Battle Through the Heavens: Marry Cao Ying, Reward is Devouring Ancestral Symbol

Greedy manThe gentle smile on Dan Xuan’s face stiffened imperceptibly for a moment, and a faint trace of disappointment and dissatisfaction flashed through his eyes.

He had specifically pointed out that only ”one’s own Family” could be taught the core techniques.

He had practically laid his intention for a marriage Alliance out in the open, yet it only garnered a vague ”we’ll talk about it later” from the other party.

But he was, after all, an heir painstakingly cultivated by the Dan Family, and his Heart-Nature was steady.

That bit of emotion was quickly suppressed, and he returned to normal. He stood up and cupped his hands, his smile still appropriate: ”Brother Shen’s considerations are thorough; it was Dan who was abrupt.”

”My father and the clan elders would all welcome Brother Shen to visit the Dan Family in his spare time. I won’t disturb you further today.”

He paused, then added one last sentence, his tone seemingly sincere yet carrying another meaning: ”I wish Brother Shen all the best for the assessment in half a month. I, Dan, shall take my leave.”

Having said that, he stayed no longer and turned to depart.

Cao Ying walked out from the side, a gentle smile on her face, though a hint of teasing flickered in her eyes: ”Husband, if Little Sister Dan Chen knew you rejected her brother’s intentions like this today, she would probably be heartbroken.”

Shen Wen placed the storage ring left by Dan Xuan on the table and rubbed his temples, his tone carrying some helplessness: ”Dan Chen has a simple nature; I naturally know that.”

”It’s just... the Dan Family is different from ordinary small clans. Since they could use the pretext of expressing gratitude to state their intention for a marriage Alliance so clearly today, how could what they seek be limited to just the title of ’one’s own Family’?”

”If I really agreed, what would Dan Chen’s status be upon entering the Family?”

He looked at Cao Ying and stated his concerns directly: ”The Dan Family is one of the Five Great Families of the Pill Tower, with a deep foundation; they value face more than anything.”

”They might tolerate Dan Chen being on good terms with me or even acquiesce to some affection, but it’s absolutely impossible for them to let their Family’s Genius pearl settle for being a concubine.”

”But if I were to give her the position of equal wife...”

Shen Wen paused and didn’t continue, but his meaning was already clear.

Cao Ying walked over to sit beside him and nodded: ”This is indeed a problem. If you give it, it breaks the current delicate balance, and it might not even be what the Dan Family ultimately wants.”

”They probably want to see Dan Chen become the most important person by your side, the one who can best represent the Dan Family’s interests.”

”If you don’t give it, it’s equivalent to only accepting half of the olive branch, and the Dan Family will inevitably overthink things.”

She tilted her head, her eyes shimmering with a hint of curiosity as she looked at Shen Wen: ”However, since you’ve thought of this layer, Husband, you must be clear in your heart about who is currently by your side.”

”The first wife is me, and the position of equal wife has already been set for Little Sister Cai Lin.”

”Since there’s still one wife position you don’t intend to give to Dan Chen... then that spot... who were you originally planning to save it for?”

Shen Wen was momentarily at a loss for words by her question, a bit of embarrassment showing on his face as he rubbed his nose: ”Actually... I haven’t decided yet.”

Hearing this, Cao Ying couldn’t help but roll her eyes at him—a glance full of charm, yet also carrying the realization of ”as expected.”

”You men are just like this. Never mind,”

She sighed softly, then smiled again, her smile carrying a bit of shrewdness and responsibility. ”Since it’s not convenient for you to refuse directly, and it indeed needs to be handled properly, leave it to me.”

”In a couple of days, I’ll find an excuse to see Dan Chen. Some things are more tactful and less awkward when discussed between women than when you men are so direct.”

Shen Wen’s heart stirred, and he took her hand: ”Ying’er, thank you for your hard work.”

”It’s my duty,” Cao Ying said softly, then reminded him seriously, ”However, Husband, since we’ve decided to handle the Dan Family’s matter this way, if the Bai Family and the Qiu Family also send people to contact you soon, it wouldn’t be appropriate for you to meet them in person.”

”At least, not until the Dan Family’s attitude becomes clear.”

Shen Wen understood her meaning.

The Five Great Families of the Pill Tower balanced each other out.

If he met with the Dan Family today and then with the Bai and Qiu families in a couple of days, it would inevitably give the impression of playing all sides and waiting for the highest bidder, which might instead offend several families at once.

Since the Dan Family had taken the lead in extending an olive branch, and it involved Dan Chen, his attitude needed to be clearer.

”I understand.” Shen Wen nodded. ”For visits from other families, it’s fine for you to handle them for now. If they have similar intentions...”

He shook his head, his tone calm: ”If all Five Great Families were too deeply involved with me and tied together, how would that be any different from the current power structure within the Pill Tower?”

”It would be nothing more than an Alliance under a different name.”

”Not only would this fail to help me break the deadlock, but it might also cause me to fall into the quagmire of various families’ interests early on, offending even more people who were originally neutral or waiting to see.”

”Now is far from the time to lay all the cards on the table.”

Cao Ying gave him an appreciative look: ”It’s good that Husband knows what he’s doing.”

She stood up, preparing to arrange the subsequent matters.

”By the way,” Shen Wen called out to her, ”just handle the Dan Family’s matter as you see fit.”

”Once it’s handled properly, you and Cai Lin come to my study together. I have some things to discuss with you.”

Cao Ying nodded.

”Alright, I understand.”

...The next day, Cao Ying arrived at the Dan Family residence in casual clothes, accompanied by only two personal maids.

The Cao Family and the Dan Family were both among the Five Great Families of the Pill Tower, yet their relationship was not as tense as the outside world imagined.

The interest networks of Alchemist families spanned the continent; competition mostly occurred at higher levels, with few low-level conflicts that led to open hostility.

Additionally, because Cao Ying and Dan Chen were very close friends, her visit did not cause much of a stir.

The Dan Family’s maids respectfully led Cao Ying to Dan Chen’s courtyard. Just as she stepped through the gate, she saw Dan Chen sitting alone on a stone stool, her head lowered and her shoulders twitching slightly.

As Cao Ying approached, she indeed saw that Dan Chen’s eyes were red and the tear stains on her face had not yet dried; she had clearly been crying for a while.

”Little Sister Chen,” Cao Ying called out softly.

Dan Chen looked up at the sound. Seeing it was Cao Ying, instead of stopping her tears, she felt even more aggrieved, her voice choking: ”Sister Ying... Brother Shen Wen... does he not like me?”

”When my brother came back, although he didn’t say it explicitly, the meaning...”

Cao Ying sat down beside her and handed her a handkerchief, her tone carrying a bit of a helpless smile: ”What are you overthinking for? If he didn’t like you, why would he have gone to such great lengths to deduce the Skill of Sky Control for you and constantly pay attention to your Cultivation progress?”

Dan Chen took the handkerchief but still muttered: ”Then why did he...”

”Why didn’t he directly accept your brother’s hint?” Cao Ying took over the conversation and gave a soft snort. ”That lecher has many twists and turns in his heart.”

”Brother Shen Wen is not a lecher!” Dan Chen reflexively retorted. Though her voice still carried a sob, her intent to defend him was very clear.

Cao Ying was amused by her and reached out to lightly tap her forehead: ”You! I am his lawfully wedded wife; don’t I know him better than you do?”

Dan Chen covered her forehead, her expression turning dejected as she let out a long sigh.

Seeing her like this, Cao Ying shook her head, her tone softening: ”Little Sister, with your talent, appearance, and Family background, why worry about finding a talented young man? Is that guy... really worth all this?”