Chapter 1224

Ximen Wudi blinked in surprise, then his face filled with admiration.

"Impressive!"

Ximen Wudi's words were sincere; with his own strength, though unafraid of Ouyang Batian, he could never have achieved such effortless ease.

Yet Ouyang Batian's casual strike carried terrifying power—clearly, Ouyang Batian's cultivation was far deeper and more unfathomable than Ximen Wudi's.

"Hehe." Ouyang Batian grinned proudly. "How's that for sincerity?"

"Sincere enough!" Ximen Wudi nodded vigorously.

"Alright, you may leave. I must return to seclusion!" Ouyang Batian said, then closed his eyes again and ignored Ximen Wudi entirely.

"Hey, can I go now?" Ximen Wudi, seeing Ouyang Batian's cold demeanor, couldn't help but grow angry.

"Get out!" Ouyang Batian spat out coldly.

"Uh…" Ximen Wudi nearly had his nose twisted sideways—damn it, you old bastard, what are you showing off for?

"Hmph, you wait. One day, I'll make you kneel and beg me!"

Ximen Wudi hurled those words fiercely and stormed off in a rage.

As soon as he stepped outside, Ouyang Batian opened his eyes.

"Young Master Lin, don't forget—you owe me a favor!" Ouyang Batian's face wore a sly smile.

"Damn!" Ximen Wudi cursed and turned to leave.

Outside the door, Ximen Wudi lifted his foot and strode off, preparing to return to the hotel to find Qin Yirou.

But at that moment, a clear voice suddenly rang out beside his ear.

"Brother Lin, wait a moment!"

"Hm?" Ximen Wudi halted and turned to see Ouyang Xiaoqian running toward him.

"What is it?"

Ouyang Xiaoqian reached him, her lovely face flushed red, looking shy and hesitant.

"I… um… you, could you take me to see my father?"

"Uh…" Ximen Wudi froze—Ouyang Xiaoqian wanted him to take her to see her father?

Damn it, what kind of karma had he accumulated?

"Ximen Wudi, this child has never met her parents since childhood; her mind is pure and she knows nothing of the world."

Ouyang Batian's voice sounded just in time.

Ximen Wudi rolled his eyes—this old man was truly shameless!

Still, Ximen Wudi genuinely admired Ouyang Batian.

Because by doing this, he could soothe his daughter while also giving full face—it was a two-for-one win.

"Alright, I'll take you to see him."

Ximen Wudi nodded and followed Ouyang Xiaoqian up the mountain.

Halfway up the slope, Ouyang Batian's cave dwelling was already visible in the distance.

When Ximen Wudi and Ouyang Xiaoqian arrived at the cave entrance, Ouyang Batian was already standing there.

"Father, Brother Lin has brought me to see you."

"Oh?" Ouyang Batian glanced at Ximen Wudi, and his expression softened immediately.

After all, Ximen Wudi was his granddaughter's future boyfriend—Ouyang Batian's mood improved.

"Come in and sit," Ouyang Batian said.

"Thank you, Master," Ximen Wudi bowed slightly and stepped into the cave.

Ouyang Batian followed behind, studying Ximen Wudi's back, his expression growing ever more satisfied.

This youth had an upright and beautiful appearance, noble bearing, extraordinary skills, and more importantly, immense strength and superior character—most crucially, he had none of the spoiled brat's bad habits!

Such a son-in-law was hard to find!

The two entered the cave together; Ouyang Batian sat on a chair beside a stone table and gestured for Ximen Wudi to sit as well.

"Master, you're too kind," Ximen Wudi politely waved his hand, refusing to sit.

"Hahaha…" Ouyang Batian laughed heartily. "Young Master Ximen, don't be so formal—I'm easygoing. Just treat this like chatting with a younger brother."

Ximen Wudi hesitated, then finally sat down.

"Hehe, Young Master Lin is a martial cultivator—surely you're very interested in pills, right?" Ouyang Batian suddenly changed the subject, his tone warm and eager.

Ximen Wudi paused, then gave a slight nod.

He knew the materials needed to refine Foundation Establishment Pills, but he did not know the exact formula.

That was why he had come to ask Ouyang Batian.

Seeing Ximen Wudi admit it, Ouyang Batian's eyes darted, then he smiled warmly: "Tell me, Young Master Lin, what kind of Foundation Establishment Pills do you need?"

"Foundation Establishment Pills?" Ximen Wudi frowned—he knew nothing about pill refining; how could he know what these were?

"Young Master Lin, don't worry—just tell me whether you have the formula for Foundation Establishment Pills," Ouyang Batian said, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on Ximen Wudi.

Ximen Wudi fell silent for a moment, then spoke slowly.

"I need five main materials for Foundation Establishment Pills—Fire Dragon Grass, Crimson Cloud Lotus, Blue Frost Grass, Purple Thorn Flower, and Cold Nether Grass. Additionally, I need thirty auxiliary spirit herbs—all Level Two spirit herbs—namely—"

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Batian's eyes flickered with disappointment.

He had assumed Ximen Wudi possessed the Foundation Establishment Pill formula; instead, it was nothing but ordinary Level Two spirit herbs—collecting even five of them would be nearly impossible.

Ouyang Batian sighed inwardly—he feared today's hopes would end in vain.

"Oh no, Father, how could you have taken out all these spirit herbs!" At that moment, Ouyang Xiaoqian cried out, rushing toward Miejue Shitai.

Ximen Wudi immediately rose and hurried over, glancing down—and froze in shock.

On the stone platform sat four jade boxes in a row, each radiating dense surges of spiritual energy—clearly the spirit herbs contained within were worth a fortune!

"Xiaoqian!" Ouyang Batian's brow shot up, and his face instantly darkened.

"Father…" Ouyang Xiaoqian was so frightened she quickly stopped in her tracks and called out timidly.

"Hmph!" Ouyang Batian gave a cold snort, his gaze hiding fury as he pointed at the four jade boxes and barked, "Xiaoqian, what is the meaning of this!"

"I…" Ouyang Xiaoqian clenched her teeth, as though she had made some great resolution.

"Father, I want a Foundation Establishment Pill!"

"Nonsense!" Ouyang Batian flared up in rage, jabbing a finger at Ouyang Xiaoqian's nose as he roared.

"I worked hard to gather these spirit herbs, and now you actually say you want a Foundation Establishment Pill!"

Ouyang Batian was thoroughly roused by Ouyang Xiaoqian's words—he, a dignified Nascent Soul stage powerhouse, had actually fallen to refining a Foundation Establishment Pill for his precious granddaughter; if word got out, he would utterly lose face!

"Father, calm yourself, calm yourself!" Ouyang Xiaoqian hurriedly tugged at Ouyang Batian's sleeve, coaxing him with an anxious face.

"Xiaoqian, go back first; I will handle this matter!" Ouyang Batian struggled to suppress his fury, but his whole body still trembled uncontrollably.

1024 A disgrace of the highest order!

1024A disgrace of the highest order!

He, Ouyang Batian, had roamed unchallenged his whole life, yet had never suffered such a disgrace!

"But Father…" Ouyang Xiaoqian was a little afraid.

"Xiaoqian, be obedient and listen!" Ouyang Batian's words carried an indisputable firmness.

"Oh." Ouyang Xiaoqian answered aggrievedly, then turned to Ximen Wudi and nodded apologetically. "Sorry, Brother Ximen Wudi."

"Sister Xiaoqian, don't worry—I will definitely see this done for you!" Ximen Wudi hurriedly thumped his chest in assurance.

"Brother Ximen Wudi, you… you don't have to force yourself; my father won't agree."

"It's fine, I have my own plans." Ximen Wudi gave Ouyang Xiaoqian a gentle smile, then cupped his fists toward Ouyang Batian.

"Uncle, this junior takes his leave!"

With that, Ximen Wudi strode out.

"Brother Lin, wait a moment!" Just then, Ouyang Batian suddenly called out to Ximen Wudi.

"Uncle, is there something else?" Ximen Wudi asked, puzzled.

"Sigh." Ouyang Batian gave a soft sigh and shook his head.

"Ximen Wudi, you are a clever man, so I won't beat around the bush with you." Ouyang Batian raised his head, looked straight into Ximen Wudi's eyes, his expression solemn.

"Xiaoqian is the apple of my eye; I have held her in the palm of my hand since she was little, unwilling to harm so much as a single hair on her. Even her name was given by her mother."