Chapter 55
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Chapter 55: The Great Elder’s Gift
"Tomorrow, I will have Xuan-er come to the manor to meet you," said the Great Elder.
Zhou Luo nodded in agreement.
Afterward, they conversed a bit more. Essentially, should mutual affection blossom between the two, they would hold the wedding ceremony after some time.
After all, she was the Great Elder’s granddaughter.
She wasn’t like other women; a formal banquet was definitely required.
At that time, it was likely unavoidable that many people would come bearing gifts.
Zhou Luo, of course, readily agreed, then took the three exquisite wooden boxes and left.
Upon returning to Zhou Garden, Zhou Luo first informed all his wives and concubines about this matter.
Besides Bai Zhi Yan, the others naturally had no objections.
In the room, Zhou Luo held Bai Zhi Yan’s hand, speaking earnestly, "This is the family’s arrangement. I have little choice."
Bai Zhi Yan understood his helplessness perfectly well.
Having been raised in the long-life families herself, she knew well that marriage of this magnitude often came with little personal say.
Especially given that Zhou Luo was still an outsider.
But she still harbored resentment inside.
Particularly since she and Zhou Luo had only been together a short while, this left her feeling unhappy and listless.
"I understand, but I’m just not happy," Bai Zhi Yan murmured, lowering her head, her voice soft.
Zhou Luo gently caressed her cheek, his expression sincere. "My love for you will not change in the slightest, just like it hasn’t for the others."
Bai Zhi Yan pressed her lips together, reached out to hug him, and remained silent.
Zhou Luo continued to console her, "Don’t worry, I’m not the type who always seeks new and discards old."
"Mmm." Bai Zhi Yan gave a faint hum.
Zhou Luo offered a few more words of comfort. It wasn’t until Bai Zhi Yan’s mood visibly improved that he went to his personal study.
On the wooden table in the center of the room lay the gifts the Great Elder had given him.
Eagerly, he opened the first long, narrow wooden box.
Inside lay a three-foot long sword. Its scabbard was covered in intricate patterns and emitted faint points of spiritual light, while the hilt, a verdant green, was carved with a phoenix reborn from flames.
Furthermore, Zhou Luo saw the name inscribed on this treasured sword.
Crimson Phoenix.
Clearly, this was a magical artifact. Though only a lower-grade one, its value was immense.
Generally, only cultivators possessing deep wealth and formidable strength were qualified to wield magical artifacts.
Because activating them required the expenditure of vast amounts of spiritual energy.
Precisely for this reason, the power unleashed by a magical artifact far exceeded imagined limits.
Although he couldn’t exhibit the artifact’s full might now, it didn’t mean he wouldn’t be able to in the future.
To my surprise, the Great Elder was remarkably generous, immediately presenting a magical artifact.
What about the other two items?
Zhou Luo couldn’t help but glance at the other wooden box.
He opened it and discovered a magnificent purple and gold robe inside.
The robe, entirely in purple gold hues, was adorned with intricate and exquisite embroidery. Holding it, he could feel a faint warmth emanating from the fabric.
Another low-grade magical artifact.
The Great Elder was clearly determined to win him over.
Zhou Luo picked up the robe and noticed four inconspicuous symbols imprinted on it.
These symbols bestowed the robe with its unique effects.
They included the abilities of Fit, Spring-like, Wind-tempering, and Breath-hiding.
The first, Fit, went without saying—it allowed the robe to adjust its size freely.
Spring-like meant that once worn, the robe rendered the wearer unaffected by seasonal extremes, providing coolness in summer and warmth in winter.
As for Wind-tempering,
it lived up to its name, capable of transforming fierce gales into gentle breezes, shielding the wearer from strong winds.
Finally, Breath-hiding enabled concealment of one’s cultivation level. Only opponents an entire great realm higher or those using specialized detection arts could see through it.
Zhou Luo greatly admired this purple and gold robe and immediately put it on.
The previously loose garment instantly shrank, conforming perfectly to his size.
He then turned his gaze to the last wooden box.
Upon opening it,
he found a single token.
The token bore a Bagua diagram, with a large character for "主" (Master) at its center.
This signified that possessing the token granted him the right to cultivate within the core zone of the family’s spiritual vein.
Zhou Luo’s heart shook violently.
That the Great Elder would entrust him with something so vital overwhelmed him.
In an instant, he felt immense pressure.
Better gifts represented greater favor from the Great Elder, yet inevitably deepened the main family’s hostility toward him.
Though the main family had remained inactive recently,
who could guarantee it wouldn’t target him now that he stood firmly on the opposing side?
Matters having reached this point, Zhou Luo had no choice left.
…
The following day, Zhou Luo arrived at the Great Elder’s courtyard at the appointed time.
The servant at the gate had long been waiting for him.
Upon seeing Zhou Luo, the servant led him into the manor grounds.
The Great Elder’s manor resembled a classical garden, with intricate stone pillars and murals tucked amidst lush trees and fragrant flowers. A light fragrance drifted on the air, accompanied by the cheerful songs of birds.
"Miss Jin Xuan is in the pavilion at the end of this path," the servant announced respectfully.
"My thanks," Zhou Luo replied and walked straight ahead along the pebble path.
Soon, he spotted a pavilion around the corner.
The ancient pavilion stood tall, built of blue bricks and topped with dark tiles. Its upturned eaves gracefully pierced the corners.
Lush greenery surrounded it, and a refreshing breeze caressed his face.
Within the pavilion stood a graceful figure.
She was an extraordinary beauty,
dressed in exquisite, embroidered robes that spoke of her noble lineage, their colors deep and distinguished. An outer layer of gauze, delicate as a cicada’s wing, fluttered softly in the breeze, adding an otherworldly aura. A tightly cinched silk belt accentuated her slender waist to full effect.
She stood there quietly, immaculate as a blooming lotus, radiant yet untouchable.
Her dignified, refined aura was unlike that of any other woman Zhou Luo had encountered.
He was momentarily lost in thought.
At that moment, the woman in the pavilion turned her gaze towards him.
Her eyes clear as water, her arched brows like faint smoke above, and her lips cherry red. Dark, cloud-like hair fell softly over her delicate shoulders.
Her beauty was like the newly risen moon, its pure radiance illuminating the world with a breathtaking splendor.
Zhou Luo felt as if he had drowned in that gaze.
It was only after a long moment that he regained his composure and moved closer.
In the pavilion, Lin Jin Xuan smiled as she looked at the man about to become her husband.
Today, Zhou Luo wore the purple and gold robe, which lent him an imposing yet gentle air. His handsome features and deep, star-like eyes held a distinct attraction.
All the worries within her instantly dissipated.
Zhou Luo drew near and praised, "You’re even more beautiful than I imagined."
Lin Jin Xuan smiled softly. "Then, would you tell me what you imagined me to be like?"
"Gladly."
Naturally, Zhou Luo seized the chance to continue the conversation.
Though Lin Jin Xuan was the Great Elder’s granddaughter and of the main lineage, she lacked the arrogance Zhou Luo had seen in Lin Xin. Her nature was even gentler than he had anticipated.
Their conversation flowed smoothly.
By the time they had to part, both felt somewhat reluctant to end their talk.
"If possible, I would be delighted if you could visit the Zhou Garden."
Zhou Luo extended the invitation as they prepared to bid farewell.
"I shall," Lin Jin Xuan nodded gently.
