"Whew! I finally broke through to the middle stage of the Taiqing Realm!"
Qingyun Sect, in a cave dwelling in the rear mountains.
Lu Jiuyuan slowly opened his eyes as he sat cross-legged, exhaled a breath of stale air, and felt the surging power within him. The corner of his mouth curled into a faint smile.
He had been in this world for some time now. Given what he knew about it, he could be considered one of its top experts!
Lu Jiuyuan rose to his feet, stretched his limbs, then yawned and muttered to himself:
"I've been cultivating in seclusion for so long. It's time to head back to Xiaozhu Peak and see Master. I can also have my junior sister give me a massage and help me unwind!"
When he had first transmigrated, he'd discovered that he'd arrived far too early in the timeline.
But thanks to the Succubus Saint Body and peerless looks he'd gained from transmigrating, Shuiyue had naturally taken him in as her personal disciple. From then on, he'd become the senior brother of Wen Min and Lu Xueqi!
During an excursion, he'd also rescued Xiao Bai. He'd become good friends with Youji and gotten along well with Jin Ping'er!
His network of connections was excellent, and his future was bright!
Lu Jiuyuan stepped out of the cave dwelling and gazed up at the clear blue sky. A gentle breeze brushed his face, filling him with a sense of ease and leaving him feeling utterly refreshed!
He moved his feet slightly and flashed into a courtyard.
An old man with a head of white hair was sweeping fallen leaves from the yard.
Lu Jiuyuan smiled, walked up, and clasped his hands in greeting. "Senior, I've benefited greatly from your guidance during this time!"
Wan Jianyi stopped sweeping and looked up at Lu Jiuyuan, dressed in flowing white. Sensing the change in his aura, a hint of surprise appeared on his face.
"You... actually broke through to the Taiqing Realm!" Wan Jianyi stroked his beard, his eyes full of pride and approval. "Very good, very good. The young are truly formidable!
"I never thought another brilliant talent would emerge from our Qingyun Sect. We old-timers can finally rest easy!"
Lu Jiuyuan's expression remained calm as he replied modestly, "You flatter me, Senior. I still have many shortcomings to work on. I hardly deserve to be called a genius!"
Wan Jianyi threw his head back and laughed heartily. His voice was bold and carefree. "You boy, you're still as modest as ever. But I like that!"
Seeing this, Lu Jiuyuan smoothly changed the subject and asked, "By the way, Senior, has anything happened in the Qingyun Sect lately?"
He had been cultivating for so long that he was desperate to learn how the situation had changed. It would also help him with his plans going forward!
Wan Jianyi furrowed his brows and considered the matter for a moment before answering slowly, "I heard things have been unsettled in the Southern Border. The people from Fenxiang Valley have traveled a great distance to visit today, supposedly for the safety of all under heaven."
The Southern Border!
Fenxiang Valley!
No, they definitely weren't concerned about the safety of all under heaven. That was just an excuse!
Considering they'd colluded with the fish people and imprisoned Xiao Bai, the Nine-tailed Demon Fox, it was obvious what they'd come for this time!
They were certainly here about that matter!
After all, the old Yun Yilan doted on his disciple Li Xun.
Lu Jiuyuan raised his brows, as if something had occurred to him. His expression darkened slightly as he clasped his hands in farewell.
"Senior, I'll take my leave. I'll come visit you another day!"
With that, Lu Jiuyuan hurried away, flying toward Yuqing Hall.
Wan Jianyi watched him go. A complex look flashed through his deep eyes as he murmured to himself:
"Junior Sister Shuiyue certainly has a discerning eye. Every disciple under her is more outstanding than the last. One can't help but admire her!
"The standing of the various peaks within the Qingyun Sect will probably have to be reshuffled in the future!
"But that's a matter for the younger generation. I'm an old man, so I'll stay out of it!"
With that, Wan Jianyi turned and cheerfully headed back to his little courtyard.
Qingyun Sect, Yuqing Hall.
"Everyone, this is the second reason for my visit.
"I've long heard of Xiaozhu Peak's Lu Xueqi, whose bearing is extraordinary and whose mastery of the Dao is profound. She is a rare prodigy in this world!
"Today, I have come on behalf of my disciple, Li Xun, to ask for your permission to marry Miss Lu Xueqi!"
As soon as Yun Yilan finished speaking, everyone in the hall was stunned. Countless gazes turned toward the front of the crowd, where a tall, stunning woman stood in white, her expression as cold as ice—Lu Xueqi.
Her face was filled with shock. Her curvaceous figure trembled slightly, as though she couldn't believe what she'd just heard!
Shuiyue, seated to Daoxuan Zhenren's right, changed expression slightly at those words. Her slender fingers gripped the armrest so tightly that her knuckles turned faintly white.
How dare Fenxiang Valley ask for her disciple's hand in marriage—and her most cherished disciple, Xueqi, at that! It was like a toad reaching for a swan—shameless beyond belief!
The only one worthy of marrying Lu Xueqi was the disciple she thought most highly of—Lu Jiuyuan!
After all, he'd broken through to the Shangqing Realm at such a young age. Who knew whether he'd reach the Taiqing Realm after this retreat?
His talent and potential made him the most monstrous genius she had ever seen!
Meanwhile, Daoxuan Zhenren's brows furrowed slightly. A complicated look shone in his deep eyes; he was also quite displeased by Fenxiang Valley's proposal of an alliance through marriage.
The female disciples of the Qingyun Sect had always chosen their partners from among the various peaks. There had never been a precedent for marrying into another sect!
And now people from Fenxiang Valley dared to set their sights on Lu Xueqi, one of the rising stars of the Qingyun Sect. It was sheer delusion!
Just as Daoxuan Zhenren was about to refuse tactfully, a booming voice rang out from the hall entrance, its tone leaving no room for argument!
"I refuse to let Fenxiang Valley propose this marriage!"
Everyone turned toward the voice. A handsome young man in white, with an extraordinary bearing, stood at the entrance. He walked into the hall with measured steps.
The Qingyun Sect disciples recognized him and lit up with joy, crying out, "Senior Brother Lu is back!"
They didn't know Lu Jiuyuan's true situation, so they assumed he'd just returned from an excursion.
"Who are you to interrupt the important marriage alliance between Fenxiang Valley and the Qingyun Sect?"
A Fenxiang Valley elder stepped forward and shouted coldly.
Yun Yilan was also curious about the young man's identity. He'd dared to come alone and stand in their way. That took real courage!
"Lu Jiuyuan, a disciple of Xiaozhu Peak!"
The moment he spoke, everyone from Fenxiang Valley froze. They looked at one another, clearly having never heard of anyone by that name from Xiaozhu Peak.
Lu Jiuyuan ignored their astonishment and strode over to Lu Xueqi. He gazed at her tenderly and said softly:
"Don't worry, Xueqi. With your senior brother here, no one will dare bully you!"
Lu Xueqi raised her head. Her limpid eyes gazed tenderly at the man she had longed for day and night.
Lu Jiuyuan's arrival rekindled the hope that had all but gone out in her heart.
Lu Xueqi bit her lip, her voice choked with emotion and tinged with hurt:
"Mm! Senior Brother!"
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