On the way back, Hai Dali glanced at the sky.
Being summoned by Second Miss had delayed him quite a bit. It was about time for Niu Xiao to deliver the meal. Since that was the case, he decided not to look for food himself and headed straight back to his courtyard.
As he walked, he admired the Chen Residence.
Suddenly, he spotted a familiar figure. It was Chen Er, the captain of the Chen Residence guards, leading several guards on patrol.
Chen Er also noticed Hai Dali and walked over, sizing him up from head to toe. “Oh? Looks like you’re almost fully recovered. You can even walk around now.”
Hai Dali replied sincerely, “Thanks to Captain Chen’s care, I was able to recover so quickly.”
He truly meant it. The first person he saw after waking up had been Chen Er. Not only had Chen Er arranged someone to look after him, he had also brought him the First Madam’s reward. Based on that alone, he should be grateful.
Chen Er smiled and waved it off. “It doesn’t have much to do with me. You were seriously injured and still managed to wake up. That’s because you have good fortune.”
Hai Dali shook his head. “How could it have nothing to do with you? Without the pills you brought, my injuries wouldn’t have healed this quickly.”
“That was a reward from the First Madam. If you want to thank someone, thank her.”
Although Chen Er said so, the satisfaction on his face was obvious.
Hai Dali spoke with loyalty written all over his face. “I would never forget the First Madam’s kindness. But I will also remember your favor, Captain Chen.”
“Bootlicker.”
Unlike Chen Er’s friendliness, the guards behind him looked at Hai Dali with open disdain.
Hai Dali knew they were resentful toward the original owner, but he still felt uncomfortable. Not wanting to face their hostility, he said to Chen Er, “I still feel a bit unwell. I’ll head back to rest first.”
“Good. You’ve just recovered from a serious illness. You should rest well.”
Hai Dali clasped his hands in farewell and left.
On the way, a thought occurred to him.
Was Chen Er being a little too friendly?
Others treated him with contempt and disdain, but Chen Er showed no sign of dislike at all.
Still, he had nothing worth scheming over. There was no way Chen Er could know about the Great Yin-Yang Unity Art. Most likely it was because of Chen Er’s status. Someone in his position wouldn’t bother competing with a nobody like him. Or perhaps the original Hai Dali had flattered him before. That seemed more plausible.
In any case, it wasn’t important. Chen Er treated him well enough. There was no need to overthink it.
But what exactly had the original owner done to make himself so hated?
If he couldn’t cling tightly to Chen Muxue, life in the Chen Residence probably wouldn’t be pleasant.
Soon, he returned to his small courtyard. Seeing no sign that Niu Xiao had come yet, he began practicing the Yin-Yang Divine Fist in the yard.
“What kind of fist technique is that?”
After he finished a full set, Niu Xiao walked over carrying a food box.
He had arrived earlier but had been drawn in by the fist technique. Only after Hai Dali finished did he step forward.
Standing close, Niu Xiao noticed something different about him. Hai Dali looked much cleaner and sharper than before. His temperament no longer gave off that sneaky and sinister vibe.
Was this the result of being beaten half to death?
Hai Dali hesitated, then made something up. “I don’t know. When I was seriously injured and lying in bed, I dreamed of it.” Get faster updates on g.com.
“You think I’m stupid?” Niu Xiao looked at him suspiciously, then said with certainty, “Second Miss gave it to you, didn’t she? I know she met you this afternoon.”
“Yes, yes. Perfect timing. I have a lot of things to ask you.”
Hai Dali quickly changed the topic.
Seeing his reaction, Niu Xiao began doubting his own guess, but since Hai Dali clearly didn’t want to elaborate, he didn’t press further. “What is it?”
“Do you know Yao Ruobing?”
“Of course I do. Who in Qingfeng City doesn’t? She’s the true pride of heaven.”
Niu Xiao’s eyes lit up as he continued, “Yao Ruobing is not only stunningly beautiful, her cultivation talent is terrifying. At just fifteen years old, she’s already at the 9th stage Qi Refining Realm. Very few in Qingfeng City have ever reached that level at her age. And her talent in artifact refining is also exceptional.”
“I’ve heard she was already accepted as a personal disciple by an elder of the Backing Mountain Sect. For some reason, though, she hasn’t gone there yet.”
Once he started talking about Yao Ruobing, he couldn’t stop. His admiration was obvious.
“Fifteen years old and already at the 9th stage Qi Refining Realm. What kind of spiritual roots does she have? And what about our Second Miss?” Hai Dali asked curiously.
“How would I know? Talents like that are always kept secret. But at worst she must have dual spiritual roots.”
“As for Second Miss, she’s eighteen this year. She’s been at the 8th stage Qi Refining Realm for over a year. She should break through to the 9th stage Qi Refining Realm soon.”
When speaking of Chen Muxue, Niu Xiao’s voice grew noticeably quieter, as if afraid someone might overhear.
Hai Dali recalled Xiao Fan’s earlier evaluation and nodded inwardly. It had been quite accurate.
What could Chen Muxue possibly use to compete with Yao Ruobing?
“What about the Eldest Miss?” he asked.
“The Eldest Miss is twenty-one. She’s been at the 9th stage Qi Refining Realm for three years and is currently guarding the family’s spiritual herb fields.”
“The spiritual herb fields? She personally has to guard them?”
“Yes. The Chen Family is an alchemy family, so of course they have herb fields near the Lianyun Mountain Range. Recently, many first-grade demonic beasts have come out of the Hundred Thousand Mountains.”
“These low-level beasts may not be intelligent, but they’re extremely violent and cause destruction wherever they go. Without someone guarding the fields, they would be destroyed quickly.”
“This should have been the job of the collateral family members. But the Eldest Miss volunteered, saying she lacked experience and wanted to temper herself by guarding the fields so she could break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm smoothly.”
Hai Dali immediately asked, “She’s about to enter the Foundation Establishment Realm?”
Niu Xiao nodded heavily, his face full of envy.
A Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Upon reaching that realm, one’s lifespan increased significantly. A Qi Refining cultivator could live up to 150 years, while a Foundation Establishment cultivator could live up to 280 years. The difference was enormous.
Would he ever have the chance to reach that realm in this lifetime?
Hai Dali didn’t give Niu Xiao time to dwell on it and asked, “Are there other talents among the major families?”
Though slightly annoyed, Niu Xiao still answered.
“Of course. They’re just not as outstanding as Yao Ruobing.”
“Qin Wentian of the Qin Family is nineteen and at the 9th stage Qi Refining Realm. Qin Lulu is fourteen and at the 7th stage Qi Refining Realm. She’s also the First Madam’s niece.” Read the latest chapters at NovelPing.
“There are also the Feng siblings, Feng Junmei and Feng Junyi. One is twenty and at the 9th stage Qi Refining Realm, the other nineteen and at the 8th stage Qi Refining Realm.”
“As for the Yao Family, besides Yao Ruobing, her older sister Yao Ruoshui is also talented. She’s seventeen and has been at the 8th stage Qi Refining Realm for a year.”
“Finally, there’s Xiao Tian of the Xiao Family, nineteen and at the 8th stage Qi Refining Realm. But Xiao Fan, the one who nearly beat you to death, must have encountered some opportunity. He’s already at the 6th stage Qi Refining Realm. The key point is his cultivation is rising incredibly fast. Just ten days ago, he was only at the 3rd stage Qi Refining Realm.”
Niu Xiao found it unbelievable.
Hearing this, Hai Dali’s last trace of doubt vanished.
Three minor realms in ten days.
If Xiao Fan wasn’t the Chosen One, who was?
No wonder Chen Muxue hadn’t mentioned the duel. She must have already heard the news.
“Alright, I have things to do. Since you’ve recovered, I won’t be coming anymore.”
“Don’t go yet. Let’s chat a bit more.”
Hai Dali didn’t want him to leave. He still had questions.
“I’ve already said everything I should and shouldn’t. Captain Chen’s instructions are fulfilled. If you hadn’t seemed better after losing your memory, I wouldn’t have told you so much.”
“If you want to know about Qingfeng City, buy a copy of ‘Records of Qingfeng City.’ It contains far more than I know.”
With that, Niu Xiao left without waiting for further persuasion.
Hai Dali sighed. Since Niu Xiao had made himself clear, he couldn’t shamelessly insist.
“I’ll go buy that ‘Records of Qingfeng City’ tomorrow.”
But buying things required money, and he had none.
He rummaged through his room and finally found some silver under his pillow and beneath the bed.
It seemed even in this cultivation world, mortals still used silver. He just didn’t know its purchasing power.
Weighing the broken silver pieces in his hand, he wondered what they could buy.
His thoughts were soon interrupted by hunger. He hurried to the table and devoured the food Niu Xiao had brought, clearing it completely before patting his stomach in satisfaction.
After eating his fill, Hai Dali sat in the courtyard and began thinking. His current environment wasn’t bad. At least there was no immediate life-threatening danger.
The only real threat was Xiao Fan. He didn’t know just how powerful Xiao Fan’s cheat was.
For now, he wouldn’t provoke him. He would only secretly trip him up at appropriate times. That shouldn’t cause problems.
As long as he diligently cultivated the Great Yin-Yang Unity Art, he would achieve something great. Thinking this way, he felt the advantage was on his side.
Still, he couldn’t let Chen Muxue drag him down. People like her were the most reckless. Sometimes it felt like what she carried on her shoulders wasn’t a brain.
If she stubbornly went after Xiao Fan and made some outrageous move that ended up helping him grow stronger, leading to the destruction of the Chen Family and himself along with it, that would be disastrous.
No.
He needed to find a way to divert Chen Muxue’s attention.
Unfortunately, after thinking for a long time, he still couldn’t come up with a good idea.