Meng Changhong didn’t dare block with his True Essence, afraid he might kill the old woman with the impact. She was his own mother, and a Foundation Establishment Cultivator on top of that, just one whose lifespan was running short.

TAP TAP TAP!

Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps could be heard.

SWISH!

Everyone’s gazes immediately shot over.

"Ah Fu, you’ve been with the family a long time. You should know the rules!"

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator frowned.

"Patriarch, Elders!"

Uncle Fu bowed slightly. "The Eldest Young Miss has returned, and Valley Master Chen has come as well."

One of the Major Cultivators, his face etched with impatience, was about to berate him. But upon hearing the second half of the sentence, his expression changed in an instant. ’Chen Che is here?’

"Show him in!"

The gloom on Meng Changtu’s face vanished as his eyes swept across the room.

The Major Cultivators, who had just been arguing and reprimanding, immediately straightened their postures. Some even managed to squeeze out a smile.

It was one thing for family to squabble behind closed doors, but they couldn’t show such a face to an outsider. It was like a couple fighting; they had to shut the door. If a guest arrived, they had to call an immediate truce. A stony expression would only suggest a lack of hospitality.

The distance of several hundred yards was covered in just a few breaths.

A perfect pair strolled into view.

It was none other than Chen Che and Meng Qingxuan.

"Nephew, how did you find the time to visit today?"

Meng Changtu’s face lit up with delight.

"There have been many matters to attend to in the Valley, and I haven’t been able to get away. I made a special trip to visit today."

Chen Che cupped his hands in salute to everyone present.

"Greetings, Uncle, and all other Uncles!"

"No need for formalities. Uncle Fu, show Valley Master Chen to a seat and brew a pot of Spirit Tea."

A bearded elder quickly waved his hand dismissively, then turned to Chen Che with a beaming smile. "Nephew, has Jinyun Valley been well? I heard that you’ve recruited a Fifth-tier Tributor at the Foundation Establishment realm. Forgive my meddling, but you must be extra cautious with cultivators of unknown origin!"

"I wasn’t present for Changtu’s birthday celebration, so I missed the chance to meet you. Seeing you now, you are indeed extraordinary. You and Meng Qingxuan are truly a perfect match of talent and beauty!"

"So young and promising, reaching Foundation Establishment before you’re even twenty! Perhaps I’ll live to see the birth of a new Golden Core True Master. Jinyun Valley is truly a blessed land, producing such outstanding individuals!"

Meng Changhong rolled his eyes.

’It was his mother who had called Jinyun Valley a poor, remote backwater.’

’And it was his mother calling it a blessed land now, too.’

For a moment, the hall was filled with nonstop praise.

Chen Che found it all rather amusing.

’He had originally thought these uncles and elders would scold him, pull rank on him, or make a few passive-aggressive remarks. He never imagined it would be nothing but praise.’

’Then again, Cultivation wasn’t just about fighting and killing. There were also worldly wisdom and social etiquette to consider.’

Chen Che smiled and responded to each of them in turn.

"By the way, I’ve also brought a small gift to show my respect, Uncle. Qingxuan!"

Meng Qingxuan looked a little reluctant, but she still took out two Storage Pouches and handed them to Meng Changtu. Meng Changtu found it amusing. ’His own daughter’s elbow was already bending outwards. His son-in-law was being generous and filial, so what was wrong with accepting a little gift?’

But after a quick sweep with his Divine Sense, he abruptly pulled his hand back and shook his head.

"This is too valuable. I cannot accept it."

Everyone was rather surprised.

’Are this father- and son-in-law putting on a show?’

However, they were not Meng Changtu. As curious as they were about Chen Che’s so-called "humble gift," it would be improper for them to investigate with their Divine Sense.

"You’ve helped me so much, Uncle. This is the least I can do."

Chen Che swept his gaze across the room with a faint, unreadable smile and simply emptied the contents of the Storage Pouches.

In an instant.

Piles of Spirit Stones and Pills filled the spacious hall.

"Too valuable!"

"Nephew, you can’t. Jinyun Valley has only just been established..."

"Oh my, this is too..."

After a moment of stunned silence, the hall erupted into an uproar. The sheer scale of Chen Che’s generosity was far beyond their imagination.

All told, these Pills and Spirit Stones were worth several years of the Meng Family’s surplus.

"Sigh!"

Meng Changtu slapped the arm of his chair, his expression complex.

"This is truly too valuable!"

He truly hadn’t expected anything in return, but Chen Che’s gesture was incredibly heartwarming. It not only gave him face but also proved that his judgment of the young man had been correct.

Just as he was about to persuade Chen Che to take it back, he heard Chen Che continue.

"In addition, I’ve prepared a special gift for you, Uncle."

"There’s more?"

Everyone looked over.

With a flip of Chen Che’s right hand, a Beast Sleep Stone appeared in his palm.

Coiled within the amber-like crystal was an entirely crimson Snake Demon with wings sprouting from its back. Even in its dormant state, its fiery Demon Essence swirled slowly, making it look incredibly mystical.

"A Blood Feather Snake? Is this the one from the Dragon Cave?"

"Nephew, you managed to capture even that?"

Everyone was utterly astonished.

"It was a fortunate coincidence. Mostly just luck."

Chen Che said with a chuckle.

Everyone present was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. If Chen Che had bragged about fighting for three hundred rounds to capture the Blood Feather Snake, they would have found it incredibly dull. But because he was so casual about it, they all assumed he was just being modest.

Meng Changtu, in particular, was convinced that Chen Che simply didn’t like to show off.

"It really is a Blood Feather Snake!"

The Beast Sleep Stone had only just reached Meng Changtu’s hand when the old matriarch snatched it away. Her eyes were glazed over as she stared at it for a long moment before finally confirming:

"This is a Great Demon of the Fifth Layer!"

"It really is..."

"Capturing it must have taken quite a bit of effort!"

"This gift from Valley Master Chen is truly far too valuable."

Several Major Cultivators passed it around, examining it one after another.

The Meng Family had coveted it for a long time, but the Blood Feather Snake was too cunning. If a large group tried to besiege it, it would flee immediately. But a smaller group simply couldn’t catch it.

"What are you still looking at?!"

Meng Changtu snapped, "Give it back to me!"

This was a gift from his son-in-law. He would absolutely not allow anyone else to take it, and decisively snatched the Blood Feather Snake back.

Chen Che let out a soft breath.

The corners of Chen Che’s mouth lifted slightly.

’He could feel their gazes growing warmer, their smiles more affable.’

As the saying goes:

When you have money and power, you’re surrounded by good people.

"Nephew, you’ve traveled a long way. You must be tired."

Now in a great mood, Meng Changtu gave an order: "Uncle Fu, take Valley Master Chen to the rear courtyard. I’ll be there shortly."

"This way."

Uncle Fu turned.

"Mm-hm."

Chen Che nodded and followed.

The moment the trio left, the previously reserved crowd instantly burst into a clamor.

"Three thousand Spirit Stones! How many Spirit Beasts would we have to sell to earn that much..."

"Nine bottles of Celestial Spirit Pills! If I’d had pills like that back in the day, I might have already achieved Core Formation! How could I have wasted over a century to only reach the Fourth Layer of Foundation Establishment?"

"Changtu, I’m your second aunt! You have to spare a bottle for me!"

"This was a gift from my son-in-law..."

Seated at the head of the hall, Meng Changtu simply raised a hand, sweeping all the Pills and Spirit Stones into his Storage Ring. His gaze swept across the room. "Right, where were we in our little family meeting? I vaguely recall some of you uncles and elders saying something about me helping an outsider?"

"Is a son-in-law an outsider now?"

Lifting his teacup and taking a small sip, Meng Changtu spoke in a slow, deliberate tone.

"Please, continue. I’m listening."

...

Fuyun Mountain was divided into three main areas.

The Beast Garden at the summit.

The Lower Foot Market.

And in the mountains, the compound of the Meng Family Main Race.

Generally, anyone not of the Meng family name would only be lodged at the foot of the mountain. There were special guest quarters there, a rule that applied even to Foundation Establishment Cultivators.

However, Uncle Fu arranged for Chen Che to stay within the main compound, in an elegant courtyard home.

"Not bad."

Chen Che looked around and was satisfied.

He judged a residence by only two standards:

First, Spiritual Qi.

Second, quiet.

’It was just a temporary stop anyway, not his own Cave Mansion.’

In addition, four pretty maids had been arranged to wait on him...

Chen Che took one look and sent them all out.

"Not satisfied, Nephew?"

Meng Changtu strode into the courtyard, beaming, and said in a teasing tone, "As a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, how can you do without a few concubines? Would you like me to find you some others? Or perhaps I should summon all the clan’s eligible women for you to choose from?"

’Where could you find such an understanding father-in-law?’

The corner of Chen Che’s mouth twitched.

Of course.

’He knew it wasn’t uncommon for large clans to use their women to forge marriage alliances.’

"Uncle, my focus is still on the path of cultivation..."

Chen Che coughed and said with a serious expression.

"True enough. Debauchery is harmful. I myself gave up drinking many years ago."

Meng Changtu shook his head. "I’ll accept the Pills and the Blood Feather Snake. I’ve given the Spirit Stones to Qingxuan for her to take back to the valley. I know you wiped out the Han Family and have some resources left over, but do you think running a faction is that easy?"

"Those disciples of yours are money-swallowing beasts; who knows how many years it will take for them to develop."

"Uncle."

Chen Che still wanted to refuse.

"Still calling me Uncle?"

Meng Changtu’s eyes widened in a glare.

"Father-in-law."

Chen Che’s sincere address finally redefined their relationship.

Meng Changtu nodded in satisfaction and said:

"From now on, if there are any problems in the valley, or if you run into any trouble with your Cultivation, just say the word, Che’er."

After chatting for a while.

Chen Che hadn’t forgotten the purpose of his visit, and he took the opportunity to bring up the Golden Core Remnant Soul.

"He was a Golden Core True Master in life, and a Beast Tamer as well?"

Meng Changtu stroked his chin, his brows tightly furrowed. A moment later, a name escaped his lips:

"True Master Chilong?"