freenovelworld Chapter 366: Zhao Cizhou
Chapter 366: Zhao Cizhou
He didn’t deliberately release his aura, but the moment he stepped into the private room, the very air seemed to grow heavy.
Xu Wuyi’s heart tightened.
This formless pressure was something he had felt from Teacher Han Mo, from Dean He Yifeng, and from the virtual image of Senior Flame Venerable. This was the "Momentum" that belonged to Grandmaster Level Martial Artists.
He stood and bowed slightly. "Grandmaster Zhao."
The visitor was none other than the Patriarch of the Zhao Family, one of the Federation’s most renowned Grandmasters, Zhao Cizhou.
Zhao Cizhou waved his hand, a gentle smile on his face. "No need for such ceremony. Please, sit. This is a private meeting today; we can dispense with the formalities."
He sat down on the other side of the low table, his gaze falling upon Xu Wuyi, filled with undisguised scrutiny and appreciation.
"Qingwei often speaks of you," Zhao Cizhou began, his voice mellow and serene. "She said that in her year, there was a classmate named Xu Wuyi whose talent, disposition, and perseverance were all of the highest caliber. Seeing you today, I can tell your reputation is well-deserved."
"You flatter me, Grandmaster." Xu Wuyi’s expression remained unchanged.
"It’s no flattery," Zhao Cizhou said, shaking his head. "Champion of the Youth Tournament, one of the Four Extremes Stars, forming a Heart Image Prototype before the age of twenty... with titles like these, only a handful in the Federation’s younger generation can stand shoulder to shoulder with you. When I was your age, I was still struggling just to break through to the Martial Artist realm."
He paused, then his tone shifted. "Actually, I invited you here today because there’s a matter I’d like to ask for your help with."
Xu Wuyi looked up. "Please, go on."
Zhao Cizhou glanced at Zhao Qingwei before continuing slowly, "Qingwei will be a third-year student next year. According to Star Martial tradition, third-year students can begin to receive guidance for higher-level cultivation."
"Qingwei’s talent for the Sword Dao is quite good, but to advance further, she needs a more suitable guide. Although our Zhao Family has several legacies, the path that truly suits her best is the Dao of the ’Unity of Heart and Sword.’"
"And in the current Federation, the person with the deepest attainments in the Dao of the Sword and Heart, and the one most suited to guide Qingwei, is Grandmaster Lin Jianyi."
Xu Wuyi understood immediately.
Grandmaster Lin Jianyi had only joined Star Martial University two years ago. One could say that Sword Dao geniuses like Zhao Qingwei and Qin Rui had applied to Star Martial University specifically for Grandmaster Lin.
Zhao Cizhou continued, "Grandmaster Lin travels the Star Realm year-round, and his whereabouts are unpredictable. Even at Star Martial, he rarely gives public lectures. To get in touch with him, one needs a proper channel for an introduction."
"Our Zhao Family has no deep connection with Grandmaster Lin. Approaching him rashly would be a breach of etiquette. However, I’ve heard that the Dongjiang Qiao Family has some history with Grandmaster Lin. The Qiao Family’s old patriarch fought alongside Grandmaster Lin in his early years, and they share a deep friendship."
He looked at Xu Wuyi, his gaze sincere. "We know that you and the Qiao Family’s young lady, Qiao Zhiyao, are martial siblings and have a good relationship. So, we’d like to ask you to act as an intermediary and convey our wishes to the Qiao Family."
"The Zhao Family is willing to offer suitable compensation in exchange for the Qiao Family’s help in making the connection, to secure an opportunity for Qingwei to meet with Grandmaster Lin."
Xu Wuyi was silent.
He neither agreed nor refused immediately.
’The matter itself isn’t complicated; it’s just passing on a message. But it involves two Noble Families and a Grandmaster, so the details must be handled with care.’
"Why ask me?" Xu Wuyi asked. "The Zhao Family could contact the Qiao Family directly."
"Contacting them directly would seem too deliberate," Zhao Cizhou said frankly. "Dealings between Noble Families often require a buffer. You are Qingwei’s classmate and are also acquainted with Qiao Zhiyao. Having you make the approach would seem more natural. Besides..."
He paused, a hint of helplessness in his tone. "The Qiao Family has become increasingly low-key in recent years, and they are especially cautious about forming ties with other Noble Families."
"If our Zhao Family were to approach them directly, the Qiao Family might not even be willing to entertain the conversation. But you’re different. You don’t come from a Noble Family and have no vested interests with the Qiao Family. If you’re the one to bring it up, they will be more receptive."
Xu Wuyi understood.
’He was the most suitable "bridge"—not from a Noble Family, yet connected to both sides. What the Zhao Family valued was precisely his status as an "outsider."’
’The Xingjing Zhao Family was certainly a great clan, but just being in Xingjing didn’t make them superior to everyone else.’
’The Dongjiang Qiao Family, with two Grandmasters in one generation, was one of the top Noble Families in the Federation. Even a family like the Zhaos, having no prior relationship with them, needed a proper pretext to make contact.’
On the other hand, there was something Xu Wuyi had overlooked: his own importance.
He had always seen himself as a minor figure, but in reality, he was now regarded as one of the top geniuses of the Federation’s younger generation, a Grandmaster candidate who was almost certain to achieve the Innate realm.
Moreover, even if he couldn’t step into the Grandmaster Realm in the future, there was a high probability he would become a veteran Innate Martial Artist, or even a Quasi-Grandmaster.
Even a Grandmaster Noble Family couldn’t afford to slight a Quasi-Grandmaster.
Zhao Cizhou then added, "As long as you’re willing to help, Mr. Xu, I can also give you a promise. If you ever intend to study under a certain Grandmaster in the future, the Zhao Family can make the introduction for you. For instance, Grandmaster Yue Lianshan."
Although the Zhao Family couldn’t get in touch with the Qiao Family or Grandmaster Lin Jianyi, they did have some dealings with Grandmaster Yue Lianshan. This was the power of connections.
And Xu Wuyi, in turn, was one of the Zhao Family’s connections—and for this particular matter, the most suitable bridge.
Xu Wuyi’s eyes lit up at his words. ’He practices the *Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace*. If he could study under Grandmaster Yue Lianshan, the results would naturally be the best.’
’A Grandmaster like Zhao Cizhou really does things in a straightforward manner. He wouldn’t let me suffer a loss, offering a promise and an introduction in return.’
’This was a perfectly reciprocal exchange, not some resource compensation offered from the lofty position of a Noble Family.’
But he didn’t let it go to his head. After a moment of thought, he said, "I can relay this matter to Qiao Zhiyao."
"But whether she is willing to help, or whether the Qiao Family agrees to make the connection, I cannot guarantee. In this matter, I am only responsible for passing on the message."
Upon hearing this, a flicker of approval flashed in Zhao Cizhou’s eyes.
He appreciated Xu Wuyi’s clear-headedness and sense of propriety—not making promises lightly, not overstepping his bounds, and only doing what was within his role.
To be able to maintain this attitude even under the temptation of a Grandmaster’s guidance made him all the more reassuring.
"That will be more than enough," Zhao Cizhou nodded. "You only need to convey our wishes to Qiao Zhiyao. What happens after that is for the Qiao Family to decide. Whether it succeeds or not, the Zhao Family will be indebted to you for this."
As he spoke, he took a palm-sized jade box from his sleeve and pushed it in front of Xu Wuyi.
"This is ’Spirit-Gathering Incense.’ When lit, it helps with Concentrating Spirit and calming the mind, and offers some benefit to Visualization practice," Zhao Cizhou said.
"You and Qingwei are classmates, so consider this a greeting gift. If you don’t mind, you can call me Uncle Zhao."
Xu Wuyi glanced at the jade box.
The jade box was a lustrous white, its surface marked with natural cloud-like patterns. He could faintly sense the gentle energy fluctuations contained within. The item was valuable, but for a Grandmaster, it couldn’t be considered overly precious.
With a Grandmaster having put it this way, Xu Wuyi paused briefly in thought, then accepted. He put the jade box away and said, "Thank you, Uncle Zhao."
"Hahaha, good. Our business is concluded." Zhao Cizhou smiled and stood up. "I’ll leave you young people to talk."
With that, he nodded to Xu Wuyi, turned, and slowly walked away.