Cannon Fodder Cultivation Guide

Chapter 69 - Ugly Rejection

"Huh? Why?"

Zheng He was stunned, completely puzzled. "What exactly is it that you're not satisfied with?"

Did this girl even know what she was doing?

After all, he was a dignified Golden Core cultivator, the young city lord of Jia Gu Guan City, handsome and elegant. He didn't care about her background or cultivation level and was sincerely willing to marry her with a proper ceremony.

Such good conditions, such a perfect husband—why wouldn't she agree?

"Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?" Zhang Yiyi blinked and asked in return.

"The truth, of course!" Zheng He waved his hand and patted his chest. "Don't worry, I never bully women. No matter what you say, I won't blame you."

Zhang Yiyi had originally wanted to say she wasn't satisfied with anything, but after hearing Zheng He's words, her impression of him improved slightly.

After thinking for a moment, she decided to be kind and responded honestly without evasion: "Your face is too ugly, your cultivation is lacking, and your backing is weak."

Of course, Zhang Yiyi actually thought that wasn't even the worst part. The worst part was that Zheng He couldn't even see these obvious facts.

"..."

Zheng He stared at Zhang Yiyi in disbelief, trying to find any hint of mockery or nonsense in her expression. Unfortunately, there was none.

Those clear and innocent eyes were filled with seriousness, making it impossible to even justify flipping the table in anger.

Even the other tea customers who had been watching the spectacle were left speechless, finding the situation unbelievable.

After all, in their eyes, no matter how high this Foundation Establishment girl's standards were, it seemed ridiculous to criticize a Golden Core cultivator who was decently handsome and the young city lord.

"Are you joking with me? Or are you really not afraid that I might get angry and take your life?"

After a moment, Zheng He surprisingly kept his promise. Though he was deeply unsatisfied and increasingly annoyed, he suppressed his temper and didn't lash out at Zhang Yiyi.

Seeing how frustrated Zheng He was, Zhang Yiyi felt great. "You asked for the truth, and although you seem a bit reckless, you actually have principles and a big heart. That's why I dared to be honest."

"You've certainly had your say. So, if I really did something to you, that would mean I have no principles or heart?"

Zheng He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It was the first time a woman had rendered him completely helpless.

This was the definition of being unable to hit or scold someone.

And somehow, despite being criticized to the point of worthlessness, he found himself pleased with the few compliments she gave him. He had no idea what spell this woman had cast on him.

"Fine, fine. I won't argue with you anymore. But you said my cultivation and backing are lacking—fine, I can accept that. But why say my face is ugly?"

By now, Zheng He had given up on scaring her. It was clear she wasn't fazed by that.

He wasn't stupid. If he hadn't realized by now that this woman wasn't ordinary, then his 150-plus years of life had been in vain.

People are instinctively drawn to avoiding harm. A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator wouldn't be so calm and composed in standing up to a Golden Core cultivator, especially when he had already revealed his identity as the young city lord.

Or perhaps, to Zhang Yiyi, this wasn't even a confrontation, just a frank conversation with no reservations.

And Zhang Yiyi suddenly realized she had discovered another good trait about Zheng He—he was smart!

He was truly clever. In just a few words, he had quickly assessed that he didn't have enough leverage to influence her decision and decisively withdrew without making the situation awkward.

In reality, Zheng He wasn't just some superficial playboy. Otherwise, with his mediocre talent, he wouldn't have advanced to the Golden Core stage, nor would he have been able to secure the position of young city lord among his father's many sons.

"Senior... I really don't want to hurt your feelings, but heaven and earth bear witness, every single one of my family and friends, regardless of gender, are much better looking than you."

Zhang Yiyi's expression was sincere, as if she didn't want to discourage him, but couldn't lie either. She even kindly added, "Senior, don't take it too hard. Among ordinary people, you're definitely not ugly. Just don't compare yourself to my family and friends."

Her words were harsh, but they were true.

When Zhang Yiyi spoke of her family and friends, she wasn't referring to the Zhang family in Nan'an, but rather her sect.

Whether it was her master, martial uncles, or her twin senior brothers, every single one of them was a paragon of beauty.

After growing accustomed to seeing such top-tier men and women in her sect, Zheng He's average good looks did seem rather plain in comparison!

Zheng He's mouth twitched. What kind of little monster had raised this girl? She was brutal when it came to tearing people down.

And where on earth did her family live? Were they even human? Or were they gods?

Otherwise, how could someone like him, a handsome and dashing man, be considered ugly compared to her family?

"Alright, alright, stop trying to console me. If you keep going, I'll lose the courage to even leave my house."

Zheng He completely abandoned his earlier thoughts of coercion and continued probing, "But how did you end up here in Jia Gu Guan City alone? Does your family trust you to be out by yourself? You're so pretty, what if some unreasonable person tries to take advantage of you?"

"No need to worry about that. I've already encountered such a situation."

Zhang Yiyi smiled nonchalantly, skillfully avoiding his first two questions.

Someone trying to take her things or take her—was there really a difference? After all, in the Luoxian Mystic Realm, she had already dealt with something like that.

"Really? You don't seem like anything happened."

Zheng He was half-doubtful, suddenly unsure whether to believe her.

"Why would anything happen to me? On the contrary, the person who tried to rob me now has grass growing over their grave."

Zhang Yiyi wasn't lying, so there was no guilt in her words. "Actually, there's no grave—there's no body left."

"..."

Zheng He didn't know what to say.

This girl was terrifying. She was only at the Foundation Establishment stage, yet bolder than he, a Golden Core cultivator. No wonder she had shown no fear of him from the beginning.

"Earlier, you asked if I intended to abduct a female cultivator in broad daylight..."

After a moment, Zheng He's expression turned strange as he asked, "If I had said yes, would you have attacked me on the spot?"

"Why not?"

Zhang Yiyi answered, confirming Zheng He's guess without hesitation.

If she could win, she'd fight. If not, she'd run. After all, she had plenty of escape tools. It was impossible for a mere early-stage Golden Core cultivator to capture her without resistance.