Chapter 37 - 17: Purifying Heart Divine Spell, Third Realm Mastery, A Way to Make Money

Chapter 37: Chapter 17: Purifying Heart Divine Spell, Third Realm Mastery, A Way to Make Money

Although Su Linyin secretly felt Jiang Xuan was far too arrogant, and even took a little pleasure in Dong Hao’s misfortune, she didn’t let any of it show on her face.

As she drew near, she even curved her lips at Jiang Xuan into a gentle and appropriate smile. "Jiang Xuan, it’s been a while."

"Hm?" Before Jiang Xuan could say anything in response to this scene, Dong Hao’s brows shot up as he looked at the two in surprise. "You know each other?"

"Of course, we do," Su Linyin replied in a soft voice. "Our families have known each other for a long time and are still in contact. In fact, I just spoke with Aunt Yuerong yesterday."

"Auntie even specifically instructed us to look after each other at the Daoist School." At this point, she shot Dong Hao a knowing glance before turning to Jiang Xuan with a light laugh. "But it’s for the best that you’re able to team up with Young Master Dong. I’ve long heard that Young Master Dong is a steady and reliable person. With him looking after you, Auntie can rest easy."

As soon as she finished speaking, Dong Hao instantly understood the underlying meaning. Because of his background, Jiang Xuan had ties to the Su Family. Although Dong Hao didn’t know why he hadn’t sought refuge with them, it was clear the Su Family and Jiang Xuan’s mother still had a private connection.

At the same time, he also figured out why Su Linyin had come over—she was openly telling him that Jiang Xuan was a talent she had ’let him have,’ and that he now owed her a favor.

Learning this, Dong Hao felt no anger, nor any guilt about owing a favor. The only feeling that remained in his heart was one of astonishment.

He truly couldn’t understand how the Su Family could bear to give up such a raw jade of a Sword Cultivator—someone who could achieve the Unity of Man and Sword in a single day.

’Is it that Jiang Xuan has a flawed character and is not worth nurturing, or... was the Su Family just blind, completely failing to notice this hidden gem?’

In truth, both guesses were wrong. The reason the Su Family hadn’t discovered his potential before was that, prior to becoming a Clear Heart Swordsman, Jiang Xuan had no Talent for sword cultivation whatsoever!

Moreover, the Su Family’s contact with Jiang Xuan over the previous few years had led them to form a fixed mindset about him.

They simply didn’t believe Jiang Xuan possessed any special abilities, which was why Su Linyin had so easily ’given him up’ and even felt a sense of pity for Dong Hao.

’Fine. Whatever the reason, since you were all too shortsighted to recognize his talent, I will gladly take Jiang Xuan for myself.’

Although a hundred thoughts were racing through his mind, Dong Hao didn’t let any of it show on his face either.

"Hahaha, then I must thank Miss Su for helping to smooth things over. Brother Jiang and I hit it off right away, and I was very much hoping to form a team with him to face the great examination in a hundred days..."

As he spoke and laughed, Dong Hao signaled for his attendant, Nan Zhi, to spread out a dining cloth and set out the food boxes, smoothly inviting Su Linyin to sit and eat with them.

Su Linyin readily accepted.

During the meal, she brought up the matter of Jiang Quan with a sad tone and, in the name of offering condolences, left Jiang Xuan with several bottles of Elixir Pills.

—Regardless of the secret calculations each held in their hearts, as the Legitimate Son and daughter a Noble Family had poured all its resources into cultivating, Dong Hao and Su Linyin’s public performance was flawless.

Jiang Xuan... accepted the Elixir Pills.

Firstly, he could use them for his cultivation right now; secondly, he didn’t want to cause any unnecessary trouble at such a critical juncture.

’If I refuse, the Su Family might think I hold a grudge against them. That would just cause more trouble, which wouldn’t be good.’

And so the meal went on. Jiang Xuan ate with perfect composure, while Su Linyin and Dong Hao, each with their own ulterior motives, sparred with words as a hidden undercurrent of tension flowed between them.

After the two departed, they spoke privately for a while longer and reached a tacit agreement.

...

After the pair left, Cheng Cultivator once again wore a look of someone who wanted to speak but was holding back.

He dearly wanted to teach Jiang Xuan about the proper duties of a subordinate and the social intricacies faced by low-level Cultivators.

This behavior was admittedly a bit like ’the eunuch worrying more than the emperor,’ but it was born from a sharp mind. While everyone else was merely jealous of Jiang Xuan, he alone had sensed Jiang Xuan’s certain Talent and had resolved to pledge his allegiance to the ’destitute’ young man.

As such, he clearly recognized that his own honor, disgrace, and future all depended on Jiang Xuan.

Furthermore, he understood even more clearly that he had absolutely no chance of switching his allegiance to Dong Hao—he didn’t think he possessed any Talent or notable qualities that could possibly attract Dong Hao’s attention.

Because his entire future was tied to Jiang Xuan, he sincerely hoped that everything would go smoothly for him, without the slightest mishap.

Unfortunately, in his view, Jiang Xuan was an inferior in front of Dong Hao, and he, in turn, was an inferior in front of Jiang Xuan.

A man in his position did not dare to offer reminders again and again after Jiang Xuan had already made it clear he didn’t want him to meddle.

In reality, Jiang Xuan didn’t need his reminders.

Though he hadn’t devoted his full attention to analyzing the thoughts and schemes of those around him, Jiang Xuan still had a grasp of the situation.

But he understood one thing even better: for a truly capable Noble Family’s Descendant, a respectful attitude was never a requirement. Respectfulness alone couldn’t earn their esteem; they would only see it as a matter of course—after all, they had seen countless servants who were utterly deferential to them.

’The core reason I can establish myself in this world, the reason Dong Hao values me and wants to win me over, has only ever been my Cultivation, my potential, and the value I can bring them!’

’As long as I maintain this core competitive advantage, so what if I’m a bit more aloof and arrogant?’

Geniuses, by their very nature, have the privilege of being arrogant.

...

Having seen through this, Jiang Xuan was unwilling to waste even a shred of his focus on pondering social niceties—if he had that kind of time, he’d be better off spending it on cultivation.

’Besides, Cultivation is fundamentally about cultivating the Heart. If my mind is filled with schemes of fawning over the powerful and currying favor, how can I ever hope to advance my Sword Heart and walk this Great Dao?’