Chapter 829. Control the Present (2/2)

Chapter 829: 829. Control the Present (2/2)

Tyler then turned his attention back toward the middle-aged man.

The man’s gaze had already fallen upon him.

"Tyler White."

His calm voice spread throughout the garden.

"The person who overturned the traditional Alchemy system, introduced new methods of Formation and inscription through your encryption and decryption techniques, and has caused the cultivation world to slowly change."

The moment those words were spoken, several people present stiffened.

The Murong brothers were surprised. Sky Demoness was not suprised, she had already known Tyler’s identity.

But their wives and the women who had previously spent time with Tyler were completely stunned.

They had thought Tyler was merely some extraordinary young cultivator who had obtained the trust of the White Merchant Group.

They had never imagined that he was ’that’ Tyler White.

The name had already spread throughout the younger generation.

He was regarded as one of the greatest geniuses of the current era, yet even that description seemed insufficient. His accomplishments in formations, inscriptions, and the mysterious principles behind encryption and decryption had attracted the attention of countless older-generation experts.

Even some of those ancient monsters who had lived for thousands of years could not help but pay attention to him.

Tyler smiled faintly.

"Looks like the Sect Master really trusts the Murong Clan Head."

The middle-aged man laughed.

"Haha. You can call me Murong Futian. Since you have come to my home, there is no need to be so formal. Just call me Uncle Fu."

The expressions of the Murong brothers and their wives changed slightly.

Their father rarely allowed outsiders to address him so casually.

Yet Tyler did not seem bothered.

"Uncle Fu."

Murong Futian nodded with satisfaction.

He reached toward the mandarin tree beside him and picked one of the fruits. After peeling it slightly, he took out one of its seeds.

With a flick of his finger, the seed flew toward Tyler.

Tyler caught it effortlessly.

The three Murong brothers and Sky Demoness exchanged glances.

They knew exactly what this was.

Their father had given them the same test when they were young.

Murong Futian looked at Tyler and asked, "What would you do if you possessed this seed?"

Tyler examined it for a moment.

There was nothing particularly special about the seed. It was simply an ordinary mandarin seed containing a trace of life force.

After thinking briefly, Tyler injected a small amount of spiritual energy into it.

Then he casually tossed it toward an empty patch of soil.

Murong Futian’s expression immediately became somewhat disappointed.

One of the Murong brothers secretly smiled.

It seemed Tyler had failed the test.

But Tyler merely stood there calmly.

"Did I do something wrong?"

Murong Futian stroked his beard and smiled.

"It’s only a simple test of character. I created it many years ago. There is no fixed answer."

He pointed toward the seed that Tyler had thrown away.

"If someone chooses to bury the seed, it means they are willing to work for the future. Such a person possesses patience and ambition."

"If someone chooses to keep it, then they respect the past and cherish what they possess in the present."

He paused before continuing.

"But if someone throws it away or destroys it without a second thought, then that person is usually nothing more than an arrogant fool."

Several people secretly glanced at Tyler.

Murong Futian’s words had been quite blunt.

However, Tyler did not become angry.

Instead, his eyes narrowed slightly.

"Interesting."

He smiled.

"I suppose there is some meaning behind it."

"Of course," Murong Futian said. "A person’s choice, no matter how small, can sometimes reveal more about them than their words."

Tyler nodded.

"Then I suppose I have failed."

Murong Futian shook his head.

"Not necessarily. The test has no correct answer."

Tyler chuckled.

"That’s good."

He turned around and began walking toward the long table.

"I don’t really have the time to build a future."

His words caused everyone to look at him.

Tyler stopped after a few steps.

"Because..."

He paused.

A strange fluctuation suddenly spread through the garden.

The Murong brothers immediately turned their heads.

Sky Demoness’s eyes widened slightly.

Even Murong Futian’s expression changed.

They all looked toward the place where Tyler had thrown the seed.

The tiny seed was lying on the soil.

Then, before their eyes, it began to crack.

A tiny green sprout emerged.

The sprout rapidly grew upward.

Its roots pierced into the ground, its stem thickened, and branches extended in every direction. Green leaves unfolded one after another, followed by countless tiny white flowers.

In merely a few breaths, the small seed had transformed into a magnificent mandarin tree.

Its branches spread across several meters.

And hanging from those branches were dozens of bright red mandarins.

The entire garden became silent.

The women stared in disbelief.

The maids were completely dumbfounded.

Even the Nascent soul Realm wives, who had witnessed Tyler’s abilities in bed, couldn’t help but feel shaken.

One of the mandarins suddenly detached itself from the branch.

It fell downward.

Tyler casually reached out and caught it.

He looked at the fruit in his hand before turning his gaze toward Murong Futian.

A faint smile appeared on his face.

"I don’t need to spend my time building the future."

He peeled the mandarin and took a bite.

"I can simply bring the future into my present."

Silence.

For several breaths, nobody spoke.

Murong Futian stared at the tree before slowly laughing.

"Hahaha!"

His laughter shook the entire garden.

"What an arrogant statement."

He looked at Tyler with newfound interest.

"But..."

His eyes became serious.

"...I like it."

The three Murong brothers exchanged glances.

Their expressions had become complicated.

They had once thought their father would test Tyler’s character.

Instead, Tyler had used the test to display something far more frightening.

He had not chosen the future.

He had not clung to the past.

He had simply changed the present.

Tyler walked to the main table and sat down beside the main seat as though nothing unusual had happened.

He placed the mandarin in front of himself.

Then he looked around at the Murong family.

"Now."

His voice was calm, but the entire garden seemed to become quieter.

"Let’s talk about a future where the Murong Clan soars."

At that moment, Murong Futian’s smile slowly disappeared.

His eyes sharpened.

The atmosphere within the peaceful mandarin garden changed completely.

The family banquet had officially begun.

But everyone present understood that what came next would be far more important than any meal.