Divine-level Base

Chapter 318 - 317: Matchmaking

A dazzling display showed a spacious garden where dozens of stunning beauties, each with her own unique charm, were seated.

Among the dozens of women, some were cold and noble, some delicate and cute, some innocent and pure, and others sultry and flirtatious. Any one of them would have been considered the most beautiful girl on campus at any university on Blue Star.

Plenty among them even surpassed Zhong Jietong in looks and bearing.

The Zhu Clan possessed countless precious Spiritual Medicines and Cultivation Secret Techniques that could enhance one’s appearance. As a result, the children of the Zhu Clan were generally very attractive. Besides, any woman who wasn’t beautiful enough would never have been included among Shu Feng’s potential marriage candidates.

Shu Feng’s brow furrowed slightly. ’They’re playing hardball!! Is it war if we don’t agree to the marriage alliance? With Zhu Yan making a personal appearance, there’s no room for negotiation left.’

Until now, Shu Feng’s struggles against the Zhu Clan had been mere skirmishes to a behemoth like them. Even losses in the trillions were just a painful sting, nothing more.

But with a Half-Saint from the Zhu Clan making a personal appearance, there was no longer any room to maneuver. If Shu Feng refused, it would mean all-out war. And he wasn’t ready for an all-out war with the Zhu Clan.

"Fine! I choose her! However, if she already has a sweetheart or has no interest in me, then let’s call it off. I’d rather not bring her home only to end up damaging the relationship between our two families."

After a moment’s hesitation, Shu Feng pointed toward Zhu Chenyu.

"Chen Yu? Shu Feng, have you thought this through? Chen Yu’s Cultivation Talent is too poor. She could be your concubine, but the girl is proud and has made it clear she’ll never be a concubine to anyone. If you marry her, you’ll have to give her the position of an equal wife, at the very least."

"Why not marry her instead? This is my fourth daughter, Xiao Xiao. She is gentle and lovely, with high Cultivation Talent. She’s already at the Great Spirit Master Level, and advancing to the Spirit Sect will be effortless for her."

Zhu Guangsheng frowned slightly, pointing to an extremely beautiful woman who was tall and slender with shoulder-length hair, an oval face, gracefully arched brows, and eyes that shone with a bright spirit.

Among the dozens of beauties, only Zhu Xiaoxiao could be considered a fraction less beautiful than Zhu Chenyu in terms of looks and bearing.

Shu Feng said, "Zhu Chenyu is a good choice."

Zhu Yan said, "Then Chen Yu it is! Bring her over!"

Zhu Guangsheng replied, "Yes, Ancestor!"

「In the garden.」

"I can’t believe the family is making us meet with Shu Feng. The Patriarch of a mere Ninth-Grade Noble Family is making all of us wait for him. How infuriating."

"People from Minor Noble Families are so unsophisticated, let me tell you. Last time, at a banquet, a close friend’s fiancé actually ate the flesh of a Flame Pipa. It was hysterical. The most valuable part of a Flame Pipa is the seed in its core. He ate the flesh and burned his mouth. I nearly died laughing."

"I know, right? It would be mortifying to marry someone from one of those Minor Noble Families. When I marry, it will be into a First-Grade Noble Family."

"..."

Seven or eight of the Zhu Clan beauties gathered, gossiping among themselves, their words full of disdain for Shu Feng.

A sneer flashed in the eyes of Zhu Ling, a petite and delicate beauty whose full chest strained against her clothes. ’What a bunch of fools! If Shu Feng isn’t killed, his future is limitless. He might even become a Spirit Saint and found a new Clan. He’s the most outstanding of the younger generation in the Qianyuan Republic. Jiang Chao, Li Xuan Yi, and Mu Tianlong are nothing compared to him. These girls have no foresight at all.’ She then chuckled and said, "A young prodigy like Shu Feng... Only a heaven-blessed talent like you, Sister Xiao Xiao, is worthy of a marriage alliance with him."

Zhu Xiaoxiao replied with a gentle smile, "And what about Sister Binglan?"

Zhu Ling chuckled. "Sister Binglan already has a sweetheart. Given Shu Feng’s personality, he would never choose her. Other than Sister Binglan, you’re the most outstanding in the entire Zhu Family, Sister Xiao Xiao. When you’ve made it big in the future, don’t forget your little sister."

Zhu Xiaoxiao’s gaze shifted, landing on Zhu Chenyu, who was quietly reading a book with an ethereal air about her.

In the entire garden, only Zhu Chenyu could be said to surpass Zhu Xiaoxiao, if only by a fraction, in terms of looks and bearing.

Zhu Ling glanced at Zhu Chenyu and said, "Her? Sister Xiao Xiao, you don’t have to worry about her! She’s just an illegitimate daughter with poor Cultivation Talent. There’s no way she could become Shu Feng’s principal wife."

In Noble Families and Clans, the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children was strict. The legitimate sons and daughters, born to the principal wife or equal wives, were the favored children who enjoyed all the glory and wealth. In contrast, the illegitimate sons and daughters, born to concubines, dancers, or maids, held a low status within the family.

Only if an illegitimate son or daughter possessed heaven-defying Cultivation Talent could they rise above their station and receive the family’s attention.

Thus, when the great Gate Valve Noble Families formed marriage alliances, they always preferred to marry the legitimate sons and daughters of the other party. It was a matter of prestige.

Zhu Xiaoxiao smiled faintly, thinking to herself, ’Her Cultivation Talent is too poor. She’s not qualified to compete with me.’

The great Gate Valve Noble Families also considered a candidate’s Cultivation Talent in marriage alliances. After all, the purpose was to produce stronger descendants. It was common knowledge that two powerhouses with outstanding talent were more likely to have children with equally impressive potential.

Just then, a beautiful woman named Zhou Li, dressed in a smart business uniform, stepped into the garden. Instantly, all eyes were drawn to her.

Shu Feng, Patriarch of the Yuanhai Shu Family, was arguably the most outstanding young man the Qianyuan Republic had seen in a decade. He was a promising candidate for becoming a future Spirit Saint. Very few of the women in this garden would refuse the chance to marry him.

Zhou Li said, "Miss Chen Yu, please come with me."

"Why her?"

"Not Xiao Xiao?"

"How could it be her?"

"..."

Shocked gazes fell upon Zhu Chenyu. None of the noble young ladies of the Zhu Clan had expected her to be the one to get this opportunity.

A look of utter disbelief flashed in Zhu Xiaoxiao’s eyes. ’How could it be her? She’s just a mere illegitimate daughter, how can she compare to me? Is Shu Feng blind? Why would he choose her?’

Amidst a sea of envious and jealous stares, Zhu Chenyu walked out of the garden and followed Zhou Li to the pavilion.

"Greetings, Ancestor. Greetings, Patriarch."

As soon as Zhu Chenyu entered the pavilion, she bowed politely to Zhu Yan and Zhu Guangsheng.

Zhu Guangsheng smiled gently. "Chen Yu, call me Father from now on. ’Patriarch’ is too formal between us."

Zhu Chenyu replied obediently, "Yes, Father."

Zhu Yan asked, "Chen Yu, do you have a sweetheart?"

Zhu Chenyu replied, "To answer the Ancestor, I do not have one at present."

Zhu Yan smiled faintly, gesturing to Shu Feng beside them. "Then what do you think of Patriarch Shu? Are you willing to marry him?"