Chapter 507: 508: The Fragrance Warning
Li Xiaobai looked at Zong Ya with a grin, certain that no one could resist the power of the bathhouse.
“Hmph, it’s just so-so. If you’re going to set up a shop here to make money, you should at least have informed me about it. This time I’ll let you off, but next time you better ask for my permission first thing, understand?”
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.
“Thank you, Miss Ya’er, for your understanding. May I know if you would like to take a bath here?”
“A female cultivator can soak for two hours with a single top-grade Spirit Stone.”
Li Xiaobai asked understandingly.
“Hehe, no need to bathe. I’ve said it long ago, this bathhouse’s existence here is indecent. I now firmly suspect your motives are impure!”
Zong Ya chuckled coldly, though the arm soaked in the pool water still showed no intention of lifting up.
Li Xiaobai’s forehead creased with lines of frustration; clearly, she was blatantly aiming for a freebie bath, wasn’t she?
Is a top-grade Spirit Stone that expensive?
Compared to the resources you consume in seclusion, it’s merely a drop in the ocean, isn’t it?
“If that’s so, why does Miss still stand here?”
Li Xiaobai continued to ask.
“I am here to monitor you!”
“To prevent any misdeeds in the bathhouse!”
Zong Ya declared righteously.
“Then why is Miss’s arm continuously soaking in the bath?”
Li Xiaobai felt helpless inside, having encountered such an unyielding female cultivator.
“I am testing the water temperature for you. Even though my Zong Family’s established shop might be frowned upon, the quality of service must be maintained. Do you understand?”
Zong Ya spoke indifferently, her expression cold.
Li Xiaobai: “???”
The crowd of cultivators: “…”
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.
…
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.
“Father, 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.”
“Big 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!”
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?
Elder Zhang watched with glee at Zhang Xu’s predicament, feeling it was poetic justice.
In the journey of cultivation, one’s 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 Xu’s turn, this piece of trash?
“Foolish brother, revel in highlighting my excellence!”
A cold glint flickered in Zhang’s eyes as he couldn’t help but slightly curl his lips upwards.
“Nonsense, didn’t Elder Zhang go with you as well?”
“With Elder Zhang present, are you still not a match for that Li Xiaobai?”
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?
“Reporting 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!”
“In his hands, I couldn’t even withstand a single move.”
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 wouldn’t 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.
“Do you mean to say that Li Xiaobai is among the top-ranked geniuses?”
“At 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?”
The Zhang Family Patriarch’s gaze narrowed slightly, revealing a dangerous gleam.
“Heh, Family Head, in my opinion, it’s 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!”
The Elders on both sides began to speak slowly, always exerting their utmost when it came to kicking a man when he’s down.
“No need, if even Elder Zhang suffered a crushing defeat, how much stronger could you be?”
“If 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.”
The Zhang Family Patriarch spoke indifferently.
“Understood!”
Just then, two disciples suddenly rushed into the shop in a great hurry.
“Report!”
“What’s the matter that you’re so flustered and unruly? Shape up!”
The Zhang Family Patriarch’s face darkened as he spoke coldly.
“Reporting 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.”
“After soaking for just over ten minutes, the Spiritual Power within the disciple’s 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!”
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 hadn’t 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 disciple’s 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?
“It seems, a visit is in order sooner rather than later!”