Chapter 9: Shen Zhong Enters the Supreme Mystery
Xiang Yutian hurriedly nodded and said, “The Grand Elder speaks wisely, I was just making a casual remark. I’ll take my leave now.” With that, he turned and left.
First Lu Linglong, then Xiang Yutian—after witnessing their reactions, no matter how determined she was, Shen Qianxue could see their opposition. Adopting a fragile demeanor, she said, “Husband, it’s all my fault for being greedy, wishing to become your Dao companion. Perhaps we should just let it go.”
How could Chu Feng not see through Shen Qianxue’s intentions? The classic act of a white lotus—feigning vulnerability, advancing by retreat, and with the added allure of her Sacred Beauty Physique, what man wouldn’t be easily captivated? But not Chu Feng. With the system in hand, he was completely immune to Shen Qianxue’s influence.
Chu Feng comforted her, “Alright, don’t worry. I, Chu Feng, am quite capable of choosing my own Dao companion.” He added, “Come, don’t overthink it—let’s return and focus on cultivating the Great Sorrow Sutra of Yin and Yang.”
“Mm.” Shen Qianxue nodded vigorously.
[Ding, Shen Qianxue’s conquest value toward the host has increased by 2%.]
[Conquest Value: 92.]
[Fate Value: 92,000.]
As expected, once the conquest value surpassed ninety percent, further increases became much more difficult.
...
Another ten days passed.
Shen Qianxue’s father truly did come looking for her. However, contrary to the threats in his letter, he arrived in a state of deep anxiety and humility. What kind of place was the Supreme Profound Dao Sect? For a small family like theirs, any core disciple from the sect could easily wipe out their entire clan.
Upon reaching the sect, Shen Qianxue’s father, Shen Zhong, directly identified himself and requested to see his daughter. At the mountain gate, a Foundation Establishment disciple at first completely ignored the claims of a minor family head seeking someone in their sect—he didn’t even spare him a glance.
But when Shen Zhong spoke his daughter’s name, the disciple’s face instantly drained of color. He asked cautiously, “What did you say your daughter’s name was? Shen Qianxue, right? Just joined the sect a year ago?”
Shen Zhong nodded. “Yes, sir. Do you know my daughter?”
“Know her? I know her very well.” The disciple quickly put on a fawning smile. “Why didn’t you mention earlier that Lord Qianxue was your daughter? You must have come all the way from Four Seasons City, you must be tired. Please, come sit and rest. I’ll notify Lord Qianxue right away.”
Shen Zhong, however, was completely baffled. He felt like he was sitting on pins and needles and dared not take a seat. He quickly stepped back two paces and said respectfully, “Sir, you must be joking. How could I presume to sit before you?”
“Sir, has something happened to my daughter?” he asked, his voice trembling. “If anything’s happened, what am I to do? To be honest, I came to bring my daughter home for her wedding. She’s been betrothed since childhood to a young man with ancient bloodlines and extraordinary talent. He’s sure to join an immortal sect in the future; even if not a Golden Core, reaching Foundation Establishment should be no problem.”
“If anything goes wrong, how can I face my son-in-law?”
The disciple was startled and quickly replied, “Please, mind your words!”
“If you insist on marrying off Lord Qianxue, you’ll only incur the wrath of the Patriarch!”
Shen Zhong asked in confusion, “What does this have to do with the Patriarch?”
“You’ll find out soon enough,” the disciple said. “Here he comes now.”
At that moment, a streak of white light flew toward them. The Foundation Establishment disciple caught it and said, “The Patriarch has summoned you.”
“The Patriarch?” Shen Zhong trembled all over. “Sir, may I ask which Patriarch this is...?”
In the Supreme Profound Dao Sect, only one kind of person could be addressed as Patriarch: a Nascent Soul ancestor. Such a figure stood at the very pinnacle of the sect’s hierarchy, utterly beyond the reach or imagination of someone like Shen Zhong.
The disciple nodded. “Exactly as you suspect. You are indeed fortunate.”
At this, Shen Zhong’s heart filled with terror. As the head of a minor clan, an existence as insignificant as an ant, how could he possibly have anything to do with a Patriarch? Was this not a death sentence?
He quickly asked, “Sir, could you tell me why the Patriarch wants to see me?”
“You’ll know when you get there,” the disciple replied with a smile. “Come, I’ll take you.”
With that, he grabbed Shen Zhong by the collar, soared into the air, and flew toward Solitary Peak.
...
Atop Solitary Peak, Shen Zhong’s arrival was immediately reported.
Over the past ten days, Chu Feng had devoted considerable effort and resources, constantly instructing Shen Qianxue. Her cultivation had advanced rapidly, breaking through to the seventh layer of Qi Refining, yet her conquest value had not budged.
Just then, a streak of white light flew in—it was a transmission talisman from the sect, swift and powerful, able to reach any corner of the Supreme Profound Dao Sect in an instant.
“Your father has arrived,” Chu Feng informed her.
“Ah, husband!” Shen Qianxue panicked. “I’m sorry, I had no idea my father would actually come. I’ll tell him to leave right away.”
Chu Feng waved it off. “It’s fine. Let’s meet him. In fact, let’s go together and annul the engagement.”
Word was sent.
In less than the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Shen Zhong was brought to Solitary Peak.
Outside the courtyard, as soon as the disciple set Shen Zhong down, he immediately knelt and cried out, “Disciple Li Qingshan greets Immortal Lord Chu Feng!”
Heavens, it truly was a Nascent Soul Patriarch.
Terrified, Shen Zhong shuddered and dropped to his knees. “I—I greet...the Patriarch.”
The door creaked open. A storage pouch flew out from the courtyard and landed before the disciple. A voice followed, “You did well. This is your reward.”
“Thank you, Immortal Lord!” Li Qingshan was ecstatic, kowtowing repeatedly. Bowing to a Nascent Soul Patriarch was no shame; besides, there was a reward for doing so.
“Your disciple takes his leave.”
“You may enter,” said the voice from inside.
Watching Li Qingshan depart, Shen Zhong felt his heart leap into his throat. Hearing the voice from the courtyard, he trembled all the more; several times he tried to stand, but his legs felt as if filled with lead and refused to move.
Only after half a cup of tea’s time did he manage to stagger unsteadily into the courtyard, head bowed so low he dared not look up for fear of offending the Nascent Soul Patriarch within.
Upon entering, he immediately fell to his knees. “Shen Zhong, head of the Shen family in Four Seasons City, pays his respects to the Immortal Lord.”
“Rise,” Chu Feng said with a wave of his hand.
“I dare not,” Shen Zhong replied, not daring to stand. “If the Immortal Lord has orders, this humble one will listen on his knees.”
“Father, you’d best stand up,” came a voice.
It was Shen Qianxue hurrying over to help her father up.
At first, Shen Zhong wanted to decline, but when he looked up and saw it was his own daughter supporting him, he was utterly dumbfounded.
“Qianxue, it’s you?”
“What is going on here?”
Shen Qianxue said, “Father, let’s speak once you’re on your feet.”