On the mountain path leading to the Chen Family's main hall.
The young man in white, Chen Zhixing, asked, "Lvluo, have you made any progress on the task I assigned you last time?"
"Young Master, are you referring to the task of finding people?" Lvluo replied.
Chen Zhixing nodded, smiling as he said, "Yes, let me test you. Do you remember which people to look for?"
"Of course, I remember."
Lvluo counted on her fingers and began listing them one by one:
"Anyone with the surname containing Ye, Lin, Qin, Chu, Xiao, or Xu."
"Then, those with the first name containing Fan, Mo, Chen, Qing, Tian, or Xuan."
"If any of these people appear, saying things like 'My fate depends on me and not on heaven,' or are born with a useless body, or have no parents, or are often looked down upon, etc."
"Then you must immediately inform the young master."
"Did I get it right, young master?"
Chen Zhixing reached out and ruffled Lvluo's hair, smiling as he said, "Not a word wrong. Lvluo, you're amazing."
Hearing Chen Zhixing's compliment, Lvluo was instantly filled with satisfaction, her eyes curving into crescents.
Chen Zhixing seemed to remember something and said, "Oh, if I remember correctly, isn't Sister Yue'er coming back today? Did you buy the osmanthus cake I asked you to?"
Lvluo took out a delicate gift box from her sleeve and handed it to Chen Zhixing, giggling as she said, "Don't worry, I prepared it a long time ago."
"Good."
Chen Zhixing nodded.
In these ten years.
His parents, Chen Tianliang and Yingy Shuangshuang, were in good health and, when Chen Zhixing was three, went off gallivanting around the world together.
As for Jia Qingyue, or Sister Yue'er, she spent a long time with him.
However, Sister Yue'er had the responsibility of rebuilding the Jia Family, so she would occasionally leave the Chen Family.
Only mid-month would she return to the Chen Family.
Even so, as time passed, their relationship grew better and better.
Now, Chen Zhixing's relationship with Jia Qingyue was like that of siblings.
...
...
Meanwhile.
In the Chen Family's main hall.
Chen Daoyan sat at the head position.
On either side were some outstanding disciples of the Chen Family.
In addition, there were two strangers whom Chen Zhixing had never seen before.
One was a middle-aged man in hemp clothing, with protruding temple veins and bright eyes, sitting alongside Chen Daoyan.
The other was a beautiful woman, dressed in a purple high-waisted fringed long dress, with black shiny hair tied up. Despite her stunning looks, the mole at the corner of her mouth added a few signs of sharpness to her appearance.
"Uncle Chen, father, I will not marry this Chen Zhixing. I've heard that his talent is mediocre, his strength is ordinary, and there's nothing worth mentioning about him!"
"I won't marry him! My ideal partner must be a peerless hero!"
The beautiful woman said discontentedly, standing in the main hall.
"Quiet!"
The middle-aged man in hemp clothing instantly became furious and said, "The Chen Family is a Longevity Family. Being able to become a couple with Nephew Zhixing is already an immense stepping stone for you. Aren't you satisfied? How can you make such a fuss in the main hall?"
After speaking, the middle-aged man in hemp clothing turned to Chen Daoyan and said embarrassedly, "Patriarch Chen, my daughter was being unreasonable; please don't take it to heart."
However.
Before Chen Daoyan could speak.
The beautiful woman raised her eyebrows and coldly retorted, "Father, I admit that the Chen Family is impressive and stronger than ours, but why does that matter to me about Chen Zhixing? Does it mean he can lead the Chen Family?"
After a pause, the beautiful woman enunciated with emphasis:
"Father, are you pushing me into a fire pit?"
As soon as she spoke.
The whole main hall burst into an uproar.
The young disciples of the Chen Family couldn't help but be secretly shocked.
The words were true, but weren't they too blunt?
The middle-aged man in hemp clothing slammed the armrest of his chair and stood up abruptly, laughing angrily, "Lu Ying, what nonsense are you spouting?"
The woman, originally named Lu Ying, was not intimidated. Instead, she stood straight, defiantly staring at the middle-aged man in hemp clothing.
Their gazes clashed in the air, neither ready to back down.
Seeing this, Chen Daoyan lightly coughed and said, "In my opinion, maybe it's better for you, Niece Lu Ying, to wait until Zhixing arrives, and meet him in person before making your decision?"
Lu Ying raised her head and said, "Uncle Chen, you're a close friend of my father's, and I respect you. But I must be honest. The Dao partner I'm looking for is undoubtedly a genius among men, not someone as mediocre as Chen Zhixing!"
Hearing this, Chen Daoyan silently shook his head, looked at the middle-aged man in hemp clothing, and pondered before saying, "Brother Lu, maybe... we should reconsider this marriage?"
Indeed.
Chen Daoyan genuinely wanted this woman named Lu Ying to marry Chen Zhixing.
After all, Lu Ying's father is none other than a Nirvana Realm Great Power, standing equal to him!
If Lu Ying married Chen Zhixing, it would mean that Chen Zhixing would have a Nirvana Realm powerhouse as a backer!
Moreover, the Chen Family would have a strong ally.
But...
Compared to gaining another ally, he did not want to see Chen Zhixing humiliated.
After all, over these ten years, he truly witnessed the terrifying talent of Chen Zhixing!
At this moment.
"What a lively scene."
A lazy voice sounded.
Everyone in the main hall turned to see.
A young man with rosy lips and shiny black hair, clear and fair in appearance, was walking in leisurely.
"Zhi'er."
Chen Daoyan smiled and nodded at Chen Zhixing, then introduced, "Zhi'er, let me introduce you. This is Senior Lu Yuan, and this is his only daughter, Lu Ying."
Chen Zhixing raised an eyebrow, and upon scanning the room, he immediately understood.
No wonder Lvluo said that the person he was meeting this time was of extraordinary origin.
Lu Yuan, one of the nirvana realm great powers renowned throughout the East Profound Domain!
Indeed, the only daughter of a nirvana realm great power had an extraordinary background.
However, just by glancing at Lu Ying's appearance and demeanor, Chen Zhixing already had a refusal in his heart.
This Lu Ying, she's not his type.
"Senior Lu, Miss Lu." Chen Zhixing clasped his hands, neither overbearing nor servile.
However, just as Chen Zhixing finished speaking.
Lu Ying's gaze immediately turned condescending, and she spoke crisply:
"You're Chen Zhixing, right? I'm a straightforward person and don't like beating around the bush."
"So let me just say it directly. Even with the Chen Family backing you, you're still lacking to be my Dao partner."
"The path I want to walk, you can't accompany me on. I advise you to dispel any unrealistic ideas as soon as possible."
After speaking, Lu Ying looked at Chen Zhixing with a calm face.
"???" Chen Zhixing was slightly stunned.
This woman named Lu Ying, what was she talking about?
Unrealistic ideas? How is that?
Seeing Chen Zhixing not respond, Lu Ying noticed the exquisite gift box in his hand and her expression slightly softened. She said:
"Did you bring me a gift? That's considerate of you. However..."
But then she worried that if she appeared too gracious, Chen Zhixing might think there's still hope and would cling to her.
With that thought, Lu Ying lightly bit her teeth and said, "Chen Zhixing, I appreciate your thoughtfulness, but... we're not suitable for each other. Even with the backing of the Chen Family, your talent and strength mean that we are destined to go our separate ways."
"So please, don't harbor any thoughts about me, not even with the backing of the Chen Family."
After finishing, Lu Ying looked at Chen Zhixing with a candid expression.
She considered herself someone who is very clear about the path she wants to take.
Although her current cultivation was ordinary, she saw herself destined to become an exceptional figure, a phoenix among people!
And someone as mediocre as Chen Zhixing could not possibly be her Dao partner.
That kind of person won't be her goal as a Dao partner.
"..."
For a moment, Chen Zhixing felt curious and amused.
He was quite intrigued.
Just how did this woman named Lu Ying manage to be so average yet so confident?