Translator: CinderTL
Wang Zixuan explained the whole story. Her original plan for a "hero saves the damsel" scenario had failed, leaving her no choice but to confess the truth to her mother. She concluded, "Mother wants to meet you."
"Hmm..." Xu Sanyan nodded slightly and followed her into the inner city.
The inner city was enclosed by towering walls, completely separate from the outer city. Xu Sanyan noticed traces of a formation etched into the walls—intricate, profound patterns carved across their entire surface.
The inner city was the true "Thousand Autumns City," while the outer city was merely an appendage.
Guards stood at the city gate, bowing respectfully to Wang Zixuan, a clear indication of her high status.
After entering, Xu Sanyan's gaze swept across the surroundings. The inner city streets were noticeably cleaner and far less crowded; they walked for a long time without seeing more than a handful of people.
Despite the sparse population, the inner city was vast, with grand residences lining both sides of the streets, each one adjacent to the next.
Wang Zixuan led him to an imposing mansion and whispered, "This is the Wang Family's main residence. My father and his first and second wives live here."
"Your father...?"
Xu Sanyan genuinely didn't know Wang Zixuan's true status, assuming she was just an ordinary Wang Family daughter.
"My father is the clan head, and my mother is the Third Madam," Wang Zixuan explained.
"Tsk..." Xu Sanyan clicked his tongue. So she's clinging to a high branch after all?
The group entered the courtyard, where an exquisitely crafted courtyard lay directly ahead. Following the stone path, they passed through the courtyard and soon reached the main hall.
Instead of leading him to the main hall, Wang Zixuan continued down the long corridor, eventually arriving at a secluded courtyard.
Xu Sanyan was impressed. These noble clans truly lived up to their reputation; every structure was meticulously designed, far more refined than the Harmonious Heart Demonic Sect's crude architecture.
The two entered the courtyard, leaving the four guards outside.
Xu Sanyan immediately noticed the stunningly beautiful woman seated at a stone table. She wore a magnificent purple robe, her hair adorned with gilded phoenix-winged hairpins. Her regal bearing and haughty gaze exuded an air of nobility.
The woman was also watching him, her phoenix-shaped eyes filled with a deep, calm scrutiny, as if trying to discern his true purpose in coming to the Wang Family.
But she was destined for disappointment. Xu Sanyan had no ulterior motives; he simply sought a safe place to hide.
"Mother, this is Brother Lin," Wang Zixuan said quickly, sensing the tense atmosphere and eager to introduce them.
Xu Sanyan smiled. Though the woman exuded an extraordinary aura, he felt neither fear nor any particular emotion.
In terms of status, she was merely a madam of the Wang Family, hardly comparable to him, the holy son of the Harmonious Heart Demonic Sect.
While the Wang Family appeared formidable, they still fell short of the five great sects of the Central Region.
"Junior Lin Fan greets Madam," Xu Sanyan said, bowing respectfully.
The Third Madam's expression softened slightly. Though this young man had deceived her daughter, his first impression was favorable: handsome, remarkably talented, and composed, showing neither arrogance nor inferiority.
"Sit," the Third Madam said with a nod, then turned to her daughter. "Xuan'er, pour the tea."
"Yes, Mother," Wang Zixuan replied, understanding that her mother wanted to speak privately with "Brother Lin."
Once she had left, leaving them alone in the courtyard, the Third Madam fixed Xu Sanyan with an unwavering gaze, saying nothing.
Xu Sanyan returned her stare unflinchingly. In such situations, avoiding eye contact would only embolden his opponent. The more assertive he appeared, the less likely they were to overstep.
"How old are you?" the Third Madam asked casually, as if chatting with a younger relative.
"Sixty-seven," Xu Sanyan replied, falsely claiming to be over forty years older.
The Third Madam's eyebrows twitched, her voice betraying surprise. "You're only in your sixties and already at the Initial Stage of Soul Refinement?"
She understood all too well the significance of reaching the Initial Stage of Soul Refinement in one's early sixties. Comparing him to the Wang Family's disciples, even their most talented members had only reached the Peak Stage of Dao Seeking by that age.
And even that was achieved with unlimited access to magic artifacts and medicinal pills, cultivation methods and mystical arts of the highest caliber, and personal guidance from the family elders.
Yet this man...
Third Madam suppressed her shock, her face betraying no emotion. "Truly remarkable. Which immortal mountain did you seek enlightenment on?"
Xu Sanyan pondered for a moment, then retrieved a gilded token from his robes—the Vast Origin Sect token he had obtained earlier.
"This junior sought enlightenment at the Vast Origin Sect. After a dispute with a sect elder, I left in anger and wandered the world, eventually entering the Chaotic Cloud Mountains. There, I was fortunate enough to meet Xuan'er and earn her favor."
Third Madam's eyelid twitched. The word "fortunate" now sent a chill down her spine.
Too fortunate. One fortunate coincidence after another, and her daughter had run off with someone else.
Unaware of her reaction, Xu Sanyan continued, "My relationship with Xuan'er is entirely pure. Until today, I was unaware of her true identity, believing her to be merely a Wang Family daughter. I never imagined she was Madam's own child."
Third Madam remained silent, listening intently for any flaws in his story.
She didn't recognize the gilded token, and even if she did, a mere token proved nothing.
Moreover, she had never even heard of this "Vast Origin Sect." It was likely just a small sect—could such a minor sect truly produce such a heavenly pride?
This left her deeply skeptical.
If what this young man claimed were true, he would indeed be a suitable match. A Soul Refining Realm cultivator in his early sixties was a rare find in this world; even the Five Great Sects might struggle to produce more than a handful.
Though he was somewhat older than her daughter, age held little significance in the cultivation world. Age alone meant nothing.
At that moment, Wang Zixuan personally brought over a cup of tea. Anxious that her mother might make things difficult for her beloved Brother Lin, she had rushed back before the tea had even steeped properly.
"Mother, please have some tea," Wang Zixuan said with a smile, her eyes brimming with affection.
"Hmm," Third Madam nodded, then added, "With your cultivation level, wouldn't marrying into the Wang Family be a waste of your talents?"
A Soul Refining Realm cultivator could establish their own sect anywhere. Moreover, this young man was still quite young—would he truly be content to remain with the Wang Family for the rest of his life?
Xu Sanyan understood the implication in her words and grinned, revealing his teeth. "Heh, cultivation is the same everywhere. Besides, I'm pure-hearted and focused solely on the Dao. A place to stay is all I need."
Every word he spoke was true. To him, the women were like fleeting clouds, forgotten as soon as he'd had his fun, leaving no lingering attachment.
"Hmm," Third Madam hummed noncommittally, her expression unreadable.
Wang Zixuan sat beside Xu Sanyan, pressing close to him affectionately. Third Madam watched with a mixture of helplessness and annoyance, wishing she could hold up a mirror to show her daughter how cheap she looked.
Third Madam glanced at the darkening sky. The last sliver of twilight had sunk behind the western mountains. She rose and said, "It's getting late. You should rest early."
"Goodbye, Mother!" Wang Zixuan waved cheerfully.
Third Madam froze, studying her daughter's expression. Is she planning to sleep with him tonight?
"Come with me!" Third Madam snapped, her voice sharp with exasperation.
"Oh..." Wang Zixuan bit her lip, her face falling with disappointment.
In a corner, a maid led Xu Sanyan to the guest room to settle in.
(End of the Chapter)
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