I attained immortality through meditation in the Great Qian Dynasty.

"Qingxue, would you like to play a game of chess with me? A game that will determine the future of the Murong family."

Murong Qingxue nodded heavily.

"I'm willing! I'm willing to do anything to help Young Master Zhao."

"it is good."

Zhao Zian put down his teacup.

"Tomorrow, there will be a literary gathering in the capital, attended by many prominent figures. You will come with me."

Murong Qingxue was somewhat puzzled.

"A literary gathering? What are we going there for?"

"Go tell everyone that the Murong family is not a pushover that anyone can bully."

"Go tell the Duke of Anguo's mansion that not only did they fail to suppress the scandal, they will have to pay an even greater price."

Zhao Zian smiled.

He wanted Murong Qingxue to appear before everyone in a completely new light.

The path to immortality is newly established, enough to deter villains.

……

The following day, the most prestigious literary gathering in the capital, the Shuyu Literary Society, was held as scheduled.

This literary gathering was held in a quiet garden on the outskirts of the city.

Officials from various departments, famous scholars, talented men, and scions of prominent families all flocked to the event.

Murong Qingxue wore a moon-white long dress, and her black hair was tied into a flowing cloud bun, secured only by a jade hairpin.

She followed beside Zhao Zian.

Zhao Zian, dressed in a blue robe, strolled leisurely through the courtyard.

The little fox didn't come along; it stayed at the Murong residence to oversee things.

The two attracted countless eyes as soon as they entered the park.

"Isn't that the daughter of Minister Murong? I heard she's been keeping a low profile lately."

"The person beside her... could it be Zhao Zi'an, the Golden Core expert?"

Whispers could be heard incessantly.

Many people looked at Murong Qingxue with a hint of curiosity.

Soon, several pairs of eyes locked onto Murong Qingxue.

Li Yi, the young master of the Duke of Anguo's mansion, was looking at her with a gloomy expression.

He was surrounded by several纨绔子弟 (sons of wealthy and powerful families) from the capital, all of whom were from the Duke of Anguo's mansion.

"Oh, it's Miss Murong?"

"It's been so many years, look how many wrinkles you have on your face."

A young man spoke up; he was Zhang Heng, the cousin of Li Yi of the Duke of Anguo's mansion.

"The Murong family has been quite lively lately; even that Golden Core cultivator is willing to be recruited."

"I wonder if he's climbed the social ladder, or... been coerced and had no choice in the matter?"

Another person was also mocking him.

Their voices were soft, but they were quickly heard.

Murong Qingxue gripped the hem of her skirt, her breathing rapid.

She was about to lose her balance when suddenly Zhao Zian's right hand landed on her shoulder.

A surge of spiritual energy flowed into her meridians, soothing her mind.

At the same time, a powerful pressure emanated from Zhao Zian and spread to all the attackers around him.

Those men felt a sudden panic and began to pant.

His expression changed drastically, and his gaze towards Zhao Zian was filled with nothing but fear.

How could ordinary mortals like them withstand the pressure of a Golden Core cultivator?

If suppressed to the extreme, it will shatter their liver and gallbladder.

Zhang Heng forced himself to speak despite his discomfort.

"What...what are you going to do?"

Zhao Zian didn't look at him; he only looked at Murong Qingxue.

Murong Qingxue took a deep breath and slowly raised her head.

He took a step forward, his body radiating spiritual energy.

Although the fluctuations in spiritual energy were small, they were particularly noticeable under the pressure of the Golden Core cultivator.

"Young Master Zhang is absolutely right."

Murong Qingxue's voice was clear and bright.

"My Murong family has never been coerced by anyone."

"I am also very free."

"I have come to this literary gathering today simply to enjoy the scenery of the capital with you gentlemen."

"Young Master Zhang, on the other hand, doesn't seem to be like that... with poor blood circulation? Perhaps he drank too much and is feeling weak."

Murong Qingxue's answer surprised everyone.

The spiritual energy emanating from her body, combined with Zhao Zian's dark and oppressive aura, created a powerful effect.

This made everyone present aware of Murong Qingxue's presence.

How can this be considered a person who has been coerced?

This is clearly a fairy who has just entered the immortal realm!

Those from the Duke of Anguo's mansion who came to provoke him felt suffocated by the pressure.

Zhang Heng's face turned ashen, and he felt a severe tightness in his chest.

He had intended to belittle the Murong family, but he was intimidated by Murong Qingxue's imposing manner and Zhao Zian's imposing presence.

"Miss Murong... has indeed embarked on the path to immortality."

"Miss Murong is so young, yet she exudes such an imposing aura. The Murong family is truly about to produce a true dragon!"

"It seems that what people outside are saying—that the Murong family was coerced by that Golden Core cultivator—is complete nonsense."

"Look at how confident Miss Murong is; the two of them are clearly in love!"

The look in people's eyes suddenly changed to one of awe.

The Murong family was not coerced.

Moreover, his daughter became a cultivator because of this young master Zhao.

This is a glory that no other family in the capital can even dream of!

Zhao Zian's lips curled up.

Murong Qingxue performed even better than he had imagined.

……

General of the Valiant Cavalry's Residence.

Liu Mang received a message from his scouts.

"Did Murong Qingxue display the aura of a cultivator at the literary gathering?"

"Did Zhao Zian exert pressure covertly, thus intimidating the supporters of the Duke of Anguo's mansion?"

He repeated the scout's words.

"Yes. It is said that Miss Murong's temperament has changed drastically, and her speech and behavior have begun to show signs of being an immortal."

"The people from the Duke of Anguo's mansion were rendered speechless by her few words and immediately retreated."

The scout added.

Liu Mang fell into deep thought.

Zhao Zian's plan was brilliant.

This forced the Murong family to publicly acknowledge their relationship with the Murong family.

This dispelled all rumors of coercion.

This allowed the Murong family to shift from a passive to an active position.

He also made Murong Qingxue reveal her divine form and announce it to the entire capital.

The Murong family now has a Golden Core expert backing them up, as well as a promising cultivator!

"What a brilliant Zhao Zi'an!"

Liu Mang muttered to himself.

I initially thought Zhao Zi'an was either biding his time or launching a covert counterattack.

I never expected him to be so invested. What was it all for?

What was Zhao Zi'an's motivation?

Is stirring up trouble in the capital truly for personal gain or is there some ulterior motive?

He needs to reassess Zhao Zian's strength.

"Pass down the order to continue monitoring the movements of Zhao Zian and the Murong family."

"But for now... don't act rashly."

Liu Mang gave the instructions in a low voice.

"This Zhao Zian is more interesting than I imagined."

"Let's see where he places his next move."

……

After the Shuyu Literary Gathering.

The status of the Murong family rose accordingly.

No one thought of it.

That Vice Minister of Rites, Murong Qiming, actually managed to curry favor with a Golden Core stage expert.

Even his daughter embarked on the path to immortality.

Those forces that previously avoided the Murong family like the plague.

At this moment, we will send people to visit them.

On the other hand, the Duke of Anguo's mansion was completely enraged.

Li Shengde was furious; he never expected this.

His pride and power were so powerless in the face of Zhao Zian.

He summoned his confidants to his study.

"That Zhao Zian is truly courting death!"

"Since he dares to be so arrogant, then don't blame me for showing no mercy!"

Li Shengde wanted Zhao Zian to know that in the capital, offending the Duke of Anguo's mansion would never end well!

Inside the Murong residence, Murong Qiming still felt a pang of fear.

Perhaps this really is the opportunity for the Murong family to rise to power?