was willing to send such an outstanding descendent to the Crimson Sunset Sect.
It's known that once a clan descendent joins a sect, their bond with the family often becomes considerably severed.
After all, upon joining a sect, your identity shifts from being a clan descendent to being a sect disciple.
From then on, everything should prioritize sect interests.
But even so, the link with the original family wouldn't completely sever.
Especially when gaining some status and voice within the sect, even without taking action or speaking, there would be people trying to win you over.
Should you one day achieve Golden Core.
Then that goes without saying.
You could completely establish a clan branch within the sect.
Moreover, Liu Hongyu's message was not the only one.
If Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang recalled correctly, the oldest elder of the Zhang family was nearing two hundred years.
Whereas the lifespan of a Foundation Establishment cultivator is usually around two hundred and forty years.
Considering injuries and accidents, a Foundation Establishment cultivator's life expectancy is basically about two hundred and twenty years.
At such an advanced age, the prospect of further progression exists.
This is definitely not good news for both the Ji Family and the Liu Family.
They both know that before his seclusion, the Zhang Family elder's cultivation was already at the mid Foundation Establishment stage.
If he advances further this time, it would mean reaching the late Foundation Establishment stage.
If there can be some narrowing of the power gap through cultivation techniques, treasures, and magic between early and mid Foundation Establishment stages.
But for the late Foundation Establishment stage, compensating for these gaps using ordinary methods becomes very difficult.
Even the weakest late Foundation Establishment cultivator can, at times, crush those in the mid and early stages.
Thus, within a Golden Core sect like the Crimson Sunset Sect.
A cultivator reaching late Foundation Establishment is generally granted a position with substantial authority and a title as an elder.
Considering this, Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang now clearly understand why Liu Hongyu acted as she did earlier.
"By the way..."
Liu Hongyu continued: "A year from now, there will be a trading event for Foundation Establishment cultivators at Mingxia Marketplace.
If you both are interested, we could attend together."
"A trading event for Foundation Establishment cultivators?"
Ji Haoyuan and Ji Bochang pondered briefly, then heard Ji Haoyuan say:
"If time permits, I will reach out to Liu Dao You."
He knew that the Mingxia Marketplace Liu Hongyu mentioned was under the jurisdiction of the Crimson Sunset Sect.
Hosting a trading event there means there should be no safety concerns.
"Alright, I'll be awaiting your news then."
Liu Hongyu responded with a smile and then bid farewell.
On the other hand.
Zhang Mingze and Zhang Mingyuan, who had left earlier, now both wore rather unpleasant expressions.
Especially Zhang Mingyuan.
His eyes shadowed, he turned to Zhang Mingze beside him and said:
"Brother, that Liu woman, what did she mean earlier? Does she really think we are fools, unable to see through anything?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Mingze gestured to calm down.
His expression was now composed.
He spoke calmly: "Regardless of what the other intends, it is irrelevant.
Once our grandfather exits seclusion and Zhilong matures, this Nanning County will eventually belong to us.
Currently, they do not wish to confront our Zhang Family harshly, trying to buy time, little knowing our Zhang Family also needs time..."
Upon saying this, Zhang Mingze ceased to elaborate, and together with Zhang Mingyuan, they headed back to Dongming Mountain, where their Zhang Family resides.