Chapter 508: Chapter 509: Arrival of the Zhang Family Patriarch
Zhang Family Patriarch’s eyes shimmered with a cold gleam. He had initially planned to join the Situ Household under the pretense of celebrating a birthday, this way he would have a justifiable reason for his visit, and with the Situ Household accompanying him, even if any unforeseen events occurred, they would bear the brunt of it, sparing him from any consequences.

However, given the current situation, he could no longer wait. A simple bathhouse had managed to significantly boost the Spiritual Power in his disciple’s body.

This was not something an ordinary bathhouse could achieve. Most critically, the increase in Spiritual Power was not weak or superficial; on the contrary, it was as natural as if it came from arduous self-cultivation, eliminating any worry about unstable foundations or lingering side effects.

This was indeed baffling. Was there really such a miraculous treasure in the world?

Even the most top-tier Elixirs couldn’t achieve this, could they?

It was imperative to make a trip there immediately. If it truly was a valuable find, he must gain control of it for himself; otherwise, once the Situ Family arrived, they wouldn’t even qualify to sip the leftovers.

“Great Elder, accompany me to the Zong Mansion, let’s meet this Li Xiaobai!”

“As you command!”

…

Meanwhile, at the Zong Family, within the Zong Mansion.

Li Xiaobai and Zong Ya stared each other down, the young lady’s cheeks uncharacteristically thick, merely gazing at him quietly without the slightest hint of blushing from her domineering bath.

Li Xiaobai decided not to bother with her anymore. After all, the renovation of the bathhouse within the Zong Family was partly due to her contribution. He would later convert the woodshed so she could cultivate properly.

The young lady must have been accustomed to a life of hardship, hence her meticulous calculation with every Spirit Stone. Just like her bizarre bathing behavior, the principle seemed to be to take advantage whenever possible.

“Boss, what’s your surname and name? Why haven’t I heard my uncle mention you before?”

Zong Ya chatted with Li Xiaobai casually and intermittently, attempting to probe his identity.

“I am Li Xiaobai, as for how we know each other, ask the Patriarch of the Zong Family, and he will tell you.”

Li Xiaobai said indifferently. He had business to attend to and had no time to dawdle with a little girl. At that moment, he saw several figures slowly walking towards the Zong Mansion gate.

“You…”

Zong Ya, frustrated and puffed up with anger, turned away and stopped paying attention to Li Xiaobai.

The entrance welcomed a group of people. Leading them were two individuals: one was a middle-aged man with a commanding appearance, exuding an air of authority without anger, and the other was an old man with a hunched back, who moved rather slowly. Yet the occasional flash of sharpness in his eyes clearly signified that he was not a simple character.

“This is the Zhang Family Patriarch!”

“The Zhang Family Patriarch actually came here. They caught wind of this so quickly!”

“How will the boss deal with this?”

Cultivators who recognized the newcomers were all terrified to the core. In their minds, the Zhang Family Patriarch was an invincible being; every cultivator who had crossed him had been, without exception, discarded in the mass graves.

How would Boss Li resolve this situation?

“Zhang Family Patriarch!”

Zong Ya’s complexion also changed; this was a top-notch expert from the Zhang Family, a true Transcendance Tribulation Stage powerhouse. That such a prominent figure would come in person was alarming.

A bad premonition rose in her heart.

“Who here is Li Xiaobai?”

The middle-aged man’s expression was neutral, his cold gaze sweeping across the crowd. He frowned slightly; the scene before him also seemed somewhat disconcerting. When had the Cultivation World become so open, with frank encounters becoming the norm? This Li Xiaobai was indeed not a simple character.

“I am Li Xiaobai. Are you two here to take a bath?”

“A high-grade Spirit Stone allows for half an hour’s soak. How long would you like to stay?”

Li Xiaobai watched the Zhang Family Patriarch with a smile in his eyes, utterly unflustered, his composure absolute.

He hadn’t expected the Zhang Family Patriarch to come directly. He thought that there would be some back-and-forth before the man would take action himself.

But now, it was good this way. Eliminating him would be a one-step process, saving him a lot of effort.

“Half an hour will do.”

The hunched elder beside flung out two high-grade Spirit Stones, then his gaze shifted, settling on the cultivators in the bathhouse as he asked in a measured tone, “Are you sure you want to stay here?”

“Cough cough, I just remembered some urgent business at home, so I’ll be leaving first.”

“Yes, I need to prepare for my breakthrough, so I won’t accompany you any longer!”

“It seems my bath time is up. Boss Li, take care!”

“I’m out of here…”

The cultivators immediately stood up and fled from the Zong Mansion like their lives depended on it. To soak in the same bathhouse as the Zhang Family Patriarch would require a hundred times their courage. For ants to stay in the bathhouse with a colossus was a crime punishable by death.

In the meantime, Zong Ya didn’t dare to linger either. She discreetly withdrew her hand and retreated several steps, intending to find Zongdao and report the situation.

“Little girl, you must be Zong Ya, aren’t you? It’s been a while since I last saw you. Your strength has improved significantly. I suppose Zongdao is also quite comforted by this?”

“Today, I have only come to take a bath. There is no need to disturb the Patriarch of the Zong Family.”

The Zhang Family Patriarch looked at Zong Ya and matched her cold gaze. In just a moment, Zong Ya felt her body stiffen, as if lead had been poured into her limbs, making her incapable of moving the slightest bit.

“Are you satisfied with my humble bathhouse, Patriarch?”

Li Xiaobai’s eyes twinkled with mirth as he stared at the middle-aged man in front of him, searching for a reason to finish him off.

“Satisfied. I had heard that there was a miraculous bathhouse within the Zong Mansion, where one could soak and have their Dantian’s Spiritual Power increase automatically without the need for cultivation.”

“I never thought such a wondrous artifact really existed in this world!”

The Zhang Family Head and the elder submerged themselves, their eyes revealing amazement. They were not average cultivators but genuine Transcendance Tribulation Stage experts. The moment they touched the surface of the water, they realized that the Spiritual Power within their Dantians was steadily increasing. Although it was just a slight increase, it was the sort of increment that, ordinarily, might take several hours of cultivation to achieve.

They exchanged glances, both seeing the shock and greed in each other’s eyes. This bathhouse had to be obtained by any means necessary!

This exquisite treasure must be in the hands of the Zhang Family. If the disciples of the clan could have the aid of this artifact, what could prevent the clan from flourishing?

“Merely a minor trick. In the future, I will build a true bathhouse in Aolai Country. At that time, I hope the Zhang Family Head will honor it with a visit,” said Li Xiaobai, waving his hand nonchalantly.

“Actually, I believe Young Master Li has some guess about my purpose for coming here today?”

The Zhang Family Patriarch still wore a smile, yet there was a cold glint in his eyes.

“Could it be because of the two young masters of the Zhang Family?”

Li Xiaobai spoke indifferently as he inquired.

“Indeed. Young Master Li has disabled two of my Zhang Family’s heirs in succession. You don’t think this matter can just be left as is, do you?”