The moment Wei Zhaoli laid eyes on Shen Xian, a peculiar flutter stirred in her heart.

This feeling was indescribable, yet so real it made her heartbeat quicken.

Coupled with certain other reasons, it sparked a genuine interest in this direct descendant of the Shen Family.

In contrast, Shen Xian maintained an appropriately calm demeanor throughout.

He was not opposed to this arranged meeting, but he was certainly not a frivolous man swayed by mere looks.

The Wei Family’s direct daughter before him was indeed outstanding, with delicate beauty and a gentle temperament, completely different from Ye Qingxian.

If Ye Qingxian could be compared to a solitary, proud winter plum blossom, then Wei Zhaoli was like a dignified peony. Each possessed their own unique charm.

It was just… he wondered what this woman’s personality was like.

“Just luck, that’s all,” Shen Xian responded to her pleasantries with a smile, his slender fingers idly playing with the spirit fruit on the stone table.

The Purple-Gold Ruby Ring symbolizing his status as the Shen Family heir gleamed coldly on his finger.

Wei Zhaoli’s breath hitched slightly.

It seemed the rumors were true; the other party had indeed been confirmed as the future heir of the Shen Family!

She recalled her father’s instructions in the secret chamber last night: “Zhaoli, the Shen Family Ancestor’s blessing is extraordinary. This young man is destined to soar. If you can become his Dao Companion, that old scoundrel Zhao Wuya will certainly not dare to covet your physique anymore…”

“What does Miss Wei usually spend her time on?” A sudden question interrupted her thoughts.

Shen Xian looked at her with a smiling gaze, as if appraising her.

According to his family’s introduction, this woman’s talent was quite high. Moreover, backed by a longevity family, she had excellent qualifications in all aspects. If her personality was good, becoming Dao Companions wouldn’t be a bad thing at all.

Hearing Shen Xian’s question, the corners of Wei Zhaoli’s lips lifted slightly into a gentle smile. Her fingertips lightly brushed over a cyan jade talisman at her waist.

Faint spirit patterns shimmered on that talisman; it was a Clear Heart Talisman she had crafted herself, helping cultivators maintain mental clarity while practicing their craft.

“You flatter me, Young Master Shen,” she said softly, yet with a barely perceptible hint of eagerness. “Zhaoli loves reading ancient texts most of all, especially those about ancient legends and exotic flowers and herbs. As the ancient texts say: ‘Read ten thousand books, travel ten thousand miles.’ Unfortunately, my cultivation is still shallow; I can only travel the world in spirit through the classics left by predecessors.”

This Wei Family direct daughter had been fascinated by all kinds of ancient texts since childhood. If not for her master’s restrictions, she would have long since ventured out to various places in the Azure Province.

Shen Xian’s gaze flickered slightly, noticing the sparkle in her eyes when she mentioned ancient texts. It differed somewhat from her previous dignified posture, adding a touch of liveliness.

“What a coincidence. I also enjoy reading ancient texts in my spare time,” he chuckled lightly.

After giving up cultivation previously, Shen Xian’s entertainment activities had become varied and numerous; among them was studying ancient texts and history.

“Zhaoli knows,” Wei Zhaoli suddenly raised her hand. A beautifully crafted ancient text appeared in her palm. “Young Master Shen, for our first meeting, this is the gift I prepared.”

With that said, spiritual power surged gently. The ancient text floated automatically to land before Shen Xian.

Long before coming here, Wei Zhaoli had already learned about him. Coupled with her ulterior motives, she had prepared this ancient text well in advance.

She believed he would like it.

Shen Xian focused his gaze to look closely.

It was an ancient text recording strange tales and anecdotes.

In the past, when he couldn’t cultivate and stayed at home, he enjoyed reading such things to understand the continent’s history. Now, having a new ancient text like this truly suited his taste.

This woman was quite attentive towards him indeed.

“Miss Wei is very thoughtful. It’s just that I did not prepare any gift myself; I really dare not accept this,” Shen Xian declined with a smile.

“It’s fine. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future, won’t there?” Wei Zhaoli’s apricot-shaped eyes were bright as she spoke with a light voice.

This reply was somewhat unexpected but also revealed her intentions clearly enough.

Shen Xian felt a slight stir in his heart.

In the end, he did not refuse this gift. Firstly, he was genuinely interested in this ancient text. Secondly, since she was being so forward already, refusing again would be overly hypocritical.

“Thank you,” Shen Xian said.

“Young Master Shen needn’t be so polite. I heard you plan to go cultivate at the Divine Wood Sect?” Wei Zhaoli asked with a smile.

On the way here she had already heard about this matter. If it were true, it would actually be good news for her.

Shen Xian shrugged, appearing somewhat helpless. “No choice. Family arrangements.”

If given a choice, he’d prefer to stay within his family forever, only venturing out into the world freely after achieving immortality.

“Young Master Shen… doesn’t seem very enthusiastic about going to the Divine Wood Sect?” Wei Zhaoli sounded puzzled.

The Divine Wood Sect was the Azure Province’s number one major sect, coveted by countless scions of great families. Even as a Shen Family direct descendant, he shouldn’t be so blasé.

Shen Xian lifted his gaze, smiling nonchalantly. “It’s not that I’m unenthusiastic, exactly. It’s just that I’m used to being lazy. I’m afraid I’d just cause trouble for the sect if I went.”

This wasn’t entirely an excuse. Sect rules were numerous and restrictive, far less free compared to life within his family.

Wei Zhaoli pursed her lips, a flicker of amusement in her eyes. “But the Divine Wood Sect has strict rules. If you keep being like this… you might get reprimanded by the elders.”

“That’s fine too,” Shen Xian shrugged again. “At worst, they’ll kick me out anyway. My family won’t miss feeding one extra mouth.”

He said this casually, but it made Wei Zhaoli unable to hold back a light laugh.

This newly appointed heir of the Shen Family truly was an easygoing, free-spirited person, far from being as difficult to get along with as she had imagined.

She lowered her gaze slightly, her voice soft. “Actually… within the Divine Wood Sect, not everyone strictly follows all the rules either.”

Shen Xian raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Is Miss Wei encouraging me to keep slacking off?”

“No,” Wei Zhaoli looked up, her eyes holding a trace of seriousness. “I just mean… if you don’t mind, perhaps I could… lend some assistance.”

Her words were reserved, yet they represented her greatest initiative so far.

She was the Wei Family direct daughter, possessing Heavenly Spiritual Root aptitude, and personally taught by the Divine Wood Sect’s Supreme Elder. Usually, countless young talents flocked around her, yet she had never shown special regard for anyone.

But today, she actively showed goodwill towards someone she had just met. Truly rare.

Behind this, part of the reason was a genuine favorable impression towards him. Another, more important reason, was hoping to rely on the Shen Family as a powerful backing to oppose her own master.

By chance, she had learned that her master had been painstakingly cultivating her all along because she possessed the Same Heart Tribulation Body, intending to use her as a furnace cauldron to step into higher realms.

To change her own destiny, she was determined to become the wife of the Shen Family’s direct descendant; hence, she behaved with such enthusiasm.

Shen Xian understood the meaning behind her words.

Coupled with not disliking this woman, he simply smiled, asking straightforwardly, “I wonder what Miss Wei thinks of me?”

Hearing this, Wei Zhaoli’s fingertips trembled slightly, the spirit patterns on the cyan jade talisman flickering bright then dim.

She looked up at Shen Xian, her eyes flashing with delight. Then, she shyly lowered her head again. “Zhaoli thinks you’re quite good, Young Master… I wonder what you…”

Shen Xian fell silent for a moment. He didn’t answer directly, instead saying, “Being a wife of the Shen Family isn’t easy.”

Wei Zhaoli’s cheeks flushed slightly, her voice as thin as a mosquito’s hum. “I am already prepared.”

A glint flashed in Shen Xian’s eyes.

Afterwards, the two chatted about many things, especially their respective experiences.

Shen Xian discovered the woman before him was not only knowledgeable and wise, but while seemingly gentle as a water surface, she actually possessed strong opinions and knew clearly what she needed.

Such a person, if she could become his Dao Companion, would provide great assistance for his future cultivation at the Divine Wood Sect.

He felt quite satisfied with this arranged meeting inwardly.

At that moment, Nangong Wan and Wei Mingyuan “coincidentally” arrived at the scene.