Zong Ya was silenced, and recalling the harsh words she had said earlier, she felt embarrassed, her pretty face blushing to the nape of her neck.
âHow is it, Miss? Are you satisfied with the effects of this bathhouse?â
Li Xiaobai looked at Zong Ya with a grin, certain that no one could resist the power of the bathhouse.
âHmph, itâs just so-so. If youâre going to set up a shop here to make money, you should at least have informed me about it. This time Iâll let you off, but next time you better ask for my permission first thing, understand?â
Zong Ya was unrelenting with her words, but her body was indeed being honest; the arm that had entered the bath was as if immobilized by magic, not moving at all.
âThank you, Miss Yaâer, for your understanding. May I know if you would like to take a bath here?â
âA female cultivator can soak for two hours with a single top-grade Spirit Stone.â
Li Xiaobai asked understandingly.
âHehe, no need to bathe. Iâve said it long ago, this bathhouseâs existence here is indecent. I now firmly suspect your motives are impure!â
Zong Ya chuckled coldly, though the arm soaked in the pool water still showed no intention of lifting up.
Li Xiaobaiâs forehead creased with lines of frustration; clearly, she was blatantly aiming for a freebie bath, wasnât she?
Is a top-grade Spirit Stone that expensive?
Compared to the resources you consume in seclusion, itâs merely a drop in the ocean, isnât it?
âIf thatâs so, why does Miss still stand here?â
Li Xiaobai continued to ask.
âI am here to monitor you!â
âTo prevent any misdeeds in the bathhouse!â
Zong Ya declared righteously.
âThen why is Missâs arm continuously soaking in the bath?â
Li Xiaobai felt helpless inside, having encountered such an unyielding female cultivator.
âI am testing the water temperature for you. Even though my Zong Familyâs established shop might be frowned upon, the quality of service must be maintained. Do you understand?â
Zong Ya spoke indifferently, her expression cold.
Li Xiaobai: â???â
The crowd of cultivators: ââ¦â
Being able to enjoy a freebie bath with such a sense of entitlement and distinction, Zong Ya was truly in a league of her own.
â¦
At the same time, inside the Zhang Family, within the grand hall.
Headed by Zhang Xu, more than ten family cultivators were prostrate on the ground, crying bitterly.
âFather, you must avenge me! That Li Xiaobai is too arrogant. I tried to reason with him, hoping for a peaceful resolution to our conflict, but he, relying on his powerful cultivation, not only showed no appreciation but also disabled our cultivation levels.â
âBig Brother has already been disabled. I cannot lose my cultivation too, or else the future foundation of our Zhang Family will be gone. Father, you must find a way to help me recover my cultivation!â
Zhang Xu knelt on the ground, unable to stop his tears, thinking his time to rise had come. But with a turn of fate, he found himself disabled, just like his older brother, becoming useless.
How is a mere mortal to stand on his feet in the family from now on?n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Elder Zhang watched with glee at Zhang Xuâs predicament, feeling it was poetic justice.
In the journey of cultivation, oneâs status is often highlighted by the misfortunes of peers. He had thought that after his own cultivation was wasted, there would be no hope left for him. Yet unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, his own brother had been left in the same plight.
The proverb rings true that among dwarfs, one picks the tallest, and now that both he and Zhang Xu have been crippled, if the clan were to restore their cultivation levels, naturally, they would prioritize him, who has the best aptitude for cultivation.
Why would it ever be Zhang Xuâs turn, this piece of trash?
âFoolish brother, revel in highlighting my excellence!â
A cold glint flickered in Zhangâs eyes as he couldnât help but slightly curl his lips upwards.
âNonsense, didnât Elder Zhang go with you as well?â
âWith Elder Zhang present, are you still not a match for that Li Xiaobai?â
The Zhang Family Patriarch was furious, he only had two sons, and now both had been crippled, undoubtedly severing the roots of the Zhang Family. What would they rely on to compete with other families in the future?
âReporting to the Family Head, I am ashamed to say that I was utterly powerless against Li Xiaobai. I fear that Li Xiaobai might be comparable to the truly peerless geniuses of Aolai Country, not just any ordinary cultivation prodigy!â
âIn his hands, I couldnât even withstand a single move.â
Elder Zhang crawled out from among the crowd, trembling as he spoke. In the Zhang Family, he had offended quite a few people. Now that the tiger had fallen flat on the plains, one could easily forecast that in a few days, his body might be lying deserted in the wilderness.
And the clan wouldnât stir up trouble over a cripple, his fate was already sealed. At this moment, all he wanted was to earn some favor, hoping the Family Head would speak a couple of good words on his behalf.
âDo you mean to say that Li Xiaobai is among the top-ranked geniuses?â
âAt such a young age, could he possibly possess the cultivation of the Transcendance Tribulation Stage? Or even stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Family Head himself?â
The Zhang Family Patriarchâs gaze narrowed slightly, revealing a dangerous gleam.
âHeh, Family Head, in my opinion, itâs just that this old geezer Zhang is a waste. I am willing to take men over, and within two hours, we could capture Li Xiaobai alive and bring him back!â
The Elders on both sides began to speak slowly, always exerting their utmost when it came to kicking a man when heâs down.
âNo need, if even Elder Zhang suffered a crushing defeat, how much stronger could you be?â
âIf it truly is a top-tier expert, the cultivation level might well be at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage. Only if the Family Head himself takes a trip can the truth be ascertained. The birthday of Lady Zong is in two more days. Prepare a gift for the Family Head; at that time, I will personally visit and meet this Li Xiaobai to see exactly what kind of person he is.â
The Zhang Family Patriarch spoke indifferently.
âUnderstood!â
Just then, two disciples suddenly rushed into the shop in a great hurry.
âReport!â
âWhatâs the matter that youâre so flustered and unruly? Shape up!â
The Zhang Family Patriarchâs face darkened as he spoke coldly.
âReporting to the Family Head, there has been a change in the Zong Mansion. That Li Xiaobai has set up a bathhouse within the premises that can enhance Spiritual Power and cultivation levels. Many cultivators have already been attracted there.â
âAfter soaking for just over ten minutes, the Spiritual Power within the discipleâs body has already shown signs of a breakthrough, saving at least several days of hard cultivation. Such a marvelous treasure; the disciple thought it necessary to report to the Family Head promptly!â
The disciple who came to report said, he was a spy the Zhang Family had planted near the Zong Mansion for the purpose of monitoring its movements and to timely report to the Situ Household to gain their favor.
Unexpectedly, the Zong Family, which hadnât made any major moves for a while, changed dramatically within mere two days, undergoing a complete transformation first by crippling the offspring of the Zhang Family and now beginning to set up shop right under their noses.
They are looking to turn the tables!
With a wave of his hand, the Zhang Family Patriarch drew the disciple towards him, covering him with layers of Primodial Spirit Power to carefully sense the condition of the Spiritual Power within the discipleâs body.
A frown formed on his face; indeed, as he said, the Spiritual Power within the Dantian had surged significantly, and it seemed that a few more days of cultivation would lead to a breakthrough to the next stage.
What is going on?
âIt seems, a visit is in order sooner rather than later!â