Hearing Min Ziqiong’s decision, Steven was stunned.
He looked at Min Ziqiong in disbelief and asked, "Are you sure you know what you're saying? Are you sure you understand what kind of opponent you're facing? Are you sure you can withstand the saturation attack that's about to come?"
Min Ziqiong nodded and uttered two words: "I am!"
After a long pause, Steven sighed, "Since that's the case, then I wish you smooth sailing!"
"Also, I will do my best to help you alleviate some of the pressure. But it's bound to be a drop in the bucket. I hope you're prepared for that."
"Finally, if... I mean, if... you can't withstand the attacks of those giants, and you decide to hand over Shen Jing, don't rush to find a buyer. Definitely wait until I return from Zhongnan Mountain."
"At that time, I can formally take over, but in reality, you will still be in control. Consider it my indirect repayment for the gift of cultivation from the Immortal Master!"
Clearly, Steven did not have a high opinion of Min Ziqiong's chances.
After all, the opposing forces Min Ziqiong was facing were too powerful. These individuals were giants in terms of both capital and connections.
A mere cough from them could be an earthquake for Min Ziqiong.
Let alone being targeted by them with full force!
It was good that Min Ziqiong had courage and confidence, but courage and confidence couldn't solve real-world problems.
Steven predicted that Min Ziqiong's courage and confidence would wane within two weeks.
Within a month, Min Ziqiong would completely lose her fighting spirit and start considering selling Shen Jing!
"I will," Min Ziqiong replied perfunctorily.
Then she quietly looked at Steven.
Her meaning was obvious: she was asking him to leave.
Steven lingered no longer. He shouted towards the villa, "Immortal Master, I'm leaving! If I discover anything, I'll notify you immediately!"
He turned and left.
Min Ziqiong returned to the villa and, with some trepidation, told Ying Chen of her decision to go it alone.
She had expected Ying Chen to disapprove, but to her surprise, Ying Chen said, "Good. I have faith in you."
These six words instantly boosted Min Ziqiong's confidence.
However, Min Ziqiong could never have imagined that Ying Chen was just saying it casually.
After all, Ying Chen didn't care much about Shen Jing, a product made from the scraps of bathwater.
It didn't matter if Min Ziqiong failed.
It was like a child participating in a calligraphy and painting competition. Even if the parents didn't have much faith in the child, they would still offer encouragement rather than opposition.
The fundamental reason was not that the parents were open-minded, but that even if the child lost, there would be no significant consequences.
So why would the parents object?
If Min Ziqiong understood Ying Chen's mindset, she would probably be devastated on the spot!
One day passed quickly.
Min Ziqiong confined herself to her room, spending the entire day writing a business proposal.
Tomorrow, she would take this proposal to raise funds.
Therefore, it had to be perfect to convince the banks to grant loans.
It wasn't until evening that Min Ziqiong emerged from her room to cook.
At the dinner table, Ying Chen was, as always, devouring his meal.
However, midway through, Ying Chen's chopsticks, which were picking up food, suddenly froze in mid-air.
He stood there as if struck by a paralysis spell.
Min Ziqiong thought Ying Chen had eaten something he disliked, similar to how Nannan would make that face when she accidentally ate ginger.
"What's wrong? Is there something you don't like? I'll be careful not to include it next time," Min Ziqiong said quickly.
Unexpectedly, Ying Chen shook his head.
A strange expression appeared on his face as he looked at Min Ziqiong.
"Um, I think I've forgotten something..."
"What is it?" Min Ziqiong asked, puzzled.
Ying Chen looked embarrassed, hesitating to speak.
Finally, Ying Chen put down his chopsticks, got up, and walked towards the outside. "Come with me!"
Min Ziqiong was even more confused. She followed Ying Chen, and the two walked towards the backyard.
At this moment.
In the backyard.
Min Ziqiong's parents sat back-to-back, trembling like two quails in the cold wind.
Bone Snake clearly did not consider these two intruders as allies.
Therefore, they could not enjoy the spiritual energy brought by the formation's transformation. Instead, because they were sitting on the ground, they were heavily surrounded by earthly malevolent energy.
Their entire bodies felt as if they had been immersed in an ice cellar.
"Old... old man... do you think... we'll die here?" Min Ziqiong's mother said weakly, her teeth chattering.
Min Ziqiong's father was not much better, his face also pale and devoid of any color.
He replied weakly, "No... even if we do... it doesn't matter... it's good that our family will be reunited underground..."
"We've been trapped here for so long... it's highly likely that Xiao Qiong and her mother have already met with misfortune..."
"Alas, for me, Min Daqiang, to be brave for once... yet fate is unkind... preventing me from being a good father before I die..."
A flicker of regret and despair flashed in Min Ziqiong's father's eyes.
He clearly believed that after such a long delay, Min Ziqiong and her mother had already been silenced by Bao Jie's representatives.
"Old man... it's no use saying that now... save your strength... and think about how to explain it to Xiao Qiong if we meet her down there!" Min Ziqiong's mother said unwillingly but helplessly.
At this moment, they suddenly heard footsteps.
Simultaneously, two blurry figures appeared before them.
"Who is it?" Min Ziqiong's parents asked instinctively.
But the next second, after seeing the two blurry figures clearly, their faces changed drastically.
It was Min Ziqiong and Ying Chen!
"It's over, old woman! We're dead! We thought we were still alive, but we've already arrived in the underworld! I said why it's so cold; wouldn't the underworld be cold?" Min Ziqiong's father said, as if he had seen through the truth, beating his chest and stomping his feet.
Min Ziqiong's mother rubbed her eyes vigorously, and after a moment, she also cried out, "It's Xiao Qiong, it really is Xiao Qiong! And that damned Ying Chen!"
"How pitiful, Xiao Qiong was indeed killed by Bao Jie's representatives! They could have just killed Ying Chen, why did they have to kill Xiao Qiong? If Xiao Qiong is dead, who will I ask for the Shen Jing formula from!" Min Ziqiong's mother, even at this moment, had not forgotten about getting the formula.
With a plop!
Min Ziqiong's father staggered to his feet, wanting to go to Min Ziqiong. However, his body was too weak, and he lost his balance, falling to the ground.
He looked at Min Ziqiong apologetically, tears streaming down his face. "Xiao Qiong, I'm sorry, it's my fault. If I hadn't been greedy, I wouldn't have caused this trouble."
"If I had been brave enough to stop those two Bao Jie representatives at the foot of the mountain, instead of waiting for them to enter the villa before acting, perhaps you and your mother wouldn't have died!"
"Xiao Qiong, I killed you and your mother. I'm not human, I'm not human!"
"Xiao Qiong, don't be my daughter in your next life... I don't deserve to be your father..."
Min Ziqiong, who had been expressionless, suddenly felt her eye muscles twitch upon hearing her father's words, and her eyes instantly became moist.