Chapter 47: Countermeasures
Who had harmed Lu Wan?
It was likely no one other than the Wu family. However, their methods... were vile, so vile that they were nauseating.
To put it bluntly, if the Wu family thought Lu Wan was inadequate, it would have been better to kill her outright than to subject her to such humiliation and torment.
In the past, making things difficult for her at the market stalls was one thing.
But now, with the Water Dragon Sect's selection approaching, they had injured her, preventing her from participating.
Seeing her chance to change her fate vanish before her eyes—such a blow was not something an ordinary person could endure.
Sitting on the Black Wind Boat on the way home, Ji Yuan couldn't help but recall the expressions of the Wu father and son.
Wu Yan was still young and couldn't conceal his emotions, so he showed some reaction on the spot.
But Wu Wenbin, that old scoundrel, was different. Whenever Ji Yuan thought of him, he remembered his smiling face.
Such a person had a fitting description:
A smiling tiger.
Whenever Ji Yuan thought of Lu Wan's recent appearance, he couldn't help but sigh.
He wanted to help, but more than that, he felt powerless.
If he were in the late stage of Qi Refining, or at the peak of Qi Refining, the tenth level, he wouldn't hesitate—even if Lu Wan didn't ask, he would storm the Wu family and demand an explanation.
Unfortunately, he was only at the sixth level of Qi Refining.
Giving her half a tael of blood essence to save her life was already significant.
He couldn't afford to give more, or rather, even if he did, he couldn't protect her.
"I wonder what choice she'll make."
Ji Yuan didn't know, and the couple sitting behind him, Lin Hu and Wu Qin, also remained silent on the way home.
It wasn't until they returned to their lakeside cottage and bid each other farewell that Lin Hu and Wu Qin, back in their home, sat in silence for a while.
Finally, Lin Hu spoke.
"Why don't we... have a child too?"
Wu Qin hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded.
"Alright."
They had discussed this matter before, but at the time, they agreed to wait a few years, thinking it was too early.
However, after seeing that Heavenly Spiritual Root at Zengtou Market today, their thoughts began to change...
Their own spiritual roots were inadequate, and their talents lacking.
But what about their next generation?
If they could give birth to a child with a Heavenly Spiritual Root like the one they saw today, wouldn't they also... attain the Dao and ascend?
This was the mindset of most fishermen in Zengtou Market and even the Yunyu Marshlands.
Since they couldn't succeed themselves, they pinned their hopes on the next generation!
...
Wu family main hall.
Wu Wenbin and Wu Yan sat facing each other, both frowning.
"Father, are we really going to ignore that brat Ji Yuan?"
Wu Yan was starting to regret. If he had known earlier... he should have found an opportunity to kill him back then, instead of letting him grow to this point.
"Ignore?"
Wu Wenbin seemed amused by the question.
"You saw what happened at the Fish Market today. Ji Yuan's talent in talismans surpasses not just you and me, but even Lu Wan."
"On his first attempt, he succeeded in creating two consecutive Heavenly Light Talismans... Hmph, even Hong Xiuwen, a formal disciple of the Water Dragon Sect, took a liking to him and was willing to offer protection, recognizing him as a junior brother."
"Did you hear his last words clearly? He was pointing at me, your father!"
Wu Wenbin sneered, "Our Wu family may have some reputation in Zengtou Market, but in front of the Water Dragon Sect, we're nothing!"
"Not to mention the Water Dragon Sect, even if Hong Xiuwen wanted to crush us, it would be effortless."
Wu Wenbin's words made Wu Yan break out in a cold sweat, his face turning pale.
"If anything happens to Ji Yuan, three years later, at the next Water Dragon Sect selection, Hong Xiuwen will definitely come after our Wu family."
Wu Wenbin sighed.
"So, in these three years, not only can we not harm Ji Yuan, but at critical moments, we must even stand behind him."
"Moreover..."
"Moreover, what?"
Wu Yan was almost resigned.
"See for yourself."
Wu Wenbin took out a letter from his storage pouch and tossed it over. Wu Yan opened it and saw that it was still about Ji Yuan.
"This... Why does Ji Yuan deserve this?!"
Wu Yan looked at the letter in his hand, almost shouting.
Because it recorded the incident on the first day of the lunar new year, when Ji Yuan was instructed in spells by a Water Dragon Sect cultivator in front of the Treasure Pavilion.
And that Water Dragon Sect cultivator was definitely not Hong Xiuwen.
In other words, Ji Yuan had caught the attention of two Water Dragon Sect cultivators simultaneously...
In this case, who in Zengtou Market would dare to touch him?
"Hmph, why does he deserve it?"
Wu Wenbin sneered, "You're thirty-two this year, and it's entirely thanks to me, your father, that you've reached the sixth level of Qi Refining and obtained a mid-grade first-tier talisman master status."
"But what about Ji Yuan?"
"He's only nineteen this year, and you probably don't know—he's also at the sixth level of Qi Refining, and his talisman skills surpass yours. Why does he deserve it? You tell me!"
Wu Wenbin's last sentence was almost a roar.
Wu Yan's forehead veins bulged. He clenched his fists, opened his mouth several times but couldn't speak.
Finally, Wu Wenbin made the decision.
"From previous interactions, Ji Yuan seems to be someone who knows his place. Here's what we'll do: send him a generous gift in the name of our Wu family."
Wu Yan remained silent for a moment before saying:
"What if he doesn't accept it?"
"Whether he accepts it or not is his business. In any case, our Wu family's attitude is clear. Even if we don't form a good relationship, at least we won't become enemies."
Although Wu Yan was extremely unwilling, he had to admit that Wu Wenbin's approach was the most appropriate at this time.
"Then... what about Lu Wan?" Wu Yan asked.
Wu Wenbin lightly tapped the table with his hand, "That old blind man from the Qin family has stepped in, willing to protect her for three years. After three years, at the next Water Dragon Sect selection, he'll send her into the sect."
"The condition is that she draws talismans for the Qin family for free for three years."
Upon hearing this, Wu Yan immediately stood up from his chair, "No way, Father! If Lu Wan really joins the Water Dragon Sect, we'll be in big trouble!"
Wu Wenbin glanced at him coldly.
"That's why I say your brain doesn't work... Think carefully with that useless head of yours. Given the old blind man's character, how could he possibly send her to the Water Dragon Sect?"
"He's just getting a talisman master without any background to use for free for three years. After that, he'll settle the score with a single stroke. Who would bother with so much nonsense?"
"Oh, that makes sense..."
Wu Yan breathed a sigh of relief and sat down again.
He thought to himself, fortunately, no Water Dragon Sect cultivator had taken a liking to Lu Wan.
"After all the benefits our Wu family gave her, she turned around and betrayed us. Let's torment her a bit more. After all, the old blind man from the Qin family only promised to protect Lu Wan, not her family."
Wu Wenbin said expressionlessly.
"Alright, I'll make sure it's done well!"
Whenever Wu Yan thought of the way Lu Wan rejected him back then, he became more determined.
...
After Ji Yuan returned home, he first checked on the various buildings.
Then he went to the miscellaneous... Comprehension Room. After today's events, he felt even more the importance of strength.
Since his cultivation couldn't break through for now, he decided to try completing the Yin Ghost Formation first.
With this formation in hand, Ji Yuan could speak confidently even when facing someone in the late stage of Qi Refining.
For this purpose, he had bought many introductory books on formations in Zengtou Market.