Zhang Shiqing came into view. Her red clothes had been replaced by a blue dress embroidered with phoenix patterns. Pearl earrings hung from both ears, while a sapphire-blue beaded necklace adorned her delicate neck. The exposed skin of her neck was snow-white and crystalline, faintly translucent as if one could see through to her bones. Her beauty was radiant, utterly peerless.
Everyone's eyes lit up at once, and they stared in a daze. Was this not the very image of a fairy descending into the mortal world, an unparalleled sight of breathtaking beauty?
Zhang Shiqing approached from afar, each step light and graceful as though she were treading upon clouds. Her snowy face and delicate neck were beautiful beyond compare, revealing an air of nobility and cold pride that made others feel ashamed of their own inferiority...
"Tut, tut. I have to admit, she's got something," Qin Jishi remarked appreciatively.
No!
Shiqing's aura?
Tang Xiulan was the first to react. "Shiqing, you've advanced to the Mystic Spirit Realm?"
"Mother!" Zhang Shiqing nodded. "I have not disappointed you and Father's expectations."
"Good, good, good!" Tang Xiulan wept tears of joy. "Having you is a blessing for our Zhang Family."
At the same time, Zhang Cheng and the others came back to their senses, their eyes filled with immense envy.
"Sister Shiqing, I never expected you to advance in cultivation. Congratulations!"
"Sister Shiqing, now that you've advanced in cultivation, Black and White Academy will surely accept you as an official disciple. When that happens, our Zhang Family's status will rise with the tide."
"..."
No one could blame them for being both envious and excited. Mystic Spirit Realm martial artists at such a young age could be counted on one's fingers in all of Soaring Dragon City. To put it bluntly, apart from the three great Lineages, no one could compare with Zhang Shiqing.
With such talent, how could Black and White Academy possibly not value her?
Faced with everyone's flattery, Zhang Shiqing showed little reaction. Tang Xiulan, however, wore a proud expression. This had brought immeasurable glory to her face.
Then, as she looked at Qin Jishi, Tang Xiulan's delighted expression turned to disgust.
"Trash, do you see that? This is the gap between you and Shiqing. If you know what's good for you, take the initiative to call off the marriage. Our Zhang Family can give you a sum of money and ensure you live the rest of your life without want for food or clothing."
The more outstanding Zhang Shiqing became, the more Tang Xiulan looked down on Qin Jishi. She believed he was nothing but deadweight, dragging her daughter down and utterly unworthy of being with her.
"The Matriarch is right," Zhang Cheng echoed. "What right does he have to be with Sister Shiqing?"
"Sister Shiqing!"
Zhang Cheng fawned over her. "I really don't understand what virtue or ability Qin Jishi possesses to take you as his wife. He's a toad lusting after swan flesh, indulging in wishful thinking."
"That's right!"
"Wishful thinking."
"..."
Zhang Cheng's words immediately struck a chord with the others. Every word was filled with disdain for Qin Jishi.
"Shiqing!" Tang Xiulan said earnestly, "Now that you've broken through to the Mystic Spirit Realm, with your talent, your future achievements will certainly not stop here. You have already married Qin Jishi, so you can be considered to have fulfilled the promise from back then. To prevent him from becoming your burden, I'll discuss it with your father and let you two..."
Zhang Shiqing frowned. How could she not understand Tang Xiulan's meaning?
"Sister Shiqing, I think the Matriarch is right. With your talent, let alone all of Soaring Dragon City, even the prodigies of the imperial capital would be captivated by you."
Zhang Cheng looked at Qin Jishi. "This trash is not worthy of you."
"Shut your mouth." Zhang Shiqing rebuked coldly. "Qin Jishi is my husband. Even if we have no feelings for each other, he is still my husband. No one can change that."
"You..." Zhang Shiqing looked toward Zhang Cheng and the others. "If you continue saying things behind our backs that are detrimental to Jishi, don't blame me for disregarding our Lineage ties."
This...
Zhang Cheng and the others were dumbfounded. They had not expected Zhang Shiqing to defend Qin Jishi so fiercely.
"Mother!" Before Tang Xiulan could speak, Zhang Shiqing continued, "I will not separate from Jishi unless he takes the initiative. Otherwise, no one may interfere with my decision."
"Come back to the room with me."
Without giving Qin Jishi a chance to speak either, Zhang Shiqing grabbed his arm and headed toward the room.
"No, I think Auntie was right. You really ought to consider her sug—"
"Shut up!"
Qin Jishi: "..."
Zhang Shiqing had yet to understand this mysterious husband of hers. How could she possibly indulge his wishes?
Of course, even if Qin Jishi truly was trash and Zhang Shiqing despised him immensely, since she had chosen to marry him, she would not abandon him halfway through.
Unless... unless Qin Jishi took the initiative.
Even after the door shut, Tang Xiulan and the others had yet to recover. What was going on? Had Zhang Shiqing's attitude changed too drastically?
"Matriarch, this..."
"From now on, do as Shiqing says."
Tang Xiulan was confused. She did not understand why her daughter's attitude toward Qin Jishi had changed so greatly. Though she did not understand, she could hear how resolute Zhang Shiqing's tone was.
What kind of love potion had Qin Jishi slipped her daughter?
Zhang Cheng and the others had originally wanted to teach Qin Jishi a lesson, but at this moment, they were like eggplants wilted by frost, listlessly leaving the place. They did not dare defy Zhang Shiqing's wishes.
Now that Zhang Shiqing had advanced in cultivation, the Lineage would surely revolve around her. Going against her was the same as going against the entire Zhang Family.
Qin Jishi, consider yourself lucky.
While they envied him, they hated Qin Jishi all the more. To them, hiding behind a woman's back like this was utterly shameful.
At the same time, at the Liu Family in the southern outskirts.
Today, the entire Liu Family had turned out, standing at the entrance and gazing into the distance as if awaiting some great figure.
"Father, once Elder Sun arrives, I want to bathe the entire Zhang Family in blood."
Liu Kai's mind had become even more twisted, and he had spread his hatred for Qin Jishi to the Zhang Family as well.
"Rest assured, my son. Not a single one of them will escape." In Liu Qiang's heart, the Zhang Family alone was far from enough to vent the hatred in his chest.
The Yang Family!
The Zhao Family!
He would not spare any of them. With people from Black Eagle Prefecture arriving this time, he could use this matter to eradicate all dissidents and make the Liu Family the sole overlord of Soaring Dragon City.
Although Liu Qiang's younger sister had married the Black Eagle Prefecture Lord as a concubine, Soaring Dragon City could not compare to the Azure Wave Imperial Capital in any regard. The gap between them spanned countless levels. Especially since an elder from Black Eagle Prefecture was personally coming here, the entire Liu Family was shrouded in tension, for the other party's status was there for all to see.
The Liu Family estate had been tidied until it was immaculate, spotless everywhere.
From eight in the morning, Liu Qiang had personally led every member of the Lineage to wait at the entrance. From the sun rising three poles high until the blazing sun hung overhead, a Liu Family disciple finally came running over in a panic, drenched in sweat. "Clan Leader, they're here... they're here... Elder Sun... that aura can only belong to Elder Sun!"
Everyone shuddered. Liu Qiang took one stride outside and roared, "Quick... send word immediately. If anyone performs poorly and slight Elder Sun, don't blame me for showing no mercy!"
"Elders!"
"Stewards!"
"Hurry and come with me to welcome him."
Led by Liu Qiang, they sprinted all the way out for ten li. At last, in the distance, they saw a group of three leisurely making their way toward them.
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