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Chapter 36: Chapter 36: Refusal, A Million Taels of Remuneration!
Engagement!
Qi Ting’s words truly startled Luo Cheng.
He had never expected that the Qi Family’s Family Head’s purpose for this visit was to arrange an engagement between him and Qi Ting!
Both fell silent for a moment. Qi Ting bit her lip and said:
"No matter what you think, I will never agree!"
"Oh?"
Luo Cheng raised an eyebrow, smiling slightly. "Is it because of my Martial Soul?"
Seeing the smile on Luo Cheng’s face, Qi Ting felt irritated and candidly replied, "Exactly!"
"While it’s impressive that you managed to break through the Body Tempering Extreme Realm, defeating me and defeating Lin Yun, what does it really matter? You awakened nothing but a Wasted Martial Soul. Not to mention Xuanyuan Sect, even second-rate sects wouldn’t accept you as a disciple!"
"Upon reaching the Transcendence Realm and Tongxuan Realm, the benefits of Heavenly Materials, Earthly Treasures, and Spiritual Medicine Treasure Pills diminish greatly. What determines someone’s future is their Martial Soul!"
"No matter how strong you may be now, you’ll end up blending into the crowd over time. Forget me—even my younger brother will surpass you."
Luo Cheng listened quietly to Qi Ting’s words and nodded, saying, "So you’re being forced by your father? You’ve come today merely to use my words to refuse this engagement?"
"Precisely!"
Qi Ting tilted her snow-white chin and said proudly, "To be honest with you, I’ve passed the entrance exam for Golden Ring Sect. Once I join the sect, it won’t take long for me to break through to the Transcendence Realm. The gap between us will only grow wider! You wouldn’t want me to call off the engagement later, would you?"
Luo Cheng shook his head. "There’s no need for that—I would never agree to it in the first place."
Luo Cheng’s ambition aimed far beyond the small Qishan City, and even beyond the Great Yue Dynasty. Within ten years, he planned to seek justice from the Ji Family. How could he possibly get entangled with a woman?
Qi Ting found Luo Cheng’s resolve hard to believe and snorted, "You’d better not go back on your word!"
Luo Cheng, growing impatient, responded coldly, "Even if you agreed, I would still refuse! You’re right about one thing—our gap will only widen. Enough, leave now!"
Turning away, Luo Cheng strode toward the discussion hall.
Qi Ting stood there, stunned by his words, her expression quickly turning to shameful fury.
She was, after all, a recognized beauty in Qishan City, and the daughter of the Qi Family. Having awakened a Five-star Martial Soul, countless men in Qishan City desired her!
In her view, Luo Cheng’s statements were merely a pretense, meant to flaunt his pride and posture.
But what use was that? She couldn’t possibly be interested in him.
As for who was stronger in the future, time would reveal everything!
The two returned to the discussion hall.
Luo Mingshan was chatting cheerfully with Qi Fusong. Upon seeing Luo Cheng enter, he asked:
"Cheng-er, the purpose of the Qi Family Head’s visit this time..."
"I already know."
Luo Cheng nodded solemnly and said, "Grandfather, my only focus right now is improving my strength and cultivating Martial Arts. I don’t want to think about anything else."
Seeing Luo Cheng’s outright rejection, Qi Ting’s pride took a hit. She gritted her teeth and said:
"I also don’t agree!"
Luo Mingshan, who always believed a true man should set lofty aspirations, had already felt the engagement was premature for Luo Cheng. Upon hearing this, he turned to the Qi Family Head and said:
"Family Head Qi, matters concerning the younger generation are better left to their own judgment."
Qi Fusong nodded helplessly, "So be it."
The Luo Family had secured the North City Market, making them unquestionably the leading family. Worried that Luo Mingshan might hold onto past grievances, Qi Fusong had intended to use Qi Ting to forge an alliance through marriage.
He hadn’t expected Luo Cheng to refuse outright.
Fortunately, judging by Luo Mingshan’s attitude, it seemed he had no intention of revisiting old disputes, allowing Qi Fusong a sigh of relief.
Qi Fusong rose to bid farewell, Qi Ting following closely behind.
Outside the gates, Qi Ting remained angry over the earlier events, snorting, "It’s infuriating! So what if he’s in the Body Tempering Extreme Realm? Once I break through to the Transcendence Realm, it won’t take long before I surpass him. Let’s see what he has to be smug about then!"
"Enough. Strength isn’t proved with mere words. If it weren’t for the Hunting Festival, where Luo Cheng held back, would you even be standing here now?"
Though he said this aloud, Qi Fusong inwardly agreed entirely with Qi Ting.
In Martial Arts, the importance of the Martial Soul grows with every step forward.
After sending Qi Ting and Qi Fusong off, Luo Cheng prepared to head toward Lingyun Pavilion—but unexpectedly, Lingyun Pavilion’s steward Xu arrived first.
"Mr. Luo Cheng, our Pavilion Master requests your presence!"
Xu Steward slightly bowed, his attitude toward Luo Cheng unusually respectful.
The scene startled Luo Mingshan and the others.
Given Lingyun Pavilion’s unique background, Steward Xu was typically reserved, even when facing the heads of the three major families. He seldom did more than nod in acknowledgment.
"Let’s go."
Luo Cheng had been waiting for this, promptly following Steward Xu out.
This time, instead of heading to Lingyun Pavilion, Steward Xu led Luo Cheng to a grand and opulent villa.
"Mr. Luo Cheng, the young lady and the others are inside."
Steward Xu briefly explained, guiding Luo Cheng further into the villa and toward the inner courtyard.
Within the inner courtyard, streams flowed beneath small bridges, willows shaded the area, and floral gardens covered the grounds—an idyllic paradise.
"Mr. Luo Cheng, you’ve finally arrived."
A sweet voice rang out as Luo Yao emerged gracefully from the willow trees. Her snow-white skin seemed almost ethereal, her curvaceous figure swaying naturally like willow branches. She was enchantingly alluring.
Even Luo Cheng couldn’t help but feel a flicker of admiration—compared to her, Qi Ting seemed like an ordinary duck in a muddy pond.
Behind Luo Yao followed a gaunt elder.
Luo Cheng immediately recognized him, noting his persistent interest during the Hunting Festival.
Taking a closer look, Luo Cheng’s pupils narrowed.
The grass under the elder’s feet hadn’t so much as rustled. His strength was anything but ordinary!
Redirecting his gaze, Luo Cheng smiled and said, "Since I’ve promised Pavilion Master Luo, I would never break my word."
Luo Yao chuckled. As her laughter echoed, the curves of her devilish figure subtly swayed with each breath—a mesmerizing sight:
"Calling me Pavilion Master Luo is far too formal. Plus, I’m only temporarily acting as Pavilion Master during my stay in Qishan City. Just call me Luo Yao. About the Alchemy matter—how’s the progress?"
Luo Cheng replied, "I’ve already obtained my master’s permission. I can assist in refining the Spiritual Medicine. However, the refining cost for each type of Spiritual Medicine will be one million silver taels."
Hmph!
As soon as Luo Cheng finished speaking, the gaunt elder coldly snapped:
"One million silver taels per Spiritual Medicine! Quite bold of you! Even Four-star Spiritual Medicine is worth barely one million silver taels in total!"
Luo Cheng glanced calmly at him. "And this senior is...?"
Luo Yao quickly answered, "This is Lingyun Pavilion’s Elder Mo Lin, the one seeking assistance with refining Spiritual Medicine."
Luo Cheng nodded. "If Elder Mo disapproves, I’ll say no more."
With that, he turned to leave.
"Elder Mo!"
Luo Yao grew anxious.
She had high hopes for this initiative to make her mark and leave Qishan City’s remote confines. If Luo Cheng were to walk away, everything would fall apart!
Mo Lin furrowed his brows slightly, eventually voicing his concern:
"Your master can truly refine Four-star Spiritual Medicine to a flawless state?"
