Heh heh...

Qian Xunji's brows furrowed into a deep frown. The pen in his hand clattered onto the desk, splashing a few drops of ink onto the pristine paper and leaving a small, dark stain.

He slammed his hand against the table, the sound echoing through the empty hall.

"How could I have agreed to let him become a Consecrator?!"

Qian Xunji pondered the matter, his face darkening as his brows knitted even tighter, enough to crush a fly.

He recalled Bibi Dong's exaggerated expression earlier, that look of uncharacteristic docility. At the time, he had merely thought his student was acting spoiled, but looking back now...!!

"Damn it—! I've been set up!"

Qian Xunji hammered the table with force, making the documents on the desk jump.

"That scoundrel!"

"We've only known each other for a few short months, and she's already starting to favor an outsider!"

Qian Xunji couldn't help but feel irritated; his chest felt as though it were blocked by a stone, making it hard to breathe.

But words spoken are like spilled water; he had already given his word and could not take it back.

Otherwise, how embarrassing would it be in front of his own disciple!

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, repeating the process several times until he finally managed to suppress the burning anger.

"The old man hasn't returned yet, and for now, the Consecration Hall is under the Second Consecrator's command..."

His fingertips tapped rhythmically against the desk, creating a "tap-tap" sound. A moment later, he made up his mind and called out loudly:

"Someone, come here!"

The hall doors were pushed open gently, and an attendant entered, bowing low.

"Go and prepare a box of fine wine and dishes for me—the best you have!"

"Yes!"

About an hour later.

Qian Xunji walked along the corridor leading to the Consecration Hall, carrying two large jars of wine in his left hand and a three- or four-tiered food box in his right.

The wine jars were sealed with red cloth, but even so, the rich aroma of the liquor wafted out, mingling with the scent of the dishes from the food box and dispersing into the twilight.

He stopped outside Golden Crocodile's residence and spoke in a loud, respectful tone:

"Second Consecrator, are you in?"

"It is Ji'er. I have something to discuss with you regarding that student of yours..."

Meanwhile, at Zhao Linchuan's residence.

A large grill was set up in the courtyard, the charcoal burning brightly. Orange-red tongues of flame licked at a prepared young deer, and fat dripped onto the coals, creating a "sizzling" sound and sending up waves of enticing fragrance.

Zhao Linchuan sat before the grill, holding a brush and leisurely basting the venison with seasoning.

Bibi Dong and Yan Lingji were busy at the stone table nearby, one chopping vegetables and the other mixing sauces. The two worked in tacit harmony, occasionally whispering to each other, their soft laughter drifting into the night breeze.

"Oh my! This Saintess is exhausted!"

Bibi Dong placed the last of the skewered meat onto a plate, straightened up, and stretched her arms high toward the sky, her bones popping with a "crack" sound.

"Then you should eat more later to replenish your energy."

Zhao Linchuan flipped the young deer, which was already roasted to a golden, crispy finish. The fat shimmered in the firelight, and the aroma grew even more intense.

He looked up at Bibi Dong and said gently, "Stay with us tonight and just let yourself go."

"Stay with you?"

Bibi Dong glanced at Yan Lingji, then back at Zhao Linchuan. Her tone was strange, and her eyes darted around.

"This... this doesn't seem appropriate... I'm an outsider, what if I disturb you two..."

"Then you can drink fruit juice," Zhao Linchuan rolled his eyes at her. "If that won't do, plain water is fine too."

"I won't!" Bibi Dong said while washing her hands. "I haven't relaxed in so long; I'm going to let myself go tonight!"

Time passed slowly.

The night deepened, and the moon climbed to the center of the sky, its cold, clear light bathing the courtyard and plating every blade of grass and tree in a faint silver glow.

Laughter and conversation rose and fell in the courtyard as the three sat around the grill, clinking cups and enjoying the lively atmosphere.

Bibi Dong drank the most. She started with a few cups of fruit wine, but finding it insufficient, she switched to strong liquor. Cup after cup, her cheeks turned crimson and her eyes grew hazy.

She held Yan Lingji's hand, rambling on about this and that. She would burst into laughter at the happy parts and tear up at the emotional ones, looking for all the world like a drunken little girl.

Yan Lingji didn't drink much; she spent most of her time putting food on Bibi Dong's plate, pouring water, and occasionally clinking glasses with Zhao Linchuan, only taking small sips.

Zhao Linchuan drank quite a bit, yet his expression remained unchanged, as calm and composed as ever. He only spoke a bit more than usual, occasionally cracking a joke that made Bibi Dong laugh until she doubled over.

Late into the night.

The moon hung directly overhead, its cold light flowing like water.

All three were tipsy. Bibi Dong began to sway as she walked, so Yan Lingji helped her to the guest room, tucked her in, and placed a cup of warm water by her bedside before stepping out on tiptoe.

Immediately after, Zhao Linchuan and Yan Lingji returned to the bedroom, where the two lay down on the bed and quickly fell into a deep sleep.

Moonlight shone in diagonally through the window lattice, spreading a ribbon of silver-white light across the floor.

The night was so quiet that only the occasional chirping of insects from outside could be heard.

It was unclear how much time had passed when the guest room door was gently pushed open.

Bibi Dong stumbled out, her hair disheveled and her nightgown wrinkled, still looking completely intoxicated.

She squinted, walking groggily toward the bathroom at the end of the hallway, but after only a few steps, she suddenly stopped.

She stood in the middle of the corridor, the moonlight falling on her face and reflecting in those hazy, watery eyes.

She tilted her head, as if trying hard to recall something.

"Hehe..."

It was unknown what Bibi Dong had thought of, but the corners of her mouth slowly curled up, revealing a silly grin.

She turned around and stumbled toward the other end of the hallway.

A moment later, Bibi Dong pushed open the door to a bedroom; the door hinges let out a faint "creak" that sounded exceptionally jarring in the silent night.

Startled, she shrank her neck and waited for a moment, confirming that no one had been woken up before continuing inside.

Bibi Dong tiptoed, step by step, carefully making her way to the bedside.

Moonlight shone in through the window, falling upon the two quiet figures on the bed.

Zhao Linchuan lay on his back, his breathing steady and his sleep deep.

Yan Lingji slept on her side nearby, her long hair obscuring half of her face.

Bibi Dong stood by the bed, looking down at Zhao Linchuan's face, her body motionless.

After a long while, Bibi Dong swallowed hard, as if having made up her mind about something; she climbed onto the bed on tiptoe and crouched over Zhao Linchuan's chest.

Her heart hammered, beating so fast it felt like it might leap out of her chest, her face was hot enough to fry an egg, and her palms were slick with sweat.