The hot air came from inside the cave. Zhi Rui just flashed him a smile and entered With Zhun Xuying and Ren Zu following. The bonfire illuminated the whole room together with surrounding wall-candles. The wood cracked and the fire moved to project a shadow on the three-meter long black rock table, completely adorned with tableware and appetizers.

the servants pointed and commented, giggling between themselves, Ren Zu frowned.

Zhi Rui walked with ease, smiling at the servants by the side, she chukled softly. "I didn't know there'd be more people coming." She said. All the seats on the table were prepared.

"Keke, That young lad didn't know which seat you gals would take, so he just prepared all of them." The hunched back old man with white hair and beard was Chao Cheng's Dao protector. Zhi Rui remembered. She greeted him with a polite smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you senior. I'm Zhi Rui."

His eyes widened and he laughed out loud moving his liquor bottle around.

"Aye young master, you chose a good one, finally a decision well made." As he spoke, liquor flowed down his beard.

Chao Cheng's eyes never left the meat on the hook. "Don't mind the old man, it's the first time in months he got to drink so he's enjoying every second of it."

Zhi Rui sat down on the left side of the head of the table. and picked up a grape swallowing it without hesitating.

She chewed it and smiled at the man by the meat. "Brother Chao Cheng, are you a chef?"

Zhun Xuying and Ren Zu sat down beside her.

Chao Cheng took out the roasted meat and brought it to the table. It sizzled with sizzling fat and oil, the smell was out of the world, Zhi Rui's eyes trembled, she wanted to eat it. But had to hold back.

He looked at Zhi Rui with a smiled and sat down, Not on the Table's head but on the opposite side of Zhi Rui.

"I'm no chef, but when it comes to beef, I know a little. My clan has this technique passed through generations, The carnivorous beast reaches heaven. The stronger the beast I eat is, the tougher my body becomes."

He casually mentioned his family's main technique, And spoke of the meat they were about to eat was from a level six heavenly crushing boar.

Zhirui smiled and went along with the small talks and small shows of power.

Zhun Xuying was frowning on the side. since the beginning, there wasn't anything that was welcoming as it should for a formal meeting. He was cooking meat, a plate not suitable for a female guest. Even ruder was his shirtless upper body, his Dao protector speaking nonsense and the maids and servants running their mouths and giggling, This was obvious discase with the guest.

Regardless of their words, the actions were a veil to a more simple phrase.

'You're not important, you're my guest and I'll treat you as such but no more than that.'

Even Ren Zu who received few lessons of etiquette from Izumi felt the disregard. When someone treats you this casually. Like they couldn' be bothered to be formal with you, that's when you know how much respect the other party has for you.

Neither Zhun Xuying nor Ren Zu touched the meat fillet on their plate.

But Zhi Rui did the opposite, she went ahead and took a big bite, Not minding being uncouth, she took one more bite before cleaning the meat juices on the corner of her mouth.

She closed her eyes and relished on the meat. She licked her lips with half-closed eyes. "Delicious..." She said.

Chao Cheng smiled. "Take a chug on the beverage, it's a mortal plant, but the taste fits well with the meat. I call it Beer."

Zhi Rui did so and chugged it down, Feeling the bitter taste, at first she was skeptical, then relished again, it was heavenly taste.

She took a deep breath, "This fits my tastes so well."

She patted her belly with a smile. "Brother Chao Cheng, why did you invited me today?"

"Oh, wait I need to eat something before business." He said with a smile.

Zhi Rui got up "Then we shall choose another time, as I have matters to deal with as well."

Her unhesitant demeanor put the servants' to silence, and even the Dao protector, lowered his bottle for a second.

Chao Cheng took a bit of his fillet and chewed it. he found this reaction weird. He thought that since she accepted the invite, she'd already become his subordinate. But he just frowned and appeased.

"Alright, there's no need to be so rude, let's talk business then."

Zhi Rui turned back and sat down with a smile.

Chao Cheng Continued.

"I thought about all what I heard from you. Your past and recent deeds, your attitude and temperament. And I concluded; I want you by my side."

He looked at her, there was no change whatsoever in her demeanor, she wasn't even surprised by his words, in turn, her subordinates were openly annoyed. the younger one was gazing with hatred.

Ren Zu'd eye were going red, ' Zhi Rui was a woman whose travel would take her to places unknown to most human, and this pampered thing talks about her following him like it was a blessing!? LAUGHABLE!'

A hand rested on her shoulder. Zhi Rui was smiling at her. Only then Ren Zu noticed, she had gotten up and was sending energy to her nails.

Zhun Xuying slapped her ass. "Sit tight girl."

Ren Zu sat down with a red face.

"That's what I'm talking about! Truly loyal and strong subordinates! I have that, but that's because of my family, if I were alone like you, I wouldn't be able to do it." Chao Cheng said with admiration.

Zhun Xuying squinted. his every other comment stated the difference between his backing and resources.

"You hadn't told me about your proposal yet." Zhi Rui said.

"Become my wife." He said. "If we cooperate, nobody else can win. I'll take the spot of the sect leader, and you'll rule with me."

"Are you joking?" Zhun Xuying's voice resounded on the table.

Chao Cheng ignored. His eye stayed on Zhi Rui. Ren Zu was ready to jump up again.

Zhi Rui sighed. The smile disappeared from her face. Replaced by annoyance.

When she bought the cores, she received information on her competitors, she studied Chao cheng specifically, after their fight, it confirmed her suspicion of him being a shrewd man hiding his smarts. But to offer something like this...

He's a non-orthodoxy disciple of the light sect, in the branch he comes from, his strength would be common and he'd be oppressed and evolving would've been hard, so he chose to be the king in a lesser branch and slowly but surely work his way up. Not a bad strategy. And with other interesting information, Zhi Rui assumed she could make use of him. But, alas.

She looked at his eyes and sighed again.

"For me to take you seriously, you'd have to at least offer me the position of Tower Maiden. Or make an oath of a huge monthly payment. Disciple Chao Cheng, it seems our talk will not bear fruit. please excuse me."

Zhi Rui got up and walked out without looking back. Zhun Xuying looked on with disdain, Ren Zu barely contained her anger as they walked away.

"Are you sure, Zhi Rui? the other four geniuses already showed clear intentions to collude and deal with you. They might be plotting their strategy right now. Can you deal with them alone?"