The enormous gates of the Evergreen Family slowly opened.
Rows of guards stood on both sides of the entrance, their expressions solemn.
Behind them, dozens of elders and core members had already gathered.
At the very front stood an elderly man dressed in a simple emerald robe.
His hair had long since turned silver, yet his eyes remained filled with life.
The moment Andrew appeared...
The old man respectfully clasped his fists.
"Senior Andrew."
Andrew nodded with a faint smile.
"It has been a long time, Manuel."
The old man smiled warmly.
"It truly has."
His gaze slowly shifted toward William.
For a brief instant...
The Patriarch of one of the oldest cultivation families in existence carefully examined the young man before him.
Then, without the slightest hesitation...
He bowed.
A polite bow.
"Welcome to the Evergreen Family."
"It is our greatest honor."
William returned the gesture respectfully.
"I hope we will get along."
Manuel laughed heartily.
"I'm certain we will."
The group soon entered the family's ancestral hall.
The atmosphere was calm.
There were no lavish displays of wealth.
No unnecessary extravagance.
Everything reflected elegance born from countless years of history rather than excessive luxury.
After everyone had taken their seats...
Servants quietly served tea before withdrawing.
Manuel looked toward William with a gentle smile.
"You have already honored us by choosing our family."
"But allow me to ask."
"Is there anything else you require?"
"Anything at all."
"The Evergreen Family will do everything within its power to satisfy your request."
William remained thoughtful for a few moments.
Then he calmly answered.
"There is only one thing."
The entire hall became silent.
William looked directly into Manuel's eyes.
"I have no interest in political games."
"No interest in factions."
"No interest in schemes."
"I only ask one thing."
"If anyone ever attempts to drag me into dirty political struggles..."
"...I want every such attempt rejected before it reaches me."
"I wish to cultivate."
"Nothing more."
Silence followed.
Then...
Manuel laughed.
Not mockingly.
But with genuine satisfaction.
"I was afraid your request would be something difficult."
He smiled warmly.
"If that is all..."
"...then allow this old man to promise you personally."
"As long as the Evergreen Family stands..."
"No one will use politics to manipulate you."
"If someone wishes to speak with you..."
"They will do so honestly."
"If someone wishes to negotiate..."
"They will do so openly."
"And if someone attempts to use underhanded methods..."
"They will answer to me."
William quietly nodded.
"Thank you."
For a brief moment...
Manuel's expression softened.
"I also wish..."
"...to offer my condolences."
The atmosphere immediately became heavier.
"I heard about your parents."
"No words can lessen such a loss."
"But I sincerely hope..."
"...that one day those memories will bring you peace instead of pain."
William remained silent.
Then he gave a slight nod.
"I appreciate your kindness."
Several moments passed.
Finally...
Manuel cleared his throat.
"There is..."
"...one more matter."
William looked toward him.
"Our invitation mentioned marriage."
"If you feel uncomfortable..."
"The subject can be forgotten."
"No one here will pressure you."
The Patriarch spoke with complete respect.
William calmly considered the question.
Then...
He nodded.
"I have no objection."
Silence briefly filled the hall.
Even several elders looked surprised by the immediate answer.
William continued calmly.
"If I have chosen this family..."
"...then I should genuinely become part of it."
"I have no intention of treating this place as a temporary stop."
A broad smile spread across Manuel's face.
"Excellent!"
He immediately stood up.
His voice echoed throughout the ancestral hall.
"Send word immediately!"
"Gather every outstanding young lady of the Evergreen Family who wishes to present herself."
"No one is to be forced."
"But every eligible genius is welcome."
The servants hurried away.
Andrew quietly chuckled.
"I suppose things are moving rather quickly."
William merely smiled faintly.
Not long afterward...
The doors of the ancestral hall slowly opened.
One after another...
Young women entered the hall.
William's eyes narrowed slightly.
There were far more than he had expected.
Far...
Far more.
In reality
In most great cultivation families...
The most talented daughters rarely remained at home.
Not because they lacked affection for their families.
But because they were too polity valuable .
Political marriages.
Alliance agreements.
Negotiations between great powers.
Many families viewed their gifted daughters as bargaining chips.
Whether they wished it or not...
They would eventually be married into another force to strengthen alliances or secure benefits.
Unable to accept such a future...
Many of the brightest women chose another path.
They escaped to sects.
They entered academies.
There...
Their talent became their identity.
No family could simply decide whom they would marry.
That was why William had assumed the Evergreen Family would be nearly empty of female geniuses.
Yet...
Dozens stood before him.
Manuel noticed the surprise in William's eyes and smiled knowingly.
"You seem surprised."
"I am."
"I expected most of the family's talented young women to have already left."
The Patriarch nodded slowly.
"Your assumption would be correct..."
"...for most families."
He looked at the young women standing proudly inside the hall.
"But not ours."
"The Evergreen Family has one absolute rule."
"No daughter of this family will ever be forced into marriage."
"If an alliance cannot be formed through mutual respect..."
"...then it is not an alliance worth having."
"We have rejected countless powerful forces because of that principle."
"We would rather lose influence..."
"...than sacrifice the happiness of one of our own."
A gentle silence filled the hall.
Several of the young women smiled faintly.
Some lowered their heads.
Others simply looked toward Manuel with quiet gratitude.
The old Patriarch chuckled.
"They stay because they choose to stay."
"They leave because they choose to leave."
"The decision has always belonged to them."
William slowly nodded.
For the first time...
He truly understood why this family had endured for so many generations without losing its identity.
Its foundation had never been built upon power alone.
It had been built upon trust.
William quietly nodded.
He could already understand why.
His gaze slowly moved across the gathering.
Each young woman possessed her own unique presence.
One stood with the quiet composure of someone who preferred books over battle, her gentle expression revealing remarkable patience.
Another carried herself with the confidence of an accomplished swordswoman, standing perfectly straight with unwavering eyes.
A cheerful young woman greeted everyone with an easy smile, bringing a lighter atmosphere into the hall without diminishing her dignity.
One wore woman simple green robes stained with traces of medicinal herbs, suggesting years devoted to alchemy and healing rather than combat.
Another radiated calm elegance, her every movement measured and graceful, as though she had mastered the etiquette expected of the family's nobility.
There was also a young archer whose sharp eyes constantly observed every corner of the room, instinctively assessing her surroundings.
Several others displayed the quiet confidence born from years of cultivation.
Some seemed reserved.
Some seemed energetic.
Some seemed serious.
Others seemed curious.
Although their personalities clearly differed...
They all shared one unmistakable characteristic.
They carried themselves with quiet pride.
Not arrogance.
But the confidence of people who genuinely loved the family that had raised them.
As William looked upon them...
He realized that what stood before him was not merely a gathering of talented cultivators.
It was the future of the Evergreen Family.