Putting aside the clan's praises, the emergence of this debate reflects the widespread anxiety currently present among the Cheng clan members.
The issue is the lack of a fifth-grade supernatural.
Without a fifth-grade supernatural, the Shendu Cheng clan risks being ostracized by the entire aristocracy, gradually exiting the circle of noble families, with financial revenues declining, and each clan member's life being significantly affected.
However, the Cheng family can't produce a fifth-grade supernatural immediately, so naturally, everyone's focus shifted to another breakthrough point: the clan leader's marriage.
Marrying Xing Yuanzhi is a good idea because the Hejian Xing clan only has this one talented young woman with the potential to break through to fifth-grade. Their close union would mean a close alliance between the two clans. As long as Xing Shuhe is alive, even if the Shendu Cheng clan declines, it wouldn't fall too badly.
This is also why Cheng Zi'ang and the others have changed their previous attitude against him. When the Cheng clan's position was secure, they could play the idol worship game. But now, with the family's status precarious, they are more inclined to reconsider these matters from the perspective of their own interests.
As for the opposition, their reason for opposing is also simple: what if Xing Yuanzhi ultimately fails to break through?
Having a guaranteed sixth-grade aiming for fifth-grade doesn't guarantee reaching fifth-grade. If the marriage proceeds smoothly, and before Xing Shuhe passes away, whether Cheng Jinyang or Xing Yuanzhi reaches fifth-grade, both clans can enjoy another six or seven decades of peaceful days.
But if both fail to advance, then the final outcome for the two clans might be jointly slipping into the status of commoner families, thoroughly disgracing their surnames.
However, what if instead of the Hejian Xing clan, they chose another family?
Find another fifth-grade family with a stable position to marry into, to halt the decline of the Cheng clan. Anyway, the Hejian Xing clan doesn't seem too eager for this marriage, so why not seek another good match?
Moreover, the clan leader is so promising, with many beauties around him, even some of fourth and third grade... Marrying a girl from the Five Great Families isn't a bad idea, so why insist on the Hejian Xing clan?
Cheng Jinyang was also frustrated. I am a promising young man, do I need you people to mess with my marriage?
Fortunately, they don't know who sleeps with me every night... Otherwise, the clan would be in an uproar, probably discussing how I should manage a harem.
While silencing the entire clan forum, Cheng Jinyang also instructed Cheng Yuexian to pay attention to the clan's public opinion and steer everyone's anxiety towards "striving for self-improvement," instead of constantly worrying about the clan leader's marriage – who I like has nothing to do with you!
Cheng Yuexian agreed, subtly mentioning: The reason for the clan's anxiety is your unsettled marriage.
Besides, it's not appropriate to sleep with them every night without giving them a proper status...
Cheng Jinyang was furious: Who did I sleep with? Clarify who I slept with!
Cheng Yuexian was at a loss for words and after a long while said: Whoever entered your room at night.
Cheng Jinyang was silent for a long time, then went to Miss Wang to forbid the maids responsible for cleaning the clan leader's residence from revealing any information about his private life.
"I've already done that," Wang Wanrou said leisurely.
"Already? When... never mind." Cheng Jinyang repeated Cheng Yuexian's words, "Do you think our nightly sleeping together will leak out?"
"Don't worry." Wang Wanrou said, "I've already taken measures with relevant personnel; there's no possibility of direct evidence leaking. Your cousin probably guessed based on our long-term presence here without going out."
"What if some snippets leak?" Cheng Jinyang asked worriedly, "Even without evidence, wouldn't some rumors still damage your reputation?"
"I don't care," Miss Wang said indifferently, "As for them, that's not my concern. Besides, we've been living together for so long, isn't it a bit late to worry about this now?"
Cheng Jinyang thought she had a point. Since the major families are willing to place their women in the Cheng family grounds, they must have considered the issue of reputation damage.
"More importantly, what are you going to do about the nightmare tonight?" Wang Wanrou asked again.
"What about it?" Cheng Jinyang asked puzzled.
"Last night's demon." Wang Wanrou reminded him, frowning.
Cheng Jinyang suddenly remembered. In last night's dream, they encountered a Mara.
It is said that the Mara appears just like a normal woman, but moves with incredible speed and strength, capable of lifting enormous weights. Even if its body is blown apart by cannon fire, it can quickly regenerate flesh from its wounds.
While demons typically have strong regenerative abilities, the Mara is the strongest in this regard, even surpassing the physical activation abilities of the Longxi Li family.
Such a demon, and one that possesses intelligence at that. If we encounter another one tonight and fail to silence it in time, exposing our presence in the dream world, what if seventy or eighty great demons come attacking tomorrow night? How would we level up then? We'd be stuck in a cycle of slaughter every night!
"We must avoid going to Puxi tonight," Cheng Jinyang thought for a moment and said. "No, even in Pudong, we can't openly hunt puppets."
"Let's put our leveling plan on hold for now and find a villa to live in, setting up a safe house for hiding. What do you think?"
"Agreed." Wang Wanrou then took out a book and spread it open, revealing a map of the Songjiang ruins area, pointing with her finger. "How about this location?"
Cheng Jinyang looked and exclaimed, "Wow, Miss Wang, you really have a talent for picking houses. Even though you've never been to the bustling Songjiang, you randomly pointed to the most expensive riverside property in Lujiazui."
"Do you like riverside houses, Miss Wang?" he asked curiously.
"Did you forget? Our Wang family estate is by the river," Wang Wanrou replied.
Cheng Jinyang suddenly remembered that the Taiyuan Wang family estate was located in the water network area near the Confucius Temple, indeed a place crisscrossed by rivers.
"Alright, let's have a good rest tonight." Cheng Jinyang thought for a moment, "By the way, how's Li Qingwan doing?"
"It'll take a few more days," Wang Wanrou continued.
"So, she also meets the conditions to enter the dream, right?" Cheng Jinyang asked curiously. "What exactly are they?"
Given the pattern that every girl has some issues, what psychological problem does Miss Li have?
"You can ask her yourself," Wang Wanrou said.
"Like she'd tell me if I asked..." Cheng Jinyang chuckled, "Besides, prying into others' wounds isn't nice."
At this, he paused for a moment and couldn't help but sigh:
"Wanrou, do you think that us being together is like a group of mentally ill people huddling together?"
"Different types in a foreign land, it's inevitable," Wang Wanrou replied. "Finding a soulmate is a blessing."
"True enough," Cheng Jinyang laughed heartily. "Wanrou, I consider you my most cherished confidante. Having you alone, I want nothing more in life..."
"Get lost!"