Chapter 54: A Marriage Proposal at the Door

The Breaking Sky Sword Sect.

Zhao Dongdong headed straight for her grandfather Zhao Tian’s residence, eager to ask about Chu Feng.

Zhao Tian was curious, “What’s this? Have you met that old fellow Chu Feng? Did you tell him you’re my granddaughter? With the relationship I have with him, he ought to give you, the junior, a gift upon meeting.”

Zhao Dongdong shook her head, “No, I haven’t met him.”

Zhao Tian replied, “Well, if you haven’t met him, that’s that.”

“Speaking of that old fellow, the last time I saw him was over a hundred years ago. Unfortunately, he was already more than eight hundred years old at the time—his strength was waning and his body was declining. If you count the days, he’s likely approaching the end of his lifespan and will soon pass away.”

“Ah, soon there’ll be one less old friend.”

Zhao Dongdong felt a bit confused; the Chu Feng she’d encountered seemed nothing like what her grandfather described. The Chu Feng she met was vigorous, youthful, handsome, and exuded an astonishing aura—nothing at all like the elderly and failing man her grandfather spoke of.

Granted, cultivators remain eternally youthful and live long lives. At their peak—such as the Nascent Soul stage, with a lifespan of a thousand years—they can maintain the appearance and body of a twenty-year-old up to eight hundred years. But once past eight hundred, both body and appearance begin to deteriorate.

“While that old fellow is still alive, perhaps I should go see him one last time.”

“Dongdong, come with your grandfather. When we meet, we’ll extort a hefty gift from that old fellow—he must give you a meeting present.”

Zhao Dongdong shook her head, “Grandfather, I’d rather not go.”

Zhao Tian asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to?”

“Mm.” Zhao Dongdong nodded firmly.

Zhao Tian said, “Very well, you needn’t go if you don’t wish.”

Zhao Dongdong’s thoughts churned; after much deliberation, she finally decided to tell her grandfather about what she’d experienced in the Nangong family.

“Grandfather, this time I went to the Nangong family to watch their clan competition and met someone.”

Zhao Tian’s eyes lit up, “What? My granddaughter has met someone she likes? Quick, tell me who he is. I’ll personally propose on your behalf and bring him into the family.”

A granddaughter at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage—how could she marry out? Only a son-in-law would be accepted.

Zhao Dongdong replied, “This person said his name was Chu Feng, that he intended to propose, and claimed to know you. He also said he’s from the Grand Profound Dao Sect, but his appearance is different from what you described.”

Zhao Tian hurriedly asked, “How is it different?”

Zhao Dongdong said, “He looks to be in his twenties—young and handsome—not at all like someone nearing the end of their lifespan. Could he be a fraud, not the Chu Feng you spoke of?”

Zhao Tian frowned, “Chu Feng’s lifespan is nearly exhausted; he could die any day. It’s impossible for him to break through to the Divine Transformation stage. You may indeed have encountered a conman.”

“How dare he deceive Zhao Tian’s granddaughter—he’s courting death!”

Zhao Dongdong said, “Grandfather, what if this Chu Feng is the real one?”

“The real one?” Zhao Tian grew even more furious.

“You old rascal! Dongdong is your junior, yet you wish to marry her? No way! I’ll go find that old fellow right now. About to die, yet he changes his appearance to look young—deceiving my granddaughter! I’ll show him!”

The more Zhao Tian brooded, the angrier he became; murderous intent burst forth uncontrollably.

“Hahaha! Zhao Tian, you old fellow, come out and receive your guest!”

Just then, a loud, familiar voice rang out from outside.

Zhao Tian was momentarily stunned, then instantly recognized who it was. He snorted, “That old fellow’s timing is impeccable—I was just about to look for him, and he shows up.”

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Chu Feng strode in.

“Oh, Dongdong is here too.”

At that moment, Zhao Tian saw Chu Feng—youthful in appearance, brimming with vitality, and with cultivation he couldn’t fathom at all. He was startled, scrutinizing Chu Feng, “Are you Chu Feng?”

Chu Feng nodded, “Naturally.”

“What—only a hundred years since we last met, and you don’t recognize me, old fellow?”

Zhao Tian was incredulous, “How can this be? Did you break through?”

Chu Feng nodded, “Indeed, quite astonishing, isn’t it?”

Zhao Tian nodded, “You’ve actually broken through to the Divine Transformation stage. How did you manage it?”

Chu Feng smiled, “No rush on how. Let’s first discuss the purpose of my visit.”

Zhao Tian immediately recalled what Zhao Dongdong had told him earlier. His expression changed abruptly, and he said angrily, “You old rascal! Dongdong is my granddaughter. You and I are friends, and she should call you ‘grandfather’ as well. Yet you want to marry her? You’re nearly a thousand years old, and Dongdong is only a few decades. Isn’t this an old ox eating tender grass?”

Chu Feng shrugged, “We cultivators pay no heed to worldly seniority or age; everything is based on strength. Besides, now that I’ve broken through to Divine Transformation, my lifespan is three thousand years—this year I’m barely a thousand. Time is on my side.”

“That won’t do,” Zhao Tian shook his head.

“We’re friends. If you marry my granddaughter, how will I interact with you in the future? Would you also call me ‘grandfather’?”

“If it came to that, I might consider it.”

“Hahaha! If you, Chu Feng, called me ‘grandfather’, I’d have bragging rights for sure!”

“In your dreams.”

Chu Feng said irritably, “Each of us keeps our own relations. Besides, I broke through long ago; my cultivation is higher than yours. According to the rules of the cultivation world, shouldn’t you call me ‘senior’?”

“You—”

Zhao Tian was so angry he could barely speak.

Chu Feng snorted, “What’s with you? Let me ask you—do you want to break through to Divine Transformation?”

Zhao Tian was surprised, “You have a way?”

“That’s right. Your lifespan is nearly exhausted, yet you managed to break through. Tell me quickly—what’s the method?”

Chu Feng pointed at Zhao Dongdong and then coughed.

Zhao Tian instantly understood and laughed, “Isn’t the method simply marrying my granddaughter? I agree!”

“You see? There’s the method for breakthrough.”

At this, Zhao Dongdong grew anxious, protesting, “Grandfather, how can you let me marry him and become his Dao companion?”

Zhao Tian coaxed, “Dongdong, look—Chu Feng is wonderful: a Divine Transformation ancestor, handsome, and if you marry him, you’ll receive his help, your cultivation will soar, and perhaps you’ll reach the Nascent Soul stage like your grandfather, even the Divine Transformation ancestor realm.”

“All right, it’s settled—you’ll marry, become Dao companions.”

Zhao Dongdong said, “Grandfather, you don’t know—he has several Dao companions already. Are you really letting your granddaughter share a husband with others?”

Zhao Tian waved dismissively, “What’s the harm? He’s a Divine Transformation ancestor—what’s a few Dao companions? Your grandfather had more than a dozen back in the day.”

Chu Feng smiled, “Dongdong, I told you—you’re mine. Even your grandfather agrees.”

Zhao Dongdong’s face turned pale with anger, teeth clenched, “I don’t agree. You can give up that idea.”