Inside a simple landscape pavilion.

Jiang Man sat there, waiting quietly.

Beside him sat Ji Hao.

From here, one could see the mountain ranges outside. The view was quite nice.

The scenery of the Inner Sect was even better than outside.

Even more vast.

"Someone’s here," Ji Hao said.

Soon, an elegant figure wearing a white veil appeared in the pavilion.

She looked at Jiang Man in silence for a moment before bowing to Ji Hao.

"There’s no need for that. I’m just here as a witness today. You two go ahead and talk. Say whatever you want, and don’t mind me, regardless of your attitude," Ji Hao said with a smile. "This is ultimately a matter between the two of you. It would be for the best if it works out, but it’s no big deal if it doesn’t.

"Of course, it’s probably best if you don’t start fighting.

"After all, he’s not your match yet.

"I will step in to stop you."

Hearing this, Ji Shuying nodded slightly.

She looked at Jiang Man and said softly, "I am from the Ji Family’s Direct Lineage, Ji Shuying."

"Outer Sect disciple, Jiang Man," Jiang Man replied honestly.

At this, Ji Shuying looked around and asked, "Did Young Master Jiang choose this place?"

"I did," Jiang Man nodded.

’This place is great,’ he thought.

’It’s convenient for the trip back, too.’

’I’ll get the Spiritual Source, meet the person, and that should be it.’

’It’s right on the way.’

Ji Shuying looked at Jiang Man calmly, her red lips parting slightly as she spoke, "Young Master Ji had us meet with you as soon as we arrived, and we had no objection to that.

"But isn’t the place Young Master Jiang chose a little... crude?

"It feels a bit disrespectful."

Jiang Man was silent for a moment, then said, "It is a bit crude. My mistake. How about we switch?"

Ji Shuying nodded slightly.

Jiang Man looked at Ji Hao and said, "Let’s switch."

Ji Hao was taken aback. "Switch?"

Jiang Man nodded. "Switch."

「A short while later.」

Ji Zhixia was sitting across from Jiang Man.

Ji Shuying had been asked to leave.

He’d switched to someone who didn’t find the place crude.

Jiang Man looked at Ji Zhixia and asked, "Do you think this place is crude?"

"Not at all. With the mountains and the water, I think this place is wonderful," Ji Zhixia said with a beaming smile.

She looked at Jiang Man. "So you’re the one the family thinks so highly of? I heard that whoever marries you will receive the family’s priority grooming.

"But it seems you’ll have to marry into my family.

"By marrying in, you’ll gain more resources. Even in the worst-case scenario, you’ll still end up in charge of your own territory.

"Logically speaking, you should be trying to win my favor.

"For instance, by pouring me a cup of fine tea, not this plain boiled water."

"You don’t like plain boiled water?" Jiang Man turned his head to look at Ji Hao.

"Switch?" Ji Hao asked.

Jiang Man nodded. "Switch."

「A short while later.」

Ji Rou sat down in front of Jiang Man.

She was holding a book and nodded at Jiang Man. "Hello. If you’re willing to marry me, then I’m willing to be wed.

"However, there are many matters I will not involve myself in.

"I won’t cause you any trouble.

"But I love to read, so I hope you can help me collect some books."

"Would an ordinary book like this do?" Jiang Man took out a Qi Refining Technique Manual.

She shook her head slightly.

’It’s too common.’

’Completely useless to me.’

Jiang Man looked at Ji Hao.

Ji Hao nodded. "Switch."

「A short while later.」

Ji Suyue sat down, a dazed look on her face.

’Fast. Too fast.’

’I was called over before I could even process what was happening.’

’What happened with the previous candidates? How could their talks have ended so quickly?’

’Did they start fighting and get eliminated?’

’But they all seem to be nearby; they haven’t gone far.’

’And there are no signs of a fight here, either.’

’So, why?’

"My lady," Ji Suyue’s Maid immediately reminded her not to get lost in thought.

Only then did she snap out of it and ask Jiang Man if he would agree to her participating in military campaigns in the future.

Her heart was set on going to war.

She wanted to wipe out all Evil Demons and Outsiders.

Jiang Man shook his head.

Ji Suyue looked a little crestfallen. "If you’re not willing, that’s fine. I’ll naturally stay at home. But I enjoy forging armor.

"The clothes you’re wearing are rather plain.

"Could I help you change into a new set?"

Instantly, as if a keyword had been triggered, Ji Hao looked at Jiang Man and asked, "Switch?"

"Switch," Jiang Man also nodded subconsciously.

It was pure habit at this point.

Ji Suyue froze, not understanding what the two of them meant.

’Do they mean they agree to let me get him a new set of armor?’

「Elsewhere.」

Qing Dai was still asking her lady for her thoughts.

Then she noticed Ji Zhixia being called away.

Then Ji Rou was called away as well.

Not long after, the same happened to Ji Suyue.

They were all dismissed so quickly that Qing Dai found it baffling.

"My lady, what do you think happened? Why were they sent out so fast?" Qing Dai felt a meeting shouldn’t be over this quickly.

Normally, it should have been her lady’s turn after nightfall.

But how much time had passed?

They had barely sat down before being sent out one after another.

Sure enough, a message arrived, just as expected.

Qing Dai received it and said, "My lady, the new prodigy asks for you."

"Is it my turn?" Meng Qiewei asked softly.

Qing Dai nodded. "Yes, but this feels strange. It’s too fast. I’ve never seen a marriage meeting proceed so quickly.

"It’s as if there’s no attempt to get to know each other.

"Just one meeting, and then on to the next.

"The first two were from the Direct Lineage. Could he have rejected even them outright?"

She thought it was highly unlikely.

"It is rather strange," Meng Qiewei said, rising slowly.

TING-A-LING!

The crisp chime of a Silver Bell rang out.

She strode outside. "I’ll know once I see for myself."

Qing Dai nodded.

’That’s true.’

’I didn’t expect things to be this interesting right after she came out.’

’If these people just stuck to convention, it wouldn’t be interesting at all.’

’Of course, no matter how interesting things get, he can’t offend my lady, or he’ll be in big trouble.’

’Whether my lady chooses to cooperate is also key.’

’If my lady decides she’s had enough, or if he says something insolent...’

’Then it’ll all be over,’ she thought.