Zhao Hongying Holds the Line

Wang Mengde met his gaze.

He sensed the hostility and contempt in Liu Jiyu's words, and he also saw the disgust and disdain deep in those eyes.

He was secretly displeased, but his expression remained unchanged. Meeting his gaze, he said neither servilely nor arrogantly, "Fifth Brother, don't worry, I will treat Yiyi well."

His voice was deep and powerful.

There was no humble flattery, nor any provoked retaliation.

It was just a simple sentence, spoken frankly and openly.

Liu Jiyu stared at him for three breaths.

There was no fear, no anger, no guilty conscience, and no deliberate toughness on the young man's face.

It's just peace.

Like a still pond.

A hint of surprise flashed through Liu Jiyu's mind.

He didn't say anything more, turned around and walked back to his seat, sat down, and picked up his teacup.

Liu Jichuan stood up from his seat and walked towards Liu Yiyi.

His steps were lighter than Liu Jiyu's, and his smile was gentler, but his thoughts and ideas were similar to Liu Jiyu's.

Although he had met Liu Yiyi long ago, he had no good feelings towards this child born to her father and another woman.

He walked up to Liu Yiyi and took out an exquisite jade box from his Storage Bag.

The jade box was opened, revealing a packet of spiritual tea. The tea leaves were dark green, each one whole and plump, emitting a faint fragrance.

This spiritual tea costs over a thousand Spirit Stones, roughly the same as Liu Jiyu's pair of low-grade spirit bracelets.

"Little sister," he said softly, his voice carrying a hint of a brother's affection for his sister.

"I don't have anything good to give you, but this box of spirit tea is something I brought back from the Southern Border. It tastes quite good; keep it and drink it. It will be very beneficial for your cultivation."

"Thank you, Ninth Brother." Liu Yiyi took the wooden box and put it into her Storage Bag.

Liu Jichuan nodded and turned his gaze to Wang Mengde.

Like Liu Jiyu, his gaze sharpened the moment it turned to Wang Mengde, but in a different way.

Liu Jiyu was aggressive, like a tiger ready to pounce at any moment.

Liu Jichuan, on the other hand, was all bark and no bite. His smile and tone remained unchanged, but his sharpness was like a blade hidden in warm water—not hot, but cutting.

"Wang Mengde," he began, his voice still gentle, as if discussing something trivial, "I only have this one younger sister. Her mother passed away early, and she suffered a lot. If you were to cause her any harm, I, as her older brother, would be the first to object."

He didn't step forward, nor did he look down on anyone; he simply stood there, smiling, speaking in a gentle tone, as if he were having a casual chat.

But every word carries an undeniable warning.

Wang Mengde clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Ninth Brother, rest assured."

Liu Jichuan glanced at him, smiled slightly, and turned to walk back to his seat.

After Liu Jiyu and Liu Jichuan finished presenting their gifts, the other members of the Liu clan rose and stepped forward.

Most of them were Liu Yuanming's cousins, nephews, and grandchildren, totaling more than ten people.

They approached Liu Yiyi and presented her with a variety of gifts, including spiritual fruits, spiritual wine, spiritual pills, spiritual cloth, and Law Artifacts.

However, the prices are all about the same, around five hundred Spirit Stones.

They treated Liu Yiyi fairly politely, after all, she was the clan chief's daughter, and they had to maintain appearances.

However, most people treated Wang Mengde with rather indifference.

That indifference wasn't deliberate; it was a natural, ingrained disregard and contempt.

It's like seeing a beggar on the street; you wouldn't deliberately dislike him, but you wouldn't pay him any attention either.

Several young and ambitious members of the Liu clan were even more arrogant.

A young man who looked to be in his early twenties, with Sixth Layer of Qi Refinement of Qi Refining cultivation, walked up to Wang Mengde, sized him up, and said in a condescending tone, "Since you've married my aunt, you'd better treat her well. If I find out you've bullied her, I, Liu Chengfeng, will be the first to make you pay."

After saying that, he walked away with his head held high, like a victorious rooster.

Another middle-aged woman came up. She was dressed elegantly and was clearly someone of some status in the Liu Immortal Clan.

She first held Liu Yiyi's hand and talked for a while, saying things like, "Yiyi, you've suffered," and "If you need anything in the future, come to your auntie."

Then he turned to Wang Mengde, his smile immediately fading, and looked at him with a scrutinizing gaze, as if he were looking at a cheap item bought from a street stall.

"Wang Mengde, Yiyi is the apple of our Liu Family's eye. Now that you've married her, you must treat her well. If you dare to bully Yiyi, not a single member of the Liu Family will let you get away with it."

After saying that, he turned and left without waiting for Wang Mengde's response.

One after another.

Members of the Liu clan took turns stepping forward to support Liu Yiyi and to intimidate Wang Mengde.

Some spoke more politely, while others spoke more bluntly, but the meaning was roughly the same:

You're a useless person with Five-Element Spirit Roots. It's your good fortune to marry a daughter of the Liu Family. Cherish it, or you'll regret it.

Wang Mengde responded to each question calmly and respectfully, without being arrogant or servile.

Every time someone warned him, he would clasp his hands in a gesture of respect and say, "Don't worry," or "I will."

His voice was calm, his expression was calm, and he showed no displeasure.

This scene elicited varying reactions from the others on the field.

The atmosphere was somewhat delicate at Wang Mengde's relatives' table.

Hou Qing stood in the crowd, a smug smile on his lips, and whispered to Zhou Zhenshan beside him, "See? This is the price of climbing the social ladder."

It's true that she married a good dao companion, but none of the Liu Family members are easy to deal with.

No one respected Wang Mengde.

Wang Mengde's days ahead are probably going to be tough.

Zhou Zhenshan smirked slightly and replied telepathically, "Those who climb the social ladder have to be humble and suffer this humiliation."

Yun Jingshan frowned, feeling quite displeased as he watched the Liu clan members step forward one by one to warn Wang Mengde.

He transmitted his voice to Zhao Hongying: "What kind of attitude is this? Is it really necessary to be like this?"

Zhao Hongying stood to the side, arms crossed, her brows slightly furrowed.

She didn't reply, but the look in her eyes said it all... She also felt that these members of the Liu clan had gone too far.

Her gaze lingered on Wang Mengde's face for a moment, and seeing his unchanging expression, she secretly admired him.

If it were her, she would have exploded long ago after being warned like that repeatedly.

Wang Mengde, however, was able to respond to each question without changing his expression.

This kind of mindset is not simple.

Standing beside Zhao Hongying, Shen Qingxue watched this scene and felt a surge of comfort.

A slight smile played on her lips, though she tried her best to hide it, the hint of pleasure in her eyes was impossible to conceal.

Wang Mengde, oh Wang Mengde.

Do you think that getting close to Liu Yiyi will bring you instant success?

Dream.

In the eyes of the Liu Family, you are nothing more than a dog wagging its tail.

She whispered to Zhao Hongying, her tone laced with barely concealed schadenfreude. "See? This is what happens when you try to climb the social ladder."

Zhao Hongying didn't reply, but her brows furrowed even more.

Li Han chuckled inwardly, his envy and jealousy transforming into a deep sense of satisfaction.

A stiff smile hung on his face, but a glint of schadenfreude flashed in his eyes.

Wang Mengde, haven't you climbed the social ladder?

Didn't he marry the daughter of Foundation Establishment Elder?

Now you know, climbing high branches isn't so easy.

In their eyes, you'll always be that useless person with Five-Element Spirit Roots, someone who can never hold their head up high.

Zhou Zhenshan crossed his arms, a cold smile playing on his lips, making no attempt to hide his disdain.

He whispered to Fan Yunzheng beside him, "See that? This is what happens when someone tries to climb the social ladder. They get humiliated in public and don't even dare to utter a sound."

Fan Yunzheng did not respond, but only glanced at Wang Mengde, a complex expression flashing in her eyes.

She disliked Wang Mengde, but seeing him treated this way didn't exactly make her happy.

I just felt... a little sorry for her.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators reacted much calmer.

Most of them were expressionless, as if watching a play that had nothing to do with them.

Deacon Zhao stood on one side of the platform, watching the members of the Liu clan take turns going up on stage. His brows twitched slightly, but he quickly regained his composure.

He sighed inwardly.

This is the price of climbing the social ladder.

If you gain resources, status, and powerful backers, you must also bear the corresponding contempt and insults.

Nobody will respect you.

Until you have enough ability, no one will respect you.

Zhou Wanshan stroked his beard, squinting as he watched everything, his face expressionless.

Zheng Tieshan sat next to him, his dark face expressionless. He simply picked up his teacup, took a sip, and his gaze lingered on Wang Mengde for a moment before looking away.

Holding a white jade whisk in her hand, Li Yunshu watched as the Liu clan members took turns warning Wang Mengde, a hint of reluctance flashing in her eyes.

She opened her mouth as if to say something, but after glancing at her expressionless Foundation Establishment colleagues around her, she ultimately said nothing.

Han Mingyuan's face was cold and his gaze was sharp as a knife. He glanced at the Liu clan members and then looked away.

He was a deacon in the Enforcement Hall, accustomed to the coldness and warmth of human relationships, and unsurprised by such scenes.

He was Bai Suyi and beard were all white, his face was serene, and his gaze was calm as still water.

He watched Wang Mengde standing on the platform, being warned by one Liu clan member after another. There was no sympathy or disdain in his eyes, only a detached indifference that showed he had seen through the ways of the world.

The elders of the inner sect reacted in different ways.

White Crane True Person frowned slightly, but said nothing.

Thick Earth True Person remained expressionless, picked up his teacup, and drank his tea.

Green Bamboo True Person shook his head and whispered to Water-Cutting True Person beside him, "These members of the Liu clan have gone too far."

Water-Cutting True Person replied calmly via telepathy, "What's wrong with that? This is the custom. When a daughter marries, her family always has to give the son-in-law a warning to prevent him from being bullied later. However, the Liu clan did go a bit too far."

Many-Treasures True Person, a chubby man, watched all this with a smile, seemingly lost in thought.

Cold Moon True Person remained aloof, glancing at Wang Mengde before looking away.

The Iron-Faced True Person sat expressionless in his chair, like a wooden puppet.

Myriad-Swords True Person held his teacup, his gaze deep and unreadable.

Scarlet Cloud True Person stroked his beard, shook his head slightly, but said nothing.

Blazing Fire True Person sat in a chair, a hint of dissatisfaction on his red face.

He watched as members of the Liu clan took turns going on stage to warn Wang Mengde, and the more he watched, the more uncomfortable he felt.

What kind of skill is it for these people to bully a junior at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refinement Refining?

Is this all the magnanimity you have for the Liu Immortal Clan, the family of the Foundation Establishment Chief?

Blazing Fire True Person picked up his wine cup, drank it all in one gulp, and slammed the cup down on the table with a thud.

But he didn't say anything.

This is a family matter for the Liu Family; as an outsider, he shouldn't interfere.

The Liu clan members finally finished sending their congratulatory gifts.

Yun Jingshan had long been displeased with the Liu Immortal Clan.

He stepped out of the crowd, strode up to Wang Mengde, and prepared to stand up for his friend.

He took out a brocade box from his Storage Bag and handed it to Wang Mengde with both hands.

The brocade box was opened, revealing a fist-sized piece of spirit jade. The jade was deep blue, with a faint spiritual light flowing across its surface, and star-like highlights shimmering within.

This is a third-tier spirit jade, worth over two thousand Spirit Stones.

Yun Jingshan's voice wasn't loud, but it was very sincere. "Mengde, this is my congratulatory gift for you."

97

Such a gift drew slight glances from the crowd.

Because most of the members of the Liu Immortal Clan gave them treasures worth five hundred Spirit Stones.

Only Liu Yiyi's two brothers, Liu Jiyu and Liu Jichuan, gave her treasures worth over a thousand Spirit Stones.

It wasn't even as much as what one of Wang Mengde's friends gave him.

Even the Foundation Establishment True Person were slightly surprised.

Because the gifts they prepared were only worth a little over a thousand Spirit Stones.

After all, it's just a gift.

However, even a mere Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement Refining received a treasure worth over two thousand Spirit Stones.

They were Foundation Establishment cultivators after all, and a fortune of over a thousand Spirit Stones seemed rather insignificant to them.

Wang Mengde looked at the piece of spirit jade, and a slight thought crossed his mind.

He recognized this kind of spirit jade; its market value was at least two thousand Spirit Stones.

For a cultivator at the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement Refining, this amount of congratulatory gift is truly substantial.

He looked up at Yun Jingshan and saw that Yun Jingshan was staring intently at him.

Yun Jingshan patted Wang Mengde on the shoulder, his voice soft but each word heavy. "Mengde, I believe you will definitely achieve Foundation Establishment in the future."

A warm feeling welled up in Wang Mengde's heart.

So many people have come to participate in his dao companion formation ceremony today. Some are envious, some are jealous, some are disdainful, some sneer, some warn, and some threaten.

But very few people were genuinely happy for him or sincerely wished him well.

Yun Jingshan is one of them.

Wang Mengde accepted the brocade box, solemnly put it into his Storage Bag, then clasped his hands in a fist salute. His voice was steady, with a hint of barely perceptible emotion. "Then I will take your good wishes and definitely Foundation Establishment."

Yun Jingshan grinned, patted him on the shoulder, and turned to walk back into the crowd.

Seeing this, Zhao Hongying also came out.

She walked up to Wang Mengde and took out a fishing rod from her Storage Bag.

She handed the fishing rod to Wang Mengde.

She had originally prepared a low-grade magic Law Artifact, the Demon-Binding Rope, worth over five hundred Spirit Stones, but seeing the Liu Immortal Clan members suppressing Wang Mengde in every way, she was very displeased.

She immediately took out her fishing rod, a mid-grade fishing rod worth three thousand Spirit Stones, to support Wang Mengde.

Her voice was cheerful, with her usual spiritedness. "Wang Mengde, this is my congratulatory gift for you, please accept it."

The Foundation Establishment secretly sized up Zhao Hongying.

Does a mere Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement of Qi Refining need to go to such lengths? It's just a small donation.

To take a treasure worth three thousand Spirit Stones?

How are we Foundation Establishment cultivators supposed to obtain this?

That little rascal from the Zhao Immortal Clan.

Shen Qingxue frowned slightly when she saw Zhao Hongying give away her second-tier fishing rod.

I was very unhappy.

Wang Mengde looked at the mid-grade magic Law Artifact, and his heart stirred again.

This mid-grade Law Artifact fishing rod is extremely valuable, worth over three thousand Spirit Stones. When used with the Entwining Silk Technique, it can save a lot of spiritual energy when catching Demon Fish.

He had wanted to buy one for a long time, but this mid-grade Spirit Fortune True Person Law Artifact the Evergreen Sect, and the supply could not meet the demand, so he had to make an order with Spirit Fortune True Person in advance.

Zhao Hongying, a Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement, has truly gone all out to spend so many Spirit Stones on congratulatory gifts.

He looked up at Zhao Hongying and saw her calm gaze and a faint smile on her lips, "Keep going, I believe in you, you will definitely reach the Foundation Establishment in the future."

He took the brocade box, put it into his Storage Bag, and clasped his hands in thanks, saying, "Thank you, Miss Zhao."

Zhao Hongying waved her hand, turned around and left.

Her back was straight, her steps were light, as if nothing had happened.

Next, Wang Mengde's relatives and friends, including Shen Qingxue, Li Han, Hou Qing, Zhou Zhenshan, and Fan Yunzheng, also stepped forward to present their congratulatory gifts.

The gifts they gave were of similar value, all worth around one hundred Spirit Stones... Shen Qingxue gave a first-grade spirit jade, Li Han gave a bottle of first-grade spirit-nourishing pills, Hou Qing gave a piece of first-grade spirit ink, Zhou Zhenshan gave two second-grade mid-level spirit pills, Meridian-Expanding Pills, and Fan Yunzheng gave two second-grade mid-level spirit pills Foundation-Stabilizing Essence-Nourishing Pills.

They all wore smiles and offered their congratulations, but their thoughts were different, and their expressions varied accordingly.

Shen Qingxue's smile was faint, like a thin layer of frost.

Li Han's smile froze, his eyes filled with jealousy.

Hou Qing's smile was sincere, tinged with envy.

Zhou Zhenshan's smile was perfunctory, his eyes filled with disdain.

Fan Yunzheng's smile was gentle, yet carried a hint of aloofness.

Wang Mengde accepted the congratulatory gifts one by one, bowing and thanking them in turn, his expression calm and composed, neither humble nor arrogant.

Afterwards, a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators began to present Liu Yiyi with congratulatory gifts.

White Crane True Person walked up to Liu Yiyi, took out two white jade bottles from his Storage Bag, handed them to Liu Yiyi, and said with a smile, "Yiyi, this is a congratulatory gift from your martial uncle. It's second-grade spirit wine, a small token of your martial uncle's appreciation. Please accept it."

He originally only intended to give away one bottle, which cost nearly two thousand Spirit Stones.

Giving a small gift is enough.

However, since both of the Qi Refining cultivators had brought out treasures worth two or three thousand Spirit Stones, he, a dignified Foundation Establishment True Person, was too embarrassed to offer even a bottle of spirit wine.

However, the wealth, worth more than four thousand Spirit Stones, was nothing to him.

Liu Yiyi accepted the gift with both hands and thanked them.

White Crane True Person turned to Wang Mengde, sized him up, and said calmly, "Wang Mengde, treat Yiyi well. If you dare to bully her, we old folks won't stand for it."

Wang Mengde clasped his hands and said, "Rest assured, True Person."

Zhou Wanshan strode forward, first giving Liu Yiyi four Grade 3 Initial Spirit Seven-Pattern Spirit-Nurturing Pills, then turned to Wang Mengde, patted him on the shoulder with such force that he almost stumbled.

"Kid, you'd better treat Yiyi well, or I, Old Zhou, will be the first to object."

The sound was as loud as thunder; it could be heard throughout the entire courtyard.

Wang Mengde clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Rest assured, Steward Zhou."

Zhou Wanshan laughed heartily, then turned and left.

The Iron-Faced True Person expressionlessly took out a pair of black wrist guards from his sleeve and handed them to Liu Yiyi: "These are low-grade Law Artifact wrist guards, making Law Technique faster."

Liu Yiyi accepted the wristband and thanked her.

The Iron-Faced True Person looked at Wang Mengde, his gaze sharp as a knife, and said coldly, "If you have done anything to wrong her, I will not let you go."

Wang Mengde clasped his hands and said, "This junior understands."

A group of Foundation Establishment True Person presented gifts to Liu Yiyi one by one.

Green Bamboo True Person, Thick Earth True Person, Scarlet Cloud True Person, Myriad-Swords True Person, Water-Cutting True Person, Li Yunshu, Bai Suyi, Zheng Tieshan each presented four Seven-Pattern Spirit-Nurturing Pills.

They had originally agreed to give him two Seven-Pattern Spirit-Nurturing Pills as a token gesture.

However, they were too embarrassed to show it to each other, so they communicated with each other telepathically, and in the end, their prices all increased slightly.

Four Seven-Pattern Spirit-Nurturing Pills were just a small amount of money for them.

Many-Treasures True Person gave Liu Yiyi a Spirit-Stabilizing Pearl, which, when worn, could stabilize her mind and prevent her from Qi Deviation during cultivation.

These people, much like the members of the Liu Immortal Clan, casually told Wang Mengde that if he bullied Liu Yiyi, he would be in for a beating.

Cold Moon True Person gave Liu Yiyi a Jade Slip, glanced at Wang Mengde, and then returned.

Blazing Fire True Person strode over.

Instead of presenting a gift to Liu Yiyi first, he walked directly to Wang Mengde, took out a brocade box from his Storage Bag, handed it to Wang Mengde, and said in a booming voice, "Young man, this is my congratulatory gift for you."

Wang Mengde took the brocade box, opened it, and found a fist-sized, fiery red spiritual fruit inside. Flames flickered within the fruit, radiating intense spiritual energy.

This is a Vermilion Fruit, and it is quite valuable.

He looked up at Blazing Fire True Person, about to express his gratitude, but Blazing Fire True Person waved his hand, stopping him.

Blazing Fire True Person's voice was loud enough to be heard throughout the entire courtyard. "Boy, I know you have Five-Element Spirit Roots. But let me tell you, even with Five-Element Spirit Roots, you can still advance to the Foundation Establishment."

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

All eyes turned to Blazing Fire True Person.

Blazing Fire True Person didn't care at all. He patted his chest and said in a thunderous voice, "I have Five-Element Spirit Roots. Look at me, I have not only Foundation Establishment, but I have also become Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator."

So don't listen to those people's nonsense about the hopelessness of Foundation Establishment with Five-Element Spirit Roots. That's all bullshit. As long as you don't give up, you have a chance to Foundation Establishment.

His voice echoed in the courtyard, making everyone's ears ring.

Looking at the rugged face of the Blazing Fire True Person and his eyes burning with flames, Wang Mengde felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

Today, so many Foundation Establishment True Person gave Liu Yiyi congratulatory gifts, but only Blazing Fire True Person gave her a gift and said these words.

A truly heartfelt statement, filled with kindness, without any condescending charity or pity.

Instead of warning him.

He clasped his hands in a fist and bowed deeply, his voice steady. "Thank you for your teachings, True Person. I will remember them forever."

Blazing Fire True Person laughed heartily and patted him on the shoulder. Then he turned to Liu Yiyi, took out a jade bottle from his sleeve, handed it to her, and said with a smile, "Yiyi, this is a congratulatory gift from your martial uncle: four Seven-Pattern Spirit-Nurturing Pills. Take them for your cultivation."

Liu Yiyi accepted the jade bottle and thanked her.

Blazing Fire True Person waved his hand and strode away.

The gift-giving segment has finally come to an end.

The courtyard became lively again.

Spiritual wine and tea were served, and spiritual fruits and snacks filled the table. Everyone clinked glasses and chatted happily.

The six round tables were packed full.

As toasts were exchanged, the atmosphere gradually shifted from the solemnity of the ceremony to the lively and boisterous atmosphere of the banquet.

Wang Mengde, holding a wine glass, moved between the tables, thanking each one of them.

He first went to the table where the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Evergreen Sect's inner sect were sitting.

Ten Foundation Establishment experts from the inner sect of the Evergreen Sect sat at this table, each exuding a profound aura and overwhelming spiritual pressure.

Wang Mengde walked to the table, raised his cup with both hands, and said respectfully, "Thank you all for coming to participate in my dao companion formation ceremony. I would like to offer you all a toast."

After saying that, he drank it all in one gulp.

White Crane True Person smiled, raised his cup, took a sip, and said, "Congratulations!"

Thick Earth True Person nodded slightly, raised his wine cup, and paid his respects.

Green Bamboo True Person smiled and raised his cup, saying, "Wang Mengde, cultivate diligently. If you have any questions in the future, you can come and ask me."

Blazing Fire True Person laughed loudly, "Boy, work hard at your cultivation, I have high hopes for you."

Although most of the Foundation Establishment cultivators looked down on Wang Mengde, this good-for-nothing with Five-Element Spirit Roots who was trying to climb the social ladder, they all wore polite smiles and exchanged a few words with him out of respect for Liu Yuanming.

No one gave him a hard time, but that was all; they were polite, distant, and carried a sense of condescending scrutiny and aloofness.

Wang Mengde understood this in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face.

He toasted each of them and thanked them, then walked to the table where the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the outer sect of the Evergreen Sect were sitting.

The general attitude towards Wang Mengde was similar to that of the inner sect Foundation Establishment.

The atmosphere at the table with the Liu clan members was much more subtle.

Wang Mengde walked to the table, raised his glass to express his gratitude, and Liu Jiyu and Liu Jichuan stood up and raised their glasses in return, but their smiles were faint and their eyes were cold.

The other members of the Liu clan also had faint smiles. Although they all stood up, some raised their glasses, while others didn't even raise their glasses.

Wang Mengde offered his respects to each of them, his expression unchanged, and then turned and left.