Chapter 5

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"Joining the Xu family is not impossible!" Xu Ziyyan said calmly.

Upon hearing that Xu Ziyyan was willing to join his family, Xu Haobo was delighted, but he was concerned that Xu Ziyyan might demand to humiliate his fourth brother, which made him feel awkward. Seeing the awkwardness on Xu Haobo's face, Xu Ziyyan naturally knew what he was thinking and couldn't help but find it amusing. She only needed a good environment for cultivation and would not make things difficult for Xu Haomiao. Even if she wanted to take revenge, she would wait until she had the strength to do so. However, Xu Ziyyan couldn't show this on the surface and said calmly:

"What benefits would I get by joining the Xu family? And I don't want to be overly restricted."

Hearing that Xu Ziyyan didn't mention his fourth brother, Xu Haobo felt reassured and a sincere smile appeared on his face. He said kindly:

"Master, as long as you are willing to join our Xu family, I can request the clan leader to give you the position of a guest elder, enjoying all the benefits of an elder. All you need to do is to make some talismans for the family every month."

At this point, he glanced at Xu Ziyyan and said softly, "Of course, when Master's cultivation reaches a high level, if the family encounters danger, we hope you can lend a hand. For now, the family can also send experts to protect you."

Hearing Xu Haobo's words, Xu Ziyyan knew that he had seen through her cultivation level and couldn't help but sigh inwardly at her low cultivation. However, she also saw that Xu Haobo valued her and didn't impose any restrictions on her. After a brief moment of thought, she nodded and said:

"Alright!"

Seeing Xu Ziyyan agree, Xu Haobo was overjoyed and hurriedly laughed, "Come, Master, let's go see the clan leader."

Under Xu Haobo's lead, they walked through several courtyards and finally met the current clan leader, Xu Haoran. At first, Xu Haoran frowned slightly when he saw his second brother bringing a teenage girl in, but when Xu Haobo explained the situation, his frown immediately relaxed and a faint smile appeared on his face. His gaze towards Xu Ziyyan became much gentler, but there was a sharpness in that gentleness, like an invisible sword scrutinizing Xu Ziyyan. Xu Ziyyan immediately felt as if she were being stripped layer by layer under Xu Haoran's gaze, completely exposed to him.

This made Xu Ziyyan very uncomfortable, feeling immense pressure, and a mix of shame and helplessness rose in her heart.

"This is the difference in strength!"

Sweat beads formed on her forehead. With a "ding" sound, a drop of sweat slid from her nose and fell to the ground. Just as Xu Ziyyan was about to collapse under Xu Haoran's pressure, Xu Haoran withdrew his sharp gaze. Xu Ziyyan immediately felt her body relax, and she swayed slightly before regaining her composure. She couldn't help but be shocked:

"Is this the power of an expert?"

However, Xu Ziyyan, having lived two lives, only lost her composure for a few seconds before instantly regaining her calm. Xu Haoran, who had been observing her, saw a hint of approval in his eyes. Then he turned his gaze to Xu Haobo, his eyes revealing a probing look, as if asking if the young girl in front of him could really make talismans.

Xu Haobo immediately understood his brother's meaning and, without hesitation, nodded firmly. Xu Haoran felt reassured, though he was surprised, he was very pleased. The young girl in front of him was so young, and as long as the family gave her enough support, she would grow quickly. Just as he was about to speak, he heard footsteps from outside the door and a hint of a bitter smile appeared on his lips. The person who entered was none other than the family's talisman hall's honored elder, Lin Pinghai. Lin Pinghai was not originally a member of the Xu family; he was a talent that Xu Haoran had spent great effort and money to recruit. He was the only person in the Xu family who could make true first-class top-grade paper talismans. Xu Haobo could barely make first-class top-grade paper talismans, and the quality was far from that of true first-class top-grade paper talismans. Lin Pinghai, on the other hand, could truly make first-class top-grade paper talismans. Therefore, although Xu Haobo was the head of the talisman hall, it was because he was a direct descendant of the Xu family. However, the highest-ranking person in the talisman hall was Lin Pinghai, the only honored elder of the Xu family's talisman hall.

In the Xu family, apart from the head of the hall, who must be a member of the Xu family, the highest-ranking person was the honored elder, followed by the elder, and then the guest elder. However, the honored elder and the elder were true members of the Xu family. Regardless of whether you were surnamed Xu, if you ever left the Xu family, you would be considered a traitor and pursued by the entire family. Of course, as long as you did not betray the family, the status and benefits you received within the family were also significant. However, guest elders were different. They could leave the family they served at any time, but their status and benefits within the family could not compare to those of the honored elder and the elder.

Today, Lin Pinghai heard that Xu Haobo had brought a very young girl to see the clan leader, and it was said that this girl could make first-class top-grade paper talismans. He immediately couldn't sit still and came to the meeting hall. As soon as he entered the meeting hall, his gaze immediately fell on Xu Ziyyan. This was inevitable, as she was the only young girl standing in the entire meeting hall. Seeing that the girl in front of him was only fifteen or sixteen years old and had only reached the first level of the Qi Cultivation stage, Lin Pinghai's face darkened, and his gaze became extremely cold, even angry and mocking. He coldly shouted:

"Who are you, girl? Daring to come here and deceive the clan leader! Do you think the Xu family has no one?"

As he said this, he took two steps forward, walked up to Xu Ziyyan, and pointed at her nose, assuming the posture of an elder and speaking rudely:

"At such a young age, you dare to deceive the Xu family. Do you even know what the word 'death' means?"

Lin Pinghai's words caused different reactions among the people in the meeting hall. Xu Haoran's expression showed a hint of anticipation; he also wanted to see Xu Ziyyan's true abilities and whether she could really make first-class top-grade paper talismans. After all, hearing is one thing, seeing is another. Xu Haobo, on the other hand, showed a look of helplessness. He knew that Lin Pinghai, being the best talisman maker in the Xu family, was usually very arrogant and sometimes didn't even give his elder brother face. He also knew that talisman making was a profound art, and even he, at first, wouldn't have believed that the girl in front of him could make first-class top-grade paper talismans. Now, Lin Pinghai clearly didn't believe that Xu Ziyyan could make first-class top-grade paper talismans, and his words were very harsh, leaving no room for Xu Ziyyan to save face. Xu Haobo didn't want to lose Xu Ziyyan, this treasure, because of Lin Pinghai. However, he also knew that once Lin Pinghai got serious, he wouldn't give anyone face. As a result, he could only show a look of helplessness. In his heart, he also wanted to see Lin Pinghai's reaction after Xu Ziyyan showed her abilities, and he felt a bit of satisfaction thinking about how Lin Pinghai had always looked down on him.

Xu Ziyyan, at this moment, didn't know Lin Pinghai's identity, but she was sure that the person in front of her was a talisman maker and a skilled one at that, otherwise he wouldn't be questioning her like this. However, his tone made her very uncomfortable, extremely uncomfortable! Anyone would feel uncomfortable being scolded and pointed at. Moreover, Xu Ziyyan hadn't even sought to become a guest elder of the Xu family, so she was naturally upset. She then took a step to the side, avoiding Lin Pinghai, completely ignoring his existence, and looked at Xu Haoran on the seat, her eyes clearly saying:

"Who is this? Can your Xu family people just shout at guests in the meeting hall?"

Xu Haoran, sitting on the seat, immediately understood the meaning in Xu Ziyyan's eyes and couldn't help but feel a bit awkward. He also had to reassess Xu Ziyyan. He hadn't expected that at such a young age, she could handle the situation so skillfully, completely ignoring Lin Pinghai's scolding and looking at him instead. If Xu Ziyyan had immediately explained or gotten angry when Lin Pinghai scolded her, it would have weakened her position. But now, by simply looking at him, she had shifted the problem to him, maintaining her dignity and showing a hint of pride. As a result, Xu Haoran had to speak:

"Lin Honored Elder, this..."

"Clan Leader, don't be deceived by her. Watch me expose her!"

Lin Pinghai, who didn't give Xu Haoran any face, immediately cut him off, his face full of anger and arrogance as he glared at Xu Ziyyan. Normally, he wouldn't interrupt the clan leader's words, but he was so angry at Xu Ziyyan's actions. Who was he? The most important talisman maker in the Xu family. Now, he had been ignored by a little girl, and he didn't think his attitude was bad. Was it necessary to be polite to a liar who dared to deceive the clan leader? Moreover, he believed he was protecting the family's interests, and not only would he not be blamed, but he should be rewarded. Thinking about the clan leader's grateful and apologetic expression after he exposed Xu Ziyyan, he couldn't help but feel a bit smug.

Xu Haoran, whose words were cut off by Lin Pinghai, felt a bit depressed and was somewhat displeased with Lin Pinghai's behavior. However, he didn't want to offend Lin Pinghai, as he hadn't seen Xu Ziyyan's abilities yet, so he turned his gaze to Xu Ziyyan.

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