Madam Li’s Identity Is Exposed Again!

Based on past experience, as long as plants were from inside the Ancient Banyan Tree Maze, once taken out, they would quickly wither, decay, and die.

He didn’t know whether the leaves of the Ancient Banyan Tree would end up the same?

After being taken out, the leaves visibly turned yellow at a speed noticeable to the naked eye, then dried up and decayed.

A gentle touch, and they directly turned into ash, scattering everywhere.

It was only at this moment that he realised that it wasn’t that the leaves of the Ancient Banyan Tree didn’t fall; rather, once they fell to the ground and left the maze, they would quickly turn to ash. If they fell within the maze, there was a possibility that they would be completely absorbed by the tree itself at night.

“It seems that getting some materials for Bei Bing to make talismans will have to be put on hold for now.”

He shook his head.

In these deep mountains, there might still exist demonic trees like the Ancient Banyan Tree.

It’s just that they have their own protection methods, and it’s very difficult for outsiders to discover them. Even though Qin Niu had cultivated the Medicine King Sutra and reached the Acquired Realm, from outside the maze, the Ancient Banyan Tree still looked completely ordinary.

There are countless heavenly materials and earthly treasures between heaven and earth, only by a fortunate coincidence can one have the chance to obtain them.

He entered the maze to gather Bodhi Tree Blood.

With each drop obtained, he could cultivate a Termite with the ability to launch Mental Attacks.

Now that was a good thing.

…

In the evening, he returned to the village.

Just as he entered his home, he saw several gift boxes piled up in the courtyard, with Xiao Qing cleaning up.

“Master, someone came to visit you in the afternoon. I told them you were out, and they left.”

“What’s with these gifts?”

Qin Niu’s brows furrowed.

Unsolicited generosity often harbors ulterior motives, either cunning or thievery.

No one is kin or friend here, no one gives gifts without a reason.

“The gifts were sent by the Pang Family. The young miss of the Pang Family came to visit you, but since you weren’t at home, she stated she would come again another day. Then she left these gifts, saying they were a modest token of goodwill, and asked that you accept them,” Xiao Qing explained.

She then took out an invitation from a table inside the house.

“This was delivered by Steward Yan Qi, saying that Lord Yan Ruohai would like to visit you tomorrow.”

Sending an invitation is a sign of respect.

Generally, those of lower status visiting someone of higher status or peers with some status visiting each other would send invitations ahead of time as a sign of courtesy.

It’s like inviting someone to a banquet; usually, you need to give several days, or even ten days to half a month’s notice.

Those with high status are often very busy, dealing with many important matters every day. Without a set appointment, it is difficult to meet.

The relationship between the Yan Family and Qin Niu had become more and more intriguing.

From the initial friendly gestures and recruitment attempts to later treating each other with respect, and now, Yan Ruohai of the Yan Family was personally delivering an invitation, a gesture of respect.

By doing this, Yan Ruohai elevated Qin Niu’s status to a level equal to his own.

The Pang Family had never interacted with Qin Niu before, and now that the young miss of the Pang Family had personally delivered gifts to Qin Niu’s house, this was not only an overture of friendship but also a ‘paying of homage.’

The Yan and Pang Families, it seems, had seen how Qin Niu had annihilated the He Family by himself and yet had emerged unscathed from the trial at Black Tiger City. They were shocked in their hearts, rushing to curry favor to ensure the safety of their clans.

“Remember from now on, no gifts are to be allowed in if I am not home. And don’t accept gifts from anyone.”

Qin Niu instructed Xiao Qing.

“Should I send these gifts back to them now?” Xiao Qing sensed Qin Niu’s displeasure and felt very apprehensive.

“Since they’ve been accepted, they’ve been accepted! Just don’t accept them next time. The Pang Family has no connection to me, rushing to send gifts out of fear that I would obliterate them just like I did with the He Family. They are underestimating me, Qin Niu!”

Qin Niu scoffed.

He was never the kind of person who would bully the weak or rob others of their possessions for no reason.

As long as the Pang Family didn’t provoke him, even if they never sent gifts, Qin Niu wouldn’t do anything to them.

However, he could understand the anxiety and unease of the major clans.

The strength of the He and Pang Families was not much different; if Qin Niu had the power to destroy the He Family, he also had the capability to wipe out the Pang Family.

Therefore, the Pang Family was very afraid of such a thing happening.

“`

Peace reigned through the night.

Qin Niu did not rush out the following day; Yan Ruohai had sent an invitation, arranging a visit for today, and this courtesy had to be extended.

When he was still weak, the Yan Family had shown him much goodwill.

He had long admired Yan Ruohai.

The patriarch of the Yan Family was a very wise and virtuous local magnate.

The sound of a carriage’s wheels rolling approached and halted abruptly outside Qin Niu’s residence.

“May I ask if Master Qin is home? This humble old man, Yan Ruohai, has come to pay a visit.”

The voice of Yan Ruohai was aged, robust and powerful.

Very steady, yet deep.

To hear his voice was to see his person, a true gentleman and a great figure with substance.

“If friends come from afar, are we not happy! I, Qin, have the tea ready and am only awaiting the arrival of Elder Yan.”

Qin Niu personally opened the courtyard door to welcome his esteemed guest.

Even if his strength was not on par with Qin Niu’s, Yan Ruohai deserved such treatment.

He felt genuine respect for Yan Ruohai from his heart.

“Ha ha, I have long wanted to meet Master Qin, but have been entangled in various affairs and thus unable to fulfill this wish. Today I am finally gratified. Indeed, seeing is believing!”

Yan Ruohai was dressed in fitting brocade robes, with a hat on his head and his white beard fluttering; his spirit and demeanor were excellent.

Wherever he stood, he seemed to bring the spring breeze with him, eliciting a sincere fondness from others.

His gaze was gentle, yet it carried a subtle authority that made it hard for others to maintain eye contact for long.

This was an extremely strong-minded elder.

His cultivation was also astonishing; he must have reached the later stages of the Innate Realm.

He was a bit weaker than the He Family’s ancestor.

The He Family’s ancestor had reached the pinnacle of the Innate Realm and was on the verge of entering the Spirit Qi Realm.

In terms of age, Yan Ruohai was decades younger than the He Family’s ancestor.

His potential was also much higher than that of the He Family’s ancestor.

Without any accidents, Yan Ruohai had a great chance of breaking through to the Spirit Qi Realm.

If I remember correctly, Yan Ruohai is eighty-nine this year.

It’s not just in the countryside; even in Black Tiger City, martial artists in the later stage of the Innate Realm under the age of ninety are few and far between. They are definitely considered cultivation geniuses.

“To borrow your words, seeing is believing. I, Qin, have long admired Elder Yan and have regretted not having the opportunity to meet you. Today, I am especially delighted to see you. Please come inside and take a seat!”

Qin Niu gestured with one hand, welcoming Yan Ruohai into the house.

“This residence is indeed exquisite! It looks so comfortable to the eyes; living here must be extremely pleasant. Master Qin is a man who appreciates the finer things in life.”

Yan Ruohai surveyed the arrangement of the courtyard and house.

“You are too kind. These arrangements are all thanks to my fiancée Tang Caixian. I am merely reaping the benefits.”

Qin Niu’s residence had been so elegantly arranged, all thanks to the considerable efforts of Tang Caixian.

Flowers, calligraphy, paintings—almost all were arranged by her hand.

“Ha ha, Master Qin is a young hero, and to have an excellent woman’s affection is not a fortune many of us can envy. Whether it’s the young Miss from the Wang Family next door or Tang Caixian from the Tang Family, both are rare beauties of the locality. Each one is both beautiful and intelligent, virtuous and good-natured. Marrying them would surely bring prosperity to any family.”

Yan Ruohai lightly stroked his white beard as he praised Qin Niu’s two fiancées.

This was just polite banter exchanged upon their initial meeting.

Words of admiration make it easier to bring the two parties closer.

The primary purpose of Yan Ruohai’s eager visit was to build a relationship with Qin Niu and, at the same time, to express his acknowledgment of Qin Niu’s status in the local area.

In strict terms, Shuangfeng Village was under the jurisdiction of the Yan Family.

Now, with the rise of Qin Niu, the Yan Family’s attitude was crucial.

It was a question of whether the valley could tolerate two tigers or if both sides could coexist in harmony; the Yan Family needed to make their position clear.

After chatting for a short while, the conversation moved to the main topic.

“Master Qin, may I know if you plan to devote yourself to cultivation in the future, or would you prefer to be a landlord, enjoying life?”

Yan Ruohai asked casually, as if discussing family matters.