Chapter 648

Chapter 648: Meeting Between Father-in-Law and Son-in-Law

Bai Xiaolu’s father was named Bai Chongyi. Although his name contained the character for "righteousness," he often engaged in unjust activities. Every time he got promoted, he would marry a new wife and expand his family in the new city.

This practice did not incite disdain; rather, it was quite popular on the Extreme Huan Continent, seen as a reflection of genuine emotions. After all, previous wives could remarry, and as long as he remembered his children, he was viewed as a caring and affectionate man.

Li Hui was sincere and believed that having one true love in a lifetime was sufficient! He initially kept his distance from Bai Xiaolu, but a sudden kiss created a strong impact, linking him with a stranger and Yang Jiuzhen from three hundred years in the future.

Yang Jiuzhen was Old Li’s partner, and as for whether he could become Old Li, that remained uncertain. He once thought Bai Xiaolu was ordinary, but now this seemingly ordinary woman had turned mysterious, stirring an uneasy instinct in him.

"Since Extreme Radiance cultivators like to manipulate time, is it possible that in the future they might uncover my whereabouts, thereby subtly altering the passage of time? The Chaotic Dao Body wields such abilities. If a series of causal connections arise between us, it might become a constraint at a critical moment, allowing my full strength to manifest only at fifty percent," Li Hui pondered, his heart filled with the budding Dao Fruit, and his eyes becoming increasingly clear, determined not to fall into veils of ignorance.

He understood that a misstep could lead to losing everything, and in the Extreme Huan Continent, losing everything was no small matter. It could mean the collapse of all versions of himself across various timelines, including his true self on the Wan Nest Dao, which was a truly terrifying outcome that could never be taken lightly.

The opposing party could manipulate time; perhaps they weren’t frightening now, but the future Extreme Radiance cultivators would be. Every day, Li Hui worked on deciphering the puzzles. He realized that at the very least, the Extreme Radiance cultivators were exceptionally cautious, hiding themselves within layers of fog.

There were benefits to hiding; as long as someone remained elusive, they would stay in an undefeated position.

"Extreme Huan! What exactly are you hiding? What’s the point of developing such a large population?" With these thoughts, Li Hui entered the city’s regulatory office.

This place managed city affairs and still adhered to a simplified approach, with staffing that could be described as sparse. Perhaps just one person managed millions, including some skilled practitioners; such a scenario would be unthinkable elsewhere.

In truth, existence implies validity. Level twenty-two miners, combined with known level seven mine owners, formed a hierarchy that permeated many industries, including winemakers and stock managers.

One critical point was that the miner group was the largest and most powerful, connecting from the lowest tiers to the highest.

Entering the city’s regulatory office, Li Hui merely needed to find someone to fill out a note. Many notes soared through the air. If Bai Chongyi was busy, he might not meet his son-in-law today.

Both were busy; Li Hui had no time to wait, so he placed a red Chicken Feather into the note.

About ten moments later, there was a loud "bang" from Bai Chongyi’s study, followed by a cloud of chili powder that choked him into a fierce cough. He thought, who would be so despicable to play such a joke on me?

"Cough, cough, it’s you, Xiaolu’s husband."

Even though anger surged within him, Bai Chongyi possessed a level of composure beyond ordinary people. Of course, he regarded this composure as open-mindedness, believing his heart to be as vast as the sea, capable of enduring what others could not, thus allowing him to rise smoothly to high positions.

Li Hui finally met his Convenient Father-in-Law and quickly apologized, “I beg your pardon, Father-in-Law! I was eager to see you and acted hastily.”

“You…” Bai Chongyi began to speak, only to see this originally disregarded poor kid take out a wooden box and respectfully open the lid. What could be so dazzling?

“Dear Father-in-Law, I know you, Countless Descendants, have considerable expenses, so I’ve prepared a small gift.” At that moment, Li Hui was more obsequious than even his most devoted lackey! This was the self-cultivation of an acting master, standing out among names both three hundred years before and after.

“This is no small gift!” Bai Chongyi was astonished. How long had this kid been in Sanjiu City? He had purchased a six-courtyard estate by Fragrant Lake and managed to make such a move?

The purchase of the six-courtyard estate cost two hundred thousand iron frost coins, yet the wooden box contained thirty gold bars.

These were not ordinary gold bars; each could be exchanged for ten thousand iron frost coins, and sometimes even more.

“I have a good reputation at the mine, and everyone likes to help me, so I’ve been rising rapidly. As of now, I’m at level twenty-two. I hurried over to share this joy, hoping you, Father-in-Law, can lend me a hand so I won’t waste my days and can quickly become a mine owner.”

At this, Bai Chongyi’s heart raced unexpectedly, thinking, “This kid has reached the Great Perfection of level twenty-two? Claiming to have a good reputation at the mine, that came with stepping over hundreds of thousands of miners. But… climbing up well…”

“Li Hui, although this is our first meeting as father-in-law and son-in-law, a son-in-law can be considered half a son. I cherish Xiaolu deeply; she has been in my palm since childhood, and when the time set by the city’s regulatory office came, I had no choice but to send her back to her original family. You’re doing well, so I am naturally pleased as her father. However, your rapid advancement has touched a hidden line. Remember, there’s always someone stronger, and beyond the heavens, there are more heavens. Do not take risks.”

Li Hui instantly perked up, thinking, “It seems my Convenient Father-in-Law possesses substantial wisdom! That’s great.”

He hurriedly asked, “Please elaborate! Why is Father-in-Law so cautious? Can’t you protect me within the city’s regulatory office?”

“Ha!” Bai Chongyi shook his head. “What’s the city’s regulatory office worth? Most level four mine owners can cultivate to the early stages of Wanxiang. Do you know what the Late Wanxiang Stage entails? Let’s not even consider that; among mine owners of the first big mine in the city, they are nearly invincible. However, the first big mine doesn’t mean much on a broader scale. If you cross that hidden line, the first big mine will send someone to assess whether you qualify to join them. If not, you won’t see tomorrow’s sun, for those above don’t like miners who disrupt the rules.”

“Rules?” Li Hui was astonished.

“Yes, rules! Without rules, nothing can be set. The city’s regulatory office represents part of those rules.” Bai Chongyi glanced at the wooden box and suddenly fell silent.

“Please, Father-in-Law, do guide me toward a clear path.” Li Hui took out another wooden box, which also contained thirty gold bars.

“Hahaha, coming here to Father-in-Law, and yet you are so courteous?” Bai Chongyi showed no embarrassment, skillfully taking the wooden box and lowering his voice, “Miners can only reach a cap at level thirty. Listen to me, continue to advance and do not think about changing roles. Since those above enjoy stubborn miners, they will naturally reward those who conform.”

“Oh?” Li Hui never expected to receive such an answer from his Convenient Father-in-Law.