In Zhang’s Medicine Shop, Zhang Ming, the steward, frowned as he checked the recent accounts.

The situation was worrisome.

Originally, after the Zhang family improved the formula for the Qi Revitalization Pill, business at the shop had surged dramatically, with revenues increasing by more than thirty percent.

Zhang Ming had even boasted about this to the Elder.

However, to his dismay, just as things were looking up, sales of the Qi Revitalization Pill, which had been selling exceptionally well, suddenly plummeted in recent days.

What could be causing this?

Leaving aside the improvements made, even before that, basic pills like the Revitalization Pill had a steady daily demand.

How come these days they couldn’t even meet their usual sales figures?

Puzzled, Zhang Ming ultimately attributed the root cause to one source—could it be that the Qin family, their long-time rivals, had stirred up trouble again?

With a stern face, Zhang Ming summoned his nephew, Zhang San, who was responsible for gathering information.

But before he could even ask, Zhang San blurted out in a panic, “Uncle, it’s bad! The Qin family set up some kind of stage in front of several of their medicine shops. They’re performing a play and drawing crowds from half the street.

The Qin family also promised that anyone who watches will receive a Revitalization Pill.

Many people are gathering there just to join in the fun!”

A play performance?

What was that about?

Zhang Ming didn’t quite understand at first, but knowing it involved the Qin family confirmed his suspicions.

Zhang Ming didn’t feel as troubled anymore; in fact, he even breathed a sigh of relief.

Knowing the root cause was the Qin family’s doing, this play performance seemed like a trick to attract attention.

People might find it intriguing for a couple of days, but eventually, they would still come back to Zhang’s shop.

“Go and take a look!” Zhang Ming ordered.

After all, he had to see it for himself to be completely reassured.

In the southern part of Nanling County, there was a bustling street known as South Street.

Although not within the territories of the three major clans, it was governed by all three.

The street was dotted with many shops, including those of the Zhang and Han families, and was overseen by important figures like Steward Zhang.

As a result, South Street had excellent security and attracted many wandering cultivators who came to live and seek opportunities.

To the east of South Street were mostly shops belonging to the Qin family.

Usually, this direction didn’t have much foot traffic, as the prime locations on South Street had long been claimed by the Zhang and Han families, leaving the Qin family to choose this more remote area.

However, as Zhang Ming approached the eastern end street today, he was surprised to find a dense crowd, bustling with activity.

“Why are there so many people?” Zhang Ming furrowed his brow.

His nephew Zhang San struggled to clear a path ahead, “There are even more people in front of the Qin family’s medicine shop, packed like sardines.”

As they got closer, it became evident, just as Zhang San had described.

The crowd was so thick it was almost overflowing.

In the center of the crowd stood a tall stage adorned with colorful banners and flags.

Two individuals were performing on the stage.

Upon closer inspection, both were genuine cultivators, their bodies radiating spiritual energy.

One of them stood proudly, with a disdainful expression, saying, “Qin Autian, you’re nothing but a waste. What qualifications do you have to marry our Jing’er?”

The other person, dressed as a youth and seemingly badly injured, defiantly retorted, “Thirty years in the east bank of the river, thirty years in the west. Don’t you dare look down on the poor youth!”

Zhang Ming frowned deeply.

What kind of spectacle was this?

After watching for a while longer, he learned that the youth named Qin Autian had been a prodigy since childhood, astonishing everyone with his golden-grade aptitude during the Spiritual Nurturing stage.

The family spent a lot of effort nurturing him, even allowing him to cultivate his spirit for five years, hoping he could soar like those sons of prestigious families who cultivated for many years and achieved great success.

But in the end, he didn’t reach the heights and stumbled halfway.

It’s not clear whether the long period of spiritual cultivation weighed him down, but Qin Aotian’s performance after practicing Qi was just average, disappointing everyone.

Those who originally wanted to marry into the Qin family because of Qin Aotian’s talent changed their minds.

Our family’s girls are also exceptionally talented.

Marrying into your family because of Qin Aotian was already a good deal.

But now that his talent turns out to be overrated, we’ve come to cancel the engagement with the Qin family.

The girl’s family said, “We are also from a respectable family, not unreasonable.

Originally, our marriage alliance, whether ‘son-in-law’ or ‘daughter-in-law,’ depends on strength.

Letting you ‘marry into our family’ was because we valued Qin Aotian’s talent and invested early.

Now that Qin Aotian’s talent is gone, we can’t afford to give away a daughter for nothing. If we had the time, we could have married a son-in-law.”

The girl’s family continued, “We are not unreasonable. Breaking the engagement is generally our fault. We will compensate with a Foundation Building Pill. The Qin family accepted the Foundation Building Pill, and the marriage was declared void.”

As a result, the young and spirited Qin Aotian felt that the girl’s family violated the contract by seeking to end the engagement, which was a great humiliation.

So he threw away the Foundation Building Pill.

The elder from the girl’s family who came to end the engagement felt that Qin Aotian didn’t know what’s good for him.

“If you don’t agree, we can still negotiate. Why throw away the Foundation Building Pill? The Foundation Building Pill is a precious thing.”

So the elder gave Qin Aotian a mild scolding.

And so we have the scene we just witnessed. Qin Aotian raised his head proudly and said, “Don’t bully the young and poor.”

The elder from the Qin family came out to smooth things over and said, “Our Qin family also has integrity. Breaking off the engagement is a slap in our face, so we cannot accept the Foundation Building Pill. But we also don’t want to delay your daughter for nothing. Therefore, we propose a five-year agreement.”

Five years later, Qin Aotian and your daughter will battle on Sunset Peak.

If Qin Aotian loses, the marriage will be void, and we won’t ask for anything from you. If your daughter loses, the marriage will proceed as planned, and we will ‘marry into your family.’

Of course, if the two youngsters don’t see eye to eye after this battle, peaceful dissolution of the engagement is also possible.

The girl’s family thought this was a good way to save face for both families and agreed.

And so, Qin Aotian embarked on a five-year journey of hard work and cultivation.

As Zhang Ming read on, he found himself absorbed in the story, until his nephew exclaimed excitedly, “Ah, the Qin family is so foolish! Why care about face? I would’ve taken that Foundation Building Pill!”

Zhang Ming instinctively wanted to say, “That’s just shameful!”

But quickly realized that agreeing with that statement would indirectly acknowledge the Qin family’s actions, so he swallowed his words.

He gave his nephew a stern look and said, “What are you here for?”

Zhang San smirked awkwardly and didn’t dare say another word.

But while he stayed silent, people around them were discussing fervently.

“Oh my, the Qin family truly lives up to its prestige, but perhaps they are too proud.

I think they should have accepted that Foundation Building Pill. It’s such a valuable thing! With it, their clan might gain another Foundation Building cultivator.

Imagine having a double Foundation Building, or even a triple.

They could find the most beautiful celestial maiden!”

Soon, others disagreed, saying,

“This is something only someone ignorant would say. Since the girl’s family can produce Foundation Building Pills as compensation, it shows they are powerful.

They might even be from a prestigious family. Marrying into such a family brings countless benefits, especially since they are willing to let you marry their daughter. Just hastily returning the Foundation Building Pills as dowry would be a big loss.”

This statement received unanimous agreement from the crowd.

“Yeah, thinking about it carefully, it’s not surprising the girl’s family called off the marriage.

A daughter from a family that can produce Foundation Building Pills was attracted to your talent.

But if you turn out to be incapable, why should she marry into your family? It would be better for her to find a talented and handsome partner herself.”

“Sigh, if Qin Aotian hadn’t become useless, it would have been a suitable marriage. I don’t understand why the Qin family dared to let him cultivate for five years. Maybe his lack of talent after Qi training is related to the long cultivation period.”

Some even found the story very relatable and realistic, suspecting it might be true about the Qin family.

“Does the Qin family really have a genius youth named Qin Aotian?”

“Probably made up. Among the younger generation of the Qin family, there’s no known genius. Of course, they could be hiding a genius. But this Qin Aotian is definitely fake.”

After listening for a while, Zhang San couldn’t help but ask again, “Uncle, does the Qin family have someone like Qin Aotian?”

Zhang Ming’s forehead veins popped. “Qin Aotian? It’s from a script, you actually believed it! Why don’t you go find out what tricks the Qin family is up to!”

“Ahh…” Zhang San was scolded and looked embarrassed, wiping his sweat and returning his gaze to the stage.

At this moment, Qin Aotian finally completed his five-year cultivation and was about to fulfill his five-year agreement at the Sunset Peak!

His fiancee Miss Jing’er appeared, stunning everyone as expected.

As she arrived on her sword, with golden robes fluttering behind her, a hint of crimson between her eyebrows, she had a dignified and goddess-like aura.

Jing’er’s beautiful eyes shimmered as she spoke lightly, “Are you Qin Aotian?”

“Do you know, I wasn’t willing to marry into your family in the first place.”

Qin Aotian clenched his fist, about to recite his famous line, “Thirty years east of the river…”

But Jing’er smiled and interrupted him in time, “I didn’t refuse the marriage because of your talent…

Since childhood, I was tested with a silver-grade aptitude, from a superior family, and with decent looks.

There were plenty of good men waiting for me, but I ended up marrying into your family for no reason.

You haven’t even competed with me once. How could I accept that?”

“The person I want to marry should at least surpass me in alchemy or swordsmanship. Only then will I agree.”

People below the stage nodded in agreement.

Such a goddess, with outstanding talent, beauty, and from a noble family, now only asked for the man to excel in either alchemy or swordsmanship. What more could be said?

The wandering cultivators below were so excited that they almost shouted, “Qin Aotian, come down and let me compete!”

“We don’t even ask for marriage, just to be with Fairy Jing’er is enough, even if we have to marry into her family.”