104: Chapter 104 The Meng Family's Hesitation

Chen Jiancang now understood that no matter what the Meng Family thought, Meng Qingwan held affection for him.

Because her eyes wouldn't deceive, Chen Jiancang could feel the irrepressible joy in her gaze.

"Haha, virtuous nephew Jiancang, this betrothal gift is too generous."

Meng Changyi walked forward with a laugh; as Chen Youyun's good friend, he naturally very much hoped the Meng Family could form a marriage alliance with Chen Jiancang.

Although Chen Jiancang was a Five Elements Mixed Spiritual Root, he was an excellent Alchemist, and Meng Qingwan's Spiritual Root Aptitude was also not outstanding, so the two marrying was most suitable.

In his view, that rogue Cultivator with Three Spiritual Root talent, despite having excellent Spiritual Root Aptitude and being willing to become a son-in-law to the Meng Family, how could one be certain about future matters?

Those not of our clan will surely have different hearts.

If in the future this person expends a massive amount of Meng Family resources to successfully Foundation Establishment, yet then thinks of leaving the Meng Family, then everything they've done will have been for naught, benefiting others.

Meng Changyi was quite resistant to the matter of taking a son-in-law; the Meng Family was not like the Chen Family, which had a Golden Core Old Ancestor presiding. If that day truly came, the Meng Family would not have the strength to suppress him.

But these were his personal opinions; the clan head, Meng Changxiu, was more inclined towards taking a son-in-law. After all, the Spiritual Root Aptitudes of the Meng Family's younger generation were currently unsatisfactory. If there were no more Foundation Establishment seeds, once he passed away in a hundred years, the Meng Family would have no successors. How could they defend this vast inheritance of Small Jade Mountain?

At this moment, Meng Changxiu looked at the Spirit Talisman in Chen Jiancang's hand but did not immediately express his stance; instead, he turned his head to look at the black-clothed Cultivator.

Seeing this, the black-clothed Cultivator unhurriedly stood up, clapped his hands, and several Mortal attendants filed in carrying several carved boxes.

The black-clothed Cultivator raised his hand and opened the boxes, revealing various rare spiritual minerals and Ores inside.

Chen Jiancang looked at the boxes; inside was a type of black Ore that sparkled with starlight points.

"Meng Family Head, although I am marrying into the Meng Family, I have not come empty-handed. These Star Gold Stone Ores were obtained by chance. Although they cannot compare to Young Master Chen's generous betrothal gift, they also represent my sincerity towards the Meng Family."

"Although I am a rogue Cultivator, with my Three Spiritual Root talent, my cultivation speed far surpasses ordinary people.

If I am fortunate enough to marry into the Meng Family, I will definitely do my utmost to protect the Meng Family's peace and glory."

The rogue Cultivator straightened his back and spoke with full confidence.

Star Gold Stone is a First Order top-grade spiritual material, which can be used to refine First Order top-grade Magical Artifacts. These few boxes of Star Gold Stone Ore, after refinement, should be enough to extract two to three catties of Star Gold Stone, with a value of nearly a thousand spiritual stones.

This was exceptionally valuable for a rogue Cultivator.

The hall instantly fell into silence; everyone's gaze shifted back and forth between Chen Jiancang and the rogue Cultivator, the atmosphere so tense it seemed capable of igniting the air.

In the eyes of the Meng Family members, this black-clothed Cultivator, being a rogue Cultivator, was willing to take out nearly a thousand spiritual stones worth of resources, showing his sincerity.

But Chen Jiancang's betrothal gift also fully displayed sincerity, and Chen Jiancang came from a major sect and prominent Family, and was also an Alchemist. For a time, the Meng Family members were caught in a dilemma of choice.

"Hmph."

Just as the Meng Family members were hesitating in their dilemma, Chen Youming slapped the table loudly, stood up with a cold sneer, and his sharp voice echoed through the hall: "Meng Family Head, is this how you treat guests?

That day, the Meng Family proactively proposed a marriage alliance with my Chen Family. Today's visit was also at your invitation, yet now you are so indecisive. What is the reason?"

"This, Brother Youming..." Meng Changyi stood up awkwardly; he also knew his Family's actions were indeed inappropriate.

Chen Youming's gaze was like a torch, looking directly at Meng Changxiu. In his eyes, there was both questioning and a hint of disdain.

"Meng Family Head, although my Chen Family is not a top-tier major clan, we are certainly not a small Family that can be trifled with. On this one-mu three-fen plot of land in the Qingya Mountain Range, we still hold absolute dominance.

Today, Jiancang came with a generous betrothal gift, yet here you are looking at a rogue Cultivator of unknown origin with different eyes. Could it be that you think my Chen Family is too easy to talk to, which is why you treat us with such contempt?"

His words were sharp, each word seemingly carrying a cutting edge, instantly making the faces of the Meng Family members turn ugly.

Although the Chen Family occupied the Qingya Mountain Range, they were not overbearing. They even allowed some small Foundation Establishment families to establish themselves and develop on some small spiritualpulses in the Qingya Mountain Range. The Meng Family of Small Jade Mountain was like this; these small families only needed to pay tribute in full each year.

But this did not mean the Chen Family did not show fierce anger. The Chen Family was able to occupy the Qingya Mountain Range for nearly 300 years not just through benevolence and appeasement, but also through iron-blooded methods.

Meng Changxiu's face sank, and just as he was about to speak and explain, Chen Youming preempted him and continued: "The matter of the marriage alliance that day was proposed by the Meng Family. My Chen Family agreed to this matter out of consideration for the many years of friendship between our two families.

Now Jiancang has come, and the betrothal gift has not been insufficient, yet you display this attitude. Do you think those few boxes of Star Gold Stone are more significant than my Chen Family's sincerity?

Or are you saying that the Meng Family no longer regards my Chen Family?"

His voice grew increasingly loud, echoing within the hall, making everyone's eardrums ache.

Seeing this, Meng Changyi quickly stepped forward to smooth things over: "Brother Youming, you've misunderstood. Our Meng Family's friendship with the Chen Family is beyond doubt.

It's just that this marriage is a major event concerning Qingwan's lifelong happiness, so as elders, we naturally have to consider it carefully."

"Consider carefully?" Chen Youming sneered, "If you were truly considering carefully, why did you proactively propose it in the first place?

Now, seeing a rogue Cultivator with Three Spiritual Roots take out something, you're wavering. What is this supposed to be?"

He turned his head to look at Jiancang, "Jiancang, our Chen Family's betrothal gift has been delivered. If the Meng Family does not cherish this friendship, we do not need to force it.

However..."

Chen Youming did not explicitly state his meaning, but the unspoken implication was revealed between the lines.

Hearing this, the black-clothed Cultivator's expression also changed slightly. He was merely a rogue Cultivator; how could he possibly contend with a behemoth like the Chen Family?

What did Three Spiritual Root talent matter? Such talent was not even worth mentioning in the Chen Family.

At this moment, Meng Changxiu's face alternated between pale and red. As a Foundation Establishment cultivator and clan head, being questioned like this by Chen Youming made him feel his authority was completely lost. However, he also knew deeply that if the Chen Family really made a big deal out of this, his Meng Family would definitely suffer significant losses. Most importantly, if that were truly the case, they would also lose the Chen Family's friendship.

He forcefully suppressed the displeasure in his heart, took a deep breath, and said: "Brother Youming, this matter is indeed due to my Meng Family's insufficient consideration. I hope you can be magnanimous.

It's just that the future of the Family is of great importance, and as clan head, I have to consider the Meng Family's century-long foundation."

"Hehe, since when did a Foundation Establishment Family's century-long foundation need to be maintained by a female Family member?"

Hearing this, Chen Youming couldn't help but let out a cold laugh and continued: "Clan Head Meng, could it be that a rogue Cultivator with Three Spiritual Root talent can maintain your Meng Family's foundation?"

As he spoke, Chen Youming cast his gaze towards the black-clothed Cultivator.