Starting with warding off evil and disaster, one can ascend to immortality after countless tribulati

Upon hearing Cheng Ya issue a disclaimer.

Jiang Ming immediately sensed something was wrong. After entering the Cheng residence, he indeed heard several elegantly dressed women with Seoul-like appearances gathered together, whispering among themselves.

"Cheng Ya had no choice but to bring her male concubines to make up the numbers?"

Although it's strangely handsome, it's all just for show.

"Hehe, she encountered a problem repairing the spring water and urgently needs a rare and precious material like Earth Spirit Milk, so she's probably desperately trying anything."

"After all, she was helpless and couldn't compete with others. I heard that the head of the family had a few drops of the Spiritual Milk, but unfortunately, he didn't share even a drop with her."

"Ultimately, it's because she was too proud. If she could have humbled herself and agreed to the marriage arranged by the head of the family, she wouldn't have ended up like this today."

"Her parents died early, and she had no one to rely on. She's quite pitiful."

……

Jiang Ming remained unmoved by the crowd's discussion, but Cheng Ya's face darkened, which was somewhat different from what she had expected.

She had assumed that the gossipy women would target Jiang Ming, and had even given him a heads-up.

Unexpectedly, almost no rain fell in Jiang Ming's world, yet all the water was splashed on her!

Rubbing her temples, Cheng Ya looked helpless and pulled Jiang Ming away, not wanting to bother with such trivial matters.

"Ugly people are often troublesome, Miss Cheng, you don't need to take it to heart." After observing for a moment, Jiang Ming spoke up with a strong voice to comfort her.

He deliberately didn't tone down his voice, so the Seoul Face Models present could hear him very clearly.

Immediately, someone got up and rushed over, sizing up Jiang Ming with narrowed eyes, ready to confront him.

"Hmph, an insult to refinement! Cheng Ya, how can your guest advisor, so rude, be entrusted with such an important task?"

"Sister Cheng Xin is naturally beautiful, why are you taking this personally? Is it a misunderstanding?"

Seeing Jiang Ming start the group, Cheng Ya frowned slightly, but immediately followed suit, calmly explaining that she clearly didn't want to make a big fuss.

"Cheng Ya, there's no use in arguing here. This grand gathering is full of experts. Do you really think you, as a mere guest, can win the Earth Spirit Milk?"

Don't get too excited, or you'll be disappointed and become a laughingstock!

With a look of disgust on his greasy, fleshy face, Cheng Xin uttered a few sarcastic and cynical words.

Then, changing the subject, she went straight to Jiang Ming, "If you didn't win the Earth Spirit Milk, you can come and seek refuge with me. I'm richer than Cheng Ya."

"If I'm in a good mood, I might give you a few more coins."

With low cultivation and a bad temper, he's nothing more than a flying pig who relies on his noble birth and is jealous of others.

With a calm smile and a clear judgment in his mind, Jiang Ming said composedly, "What if I manage to obtain the Earth Spirit Milk?"

"Wishful thinking, don't make me laugh." Cheng Xin glanced sideways and curled his lip, his eyes sharp. After thinking it over and over again, he swung his strong arm.

"If you fail, I will slap you on Cheng Ya's behalf."

If I succeed, I will personally apologize to you.

"Okay." Jiang Ming readily agreed, gave her a deep look, and then followed Cheng Ya silently into the inner courtyard of the Cheng family.

With no one around, Jiang Ming spoke casually, "It seems that life in the family isn't too easy for you, young lady."

"I'm used to it. Why did you stand up for me just now? If you offend someone, I might not be able to handle it." She gave Jiang Ming a reproachful look.

Cheng Ya complained verbally, but her actions betrayed her true feelings.

With a slight raise of her eyebrows, she took out a cyan token from her storage ring and calmly tossed it to Jiang Ming.

"Your cultivation progress is very fast, so your treatment should be improved."

Regardless of whether this attempt succeeds or not, I will grant you the position of a junior retainer in the Cheng family, with an annual salary of six hundred spirit stones.

Sure enough, all women are the same.

Despite being prepared, Jiang Ming couldn't help but grin and feel secretly pleased when he learned of the treatment he would receive.

An annual salary of six hundred spirit stones—this reward is already on par with Zhou Yi's!

"Compared to them, Miss Cheng is far superior in every way. She will have her day."

Jiang Ming calmly put away the token and offered a few words of praise without making a sound.

Upon hearing this, Cheng Ya smiled but shook her head, her expression somber. "It's difficult. The resources of large families are often given to the most talented juniors."

I am of average talent and not a male. Apart from the Third Elder who still cares for me, the elders in the clan actually treat me as a tool.

If it weren't for my own hard work and early breakthrough to the sixth rank, with the potential to enter the late stage of the Qi Absorption Realm, I'd probably already be married off.

Stepping into the spacious and luxurious garden, one is greeted by the younger generation of the Cheng family.

With their families backing them up, many of them were about the same age as Jiang Ming, but their cultivation was far superior.

Several of the men were at the sixth level of cultivation, but their true strength was unknown.

"This competition uses a ring system; whoever defends their own ring will advance."

Defeating members of other families from the arena will grant you more Soul Milk.

That young man named Cheng Wuyang is most likely your teammate. He is at the late stage of the fifth rank and specializes in Thunderbolt Fire.

He has a bad temper, so you should be more accommodating. He's the eldest elder's most beloved grandson; even I can't afford to offend him.

Pointing to the young man in brocade robes chatting and laughing with his maid by the lake, Cheng Ya patiently gave him some instructions.

"Sister Ya, I'm so glad to see you! I've missed you so much."

"Is this your guest retainer? He's so handsome, even more refined than Brother Wuyang!"

Hearing the innocent and naive voice, Cheng Ya's brows gradually relaxed.

He stepped forward and ruffled the girl's hair in a bun, his face full of affection. "Yun'er, you're even prettier now. Is your third uncle feeling any better?"

"It's all fine now. The guest advisor my father found was lecherous and it was really annoying to look at him."

I came here specifically to avoid Sister Ya. Little sister Cheng Yun, what's this gentleman's name?

Wearing a bright yellow embroidered long dress, the girl finished answering Cheng Ya's question, then immediately tilted her head and looked back at Jiang Ming, asking softly with a face full of curiosity.

This girl wasn't very tall, unlike Cheng Ya who was tall, charming, and voluptuous.

But her advantage lies in her young age; every smile and gesture is full of youthful romance and innocence, which is very pleasing to the eye.

Jiang Ming was in a good mood after glancing at the girl's elegant attire.

Having seen Cheng Xin before, he inevitably lost interest in the young ladies from aristocratic families, but now it seems that the Cheng family is not a barren wasteland of beauty.

"My name is Jiang Ming. I am here to greet Miss Cheng Yun." He greeted her politely.

Looking up, she saw Cheng Ya glaring at her fiercely, giving her a warning look. "Yun'er, he's a lecherous man too. Let's stay away from him."

Without giving Jiang Ming a chance to argue, Cheng Ya decisively took the girl's arm and hurriedly led her away.

With a dark expression, he reluctantly found a corner to sit down, where he saw Cheng Ya chatting away, gossiping about everything under the sun.

Jiang Ming wasn't idle either; he secretly glanced around, assessing the strength of everyone present.

"Fellow Daoist is Miss Cheng Ya's guest retainer?"

Nodding, Jiang Ming glanced back at the man who was less than 1.6 meters tall, with a pointed head and rat-like eyes, and had an unconventional appearance. He instantly understood.

He stood up, extended his hand, and greeted her politely, "You must be the Third Elder's guest advisor?"

"Indeed, you possess an imposing presence. With your sincere cooperation, our chances of victory this time have greatly increased."

Upon hearing the praise, the man adopted a friendly demeanor, and, as if they were old friends, grabbed Jiang Ming and said readily.

"My name is Han Cheng, a fifth-order perfected cultivator. Brother, you've also come here to marry into my family, haven't you? Would you be willing to exchange some information with me...?"