A Blessing

Facing the gazes cast upon him by a group of Golden Core cultivators, Jiang Feng's heart was naturally filled with bitterness.

He understood his situation better than anyone else.

At most, his lifespan will be completely exhausted in three years.

However, none of the younger generation in the clan were capable of holding their own.

Once he passes away, the resources accumulated by the Jiang Household over hundreds of years will be like a piece of fat meat thrown into a pack of wolves, to be divided and eaten clean.

He had already prepared for the worst. After a while, he would pack up the portable Spirit Stones and valuables, and lead his people to quietly leave the Taibai Mountain Range to find a remote place with less Spiritual Qi and weaker surrounding forces to start over.

As for the market towns, spiritual fields, and cave abode dwellings that cannot be moved, we can only reluctantly give them up.

He happened to be handling some asset transfer matters in the market today when he witnessed Young Master Lu's arrival at Taibai Market.

A hundred-foot-long flying boat, guarded by Golden Core cultivators, and greeted by seven True Person!

The scale of the event was astonishing!

After hearing that the Wang Household was hosting a banquet, he clung to a sliver of hope and, along with three younger cultivators from his clan, shamelessly came to try his luck.

To be honest, Jiang Feng wasn't very confident.

The young generation who were able to attend this banquet were all outstanding geniuses from various powerful forces, and even the worst Spirit Roots were at least of the middle grade.

But the Jiang Household must have committed some terrible sin; not a single member of their younger generation has produced a Mid-Grade Spirit Root, and even the collateral and direct branches have searched high and low but haven't found a single promising talent.

Compared to these geniuses, the Jiang Household's offspring are far inferior.

His only thought was of Jiang Shiqing, a direct descendant of the clan.

Jiang Shiqing's talent may be mediocre, but her face is indeed superior to that of other young female cultivators from other Lineage.

If Jiang Shiqing could be valued by Young Master Lu, even if she were just kept by his side as a maid serving tea and water, with Young Master Lu's status and power, the Jiang Household could preserve its foundation after Jiang Feng's lifespan ended, and might even have a chance to rise to a higher level.

Of course, to be honest, Jiang Feng knew in his heart that this was just wishful thinking.

Although Jiang Shiqing is outstanding in appearance, the gap between her and the other female cultivators present is not so great as to be insurmountable.

However, differences in other aspects, such as Spirit Roots, cultivation level, and talents, are completely insurmountable.

He also knew that the chances of Jiang Shiqing being favored by Young Master Lu were extremely low.

It was just a desperate measure, a chance to try our luck.

While he was feeling uneasy, his footsteps had already led him to the head table.

The gazes cast by Fang Xun and other top experts from the Taibai Mountain Range —some scrutinizing, some disdainful, some calm—weighed heavily on his shoulders.

The gazes of the row of the Golden Core Realm servants behind Lu Yang sent chills down his spine. Their cultivation levels far surpassed his, yet their eyes were as indifferent as if they were looking at an object.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the tension surging in his chest, and raised his glass.

A respectful and eager smile spread across his weathered face, his posture extremely humble, showing none of the condescension or arrogance a Golden Core True Person would show when facing Qi Refining Realm cultivator.

"Young Master Lu, I Jiang Feng, humbly offer Young Master Lu a cup of wine today."

His voice trembled slightly, and the knuckles of his fingers holding the cup protruded, covered with the dark brown marks characteristic of the elderly.

Lu Yang smiled slightly, raised his glass in a gesture of greeting, took a small sip, and said in a gentle tone, "Senior Jiang, hello."

Seeing that Lu Yang's attitude was so gentle, not only did he reply, but he even took a sip of wine, the expressions of the cultivators who had been secretly watching this place immediately changed.

The way they looked at Jiang Feng changed subtly.

The scrutiny and disdain from before subsided somewhat, replaced by a cautious reassessment.

Jiang Feng naturally noticed this change as well.

His heart trembled violently, filled with immense excitement.

This is the status and influence of Young Master Lu.

This small gesture alone was enough to change the way his fellow Daoists, who were usually quick to forget him, looked at him.

And...

Young Master Lu's attitude was much better than he had expected!

A surge of excitement rose within him.

Could it be that I have caught Young Master Lu's eye?

The moment the thought popped into his head, he was flattered and so excited that his face flushed red.

He steadied his breathing and stepped aside to let the three young men behind him pass. "These three are my incompetent juniors. Shiqing, Yuangong, Renping... you three, why don't you quickly offer a toast to Young Master Lu!"

The three of them looked up at Lu Yang with some nervousness, and quickly raised their wine glasses respectfully.

The spirit wine in the cup rippled slightly, reflecting the light of the spirit lamp above, and flashing a few fine golden rays.

Lu Yang then got a clear look at Jiang Shiqing's appearance.

Jiang Shiqing has a rather dignified appearance: her eyebrows are thick and long, her eyes are large and bright, and her gaze naturally carries a bright radiance; her nose is high and straight with well-defined features; her lips are full and red, and even when she is not smiling, they seem to be slightly upturned.

She is the kind of striking beauty who makes a deep impression at first glance and is unforgettable.

However, Jiang Shiqing's expression was quite tense at this moment, her face was slightly flushed, and her gaze was somewhat unfocused.

Taking advantage of the moment of toasting, she secretly glanced up and then at Lu Yang.

The light from the lamp fell perfectly on his profile, outlining his handsome features flawlessly.

She actually knew what the ancestor meant.

But she knew even better that she was just a cultivator with Low-Grade Spirit Root, lacking both the talent for alchemy and the skill for crafting weapons. It could be said that apart from her barely presentable face, she was practically useless.

There are simply too many beautiful female cultivators in the cultivation Immortal Realm; she isn't particularly dazzling in terms of beauty.

Moreover, appearance is not actually that valuable to cultivators.

Resources, talent, background... which one isn't more important than a pretty face?

So she never imagined that this incomparably noble Young Master Lu would take a liking to her.

I'm just here to go through the motions.

However, looking at this Young Master Lu up close, he really is very handsome.

Moreover, he was truly good to his dao companion...

Such a male cultivator would probably be the dream dao companion of countless female cultivators, right?

As the spirit wine entered his throat, a warm sensation spread from his throat to his chest.

She felt a little drunk.

Whether it was due to being very drunk or not, she actually saw Lu Yang turn his head to look at her, a gentle smile on his face, and softly ask, "Jiang Shiqing... is that right?"

Jiang Shiqing's mind went blank for a moment, and she was completely stunned.

Am I dreaming?

Young Master Lu... is he talking to her?

She then realized that countless eyes were fixed on her.

Those gazes were incredibly sharp, filled with surprise, scrutiny, and undisguised jealousy.

The two young ladies from the Song Household who hadn't exchanged contact information with Young Master Lu had particularly cold gazes, as if sharp needles were piercing her.

Jiang Shiqing's body suddenly jolted, and she instantly sobered up from her tipsy state.

Her heart suddenly raced, pounding in her chest, making it difficult to even breathe.

Her voice trembled uncontrollably with excitement. "Yes, yes! Shiqing has met Young Master Lu!"

Young Master Lu really is greeting her!

This... she wouldn't even dare to dream of it!

It should be noted that throughout the entire banquet, Young Master Lu has only been relatively gentle with those few disciples from the Golden Rainbow Sword Sect.

As for the other younger generation, even those whose talent far surpassed hers, Young Master Lu merely nodded in acknowledgment, without uttering a single word.

Now, he actually greeted her!

Fang Xun and the others all looked somewhat confused.

They observed Jiang Shiqing discreetly.

He possesses Low-Grade Spirit Root, Qi Refining Realm level, an ordinary background, and no special skills.

This woman... I can't see anything particularly remarkable about her.

Why is Young Master Lu's attitude towards her no less than that towards geniuses like Fang Xiangjin and Fang Jingzhi?

Jiang Feng was also stunned for a moment.

Immediately, a surge of immense anticipation welled up from the bottom of his heart, turning his entire old face flushed red.

Young Master Lu actually took the initiative to speak to Shiqing?

Could it be... there's really something going on?!

Seeing Jiang Shiqing so nervous she could barely speak, he gritted his teeth and steeled himself.

I'm going all in!

His smile grew even warmer and more eager as he respectfully cupped his hands and said, "Young Master Lu, although Shiqing's talent for cultivation is not great, she has been clever and sensible since childhood, and she is also quick and efficient. If she could stay by your side as a Young Master Lu and take care of some trivial matters in your life, that would be a great blessing for Shiqing."

Upon hearing this, Fang Xun and the others couldn't help but chuckle to themselves.

Are you kidding me?

At the banquet just now, so many beautiful and talented female cultivators volunteered themselves, some of whom subtly expressed that they would be willing to serve as maids.

But without exception, Young Master Lu politely declined them all.

Compared to those female cultivators, Jiang Shiqing was far inferior in both Spirit Root and cultivation level. How could Young Master Lu possibly agree to Jiang Feng's request?

Just as they were inwardly scoffing, Lu Yang's calm voice rang out.

"Jiang Shiqing, would you be willing to help me with some odds and ends?"

Fang Xun and others. "????"

The expressions on their faces froze simultaneously.

Fang Xun's wine glass froze in mid-air, and Wang Qing's smile was so stiff it looked like she'd been acupunctured.

Holy crap?!

Is that really the meaning behind it???

No... why should I?!

So many talented female cultivators lined up to become Young Master Young Master Lu, but Young Master Lu didn't even give them a second glance.

This female cultivator from the Jiang Household, who doesn't even possess Mid-Grade Spirit Root, is of interest to Young Master Lu?

Even Lin Ying was quite surprised at this moment.

She shifted her gaze from Lu Yang's face, turned her head, and took a serious look at the woman named Jiang Shiqing.

Her gaze lingered on Jiang Shiqing's face for a moment.

She is bright and elegant, and quite good-looking.

As expected... my junior brother is a big pervert!

She felt a slight pang of sadness; as a woman, she naturally hoped that her man would love only her.

However, Lin Ying also understood that given Junior Brother Lu's appearance, status, and personality, this was simply impossible.

There are plenty of outstanding women who will flock to Junior Brother Lu.

If Junior Brother Lu truly only loves one person, Lin Ying has absolutely no confidence that she can protect him.

She took a deep breath, suppressing the bitterness in her heart, and her gaze towards Jiang Shiqing softened.

Actually, this isn't bad; otherwise, she really wouldn't have been able to handle it when Junior Brother Lu bullied her.

If she continued at that intensity, she felt she would die sooner or later.

More people means at least more helpers.

Thinking of this, Lin Ying lowered her head slightly, her pretty face flushed.

Jiang Shiqing didn't expect Lu Yang to ask that question.

She stood there, frozen, her mind blank, her lips parting and closing slightly, unsure of what to say.

The wine glass swayed gently in her hand, creating delicate ripples on the surface of the liquid.

Jiang Feng was so excited that his face turned red. Seeing Jiang Shiqing standing there dumbfounded, he wished he could speak up for her.

He quickly transmitted his voice, his tone urgent and rapid. "Shiqing! Shiqing! Agree quickly! The Jiang Household is counting on you this time!"

Jiang Shiqing suddenly came to her senses, her chest heaving violently.

She nodded vigorously, her voice trembling with barely suppressed excitement. "Young Master Lu, Shiqing is willing to handle your affairs!"

The soft glow of the lamps in the banquet hall fell gently on her slightly flushed cheeks, adding a new, bright radiance to her still-present tension.

Jiang Feng stood behind her, secretly clenching his fist in his sleeve, the veins on the back of his hand bulging.

The old cultivator, nearing the end of his lifespan, grasped at the last straw in his desperate situation, and his body trembled uncontrollably.