"You really should think carefully, or else if you say you lost the match and then turn your back on people, you'll truly be throwing away the Celestial Craft Workshop's dignity, leaving it utterly disgraced. The workshop's business here in Cuncha City could be deeply affected, as the citizens can vote with their gold and silver. They won't buy Heavenly Crafted Objects from a faction that's untrustworthy. The losses wouldn't be as simple as a hundred taels; you might really be in trouble then."

Yuchi smiled, "Are only ordinary people allowed to participate? If I'm a Cultivator and I disguise myself, wouldn't I be able to directly defeat you?"

Yu Yao smiled sweetly, "The rules are simple. First, there's a Spirit Root test required before the match; only mortals without Spirit Roots can participate. Secondly, during the match, Cultivators watch closely. Once Spiritual Qi is used, you'll be deemed to have lost the match immediately. If you lose because you used Spiritual Qi, the authorities will arrest you right away, making things even more troublesome."

"So, Yuchi, are you a Cultivator?"

Am I a Cultivator? Yuchi shook his head, "I'm not a Cultivator; I'm just a mortal. I don't understand what cultivation even means." 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Yu Yao laughed gently, watching Yuchi with soft eyes:

"Seems like it, the Celestial Craft Workshop is still run by mortals. When a Cultivator sneaks in to take charge, the workshop wouldn't be the same anymore."

"So,"

"Yuchi, are you sure about this? The million silver might not be easy to grasp."

Just as Yuchi was about to confirm, Bu Tingyue intervened, grabbing Yuchi's arm and pulling him into a small corner of the room, speaking seriously and earnestly:

"Yuchi, you must not be blinded by money. Although a million silver is a huge sum, this kind of gold and silver is nearly impossible to obtain."

"The reason is simple: though Yu Yao isn't a Cultivator, she's consumed a lot of Elixirs. Don't be fooled by her youthful appearance; her physical prowess is terrifying. Her physique alone surpasses many Cultivators in the Qi Cultivation Realm, thanks to the Elixirs."

"She and I have many conflicts, so if you battle her, you might become her punching bag, then painfully lose the match and be forced to marry into her family. Then we couldn't help you, you'd be her servant, and she'd definitely humiliate us at the Celestial Craft Workshop, which would be quite painful."

"Otherwise, consider how someone of Yu Yao's standing could bring out her dowry for a martial competition? It's truly absurd."

Yuchi nodded, "So what is your dowry then?"

"Mine is also a million taels."

"Wow, that much?"

"Yes, to put it bluntly, the dowry for people like us is the foundation in another family. It's an exchange between two families; where's the purely simple dowry? It's just to make others value me a bit."

The essence of marriage alliances between great families is merely more extensive business exchanges, exceeding the dowry itself, falling under mutual business. Not only does Bu Tingyue's family give a million, but the male side must also provide substantial gold and silver.

Nodding, Yuchi said, "Indeed, hearing this, your marriage does seem quite complicated, not within your own control."

"We're used to it. Luohua also has a million as dowry, but she estimates she'll struggle to marry off in this lifetime, so that silver will likely be used for other business controls," Bu Tingyue said.

"Ah, whoever marries Luohua must be quite delighted."

"Yes, but it's essential to have equally matched families…"

"So if I marry you, would I receive a million too?"

"That's how it is, but only if I fancy Yuchi and you present corresponding betrothal gifts, or my family won't agree. If I still like Yuchi and insist on being together, I'd need to officially leave the family and marry you as an outsider, forfeiting the million dowry, and you wouldn't need betrothal gifts."

"Understandable, as your identity is given by your family, and they value not just you but your current position. Essentially, it's just simple business dealings. Pursuing freedom means leaving the family, not benefiting from them while claiming true love conquers all. Truly desiring love more than anything requires the courage to start anew."

"That's right."

Bu Tingyue responded, paused, blushing while looking at the calm Yuchi in front of her: "Wait, wait, what are we talking about? We weren't addressing the key point; the crucial part is my earlier advice, Yuchi, you need to consider carefully, even if you're ambiguously involved with my mother, should this become reality, even my mother would find it hard to decide."