Chapter 128: Chapter 102: The Madam’s Credibility
"A Hundred-Year Earth Heart Lotus... a Profound Yin Body..."
Upon hearing this, Chen Sheng’s eyes narrowed slightly. He tapped his fingers rhythmically on the armrest of his chair, his gaze shifting to Xu Shenzhi. Suddenly, he let out a soft, inscrutable chuckle.
"Young Master Xu, you’re not offering me treasures. You’re clearly trying to use my hand to avenge the cancellation of your engagement."
These two so-called ’opportunities’—one pointed to Han Ling’er’s Han Family, and the other pointed directly at Wang Zilan herself.
The intention behind them was glaringly obvious, requiring no deep thought.
Xu Shenzhi made no attempt to hide it. Hearing Chen Sheng’s words, he immediately nodded and admitted frankly:
"Commander, you see things clearly. Every word I have said is true, but I admit to having my own selfish motives. However, the choice is now entirely in your hands. Whether to take them, when to take them, and how—it is all for you to decide. I have absolutely no intention of forcing your hand."
Xu Shenzhi understood that in front of a man like Chen Sheng, playing games and deliberately hiding his intentions would only be counterproductive and arouse suspicion.
It was better to be frank; that way, he could at least show a trace of sincerity.
He figured that Chen Sheng might be wary of the Wang Family’s power and leave Wang Zilan alone for the time being.
But as for the Han Family’s Hundred-Year Earth Heart Lotus, which could directly enhance one’s Cultivation, Chen Sheng would absolutely be tempted, given the domineering personality and pursuit of power he had displayed at the Huang Family’s estate that day.
This was an overt plot, and it was also his only hope of avenging himself and wiping away his shame in the short term.
Otherwise, with his strength alone, he couldn’t even touch the Han Family, let alone the Wang Family, especially if the Xu Family didn’t support him.
Although the Han Family had weakened in recent years after an Earth Fiend realm expert died unexpectedly, they still had an Innate Expert presiding over the clan. They were not someone a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator like him could target.
What’s more, he suspected that the Han Family had very likely pledged allegiance to the Wang Family.
If that were the case, they would be an existence he could afford to provoke even less.
Chen Sheng leaned back, resting against the back of his chair with a slightly lazy air. Then, he tossed out a seemingly casual question:
"So... your Xu Family has existed for many years. What, pray tell, is your so-called ’clan-guarding treasure’?"
As soon as the words were spoken, Xu Shenzhi’s expression changed drastically. He froze, and an unconcealable flicker of panic crossed his eyes.
The air itself seemed to freeze. Xu Shenzhi subconsciously snapped his head up, just in time to meet the knowing, somewhat mocking sneer on Chen Sheng’s face. His heart sank.
His mind raced, and not daring to hide anything further, he quickly bowed, his voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor:
"Re... Reporting to the Commander, the most precious thing within my Xu Family... is a Spirit Tree. This tree... only bears fruit once every ten years. Consuming the Spirit Fruit has the miraculous effect of Bone Marrow Cleansing and Meridian Cutting, and its medicinal power is a cut above even high-grade Purifying Essence Pills on the market.
"However, a person can only consume this fruit once in their lifetime; subsequent uses are ineffective. If... if you are interested, Commander, I will return home at once to fetch it for you and present it with both hands."
After listening, Chen Sheng’s lips curled into a faint, indifferent smile.
’These so-called great Noble Families... their foundations are all more or less the same. Their supposed ’clan-guarding treasures’ are invariably cultivation resources that can bless their descendants and extend the clan’s fortune.’
"I’ve taken note of what you’ve said. I will make my own plans in due time."
Chen Sheng’s tone was flat, betraying no joy or anger and revealing nothing of his current thoughts.
"Since you have sincerely pledged your allegiance, you may stay."
Just as Xu Shenzhi had expected, Chen Sheng was extremely interested in any treasure that could advance his Cultivation.
He had already set his sights on the Han Family’s Hundred-Year Earth Heart Lotus. However, the matter required careful planning. He would have to wait at least until after his promotion and transfer to the Prefecture City before he could scheme to acquire it.
As for the Profound Yin Body of Wang Zilan, the legitimate daughter of the Wang Family, the temptation was greater, but so were the risks.
The Wang Family’s power was deep and complex; they were not an entity he could easily challenge at his current stage.
This matter could only be set aside for now, to be revisited in the future.
If the time was right, he no longer feared the Wang Family, and the opportunity arose, he certainly wouldn’t mind having a ’taste’.
But if the opportunity never came, he wouldn’t dwell on it forever.
"Thank you for taking me in, my lord!"
A huge weight was instantly lifted from Xu Shenzhi’s heart. A look of joy appeared on his face as he hurriedly performed a solemn salute.
.....
For the next few days, Chen Sheng continued to devote most of his time to the tedious process of cultivation.
The medicinal effects of the thirty-year-old Snow Lake Flower were truly extraordinary.
Although consuming it raw had wasted a great deal of its medicinal power, it still brought about a noticeable improvement in Chen Sheng’s Cultivation.
Just refining a single petal produced enough Innate True Qi to be equivalent to half a month of his arduous training.
If he could refine it completely, his Cultivation would surely rise to another level.
However, Chen Sheng was also aware that even so, he was likely still a considerable distance from the peak of the Chaoyuan realm.
But he was already mentally prepared for this.
The path of cultivation grows more difficult the further one goes. To dream of reaching the heavens in a single step by relying on a single Spirit Medicine was no different from a fool’s fantasy.
As far as he knew, even for disciples from Major Sects with abundant resources, it usually took several years of painstaking effort to go from the initial Innate stage to the peak of the Chaoyuan realm, and that was already considered extremely fast.
This was because it wasn’t just about accumulating True Qi, but also a process of continuously purifying, polishing, and mastering it.
Most Innate Martial Artists in the world simply didn’t have access to inexhaustible resources. This was precisely why many Innate Martial Masters found it difficult to advance their Cultivation even a single step throughout their entire lives.
The reason was simple: resources were hard to come by.
Just as Chen Sheng was immersed in his cultivation, Yan Ming’s voice suddenly came from outside the tent.
"My Lord, Madam Yang is outside seeking an audience."
"Have her come in."
