Jian Dan sat cross-legged in the bathtub, slowly absorbing the medicinal liquid while practicing the first level of the Ice Muscle Jade Bone Demonic Body Formula.
The spiritual herbs in the bathtub all came from Jian Dan's Space. Those Tier 1 to Tier 3 spiritual plants in front of the Bamboo House were entirely sufficient to meet the formulation requirements of the primary body-refining decoction.
The cultivation technique slowly tempered her outer skin, combining the body-strengthening efficacy of the medicinal liquid with the spiritual energy, leaving it on the skin's surface. As it slowly tempered and expanded the skin, enhancing its durability, the spiritual liquid's stimulation caused a stinging sensation. Combined with her spiritual energy, it felt as though tiny steel brushes were scrubbing her skin both inside and out, making her scalp tingle and go numb.
Two hours later, all the medicinal efficacy was absorbed, and Jian Dan successfully cultivated the Demonic Body Formula to the first level of Ice Muscle, stepping through the threshold of body-refining.
After washing up, Jian Dan came out of the bathroom and headed straight for the large bed. Having spent three consecutive days racing against time to receive the inheritance, deal with Du Yanran, and arrive at the Zhao Family—where she remained under surveillance even now—she was extremely exhausted. With no immediate threat to her life, sleeping was the most important thing in the world.
Closing her eyes, her spiritual sense slowly sank into her sea of consciousness. In the center of the sea of consciousness, a white magnolia flower was slowly rotating, appearing increasingly dazzling within Jian Dan's starry sea of consciousness.
Jian Dan's spiritual sense, transformed into a ball of light, slowly approached the white magnolia flower and orbited it. With every circle it made, specks of the white magnolia's silver radiance fell into her spiritual sense. Instantly, her spiritual sense felt lighter, as refreshing as drinking ice water on the hottest days of summer.
Jian Dan did not yet understand the principle behind it, but that didn't stop her from hovering around the white magnolia flower to freeload its benefits.
Early the next morning, Jian Dan got up early, strolled around the back garden, did some body stretches, and ran with weighted bands for half an hour. After all, body-refining required gradual progress; she certainly didn't have the physique of the Deity Transformation Stage right now.
Jian Dan returned to her room to drink half a cup of Spirit Spring Water before coming to the living room to have breakfast with the Zhao family.
Qian Yi apologetically stated she was taking Zhao Zihan to the hospital for a checkup, while Ziyu mentioned she had made plans with friends and would accompany Jian Dan tomorrow. Thus, they went their separate ways, leaving only Zhao Mufeng and Jian Dan in the spacious living room.
Zhao Mufeng called Jian Dan into his study, personally brewed tea, and asked her to taste the Mingqian Longjing.
Jian Dan was not very knowledgeable about the art of tea, but she still sipped it carefully. The tea liquor was cool and the fragrance lingered—it could be considered a rare treasure. Unfortunately, lacking spiritual energy, no matter how good the tea leaves were, they were still just grass. Only enlightenment tea might have been able to catch her attention.
After tasting the tea, they moved on to the main business:
"Jian Dan, you said yesterday that you had something to discuss with me. What is it? If Dad can help, I certainly will."
The subtext was that if he couldn't help, she shouldn't force him. Besides, they were just discussing it; if no conclusion came out of the discussion, it would naturally fizzle out.
Jian Dan didn't care much for the hidden barbs in his words and smiled as she said:
"This matter is truly something only Father can help me with."
Zhao Mufeng motioned for Jian Dan to continue.
"Before Mother passed away, she transferred all her assets into my name, but placed them in a trust so I can freely dispose of them only when I turn eighteen. Before that, only a fixed living allowance and miscellaneous school fees are provided for my daily expenses."
Zhao Mufeng nodded and said:
"Well, your mother was afraid that you were young, would spend money recklessly, and might be taken advantage of by people with ulterior motives. Naturally, she was doing it for your good. Your mother discussed this matter with me at the time, and I agreed."
He wasn't lying to Jian Dan about this. After all, to the Zhao Family, money was just a number, and he had bled a fair bit to keep the antique inheritance left to Jian Rou by her parents.
Moreover, the money had previously been locked in a trust and couldn't be touched. Now that Jian Dan was of age, as long as he coaxed her, he needn't fear those funds failing to return to the Zhao Family.
Jian Dan gave a sweet smile, a pair of faint dimples appearing on her cheeks, making Zhao Mufeng momentarily feel as though Jian Rou had returned—that woman as gentle as water, only... He shook the thoughts from his mind and continued listening to Jian Dan.
"Mother said that Father holds her dowry from when she married into the Zhao Family. She didn't care about the rest, except for a vanity case which has been passed down through generations in the Jian Family. It's considered an antique and holds great commemorative value. Mother instructed me to take good care of it and pass it down to my future daughter."
With that, Jian Dan gazed at Zhao Mufeng with clear eyes, waiting for his reply.
At the mere mention of the vanity case, Zhao Mufeng's gaze flashed, though he immediately returned to normal, as if nothing had changed, maintaining his benevolent father persona as he smiled and nodded:
"That's only natural, since this is also part of your dowry. I haven't touched the items since your mother left; they've all been kept intact in a bank safe deposit box. Now the items should be handed over to you for safekeeping. When I have time, I'll go retrieve them."
Hearing Zhao Mufeng's stalling words, a surge of vicious intent welled up inside Jian Dan. If this person weren't her blood relative—striking him directly would be counted as a sin by the Heavenly Dao—she would have directly reduced him to ashes and pulverized his bones. Why would she need to put on a farce of a loving father and a filial daughter with him here?
The vicious intent was suppressed in an instant, and Jian Dan's expression grew much colder. In the Age of Dharma Decline, one must not strike mortals lightly, let alone ruin the difficulty of her own cultivation path for someone so unworthy. It truly wasn't worth the loss.
Although it lasted only a flash, the cunning Zhao Mufeng still sensed it. His hair stood on end instantly, and he shifted uncomfortably in his seat, looking at the much colder daughter beside him, unsure if that eerie feeling just now had been caused by her.