Chapter 1429: Who Is in Mortal Danger

Chapter 1429: Chapter 1429: Who Is in Mortal Danger

Bai Tianlong was dazed for a while before he turned his head and asked, "Then, why are these young masters and misses coming here?"

Xv Jiazhi smiled and said, "Didn’t I mention it earlier? They are here to visit my master."

"..." Bai Tianlong’s thoughts were once again in turmoil; he barely managed to digest the fact that even Mr. Xv, well-connected in Kanyue City, was respectful to his prospective son-in-law. And now, this bunch of young masters and misses had come to visit Lin Tian.

When did this guy get to know these people?

Recalling last year when he first saw him at the Bai Family’s old residence, his daughter had brought him back pretending he was her boyfriend. He looked like a complete country bumpkin, utterly unimpressive, with no skills apart from some fighting ability.

Inquiring about his family background revealed something even simpler. His parents were both farmers from a small town.

If it weren’t for his daughter’s unwavering devotion to him, Bai Tianlong might not even have agreed to their relationship.

And now, in less than a year, has he really become this powerful?

At this moment, Ms. Zhao walked over to report, "Mr. Bai, Mr. Lin. There are guests outside. Three people came. There’s someone with the surname Li, the surname Yue, and the surname Tang."

Once these three surnames were mentioned, Lin Tian immediately understood who had come. He smiled and said, "Let them in."

Ms. Zhao hesitated for a second and then added, "They also brought a lot of gifts. Quite a pile."

Xv Jiazhi playfully asked, "Quite a pile, you say? How much is it?"

"Hmm..." Ms. Zhao searched for the appropriate words and finally said, "Enough to fill a cart."

"..."

Lin Tian was amused too, and he said, "We still have an empty basement which only stores some wine. Let them move the stuff down there, and we can sort them later."

"Alright."

With that, Ms. Zhao retreated. Xv Jiazhi teased again, "Compared to their ’one cart’, my paintings do seem quite humble."

Lin Tian laughed heartily as well, clapping Xv Jiazhi on the shoulder, saying, "Then next time, bring two carts. You see, my house is nice, but it’s lacking in some foundation. Just keep sending tobacco and alcohol, I won’t mind."

He reminisced about last year, when he was just a regular person who had just finished the college entrance exams. It took him a year to achieve what he has now; he’s got money, but some foundational stuff is still missing.

The luxury tobacco and alcohol are part of that foundation. These aren’t things measured by money. At a certain level, premium tobacco and alcohol become symbols of identity, a foundation, a form of elegance. Even if you spend a fortune, people might not sell them to you.

Currently, Lin Tian is at best a nouveau riche.

Xv Jiazhi laughed heartily, nodding, "No problem, I’ll take you to my storeroom then, and you can pick as you please."

Lin Tian gave Xv Jiazhi a glance, nodding with approval, "Suddenly, I think you are more filial than those two elders, Martial Sect and Wu Hong. Rest assured, as your master, I certainly won’t stand on ceremony with you. Whoever is polite is a little dog."

"..." Xv Jiazhi suddenly felt a pang in his heart. Just now, perhaps he made his boast a bit too much!

At this moment, without guidance from Ms. Zhao, Li Shan, Tang Zong, and Yue Rong walked in. As they moved, they observed the room’s decor and style, their faces adorned with smiles as they whispered among themselves.

Upon seeing Lin Tian, the three of them kept their smiles and collectively bowed slightly, saying, "Mr. Lin."

Previously, when they met Lin Tian, even being several years older than him, they had to respectfully call him ’Lin’. In their clans, some elders were in their seventies or eighties, yet they would call Lin Tian brother. The generational ties were simply a mess.

Addressing him as Mr. Lin now resolved previous troubles without diminishing the warmth.

Lin Tian gestured similarly, pointing at the sofa, saying, "Have a seat."

The three were old acquaintances with Lin Tian, having dealt with one another before. Initially, Lin Tian ’sold’ the elixir formula to various families through them as intermediaries. Moreover, Yue Rong had gifted his family’s treasured "Clear Wind Evil-Dispelling Elixir" to Lin Tian, fostering no weak bond.

Once seated, Li Shan said, "I thought the three of us came the earliest, but it seems Mr. Xv managed to arrive before us."

The three of them, like Xv Jiazhi, were also part of their clans’ core, naturally leading to some polite exchanges.

Xv Jiazhi chuckled as he poured each a cup of tea and said, "I’m different from you all, of course I had to arrive earlier."

"In what way different?"

"You arrived as guests, whereas I came as a student. Arriving later than you would be absurd, wouldn’t it?"

Xv Jiazhi expressed with a light laugh, a hint of pride lingering between his brows.

His words caught Li, Yue, and Tang off guard; their eyes widened, mouths slightly agape, as if in disbelief.

Tang Zong was the first to speak, his expression quite peculiar, seeking confirmation, "Xv Jiazhi, you’re not joking, right?"

Xv Jiazhi’s smile faded instantly, retorting coldly, "The Xv Family has strict rules; do you think I’d joke about matters of the sect?"

Tang Zong’s expression shifted slightly, hurriedly making apologies, realizing his slip.

If Xv Jiazhi dared joke about such things and the Xv Family elders caught wind of it, he might end up kneeling at the ancestral shrine for a month.

To question the Xv Family’s sect relationship amounted indirectly to provoking them, highly inappropriate. No wonder Xv Jiazhi’s sudden change of demeanor.

In this awkward moment, Lin Tian smilingly stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "A few days ago, I took Jiazhi as my apprentice, so you all not knowing is understandable."

Li Shan suddenly raised his teacup, holding it above his brow, eyes bright as he said, "Mr. Lin, I’d also like to become your apprentice."

Seeing this, Tang Zong and Yue Rong raised their teacups as well, solemnly saying in unison, "So would we."

"..." Lin Tian was utterly bewildered; what’s going on here? All three wanted to become apprentices.

Yue Rong gazed warmly and said, "Although we admit we may fall short in diligence compared to Mr. Xv, when it comes to sincerity, I am absolutely earnest."

It all happened too quickly; neither Li Shan nor Tang Zong had prepared remarks, unsure of what to say. However, one thing was clear—they all earnestly wanted to become Lin Tian’s apprentices and were extremely eager! They were regretful, annoyed that Xv Jiazhi managed to pounce earlier, seizing such a significant advantage.

"This..." Lin Tian was momentarily at a loss for how to tactfully refuse, suddenly thinking of Xv Jiazhi. His brows lightly moved as he gave a hint.

Xv Jiazhi comprehended immediately, his eyes flickering with mischief, laughingly saying, "Don’t waste your efforts; one doesn’t just take apprentices like that. Do you know why Master accepted me as his apprentice?"

"Why?"

"A few days ago, while in seclusion trying to break through to the Golden Core stage, I suffered a backlash, leading to Qi deviation and fractured meridians. Master saved me, but to fully recover I needed to follow him in practicing a cultivation technique. If not for my grave condition, becoming his apprentice would’ve been unlikely. So tell me, do any of you face life-threatening peril?"