Inside the Treasure Hall office.

"Liu Zixuan, I feel it’s better if you don’t bring any gifts," Uncle Zhou said very seriously.

Liu Zixuan scratched his head, "Uncle Zhou, aren’t you just teasing me? As a junior, it’s almost New Year, shouldn’t I bring some gifts?"

Uncle Zhou raised an eyebrow, suddenly slammed the table, and pointed at the gifts on the table, cursing, "Not bringing gifts is teasing you, but bringing these is teasing me!"

"Look at what you’ve brought! Who gives a giant cabbage as a gift?"

"Green food is healthy and environmentally friendly, it’s also good for your health!" Liu Zixuan explained with a shrug.

"Sure, it’s for my health!" Uncle Zhou pulled over the second gift and asked, "Then can you tell me what’s up with these rotten eggs?"

Liu Zixuan puckered his lips, "It really was a misunderstanding. When I bought them, they were fine, but I was so eager to see you that I drove a bit too fast, and they broke on the way!"

Uncle Zhou slapped his forehead, "What kind of son-in-law have I found? Two cabbages and a basket of rotten eggs..."

Liu Zixuan quickly leaned over to help Uncle Zhou sit down, "Why are you angry? I really didn’t have any bad intentions. I just thought, you have money if you need it, treasures if you want them, and you’re not lacking anything else, so I brought something practical."

"Hmm, cabbages are practical indeed!" Uncle Zhou was almost driven mad by this guy.

"Are you really mad?" Liu Zixuan glanced at Uncle Zhou’s expression, probing.

"I’m not mad at you; I’m mad at myself!" Uncle Zhou cursed, "I must have been such a fool to give my daughter to you!"

"What did I do!" Liu Zixuan asked, not pleased.

"You’re stingy..."

"Hmm?"

Just as Uncle Zhou was about to curse Liu Zixuan, a bank card appeared in front of him, a VIP card from a local bank in Ghost Wood City, which Uncle Zhou knew required a balance of at least ten million to attain.

Uncle Zhou’s eyes glazed over immediately; he snatched the card and quickly smiled, "Haha, that was just a misconception. I’ve suddenly realized how fresh these cabbages are and how unique these eggs are. It’s absolutely right for me to give my daughter to you!"

"That’s more like it!" Liu Zixuan patted Uncle Zhou’s shoulder, "We’re all family, why are we always bickering!"

"Yes, yes, family!" Uncle Zhou muttered, but his eyes couldn’t leave the bank card.

"Uncle Zhou, I’ve put a hundred million in this card. Do you think that’s enough?" Liu Zixuan asked.

"How... how much?" Uncle Zhou’s eyes widened, thinking that having ten million was already quite good.

"A hundred million!"

"Oh my goodness, how much did you actually earn this time!" Uncle Zhou’s mouth twitched fiercely.

But at this point, he suddenly paused, placed the bank card on the table, and started scrutinizing Liu Zixuan up and down.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Liu Zixuan asked, puzzled.

"Something’s not right. Based on your usual behavior, you shouldn’t be so nice to me. There’s no such thing as random favors, tell me, what’s up your sleeve this time!"

Liu Zixuan shook his head and said very seriously, "Uncle Zhou, that’s not fair. It’s natural for the younger generation to show respect for their elders. How could you think I must have some ulterior motive! Moreover, I don’t lack money or beauties now, so why would I come to you with an agenda?"

Uncle Zhou pondered this carefully for a moment, "That’s true, but you’re acting a bit out of the ordinary today, giving gifts and money."

"I’ve been in Ghost Wood City for more than half a year now, and although we joke around a lot, it’s because we’re close, right? To be honest, this period has troubled you quite a bit, and you’ve helped me a lot too, this is really to show my respect!"

Seeing Liu Zixuan so sincere, Uncle Zhou didn’t continue to doubt and picked up the bank card again.

"But... I still hope you can help me out with something!"

Slam!

As Liu Zixuan finished speaking, the bank card fell directly to the ground, and Uncle Zhou cursed, "I just knew this bank card was burning hot!"

Liu Zixuan quickly picked it up and stuffed it into Uncle Zhou’s pocket, "Don’t get the wrong idea, it’s just a small favor."

"Let’s hear it. I’m telling you; don’t try to trick me." Uncle Zhou sat down and said.

Liu Zixuan nodded, his expression turning solemn, "You must have heard about the martial arts tournament and the unification of the Martial Realm."

"Somewhat," Uncle Zhou nodded.

"I’m planning to participate in the tournament after the New Year, but as you know, I’m not alone now; I have many people who matter to me around me. So..."

Upon hearing this, Uncle Zhou immediately said, "So you want me to take care of those girls for you?"

"It’s not just that."

Liu Zixuan slowly shook his head, "I know Ruyan and the others very well. They’ve already learned about the martial arts tournament and the unification of the Martial Realm, so they will surely want to follow me there."

"But as you also understand, both of these matters are filled with dangers. A single misstep could lead to total disaster. I don’t have many people I care about, just them. I don’t want them to get swept into this massive storm, so aside from taking care of them, you must also help keep them in Ghost Wood City, preferably in Lingxiu Village."

Hearing this, Uncle Zhou frowned, no longer wearing a playful expression, "Persuading them to stay while I take care of them is easy, but convincing them not to follow you is indeed a bit difficult."

"I believe you will find a way."

"Don’t rush to flatter me; I can only give it my all, and you shouldn’t have too high expectations of me. After all, this is a matter involving the entire Martial Realm this time, and there are bound to be some who like to play tricks behind your back. If a high-realm martial artist truly comes, I’m afraid I won’t be able to protect them either."

Uncle Zhou said earnestly.

Liu Zixuan nodded and smiled; "Rest assured, as long as you help keep them here, I’ll leave something to protect you. Currently, Ruyan and the others have some realm and cultivation technique foundation, so ordinary martial artists will return empty-handed."

"As long as you know what you’re doing."

Uncle Zhou sighed, "People always say in the Jianghu, you have no control over your own life. I used to think it was just a saying, but looking at you now... it’s indeed true, no control at all."

A peculiar gleam flickered in Liu Zixuan’s eyes, and after a moment, he laughed, "One day, I will ensure that there is nothing in this world that can control me anymore!"