Chapter 287: Heading to the Zheng Family

"Brother Dao, you have taken care of my junior family member these past days, causing you quite a bit of trouble."

Xu Wanyun poured herself a cup of tea, using tea in place of wine.

"No need for courtesy; she has also helped me quite a bit."

Shen Yi nodded; these were indeed the truth.

Just based on Aqing's earlier claim that she could repair the Nine Swords Annihilation Calamity Formation, there would be no shortage of people willing to provide protection wherever she went.

That was a formation capable of trapping and killing those in the Transformation of Spirit Realm.

Seeing the two exchange pleasantries, Aqing breathed a sigh of relief; she was merely a bit mischievous, not truly unruly, and knowing that both treated her extremely well, she did not wish for any rift to arise between them.

But immediately afterward, she felt something was slightly off, yet could not pinpoint where the problem lay.

"Brother Shen, this is an elder of mine; she wishes to follow..."

Before her words had finished, Aqing received a flick to the forehead.

"I address him as Brother Dao, yet you call him Big Brother?" Xu Wanyun glanced at her.

"..."

Aqing finally realized where the problem lay, but looking at Shen Yi's handsome and youthful face, the words "Uncle Shen" were in no way able to leave her lips.

She let out a muffled groan, burying her head and saying nothing.

"I have heard Brother Dao has urgent matters on hand and likely cannot attend to this junior; it would be better if I took care of her. If there is any need for assistance, Wanyun is also willing to offer my meager strength."

Xu Wanyun seemed to be refuting her niece's earlier disdain regarding her lack of experience.

Her speech was flawless, and every movement followed the script perfectly, leaving not a single flaw to be found.

Looking at her formal demeanor.

Shen Yi raised an eyebrow: "Either way is fine."

If Aqing could stay, that would naturally be best; setting aside the news of the supreme spiritual root, at least getting the sword formation repaired first would provide himself with an extremely powerful asset.

However, this was ultimately a family matter, and an outsider was not well-suited to participate too deeply.

Seeing Shen Yi's somewhat perfunctory reply.

Xu Wanyun merely smiled faintly.

It seemed her earlier carelessness had caused the other party to underestimate her.

Truly a cultivator capable of participating in Transformation of Spirit Realm duels.

Although that palm strike earlier had not truly been unleashed, it was by no means something a Slain Hunyuan could withstand.

However, such techniques were not unique to the youth.

When it came to crossing realms to duel, the Xu family was the true founding ancestor.

"Prepare to depart."

Shen Yi glanced to the side and found no one else wished to exchange anything further.

He rose decisively and nodded toward the distance.

Jin Baowen hurried over to lead the way: "Senior, this way please."

The group walked out of the Eight Directions Food Pavilion together.

"I wonder with what identity Senior wishes to visit the Zheng family?" he asked in a low voice.

If they had the backing of top-tier powers like the Immortal Sects or Great Qian, the Zheng family would naturally have to welcome them with respect; even if slightly lower, being on the same level as the Zheng family would make it impossible to be turned away at the door.

But there was a downside to this.

That was that an identity too high would inevitably arouse the Zheng family's wariness, causing them to be watched constantly, making it nearly impossible to see Suimu.

"Independent Cultivator." Shen Yi stepped out of the valley and summoned the Red Cloud.

"That is excellent; however, cultivators are more power-hungry than ordinary mortals, so Senior must absolutely not become angry when the time comes." Jin Baowen offered the other party a reminder.

"Where is there an Independent Cultivator like Brother Dao?"

Xu Wanyun shook her head and seized the opportunity to show off the "experience" she had learned from books: "Independent Cultivators have no backing; they cultivate with trembling caution, fearing to be held in hatred by others, and would absolutely not use a demonic cloud with such obvious characteristics for transportation."

Speaking thus, she produced an unremarkable wooden boat, summoned it into the air, measuring about three zhang in length.

Xu Wanyun stepped onto the wooden boat first, then pulled Aqing to her side, before inviting Shen Yi to come aboard.

If not for Shen Yi being too young, they would have looked exactly like a family of three.

"This looks just right."

Those with malicious intentions rarely travel with their families.

Xu Wanyun formed a hand seal.

Unexpectedly, this seemingly unremarkable wooden boat was several times faster than the demonic cloud.

Shen Yi was slightly surprised.

However, for him now, the faster everything was, the better.

Time was already running short.

Not only did he need to break through to the Transformation of Spirit Realm, but he also needed to become a standout among those in the Transformation of Spirit Realm; the pressure involved can be imagined.

Great Qian was not some small power.

To protect such a colossal entity, one would at least need to be at Nie Jun's level to accomplish it.

And he was still very, very far from that realm.

White clouds drifted ethereally; Qingshan was picturesque.

The combination of the two easily evoked thoughts of immortals.

And the Zheng family residing here, though not counting as an Immortal Sect, relied on deep interpersonal connections to barely qualify as a branch of an Immortal Sect.

Centered on the Zheng family, many small clans gathered around, with the Jin family being one of them.

A statue dozens of zhang tall stood atop the mountain peak.

Holding a scripture and a Dao sword in his hands, his demeanor was truly otherworldly, looking down upon all living beings.

One must know that in such a place, demons and monsters surround on all sides; not only could they occupy a vast mountain range rich in spiritual essence, but they also brazenly erected a statue, showing no fear of being targeted by others or demons.

This represented profound confidence.

"That is the ancestor of the Zheng family. He was originally a True Person who ranked among the top in the Xuan Guang Cave. Unfortunately, his lifespan was exhausted, his Dao faded, and he perished. However, he left behind a lineage inheritance, ensuring the Zheng family would forever hold a place in the Xuan Guang Cave."

Jin Baowen stood upon a white cloud treasure artifact.

It was clear that when he spoke of the Zheng family, he felt a sense of pride by association.

After all, they were in-laws.

Yet, over the long years, the small clans gathering around all took pride in connecting with the Zheng family, whether by sending a prodigy to be adopted into the Zheng family or by marrying in a descendant of graceful and elegant bearing.

In any case, they employed every means to establish kinship ties.

That was not considered anything particularly special.

Moreover, the branch of the Jin family that had married in had long since died out. He shamelessly tried to use the relationship with his ancestor to seek some benefits, only to be flatly rejected.

The only remaining function was to rely on the reputation to enter and exit freely.

"Indeed, there is a connection with the Xuan Guang Cave."

Xu Wanyun suddenly let out a cold sneer, taking the Xu family's mountain-protecting formation into her sight.

After hiding in seclusion for a time, it was quite ridiculous that her family's treasured items could now be seen everywhere.

Just based on this formation, even a cultivator in the Transformation of Spirit Realm would have to expend great effort.

"That is natural."

Jin Baowen looked at Shen Yi. His task was to prove the news was true, and he had no intention of offending the Zheng family: "Senior, please leave it to me to speak."

After receiving the youth's agreement.

Jin Baowen slowly descended toward the mountain manor. He whispered a few words to the gatekeeper and then pointed upward.

In the next moment, the two men simply stepped forward, slamming Jin Baowen toward the stone steps: "Old thing, the family has long said they see no guests in recent years. You still dare to bring people to the Zheng family? Are you tired of living!"

"..."

Xu Wanyun fell silent and looked to the side, noticing that a few traces of suspicion also flashed in Shen Yi's eyes.

It was not because the old man lacked even this much face.

Rather, it was because Jin Baowen, at the very least, was a martial artist in the Embracing Elixir Realm.

If two random young gatekeepers could knock him over, if they truly possessed such depth, they might as well have the Great Qian withdraw from the alliance and let the Zheng family take its place.

(End of this chapter)