Chapter 145

Chapter 145: The Unwilling Lin Xin

The moon was bright and the stars sparse.

Wang Li looked at his subordinates who had returned empty-handed and shook his head slightly.

"Forget it, go down." He waved his hand.

After they withdrew, Wang Li appeared pensive.

Cultivation emphasized wealth, partners, techniques, and land.

The latter two were equally matched between the Wang Family and the Lin Family, both being long-life families, with nothing to compete for.

That was why he had chosen to focus on the first two.

Now that "partners" wasn’t working, the only option was "wealth."

Tonight, he would stop here.

Wang Li got up, left the side hall, and walked toward the family head’s courtyard under the night sky.

The next morning.

Zhou Luo, who had managed to get a good night’s sleep, was awakened by a knock at the door.

Had they still not given up?

Zhou Luo stared at the beautiful silhouette by the doorway and felt utterly speechless.

Soldiers could be stopped by soldiers, water by earth; this matter needed to be clarified properly.

He simply got out of bed, walked over, removed the spiritual symbols, and pulled open the door.

As a result, he was met with Lin Xin’s pale, delicate face.

She was casting a suspicious gaze at him, her bright eyes probing sharply.

"What happened last night?" She inquired.

Zhou Luo offered no explanation, instead swinging the door wide open before turning to go wash up.

Lin Xin stood at the threshold, frowning slightly.

She was deciding whether or not to enter.

If she went in and saw something unsavory, how awkward would that be?

After a long hesitation, she finally took a deep breath and stepped into the room.

Unfortunately, she spotted nothing objectionable on that large bed.

Lin Xin couldn’t help heaving a lengthy sigh of relief while also feeling unexpectedly surprised.

Turning her head, she looked at his stout, broad back, her beautiful eyes deep and contemplative.

Could it be that this guy hadn’t been tempted by allure at all?

Or had he struck some agreement with the Wang Family?

Just as she was about to speak, Zhou Luo, having finished washing his face, suddenly spun around and asked curiously, "Third Young Lady, you wouldn’t suspect I’ve made some deal with the Wang Family, would you?"

Lin Xin’s expression stiffened, and she retorted stubbornly, "Why would I care about that sort of thing?"

Zhou Luo stared at her without speaking.

"It’s time for breakfast."

Lin Xin turned decisively and walked out.

Zhou Luo shook his head with a bitter smile.

Indeed, there was no trust between people at all.

Was Zhou Luo the kind of person who would betray his family?

…

On the first floor, in the dining hall.

Zhou Luo arrived after washing up to find the table laden with all kinds of rare spirit-nourishing foods.

Lin Xin sat upright in the host’s seat without moving.

Lin Dong’s face was cold, clearly in a sour mood.

He had intended to stay awake last night, but never expected the Wang Family to be so malicious—they’d used an alluring fragrance on him.

The worst part was he couldn’t even make a fuss about it.

It was their territory, and he hadn’t been harmed. If they flatly denied it, he could do nothing.

Fortunately, the Third Young Lady had earlier confirmed Zhou Luo hadn’t been swayed, easing his worries.

If Zhou Luo had truly been stolen by the Wang Family, he’d have faced severe punishment.

Zhou Luo didn’t bow to either of them and simply sat down to eat.

Every bite benefited the body and replenished spiritual energy—best not to waste any.

Lin Xin watched him deeply and didn’t reprimand him for lacking etiquette.

After over twenty days together, the three had drifted toward an equal footing, shedding the family’s rigid hierarchy. Formalities rarely mattered now.

After breakfast, Wang Li arrived at the manor again, smiling warmly.

"Uncle Li, Yu Wei should be ready by now," Lin Xin asked directly.

To avoid risks, she didn’t want to linger.

Wang Li chuckled softly. "No need to rush the training journey. My son has returned—perhaps the Third Young Lady could speak with him?"

Lin Xin tensed inwardly.

Wang Lang was back?

Originally, her family arranged the engagement with Wang Lang to bolster the main lineage’s influence—he was a legitimate heir of the Wang Family, slated to marry into the Lin Family in exchange for vast cultivation resources.

Lin Xin had always felt nothing toward this fiancé, not even after spending time together earlier at the Wang residence.

Her only certainty was that they simply didn’t belong to the same world.

The main reason she agreed at the time was that her grandfather Lin Tian Xiong hoped she could leverage Wang Lang’s influence to replace Zhou Luo as the next Sixth Elder.

But no one expected.

Later on, Zhou Luo actually broke through and became a top-level Pill Master.

The succession to the position of Sixth Elder became virtually predetermined.

As a result, this engagement seemed somewhat meaningless.

Previously, Lin Xin had discussed this matter with Lin Tian Xiong.

Her suggestion was whether they could cancel this marriage.

But this was a decision agreed upon by both families; canceling it without reason would damage their relationship.

According to Lin Tian Xiong’s wish, this marriage had to proceed.

Lin Xin had been ready to accept fate.

Yet, upon hearing Wang Lang had returned, her unwillingness surfaced, and she planned to have a thorough talk with him.

If he also agreed to cancel this engagement, perhaps there was still room for the situation to change.

"Uncle Li, I’ll go see him then," Lin Xin said.

"Good, I’ll have someone take you there immediately," Wang Li said, beaming with delight.

After Lin Xin left, Wang Li turned to Zhou Luo and said smilingly, "Nephew Zhou, Yu Wei holds you in high regard. You two must have much to discuss."

Zhou Luo’s eyes flickered slightly.

Was he trying to marry Wang Yu Wei off to him?

That seemed impossible.

Given Wang Yu Wei’s talent in alchemy, the Wang Family would absolutely never surrender her easily.

Though he didn’t know what maneuver the Wang Family was planning next.

But he really needed to meet her.

Mainly because a vial of Bi Shui Dan he had previously refined at home was still in his possession; perhaps he could close the deal with her now.

"Elder Wang, I do have some words for her," Zhou Luo replied with a smile.

These words caused Lin Dong, beside them, to abruptly change expression. He shot a glance at Zhou Luo, his eyes tinged with displeasure.

"Excellent, excellent, I’ll have someone guide you there," Wang Li’s smile broadened.

To him, this was Zhou Luo signaling his openness to being courted.

Lin Dong intended to object, but after a few attempts, Wang Li deflected each one.

Ultimately helpless, he could only sit down gloomily to the side, watching Zhou Luo depart.

Moonlight Tower.

Wang Yu Wei, dressed in a white long dress, sat gracefully in the main seat, smiling radiantly as she looked at him.

"I wasn’t sure you’d come."

Zhou Luo swept his gaze subtly around the surroundings and replied, motionless and unruffled, "We agreed, didn’t we?"

His words about the agreement referred both to their plan to venture out as a trio and the matter of the Bi Shui Dan transaction.

Wang Yu Wei understood. Maintaining her smile, she continued, "I believe we can likely depart tomorrow."

Knowing someone was secretly observing them, she did not intend to conduct the trade now.

Zhou Luo took the hint. He began chatting with her about other topics, mostly related to alchemy.

Once their exchange had sufficiently run its course, Wang Yu Wei finally asked, "Have you ever thought of leaving the Lin Family?"

"Miss Wang, what do you mean by these words?" Zhou Luo feigned alarm, adopting a very flustered tone.

Wang Yu Wei smiled frankly. She produced a storage bag and gently guided it to land on the table before him using spiritual energy.

"Should you be willing, all this can be yours."

Zhou Luo looked at the contents within the storage bag and remained silent.

Unseen, Wang Li stood in an inconspicuous position, quietly keeping a watchful eye over the proceedings.