Today, Ji Bang was dressed in a vermilion round-neck robe, his entire person emanating a radiant glow, looking exceptionally energetic.
Just upon meeting, Xu Jin was slightly taken aback.
The life force was very strong.
The last time he saw Ji Bang, the latter’s aura of twilight had been very heavy, a genuine elder, only slightly younger than Elder Peng.
This time, knowing Ji Bang’s age and status, Xu Jin would have thought he was a middle-aged man at first glance if he wasn’t informed.
What most astonished Xu Jin was Ji Bang’s Divine Soul aura.
The aura of the Divine Soul was one and integral, naturally spiritual but incredibly restrained. Only under the operation of his two Mingji Star Patterns did Xu Jin sense it, similar to the Divine Soul aura emitted by the Great State Preceptor.
Had Ji Bang condensed a Primordial Spirit?
Xu Jin could be sure that during their last meeting, Ji Bang had not yet condensed a Primordial Spirit but possessed only the aura of a Fourth-order Ninth Layer Peak.
The breakthrough to the Fifth Tier by condensing the Primordial Spirit was extremely difficult.
Even the Great State Preceptor had struggled for so long.
Suddenly, Xu Jin became contemplative.
"Good lad, I can finally see you! If it wasn’t for the State Preceptor letting me know, I would have missed you again," Ji Bang said with a big laugh, patting Xu Jin’s shoulder as if they were very close.
Xu Jin, however, was somewhat unaccustomed to this but could only bear it.
According to the State Preceptor, this elder had deep connections in Dachen and wielded immense influence; even he had to show respect.
Being the Dean of the Imperial City Daoist Institute was not a position just anyone could fill.
The conversation that followed was somewhat awkward.
Ji Bang inquired about Xu Jin’s current cultivation level and training situation and chatted with Jiang’er for a bit. In the midst of the conversation, he used a Star-picking Order to add Jiang’er as a friend.
He even asked about Xu Jin’s father.
Xu Jin answered truthfully.
"Just now, the State Preceptor spoke to me about your arrangements, saying you might be sent to the Galaxy Battlefield for a training journey, which could take three to five years.
The moment I heard this, I made a special trip here.
With the Great State Preceptor looking out for you in the Da Chen National Daoist School, you obviously don’t need an old man like me.
But the situation on the Galaxy Battlefield is extremely complex, with a myriad of interwoven powers.
The State Preceptor will naturally have people take care of you when you go there for training.
However, I also have some influence there, and I have descendants on the battlefield.
If you encounter any issues there, just bring up my name.
If anyone dares not to help you,
just tell me, and I’ll go personally to strip off their clothes and whip them, no matter what their status is on the Galaxy Battlefield!" Ji Bang eventually got to the point after a roundabout discussion.
Xu Jin nodded politely.
But deep down, he was skeptical.
What a joke, the Generals appointed to the Galaxy Battlefield were mostly Seventh Tier, and at the very least Sixth Tier.
Granting a favor might be possible, but stripping clothes and whipping...
He didn’t believe it!
Ji Bang, being a sharply perceptive man, immediately noticed Xu Jin’s inner thoughts and his brows shot up, "You don’t believe it, young man?"
Xu Jin promptly denied any disbelief.
"No more needless bragging; if the person I instructed doesn’t help you, just tell me directly, I’ll truly whip them!"
During their conversation, Ji Bang handed Xu Jin a token that was notably odd in design; gold on the outside and jade inside.
It resembled gold inlaid jade but was definitely neither gold nor Star Fallen Iron; it must have been an extremely rare metal, heavy to the touch yet with a moist sensation.
"This is the Golden Order of the Ji Family, my unique keepsake, and a representation of my face. Inside the jade piece are names. Should you encounter difficulties, just seek them out with this token," Ji Bang said earnestly.
His words carried significant weight; just as Xu Jin was about to decline, Ji Bang continued, "Hurry up and take it, stop the nonsense! An old man like me owes you a great favor; am I supposed to beg you to accept it?"
With that, Xu Jin had no choice but to accept.
Xu Jin guessed it probably had to do with Ji Bang’s breakthrough to the Primordial Spirit and was likely a favor from the Great State Preceptor.
"Should problems arise, remember to inform me. Some matters are inconvenient for the State Preceptor to handle, but I would find them quite manageable," Ji Bang added.
Xu Jin received the Ji Family’s Golden Order and thanked him profusely.
A few moments later, Ji Bang stood to leave and just before departing, he suddenly asked, "By the way, what do you think of my granddaughter Hongli?"
"What do you mean?" Xu Jin was taken aback.
"As a woman, naturally I’m referring to her appearance and character. You’ve interacted with her, just speak your impressions directly. There’s no need for pleasantries between us men!" Ji Bang slapped Xu Jin’s shoulder as he spoke.
"Hongli is indeed heavenly in beauty, just like a gentle cloud emerging from a mountain crag, definitely a beauty capable of overthrowing a state. As for her character, though I do not know her well, she appears intelligent and understanding, naturally excellent," Xu Jin said.
Ji Hongli was indeed beautiful, and Xu Jin was telling the truth, but Ji Bang’s sudden inquiry also made Xu Jin wary.
Was Ji Bang considering offering his granddaughter to him in marriage?
Ji Hongli was indeed wonderful, and Xu Jin quite liked her.
But there was Ning Yuchan.
While he was pondering how to decline or what to say, Ji Bang suddenly patted Xu Jin’s shoulder again, "Seems like you don’t dislike her, that’s good, very good!"
After saying that, Ji Bang left no more words, walked away with his hands behind his back, and vanished into the stars in an instant.
Xu Jin was taken aback, then let out a bitter laugh.
He’d been racking his brains about what to say, but it turned out there was no need.
He was overthinking it.
In such a prominent family, a direct granddaughter would not be so easily promised in marriage.
Laughably, he had even considered how to refuse.
However, this Ji Family Golden Order, if as Ji Bang claimed, was indeed quite influential.
Xu Jin’s thoughts delved into the Golden Order’s jade piece, where several names were inscribed, mostly surnamed Ji, along with details of their roles.