Chapter 150: Damian’s Proposal!

Damian surveyed the gathering inside the command center, taking in the numerous unfamiliar Deacons before settling his attention upon the two Foundation Establishment experts seated at the front.

Their cultivation pressures were naturally far more substantial than those of the surrounding cultivators, although neither seemed particularly interested in intimidating anyone, and that suited Damian just fine.

"Greetings, Sect Masters and Deacons! It’s good to see that everyone’s looking so comfortable despite the war going on outside," Damian greeted casually, raising a hand toward the two seated experts.

Several Deacons visibly stiffened at his familiar manner of address, their expressions becoming rather complicated as they examined the young man’s cultivation.

Although Damian possessed an extraordinary reputation, he was still only at Qi Condensation Level 7, while the two individuals before him were genuine Foundation Establishment powerhouses!

In Shengyuan, such differences ordinarily demanded considerable respect and ceremony, regardless of how talented a junior happened to be.

Yet Damian had casually greeted both experts as though he were meeting a pair of old acquaintances over afternoon tea!

Fortunately, Mu Jianhong appeared thoroughly unbothered by the informality.

"Fellow Daoist Damian! You’ve finally returned!" Mu Jianhong greeted warmly, his previously dignified expression transforming into a genial smile.

He waved to his full and sturdy body with a chuckle. "As you can see, this old man’s recovery has progressed wonderfully, and I have you to thank for that. Please, make yourself comfortable!"

Damian smiled appreciatively, genuinely pleased to see the Evergreen Sect Master looking so vigorous after the terrible condition in which he had originally encountered him.

The unfamiliar man on the right, however, seemed considerably more interested in examining Damian himself.

His painted eyes slowly traveled across Damian’s face, lingering upon his features with an almost theatrical appreciation.

Then he clicked his tongue and shook his head, the ornate phoenix coronet upon his head swaying slightly with the movement.

"Tsk, tsk! So this is the famous Fellow Daoist Damian Baines? What an exceptionally handsome young man! No wonder our little beauties have been so interested in you," the effeminate cultivator commented with a delighted smile, gracefully snapping his fan open.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Du Wenyan, and I’ve been looking forward to meeting you for quite some time." He spoke with an air of amiability.

Damian raised an eyebrow, momentarily wondering whether the fellow was complimenting him or conducting some peculiar form of evaluation.

Nevertheless, Du Wenyan’s demeanor appeared genuinely friendly, and the substantial cultivation pressure beneath his extravagant appearance confirmed that he was hardly someone to underestimate.

"Well met, Fellow Daoist Du! I appreciate the compliment, although I must admit you’ve certainly got an interesting sense of fashion," Damian responded good-naturedly, returning the greeting.

"It’s not every day I encounter someone who can make a phoenix coronet look like an ordinary accessory!" The young man added with a look of appreciation.

Du Wenyan’s smile widened considerably, clearly taking the observation as a compliment rather than an insult.

Several Azure Water Deacons looked faintly horrified by Damian’s boldness, but their expressions only became more complicated when the Foundation Establishment expert released an amused laugh.

Apparently, the young Guest Elder was genuinely capable of speaking to these powerful individuals without the slightest nervousness!

Damian then turned toward the familiar beauty standing respectfully beside Du Wenyan.

"Ah, and how could I forget my lovely mother-in-law? It’s wonderful to see you looking so healthy, Elder Lan!" Damian greeted Lan Ruyue with a thoroughly cheeky smile.

Lan Ruyue rolled her eyes, although the gentle smile appearing upon her face betrayed that she wasn’t particularly offended.

After everything Damian had done for her, she had long since abandoned any serious intention of reprimanding him over such familiar teasing.

"Fellow Daoist Damian, you certainly haven’t become any less shameless during your absence," Lan Ruyue replied with helpless amusement, gracefully gesturing toward an available place near the two senior experts.

"Please, take a seat. There’s no reason for someone of your importance to remain standing while the rest of us are comfortable."

Her casual invitation produced an immediate reaction among the assembled Deacons.

That seat wasn’t positioned among the ordinary officers or even the senior Qi Condensation representatives.

It occupied the same elevated section reserved for the Foundation Establishment leadership, effectively placing Damian alongside the two most important individuals in the entire command center!

Several cultivators exchanged astonished glances as the implications became clear.

They had heard that Damian possessed extraordinary abilities and had contributed tremendously to the war, but hearing stories was one thing, while personally witnessing Foundation Establishment experts treat a Qi Condensation cultivator as an equal was another matter entirely!

Damian, naturally, accepted the invitation without hesitation.

He settled comfortably into the offered seat, while Mu Qingyao and Shen Xueyi remained nearby with their respective entourages.

Jian Rui and his fellow disciples followed the arrangement of the other attendants, although their expressions suggested that witnessing their Master receive such extraordinary treatment had thoroughly reinforced their decision to follow him.

However, Damian hadn’t come here merely to enjoy his newfound status.

"Before we discuss anything else, I should clarify my intentions," Damian began, looking between Mu Jianhong and Du Wenyan with a composed expression.

"I know the two sects have already made considerable progress against the Nightmare Corpse Sect, and I’m not here to seize command or interfere with your established plans. I simply want to offer whatever assistance I can provide to help eliminate this threat properly." Damian stated firmly.

Mu Jianhong nodded appreciatively, evidently pleased that Damian understood the delicate relationship between independent sects conducting a joint military campaign.

After all, although the young man had contributed enormously to their recent victories, the two organizations still possessed established leadership structures and considerable responsibilities toward their own disciples.

Du Wenyan was equally impressed, his fan slowing slightly as he regarded Damian with renewed interest.

"An excellent attitude, Fellow Daoist Damian! Powerful young cultivators are often eager to demonstrate their superiority, especially after achieving something extraordinary," Du Wenyan observed approvingly, his delicate features settling into a thoughtful expression.

"It’s refreshing to encounter someone who understands that cooperation can accomplish far more than unnecessary competition."

Damian acknowledged the praise with a modest smile, although he privately considered the matter perfectly straightforward.

He had no desire to spend his days managing military formations, settling disputes between sect officers or personally supervising thousands of cultivators when perfectly capable people were already handling those responsibilities.

Why bother seizing control of the entire operation when he could simply contribute the resources and abilities that made him valuable?

Nevertheless, just as Damian prepared to discuss the war’s current circumstances, Du Wenyan raised an entirely different subject.

"Actually, Fellow Daoist Damian, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you," Du Wenyan remarked, delicately closing his fan.

The effeminate man scanned Damian up and down carefully. "I understand that you previously supplied the Evergreen Sect with a rather extraordinary Demon Beast Core, one whose internal energy had already dissipated. Would you happen to possess any similar cores of the Water element?"

Damian paused, immediately recalling the apparently worthless Withered Mana Core he had purchased in Valoria for practically nothing.

That particular transaction had been one of his most profitable discoveries, at least in terms of the absurd difference between the object’s value across both worlds.

What Valorian merchants considered a depleted piece of magical rubbish was actually an immensely valuable cultivation resource in Shengyuan!

More specifically, the preserved structure and residual Daoist traces within such cores made them suitable ingredients for refining Foundation Establishment Pills.

And since Du Wenyan was associated with the Azure Water Sect, his interest in Water-element materials was hardly surprising.

"Water-element cores? As a matter of fact, I do have something along those lines," Damian replied, a knowing smile gradually spreading across his face.

"Although I wouldn’t want to disappoint you by bringing out just one, especially when we have so many distinguished guests gathered here." He added cheekily.

With that, he reached into his Exchange Storage, and a moment later, twenty dull-looking spherical objects appeared upon the table!

There were four cores corresponding to each of the five ordinary elements of Fire, Earth, Wood, Metal and Water.

Although their original Mana had long since dissipated, their distinctive internal structures and surviving elemental traces remained sufficiently intact for experienced cultivators to recognize their extraordinary value.

For several moments, the chamber became completely silent.

Then the atmosphere changed dramatically!

Numerous Deacons stared at the twenty cores with widening eyes, their breathing becoming noticeably heavier as they struggled to comprehend what had just appeared before them.

Several instinctively swallowed, while others leaned forward with expressions bordering upon disbelief.

Even Mu Jianhong and Du Wenyan were visibly shocked!

The two Foundation Establishment experts had undoubtedly encountered valuable resources throughout their long cultivation careers, but casually producing twenty suitable Demon Beast Cores was another matter entirely.

Such materials were strategic treasures, possessing the potential to support the refinement of medicines capable of helping peak Qi Condensation cultivators attempt the breakthrough into Foundation Establishment!

Of course, twenty cores didn’t automatically translate into twenty new Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Alchemical refinement still required specialized ingredients, accomplished Alchemists and considerable preparation, while successful pill consumption merely increased the likelihood of a breakthrough rather than guaranteeing one.

Nevertheless, possessing twenty suitable cores could transform a sect’s long-term cultivation prospects in ways that ordinary wealth could scarcely accomplish.

And Damian had just dumped them onto a table!

Mu Qingyao’s beautiful eyes widened considerably, her earlier composure disappearing as she examined the familiar-looking objects.

She remembered perfectly well how everyone had reacted when Damian first produced a single Withered Mana Core, and the sight of twenty such treasures was almost enough to make her question whether she was dreaming.

Shen Xueyi was equally astonished, although her naturally reserved temperament prevented her from reacting quite so openly.

Her eyes moved between the cores and Damian with an intensity that betrayed how profoundly she understood their significance.

Even Jian Rui, Bo Wen, Lin Meiyu and Shen Lian were stunned into silence.

They had already witnessed their Master casually provide miraculous medicines, valuable cultivation resources and powerful equipment, but this was something else entirely.

The concentrated value resting upon that table could potentially influence the future of entire cultivation organizations!

’Good grief, it’s happening again,’ Damian thought with considerable amusement, observing the barely concealed greed and astonishment surrounding him.

Show these cultivators one depleted core and they nearly draw swords.

Show them twenty, and suddenly everyone looks like they’ve forgotten how to breathe!

Fortunately, nobody appeared foolish enough to repeat the incident involving Lan Ruyue’s previous delegation.

Perhaps his current reputation had become sufficiently intimidating that even the most impulsive cultivators understood the importance of maintaining their composure.

Whatever the reason, Damian was thoroughly pleased that he could display valuable merchandise without immediately preparing for a fight.

Du Wenyan was the first to recover.

"Heavens above! Fellow Daoist Damian, you really are an extraordinary individual!" Du Wenyan exclaimed, breaking into delighted laughter as he examined the twenty cores with unconcealed admiration.

"At this rate, I’m afraid it won’t be long before you have absolutely no need for either of our sects!"

Mu Jianhong slowly shook his head, a wry smile appearing upon his face as he considered the staggering resources before him.

"Indeed! With resources of this caliber, even our parent sect would struggle to compete with Fellow Daoist Damian’s generosity," Mu Jianhong admitted, his expression revealing a mixture of admiration and helpless disbelief.

"If he wished to establish an independent cultivation organization, I doubt obtaining the necessary resources would prove particularly difficult."

The significance of those words struck the surrounding cultivators almost immediately.

Damian could establish his own sect!

Naturally, founding a respectable cultivation sect required considerably more than distributing valuable materials.

He would need qualified personnel, suitable cultivation techniques, territory, established administrative structures and sufficient legitimacy to prevent neighboring powers from treating the organization as an easy target.

However, the resources were often among the most difficult obstacles to overcome.

A Qi Condensation-level sect with access to a steady supply of Foundation Establishment Pill ingredients could potentially cultivate the very experts necessary to elevate its standing.

Meanwhile, an existing Foundation Establishment organization could strengthen its foundations, nurture additional senior cultivators and gradually establish a far more formidable regional presence.

Damian considered the observation with genuine interest.

Hang on, has this fellow somehow seen my System?

His attention briefly drifted toward the outstanding quest requiring him to reach Foundation Establishment within a hundred days.

The promised reward was the mysterious Special Power known as <The Sect Master>, whose precise functions remained undisclosed but whose name certainly suggested some connection to managing or developing cultivation organizations.

The coincidence was rather amusing.

Of course, Du Wenyan didn’t need access to the Dual Realm Exchange System to arrive at such an obvious conclusion.

Anyone possessing Damian’s wealth, commercial resources and extraordinary abilities would eventually begin considering the advantages of establishing an organization capable of operating independently.

And Damian had already been thinking along those lines himself!

"In due time, I probably will establish an affiliated force of my own," Damian acknowledged casually, his words immediately capturing everyone’s attention.

"However, I have no particular interest in competing for territory or regional supremacy. My organization would primarily focus upon producing goods and resources that complement my special abilities, rather than challenging established sects for political dominance." He stated, rather bluntly too.

The atmosphere relaxed considerably after that clarification.

Mu Jianhong and Du Wenyan both understood that an ambitious cultivator possessing Damian’s resources could eventually become an unpredictable competitor.

However, an affiliated organization focused upon production and commercial cooperation was an entirely different proposition, especially when Damian already maintained profitable relationships with both sects.

More importantly, Damian hadn’t finished speaking.

"Besides, even if I establish my own force, that doesn’t mean my connections to Evergreen and Azure Water will suddenly disappear," Damian continued, his expression becoming increasingly mischievous.

"After all, my future children with Qingyao will also possess the Mu family bloodline, while the children I have with Xueyi will naturally inherit the Shen family bloodline as well. That makes us relatives, doesn’t it?"

The atmosphere immediately became strange.

Mu Qingyao’s cheeks flushed deeply, and she shifted uncomfortably beneath the attention suddenly directed toward her.

Although she had already contemplated the possibility of becoming Damian’s wife, hearing him casually discuss their future children before an entire gathering of senior cultivators was another matter entirely!

Shen Xueyi fared little better.

The usually composed beauty lowered her gaze, a delicate blush spreading across the visible portions of her cheeks as she struggled to maintain her dignity.

She hadn’t expected Damian to discuss something so intimate quite so openly, especially while her mother stood within earshot!

Lan Ruyue covered her mouth with one hand, concealing an amused smile as she examined her daughter’s reaction.

Yet beneath that amusement was a faint, rather unexpected feeling of envy.

Watching a handsome and extraordinarily capable young man speak so confidently about building a future with her daughter reminded Lan Ruyue of romantic possibilities that her own complicated cultivation life had long since relegated to distant memories.

Du Wenyan, meanwhile, appeared absolutely delighted.

"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful! Fellow Daoist Damian, I must say that you’ve developed a remarkably practical understanding of cultivation politics!" Du Wenyan laughed heartily, his elegant appearance doing little to conceal his obvious enthusiasm.

"If our sects become connected through family ties, then your future organization would naturally have two powerful allies from the very beginning!"

Mu Jianhong’s reaction was considerably more complicated.

As the Evergreen Sect Master, he could hardly object to the advantages such a relationship might provide, especially considering everything Damian had already done for his organization.

However, as Mu Qingyao’s father, listening to another man confidently discuss having children with his daughter required a degree of emotional adjustment that even Foundation Establishment cultivation couldn’t provide.

The older man shook his head with a helpless smile, apparently uncertain whether he should congratulate Damian or remind the young fellow that marriage wasn’t quite so simple.

Damian observed their reactions with quiet amusement., then his demeanor abruptly changed.

The playful expression gradually disappeared from his face, replaced by a composed intensity that caused the surrounding cultivators to instinctively straighten.

Although Damian didn’t deliberately release his cultivation pressure, the sudden sharpness in his gaze and the unmistakable conviction behind his bearing made the atmosphere considerably more solemn.

He had spent enough time discussing possibilities.

Now, he intended to make his position perfectly clear!

"Since we’re all gathered here, I believe this is an excellent opportunity to settle an important matter," Damian began, looking directly toward Mu Jianhong and Du Wenyan.

"I would like to formally propose marriage to both sects, requesting the hands of Mu Qingyao and Shen Xueyi as my future wives!"

The declaration struck the gathering like thunder.

Even before anyone could recover, Damian placed his hand against the collection of Withered Mana Cores and divided them into two equal groups.

Ten cores were pushed toward the Evergreen Sect’s side of the table, while the remaining ten were directed toward the Azure Water Sect’s representatives.

Each group contained two cores of every ordinary element.

"And as a demonstration of my sincerity, I offer these twenty Demon Beast Cores as the bride price, ten for Evergreen and ten for Azure Water," Damian declared firmly, his gaze moving between the two Foundation Establishment experts before briefly settling upon the two beautiful women.

"Consider this my formal request to join our families through marriage!"

The temperature of the room seemed to rise several degrees.

Every cultivator present stared at the twenty cores with expressions of utter disbelief, their minds struggling to reconcile the extraordinary treasure before them with the seemingly impossible marriage proposal that had accompanied it.

Ten valuable Demon Beast Cores for each sect!

Such a bride price was so extravagant that ordinary marriage arrangements between powerful cultivation families would appear almost laughably insignificant by comparison.

Even the wealthiest cultivators in the Azure Water Sector would struggle to produce something remotely comparable without exhausting generations of accumulated resources!

Mu Qingyao stood motionless, her beautiful face burning as countless emotions surged through her heart.

Shen Xueyi was equally stunned, her fingers trembling slightly beneath her sleeves as she looked toward Damian with an expression she could no longer conceal behind her usual reserve.

Neither woman had anticipated such a direct, extravagant declaration, especially after Damian had previously insisted that they should make their romantic decisions without the pressure of their families’ circumstances.

Of course, Damian hadn’t forgotten that promise.

His proposal was an open declaration of his intentions, not an attempt to purchase their obedience, and he had no intention of treating the sects’ approval as a substitute for the women’s own decisions.

However, he was perfectly willing to demonstrate just how seriously he regarded the possibility of marrying them.

And judging by the reactions throughout the room, he had certainly succeeded!

As for Mu Jianhong and Du Wenyan...

The two Foundation Establishment experts stared at the twenty cores resting between them, their previously composed expressions transformed into something approaching complete astonishment.

For a long moment, neither man could utter a single word!