Return to Ningyu Mountain

"Jinshu, what are you doing? How could I possibly take something meant for your Foundation Establishment?"

Chen Huaiyang's expression darkened the moment he saw the crimson fruit inside Chen Jinshu's wooden box, assuming she was offering her own Foundation Establishment item to him.

"I've already established my foundation. This spiritual fruit isn't of much use to me anymore. I'd rather use it to repay Third Uncle for giving me the Spiritual Herbist's Handbook back then." Chen Jinshu didn't hesitate as she held the box out to him.

Chen Huaiyang glanced at Wu Shuya. Seeing her nod, he understood and eventually accepted.

"Alright then. Since I truly need it, I won't stand on ceremony." He wasn't particularly surprised that Chen Jinshu had already established her foundation. After all, even Chen Qiaozhen, whose talent was inferior to Jinshu's, had already reached that stage—and her Foundation Establishment Pill came from a trade with Jinshu.

After handing over the Crimson Blood Fruit to Chen Huaiyang, Chen Jinshu didn't linger. She brought her mother and flew toward the family estate at Ningyu Mountain.

It took them roughly two hours.

At last, they arrived at Ningyu Mountain.

The entire mountain was now enveloped by a golden formation. Chen clan cultivators could be faintly seen moving about on the mountain.

"Our clan almost couldn't defend this place. Your Second Uncle said the formation must not be lowered lightly, in case the Lin clan attacks again," Madam Wu Shuya explained.

"Mhm." Chen Jinshu gazed at the now-familiar peaks, a storm of emotions welling up within her. She had endured a long, difficult life on this mountain, yet it was also the place where she found a new lease on life. Landing at the mountain's base, she took out her sect token and entered the formation with her mother.

The disciples guarding the entrance were visibly wary when they saw Chen Jinshu. Even after noticing her token with the name "Chen Jinshu" inscribed on it, they still looked unconvinced.

Her current appearance was a world apart from the ugly image she had presented just a few years ago. Although she hadn't fully revealed her real appearance today, she looked nothing like the unattractive girl from back then. Chen Jinshu ignored their curious and suspicious glances and simply led her mother away.

"Shu'er, are you alright?"

"I'm fine. They're just surprised by how unfamiliar I look."

"Our courtyard hasn't changed much. Your Second Uncle often comes by to help tidy it up."

Soon, the two arrived in front of a courtyard. Inside stood two people—her Second Uncle, Chen Wentan, and a beautiful female cultivator beside him who was presumably his partner, Ning Lingwei.

Ning Lingwei had delicate features and a memorable appearance. She looked small beside Chen Wentan, but her eyes lit up and a soft smile formed on her lips when she saw Jinshu and her mother approach.

"You must be Jinshu? Your Second Uncle talks about you often," Ning Lingwei greeted warmly.

"Hello, Second Aunt," Chen Jinshu replied with a gentle smile.

"Jinshu's clearly very pretty. What do you mean by saying she's only so-so in looks?" Ning Lingwei turned to glare teasingly at Chen Wentan, as if scolding him for downplaying her appearance.

Chen Wentan looked wronged. He hadn't expected Jinshu to look like this now—especially since the birthmark on her face had disappeared. Back then, she had used a spiritual artifact to cover it. Judging by the missing hairpin today, she likely wasn't using it anymore.

Her face now looked entirely different even compared to when it was concealed with the artifact. He had only tried to warn Ning Lingwei in advance, just in case she said something that upset Jinshu.

"It's not his fault. After breaking through to Foundation Establishment, I went through a spiritual cleansing," Chen Jinshu explained.

"So it's true—you've really reached Foundation Establishment. Your Second Uncle said Chen Qiaozhen got her pill from you. And she doesn't even have your talent. I figured you wouldn't be far behind."

"Qiaozhen wanted to protect the Chen clan. She came to me after hearing I had a Foundation Establishment Pill."

"To be honest, even if she hadn't shown up in time, I might've been able to help. The Ning clan isn't a minor power. With my relationship to your Second Uncle, the Lin clan wouldn't have gone too far. But I didn't expect Qiaozhen to arrive just in time."

"Have you and Second Uncle set a date for your marriage?" Chen Jinshu asked softly.

Whether or not Ning Lingwei would eventually help the Chen clan wasn't her concern. What mattered to her was the marriage.

"We should've married long ago, but your uncle is so stubborn. He insisted on reaching the ninth level of Qi Refining first. And once he did, clan affairs delayed us again. Now we've finally set the date—two months from now, during the Yu Zhong Festival."

Ning Lingwei spoke with a touch of complaint.

"He just wanted to make sure he could provide for you."

"Hitting the ninth level means he can provide now?" Ning Lingwei let out a short laugh. If she hadn't insisted on marrying Chen Wentan, the Ning clan wouldn't have let things go so easily.

Every Ning clan woman had her marriage arranged. She had been allowed to roam freely only because she was still young and needed experience. She hadn't expected to get entangled with Chen Wentan during her travels.

"Once he reaches Foundation Establishment, the Ning clan probably won't object anymore," Chen Jinshu thought to herself.

A son-in-law under forty who's already established his foundation, with a chance to reach the Golden Core stage—that's a deal too good to pass up. The only reason the Ning clan objected was because the Chen clan had declined, and Chen Wentan hadn't shown promise.

"It's my fault. I couldn't abandon everything and leave the clan behind with her."

"Don't worry, Second Uncle. I brought you both a wedding gift this time. It might help with your current troubles."

"Alright, Jinshu just returned. Let her rest. We should go," Chen Wentan said, seeing Chen Qiaozhen and the former Patriarch standing outside the courtyard.

"Fine. Jinshu, you and your mother rest well. I'll visit another day," Ning Lingwei said, then followed Chen Wentan away.

"Sorry to intrude," Chen Qiaozhen said with a light smile. "I heard you'd returned and came to see you."

"I'm only staying until Second Uncle's wedding. After that, I'll be leaving. I likely won't return again," Chen Jinshu said, her words aimed not just at Chen Qiaozhen but also the former Patriarch and other elders standing outside.

They had treated her harshly before. Now they were here trying to make amends?

Did they think she was easy to manipulate?

"If there's nothing else, you should leave. I'm tired from traveling and need to rest."

With that, Chen Jinshu shut the courtyard door.

Chen Qiaozhen could only smile wryly. The rift between Jinshu and the Chen clan hadn't healed. Just getting the Foundation Establishment Pill from her had already been a big favor. They shouldn't ask for more. The other elders never should've come either.

"You should all leave. Jinshu clearly doesn't want to see you. I doubt she plans to associate with the clan again. Just focus on your own responsibilities," Chen Qiaozhen turned and said coldly.

While those marriage arrangements were made to secure the clan's position, they had brought suffering to many of the Chen clan's female cultivators. That wasn't something easily forgiven.

The former Patriarch and several elders showed signs of shame on their faces.