Three days later, Zi Linling and the other seven arrived in Zhansun City. With their previous experience, they headed straight for the Zhansun Shrine upon entering the city.
The Patriarch and elders of the Xuanyuan family had already received the news and were waiting outside the Zhansun Shrine to welcome their arrival.
"Esteemed guests, Xuanyuan Haoxuan and the people of the Xuanyuan family have been waiting for a long time!"
Xuanyuan Haoxuan, the Patriarch of the Xuanyuan family, wore a polite smile, which further enhanced his noble demeanor.
As the saying goes, one should not strike a smiling face.
Seeing Xuanyuan Haoxuan's smiling face, Zi Linling naturally returned the gesture.
"Surely this is City Lord Xuanyuan? To have the Patriarch Xuanyuan and so many people come to greet us is truly an overwhelming honor!"
Xuanyuan Haoxuan chuckled courteously, "Miss Zi is too kind! We have long heard of the deeds of Miss Zi and her esteemed guests. To be able to behold your noble presence today is indeed a matter of immense fortune!"
Zi Linling smiled without speaking.
Too much politeness could be tiresome.
Xuanyuan Haoxuan's gaze swept over them and landed on Xuanyuan Xun. "You are Xuanyuan Xun, aren't you?"
Xuanyuan Xun smiled and replied, "Indeed!"
Xuanyuan Haoxuan let out a hearty laugh. "As expected, a hero emerges from youth! You are truly a worthy son of our Xuanyuan clan!"
Xuanyuan Xun raised an eyebrow imperceptibly and chuckled faintly, "The Xuanyuan family is too kind! I, Xuanyuan Xun, hail from the Tiantian Continent, not the Shenyi Continent."
The implication was clear: this Xuanyuan was not the one they were thinking of, so they should not try to claim kinship.
How could Xuanyuan Haoxuan not understand Xuanyuan Xun's meaning?
He laughed heartily and said, "Young Master Xuanyuan, you may not know this, but the Xuanyuan Divine Clan of the Tiantian Continent is a branch of our Xuanyuan family. Therefore, this Xuanyuan is that Xuanyuan, and that Xuanyuan is this Xuanyuan!"
Xuanyuan Xun was taken aback and was about to inquire about the relationship when Shen Liuxing stopped him.
"City Lord Xuanyuan, surely you don't intend for us to stand outside the shrine for pleasantries?"
Shen Liuxing's sharp wit and intelligence were no less than Zi Linling's. His remark left Xuanyuan Haoxuan momentarily awkward.
Fortunately, Xuanyuan Haoxuan was not an ordinary person. He gave an embarrassed smile and said, "This young brother speaks his mind directly. It is I who have been remiss!"
He then turned to Zi Linling and said, "Miss Zi, esteemed guests, please come inside for a moment of rest in the rear hall!"
Zi Linling smiled and nodded, "If that is the case, then we shall impose."
She knew that Xuanyuan Xun had many questions, so she accepted Xuanyuan Haoxuan's invitation.
Accompanied by Xuanyuan Haoxuan, they bypassed the shrine and entered the rear hall, taking their seats according to the main and guest positions.
Soon, servants brought tea and then withdrew.
Zi Linling said courteously, "City Lord Xuanyuan, we have no ill intentions in coming to Zhansun City. We merely wish to pay respects to Lord Zhansun. We ask for your assistance in this matter!"
Xuanyuan Haoxuan smiled and said, "That is no problem. I have already arranged for someone to make preparations!"
Zi Linling smiled slightly and said, "Thank you very much!"
Xuanyuan Haoxuan replied, "Miss Zi is too kind!"
He then turned to Xuanyuan Xun and said, "Young Master Xuanyuan, what I said earlier was not fabricated, but true. It is all recorded in our Zhansun City family archives."
"Oh?"
Xuanyuan Xun responded faintly, "I don't quite understand what City Lord Xuanyuan means."
Xuanyuan Haoxuan smiled faintly and said, "My meaning is simple. Does Young Master Xuanyuan have any intention of returning to our Xuanyuan family?"
Xuanyuan Xun was about to refuse when Zi Linling interjected.
"City Lord Xuanyuan, if Brother Xuanyuan agrees to return, what benefits would he receive?"
Xuanyuan Haoxuan was taken aback. "Miss Zi is truly direct and to the point!"
Zi Linling smiled faintly. "I am a straightforward person. I say what I mean and mean what I say."
"To be frank, Brother Xuanyuan has reached his current level without expending any resources from your Xuanyuan family. Therefore, if your Xuanyuan family sincerely invites him back, should you not provide appropriate compensation?"
Xuanyuan Haoxuan was stunned again. "That is, of course. If Young Master Xuanyuan is willing to return, all the resources he needs for his future cultivation will be provided by our Xuanyuan family!"
Zi Linling chuckled coldly, "City Lord Xuanyuan is adept at twisting words. I spoke of the past, and you speak of the future. These are entirely different matters! If there is no compensation for the past, why should Brother Xuanyuan return?"
"This..."
Xuanyuan Haoxuan pondered for a moment. "Then what compensation does Miss Zi think we should offer?"
"That, of course, depends on Brother Xuanyuan's wishes!"
Zi Linling said this while giving Xuanyuan Xun a look.
Xuanyuan Xun had no intention of returning to the Xuanyuan family initially, but since Zi Linling had brought it up, he saw no reason to object.
After all, Zi Linling was never one to suffer a loss, nor was she one to make decisions for others without cause.
And at this moment, since Zi Linling had raised the issue, it meant there was more to it.
Xuanyuan Xun's mind raced, but he couldn't think of anything specific to ask for.
Seeing this, Zi Linling quickly smiled and said, "How about this, I'll speak on behalf of Brother Xuanyuan, shall I?"
Xuanyuan Haoxuan looked at Xuanyuan Xun, asking if he agreed to this arrangement.
Xuanyuan Xun nodded. "Then I shall trouble Miss Zi."
Zi Linling smiled brilliantly. "Very well! In that case, will you hand over your Xuanyuan family's God Slaying Spear to Brother Xuanyuan?"
The God Slaying Spear?!!
Upon hearing this, Xuanyuan Haoxuan's face turned grim. "Miss Zi, how did you know about the God Slaying Spear?"
Zi Linling smiled faintly. "How I know is a secret. But I can tell you this: the God Slaying Spear can only unleash its greatest power in Brother Xuanyuan's hands!"
The name "God Slaying Spear" was revealed to Zi Linling by Zhan Lan Xing Hun, who also instructed Zi Linling to help Xuanyuan Xun acquire it.
Xuanyuan Haoxuan said coldly, "Apologies! The God Slaying Spear is an ancestral weapon, and I cannot hand it over. Furthermore, deciding who the God Slaying Spear is to be passed down to requires the resolution of all the elders!"
Zi Linling chuckled coldly, "Ridiculous? Do you think you can pass down the God Slaying Spear just as you please? To tell you the truth, every single person in your Xuanyuan family, without exception, cannot lift the God Slaying Spear, because the God Slaying Spear only recognizes Xuanyuan Xun!"
Xuanyuan Haoxuan snorted coldly. "Why should I believe your words?"
Zi Linling sneered, "Whether you believe it or not, it is the truth."
"How can you prove it?"
Xuanyuan Haoxuan looked at Xuanyuan Xun, speaking with a hint of anger.
Zi Linling smiled faintly. "It's very simple. Gather all the geniuses of the Xuanyuan family and have them all try to wield the God Slaying Spear. Then you will know."