Teacher by day, Farmer by passion

"Are you sure about this?" Hua Hua asked, his sharp gaze sweeping over the two before him.

"Yes, Family Head. Master Zhi is an Alchemist and he gave his word that he will help us," Lesy affirmed confidently.

Hua Hua turned his attention to Hua Tiger.

"Ah, uh, the thing was—" Hua Tiger fumbled, scratching his head. "Oh! Right! Master Zhi promised to sell us Spirit Pigs for herbs."

"Don't change the topic," Hua Hua cut in, his voice laced with suspicion. "Master Zhi is an Alchemist, okay, but alchemists rarely do favors for free. What did he ask for in return? Is it expensive?"

Lesy smirked playfully. "I offered myself," she said, her voice dripping with seduction.

Hua Hua ignored her completely and turned back to Hua Tiger.

"Ah, well… Master Zhi requested that we continue putting pressure on the Xiao Family and keep a close eye on Xiao Wuzi," Hua Tiger answered quickly, eager to move on.

"Xiao Wuzi?" Hua Hua muttered, his brows furrowing. Last I saw him during the Dragon and Phoenix Tournament, he was weaker than expected.

"Hmm, Is that all?"

"Oh, and Master Zhi specifically said that Hua Lin shouldn't be used as a bargaining chip. He wants her to be allowed to cultivate properly."

At that, both Lesy and Hua Tiger instinctively exchanged glances, recalling exactly how Ace had phrased his request.

— "Also, there's that issue—yes, tell Hua Hua that I don't want to marry his granddaughter or whatever she is to him. For all I care, she can even go rot in hell."

Meanwhile, outside the hall, Hua Lin who had just arrived, intending to visit her grandfather overheard their conversation.

"Master Zhi specifically said that Hua Lin shouldn't be used as a bargaining chip and should be allowed to cultivate properly."

Those words rang like a melody in her ears.

Her heart skipped a beat. He was… thinking about me?

A blush crept up her cheeks as guilt swelled in her chest.

"I was so harsh on him even when I asked him to cancel the engagement… I'm ashamed…"

Lowering her head, she turned away, slipping out of the hall without meeting her grandfather.

_______

Currently, Liu Mei and Ace were seated inside the house, watching the chickens peck at their feed. In the backyard, Shan Yifeng practiced his sword swings.

"Mei'er, what exactly did the Flying Sword Sect help you with?" Ace asked casually as he threw more feeds on the ground.

Liu Mei, lounging comfortably, perked up at the question.

"Sister Zhao Yun taught me a few things! Like how to move faster, how to—oh right!"

Suddenly, she jumped to her feet and summoned White Fur.

A majestic six-tailed white fox appeared before them, its fur pristine and shimmering under the light.

Liu Mei grinned smugly before wrapping her arms around the enormous fox, rubbing her cheek against its soft fur. "Master, look! White Fur grew so fast! She's already taller than me—and so fluffy!"

Ace blinked, tilting his head. "...Well, is this what you wanted to show me?"

"No, no! Look!" Liu Mei said excitedly.

She gently touched White Fur's forehead, and in an instant, the two merged.

Before Ace stood Liu Mei—except now she had fox ears, a single fluffy tail, and even whiskers. But more than that, Ace could feel the change in her aura—she was much stronger than before.

His eyes widened in amazement. "Wow… that's incredible."

Liu Mei puffed out her chest proudly. "Yes, yes! Sister Zhao Yun taught me how to transform properly!"

Just then Shan Yifeng came sprinting into the courtyard, his face full of desperation.

Shan Yifeng, panting heavily, clutched Ace's sleeve like a lifeline. "Master, please—this is an emergency!"

Ace raised an eyebrow at the pitiful sight. Have I ever hugged this boy before? he wondered idly. Shrugging, he scooped Shan Yifeng up in one smooth motion, much to the boy's surprise.

Mind you, despite their strength, both of his disciples were still just kids—small enough to carry without effort.

Before Shan Yifeng could properly process the hug, a sultry voice echoed through the courtyard.

"Ah, Master Zhi! I finally found you~"

Ace visibly tensed as the 'emergency' arrived—Princess Soho Verilith, beaming from ear to ear like a fox that had cornered its prey.

Her golden robes swayed as she strolled toward them with all the confidence in the world.

Ace sighed. Not this again…

Without missing a beat, he flatly stated,

"My answer is still no."

The princess blinked, then tilted her head. "But I haven't asked for anything yet."

"I will never take you as a disciple."

"Why not?!" she whined, pouting like an offended cat. "Master Zhi, I really need your help."

"And I really don't want to." Ace replied flatly, arms crossed.

Soho huffed, stepping closer. "I'm being very kind here. One word from me, and I can have the entire kingdom against you."

Ace raised a brow. "That's a threat."

"Uh, well… obviously." She smiled sweetly, as if that made it any less menacing.

Ace sighed. "I still won't accept you. You're too dangerous."

Soho's expression faltered for a split second before she clasped her hands together. "Please… oh! How about this?" She leaned in. "Xiao Wuzi—I'll take care of him if you help me."

Silence stretched between them.

Ace studied her carefully as he asked, "How confident are you?"

Her lips curled into a smirk. "One hundred and ten percent."

Ace exhaled slowly as he said, "I'll think about it."

"Oh, please, there's no need to be so difficult!" Soho pouted dramatically before turning to Liu Mei with a sweet smile.

"Little Mei'er, don't you want me as your sister? Help me out here, and I'll make sure we get more of those delicious dumplings!"

Liu Mei, who had been standing firmly beside Ace just a moment ago, suddenly seemed to have wavered. She hesitated, then looked up at her master.

"Ah, this… Master?" she asked, her resolve crumbling at the thought of the dumplings.

Just as he was about to call his beloved disciple a traitor, the system intervened with impeccable timing. His gaze flickered toward the blue screen.

[System Message:

Your weekly spirit summoning cooldown is now available. You may summon a new spirit to aid your divine garden.

New Feature Unlocked:

Immortal Market – You can now trade in resources beyond the reach of mortal realms. Buy and sell rare materials exclusive to the Immortal Market.]