Chapter 50

In Zhong Wen's room, Lin Zhiyun, Shangguan Junyi, Leng Wushuang, Liu Qiqi, Yin Ning'er, and Lin Xiaodie, these official members of the Piaohua Palace, gathered around the table.

"Dear sisters," Zhong Wen paced in front of the table, speaking solemnly, "You all know that the Piaohua Palace will face a formidable enemy, the Xiao family, the first family of Dagan. Although the palace master and Shangguan sister, both Tian Lun experts, have temporarily repelled Xiao Wenjian, we cannot guarantee that they won't return."

The girls below nodded in agreement.

"Therefore, to better resist the Xiao family, everyone needs to work hard to become stronger. We cannot place all the burden on the two sisters," Zhong Wen spoke with passion. "The Piaohua Palace is not just for one or two people, but for all of us. It is our beautiful home, and everyone has a responsibility to protect it!"

"Oh!" The little girl was so excited that she couldn't help but raise her hand and cheer.

Liu Qiqi and Yin Ning'er also nodded frequently, feeling inspired.

Leng Wushuang just looked at Zhong Wen with tenderness. In her heart, whatever Zhong Wen said was always right.

Lin Zhiyun and Shangguan Junyi, being older, were not overly excited by a few words, but they still felt a sense of inspiration from Zhong Wen's words.

"With the palace master's permission, I, Doctor Zhong, will use a magical secret technique to impart some ancient martial arts to you. I hope you will practice diligently and soon advance to Tian Lun, Ling Zun, and even Saint, to shoulder the responsibility of protecting our home!" Zhong Wen waved his right hand, speaking with enthusiasm.

"Oh!" Liu Qiqi and the little girl responded in unison, and even the usually calm Yin Ning'er raised her right hand.

"Alright, please have Shangguan sister and Wushuang guard the door from outside, and make sure no one from outside the Piaohua Palace enters." Zhong Wen began to give orders.

"You little brother just likes to boss people around." Shangguan Junyi pouted and left the room.

Watching Shangguan Junyi's slightly swaying, plump buttocks, Zhong Wen couldn't help but swallow his saliva.

This Shangguan sister is becoming more and more like a mature woman, every move making him unable to resist.

Leng Wushuang, of course, would not go against Zhong Wen's wishes and obediently followed Shangguan Junyi out of the room.

"Love our home, the grand ceremony of imparting skills, now begins!" Zhong Wen's tone was somewhat like the eye exercises for primary school students in his previous life.

"Zhong Wen, are you going to impart the 'Tai Su Xuan Yin Gong' to them?" Lin Zhiyun thought Zhong Wen was going to teach the cultivation method he practiced to the disciples.

"Palace master, cultivation methods also have suitability issues," Zhong Wen shook his head and said. "Take Qiqi, for example, she is dedicated to the path of the sword and is a natural swordsman. I have a cultivation method specifically for sword practitioners, which is very suitable for her."

With that, he came to Liu Qiqi and placed his hand on her head: "Qiqi, open your mind and focus."

Liu Qiqi followed his instructions and suddenly felt countless words appear in her mind. Soon, she mastered a top-tier cultivation method called 'Heavenly Sword Qi.'

"This, this is..." Liu Qiqi was also startled by this strange phenomenon.

"Hold this pill and practice hard. Don't come out until you reach Di Lun." Zhong Wen ignored Liu Qiqi's surprised expression and threw a bottle of 'Tuo Fan Dan' into her hand.

Next, he came to Yin Ning'er: "Ninger, you are dedicated to the study of medicinal herbs and alchemy. I assume you don't have much time to practice cultivation methods. I will impart the 'Yi Qi Chang Sheng Jue' to you. Although it is not very powerful, it can extend life, remove diseases, and toxins, and can be practiced independently, giving you more time to study other subjects."

"Okay." Yin Ning'er nodded obediently, having a mysterious trust in Zhong Wen.

Zhong Wen used the same technique to impart the 'Yi Qi Chang Sheng Jue' to Yin Ning'er and threw her a bottle of 'Tuo Fan Dan.'

Finally, he came to the little girl.

"Xiaodie, how old are you this year?" Zhong Wen asked gently.

"Nine years old." The little girl's voice was clear.

"I have a cultivation method that is infinitely profound. After practicing it, you can increase your cultivation just by lying down and absorbing spirit crystals." Zhong Wen's voice had a hint of sadness. "Unfortunately, you can't practice it after ten years old. Since you are nine this year, this method is tailor-made for you. Practice well to protect your master, senior sisters, and me in the future."

He shamelessly added himself to the list of people the little girl should protect.

"Okay!" Lin Xiaodie was excited to hear that she could increase her cultivation by lying down.

Zhong Wen's right hand trembled slightly as he imparted the Saint-level 'Shi Ling Teng Tian Jue' to the little girl's mind.

"Zhong Wen, why don't I have a pill?" The little girl saw that Zhong Wen gave pills to her two senior sisters but not to her, so she couldn't help but ask.

"Oh, you don't need a pill. I'll take you to absorb spirit crystals later." Zhong Wen said with a tone of jealousy and envy.

This way, three out of the four 'Tihou Guanding' scrolls he had saved were used.

Just as he was about to leave the room, he suddenly thought of something and turned back to impart the 'Yunzhong Xian Bu' to everyone, including Lin Zhiyun and Shangguan Junyi.

This day marked the transformation of the entire Piaohua Palace...

***

The Xiao family's residence in the imperial capital was the smallest among the major families, which was extremely disproportionate to the Xiao family's immense power.

Many elders of the Xiao family had proposed expanding or relocating the residence, but all suggestions were rejected by the family head, Xiao Qing.

"It's not the right time yet." This was his response to everyone.

At this moment, in the family head's study, Xiao Qing was sitting at his desk, reviewing a stack of documents.

Having been the head of the Xiao family for twenty years, Xiao Qing was now over fifty but still looked like he was in his thirties, extremely handsome, not inferior to his second son, Xiao Wuqing.

"Xiao Wuqing" was standing opposite Xiao Qing, unusually without his usual lazy expression.

"I have personally proposed marriage to the Lin family," Xiao Qing put down the documents and said slowly, "Now, our plan is about to be launched, and we need people everywhere. We don't have the energy to deal with a small Piaohua Palace in the southern border province."

"Father, a sect that can make our eldest brother retreat is not to be underestimated," Xiao Wuqing said seriously. "Lin Zhiyun is definitely a high-level Tian Lun cultivator. Although the Minister of Rites, Lin, did not refuse, he may not be able to influence such a powerful expert. Moreover, the Shangguan family is also involved. If we can win them over, it will be a significant help to our cause."

"You can handle it yourself. I won't get involved in such trivial matters," Xiao Qing clearly did not take the Piaohua Palace seriously. "Speaking of winning them over, I heard that Nangong Tianxing's daughter doesn't seem to be interested in you, but Nangong Lin's daughter is quite fond of you. If we are to form an alliance with the Nangong family, why not choose a happy marriage?"

"Father, Nangong Ling is the smartest woman I have ever met," Xiao Wuqing smiled slightly. "If I can marry her, she will surely be a virtuous wife. Nangong Jie is just a high-minded and ignorant girl. She can be played with, but not for daily life. Besides, feelings can be cultivated. As long as Nangong Tianxing agrees to the marriage, I will have ways to make Nangong Ling like me after the wedding."

"Suit yourself. Women are just tools for political alliances. Don't get too caught up in it," Xiao Qing nodded. "From what I see, Nangong Tianxing is still on our side, so this marriage should not be a problem."

"Thank you, Father, for your support." Xiao Wuqing said respectfully, genuinely admiring his father's abilities.

"How is the funding situation?" Xiao Qing suddenly asked.

"The Silver Ring Merchant Guild has already begun to suppress the Shengyu Merchant Guild," Xiao Wuqing reported. "As long as the Jingdong Merchant Guild remains neutral, the Shengyu Merchant Guild will not last long."

"Don't push too hard, or Shangguan Tong might become alert," Xiao Qing, with his rich experience, advised. "Also, try to win over the Shengyu Merchant Guild. I heard that the Nangong family once had a marriage arrangement with the Shangguan family?"

"That's right. Originally, Nangong Lin, the second son of the Nangong family, was engaged to Shangguan Tong's sister, but he broke the engagement when she had health issues," Xiao Wuqing said with a sneer. "Later, the Shangguan family rose to become the top merchant guild in Dagan, almost surpassing the Nangong family. Nangong Tianxing has scolded his brother many times over this."

"Did Shangguan Tong's sister get married?" Xiao Qing asked.

"No, Nangong Lin spread the news of her health issues, making it impossible for anyone to propose to her," Xiao Wuqing, who often frequented the flower world, knew many of these stories. "She was so angry that she never married and focused on cultivation. I heard she eventually became a Tian Lun expert."

"That's why I often say that women are just tools for alliances. With Nangong Lin's appearance and status, he could have married Shangguan's daughter and still pursued his own pleasures outside. He is truly short-sighted," Xiao Qing shook his head and then said, "Go and negotiate with the Nangong family to see if we can renew this marriage. Now that the Nangong family is on our side, a marriage between the Nangong and Shangguan families would be beneficial to us."

"This... Nangong Ling hates Nangong Lin to the bone, so..." Xiao Wuqing hesitated.

"You call yourself a love expert, yet you don't understand the principle that deep love can turn to deep hate. A woman's love and hate are often just a thin line apart," Xiao Qing couldn't help but educate his son. "Nangong Lin was also a famous womanizer in his time. Although his methods were a bit crude, his skills in seducing women might not be inferior to yours."

"Yes." Xiao Wuqing lowered his head.

"Even if Nangong Lin fails, you can personally try to seduce Shangguan Tong's daughter. If you can win her over, the entire Shengyu Merchant Guild will be yours in the future," Xiao Qing suggested.

"Yes." Xiao Wuqing still had a submissive look.

"Ah, don't blame me for speaking out of turn," Xiao Qing's tone softened. "Your elder brother has the temperament to become a Ling Zun and protect the family, but when it comes to managing the Xiao family and the entire Dagan Empire, it will be up to you and me. After I pass away, this vast empire will be in your hands. I need to plan for you in advance."

"Thank you, Father." Xiao Wuqing's tone was respectful.