Bai Zhang fumed, thumping his fists onto the table in anger. Nobody had any respect left for their elders, in this day and age!

Li Meirong, just finishing her pastry, brushed the cake crumbs from her hands as she curiously watched the interplay between father and son. They were behaving as if they'd never eaten sweets in their lives…

Regarding the silver-haired man before her, she couldn't help but think he looked ridiculously cute now. Instead of the usual cold and otherworldly features, Zhu Qingyue's cheeks were puffed out like a squirrel with a mouthful of nuts.

Li Meirong placed a hand over her mouth to hide a tiny smile. She would have never imagined that such an intimidating man would have such a moment!

Bai Qingyue unabashedly finished off the desserts, relishing the taste that lingered on his tongue until a sudden pain in his gut had him contorting with discomfort, clutching at his bloated stomach.

There was a reason that cultivators scarcely ate, and the gods were no exception. Mortal food contained many impurities and was hard for the body to digest. Unless it was spiritual fruits, or a meal enhanced with spirit essence powder, one must eat with care lest they damage their body.

Though there was no fear for Bai Qingyue that his immortal body would be harmed, the stomach ache he was experiencing felt horrible.

Still, he regretted nothing!

"Are you feeling alright, Senior Zhu?" Li Meirong asked, concerned, having noticed Zhu Qingyue's face contorting with pain.

"Fine," he gritted out in response, attempting not to show a less-than-graceful image in front of his wife.

Bai Zhang did not suppress his laughter this time, eyes curved with mirth as he snickered. It served his son right for greedily eating all the pastries!

The old fox's lips stretched into a crafty smirk as he plotted ways to snatch future delicacies. Was he not the all-powerful Grandmaster of this sect? He could go and grab some whenever he liked!

Bai Zhang controlled the entire sect, after all. Did that not mean he could do whatever he so desired?

Li Meirong's eyes darted fretfully between Grandmaster Zhu Zhang and Zhu Qingyue, hoping that she would not be blamed for any of their discomforts.

For now, though, Bai Zhang was enjoying his moment of karmic retribution, and would not be blaming his son's pains on Li Meirong. He did not allow his amusement to prevent him from offering benevolence for long, however, summoning a canister of spirit-infused ginger sticks from his spatial storage bag.

"Here, chew on this," he instructed his son. "It will help ease your upset stomach."

Bai Qingyue followed his advice and groaned in relief shortly thereafter as the symptoms lessened, and he gradually began to feel better. His stomach, however, remained bulged ungracefully from bloating.

Noting the length of time that had passed without Snowball returning, Li Meirong's worry resurfaced. She rose from her seat and bowed in respect.

"Seeing as my fox spirit has yet to return, I shall take my leave now."'And may our paths never meet again,' she thought.

"Hold it!" Bai Zhang said, lifting a hand and halting her departure.

Her back stiffened, and she looked up to see the father-son pair exchanging brief glances with each other.

Bai Zhang nudged Bai Qingyue, urging him to take charge and go on as according to their plan.

Bai Qingyue stood from his seat as well, his golden eyes boring into Li Meirong.

"My father summoned me after witnessing your talent at your trial. In preparation for the upcoming tournament, I have been brought here to act as your martial arts instructor," he said. His low, baritone voice contrasted heavily with his almost feminine features.

Li Meirong shifted in agitation. She had no intentions of joining any kind of tournament!

"I'm afraid I'm really not suitable for that, I've only just started cultivating and I've got no knowledge of martial arts," she said.

"You have a talent for it."

Bai Zhang admired the straight face his son managed to maintain, even with the lies he was spouting. What talent? Bai Qingyue had provided her with all her powers, gifting them to her on a silver platter!

"I really have no desire to learn martial arts," Li Meirong said again. "I just want to live peacefully and cultivate slowly."

A vein near Bai Qingyue's eye twitched with his rising anger. Was his woman the reincarnation of a Buddhist monk?!

Martial arts cultivation was the most dangerous way of raising one's spiritual level, since it required the cultivator to be put in harm's way against numerous opponents. Yet it was also the fastest method. The training required constant practise in both mind and body, but the results were most lucrative.

'Foolish Wife, you will not make me wait thousands of years for you!'

"You are obligated to join!" Bai Qingyue roared.

Being yelled at by Zhu Qingyue was the final straw for Li Meirong. She had finally had enough of the Zhu family. She was at her wits' end worrying about Snowball, and this family was like a thorn in her side, persistent and bothering her at every turn. The son was just as aggravating as the father!

All her forgiveness regarding their previous encounter was extinguished. No matter what, they simply could not get along!

"I am not going to join! I quit!"