95: Chapter 95 Threat

But once they were actually inside the Grotto-Heaven, how many people would adhere to the rules? Even the Cheng Family members themselves might ruthlessly attack their companions to fight for an Opportunity.

Once someone died, the outcome would entirely depend on what the surviving victor chose to say, wouldn't it?

Su Yang did not believe the Cheng Family could overlook this point.

Therefore, for any Opportunity that required cooperation with outsiders, Su Yang would maintain the highest level of vigilance, especially since Jiang Linyuan was among this group.

From any angle one considered it, the Su Family should retreat from this Opportunity by a wide margin.

As his voice fell, the private room instantly fell silent.

Many people admired Su Yang’s courage; he dared to directly refuse the invitation of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, not even listening to the rest of what Cheng Lan had to say.

"Head of the Su Family, why the rush?"

Cheng Lan’s smile was as benevolent as ever. "No matter what everyone here thinks right now, it wouldn't hurt to listen before making a decision. Our Cheng Family comes with sincerity, not to entrap everyone."

She raised her hand, motioning for Su Yang to sit down.

She then began to speak about the treasures the Cheng Family had discovered in the Grotto-Heaven, and the difficulties they encountered inside, concluding by explaining that they were forced by circumstances to share this Opportunity.

In summary, she wanted everyone to lower their guard and prove that the Cheng Family was genuinely sincere about cooperating.

Listening only to what Cheng Lan said, it certainly sounded full of sincerity, but Su Yang remained steadfastly unwilling to participate.

However, many people present were stirred up, especially upon hearing that a heavenly spirit fruit had actually appeared in the Grotto-Heaven! If one could be plucked, it would be equivalent to obtaining a foundation establishment pill.

For a Qi Refining Family, this was an irresistible temptation!

Even Jiang Wuyu showed interest. His twisted posture suddenly straightened, and a thoughtful look appeared on his face.

Cheng Lan nodded in satisfaction upon seeing this scene. "We will end here for today. If anyone is interested, gather at the Cheng Family in ten days."

The banquet dispersed, and everyone took their leave, their faces showing either contemplation or excitement.

Just as Su Yang was preparing to depart, Cheng Lan called out to him.

"Head of the Su Family, please stay."

Cheng Lan’s smile was benevolent, not at all like someone looking for trouble. "I heard the Third Young Miss of the Su Family is eighteen years old. Coincidentally, we have a descendant in the Cheng Family of a similar age. I wonder if the Head of the Su Family would be willing to form a marriage alliance?"

Su Yang was very surprised by this; he hadn't expected it to be a matter of marriage alliance.

The Su Family had been in Qingyuan for over twenty years, and many Families had sought marriage alliances, but none had worked out due to various coincidences.

Although Su Xuanheng and Wei Yan were not yet married, they were close to it.

Su Xuanming had married Ruan Ning right after coming of age, so the major Families had failed to secure a marriage alliance then either.

Now it was Su Xuanjing's turn, but because the Su Family women did not marry out, the various Families had given up.

Cheng Lan could not possibly be unaware of this, but a Cheng Family descendant would certainly not marry into the Su Family. Was there any precedent for a descendant of a Foundation Establishment Family marrying into a Qi Refining Family?

Since the Cheng Family would not marry in, Cheng Lan’s intention was clearly to have Su Xuanjing marry out.

Cheng Lan’s action seemed to be offering Su Yang a way out; as long as the two Families formed a marriage alliance, the previous minor offense could be forgiven and forgotten.

But in Su Yang’s eyes, this was outright coercion!

A slightly apologetic smile appeared on Su Yang’s face. He clasped his fists together, bowed slightly, maintaining a respectful yet composed demeanor.

He replied softly, "I am grateful for the Senior’s favor. However, our Family has few descendants, and according to ancestral rules established to continue our Bloodline, the women do not marry out for now. I truly regret declining the Senior's kind offer and hope the Senior will understand."

Hearing this, the smile on Cheng Lan’s face finally faded slowly, and her entire aura turned icy cold.

"This is the second time the Head of the Su Family has refused, isn't it?"

Cheng Lan’s tone was indifferent, carrying a bone-chilling coldness.

Su Yang thought inwardly that this was bad. The Su Family was already not on good terms with the Jiang Family, and now adding the Cheng Family meant they were truly in a predicament.

But asking him to trade his daughter for the Family’s safety—he could not do it!

"It is not that this Junior intentionally refused; both matters are simply too coincidental."

Su Yang spoke again, but he did not receive a response from Cheng Lan. An invisible pressure permeated the private room.

Just as he was contemplating how to respond, a hearty and strong laugh was heard, directly dispersing that invisible pressure.

"Heh, I was wondering why I couldn't find the Head of the Su Family outside after searching everywhere. So you were hiding in the private room all along."

Xu Heyan strode in, his round body swaying with a simple, honest gait, his smile teasing. "This Drunken Immortal Tower is Su Family property. The Head of the Su Family must be hoarding some fine wine, planning to secretly savor it with the beautiful Head of the Cheng Family, eh?"

Su Yang instantly realized that Xu Heyan had deliberately entered to help him out of the awkward situation. How could a Foundation Establishment Cultivator not be aware of him being in the private room?

"This Junior has indeed kept some fine wine in reserve and would like to invite both Seniors to taste it."

Su Yang said respectfully.

"No need for drinking. You two enjoy yourselves to your heart's content."

Cheng Lan snorted coldly, shot Xu Heyan a glare, and then swept her sleeves away, departing.

"Thank you, Senior."

Su Yang bowed deeply to Xu Heyan. The latter waved his hand with a beaming smile, "What thanks? I don't understand what you mean. I came here because I have business with the Head of the Su Family."

"Please speak, Senior!"

"From what I understand, your Su Clan Chamber of Commerce auctioned a foundation establishment pill at the Yunmeng Ruins. I wonder if you have any stock left?"

Su Yang was stunned by the words.

As expected, there was no such thing as a free lunch. He had just driven away Cheng Lan, a major nuisance, only to be faced with the greedy Xu Heyan.

Demanding a foundation establishment pill for one act of assistance—that was truly extortionate!

Su Yang cursed inwardly, but his expression showed no dissatisfaction. "That foundation establishment pill last time was obtained by the Chamber of Commerce through a chance encounter. Does the Senior need a foundation establishment pill?"

Xu Heyan’s smile lessened slightly, making him look less simple and honest.

"The foundation establishment pill is not for my personal need, but for the trade needs of the Bihai Association. There are numerous overseas islands, but heavenly spirit fruits rarely appear there. Therefore, most foundation establishment pills are acquired from the mainland."

In truth, Su Yang had never traveled overseas during his journey through the Cultivation World so far.

The Great Wei was close to the Ten Thousand Mountains in the north, while the sea was in the far south. Thus, the Bihai Association coming to the Great Wei was quite unexpected.

"I see. If my Su Clan Chamber of Commerce obtains another foundation establishment pill, I, Su, promise to gift one to the Senior for free!"

As Su Yang finished speaking, Xu Heyan’s smile rapidly bloomed, instantly returning to one of warmth and simplicity.

"No need for a gift. My Bihai Association can afford to buy it."

Xu Heyan said with a full smile, appearing magnanimous and unconcerned with such a small amount of money, but Su Yang knew clearly that this old fellow merely presented a façade of simple honesty and generosity, while in reality, he was greedy, calculating, and two-faced.

However, this was not entirely a bad thing.

As long as the Su Family could provide benefits, they could use Xu Heyan to check Cheng Lan and Jiang Wuyu.

But since the Su Family had no seated Foundation Establishment Cultivator, they would ultimately be constrained by others.

Qingyuan Market currently only had three Foundation Establishment Cultivators, and this number would only increase in the future, not decrease.

Su Yang felt a sense of urgency. If the Su Family remained without a seated Foundation Establishment Cultivator for too long, their vast clan territory would eventually be plundered.