52: Wang's marriage proposal

Seeing that she couldn't stay peacefully in the training grounds, Nan Qiao directly took Xun Xiuyuan and left.

On her way to her grandfather's residence, Nan Qiao saw the head of the Chen Family from Jiaolong City enter the back courtyard where the Old Ancestor was in seclusion.

Nan Qiao had never been very concerned about these matters, so she merely glanced over them.

Upon arriving at Xie Yunzhou's residence, Nan Qiao didn't knock, but pushed the door open and walked straight in.

Xie Yunzhou was meditating, and seeing Nan Qiao and Xun Xiuyuan arrive, he didn't blame Nan Qiao in the slightest for not knocking.

Instead, he said with a beaming smile, "It's only been a few days, and you're already in the Innate Realm. My Nan Qiao is truly amazing."

Nan Qiao immediately became smug: "Everyone says how difficult it is for a Martial King to advance to the Innate Realm, but I found it as easy as drinking water. I just woke up from a nap and I was Innate."

She wasn't exaggerating. When Nan Qiao's mental power reached 499, she didn't feel any bottleneck at all. She woke up from a nap and her mental power had broken through 500, advancing her to the Innate Realm.

Xie Yunzhou immediately played along: "Of course, Little Nan Qiao is amazing. How can ordinary geniuses compare to her?"

It was no wonder the whole family doted on Nan Qiao. The Old Ancestor had once said that if anyone in the Xie Family was most likely to advance to the Shattering Void Realm in the future, it would be Nan Qiao first, even Xie Yunzhou ranked second, let alone the other Po Kong Realm experts.

Nan Qiao suddenly remembered the Chen Family head from earlier and casually asked, "I just saw Uncle Chen Xuanfeng go to the Old Ancestor's courtyard. The Chen Family is quite respectful for this birthday celebration, with the family head coming personally."

Upon hearing Nan Qiao's words, Xie Yunzhou's expression changed, and he said sternly, "Nan Qiao, Chen Xuanfeng's visit to Qianlong City is confidential. You must not speak carelessly about it, do you understand?"

"He won't be attending the birthday celebration. He'll leave early. The birthday celebration will still be handled by the Chen Family's younger generation."

Nan Qiao immediately understood that something was definitely going on and quickly said, "I understand, Grandpa."

Xie Yunzhou then smiled again: "Why aren't you and Xun Xiuyuan playing with the younger generation in the training grounds? What are you doing at this old man's place?"

Nan Qiao immediately slumped her face and directly recounted what had happened earlier in the training grounds.

Finally, she said, "If Xiuyuan and I stay at the Fortress any longer, who knows what else will happen? Grandpa, is the Wang Family's marriage proposal real?"

After listening to Nan Qiao's description, Xie Yunzhou pondered for a moment: "I don't know about the Wang Family's marriage proposal yet. If the Wang Family Ancestor comes to propose, it will indeed be difficult to refuse. As for Lu Wei's matter, don't worry about it. I will go and communicate with the Lu Family. That ignorant fellow, he doesn't even know what to say in what setting."

After speaking, Xie Yunzhou said again, "Then you two rest here for a while. There isn't much time left until the birthday celebration anyway. You can come with me later."

Nan Qiao and Xun Xiuyuan both nodded in agreement.

Soon, it was time for the birthday celebration, and Old Ancestor Xie was already waiting in the main hall.

Nan Qiao, with Xun Xiuyuan, followed Xie Yunzhou into the main hall.

First, Xie Yunzhou's generation collectively offered birthday wishes. The process was simple, with all three Po Kong Realm experts of the Xie Family making an appearance, led by Xie Yunzhou.

Next was the new generation of Xie Shan's lineage, many of them, dozens of people, mostly Transcendent, but also some Immaculate and Innate, as their cultivation aptitudes varied, so their cultivation levels were naturally uneven.

Finally, the juniors from various factions offered their birthday wishes and gifts.

Wang Junyan of the Wang Family stepped forward with large strides. After all, among the juniors offering birthday wishes, Wang Junyan had the highest cultivation. He presented a birthday gift, a top-tier ninth-grade longsword.

All the major families knew that Old Ancestor Xie was quite fond of various weapons, so those offering gifts naturally catered to his preference. The Wang Family's gift was already quite impressive, as a top-tier ninth-grade weapon was essentially the pinnacle of human weaponry.

It was at this moment that Xun Xiuyuan realized the grade of his own Transcendent Realm peak weapon. He had always thought that Po Kong Realm experts naturally used Po Kong Realm weapons.

In reality, this was not the case. Due to scarce materials and success rate issues, Po Kong Realm weapons did exist, but they were extremely rare, let alone Shattering Void-level weapons.

The Wang Family's gift drew a chorus of admiration. A top-tier ninth-grade weapon was truly a grand gesture, and no one knew which master had created it.

Subsequently, the juniors from the Lu Family, Ling Family, Lu Family, Chen Family, Wen Family, Cui Family, and Yang Family all presented their birthday gifts, but the most stunning was still the Wang Family's top-tier ninth-grade longsword.

The junior disciples of the Xie Family also stepped forward to present their birthday gifts, following the order of seniority, so Nan Qiao and Xun Xiuyuan were quite far back in line.

At this time, seeing the birthday gifts presented by the Xie Family disciples, the surrounding juniors discussed animatedly.

"I thought the Xie Family disciples would present some outstanding treasures. So far, the best has only been Transcendent Realm materials, which are simply incomparable to the Wang Family's top-tier ninth-grade longsword."

"Wang Junyan of the Wang Family said earlier in the training grounds that he wanted to propose marriage to Xie Nan Qiao of the Xie Family, so of course, the birthday gift couldn't be casual."

"Oh, really? I arrived late. This is a strong alliance! Wang Junyan is already Transcendent, and I heard that Nan Qiao has also advanced to Innate. Innate before twenty, what a truly handsome couple, both with extraordinary aptitudes!"

"However, I think it's risky. The rising young hero of the Qianlong Army, Xun Xiuyuan, is the man Nan Qiao favors. I heard that the Legion Commander of the Qianlong Army has already agreed to this matter."

"More than that, Xun Xiuyuan is a commander at Fortress 100. I heard from a friend that Nan Qiao moved in with him a long time ago."

"Already living together? But for a genius like Nan Qiao, being a bit unconventional is normal."

Because the Xie Family disciples' birthday gifts were not particularly grand, the surrounding discussions buzzed.

Xun Xiuyuan looked at Old Ancestor Xie seated above. He knew from Nan Qiao that Old Ancestor Xie, Xie An, was a Shattering Void Realm expert, the only one in the Xie Family.

He had short hair and a tall stature. Even sitting there, one could feel a powerful aura emanating from him. His muscular body was wrapped in clothes, yet one could still feel the explosive muscles. He appeared middle-aged, but today was his three hundredth birthday.

Just as Nan Qiao and Xun Xiuyuan were about to step forward to offer their birthday wishes, a hearty laugh echoed through the air.

"Brother Xie! Happy birthday! Your younger brother has specially rushed here to wish you a long life!"

After speaking, a portal-like halo appeared in the hall, and a majestic figure walked out of it.

Ignoring the spatial distance, he appeared directly on the scene, at least an expert of the Po Kong Realm.

Xie An stood up and laughed heartily, "So it's Brother Wang! To personally come and wish me a long life, you're too kind, too kind!"

Wang Yonghua, who was the Wang Family Ancestor, a Shattering Void Realm expert.

Wang Yonghua also smiled and said, "Today is Brother Xie's birthday banquet. I'm here to add more joy to Brother Xie's celebration."

Xie An showed no emotion after hearing this, and happily said, "Oh, adding more joy, good, good, good! Brother Wang, please tell me, how will you add more joy?"

Wang Yonghua pointed at Wang Junyan: "Wang Junyan, the outstanding talent of my Wang Family's younger generation, is in the Transcendent Realm and is not yet forty years old. I would like to ask Brother Xie for a marriage alliance, to help this excellent junior of mine find a good wife."

Xie An immediately understood that this was a proposal for a marriage alliance with the Xie Family.

"I wonder which female prodigy of my Xie Family Brother Wang has taken a liking to?"

Wang Yonghua laughed heartily, "Brother Xie, it's none other than Xie Nan Qiao of the Xie Family's direct lineage. Junyan has admired Nan Qiao for a long time, but she was still young then. Now, Nan Qiao is almost twenty, which is just right."