Chapter 6

In the midst of the cherry blossoms dancing in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of promise written there.

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Xiaohanshan, Lianyun Peak, Half Mountain Terrace

On the terrace, a pavilion stood gracefully, surrounded by ancient cypresses and twisted pines, their branches intertwining to form a canopy of shade. Inside the pavilion, a stone table held a half-finished game of chess.

"Ha ha, Junior Brother, you've lost this game!"

Laughter echoed from the pavilion. Wang Tong looked up helplessly, scattering the chess pieces in his hand. "I've always said my chess skills are poor, but Senior Brother insisted on using me to vent his frustration. I can't do anything about it!"

"You've changed, Junior Brother. You used to be someone who never admitted defeat, but now, after your serious injury, you've become so smooth and adaptable. It's truly surprising."

Wang Tong was taken aback. His former self was a typical middle school student with an unlikable personality, while his current nature was more adaptable, which was a significant flaw. However, he had a way to handle it. He smiled subtly, "Between life and death, there is great fear. Although my strength is weak, my talent is poor, and I lack insight, I have experienced life and death. Changing my nature is inevitable."

"Interesting, interesting. Your words are full of Zen meaning, truly a refreshing change after three days."

"Senior Brother, you didn't come here just to praise me, did you?" Wang Tong smiled faintly.

"There is something," Jin Ziyang said with a bitter smile. "I know it's presumptuous of me to come, but I was asked to do so, so..."

"What is it that makes it hard for Senior Brother to speak? I'm quite curious."

"If I say it, Junior Brother, please don't blame me."

"Of course, as long as you're not insulting me."

"It's not an insult, but it's more troublesome than that. The head of the Zhou family, Zhou Song, wants to meet you."

Wang Tong's smile froze, his thoughts racing. After a long silence, he forced a smile. "So it's about this."

"Junior Brother, if you don't want to meet...!" Seeing Wang Tong's forced smile, Jin Ziyang felt a bit ashamed. After all, this wasn't just a matter for Wang Tong but also for Lianyun Peak.

"Why not meet? Since the Zhou family chose this time to see me, they must have seen the upcoming Five Peaks Competition as a rare opportunity. They asked Senior Brother to relay the message, so let's resolve it. It's not a big deal. When?"

"Zhou Elder said you can go to the Zhou family anytime."

"Anytime, it seems Zhou Elder is quite anxious. Finally, he's giving me the treatment I deserve as a future son-in-law."

"Junior Brother, if you're unwilling, perhaps we could ask Master to intervene...!"

Wang Tong shook his head, interrupting Jin Ziyang. "This marriage was a mistake from the start. My father set it up, so I'll end it. No need to trouble Master."

Jin Ziyang didn't say anything more about it. He chatted a bit more with Wang Tong and then left, leaving Wang Tong alone on Half Mountain Terrace until midnight.

The Zhou family is one of the cultivation families in Xiaohanshan, and it ranks among the top ten in strength. Among the various cultivation families in Xiaohanshan, it is a significant player.

The head of the Zhou family, Zhou Song, is an elder of Jiurufeng.

The term "elder" is somewhat complex. Some refer to cultivators of the same generation as the peak masters, who may have been inner disciples or even true disciples in the past. Others are outer disciples who have achieved the Linggen Tian realm and are appointed as elders by the sect.

This is a common practice in various sects.

Elders are also divided into outer, inner, and supreme categories, based on their realm. Those at the Linggen Tian realm are outer elders, those at the Gangsha Tian realm are inner elders, and those who have condensed a golden core are supreme elders, each with different cultivation levels and authority.

Zhou Song is an inner elder.

The Zhou family and the Wang family are worlds apart, with no real comparison or connection.

However, when the Wang family was still prosperous, they helped the Zhou family, and the Zhou family owed them a favor. In the cultivation world, the most feared debt is the debt of gratitude. Each debt of gratitude has a story of joy and sorrow behind it, and it often affects one's cultivation mindset, which is a significant burden and risk for those who aspire to advance in cultivation.

Originally, according to Wang Tong's nature, it would have been fine to owe the Zhou family a favor, at least giving him another support in Xiaohanshan. Unfortunately, ten years ago, his father, Wang Xing, went crazy and used this favor to force Wang Tong to betroth to a Zhou family girl.

This matter could have ended there. The girl was just a collateral member of the Zhou family, and a betrothal wasn't a big deal. At worst, Wang Tong would become a son-in-law, which could be a backup plan