"Three hundred years ago, Martial Ancestor Xu Yanyang became Hua Country’s first Martial Ancestor, establishing the Sky Ranking of Shushan," Gao He began.
Tan Chang nodded. "This is something all martial artists know."
"But do you know why Martial Ancestor Xu Yanyang established the Sky Ranking, and why it has become a sword gathering power for three hundred years?"
"And where does this sword point?"
Gao He’s words seemed to carry a magical power, exploding in Tan Chang’s mind like claps of thunder.
These were facts everyone in the Martial Dao World knew, yet no one had ever delved into them. Thinking about it carefully now, there were indeed too many oddities and mysteries, so much so that even Tan Chang fell silent, unsure how to respond.
"The Martial Dao has nine strictly defined grades. People only know that one who achieves Seventh Grade can be called a Grandmaster, but they are unaware that Seventh Grade is just the beginning of one’s cultivation in the Martial Dao."
Gao He’s words made Tan Chang’s body jolt violently. Seventh Grade is just the beginning of the Martial Dao?
"Then, the Divine Gate Realm... it can’t be the end either, can it?!" Tan Chang gasped.
Gao He didn’t answer the question. Instead, he clasped his hands behind his back, looking up at the sky with an incredibly complex tone.
"Brother Tan, you must remember this: Earth may be small, but the world is vast, vast beyond measure, both exhilarating and terrifying."
Tan Chang followed Gao He’s gaze, unsure if he was looking at the moon, so faint it was nearly invisible, or gazing at something much farther away.
"Although Brother Tan is a confidant of Senior Flower Fairy, this is all I can say. I trust that with your wisdom, you’ll understand everything," Gao He said with a chuckle.
Tan Chang bowed respectfully, his voice deep. "Thank you for your guidance today, Senior Gao. You have opened a new door for me."
"It wasn’t guidance. I have said nothing today; everything has been pieced together by Brother Tan himself," Gao He said meaningfully. "Alright, I must hurry back to report. Capturing an Otherworlder alive—this is the first time in three hundred years. It’s enough to shake Hua Country, to shake the world!"
Tan Chang performed a Martial Dao salute, watching as Gao He and a group of plainclothes officers departed.
Afterward, Tan Chang returned to the shadows of Galaxy Kindergarten, protecting Xu Yiyi while silently digesting what Gao He had said today.
At five o’clock in the evening, Xu Lai received a call from Ruan Tang, who informed him that she had business to discuss and wouldn’t be home for dinner. After he got home, he simply made two dishes.
Both happened to be Xu Yiyi’s favorite meats.
This led Ruan Lan to grumble indignantly, "Brother-in-law, you’re taking this too far! When my sister is home, we get three dishes and a soup. The moment she leaves, the number of dishes is cut in half?"
"Take it or leave it."
"I’ll take it! Why wouldn’t I!"
Ruan Lan huffed and began eating heartily. "Brother-in-law, how are things developing between you and my sister?" she asked.
Xu Lai believed that everything was progressing favorably. At least Ruan Tang no longer regarded him through a prejudiced lens and was willing to try to understand him.
Ruan Lan pouted. "Just some hugging and kissing, and that’s it? Nothing more, right?"
"Look, I’m not trying to criticize you, but sometimes a man has to be more proactive. Ask her out to... book a room together—no, that’s not right! I mean, go for a drive, watch a movie, something like that."
Ruan Lan offered her advice. "And you? Other than being cooped up at home taking care of the kid, you don’t go anywhere!"
Xu Lai sank into thought.
Upon reflection, it’s true. Though I’ve lived for a hundred thousand years and had countless female companions, I’ve never actively pursued one. A woman’s heart... I truly don’t understand it.
Seeing her brother-in-law’s expression, Ruan Lan’s face lit up. "So you see, brother-in-law, Ruan Tang and I are biological sisters, so I know a thing or two about how she thinks."
"Hmm?" Xu Lai focused his attention on her.
"First, you need to go from three dishes and a soup to five dishes and a soup. The way to a woman’s heart is through her stomach!"
"Makes sense. Continue."
"Then, you start with the people around her. These days, when you want to woo a girl, you have to win over her best friends first."
Ruan Lan’s smile was like a blooming flower. "Someone has to whisper in her ear, you get it, right?"
"Got it," Xu Lai nodded.
"My sister doesn’t have many close friends, and they all have their own lives, so they can’t be together every day. But there is someone who lives with her every single day!"
Ruan Lan paused here and coughed pointedly. "And this person is particularly easy to win over."
"So, winning over the person closest to Ruan Tang to capture her heart... that is a good idea indeed," Xu Lai praised, then hesitated. "But this person is...?"
Ruan Lan looked at Xu Lai expectantly, her big eyes twinkling, all but screaming that it was her.
Xu Lai looked at his sister-in-law with a surprised delight. "Thank you, Ruan Lan."
Ruan Lan smiled sweetly. "Brother-in-law, you just have to make me a late-night snack every day, and I’ll help..."
But she never imagined that Xu Lai hadn’t even been listening. He had already taken Yiyi’s small hand and said seriously, "My dear girl, the task of putting in a good word for me with Mommy is all yours!"
Xu Yiyi, who was happily eating her meat, looked up in confusion. Although she didn’t know what was happening, she still nodded her little head.
"Mhm, leave it to me, Daddy!"
Ruan Lan was dumbfounded.
She was so mad she could have spit blood. Wow! I talked your ear off and dropped so many hints, both obvious and subtle, and you still got it wrong?
Hmph. Trying to pull a fast one on me.
Xu Lai cast a sideways glance at Ruan Lan. He might not understand how to woo a woman, but that didn’t mean he was an idiot. If he fell for that, what would become of him?
Still, Ruan Lan’s words weren’t without merit. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novelFɪre.net
Xu Lai called Ruan Tang, wanting to invite his dear wife for a walk and some shopping, but the call went unanswered.
Xu Lai frowned. His Divine Sense spread out like a vast ocean, and when he perceived what was happening, his expression turned to ice.
"I’m going to pick up Ruan Tang."
"Daddy, be careful on your way," Xu Yiyi waved.
Meanwhile, Ruan Lan was pouting, too upset to even call him brother-in-law. She just muttered, "Fine, go."
Xu Yiyi scratched her head, completely baffled. Why did Auntie get so mad all of a sudden?
Outside a lavishly decorated restaurant.
"President Ruan, here’s to a pleasant collaboration."
An elegantly dressed woman smiled as she shook Ruan Tang’s hand. Ruan Tang smiled back. "Likewise, President Jin. It’s a pleasure working with you."
After exchanging a few more niceties, they parted ways.
The corners of Ruan Tang’s mouth curved upward in a soft smile.
The company had recently finalized a major deal, and tonight’s banquet was to celebrate the successful partnership. Consequently, she’d had quite a bit to drink.
She tidied her hair, feeling a bit dizzy. She leaned against a lamppost and waited for several minutes but couldn’t hail a taxi. To make matters worse, her phone had died.
After a moment’s thought, she started walking slowly forward.
If Ruan Tang remembered correctly, there was a bus stop about five hundred meters ahead whose final stop was conveniently at Mount Haitang.
However, she was completely unaware that from within a black sedan over ten meters away, a pair of cold eyes was fixated on her.
Li Jie had obsessively pursued Ruan Tang for seven years. After infuriating Eighth Master at the Mingyue Tea House, he had gotten his own uncle fired.
Li Jie took out his phone and dialed a number, his voice devoid of any emotion. "She’s out."