Master Tian Mu instantly understood.

He looked at Qin Lie. Qin Lie was indeed a talent of the younger generation. With the right nurturing, his potential was immense.

All in all, he was satisfied.

Seeing Master Tian Mu’s admiration, Qin Lie was overjoyed.

He knew this greatly increased the chances of success.

After all, Master Tian Mu was the Pavilion Master of the Treasure Elephant Pavilion.

Master Tian Mu fell into deep thought.

Finally, he said to Master Qin, "Be that as it may, I am quite satisfied with Qin Lie."

"However, the Young Miss’s marriage is a major affair. It’s a matter I have no authority over whatsoever."

"What?"

Hearing Master Tian Mu’s words, both Master Qin and Qin Lie were stunned.

He actually had no say in Murong Xiangming’s affairs.

’How bizarre.’

They had assumed Master Tian Mu could make the decision. Master Qin, in particular, believed his relationship with Master Tian Mu was excellent and that proposing the marriage wouldn’t be very difficult.

The only potential problem seemed to be Murong Xiangming herself.

And now, it looked like the problem was indeed with Murong Xiangming.

If Murong Xiangming refused, it would be a real problem.

Master Qin, somewhat baffled, pressed, "Tian Mu, how can you not be the one to decide? You’re the Pavilion Master."

"I was hoping you could make the final call on this."

Given the structure of the Treasure Elephant Pavilion, Master Tian Mu was clearly the one with the highest status.

He should have authority over anyone within the Treasure Elephant Pavilion.

Qin Lie was also confused.

As far as they knew, Murong Xiangming’s relationship with Master Tian Mu was profound; it seemed more likely she was his daughter.

Even if she wasn’t his daughter, she surely had a very close relationship with him.

Master Tian Mu shook his head and said with a wry smile, "You’re overthinking it."

"Everyone mistakenly believes that Murong Xiangming is my, Tian Mu’s, daughter. In truth, she is not."

"I am called Tian Mu, but my actual surname is Zhang. Murong Xiangming’s surname is Murong. We’re not related at all."

Master Qin and Qin Lie were both utterly flabbergasted.

This was the first time Master Qin had ever heard that Master Tian Mu’s surname was Zhang.

Master Tian Mu continued, "The Young Miss... she is our Treasure Elephant Pavilion’s Young Miss. She isn’t related to anyone here."

"But I must stress one thing: even I have only a vague understanding of her identity and status. What is certain, however, is that an old man like me has absolutely no authority to make decisions for her."

"What?"

Master Qin and Qin Lie were stunned yet again.

If they were understanding Master Tian Mu correctly, it meant Murong Xiangming’s identity and status were actually far higher than his, the Pavilion Master’s.

This was a truly terrifying prospect.

It completely defied their expectations.

Master Qin asked in astonishment, "Does this mean Miss Murong is the daughter of some great personage from the upper echelons of your Treasure Elephant Pavilion?"

The Treasure Elephant Pavilion in Hanwu City, much like their Alchemy Master Guild, was just a small branch.

Above them were countless, more powerful branches.

Naturally, the higher one went, the higher the status and standing of the people there.

Master Tian Mu nodded.

"That’s right. I don’t know her exact identity, but she is definitely the daughter of a great personage."

GASP...

The Qin father and son both drew a sharp, cold breath.

This news was simply too astonishing.

Master Qin spoke again, asking, "If that’s the case, why would she be in a small place like Hanwu City?"

"It doesn’t befit her status."

A question arose. If Murong Xiangming’s identity was so noble and formidable, why had she appeared in a small place like Hanwu City?

That in itself was a question worth pondering.

After all, there didn’t seem to be anything special about Hanwu City.

It was just an ordinary city.

Master Tian Mu shook his head again.

"I cannot say any more about this matter."

"However, I hope you can keep this a secret. The Young Miss’s identity must not be revealed."

He spoke solemnly to the Qin father and son. In truth, even saying this much was already revealing something of the Young Miss’s identity.

But Master Tian Mu himself was also puzzled. ’Revealing her identity doesn’t seem like such a big deal,’ he thought.

He refused to believe that this Young Miss didn’t have protectors from the upper echelons watching over her.

There must be some taboo or special circumstance right now, hence the order not to reveal her identity.

"We understand."

Master Qin and Qin Lie both nodded.

At the same time, a sudden joy and excitement washed over them.

The higher Murong Xiangming’s status, the greater the fortune it would be for the Qin Family if they succeeded with the marriage proposal.

The Qin Family would be overjoyed to form a marriage alliance with a mysterious, powerful figure from the Treasure Elephant Pavilion.

After a moment of thought, Master Tian Mu spoke again. "Even so, since you have come to propose, I can discuss the matter with the Young Miss. Everything will depend on her decision."

"After all, the Young Miss has quite a temper. If she refuses, then it’s a lost cause."

Out of consideration for Master Qin, Master Tian Mu was willing to act as a messenger.

Asking Master Qin and Qin Lie to wait in the reception hall, Master Tian Mu rose and departed.

Master Tian Mu stood outside Murong Xiangming’s chambers for a moment before speaking.

"Young Miss, I have something to discuss with you."

A moment later, Murong Xiangming emerged, clad in white robes, looking like a celestial fairy.

She exuded a powerful aura.

Master Tian Mu was taken aback, then exclaimed, "Young Miss, your Cultivation... you’ve broken through to Martial King?"

This left even Master Tian Mu in a state of shock.

Ever since obtaining the Foundation Strengthening Pill, the Young Miss Murong Xiangming’s Cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds.

Now, upon sensing her power, he realized she had actually reached Martial King Cultivation.

Martial King First Heaven, at that.

It was enough to fill him with awe.

Although the Young Miss was staying at the Treasure Elephant Pavilion, she was still shrouded in many unknown secrets.

For her Cultivation to break through so rapidly, there had to be more to it than just the Foundation Strengthening Pill.

"Pavilion Master, what did you wish to see me about?"

Murong Xiangming’s tone was somewhat cold, even when facing Master Tian Mu.

Her expression was frosty.

It was as if nothing in the world could pique her interest.

After a brief daze, Master Tian Mu dared not dwell on the Young Miss’s identity. She was an enigma.

He composed himself and said in a low voice, "It’s about a marriage proposal. It concerns you, so I wanted to ask for your opinion."

Murong Xiangming looked a little surprised, her lips parting slightly.

Then, all of a sudden, her expression filled with interest.

"A marriage proposal? From whom?"

Her mind began to race.

’Thinking about it, there aren’t many families in Hanwu City who would propose to me right now.’

’And the first one that came to mind was... the Jiang Family.’

’Now that the Ximen Family and the Bai Family are gone, the Jiang Family is the most likely candidate to propose.’

’I wonder... if the Jiang Family were to propose, would I refuse?’

’Especially if the proposal was on behalf of *that* guy.’

’That would be interesting.’

"Young Miss, the guests are still waiting. Why don’t you come with me and see for yourself?" 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Master Tian Mu was also quite surprised. The Young Miss was actually interested in a marriage proposal.

’Could she really be willing to marry Qin Lie?’

It was as if she already knew all about it.

The two of them headed straight for the reception hall.