Marrying into the Radiant Deer Clan, Another Bypath?

"This clan is not much to look at. Has Senior Brother considered marrying into another clan instead?"

Upon hearing the words "Moon-Watching Spirit Rabbits," Lu Xuan's heart stirred. Smiling, he asked Senior Brother Lin.

Senior Brother Lin shook his head. "When I exchanged for the spirit herbs that day, I had already made a wager. It cannot be changed. Besides, I am a mere mortal now—what more could I ask for? Their appearance is lacking, but that is no great obstacle to me."

He vaguely understood Lu Xuan's intentions.

Lu Xuan likely wished to arrange a marriage with another clan for him, in exchange for the Spirit Sand.

But what meaning did that hold for him?

He only wanted to secure a promise, to preserve a single hope.

Otherwise, why had he gone to the Moon-Watching Spirit Rabbits that day to "pawn his body"? Would it not have been easier and freer to exchange Spirit Sand directly for spirit herbs?

Lu Xuan merely smiled. "Would Senior Brother be interested in the Radiant Deer Clan?"

"I have no particular preference for the Demon Race... Hm?"

Senior Brother Lin shook his head, but then suddenly realized what Lu Xuan had said. He looked up at him and asked in surprise, "Radiant Deer?"

The Radiant Deer were a deer-type demon clan within the Red Pine Fief. Those who took human form all possessed slender, graceful figures, abundant milk, and skill at nurturing children.

Of course, that was not the crucial point. The key was that when the Radiant Deer Clan joined with humans, their offspring were often spiritually gifted and capable of cultivation.

Seeing Senior Brother Lin's expression, Lu Xuan knew there was hope. He immediately smiled. "I know Senior Brother's character. You are not swayed by outward appearances. But the Radiant Deer Clan receives Solar Essence, and their descendants are often intelligent and capable of cultivation. They could not be more suitable for Senior Brother."

This time, Senior Brother Lin did not refuse. He merely frowned and asked, "I do know of the Radiant Deer Clan. Yet this clan carries something of a recluse's bearing even within the Red Pine Fief. Ordinary people rarely see them. Can Junior Brother truly connect me with them?"

"I have encountered them several times in the Red Pine Fief and have some small acquaintance with them. Perhaps I can help bring this about for Senior Brother."

Lu Xuan was not lying.

When he had sought herbs from the Red Fox Clan that day, his attitude had been so resolute because, apart from the Fox Clan, he still had other clans with whom he could "pawn" himself.

This body was quite beautiful; it was not beloved by the Fox Clan alone.

The Radiant Deer Clan was one of those alternatives.

It was only that before entering the Red Pine Fief, the Radiant Deer Clan had suffered much persecution. Thus, they were often resistant to marrying humans, and Lu Xuan had no absolute confidence that he could make this happen.

But nothing in the world was impossible.

Though Senior Brother Lin had become a mortal, that was precisely what suited the Radiant Deer Clan's preference in marriage—they favored the weak over the strong.

With careful maneuvering and a more generous "bride price," there was still hope.

Hearing this, Senior Brother Lin immediately sank into thought.

Only after a long while did he raise his head and sigh softly. "If Junior Brother can truly make this happen, I dare not ask for Junior Brother's promise again. Take this sand as my gift instead."

"It is only that I would feel I had wronged the Moon-Watching Spirit Rabbits..."

Compared with the Moon-Watching Spirit Rabbits, marrying into the Radiant Deer Clan gave his descendants a far greater chance of cultivating.

That moved his heart.

Revenge was certainly his wish, but as his second brother had said before dying—live on, continue the bloodline, and only then would there be hope.

When he had been young, he had not understood those words.

But now, he did.

Cultivation was far too difficult. To achieve success in a single generation was harder than climbing to the heavens. Only by passing the bloodline down generation after generation could there be even a sliver of hope.

Since he had already become a mortal, he should properly raise his descendants and hope to establish a cultivation family.

Lu Xuan was delighted as well. "I will handle the Moon-Watching Spirit Rabbits for Senior Brother. I certainly will not leave Senior Brother in a difficult position."

"As for the Radiant Deer Clan, I will head to the Red Pine Fief today and do my utmost to connect you with them!"

Having received this promise, Senior Brother Lin suddenly found himself holding some expectation for the future. He immediately pushed the Yin-Yang Reversal Spirit Sand forward again and placed it before Lu Xuan.

"Of course I trust Junior Brother. I will give this sand to you first, for Junior Brother to dispose of as you please."

This time, Lu Xuan did not stand on ceremony. He only said, "Then I shall accept this sand for now. But Senior Brother, rest assured—if this matter does not succeed, I will absolutely not use it. I will merely keep it safe on your behalf."

Senior Brother Lin shook his head and repeatedly said there was no need.

After the two exchanged a few more pleasantries, Senior Brother Lin took his leave.

He still had other classmates to visit.

Lu Xuan escorted him out of the courtyard and watched him depart. Then he returned to his quarters, took out paper and brush, and swept ink across the page. Before long, a vivid portrait was freshly completed.

Looking at the "Senior Brother Lin" in the painting, which bore an eighty-percent resemblance, Lu Xuan smiled in satisfaction.

Eighty percent was enough. Any more would only spoil it.

"Character Xi? Was this truly opening up another bypath?"

After finishing the painting, Lu Xuan sank his consciousness into his Niwan Palace and looked at the Jade Disc.

Upon the Jade Disc, the formerly blurred character "Xi" had become somewhat more solid, growing clearer to the eye.

The reason he had refused to agree to Senior Brother Lin's "promise" today was not merely because the matter was too distant and the hope too faint. It was also because the instructors of Hibernation Academy had long taught that disciples of the Heaven-Gazing Sect must not make promises lightly.

The Immortal Cult was a magnificent great sect. It held the Life-Valuing Principle in its heart and walked the Heaven-Gazing Dao; within it, both "faith" and "promises" had to be handled with great care.

If he were truly certain that he could never achieve the Golden Core, then a casual remark would have been one thing.

But he... felt that he still possessed a faint sliver of hope.

What if—what if he really succeeded?

And by then, what level of cultivation would Dongyang Zi possess? What standing would the Azure Wood Sect hold?

No one could know. Perhaps he could fulfill the promise with ease, but it might also become a great calamity.

Thus, he naturally had to be cautious.

Senior Brother Lin also understood this point. That was why he had placed his wager.

Of course, there was another reason. At that moment, Lu Xuan's thoughts had stirred, and he sensed a change in the character "Xi." That was why he had chosen another method to obtain the Spirit Sand.

Unexpectedly, the character had truly become somewhat more solid.

"Opening up another bypath, taking another method—so long as the problem is solved and the final result obtained, it counts as success?"

Lu Xuan took out the Spirit Sand and pinched it between his fingertips, musing inwardly.

It seemed he would need to conduct many more experiments.

In any case, he still had a year of instruction remaining in the sect, and there should be no danger during that time. He could use it to bring about this matter for Senior Brother Lin.

With that thought, Lu Xuan stopped delaying. He hurriedly packed up his quarters, gathering his commonly used belongings into his storage pouch.

Fortunately, Bright Ape had "gifted him medicine" that day and given him an extra storage pouch. Otherwise, this would have been somewhat troublesome.

After taking care of all miscellaneous matters, Lu Xuan directly transformed his Cloud Qi into light and flew toward the Immortal House Platform and marketplace below Hibernation Academy.

After purchasing several small spiritual items suitable for the Demon Race, Lu Xuan set off once more, speeding toward the Red Pine Fief.

This journey was packed to the brim. Not only did he need to visit the Red Fox Clan, but he also had to visit the Moon-Watching Spirit Rabbits to resolve Senior Brother Lin's wager, then go to the Radiant Deer Clan to arrange a new marriage agreement.

Since he wanted the Spirit Sand, he naturally could not avoid running about.

Fortunately, he had now entered the inner sect and his status had risen greatly. Otherwise, maneuvering this matter would truly have been difficult.

Still, on this trip, he would likely have to bow and scrape, especially before the Moon-Watching Spirit Rabbits.

After all, his side was indeed somewhat in the wrong. He could only appeal to their emotions and move them with profit.

Lu Xuan had never imagined that one day he would be the one to break up a pair of mandarin ducks.

But fortunately... he had a handsome face, which gave him a few more chances of success this time.