Behind Zhao Jia stood none other than his grandfather, the Patriarch of the Zhao family—Zhao Chengyue. The visitor was tall and imposing, with snow-white hair and beard, yet his features bore the unlined, stern countenance of a young man. He was a renowned Golden Core cultivator in Shuiyun City.

“Grandfather, why have you come?” Zhao Jia asked, visibly flustered. He rarely saw Zhao Chengyue more than twice a year. After all, his grandfather had over a hundred grandchildren, and Zhao Jia was just one unremarkable face among the crowd.

“Little Friend Lin Yinyin, allow me to apologize on behalf of Jia’er,” Zhao Chengyue said, his voice booming like a temple bell. Unbeknownst to anyone, the entire teahouse had been emptied, leaving only the three of them.

Lin Yinyin’s body tensed, her nerves palpable.

Zhao Chengyue’s name carried immense weight. He had risen to fame over six hundred years ago, starting as an obscure wandering cultivator and gradually building the Zhao family into the powerhouse it was today. With a cultivation base at the third level of the Golden Core realm, he was among the most prominent figures not only in Shuiyun City but in the surrounding regions. Even without making a move, his mere presence felt like a towering mountain pressing down upon one’s soul.

“Greetings, Senior,” Lin Yinyin replied, performing a respectful bow.

“I hear you’ve been living with someone named Zhang Xian lately,” Zhao Chengyue said calmly, his tone carrying an inexplicable pressure.

“Yes.” Have you come here to settle matters for your grandson? Lin Yinyin wondered, puzzled. Her entanglements with Zhao Jia were trivial, hardly worth the attention of such a formidable figure. Could it be…

“The old man has no interest in your affairs. I’ve come for Zhang Xian.”

“For Zhang Xian? Why involve me?” Lin Yinyin glanced at Zhao Jia, only to find him equally bewildered.

“It’s like this: every so often, the Zhao family consults the Celestial Eye Formation. We discovered that Zhang Xian mined Jade Crystal Essence from our mine, failed to turn over the mandatory eighty percent, and instead hoarded it all, secretly selling it to the Yunshang Pavilion. He violated our family’s rules, and I’m here to reclaim what’s rightfully ours.”

Jade Crystal Essence was a legendary treasure of the mines, far more precious than even the finest Spirit Stones. Legend had it that if Jade Crystal Essence were placed in an ordinary mine, it would eventually give rise to a new Spirit Vein. Moreover, it was an essential ingredient for crafting top-tier spiritual artifacts—its value could scarcely be overstated.

“Is this true, Grandfather?” Zhao Jia exclaimed, his anger mounting. “That bastard Zhang Xian seduced my woman, and now he’s stealing resources from our own family! He deserves to die a thousand deaths!”

Zhao Chengyue cast a disdainful glance at his foolish grandson, then turned to Lin Yinyin, who remained silent. He produced a jade slip and placed it on the table. “This contains evidence of his dealings with the mine and the Yunshang Pavilion.”

Zhao Jia’s voice rose sharply, furious. “Yinyin, didn’t I tell you? That scoundrel is no good! He even dared to steal our family’s Jade Crystal Essence! Next time I see him, I’ll tear him limb from limb!”

Lin Yinyin’s heart trembled as she stared at the jade slip. The reason behind Zhang Xian’s sudden wealth finally became clear.

Indeed, when they first met, he was already over a hundred years old yet still only at the Qi Refining stage. Without some extraordinary fortune, how could he have become so affluent overnight?

“I don’t believe it,” Lin Yinyin murmured, shaking her head.

“Yinyin!” Zhao Jia tried to intervene.

“Be silent!” Zhao Chengyue bellowed.

Zhao Jia instantly wilted, shrinking into silence.

Zhao Chengyue continued in a resonant voice, “I never resort to coercion. I can summon the City Lord of Shuiyun City and the Chief Steward of the Yunshang Pavilion for a direct confrontation—provided you, Lin Yinyin, bring Zhang Xian back to the mine.”

The reason was obvious: even someone as powerful as Zhao Chengyue couldn’t act openly within the city’s protective formation.

“In return, I guarantee that one-tenth of the Jade Crystal Essence will go to you. Another tenth will go to the City Lord and the Yunshang Pavilion. I will take only what’s rightfully mine—eighty percent.”

Seeing that Lin Yinyin remained silent, Zhao Chengyue pressed on. “I am willing to swear a Heaven Oath on these terms. If you bring Zhang Xian, I promise not to lay a hand on you. And if my grandson Zhao Jia continues to harass you, I’ll break his legs myself.”

“With one-tenth of the Jade Crystal Essence, your path to immortality will be assured.”

Lin Yinyin’s breath caught, her nails digging deeply into her palms. After a long pause, she finally whispered, “Swear the Heaven Oath, and I’ll bring Zhang Xian back to the mine.”

Zhao Chengyue’s lips curved into a faint smile. As promised, he invoked the Heaven Oath, a golden aura coalescing at his brow to seal the vow.

Lin Yinyin sighed with relief. In the cultivation world, breaking a Heaven Oath could lead to Heart Demons at best, or utter annihilation at worst.

“Lin Yinyin, please keep this matter confidential with Zhang Xian. Just bring him when the time comes. Otherwise, if he hides within Shuiyun City, it benefits no one. I’ll await your news.” With that, Zhao Chengyue beckoned Zhao Jia and departed the teahouse.

Left alone, Lin Yinyin sat silently, staring blankly into her teacup.

“Grandfather! Leave that scoundrel Zhang Xian to me! I’ll deal with him however I please! And Yinyin… Grandfather, you’re not really going to let her go, are you? I must have her!” Zhao Jia growled fiercely as he followed Zhao Chengyue back to the Zhao estate.

Zhao Chengyue glared at Zhao Jia’s pathetic demeanor. His anger rose, yet he restrained himself. “Jia’er, there was never any Jade Crystal Essence.”

“None? Then—”

“The Sect Master of the Shuiyun Sect and the Chief Steward of the Baoqing Workshop were also fakes. Zhang Xian holds a secret, and I must uncover it. All you need to do is maintain contact with Lin Yinyin and persuade her to bring Zhang Xian out of the city as soon as possible.”

“During this time, treat Lin Yinyin with care and patience. Don’t be hasty. Once Zhang Xian is gone…”

“…that girl will naturally belong to you.”

Zhao Jia was first stunned, then excited. “Yes, Grandfather! Whether the Jade Crystal Essence is real or not doesn’t matter. All I want is Zhang Xian dead—and Lin Yinyin for myself!”

Zhao Chengyue sighed softly. His descendants were nothing but inept individuals like Zhao Jia; otherwise, he wouldn’t have to chase every single opportunity himself. Once he was gone, the Zhao family would cease to exist.

It was only when Zhao Jia sent people to investigate Zhang Xian that Zhao Chengyue took notice.

Zhao Chengyue wielded immense influence in Shuiyun City, and his investigations revealed far more than Zhao Jia’s. He discovered that Zhang Xian not only lavished money on Lin Yinyin at the Yunshang Pavilion but had also personally purchased over ten mid-grade magical artifacts there.

Low cultivation, extravagant spending. And this was likely just the tip of the iceberg. Zhao Chengyue, nearing the end of his lifespan, needed these secrets desperately.

Lin Yinyin returned to the residence in a daze, only to find Zhang Xian engrossed in a book, comparing it to the greenery she had planted in the courtyard.

Upon seeing her, Zhang Xian said, “I’ll be in seclusion for a while longer. Yinyin, see if there’s anything you desire—I’ll buy it for you.”

“I don’t need anything anymore, Brother. I lack for nothing at the moment.” Lin Yinyin sat numbly on a stone bench in the courtyard.

“Brother, why do you spend every day reading these books instead of studying cultivation techniques? These spiritual herbs are just for us girls to play with.”

“Do you think I don’t want to learn? My foundation is too weak!” Zhang Xian lamented internally, on the verge of tears.

Yet he merely replied calmly, “You don’t understand. Knowledge lies within books. Though my body remains in Shuiyun City, daily study allows me to comprehend the affairs of the world. Daytime for reading, nighttime for cultivation—both are equally important.”

Lin Yinyin pursed her lips. Over the past few days, both she and Zhang Xian had advanced rapidly in cultivation, reaching the second level of Foundation Establishment. But now, with the diminishing potency of the Foundation Pills, their progress had begun to slow.

Noticing Lin Yinyin’s lack of enthusiasm, Zhang Xian said, “Let me paint you a picture first. When your cultivation rises further, I’ll surprise you again.”

He thought to himself, Then I’ll arm you with top-grade magical artifacts, arrange for you to receive a Gold-Infused Pill, and offer another generous reward.

But seeing Lin Yinyin still lost in thought, Zhang Xian shook his head. Women had those days when they were unpredictable—something he knew all too well.

【Ding! Current Favorability: 50.】

“Brother, I have something to tell you.”