Based on the list of Immortal Seedlings from recent years, Duke Dingguo believed that Ning Sujin's chances of becoming an Immortal Seedling in ten years were slim.
As for Li Ji'an, there was even less hope.
Therefore, he was considering the more long-term matters of the next generation.
Ning Sujin, after all, was still a daughter. If she couldn't become an Immortal Seedling in this lifetime, the only contribution she could make to the family would be to bear offspring.
And under normal circumstances, that was to be used as a bargaining chip to marry into another distinguished or Martial Arts Family, in exchange for his son marrying a woman of extraordinary talent to strengthen the family's bloodline for the next generation.
However, Ning Sujin's talent made him somewhat reluctant to do so.
Moreover, his current three sons had no considerable talent; even marrying an Immortal Seedling might not necessarily yield a descendant who could become an Immortal Seedling.
Now with Li Ji'an, a noble son from a humble background without support, there was suddenly another interesting possibility of recruiting a son-in-law.
"I... I meddle?" Ning Yutan widened her eyes, suddenly guessing her father's thoughts.
"Alright, alright, Tan'Er, be good. You are about to be taken to the Immortal Realm by the Immortal Master, so don't worry about these trivial matters of the Mortal Realm. Focus on your cultivation," Duke Dingguo comforted her gently.
Ning Yutan burst into tears like rain, feeling a strong sense of failure.
She even thought that Ning Sujin teaching her the Body Technique was all to take advantage of her!
"Report!"
As she was about to employ her usual tactic of crying, causing a scene, and threatening to hang herself, an urgent voice came from outside the carriage.
"Speak." Duke Dingguo also withdrew his hand that was about to continue comforting Ning Yutan.
"Reporting, Lord, the scouts sent out at 7:00 AM have not yet returned."
"Pass my order, have the team make camp and rest, send out three more scout teams, and report back as soon as they have news." Duke Dingguo squinted slightly and decisively gave the order.
"Understood!"
"Tan'Er, do not leave this tent." Duke Dingguo looked solemn, his Qi and blood surging, exuding authority without anger.
Ning Yutan realized the severity of the situation, stopped her antics, and hurriedly nodded.
Not long after, Li Ji'an, who had just returned to his carriage, raised an eyebrow.
He lifted the bead curtain and looked at the soldiers surrounding them, each face filled with murderous intent, cautiously observing all directions.
Something happened!
Although Ning Sujin assured him every day that the journey would be without worry, it was hard to avoid some tension.
After all, anyone bold enough to make a move against Duke Dingguo must not be underestimated.
He had previously analyzed it with Ning Sujin. Among the ten Immortal Seedlings this year, six were from the Imperial City, which was almost without incident. Of the remaining four, Ning Yutan was the Marquis's descendant, a month's journey from the Imperial City.
The second was a descendant of the Wang Family, a Qi Blood Master family in Qing Province, half a month from the Imperial City.
The third was a descendant of King Yun from Yun Province, two months from the Imperial City.
The fourth was the son of the Prefect of Qiong Province, three months from the Imperial City.
Of these four, the son of the Prefect of Qiong Province was the most dangerous and the easiest target for ill-intentioned people.
The other three were indeed not simple.
The Wang Family was protected by an Qi and Blood like a Dragon Grandmaster, ranked in the top thirty of the Grandmaster List, and had the shortest distance to travel.
Prince Yun's Mansion was filled with experts and also guarded by hidden guards under the Grand Ancestor.
In comparison, Dingyuan Marquis's Mansion was slightly weaker; Marquis Dingyuan had just entered the Qi Blood Realm and was considered the weakest among Grandmasters.
However, it was said that there was an old friend of the Old Marquis's life-and-death tributors in the mansion, though it was uncertain who it was, it was rumored to be a figure from the Grandmaster List.
Glancing at the large four-horse carriage a hundred steps away from his own carriage, Li Ji'an felt somewhat reassured.
Their target would be clear; they would only aim for the Immortal Seedling. The youngest and most vigorous in terms of Qi and blood, Ning Yutan, could not disguise herself to avoid the Qi Blood Master's Sensing, so that would be the core strike point.
It should be safe here.
"No need to panic, twenty miles ahead is Fallen Horse Road. Scouts were sent earlier in the night, and they have yet to return; another team has been sent to investigate. Even if there are bandits, they have likely been figured out and would probably retreat." Duke Dingguo explained to the Guiding Official of the Seeking Immortal Palace.
"Hmph! Are there really bandits bold enough to defy the Celestial Spirit?" The Guiding Official of the Seeking Immortal Palace was furious.
"Perhaps it's just a misunderstanding, hahaha, don't be agitated. Someone, bring wine and meat to entertain us," Duke Dingguo laughed heartily, inviting the Guiding Official into the temporary military tent for a drink.
"If there are truly bandits with intentions, they shouldn't be scared off. I'd like to see who has the audacity to disrupt such an important matter for the Immortal Master! Dare to delay His Majesty's immortal fate! How many heads do they have?" The Guiding Official cursed as he entered the tent.
Li Ji'an was watching from afar and noticed Ning Sujin also peered out, without further thought, he re-entered Ning Sujin's carriage.
"Sister Jin, how is it? Can you predict anything from the soldiers' fortune?"
Ning Sujin instinctively avoided eye contact with Li Ji'an and just gently shook her head.
She paused for two seconds before regaining her composure: "I can only Sense someone's fortune when I have them in mind, the closer the relationship, the clearer and more precise the Sensing, and the longer the duration. Additionally, actively Sensing results in dizziness and frequent Sensing can cause pain and consume mental energy."
"..." Li Ji'an was dumbfounded.
No wonder she frowned instinctively when he asked her to Sense his fortune daily.
So that's how it was.
The closer the relationship, the more accurate the Sensing? And it happens sooner?
"Sister Jin, why do you disregard your well-being like this? Why didn't you tell me about such consequences? Do you know how guilty I feel now?"
In a relationship between a man and woman, taking the initiative and replacing apologies with criticisms is more conducive to establishing a harmonious and equal relationship in the future.
Ning Sujin, initially feeling shy, was yet again flustered.
Seeing Li Ji'an's sincere expression, she couldn't help but internally criticize, "Aren't you the one afraid of dying, asking me to Sense for you daily?"
"I..."
"You were wrong this time, if I knew ahead of time it would make you uncomfortable, I wouldn't have done so." Li Ji'an didn't give her time to react.
Ning Sujin's mind was involuntarily led astray, and she instinctively replied, "It... was my fault... I'm sorry."
"Forget it, just remember, never do it again in the future." Li Ji'an smiled.
Step one of obedience training complete!
Ning Sujin frowned, feeling something wasn't right.
But Li Ji'an didn't give her time to ponder; he immediately changed the subject: "Sister Jin, you said active Sensing has a price, what about passive Sensing?"
"That fool did it this time by passive Sensing. Passive Sensing has no price, but it also relates to the closeness of the relationship. The more intimate, the sooner, and clearer the passive Sensing; otherwise, only great misfortune or imminent disaster will trigger it." Ning Sujin explained.
"I see!" Li Ji'an nodded slowly, his mind made more resolute.
Boom~
At that moment, a loud explosion sounded inexplicably nearby.
"Ambush!" The surrounding soldiers and guards immediately shouted warnings and assumed defensive positions.
"Hmph! Traitors, I've been waiting for you!" At this moment, where the explosion had just occurred, two figures revealed themselves...