Chu Zheng's tone was genuinely sincere, portraying a cultivator from the lower realm who suddenly faced a colossal opportunity and needed time to digest and calm his emotions, perfectly.
Beside him, Xue Qing understood the meaning in Chu Zheng's words, and she slightly lowered her eyelids to hide the coldness in her eyes, cupping her hands in a respectful gesture.
Xu Menghan seemed gentle, but in Chu Zheng's eyes, she was even more dangerous than someone like Zhao Qingchen.
Calling it friendship was nothing more than a subtle manipulation, giving generous gifts to win over one's heart.
Winning the heart is paramount.
Xu Menghan's methods were clearly superior to Zhao Qingchen's, yet not limitless. That pride of a clan member, even if not expressed, was still obvious in Chu Zheng's perception.
So he could not directly refuse her to her face.
Given Xu Menghan's status and her humble posture earlier, if he rejected her face-to-face, no matter how composed she was, she would inevitably feel humiliated, even if she didn't explode on the spot.
Perhaps she wouldn't tear into him immediately, but her underhanded tactics would be endless. A single word from Xu Menghan could put him and Xue Qing in mortal danger, like a boat in a storm, in danger of capsizing at any time.
He himself was indifferent to it, but he could not let Xue Qing fall into such peril.
If he were alone, a man could bend or stretch as needed, merely bow his head to endure temporary humiliation, hibernate and wait for opportunities while feigning compliance, and bide his time to make a move.
But with Xue Qing along, everything was different.
The essence of the martial path is uprightness, unyielding spirit, emphasizing a clear mind, brave progression, and breaking all shackles with one's own will.
If she were to submit against her will and become a slave or even a nominal "friend," her own dao heart would inevitably become tarnished, creating irreparable cracks.
This would be akin to personally burying an insurmountable chasm on her path to the martial peak, completely destroying any future possibility of entering the Ancestral Realm.
This might be more cruel than killing her outright.
Currently, lowering the head first and seeking two days to calm down and find an opportunity to escape was the best strategy.
Chu Zheng's response was evidently within Xu Menghan's expectations, as the faint smile on her face deepened slightly, exuding composure.
He could understand that a cultivator from the lower realm, suddenly facing such an immortal opportunity, would naturally be at a loss and need time to digest.
Xu Menghan's voice was even gentler, like a spring breeze brushing one's face:
"A little caution is also appropriate. You two rest assured and take time. In two days, at noon, I'll host a banquet at the Treasure Pavilion to treat you both."
She raised her hand lightly, and the suspended red-gold jade talisman slowly floated down, finally hovering three feet in front of Chu Zheng.
"Then today, the two of us will take our leave."
Chu Zheng cupped his hands in a salute, looking at Yuan Feng beside him, his gaze indicating something.
"No need to trouble."
Xu Menghan's gaze turned to Zhao Qingchen, who still looked somewhat pale, and she spoke calmly: "Mr. Zhao, please arrange a quiet room for the two of them, ensuring they are not disturbed."
"I'll get to it right away."
Zhao Qingchen didn't say much, turned around, and left.
Chu Zheng narrowed his gaze slightly and didn't refuse. Indeed, he had thought it was simpler than it was. This text is hosted at novｅlfire.net
This move by Xu Menghan was undoubtedly meant to keep track of their whereabouts, making it not so easy to get away.
"May I ask your names?" Xu Menghan spoke again.
Yun Tianji already knew them well, so there was no need to hide their names anymore.
Xu Menghan nodded with a smile, lingering no longer, and turned to leave.
From beginning to end, Yun Tianji did not speak; he gave Chu Zheng a deep look before following behind Xu Menghan.
Until everyone had completely left, only then did Yuan Feng, who had been holding his breath, feel his heart drop back into his chest with a thud, his back soaked with cold sweat.
He glanced at Chu Zheng, feeling a few traces of gratitude and awe in his heart.
Not only was his talent exceptional, but his composure was also unfathomable, this sense of timing, patience, and strategic mind far outweighed the importance of talent.
The world is never short of prodigies, but very few ever truly grow up.
If Zheng Chu did not die prematurely, he would become a dragon among men in the future.
Chu Zheng showed no change in expression as he put away the Immortal Scripture.
"Honored guests, about the transmission array..."
Yuan Feng felt a bit troubled; now that Xu Menghan had spoken, the two were clearly unable to leave the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower for now.
"This matter is no longer related to you, don't worry."
Chu Zheng shook his head slightly, indicating for Yuan Feng to leave.
Even if they got on the transmission array and left now, in the Nine Heavens and Four Seas, peace would still be hard to come by, and Yuan Feng would inevitably be implicated.
They couldn't just take the items and go; they needed to clean up thoroughly, or they'd soon be caught up with.
He only had two days. The key to breaking the situation lay with Yun Tianji.
The quiet room arranged by Zhao Qingchen at the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower was located above an independent spirit vein node deep within the tower. The spiritual energy was so dense it almost liquefied, and the walls were embedded with gentle spirit jades.
The isolation array was incredibly strong, not even a fly could fly in, or rather, fly out.
For Chu Zheng and Xue Qing, it was more like a beautifully decorated cage than a quiet room.
Chu Zheng and Xue Qing sat cross-legged on the jade couch in the center of the quiet room, slowly adjusting their breathing.
Xue Qing showed no sign of tension, her aura calm, her mind immersed in cultivation.
In the blink of an eye, half a day had passed. The outside world remained still, only the faint sound of spiritual energy trickling could be heard.
Chu Zheng slowly opened his eyes, clarity in their depths, and flipped his hand to take out the azure jade talisman gifted by Yun Tianji earlier, channeling a thread of spiritual power through his fingertip to send a concise message: