300: Ninth-rank puppet

"Do you see now? These are all rare treasures of heaven and earth that I have sought out. Every single one of them is worth a fortune if taken outside!" Zhang Bai interrupted her, his tone becoming increasingly arrogant.

"Feng Ming merely obtained an Opportunity from the Wangyue Spring. Do you really think he can catch up to my cultivation speed? Before these rare treasures, the Opportunity of the Wangyue Spring isn't even worth mentioning!"

His eyes burned brightly, as if he could already see himself breaking through: "Over the next month and a half, I will let you witness a miracle with your own eyes—watch as my strength increases step by step. When that time comes, you will realize that there is a world of difference between your brother-in-law and me!"

"You!" Lu Qianqian gritted her teeth in anger. Looking at Zhang Bai's arrogant demeanor, she was momentarily speechless and could only silently hope in her heart for Feng Ming's early arrival.

Although Lu Qianqian was full of loathing for Zhang Bai for trapping her in the Weak Water Pool, she had to admit that he was telling the truth.

The rare treasures of heaven and earth before her were each worth a fortune, definitely not something an ordinary Cultivator could touch. This was the chasm between the children of great families and ordinary Cultivators.

The world always said that diligent cultivation could allow one to catch up, and that one must suffer the most bitter of hardships to become a superior person. But these words were ultimately too hollow in the face of a Family's heritage.

The accumulation of ten years or half a lifetime of hard work for an ordinary person was, to a descendant of an established Family with heritage, nothing more than a single spirit fruit or an Immortal Plant.

The world of cultivation was the same as the Mortal world. Some things, if possessed at birth, were the confidence of a lifetime; if not possessed at birth, they would likely be unattainable for the rest of one's life.

The moon gazing tears Feng Ming obtained were certainly precious, but in terms of a sudden surge in strength over a short period, they ultimately could not compare to Zhang Bai's substantial Family heritage.

The next morning, in Liangzhou City, at the inn where Feng Ming and the others were temporarily staying while participating in the Trial.

Two Maids dressed in elegant green robes walked slowly up to Elder Pan and Elder Xu, bowing as they handed over a gold-stamped invitation.

"Elders, please accept this invitation."

Elder Pan looked at the invitation handed to him, his face showing confusion: "Who are you? What business do you have with us?"

The Maid smiled and nodded, her tone respectful: "We are Maids from the Jiang Mansion. By order of Madam Jiang, we have come specifically to invite you two Seniors to the Jiang Mansion for a visit and a chat."

Elder Pan frowned slightly and shook his head: "Madam of the Jiang Family? We two have no prior relationship with the Jiang Mansion. You have likely found the wrong people."

"There is definitely no mistake," the Maid continued gently. "Our Madam is the wife of the new Jiang Family Head, Jiang Bing. She has met young friend Feng Ming before and heard him mention that you two Elders were staying here."

"Feng Ming?"

"That is correct. This way, please."

Learning that Feng Ming was the connection, Elder Pan and Elder Xu did not hesitate and immediately followed the Maids to the Jiang Family... Fifteen minutes later, in the back garden of the Jiang Mansion, a pavilion stood by the water as a gentle breeze swept past, carrying the fragrance of flowers.

When Elder Xu and Elder Pan entered, they saw a handsome woman sitting in the primary seat, exuding an air of nobility.

The two guessed that this was the wife of the Jiang Family Head.

Beside Madam Bai sat a woman with a bright and beautiful appearance. The two looked to be of similar age, and their features were seventy percent alike, though her temperament was a bit more impatient and coquettish compared to Madam Bai's gentleness.

Elder Pan and Elder Xu stepped forward and greeted them politely, their posture respectful.

Madam Bai immediately rose with the woman beside her to return the greeting, her tone warm and friendly. "Seniors, there is no need for such formality. You two are the mentors of Feng Ming and Shuwan, so naturally, you are honored guests of the Jiang Family. Please, take a seat."

Seeing that this wife of the Jiang Family Head was not difficult to get along with, the two Elders' tense nerves relaxed considerably. After taking their seats, their gazes fell upon the woman beside Madam Bai with a hint of confusion and curiosity.

Madam Bai did not waste words and introduced her immediately. "Elders, let me introduce you. This is my younger sister, Bai Xi. To be honest, I invited you here today because there is indeed something I would like to ask you about."

"Madam, please feel free to speak," Elder Xu said with a serious expression, gesturing with his hand.

Madam Bai immediately began: "It is like this. As you all should have seen on the Trial rankings, there is a young man named Zhang Bai. He is my sister's only son and the most talented child of the Zhang Family's current generation."

"His marriage is also the matter of greatest concern within the Family. We originally thought to look for a suitable girl for him later, but unexpectedly, during this Trial, he actually took a fancy to a girl himself and even forcibly kept her by his side. It seems he has truly set his heart on this girl."

"This girl comes from Qingyang City and is named Lu Qianqian. By inviting you two here today, we wanted to understand her background. We would appreciate it if you could tell us about her, so we know what we are dealing with."

Elder Xu and Elder Pan glanced at each other, both of their faces flashing with a hint of unavoidable awkwardness.

Bai Xi saw this and immediately spoke up, her tone carrying a hint of urgency: "Seniors, is there something inappropriate or inconvenient about this?"

"Regarding Lu Qianqian, this matter is indeed a bit tricky," Elder Xu said after a moment of deliberation.

Elder Pan, who was beside him, was more straightforward. He waved his hand and said, "There's nothing that can't be said. You two Madams clearly seem like reasonable people, so I won't hide anything and will speak plainly."

Hearing this, Madam Bai already had a vague premonition, so she nodded. "Elder, please speak plainly."

"This Lu Qianqian is the second daughter of the Qingyang City Lord, Lu Zhenfeng. She has an older sister named Lu An'an."

Upon hearing this, Bai Xi immediately looked delighted: "This background is already excellent. Although Qingyang City isn't considered large, the daughter of a City Lord is more than a suitable match for our Zhang Bai. However, Elder, when you said it was tricky, is there some hidden complication?"

Elder Pan gave a light chuckle and changed the subject: "There's no hidden complication, it's just that this Lu An'an is Feng Ming's Second Madam. Although the grand wedding ceremony hasn't been held yet, the parents of both sides have long since settled the marriage contract. It is set in stone."

"It's actually like that? Then in the future, wouldn't Zhang Bai and Feng Ming become brothers-in-law?" Madam Bai was slightly startled and said softly.

Elder Pan shook his head, his tone serious: "Madam Bai, you are thinking a bit too much, and perhaps too early. As mentors, we see it very clearly. This Lu Qianqian and Feng Ming both have feelings for each other in their hearts. It's only because of Lu An'an that neither of them has broken the silence."

When his voice fell, the pavilion instantly became silent.

Madam Bai's expression suddenly darkened, and the joy on Bai Xi's face vanished as she sat there in a daze.

After a long while, Madam Bai finally spoke in a low voice, her tone full of lingering fear: "Foolish! Truly foolish! Zhang Bai almost caused a catastrophic disaster!"

Bai Xi snapped out of it, her face full of bewilderment: "Sister, this... how is this causing a disaster?"

"This Feng Ming is not to be underestimated," Madam Bai looked at her with a grave tone. "Not only does he possess a ninth-rank puppet, but his own strength is also unfathomable. Furthermore, Shuwan has a natural Ice Body and is highly regarded by Old Master Jiang."

"Let me put it this way: even the position of Jiang Family Head was only decided after the Old Master first asked for the opinions of Feng Ming and the others."