Chapter 68

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

After this sleep, by the time Shen Yao woke fully rested, three days had already passed.

For three full days, no one came to disturb her in the small courtyard.

Perhaps some had come, but Shen Yao was resting, and as a maid Ping'er could not decide on her own; her parents had died early, so what could be done.

"So, no one called for me?"

Shen Yao sat at the dressing table dressing and washing, with Ping'er bustling about at her side.

Ping'er shook her head, "Young Mistress, do you need this servant to fetch other jewelry for you?"

The jade hairpin just inserted clashed with the color of her clothes, and had already been pulled out again.

"No need, you go on down and get busy."

Waving her hand to dismiss Ping'er, Shen Yao gazed distantly at the beauty in the copper mirror, and once more summoned the system in her mind.

"Host, without cause you must not disturb the system; these days you have been crossing the line a bit."

The system was unhappy; it was also very busy, how could it be at the host's beck and call.

Stroking the soft, smooth hair falling down, Shen Yao spoke with righteous confidence, "Who am I doing this for? There's been no movement from Fu Hengyan's side; besides finding you, what else can I do?"

Because the relationship between the two was unequal, after they separated Shen Yao had no means whatsoever to contact Fu Hengyan.

She thought the other party would come visiting soon after returning, but unexpectedly she slept for three days and there wasn't even a stir.

Shen Yao doubted whether the system's incense pills were truly effective; she couldn't wait too long, after all Shen Zhouhai was still waiting for her ideal match on his end, the marriage could not be delayed.

"Fu Hengyan's side ran into trouble, but for now it has been smoothly resolved.

Barring accident, if you wait patiently a few more days, there will be movement."

After a while, the system finally spoke, rarely not perfunctory.

Shen Yao raised an eyebrow in surprise, "System, you even know these things?"

Not bad; looks like one occasionally still has to press hard, otherwise she wouldn't have known the system had such great potential.

As expected, whether person or system, normally one cannot be too lax.

The system did not answer Shen Yao's words, unknown where it ran off to.

Shen Yao, after confirming the system hadn't fooled her, let down most of her raised heart, turned and made a trip to the Shen family's Book Pavilion.

Going to Cloud Mist Mountain earlier, although it cost most of her net worth.

But Shen Yao had good luck; the Cloud Mist Stones she gathered, converted to spirit stones, not only covered her own consumption but also earned a bit of extra pocket money.

Holding these spirit stones, Shen Yao went to the Book Pavilion, on the pretext of learning magic techniques, and copied a set of all the cheap, plentiful magic techniques and various mental cultivation methods in the Book Pavilion.

Although Shen Yao doing this had a bit of a sucker's meaning, Shen Yao had to consider her future life.

What should be prepared must be prepared; when the time comes for her to go to other mission worlds, if spiritual roots are detected she'll also have cultivation methods.

It's not like they can only be used in the cultivation world; spiritual energy, to Shen Yao who has experienced being poisoned by all types of novels, means anything is possible.

For the following time, Shen Yao simply turned into a little hamster constantly hoarding goods.

Whatever the Shen family had, regardless of useful or not, she copied a set of all of it and put it in her storage bag; when the storage bag was full she placed it in her space for safekeeping.

Similar to nested dolls stacking buffs; fortunately no problems have appeared for Shen Yao so far, so she just kept hoarding like this.

Time arrived at the seventh day since Shen Yao returned home; the main courtyard sent word that her cheap eldest uncle wanted to see her.

See her?

Shen Yao repeatedly confirmed with Ping'er that the message hadn't been delivered wrongly; only then did she put down the half-organized travelogue in her hand, turned, and walked quickly to the main courtyard.

The person receiving her this time had changed from Steward Fu to Second Elder Shen Zhangshou.

Shen Yao: Hm?

Shen Zhangshou's expression was strange; occasionally his gaze toward Shen Yao also carried a trace of puzzlement and pity.

Pity? Could it be it's not about Fu Hengyan?

Feeling inexplicably uneasy, Shen Yao entered the grand hall and saw Family Head Shen Zhouhai sitting in the main position, as well as the other six elders.

Shen Yao:... Somewhat overly grand; could her matter be more thorny? How come several of the Shen family's middle-generation pillars who haven't been seen in years have all come out of seclusion.

"Shen Yao greets the Family Head, various Elders."

First Elder Shen Zhanglu, Third Elder Shen Zhangyu, Fourth Elder Shen Zhanggong, Fifth Elder Shen Zhangcheng, Sixth Elder Shen Zhangming, Seventh Elder Shen Zhangjiu.

Oh, behind her there was also Second Elder Shen Zhangshou who entered together.

Right, except for the clan's Ancestor Shen Zhangfu, everyone had arrived.

"Shen Yao, calling you here today concerns your marriage."

Shen Zhouhai spoke, but halfway through the words he seemed unable to continue.

Shen Yao looked at the several people with a calm face; the premonition in her heart grew ever stronger.

Until Shen Zhangyu sighed, and very apologetically said to Shen Yao, "It is the Shen clan's incompetence; the City Lord's Mansion came to propose marriage, little Yao'er, you... you can now only enter the City Lord's Mansion as a concubine."

"Hmph! Third Brother, in my view it's the City Lord's Mansion bullying too far; no matter how wretched our Shen clan is, we would never send a junior to seek glory at their door.

Simply, simply refuse, we..."

"Nonsense!" Shen Zhouhai's expression was stern; he glared fiercely at Sixth Elder Shen Zhangming who hadn't finished speaking, "After refusing, what can our Shen clan do? Lin Shi, Consort Sun eye us covetously; the Qianyu Alliance and Ziyun Sect's attitudes are ambiguous; the lives of over a thousand Shen clan members cannot be ignored."

Shen Zhangming stiffened his neck, unconvinced, "That still shouldn't let a junior sacrifice so much; what is a concubine? Just a nameless, portionless maid."

Shen Zhangjiu interjected, both soothing Shen Zhangming and persuading Shen Zhouhai, finally setting his gaze on the pensive Shen Yao, "Little Six, this matter is the Shen clan letting you down; these few days the City Lord's Mansion changed to a new City Lord, the City Lord's Mansion people came to propose marriage, the Shen clan could only agree."

Shen Yao roughly understood some of it, turned to Shen Zhouhai and cupped her hands, "Family Head, may I ask who exactly this new City Lord is?"

Shen Zhouhai's voice was weary, "Supposedly the savior of Iron Sword Sect."

"Cultivation at early Golden Core, surnamed Fu, nothing else known for now."

After hearing this, Shen Yao understood this was Fu Hengyan's doing; it seemed the system was right—the other party had indeed come knocking.

Yet even the Shen Family didn't know Fu Hengyan's identity in Dongzhou.

So how did this man suddenly become City Lord of Yunwu City? What was his true purpose?

Just as Shen Yao lowered her head in thought, the others each had their own thoughts.

Actually, this time Shen Zhouhai and the others inviting Shen Yao over carried a sense of resignation.

Because whether it was Golden Core cultivation or the City Lord's Mansion, neither was something their Shen clan could afford to offend.

The City Lord's Mansion coming to propose marriage for Shen Yao on behalf of the City Lord—even Family Head Shen Zhouhai couldn't bring up the request to become Dao Companions.

It really didn't match, and was downright terrifying.

Besides, this matter did no harm to the Shen clan; if Shen Yao performed well and pleased the newly appointed City Lord, their Shen clan could gain benefits.

But it wasn't fair to Shen Yao—Shen Yao knew nothing, and now she was going to the City Lord's Mansion to be a concubine; it was simply an unjust disaster.

Shen Yao:... Not exactly, one could only say all this was to her liking.

Feeling content living in the Shen Family, and seeing that the guilt on these few people's faces didn't seem feigned, Shen Yao still explained a couple of sentences about her minor adventures on Yunwu Mountain.

"... Shen Yao doesn't know if it's related to Senior Fu, but is willing to enter the City Lord's Mansion to serve City Lord Fu."

After Shen Yao finished speaking, Family Head Shen Zhouhai and the others had varied expressions.

Clearly they hadn't expected Shen Yao to have such an adventure, but Shen Yao had only encountered a Foundation Establishment cultivator, so most likely this was a junior of this City Lord Fu.

Well, it was a few points better than expected—at least Shen Yao wasn't entering the mansion for no reason.

With a reason, the next steps would be easier.

Shen Yao stayed in the Dian Dian for quite a while, until Shen Zhouhai finalized the promised compensation, then she left as she wished.

Huff

Returning to the Small Courtyard, she had Ping'er guard the doorway and report any matters promptly; Shen Yao summoned the system in her mind and asked if it knew why Fu Hengyan had become the new City Lord of Yunwu City.

"Host only needs to know that this matter has nothing to do with you."

The system didn't say much, but from a few words, Shen Yao understood the system did know something.

Hmph!

Trying that on her, thinking she wouldn't fear capsizing now that she was about to enter the City Lord's Mansion, and had grown bold.

"How could it have nothing to do with me? If she lives long in Yunwu City, the Shen Family side can look after her one way or another."

"If she has to leave here in a short time, then wouldn't I have to rely on myself?"

Shen Yao would rely on Fu Hengyan for food in the future; where Fu Hengyan was, had great influence on her.

The system fell silent for a moment, "Fu Hengyan shouldn't leave in a short time; he needs Yunwu Gold Crystal to repair his Natal Flying Sword."

Shen Yao moved her finger, "Wasn't Yunwu Gold Crystal found on Yunwu Mountain?"

The system replied, "Not enough," so he needed to stay in Yunwu City temporarily to keep searching.

Shen Yao:... Fine, reasonable and well-founded, I hope he stays in Yunwu City a few more years.

No longer interested in idle chat with the system, Shen Yao began pondering the coming days—how to transfer things into her own space.

Because she was to enter the City Lord's Mansion as a concubine, Shen Zhouhai had extra-compensated her with many treasures.

All were spiritual objects rarely seen normally; among them, spirit stones were the most ordinary.

Shen Yao had lived in the Cultivation World for some time; her understanding of it couldn't be called one hundred percent, but seventy or eighty percent.

Taking this opportunity, if she didn't seek some benefits for herself, she'd be letting down her own grievances.

Although Shen Yao didn't feel she had any grievances.

"Sixth Miss, these are various spiritual plants and spiritual objects sent by the Family Head; please take a look."

Inside the Small Courtyard, for these things, Butler Fu chose to personally take charge.

Shen Yao was flattered by the Shen clan's attention; indeed there were many spiritual objects, but limited by Shen Yao's aptitude, they hadn't reached the point of making the Shen clan suffer greatly.

The reason the Shen clan did this was more to show Shen Yao their own attitude.

After all, it was the Shen clan asking Shen Yao to do things; only if Shen Yao fared well could the Shen clan seek benefits from it.

"Thank you for your trouble, Butler Fu."

Shen Yao smiled at the tightly sealed jade box and the small, exquisite storage bag, and cupped her hands to Butler Fu.

Butler Fu hurriedly turned aside to avoid it, then turned and took out a low-key, antique-style ring and handed it to Shen Yao, "This is the betrothal gift sent by the City Lord's Mansion."

Betrothal gift?

Shen Yao reached out to take it, while sensing the spatial fluctuation from the ring—a very rare storage ring.

"Sixth Miss, the City Lord's Mansion has set the wedding date: the first day of the sixth month."

Butler Fu looked enviously at the storage ring held in Shen Yao's hand; one must know that such a storage ring, in the entire Shen Family, only Shen Zhangfu had one.

As it turned out, the City Lord's Mansion actually used such a precious storage ring to deliver the betrothal gift.

Tsk, truly people compared to people, enough to make one die of anger.

Butler Fu couldn't say whether entering the City Lord's Mansion was good or bad for the Sixth Miss, but for her own cultivation, it was definitely more beneficial than harmful.

The Sixth Miss's spiritual root and aptitude made breaking through Qi Refining very difficult for the Shen clan, but if she went to the City Lord's Mansion, relying on the City Lord's Golden Core cultivation, Foundation Establishment was very possible.

Suppressing these miscellaneous thoughts in his heart, Butler Fu turned and took his leave.

He had other matters to attend to; his mission to the Small Courtyard was complete, so there was no need to stay longer.

Shen Yao saw Butler Fu off, turned and put away the jade box and storage bag, then called Ping'er standing to one side, "If anyone comes, say I'm in cultivation; everything will be decided after I go out."

Ping'er hurriedly replied in a low voice, "Slave understands."

Shen Yao walked into the room, raised her hand, and set up a Spirit Lock to lock the door.

Then, she opened the numerous jade boxes and storage bags the Shen clan had sent her one by one, and was instantly dazzled by the Shen family's heroic spirit until she saw little stars.

She had still underestimated Shen Zhouhai's determination; he actually sent all these treasures to her?

Purple Jade Fruit, Green Ling Apricot, Maple King Original Paste, Emerald Bamboo Star Moon Dew, Phoenix Tail Spirit Honey.

These alternative treasures that both beautify and improve physical aptitude for female cultivators were not easy for the Shen clan to seek out; this was truly a massive hemorrhage.

Besides these, there were also important injury-healing holy medicines like Ling Shen Mountain Mushroom and Lu Jing Crystal.

Oh, refined pills and the like were also indispensable; even for Shen Yao's convenience in distinguishing them, the storage bags had already categorized and placed them properly.

Shen Yao was extremely satisfied with this behavior, saving her the time to organize.

Directly along with those jade boxes, she kept the items she needed; the rest were all collected into her space.

Because this is the cultivation world, space tools like storage bags greatly helped Shen Yao save on the consumption of her own carrying space.

Now Shen Yao's space was still as vast and empty as when she entered; the only occupied corner was heaped full of storage bags.

Finished with the things the Shen clan sent, Shen Yao turned her gaze to the storage ring sent by the City Lord's Mansion.

Steward Fu said the ring contained betrothal gifts; given Fu Hengyan's temperament, what could he put in it? It couldn't be just a few exquisitely shaped flying swords, right?

Hard to say; after all, Fu Hengyan is a Sword Cultivator, and they spent several days together on Yunwu Mountain; besides using Spirit Stones, Fu Hengyan rarely took out things like pills.

This kind of person, what betrothal gifts could he have? It should be inseparable from Sword Cultivator characteristics.

Thinking in her heart, Shen Yao activated the spiritual power in her hand, opened the restriction attached to the storage ring, and smoothly saw the betrothal gifts inside the ring.

Shen Yao:...?!!!

She blinked hard several times, confirmed three times that she hadn't opened it wrong, Shen Yao exhaled, and thought in her heart that Fu Hengyan really is a pure Sword Cultivator.

Besides that bottomless sea of massive Spirit Stones, the betrothal gifts were just a pair of flying swords with cold, stern light.

Oh, there were also a few jade boxes and pill bottles in the corner, but relative to the first two, they were like a grain of sand in the vast ocean, far too tiny.

Heaven can attest, Shen Yao even felt the Spirit Stones in the storage ring might be more than the deposits in the Shen clan's treasury.

Fu Hengyan, he wouldn't have dug up some Spirit Stone Mine and packed away all the Spirit Stones, would he?