Tie Dan followed the servant into the city and saw the Lan Pond in the west of the city, with layers of golden lotuses and emerald leaves stretching to the sky. The East Field sprouted a small garden, constructed with layers of palace gardens and alleys, expanding with countless Mysterious Gardens. Among them were towers and pavilions with the North Moat of Tai City, gathered with strange stones, making a wonderful scenery of mountains and waters. Bamboo groves lined the side door, with high walls within, creating hundreds of winding corridors with ingenious mechanisms stretching far into the distance. The grandeur was breathtaking, with palace halls inside, all exquisitely decorated, luxuriously surpassing even the royal palace.
It was said that the Xiao Family Ancestor admired frugality and did not wish to waste the peopleâs resources on gold and silver or indulgence, hence he was praised as virtuous. Considering this scene...
Itâs actually quite reasonable.
After all, the Xiao Clan has been a noble family for many years. With their wealth, just having such a display at the Lanling ancestral home is indeed very modest and thrifty, isnât it...
To avoid getting lost, Tie Dan patiently followed the Xiao Family servant into the East Field City Garden, quietly waiting in the guest room while observing the Lan Pond.
The Xiao Familyâs Guardian God General naturally followed along too, without hiding their vigilance, lining up by the pool outside the courtyard, watching Tie Dan, strictly preventing any disturbance. Yet no one dared get too close, fearing to anger him, as he was really capable of chopping someone.
However, first the Xiao family member was kidnapped, then Tie Dan hacked a lionâs head in the street and injured someone, causing this affair. Naturally, the Xiao Family couldnât afford to slack off. Upon receiving the token letter, the Young Master of the Xiao Family reacted quite swiftly. In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he was prepared and ready, inviting Tie Dan to meet in the study in person.
"I am Xiao Baize, thank you, benefactor, for taking the trouble to deliver the letter from my elder sister from afar. Please, take the main seat."
A young man in his twenties, gentle and elegant, with refined manners, and a handsome appearance, took the main seat in the study. Given his familyâs status, he naturally had good looks. However, he seemed too opulent, with a robust frame and dressed in luxury vestment robes made of peacock feathers, displaying an extravagant playboy demeanor, making a striking impression.
This person was the legitimate Young Master of Lanling, the direct grandson of the Xiao Family Ancestor. The position of Marquis Lanling, which represents the Family Head of the Xiao Family, had already been passed down to his father. He would inevitably inherit the main position of Lanling, so there could be no faults.
Beside him were three True Masters of the Nascent Soul Realm and three military generals of the Nascent Soul Realm, all in strict formation, acting as protectors. As a young member of the noble family with all his uncles and elders still vibrant, he temporarily hadnât gotten the chance to succeed in the Three Constellationsâ official and noble titles to share the Xiao Familyâs burdens. So he was delegated to stay at the Lanling ancestral home, gradually managing family affairs.
Of course, although not yet officially appointed, Xiao Baize was still a Divine Gang Outer Pill but was already first-class talent, ready to step into the court when the time was right. Meanwhile, his life-saving Jade Pendant and Gold Lock magic treasures and various gaudy garments and accessories were aplenty, adorned all over him. Indeed, anyone planning an assassination might need to chop seventeen or eighteen swords to succeed...
Xiao Baize dared to meet Tie Dan, showing some courageâlikely relying on the familyâs wealth more, it seemed.
"Clap clap"
Seeing Tie Dan silent and expressionless, seemingly still angry, Young Master Xiao smiled, clapping his hands, and four maids brought in four Immortal Treasures.
Young Master Xiao first introduced the white porcelain bottle.
"This is the Nine-Turns Infinite Life Elixir. If a mortal consumes it, they can live an additional twelve hundred years, and for cultivators, it can extend five hundred years of lifespan, increasing their life span until the next tribulation. Itâs the reward promised by my elder sister to you."
Then introduced the second item, the Jade Gourd.
"This is the Nine-Turn East Spring Elixir, which can nourish and rejuvenate, reconstruct the Golden Body, bring rejuvenation, and ensure everlasting youth. It is a token of gratitude from our family to you."
Next, he introduced the third item, the pearl.
"This is the East Sea Pearl, born as a Water Spirit and the Xuanming Treasure, perfectly suitable for Golden Core cultivators aiming to break through to the Nascent Soul Realm, given as an apology from our family to you."
The last item was a Five-Colored Fur.
"This cloak is made from the Five-Colored Night-Shining Jade Lion Skin. This beast wronged you, and it truly deserved to be slain. This beast is your own hunt; we boldly made it into a garment, hoping it fits you."
Then Young Master Xiao smiled, saying,
"Does this settlement seem fair?"
Tie Dan frowned at him,
"What about the spiritual elixir of Immortal Ganoderma?"
All the Nascent Soul cultivators turned pale, glaring in anger.
Yet Young Master Xiao wasnât angry, he softly explained,
"Benefactor risked your life for our Xiao familyâs sisters; I am eternally grateful. However, you might not know, the spiritual elixir of Immortal Ganoderma is Heavenly Materials and Treasures for a True Masterâs Nascent Soul Realm breakthrough to the Divinity Transformation Realm.
This item is a naturally occurring auspicious object of unparalleled value, blessed by the heavens, incredibly rare worldwide, and although my family has considerable Immortal Fate, weâve only acquired one throughout a hundred generations.
Considering the heavenly mechanisms and fate, this item is about to mature, and the ancestor had already arranged with our True Masters to gather all materials to make it into a potion for joint use.
A few days ago, a vile thief came to steal, injuring many before we managed to drive them off, and this thief, unrepentant, now even kidnaps our family to coerce us.
Though itâs disappointing for elder sister, this item concerns the clanâs credibility and cannot be given lightly."
Well, no wonder the Xiao family plans to enlist so many experts, even the purple-faced one eagerly wants them gone. Materials for breakthrough advancement like these, considering even the Xiao family only has this one, who wouldnât be counting on it...
Tie Dan also knew well that just for one Xiao Baoqin, they wouldnât casually bring out the spiritual elixir of Immortal Ganoderma to exchange for anyone. But there was still one more on that boat.
Tie Dan looked at his counterpart.
"So the Young Master canât make the decision, huh?"
Young Master Xiao smiled wryly,
"Even if my father were here, it would be difficult... We can only aggrieve the second uncleâs family..."
Tie Dan glanced at the guards,
"Can you dismiss the people around?"
Young Master Xiao hesitated for a moment, then smiled,
"These present here are all confidants of our family; thereâs nothing I canât say in front of them."
Tie Dan remained expressionless,
"Better to be cautious; may I ask where your father is?"
The crowd stared angrily.
Young Master Xiao felt helpless as well,
"Recently, thereâs been a major event in the north, with turmoil in the court. My father went to the Three Constellations and may not return soon."
"Then what about your ancestor?"
"Liu, donât push it!"
Continuing insistently, even the experts couldnât tolerate it anymore.
Young Master Xiao calmed them down,
"My ancestor is currently in a spiritual retreat, abstaining and purifying, and no one is allowed to disturb. If you have any urgent matters, perhaps you could write them down, and I will personally pass them on."
Tie Dan nodded, thought for a moment and asked,
"Which direction is Yingzhou?"
This time, even Young Master Xiao furrowed his brow, staying silent.
Tie Dan remained expressionless,
"Since you clearly donât intend to use the Immortal Ganoderma to exchange for anyone, I suppose you arenât planning to rescue her either?"
Young Master Xiao shook his head,
"Lanling is our ancestral shrine; it must be guarded carefully to prevent any mishap.
However, since she is a member of the Xiao family, I wonât ignore it. I plan to issue a rescue order using the Immortal Records and Divine List, hoping that, considering the little favor owed to the ancestor, the Righteous Path of Zhenzhou would help."
If your family doesnât care, how much can others care?
Seeing he couldnât rely on this group, Tie Dan said,
"Alright, after all, itâs your familyâs possession. If you refuse to use it to save someone, I have nothing more to say. Nevertheless, since Iâve already promised to help, I must see it through.
Xiao Baoqin is the daughter of Marquis Xichang; her family must be notified for this matter to be concluded."
Young Master Xiao fell silent for a while, then suddenly said,
"All of you, leave."
"Young Master..."
"The benefactor is a righteous person and wonât do anything improper. Leave."
So as the crowd waited outside, Young Master Xiao whispered,
"Honorable benefactor, to be honest, my second uncle is from a branch of the family, born of a concubine, he has hidden his resentment, lacks virtue and wisdom, is suspicious, timid, and deeply jealous. When he gains power, he becomes vengeful and lacks the magnanimity expected of a noble; heâs quite difficult to deal with.
Although my temperament is considered lenient, Iâm quite displeased with his usual conduct. Iâm afraid if you meet him, it might create unnecessary trouble, and the goodwill Iâve established might...
Tie Dan found it interesting, but appreciated Young Master Xiaoâs frankness, nodded and said,
"I will only deliver the message; as long as he doesnât draw his sword to chop me, I wonât hold any resentment."
Seeing Tie Danâs insistence, Young Master Xiao did not press further,
"Then I will arrange for a messenger to escort you swiftly to Yingzhou to meet my second uncle. Benefactor, please rest a bit; tomorrow..."
Tie Dan nodded,
"Thank you, but time is limited, letâs set off immediately."
Young Master Xiao sighed,
"Benefactor, you are truly a man of righteousness. Itâs my sisterâs good fortune to know someone like you. Unfortunately, my three sisters are all married, and my aunts are far away. Otherwise, Iâd ask them to serve you together."
Tie Dan frowned, hesitated to speak, then finally just sighed,
"I appreciate it, just quickly bring the horses over."