Although Wall Reef Manor still regards Jade Spring Sect as the superior lineage, Chen Shuangbai understands that there are still certain differences between lineage and the sect itself.
Wei Chengfeng might have intervened out of respect for Yi Chongyue to deter those ambitious villains, but that doesn't mean Chen Shuangbai can act recklessly based on that favor.
Chen Shuangbai guessed that the three opportunities to attack were the greatest "tolerance" Wei Chengfeng, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, had shown her.
The most important thing in being a person is to have self-awareness.
Chen Shuangbai happens to be a very self-aware person.
Hearing that Wei Chengfeng needed her to agree to one condition, Chen Shuangbai felt much more at ease.
If there are conditions, then there's room for discussion.
If there aren't the necessary conditions... then I should be worried.
Chen Shuangbai bowed, "Please inform me, Martial Uncle, that if it is within my ability, I will certainly not refuse."
Wei Chengfeng put down his tea, stared intently at Chen Shuangbai, and said, "That's quite straightforward."
"Then I'll be frank."
"Please speak, Uncle-Master."
"I want you to marry Dang'er, and you will become a son-in-law of my Jade Reef Water Manor. Is that acceptable?"
Chen Shuangbai's brows furrowed immediately.
He raised his head, looked at Wei Chengfeng whose expression remained calm, and said earnestly, "Please, Uncle-Master, don't joke like this with me. This concerns Junior Sister Wei's reputation..."
But before he could finish speaking, Wei Chengfeng interrupted him.
"Who's joking with you? I'm just asking you, do you agree or not?"
Chen Shuangbai understood immediately upon hearing this.
This Foundation Establishment master was definitely not joking.
Why?
This was the first thought that came to Chen Shuangbai's mind.
I'm just an outer disciple, while Wei Mingdang not only has better talent than me, but also a higher cultivation level. Most importantly, he has a father who's at the Foundation Establishment?
If it were a matter of discussing marriage, it would never involve me.
Putting everything else aside, the inner disciple of the Jade Spring Sect are all outstanding individuals; wouldn't hiring them be a perfect match for Wei Mingdang?
Chen Shuangbai pondered for a while, but still couldn't figure out what Wei Chengfeng meant.
However, he followed his heart and said so.
"I hope my senior uncle will forgive me. My mind is solely focused on cultivation, and I am not a suitable match for him."
Wei Chengfeng raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "Have you thought it through?"
"Although my Jade Reef Water Manor cannot compare to our sect, we have accumulated considerable wealth over the years. It is more than enough to support another Foundation Establishment cultivator. As long as you agree, everything in this Water Mansion will be yours."
Chen Shuangbai knew this, of course.
This water mansion was originally the former residence of an ancient cultivator. It was later discovered by Wei Chengfeng, who was traveling here. He then went to the Jade Spring Sect to request a decree and established this lineage here.
Since it is an ancient ruin, it naturally contains many mysteries.
The profound mysteries of the " Moonlight Spirit-Nourishing Instruction " flowed through Chen Shuangbai's mind. She dared not try too hard to perceive the thoughts of this Foundation Establishment cultivator, but she had a vague feeling that the matter was not simple.
"I've thought it through."
Chen Shuangbai raised her head and said, "I am indeed not a good match."
Wei Chengfeng didn't press the matter further, simply nodding calmly.
Just as Chen Shuangbai thought the matter was over and was about to leave, she heard Wei Chengfeng say, "Then I'll change my terms."
Chen Shuangbai sat down again.
He said, "Please speak, Uncle-Master."
"Here's what we'll do. Once you're promoted to an inner disciple, I'll also send Mingdang into our sect. I'll need you to vouch for her then."
The Jade Spring Sect requires a guarantor from its own cultivators to select disciples for its lineage to cultivate within the sect.
Chen Shuangbai gave Wei Mingdang, who was bright and elegant, a deep look, then glanced at Wei Chengfeng, and agreed.
"This junior can agree."
"Good."
A moment later.
shore.
Chen Shuangbai bowed to Wei Mingdang, who had come to see her off. Feiguang descended from the sky, stirring up gusts of wind that made it impossible for people to open their eyes.
Wei Mingdang glanced at the magnificent Snow-Plumed Eagle and exclaimed, "What a magnificent bird of flight!"
Feiguang raised his head, a smug look on his face.
Afterwards, she presented Chen Shuangbai with two boxes, saying, "My Water Mansion is ultimately no match for the upper sects. Only this jade crystal is presentable. Father said that Senior Brother Chen has a water-elemental Spirit Root, so he should be able to use it."
Chen Shuangbai accepted it without hesitation and put it into her Storage Bag.
"Thank you for your kindness, Junior Sister and Uncle. I must take my leave now."
"Good."
After watching Chen Shuangbai leave, Wei Mingdang sank into the water and returned to his underwater palace.
Back in the palace, Wei Mingdang looked at his father, who was slumped on the jade bed. His expression changed, and he hurried forward, saying with heartache, "Father, your old injuries haven't healed yet. Why did you force yourself to break through the seclusion?"
Wei Mingdang took out a pill and had Wei Chengfeng take it. After the latter regulated his breathing for a long time, he exhaled a deep breath of cold smoke, and his pale face eased a little.
" Dang'er, you don't understand."
"I don't understand, please explain, Father."
Wei Mingdang helped his father sit down beside him, his eyes filled with concern, and he held his father's icy hand tightly.
Wei Chengfeng said, " Senior Brother Yi and I are close friends. How could he casually recommend someone to come to our residence for help?"
"This Chen Shuangbai must have extraordinary abilities, so I want to entrust you to him. We can enter the Jade Spring Sect's main branch together for cultivation, and use the sect's prestige to keep away those who covet the Water Mansion."
Wei Mingdang replied, "Father, I can protect the Water Palace on my own."
Looking at his daughter's resolute expression, Wei Chengfeng couldn't help but think of his deceased wife, who had also been so gentle and resolute, but...
"Father knows, Father's Dang'er are the most formidable... cough cough cough..."
He was only halfway through his sentence.
Wei Chengfeng's face turned deathly pale again. He felt a chill creeping up his lungs and coughed up a mouthful of dark blue blood, which was mixed with many fine ice crystals.
"Father!"
Wei Mingdang's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly took out another pill and was about to put it into his father's mouth, hoping to use its power to suppress the cold poison in his lungs.
Wei Chengfeng stopped his daughter's movements and said seriously, "This cold poison is extremely domineering; I don't have much time left to live."
" Dang'er, the reason I agreed to help Chen Shuangbai three times is not only so that I can send you to our sect for cultivation in the future, but also so that I can accumulate some merit and make things easier for you after you join the sect."
"You don't need to worry about anything else from now on. Just focus on your cultivation and strive to reach the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining as soon as possible."
"Once you reach the Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, given your current bone age, you can directly advance to the inner sect."
"With you, Martial Uncle Yi, taking care of the inner sect, I can rest assured."
Wei Mingdang wept uncontrollably, clutching her father's hand and refusing to let go.
With the help of the Water Wei Chengfeng, Wei Chengfeng finally managed to suppress the cold poison flaring up in his body again after a long time. It took him quite some time before his face regained its rosy color.
He opened his eyes, and the scene from that year involuntarily came to mind.
"If I hadn't been greedy, I wouldn't be where I am today..."