Chapter 79

Lin Zheng's face was still very pale, but he looked quite well. In fact, Lin Zheng had suffered considerable injuries in this competition and could only temporarily suppress them under the current circumstances, so he appeared to be merely exhausted and drained of energy.

The group chatted for a while, then Fu Yewu asked Lin Zheng curiously from a distance, "Kid, can you tell us what you're going to do that requires two months?"

The city lord and others also looked at Lin Zheng with great curiosity. They wondered what could make Lin Zheng give up such a great opportunity and insist on spending two months.

"Actually, I'm going to Zeshui City!" Lin Zheng seemed a bit embarrassed, either because of his internal injuries or to deliberately hide his expression, he coughed a few times, covering his mouth.

"Hmm? Going to Zeshui City? That's at most a month round trip. If you travel at your pace, it would only take half a month! Can you tell us what it's about? If there's anything I can help with, just say it!" Fu Yewu patted his chest and said.

"Cough, cough! I'm going to propose! I hope that family will agree to marry their most precious daughter to me!" Lin Zheng coughed violently, a trace of blood appearing at the corner of his mouth. He gently wiped it away and straightened his back, speaking clearly.

The clear voice spread to everyone's ears. Some people stared in surprise, others showed a hint of disdain, and many female warriors had a gleam in their eyes!

Li Ruoshui, standing beside Lin Zheng, tightly held his arm, her face beaming with excitement, happiness, and satisfaction. Her beauty was unmatched, her eyes clear, and her smile serene. The man and woman stood together by the ruins, a scene that would remain vivid in everyone's memory no matter how much time passed!

Kou Zhen and his group stood there for a moment, then Fu Yewu suddenly burst into laughter, "Ha ha, good! Good kid! You're better than me! Consider this a small gift from me!" The old man waved his hand, and a milky white light flew toward Lin Zheng. Lin Zheng reached out to catch it and saw that it was a jade slip. Before Lin Zheng could ask, the old man continued, "These are some of my battle experiences and insights after reaching the Sage realm. I hope they will be helpful to you!"

Lin Zheng smiled and bowed to the old man, putting the jade slip in his chest. Everyone looked at Lin Zheng with envy; this was an extremely valuable gift, and it clearly showed how much Fu Yewu valued Lin Zheng. With Fu Yewu backing Lin Zheng, the other four elders would certainly support him as well. With the backing of the five elders of the Fu family, many people looked at Lin Zheng with a hint of flattery.

"Alright, everyone, disperse. Gather here early tomorrow morning, and then we'll start the special training. You have less than a day to handle your own affairs!" The city lord suddenly said loudly, clearly signaling that everyone should leave.

No one dared to disobey, and they all bid farewell and left, leaving only Lin Zheng and his group behind.

"It seems this isn't the place to talk. Let's go to the back garden," the city lord said, looking at the devastated ground and shaking his head with a smile.

The group went to a hall in the back garden of the city lord's residence. The hall was decorated in a relaxed and comfortable style, clearly a place for entertaining friends and family. Lin Zheng's condition had improved somewhat, and Li Ruoshui sat close to him, not leaving his side. Lin Qin, sitting next to Li Ruoshui, was happily eating a plate of strange fruits.

"Aunt, be a bit more reserved. Look at how you're eating!" Lin Wen whispered to Lin Qin.

"Pfft, didn't you see that those old... seniors are now on our side? Why worry about appearances? And that old... city lord is also on our side. We're all family, so what's the point of worrying about appearances!" Lin Qin replied without a care, then continued to munch on the fruit.

"Ha ha!" Everyone, with their high cultivation, laughed at Lin Qin's words. Unintentional words often reveal a person's true thoughts. Lin Qin's straightforwardness won the favor of the five elders of the Fu family. When the elders looked at Lin Qin, they showed a bit more care, as if looking at their own descendants.

Lin Qin frowned, not understanding why everyone was laughing. She didn't think much about it and raised the plate in her hand, shouting, "City lord, these fruits are really delicious. Could you have someone bring a few more plates for... me? Please?"

Fortunately, Lin Qin reacted quickly. Although the term "girl" wasn't quite appropriate, it was better than the unspoken words...

"These are Jade Crystal Linglong Fruits sent from below. They are rare and seasonal, but they have an excellent taste and can help remove impurities from the body's spiritual energy," the city lord said with a smile, and had more plates of fruit brought for everyone to taste.

"Right, right, they are really delicious. Can we take some when we leave?" Lin Qin said, eyeing the plates of fruit on the table greedily.

Everyone: "..."

Lin Zheng looked at Lin Qin, feeling both affection and a headache.

"Kid, since you're going to propose, I'll prepare some wedding gifts for you. We can't let Zeshui City look down on us Wushuang City!" Kou Zhen said, offering another generous gift. This gift was much more practical, as he was familiar with the customs of Tiangu, and his preparations would be more comprehensive than Lin Zheng's.

"Is there anything else you seniors would like to advise me?" Lin Zheng thanked Kou Zhen and then asked Fu Yewu and the others.

"If you have the chance, look for some suitable Dao artifacts. Two months is tight, but you should still pay attention. Kid, don't think I'm joking. If I used various magical treasures and Dao artifacts today, you wouldn't even have a chance to defend yourself!" Fu Yewu said, blowing his beard at Lin Zheng, who looked unconcerned.

He didn't know that Lin Zheng, standing before him, was not just a martial artist but also an incredibly skilled forger. Although he couldn't yet create Dao artifacts, would Lin Zheng and his group lack magical treasures? However, Lin Zheng didn't dare to reveal this, as it would cause a huge storm.

"Alright, you all go back quickly. Lin Zheng, rest well. I'll have my subordinates deliver the prepared items to you early tomorrow morning. You don't need to pack anything; I'll have it all sent to you!" The city lord said hurriedly, seeing that Lin Qin had already eaten most of the Jade Crystal Linglong Fruits. This was a rare and precious item, and the city lord's residence didn't have much left!

"City lord, while we're away, please take care of Luo Lingling's family, and also..." Lin Zheng's words were cut off by the city lord, "Alright, alright! You're really talkative. I'll find someone to take care of them!" The city lord quickly added, seeing that Lin Qin had finished another plate of Jade Crystal Linglong Fruits. He liked this fruit too!

"Okay, then we'll take our leave!" Lin Zheng and the others bid farewell and were led out of the city lord's residence by a group of attendants. Just as they were about to leave, Lin Qin, who was at the back, suddenly ran back and returned with a large cloth bag. The bag had several lumps, as if it contained something.

"What's that?" everyone asked curiously.

"Nothing much, just Jade Crystal Linglong Fruits," Lin Qin replied, then threw the bag of fruit into her ring.

"Where did you get them?" everyone asked again.

"I just asked the people below to prepare them for me," Lin Qin answered frankly.

Everyone: "..."

Even Lin Qin herself hadn't expected that it would be so easy to get such a large bag of Jade Crystal Linglong Fruits. She had just said to prepare more, and since the city lord had promised that they could ask for any items that would help their cultivation, the Jade Crystal Linglong Fruits must have some special effects. So, the people below had readily provided such a large bag!

When Lin Zheng and the others returned to the Lin residence, they saw Wen Tianqing and Temu Zhan drinking tea in the hall. These two had left the city lord's residence and come directly to the Lin residence to wait for Lin Zheng and the others. Seeing Lin Zheng and the others enter, the two quickly stood up from their seats, and Temu Zhan shouted, "Haha, brother-in-law, you really made a big splash!"

Lin Zheng smiled and said it was a stroke of luck. Everyone then sat down again. Apart from Lin Zheng, the others only exchanged a few words with the two and then left. Lin Wen and the others were busy packing, Lin Dao went to practice, and Lin Qin and Li Ruoshui went back to their room. Lin Qian went to find Pizi Lang, leaving only Lin Zheng, Wen Tianqing, and Temu Zhan in the hall.

"This is a small token from our Wen family. Please accept it and pass our greetings to the Li family patriarch when you see them!" Wen Tianqing said, handing Lin Zheng a gift list.

"Right, brother-in-law, and this is from our Temu family. Take it and pass our greetings to the Li family as well!" Temu Zhan said in a deep voice, also handing Lin Zheng a gift list.

Lin Zheng took the two gift lists and was surprised. From the items listed, both families had put a lot of thought into it. Regardless of the value of the items, the quantity and variety clearly showed their sincerity!

"I'm sure the city lord has prepared some wedding gifts for you. Our two families can only add a bit more. Don't think it's too little!" Wen Tianqing said with a smile.

"How could I? The weight of these two gifts is significant. I, Lin Zheng, will remember this kindness. Although it may sound formal, I must say that if either family ever has any difficulties, I will not stand idly by. If that day comes, I will travel to the ends of the earth to help!" Lin Zheng said solemnly.

Wen Tianqing and Temu Zhan could hear the sincerity in Lin Zheng's words. The gift lists, while partly to maintain good relations, were mostly to support Lin Zheng and Li Ruoshui. Both sides understood each other's intentions and didn't need to point out the deeper meaning. Some things are better left unspoken, making the relationship more genuine and strong.

This time, the two didn't stay for dinner but left early. Since Lin Zheng and the others would leave early the next morning, they had many things to arrange and discuss. It would be better for them to leave and let Lin Zheng and the others handle their affairs.

PS: A new week has begun! Let's keep it up! Your support, red tickets, and favorites are the greatest encouragement for Nianhua! After a quick nap, I'll continue writing! Still three updates a day, totaling 10,000 words!