Chapter 58

Shang Xia and Yan Ming met again in the valley, secretly disliking each other but could only admit their bad luck.

The others were unaware of their thoughts and did not notice the change in their expressions.

The old lady standing at the other end of the valley smiled and said, "Old friends meeting, still so secretive, don't let people think you're petty!"

Then, the old lady raised her voice and said, "The one outside the valley, come in and sit down. I can guarantee the basic safety here, don't let people think I'm neglecting my esteemed guest."

There was still no movement outside the valley, but the old lady was not annoyed; instead, she looked surprised and said, "Oh, what a subtle concealment technique, no wonder it feels so familiar, it must be the descendant of an old friend."

Ji Wenlong impatiently interrupted the old lady, saying, "Enough, less talk about the past, let's get straight to the point. The Fengyan tribe should not participate in this battle, and everything will be fine."

The old lady laughed deeply, a mocking smile flashing in her eyes, and said, "Old Ji, you're only fit for fighting and killing. Step aside, who will take the stage today?"

Ji Wenlong snorted coldly but did not argue with the old lady. Instead, he stepped aside, revealing Shang Ke and Shang Bing behind him.

However, the old lady did not look at the two of them but directly focused on Shang Xia, who was far away at the entrance of the valley.

"Hey, which family's young man is this? He looks so likable, but why does he seem so familiar?"

As she spoke, the old lady waved her hand, gesturing for Shang Xia to come closer.

Her demeanor was like that of a grandmother with poor eyesight, asking her grandson to come closer for a better look.

Shang Xia would be foolish to step forward. This kind of lone warrior, who could confront Ji Wenlong, was undoubtedly a Fourth Heaven expert, a seasoned old monster who would not leave a bone after eating someone.

Shang Ke coughed lightly and said, "Old Lady Yan, don't scare the young man. We have limited time, so let's talk about something useful. After all, staying here for too long might attract unwanted attention, and I'm sure you don't want to be discovered meeting with us, right?"

The old lady finally took her eyes off Shang Xia and looked at Shang Ke, smiling, "I know you, the second of the Shang family!"

"Cough, the fifth! Shang Bo is my third brother!" Shang Ke corrected.

The old lady did not care about the correction and still smiled, "Is that child the one who captured the mutated rain swallow?"

Shang Ke said solemnly, "We have brought him here, as you can see. So, about the previous agreement..."

"Ha ha ha ha..."

The old lady interrupted Shang Ke with a laugh, "But now I have changed my mind!"

Ji Wenlong, who had been silent, suddenly exuded a fierce aura, causing all the vegetation in the valley to lean away from him.

Shang Ke's face changed, and he said solemnly, "You are the patriarch of the Fengyan tribe, your word is law. Breaking your promise is not appropriate, is it?"

The old lady laughed, "Don't be anxious, why not hear my conditions first?"

The old lady turned to Ji Wenlong, but he ignored her.

At this moment, Shang Bing stepped forward from beside Shang Ke and said, "Then please state your terms."

The old lady glanced at Shang Bing, seemingly finding him unfamiliar, and said, "Hmm," before slowly continuing, "My previous promise still stands, but if you can make that child reveal the method to capture the mutated rain swallow alive, I can find a reason to withdraw another Martial Realm member, and I myself promise not to attack anyone below the Fourth Heaven on the Tongyou Peak. What do you think?"

Shang Bing looked thoughtful.

To be honest, the old lady's offer was quite substantial, especially given that the Tongyou Peak was about to face a full-scale attack. The addition or subtraction of each Martial Realm expert could directly affect the battle situation.

Moreover, the promise of a Fourth Heaven expert not attacking anyone below their level, though targeting those far below her, was still significant.

Shang Ke then said, "It seems you are under a lot of pressure in your tribe, Old Lady Yan!"

The old lady glared at him, "Second of the Shang family, this is not a cooperative attitude. Don't forget, I haven't even seen the living mutated rain swallow yet, which is already a great trust in you, the Cangyu warriors."

This old lady appeared kind, but her every move exuded immense authority.

If not for Ji Wenlong's presence, restraining and suppressing her aura, Shang Ke and Shang Bing might not have been able to stand before her.

Faced with the old lady's pressure, Shang Ke only smiled helplessly, not caring about his ranking, and said, "It's not that we won't show you the mutated rain swallow, but we're afraid you might change your mind after seeing it."

"Oh?" The old lady's eyes lit up, "You actually brought the mutated rain swallow with you? Is it on that young man outside the valley? No wonder you didn't let him come in, afraid I might take it by force?"

Ji Wenlong suddenly said, "You wouldn't dare!"

The old lady pretended not to hear him and said with interest, "Then let's see. My promise won't change, but I might add more conditions!"

Shang Ke and Shang Bing exchanged a glance and smiled slightly, seemingly unsurprised. Then Shang Ke turned and gestured to Shang Xia.

Shang Xia was standing at the entrance of the valley, somewhat bored, listening to the negotiations.

He was told not to get too close to the Yanling Mountain people, for fear they might attack without restraint.

He was also slightly annoyed that Yan Ni'er was being used as a bargaining chip.

Although Shang Xia knew this was all to avoid greater casualties on the Tongyou Peak and that Yan Ni'er would not be in mortal danger, the feeling of his fate being controlled by others still made him uncomfortable.

Even if it's just a swallow, it's my swallow!

Seeing Shang Ke nod, Shang Xia put aside his annoyance and whistled to the sky.

A moment later, a clear chirp came from the sky outside the valley, and a black shadow darted in like an arrow.

The black shadow was about to land on Shang Xia's shoulder, but upon entering the valley, it quickly sensed several unfamiliar and powerful auras and did not dare to land. Instead, it circled above Shang Xia's head, chirping urgently, as if confirming the situation with him.

At this moment, the old lady's demeanor was far from her previous kindness.

When she saw the mutated rain swallow respond to Shang Xia's whistle and appear in the sky above the valley, her eyes widened, and her right hand, holding the cane, gripped it tightly, even trembling slightly.

Despite her hundred years of cultivation and self-proclaimed detachment, she could not suppress her turbulent emotions.

If not for Ji Wenlong's preemptive restraint and warning, the old lady might have lost control.

Tamed... This child actually tamed a mutated rain swallow!

What does this mean?

In the declining pure-blooded lineage of the Fengyan tribe, a living mutated rain swallow had become their greatest hope for improving their bloodline.

Now, this hope was in the hands of this young man!

No wonder the second of the Shang family was afraid she would change her mind after seeing the mutated rain swallow!

For a moment, the old lady truly wanted to risk her life to seize the tamed mutated rain swallow!

No, and the young man who tamed it!

But the last bit of rationality and the substantial threat from Ji Wenlong nearby prevented her from making a dangerous move.

At this moment, with Shang Xia's repeated assurances, Yan Ni'er finally put down her guard and landed on his shoulder.

In fact, not only the old lady but also the few people from the Tongyou Peak were full of surprise.

Although they had already heard from Shang Xia and others about the taming of the mutated rain swallow, seeing it with their own eyes still left them in disbelief.

Taking a deep breath, the old lady, who had lost her usual composure and kindness, forced a smile at Shang Ke and said, "You're right, I do want to change my mind."

Shang Ke nodded understandingly and said, "You can continue to add conditions, but I must remind you, a one-time deal is not wise. Living, you can have a steady stream."

The old lady looked deeply at Shang Ke, then suddenly smiled and raised her voice to Shang Xia, "Young man, are you married?"

Seeing Shang Xia look at her in surprise, the old lady did not wait for Shang Ke or others to stop her, and pulled Yan Ming in front of her, saying, "This is my granddaughter, my real granddaughter. How about marrying her?"

Before Shang Xia could refuse in shock and before his granddaughter could react in anger, the old lady continued, "Look at my granddaughter, she is a true beauty of the Fengyan tribe, with a good figure and a beautiful face, slim waist, and big hips, truly slim in clothes and plump without them..."

"Grandma—"

The old lady ignored her and continued, "If you marry my granddaughter, whatever you want, as long as I can do it, I will not refuse. As long as you two hurry up and have a few children..."

Shang Xia finally recovered from the shock and hurriedly waved his hands, smiling, "Thank you for your kindness, but I am unworthy. I fear accepting such a great gift might shorten my life, so I must respectfully decline."

Although the old lady still smiled, her previous enthusiasm had vanished.

"Young man, think carefully. Marrying my granddaughter means gaining my protection..."

"Cough, my grandfather Shang Bo, no need to worry about him!" Shang Xia quickly said.

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