"Marrying into the family?"
"This... Senior Brother Bai, I am a novice on the Dao Path cultivation, focused solely on my practice, and have absolutely no intention of marrying into any family."
Upon hearing what Bai Sheng had to say, Lu Li immediately refused.
Just kidding, he's currently in a foreign world, barely able to save his own life, how could he possibly have any other thoughts?
Marrying and having children, or having an arranged marriage—isn't that just being a gigolo?
Furthermore... judging from his tone, he doesn't seem to be marrying into the Bai Household; he clearly wants to be a free laborer!
Upon hearing Bai Sheng's expression stiffened slightly.
The smile on his face slowly faded.
He looked at Lu Li.
" Junior Brother Lu, you need to think this through. I told you this as soon as you entered the outer sect."
"Among the many factions of the Four Peaks of Azure Pool, if you don't join my faction, you'll naturally have to go to another."
"I heard you have a good relationship with Master Wu? Are you aware that he comes from the Inner Sect's Supreme Refinement Peak, and has never been on good terms with my Bai Household?"
"If you don't appreciate my help and support now, fine. If you can earn your way into the Supreme Refinement Peak through your own abilities, then my Bai Household will naturally be unable to touch you."
"But if it's..."
Bai Sheng paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over Lu Li.
"But if you can't... then please don't forget how the servants of Azure Pool survive."
Don't think that everything will be fine once you've been promoted to the outer sect.
Bai Sheng's words were straightforward and clear.
The words carried a veiled threat.
Before Lu Li could reply, his expression suddenly changed, and he became friendly again.
"Furthermore, junior brother, don't you realize that, yes, you are now a weapon craftsman?"
"But ultimately, for someone with your aptitude to even attempt Foundation Establishment is a life-or-death struggle. To put it bluntly, you can't die without any descendants, can you?"
"If you ask me, Junior Brother, don't rush to Foundation Establishment. Choose a virtuous woman from my Bai Household, have a child with her, and then focus on raising that child."
"With your skills as a weapon craftsman, you can definitely help your offspring Foundation Establishment in this lifetime, which will be a satisfactory outcome for your ancestors."
"Alright, I know you need to think it over, junior brother. I won't pressure you. I'll come find you again in three days."
Goodbye!
Bai Sheng clasped his hands in a fist salute, summoned his flying sword, and soared away.
He didn't give Lu Li a chance to speak from beginning to end.
Yes, perhaps in his view, Lu Li's opinion was simply unimportant...
Watching Bai Sheng's departing figure, Lu Li frowned deeply.
Bai Sheng's appearance undoubtedly brought him trouble.
Yet it seemed like destiny...
"I come from the Bai Household's business, so I have no say in my own affairs; my future was decided long ago."
"I never expected that I would be forced to marry into his family..."
Marrying into another's family is absolutely out of the question.
Bai Sheng's claim that raising children was not for his own good, but rather to benefit the Bai Household.
They might even have to change their surname.
I've spent my whole life being exploited and drained like expendable material.
But if not...
"The rules of the Azure Pool Sect are nothing but paper in the eyes of Golden Core."
"The only one who can break this deadlock... is perhaps... Supreme Refinement Peak!"
"If we could use Master Wu's connections to advance to the Supreme Refinement Peak, we could be freed from this predicament..."
Lu Li's eyes flashed rapidly.
The four major Golden Core Lineage of the Azure Pool Sect are the Sect Leader's lineage, the Supreme Origin Peak lineage, the Supreme Azure Peak lineage, and... the Upper White Peak lineage.
Only the peak master of Shanglian Peak, Ziran, is devoted to the Dao of Weapons, has attained the Golden Core stage, and commands the peak alone.
The peak is also mostly inhabited by cultivators of various arts, especially disciples specializing in weapon crafting.
Given his current situation, the only way for him to join the Supreme Refinement Peak is to either Foundation Establishment or make a breakthrough in his weapon-refining skills.
"If I can advance to the rank of Grandmaster of Weapon Forging, even just a first-tier Grandmaster... I will definitely be highly regarded by Master Wu."
"Joining the Supreme Refinement Peak is no problem... all I lack is time!"
There's no hope of Foundation Establishment within six or seven years.
With some effort in weapon crafting, one could potentially reach the level of a first-tier grandmaster within a year!
"It seems that for now, we should postpone things as long as possible."
With a thought flashing through his mind, Lu Li had already arrived at the cave abode.
Without a doubt, all he needs now is time.
The longer it drags on, the better it will be for him.
"Well, this mission to leave the sect came at just the right time."
"Go out for a stroll, whether you find Spirit Vein or not, and improve your weapon-refining skills along the way."
"By the time we return to the sect, we should be at least at the level of a grandmaster, if not a true master..."
Lu Li quickly came up with a plan.
Having spent so much time with his colleagues in the strategy team, his way of thinking has become much more comprehensive.
While not being overly meticulous in thinking about problems, they are generally quite reliable.
They entered the cave abode and began packing their belongings.
I'm planning to ask the organization for some valuable information...
Upper White Peak, one of the four peaks of the inner gate, is grand and towering.
Those who come and go are all Foundation Establishment disciples.
The Spiritual Qi was thick with spiritual energy, and the sword light flashed frequently, exuding an aura of majesty.
Bai Sheng in front of his cave abode, gazing at the beautiful, faintly visible mountain peaks deep within the sect.
His face lacked the affected expression he wore during the day, and showed no respect whatsoever for his own mountain peak.
His eyes were filled with icy coldness.
"Sheng'er, news has come from the peak again, saying... this month's clan stipend will be postponed..."
"Also... also, please have 30% of this month's stipend handed over when you have time..."
An aged voice came from behind Bai Sheng.
It was tinged with a sense of helplessness and bitterness.
Upon hearing this, Bai Sheng's back trembled slightly.
As if he was suppressing something, he took one last look at the beautiful mountain peak deep within the sect, then turned around.
"Grandpa, I understand. It's windy in the mountains, you should go inside quickly."
Standing before him was an old man with a weathered face, cloudy eyes, and a hunched back.
The white robe she wore had turned slightly yellow.
His eyes were full of worry as he looked at Bai Sheng.
"Sheng'er, don't overthink it. Our ancestor just achieved the Golden Core, and the Lineage has received many benefits. Naturally, they need to digest them."
"Conflict is inevitable."
"Let's wait until the offspring of those main branches have reached the Foundation Establishment."
"I'll ask a few of my cousins to put in a good word for you... maybe you'll have a chance too!"
"We're all of the same race, there's no need to be so competitive..."
It seemed they had heard something extremely funny.
Bai Sheng forced back his bitterness, a disdainful smirk playing on his lips.
"Hope? Competitive spirit? Hah..."
"If I don't fight for our family's future, will we ever have a chance to rise again?"
"We thought that with our ancestor achieving the Golden Core stage, the Lineage's status would rise accordingly, and even a collateral branch like ours could hope to obtain a Foundation Establishment opportunity."
In the end, things were even worse than before.
"This Golden Core... it's better not to even use it..."
"Sheng'er! Shut up! Are you crazy?!"
The hunchbacked old man was startled by Bai Sheng's words.
He quickly told him to shut up.
Afraid of being overheard, he couldn't help but look towards the beautiful mountain peak deep within the sect in the distance.
"What are you afraid of, Grandfather? Our Lineage's collateral branches cultivate in the outer sect, which is far away from the inner peak. No one will hear us."
"Besides... who cares about us anyway?"
"If you want a way out, you have to fight for your own life. As for this damn Lineage... heh!"
Bai Sheng's tone was full of sarcasm.
It seemed as if he was mocking his own previous unrealistic ideas.
"That's enough, Grandpa, don't think about it anymore."
"Don't worry about Foundation Establishment anymore, I'll make other plans."
"As for Lineage, main lineage, and such... heh, I, Bai Sheng, am not necessarily inferior to them."
Having said that, Bai Sheng turned and went back to his cave abode.
As he brushed past the old man, he paused for a moment.
"Grandpa, I might have to leave the sect in a few days. Please take care of yourself."