145: I'll take good care of your daughter.

Lin Feng followed Sect Leader Wang and his wife through the mountain valley.

His gaze swept across the surroundings, and the female Disciples coming and going, upon seeing the Sect Leader and his wife, stopped in their tracks, bowed in salute, and spoke with a touch of tenderness, their eyes occasionally glancing at him, the unfamiliar Core Formation Cultivator.

Wang Heng seemed accustomed to this, merely nodding with a smile.

Zhou Yuan, walking beside Wang Heng, took somewhat slower steps, and her figure appeared a bit more plump than that of an ordinary female Cultivator.

After only a few steps, she would unconsciously raise her hand and gently caress her lower abdomen.

The movement was gentle and natural.

Lin Feng understood.

It seemed he had arrived at just the right time.

Purple Spirit was currently safely gestating within the womb of this Madam Wang.

Soon, the three arrived before an elegant pavilion.

"Fellow Daoist, please come in," Wang Heng said warmly, gesturing with his hand.

Entering a quiet private room within the pavilion, after the host and guests were seated, Madam Wang called out towards the door.

"Jingmei, bring tea for our distinguished guest."

Lin Feng's heart stirred, and his gaze turned towards the doorway.

The bamboo curtain was gently lifted by a fair hand, and a young girl in a pale purple long dress entered, carrying a tea tray with her head bowed.

She looked to be about fifteen or sixteen years old, her figure already possessing some of a young girl's grace, her melon-seed face still somewhat youthful, yet her brows and eyes already exuded a naturally alluring charm.

It was none other than Fan Jingmei, who would later become the Myriad Sound Sect's Left Emissary, one of Purple Spirit's right-hand women.

Fan Jingmei placed the three cups of spiritual tea on the table in order, her movements skilled, never once raising her head throughout, and then prepared to bow and withdraw.

"Fellow Daoist, have you taken a liking to Jingmei?"

Zhou Yuan's gentle voice sounded; she had noticed Lin Feng's gaze lingering on Fan Jingmei.

Lin Feng withdrew his gaze and looked at Zhou Yuan, only to see a meaningful smile on her face.

"This girl was raised by my own hands; her temperament is gentle, and she is quite sensible. If Fellow Daoist does not mind, this concubine can make the decision to have her stay by Fellow Daoist's side in the future to serve your daily needs."

These words were direct but not vulgar.

Lin Feng was slightly startled, then immediately understood her meaning.

This was a test, and also a show of goodwill.

He had already planned to stay in the Myriad Sound Sect until Purple Spirit was born.

If he could take in Fan Jingmei, it would not only better conceal his true intentions but also quickly gain the trust of this couple and draw them closer.

Thinking of this, Lin Feng showed a smile on his face and cupped his hands towards Zhou Yuan.

"Madam's kindness, I would be rude to refuse."

Wang Heng and Zhou Yuan exchanged glances, both seeing undisguised joy in each other's eyes.

It's done!

A Core Formation Cultivator had been so easily brought over.

"That Fellow Daoist is willing to show us face is the Myriad Sound Sect's honor!" Wang Heng laughed heartily, in an excellent mood.

He quickly said, "Since Fellow Daoist is a Guest Elder of my Myriad Sound Sect, you need not handle any mundane affairs on a daily basis; you only need to have your name registered with the Sect. Should my Myriad Sound Sect truly encounter a catastrophe, Fellow Daoist may also leave on your own; you will absolutely not be implicated!"

These words were spoken with utmost sincerity, putting on an extremely humble stance.

"May I ask Fellow Daoist's name?"

Lin Feng nodded, cupped his hands, and said, "I am Qinglian Hermit, new to the Inner Sea and unfamiliar with the place. I hope Sect Leader Wang will look after me in the future."

"Brother Qinglian, you are too polite!" Wang Heng also returned the salute with a smile, his form of address already changed, "Tonight, I will host a banquet to welcome you, brother. We won't stop until we're drunk!"

...

That night, the Myriad Sound Sect's main hall was brightly lit.

A banquet was specially arranged for Lin Feng.

During the feast, Wang Heng frequently raised his cup, clinking glasses with Lin Feng.

Lin Feng also accepted every toast, his demeanor and conduct during conversation showing both the bearing of a master and a friendly approach, which made Wang Heng feel even more congenial.

After a few cups of spiritual wine, Wang Heng's chatterbox completely opened up.

He held his wine cup, a hint of intoxication on his face, but his eyes were very complex.

"Brother Qinglian, forgive my bluntness, but my Myriad Sound Sect's reputation in the Inner Sea is truly not very good."

Lin Feng listened quietly, without interrupting.

"They all say that my Myriad Sound Sect only produces Foundation Establishment female Cultivators who rely on connections to powerful individuals to gain a foothold in this Inner Sea."

Wang Heng gave a self-deprecating laugh, then took another gulp of wine.

"What they say isn't entirely wrong. Most of my Sect's Disciples have ordinary Aptitude. If not for that, how else could we exchange for Cultivation resources and preserve this foundation?"

His voice carried a deep sense of helplessness.

"These past few years, it's all thanks to me having a nominal position as a special envoy in the Star Palace that I've barely been able to maintain order. But which of those large Sects has ever truly looked at Wang Heng? Looked at my Myriad Sound Sect?"

"You, Brother, are the first Core Formation Fellow Daoist who is willing to treat me as an equal and even join my Myriad Sound Sect!"

At this point, Wang Heng's eyes even became a little red.

He heavily placed his wine cup on the table, let out a long sigh, and his gaze turned towards outside the hall, where Zhou Yuan was slowly strolling, holding her waist, accompanied by a maidservant.

His eyes instantly became incredibly tender, but then were immediately replaced by deep worry.

"Alas, now that my wife and I are here, we can barely manage. But Yuan'er... she is pregnant, and I will soon have a daughter."

Lin Feng finally became interested; he put down his wine cup and looked at Wang Heng.

Wang Heng did not notice, continuing to speak to himself, "I only hope my daughter can live a good life... But when I think of her being born into this Myriad Sound Sect, my heart aches as if being cut by a knife."

"If one day, I, Wang Heng, encounter some accident..."

He suddenly turned his head, grasping Lin Feng's hand, his eyes full of pleading.

"Brother Qinglian, if that day truly comes, please... please, for the sake of this cup of wine today, extend a helping hand to my child!"

Lin Feng looked at his bloodshot eyes and felt the strength coming from his palm.

He did not withdraw his hand, but instead nodded solemnly.

"Sect Leader Wang, you overstate it."

His voice was calm, yet carried a sincerity.

"Your daughter, I will naturally do my best to take good care of her."

Upon hearing this, Wang Heng was completely stunned.

He had originally thought this was just polite talk at the wine table, to be heard and then dismissed.

But Lin Feng's eyes were clear and firm, and his words were spoken decisively, without the slightest perfunctory tone.

It was a heartfelt promise.

A warm current suddenly surged from the bottom of his heart, and Wang Heng was overcome with emotion. He threw an arm around Lin Feng's shoulder and exclaimed:

"Good! Brother Qinglian! I truly feel like we're old friends at first sight!"

"Come! Today, we must drink until we drop!"

Outside the hall door, the night wind was slightly cool.

Zhou Yuan heard the conversation inside the hall clearly.

She looked at the two men inside, arms around each other's shoulders, and gently caressed her bulging lower abdomen, unable to help but smile.