A Marriage Proposal

Qin Jishi's behavior not only drew Zhang Shiqing's disdain, but even Tang Xiulan, Zhang Jinhua's wife, unconsciously furrowed her brows.

Tang Xiulan truly could not understand Zhang Jinhua. Why had he refused a marriage alliance with the flourishing Liu Family, only to agree to let her marry this boy with no background?

Was it just because that old man had guided Zhang Jinhua's cultivation back then?

"Cough, cough..." Qin Jishi coughed lightly to cover his awkwardness. "Uncle Zhang, isn't this a little too hasty?"

Zhang Jinhua chuckled. "Back then, I made an agreement with your Grandfather. The day you turned eighteen would be the day you married. Everything needed has already been prepared. You need only rest easy and be the groom."

Qin Jishi: "..."

At that moment, Zhang Shiqing's face darkened as she said icily, "Qin Jishi, I heard that after you left our Zhang Family back then, you entered the World-Saving Pavilion. We haven't met in ten years. I suppose your term at the World-Saving Pavilion ended and they sent you back. Were you never favored by the Pavilion Master during those ten years? Did you not become a disciple of the World-Saving Pavilion?"

Qin Jishi smiled. "Shiqing, after all these years apart, you've only become more captivating."

Clearly, Qin Jishi wanted to avoid this subject.

Qin Jishi wanted to avoid the subject, but Zhang Shiqing had no such intention.

Yes!!

When they had been children, there had been no distracting thoughts between them, only pure and innocent affection.

But now?

They had not seen each other for ten years. Everything had long since changed beyond recognition.

Because she knew... when the Zhang Family had extended a helping hand to Qin Jishi and his Grandfather back then, Qin Jishi had already been grievously injured.

Zhang Jinhua had once said that even if Qin Jishi entered the World-Saving Pavilion, it could at most preserve his life. Cultivation? It had already become something beyond his reach.

If Zhang Jinhua had not given Zhang Shiqing a death order, and if a father's command could not be defied...

Hmph!!

Zhang Shiqing would never have agreed to be with him.

Even if they were together, they would part ways one day.

At the same time!

Tang Xiulan folded her arms and said in a deep voice, "Old Man, I truly don't know what you're thinking. You insist on having them be together. If others learn that the man Shiqing is marrying is a cripple, what will they think of our Zhang Family?"

"Besides!"

As she spoke, Tang Xiulan shot Qin Jishi a glance. "He clearly knew the purpose of this visit. Even if he didn't bring cultivation mystic stones as a betrothal gift, gold, silver, and valuables should at least have been indispensable."

"And now?"

"He came empty-handed?"

Qin Jishi clapped his hands. "Aunt, it was my oversight. Please don't take offense. This is my first-meeting gift for Shiqing."

Looking at the yellowed square box held out before her, Zhang Shiqing frowned.

"You should keep it."

These yellowed square boxes could be found everywhere. They were far too ordinary; even if one were thrown onto the ground, no one would bother to pick it up. Whatever was inside could not be anything good.

"Hmph!"

Anger surfaced on Tang Xiulan's face again. "Qin Jishi, you may not find it embarrassing, but our Zhang Family does. Do you take us for beggars? Do you think we're that easy to fool?"

Hearing this, Qin Jishi said evenly, "Aunt, could it be that a Spirit Gathering Elixir isn't..."

Before Qin Jishi could finish, Tang Xiulan snorted disdainfully. "What? Don't tell me you intend to say that your broken little box contains a Spirit Gathering Elixir?"

"Do you know how precious a Spirit Gathering Elixir is? Even our Zhang Family cannot simply have one whenever we wish..."

"You?"

"Can you produce a Spirit Gathering Elixir?"

"What a joke!"

Faced with Tang Xiulan's aggressive pressure, Qin Jishi merely smiled it off.

"Clan Leader!"

Just then, the Zhang Family's five elders hurried over, their faces brimming with joy.

"Patriarch Liu has come to visit. It seems he has come for a marriage alliance."

The Zhang Family elders could hardly be blamed for their excitement. The Liu Family was one of Soaring Dragon City's three great families. Since Yang Kun had disappeared ten years ago, they had developed rapidly, and now even showed signs of surpassing the Yang Family.

If the Zhang Family formed a marriage alliance with them, within fifty years, the Zhang Family would surely become Soaring Dragon City's fourth great power.

In contrast to the elders' delight, Zhang Jinhua frowned.

Before he could speak, the thunderous sound of gongs and drums rang through the skies, followed by a loud burst of laughter.

"Hahaha, Clan Leader Zhang."

Liu Qiang, the Liu Family's patriarch, strode into the Main Hall with the force of a tiger. "It has been a long time. Have you been well?"

A young man accompanied him. He wore brocade and silk, had a somewhat plump build, a round face, and thick sideburns that spread into a full beard, giving him a fierce and menacing appearance.

Liu Kai stared at Zhang Shiqing, a sharp gleam flashing from the depths of his eyes.

"Hehe!" Zhang Jinhua smiled at the sound. "Patriarch Liu, what is this?"

A group of Liu Family disciples carried large redwood chests into the Main Hall one after another.

"Open them."

Liu Qiang waved a hand, and dozens of redwood chests opened in perfect unison.

There were a full hundred thousand mystic stones.

The gold, silver, and valuables were too numerous to count.

There were more than three chests of spiritual flowers and herbs.

The other items were all extraordinary goods.

Even the Zhang Family elders could not help revealing burning desire in their eyes at the sight.

The Liu Family truly deserved to be one of Soaring Dragon City's three great families. Their generosity was astounding.

"Hehe, Clan Leader Zhang, your niece is now in the full bloom of marriageable age. I have come this time for a marriage alliance between our two families."

"Kai'er!"

As he spoke, Liu Qiang gave a signal.

Liu Kai understood at once. He took out a purple sandalwood box and slowly opened it.

A medicinal fragrance immediately wafted through the air. Inside the purple sandalwood box lay a pill the size of a longan. Though somewhat dim, it still could not conceal its brilliance...

"Shiqing, I heard that you've been trapped at the Ninth Level of Qi Condensation for many years. This Spirit Gathering Elixir was acquired by my father at auction in the Azure Wave Imperial Capital. It is specially offered as a betrothal gift, to help you break through to the Mystic Spirit Realm."

Hiss~

As soon as those words fell, everyone present drew in a sharp breath.

They knew the value of a Third-grade Spirit Gathering Elixir. Even the most ordinary one cost two hundred thousand mystic stones, and it was something with a price but no market.

With this Spirit Gathering Elixir, Zhang Shiqing would certainly break through the shackles of Qi Condensation.

Not only were the Zhang Family elders shocked, even Zhang Jinhua was the same.

They had not expected the Liu Family to make such a grand gesture. This alone was enough to show how much they valued this matter.

"Oh my!"

Tang Xiulan beamed with delight. "Patriarch Liu, such a betrothal gift truly leaves us overwhelmed by your favor. I believe that once our two families join through marriage, your worthy son will surely not mistreat our Shiqing."

"Old Man, isn't that right?"

Tang Xiulan jabbed Zhang Jinhua with her elbow. She did not want anything to go wrong at such a critical moment.

Zhang Jinhua kept a dark expression and said nothing, his gaze drifting toward Qin Jishi intentionally or otherwise.

Qin Jishi was utterly calm about this. He wished nothing more than for the Zhang Family to break off the engagement. That way, he would have fulfilled Old Man's task and could regain his freedom without waiting ten years.

At the same time, Zhang Shiqing wanted to speak. It was clear that she loathed Liu Kai even more.

But before the words at her lips could leave her mouth, Liu Qiang's face revealed irrepressible pride. "Madam Tang speaks true. My son will absolutely not mistreat Shiqing."

"Oh, right!"

"While we have the chance, our Liu Family has two more joyous matters to share with everyone. Kai'er broke through to the Mystic Spirit Realm yesterday, and today he received an invitation delivered by the Myriad Treasures Tower on someone's behalf. The Azure Wave Black and White Academy has officially accepted my son as a disciple."

As his voice fell, the entire Main Hall sank into silence. Aside from shock, those present felt even deeper envy.