Cultivating for a hundred lifetimes to ascension Chapter 10 Getting Married and I Want You

Zhao Sheng unfurled the parchment, his heart sinking instantly. The contents were nearly a mirror image of the document he currently gripped.

The perfume workshop had been under the Wang Family's surveillance for some time, yet he had remained blissfully unaware of their scrutiny.

In the Cultivation World, one must never discount any cultivation family—particularly those like the Wang Family of Fragrant Swallow Valley, who had tasted glory before sliding into decline.

Zhao Sheng had long been aware that the driver, Wang Si, acted as a mole for the Wang Family.

While Wang Si would never betray the Wang sisters, that didn't stop him from covertly funneling intelligence back to the clan elders.

Zhao Sheng had prepared for such a possibility, but the sheer shamelessness of the Wang Family exceeded his expectations.

This lesson was so profound that it would resurface in his memories even centuries later.

Observing Zhao Sheng’s silence, Wang Zonghai wore a thin smile and inquired, "Young man, surely there are no errors in this record, are there?"

Zhao Sheng chose not to interrogate him. To do so would be futile; questioning is merely a confession of weakness.

Trapped in this predicament, his mind raced, desperately hunting for a tactical retreat.

Setting aside the Zhao family and the workshop, the Wang Family’s established power as the regional hegemon of Ganzhou far eclipsed anything the Zhao family could muster.

"What other leverage do I have?"

As he deliberated, a realization flashed through his mind.

If the Wang Family had already tracked the trio's movements, why had they refrained from intervening, opting instead to watch from the shadows?

Noticing the smile return to the patriarch's face, a daring theory formed in Zhao Sheng's mind.

It appeared the Wang Family's peculiar restraint could be traced directly to the man standing before him.

With this epiphany, Zhao Sheng lifted the prescription and said with renewed poise, "I recall a saying: 'Interest is the sole motive of human actions.' You have orchestrated this elaborate situation for a reason; surely it wasn't just to mock a junior? If you have demands, please, speak them plainly."

Upon hearing this, Wang Zonghai erupted into a fit of genuine, booming laughter.

"Brilliant! If my own kin possessed even half your wit in social maneuvering, I could pass away without regrets."

Zhao Sheng’s heart skipped a beat as he thought, "You've got to be kidding! Does this old fox really want me to marry into the Wang Family?"

A true man stands on his own feet; how could he possibly submit to becoming a matrilocal son-in-law?

Zhao Sheng immediately interjected, "Mr. Wang, I'll have you know my family has produced only one child per generation for three cycles."

"If my memory serves, you are actually ninth in your generation's line," Wang Zonghai countered, instantly dismantling the lie.

"My parents have passed, and I must perform the ancestral rites annually."

"With a bit of effort, you can perform those same rites right here in Fragrant Swallow Valley."

"Uh!"

Stunned into silence for a moment, Zhao Sheng finally admitted honestly, "Mr. Wang, it is simply impossible for me to marry into your family."

Only then did the other members of the Wang Family grasp the hidden meaning behind the cryptic exchange between the elder and the youth.

In an instant, the room was filled with stunned faces.

Wang Zonghai’s expression soured as he demanded, "Are you saying you refuse to marry my granddaughter?"

"I wish to marry her. However, I cannot turn my back on my lineage," Zhao Sheng answered.

What a farce! I am the very progenitor of the Zhao family; how could I betray my own self?

Despite the various threats and lures Wang Zonghai threw his way, Zhao Sheng stood his ground, shaking his head in firm refusal.

Eventually, Wang Zonghai offered a compromise. "Let us settle on a gentleman's agreement. If you can reach the Innate Realm within three years, we shall proceed according to your terms. If you fail, you must marry into the Wang Family. Furthermore, among the children you have with Yuqi, those lacking a Spirit Root may take your name, but any born with a Spirit Root must carry the Wang surname."

Consider the craftiness of that phrasing.

The old man had clearly mapped this out from the beginning, despite his earlier act of confusion.

Hearing the proposal, Zhao Sheng nodded immediately. "It’s a deal. Your word is your bond."

He was certain of his success, estimating he could break through to the Innate level within two years.

Wang Zonghai believed he had secured the upper hand, unaware that Zhao Sheng was playing a much deeper game.

Name: Zhao Zhiqin (Zhao Sheng) Life Span: 18/120 Realm: First-class Martial Artist Constitution: Hundred-year-old Body (Mortal Level), Light as a Feather (Mortal Level) Talent: Dynamic Vision (Mortal Level) Skill: Floating Light Sword Skill (Refined), Emerald Tide Technique (Great Success), Cloud Dragon Three Changes (Unprecedented), Wind Chasing Arrow Technique (Divine Transformation) ...

Following that day, Zhao Sheng departed Fragrant Swallow Valley alone.

Three days later, he arrived back at Zhao Family's Castle. After holding private consultations with Family Head He Xing and Clan Elder Zhao Taizhen, he entered a period of prolonged closed-door cultivation.

Simultaneously, a contingent of formidable martial experts arrived at the castle, commanded by a man with a frame as broad as a bear.

Upon their arrival, they seized control of the perfume workshop, expanding its operations tenfold in a single stroke.

Bolstered by a mysterious backing, the Zhao family rapidly absorbed several rival factions within the Ganzhou Martial World.

This expansion sent shockwaves through the region, leaving everyone in the martial community on high alert.

A year passed. Inside a secluded cultivation chamber in Zhao Family's Castle, Zhao Sheng sat in a meditative posture, eyes shut tight as a faint, translucent aura hovered above his crown.

An empty elixir bottle sat discarded on the floor before him.

Thirty minutes prior, Zhao Sheng had consumed his final Essence Qi Pill, launching his formal attempt to ascend to the Innate Realm.

Drawing on his previous life's experience of reaching this stage, he flawlessly transmuted all the Bi Hai True Qi within his Meridians into Innate True Qi.

An hour later, a powerful tremor rocked Zhao Sheng's frame; his body levitated three feet into the air before drifting softly back to the ground.

As he slowly opened his eyes, a look of pure exhilaration crossed his face.

With the assistance of the Essence Qi Pills, he had achieved the Innate Realm a full year ahead of his projections.

The potency of those elixir pills was truly formidable!

...

Six months later, Nanyang City stood in awe on the wedding day of the Zhao family's Ninth Young Master.

The citizens had never witnessed a dowry procession that spanned twenty miles.

The Zhao family displayed immense wealth, hosting thousands of banquet tables for a celebration that lasted an entire month.

During that time, even the most destitute beggars in Nanyang City put on ten pounds of weight.

This legendary wedding remained a topic of fervent discussion in Nanyang for nearly a century.

A year into the marriage, Zhao Sheng’s first son was born, though he lacked a Spirit Root.

The following year brought a beautiful daughter, who also possessed no Spirit Root.

Undeterred, Zhao Sheng continued his secret projects within the depths of Zhao Family's Castle.

One evening during the third year, the increasingly graceful Wang Yu Yan suddenly paid Zhao Sheng a visit.

The first words out of her mouth were, "I am getting married!"

After a brief silence, Zhao Sheng replied, "Congratulations."

"A Sixth Level Qi Refining Loose Cultivator has agreed to join the Wang family as a son-in-law. My father has given his blessing. The ceremony is set for an auspicious day next month."

Wang Yu Yan stared intensely at him, her voice eerily steady, as if she were a bystander in her own life.

"...Congratulations," Zhao Sheng repeated, struggling to find better words.

"Hmph, you are a man without a shred of courage!"

With that exclamation, Wang Yu Yan suddenly lunged, tackling Zhao Sheng to the floor.

Incredibly, the powerful Innate Grandmaster was brought down with ease.

"I want you!"