Chapter 538 - 538: Childhood Betrothal

DRIP!

But Jiang Xinghai didn't hesitate. He pricked his fingertip and let a drop of blood fall onto the wooden box.

He decided to trust that Zhao Wenxiang meant him no harm.

Besides, if the man truly was his enemy, he, a late-stage Celestial Destiny Realm cultivator, wouldn't be afraid of someone at the Great Perfection of the Celestial Destiny Realm.

Zhao Wenxiang heard a strange sound from behind him. Without needing to turn around, he could tell what was happening with his Divine Sense.

'This little fellow trusts an old man like me so completely?'

A kindly expression appeared in Zhao Wenxiang's eyes, but he didn't stop walking, continuing on his way.

Jiang Xinghai watched the palm-sized wooden box in his hand. The box had absorbed his drop of blood in an instant.

Faint traces of red light began to emanate from it.

VMMMMMM—

Suddenly, the wooden box began to vibrate violently, as if it were alive.

BANG!

Then, the red light pouring from the box grew more and more intense, until the entire box cracked into a web of fine lines and crumbled into dust.

"This...!"

Jiang Xinghai hadn't expected this scene to unfold before him at all.

But then, he saw a palm-sized storage bag!

The storage bag was deep brown, its surface as smooth as a mirror, and its body was inlaid with silver runes.

Under the sunlight, these runes twinkled with a faint light, like stars dotting an endless night sky.

Jiang Xinghai instinctively reached out and gently touched the runes, as if he could feel the immense power contained within, inspiring a sense of awe.

"This is... a storage bag from the legends, capable of shrinking and storing countless items!"

Jiang Xinghai's eyes burned with excitement, his heart filled with joy. His master, Yao Gu, had a similar storage bag!

None of his fellow disciples owned one, which showed just how precious and rare storage bags were.

'Grandpa actually had a legendary treasure like this? Could he have been a Cultivator too?'

Jiang Xinghai didn't rush to inspect the storage bag. The thought that his grandfather, Jiang Long, possessed a storage bag twenty years ago... how astonishing was that?

'I should open it and see!'

The moment Jiang Xinghai focused his mind to examine it, an ancient and mysterious aura washed over him.

It felt like the sediment of endless ages, yet also like a call from a distant time and space.

The aura emanating from the storage bag instantly immersed him, making him feel as if he were adrift in the thousand-year river of history.

Inside the storage bag, there weren't many items. There were some Fifth Grade or higher Spirit Grass Seeds, some Lower Grade Spirit Stones full of Spiritual Qi, and a few pre-drawn talismans.

These items...

Jiang Xinghai's eyes widened, and for a moment, he was speechless.

He knew the value of these items was far beyond any monetary price. If they were to appear in the Mortal World, they would cause a global sensation!

'I remember Master's storage bag was disguised as a pendant she wore around her neck. I should do the same.'

Jiang Xinghai understood how precious the storage bag was. If he wore it openly, it would inevitably attract prying eyes.

After taking care of everything, Jiang Xinghai strode away.

When he returned to the Zhao Family courtyard, Zhao Wenxiang, Shen Zhengye, and Yu Zhuo were sitting and chatting at a stone table.

Not far away, many members of the Zhao Family were gathering and heading in their direction.

"Elder Zhao!"

Jiang Xinghai hurried over, his heart filled with gratitude and reverence. His gaze toward Zhao Wenxiang was full of admiration and respect.

"Judging by your expression, you've gained quite a lot. Whether the Jiang Family can be rebuilt in the future now rests on your shoulders," Zhao Wenxiang said, looking at Jiang Xinghai with a fond expression.

It was as if he were looking at his own grandson.

"Thank you for your great kindness, Elder Zhao! I will do everything in my power to rebuild the Jiang Family!"

An indescribable emotion surged in Jiang Xinghai's heart, and a determined light shone in his eyes.

Zhao Wenxiang nodded slightly and said, "For now, you should focus on cultivating to a higher realm. Rebuilding the Jiang Family is not something that needs to be rushed."

Jiang Xinghai looked at Zhao Wenxiang gratefully. "Thank you for your guidance, Elder Zhao!"

Shen Zhengye and Yu Zhuo sighed inwardly. They never expected their visit to the Zhao Family to have such an unexpected outcome.

They had come to the Zhao Family to discuss the current situation in Shanhe Province, but they hadn't anticipated that Elder Zhao would have such a deep connection with Jiang Xinghai.

Meanwhile, the Zhao Family members who had been approaching from a distance arrived.

"Grandfather, you were looking for me."

The woman at the front, dressed in a magnificent long gown, approached with a sweet smile.

Her face was as rosy and splendid as a dawn in early summer. Upon her smooth, jade-like cheeks, a pair of bright eyes sparkled like stars, revealing an elegant and noble temperament.

"Wan'Er, this is Jiang Xinghai. He's the same age as you, and your future husband."

Zhao Wenxiang beckoned for Zhao Wan'Er to come closer, then turned to Jiang Xinghai. "Xinghai, this is my youngest son's daughter, Zhao Wan'Er. She is your future bride."

"The two of you were betrothed as children. We'll pick an auspicious day, and you can get married," he said with a cheerful laugh.

"What!"

Zhao Wan'Er and Jiang Xinghai exclaimed in shock at the same time.

Shen Zhengye and Yu Zhuo were just as stunned.

Both men had wanted to marry their own daughters to Jiang Xinghai. They never thought someone would come out of nowhere and ruin their plans!

"You heard me right. This was decided twenty years ago, and your parents were very happy with the arrangement."

Zhao Wenxiang took Zhao Wan'Er's hand with his left and Jiang Xinghai's with his right. He then placed them together. "Why don't you two go over there, enjoy the flowers, and get to know each other."