Chapter 58 You must stay with me forever and you can't lie to me.

Fortunately, Mingjian had become somewhat accustomed to Xiao Bumian's style of acting, which was always sudden and completely disregarded the lives of others.

Countless gazes turned towards them, a mixture of astonishment, disbelief, and undisguised envy.

Mingjian felt a chill run down his spine instantly.

He clearly heard Gu Zhi beside him gasp, the shock and disappointment in her voice almost overflowing.

Ming blinked, secretly grinding his back teeth, the urge to pounce on Xiao Bumian and bite him hard resurfaced.

He took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the rage in his heart, and forced a flattered smile. He knelt even lower, squeezing out just the right amount of excitement and fear in his voice, "Disciple obeys! Thank you for your favor, Immortal Venerable!"

Xiao Bumian's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile, seemingly quite satisfied with his reaction. He then turned to Shi Yan, his tone still gentle, yet carrying an undeniable air of pressure, "Does the Sect Leader have any complaints?"

Shi Yan broke out in a cold sweat and subconsciously glanced back at Ming Jian.

He wasn't a disciple of Tingyun Peak; in fact, he was still wearing the moon-white robes of an outer disciple. He breathed a barely perceptible sigh of relief. He was just an insignificant outer disciple; even if something happened to him on Evernight Mountain, no one would investigate.

However, before he could exhale completely, his gaze fixed on Shi Lian beside Ming Jian.

Shi Yan's expression changed drastically; he hadn't expected his son to stand with this outer disciple. His face instantly turned ashen, and his lips moved a few times before he managed to squeeze out a voice with difficulty: "I...I don't! It's up to the Immortal Venerable to do as he pleases; it's his good fortune..."

He then remembered that Shi Lian had indeed repeatedly mentioned a talented outer disciple a few days ago, praising him greatly, which made him even consider taking him under his wing. This must be the boy in front of him.

A pang of regret crossed Shi Yan's mind, but it was quickly overwhelmed by even greater relief.

Fortunately, he hadn't been formally accepted as a disciple yet, so it couldn't be considered a loss for Ting Yunfeng.

Just as he was trying to gloss over the matter, Shi Lian stepped forward and said loudly, "Immortal Venerable, please forgive me. My junior brother Mingjian has only just entered my Tingyun Peak today and has not yet systematically studied many basic courses. I am afraid he is not up to the important task of serving you. Moreover, Mount Buye is austere and may not be of any benefit to his cultivation. I urge you to reconsider."

Upon hearing this, Mingjian was slightly taken aback and couldn't help but turn his head to look at Shi Lian. He thought to himself, "This man is truly a gentleman who speaks out for justice."

The reactions of the others were quite remarkable.

Shi Yan's expression immediately changed, and he shouted angrily, "You daring son! Who gave you the right to speak here! Get out of here!"

Shi Yan flicked his sleeve, and a sharp gust of wind struck Shi Lian's chest without mercy. Shi Lian groaned, swayed, and a trickle of bright red blood immediately spilled from the corner of his mouth.

His face turned pale instantly, but he still stubbornly raised his head, his eyes full of confusion, and looked at Shi Yan, "Father! What did I say wrong? Didn't you personally agree to accept Junior Brother Ming as an inner disciple of Tingyun Peak?"

"you--!"

Shi Yan's fingers trembled with anger, and the various gazes from the other peak masters around him made his face burn even more. However, with Xiao Bumian present, he suppressed his anger and knelt down again with a thud, his voice tight, "Immortal Venerable, please forgive me! My son is young and ignorant, and spoke nonsense. He had no intention of offending me. Please don't take it to heart!"

Although Gu Zhi didn't know why they were all so reluctant to go to Mount Evernight, if the Immortal Venerable had chosen him, he wouldn't be here now.

However, after careful consideration, he realized that Shi Lian's words were not wrong.

Furthermore, Shi Lian is far too confident. Ming Jian is clearly his junior brother, so how come he doesn't know when Ming Jian became his junior brother?

Therefore, Gu Zhi looked at his master.

The elder of Guiyi Peak received his disciple's pleading look and glanced at Shi Yan's embarrassed appearance. He was speechless, but hesitated for only a moment before kneeling down and saying in a steady voice, "Immortal Venerable, please be aware that Junior Nephew Shi Lian is probably mistaken. Mingjian is already a disciple of Guiyi Peak, not a member of Tingyun Peak."

As he spoke, he took out a jade token from his sleeve and presented it with both hands, saying, "This is the token of a disciple of Guiyi Peak. Mingjian's name and affiliation are clearly engraved on it. Please take a look, Immortal Venerable."

Xiao Bumian: "..."

He was unaware that Mingjian had acquired such a highly sought-after ability.

That's understandable, though. He likes Mingjian, and if others didn't, wouldn't they seem a bit stupid?

Xiao Bumian quickly accepted this arrangement, and even a hint of pride flashed in his eyes.

He slightly raised the corners of his lips, a hint of amusement in his eyes, and reached out to take the token from the palm of the Guiyi Peak elder. His fingertips traced the cool jade, where the words "Mingjian" were clearly engraved, with a line of smaller characters next to it reading "Guiyi Peak".

Xiao Bumian gave a thoughtful "Oh," tilted his head, and looked directly at Elder Guiyi Peak, his eyes clear yet unfathomable: "So?"

so……

So it's better not to let this promising talent follow you up the mountain; you'll just ruin him.

Elder Guiyifeng sighed inwardly, but ultimately dared not say anything more.

After all, not everyone is as reckless as Shi Lian, who has the courage to openly defy Xiao Bumian. Having lived to this age, he has long since learned to assess the situation.

When Gu Zhi kept nagging him about how special the outer disciples were, he just thought it was a young man's whim and let it go in one ear and out the other. If he hadn't been so persistent with his disciple, he would never have even considered taking a Qi Refining Level 6 disciple into the inner sect.

The fleeting glimpse he had just caught had secretly alarmed him.

Unexpectedly, in just a few days, this junior disciple has already jumped from the sixth level of Qi Refining to the third level of Foundation Establishment.

He probably obtained some kind of opportunity in the ruins.

The elder felt a pang of regret. Such talent and good fortune should have been properly nurtured in the sect, but now... On second thought, it was truly a blessing from their ancestors that that old fox Shi Yan was able to raise such an upright son as Shi Lian.

Each person had their own thoughts, and the atmosphere in the room became tense.

Xiao Bumian seemed to think the scene wasn't interesting enough. He curled his lips into a cold smile and said lightly, "If none of you are willing, then let the disciple who spoke earlier come up with me."

His gaze swept meaningfully over Shi Lian, whose lips still bore traces of blood.

Upon hearing this, Shi Yan could no longer maintain his smile. Veins bulged on his forehead, and he almost blurted out, "How can this be allowed!"

He hurriedly tried to salvage the situation and shift the blame, saying, "But... but Mingjian is, after all, a disciple of Guiyi Peak, so his destination should naturally be decided by Guiyi Peak."

Elder Guiyi Peak sneered inwardly, cursing Shi Yan for being cunning and treacherous. On his face, however, he became even more respectful, bowing deeply and speaking with impeccable sincerity, "To be able to serve the Immortal Venerable on the mountain is clearly a blessing earned through countless lifetimes. Guiyi Peak is overjoyed and would never refuse. Everything is up to the Immortal Venerable to decide."

Upon hearing this, a slight smile finally appeared in Xiao Bumian's eyes. "Alright then."

He sighed softly, as if he had made a huge concession, "If that's the case, then I'll take him with me."

Before he could finish speaking, giving no one a chance to react, an invisible force instantly seized Mingjian.

Mingjian: "..."

Before he could even grumble to himself, the scenery before his eyes suddenly distorted and swayed, the sound of the wind and his screams were rapidly pulled away and blurred, and a strong sense of weightlessness suddenly struck him.

Just as he managed to regain his composure, a cool hand gently touched the back of his neck, carrying an undeniable sense of control.

Xiao Bumian's voice, tinged with laughter, came from beside Mingjian. He spoke in a very low voice, his breath brushing against Mingjian's earlobe: "Got you."

Ming blinked, adjusting to the sudden spatial shift. He found himself being held by Xiao Bumian, suspended in the clouds atop Mount Nevernight. He moved his fingers, even having the leisure to glance at the rapidly shrinking mountain gate and crowd below.

Yeah, I'm used to it. I can even move my wrists around a bit.

Seeing that he didn't react, Xiao Bumian looked down at him with some curiosity and asked, "What? Do you still want to go to Guiyi Peak?"

Mingjian was silent for a moment, then honestly said, "No, I just want to change to a more comfortable position."

Being held and lifted up like this all the time is really a bit awkward.

Xiao Bumian: "..."

He glanced at Mingjian with a gloomy look, and instead of letting go, he hugged him even tighter, almost embedding him in his arms.

He only released the person after they entered the Never-Sleeping Pavilion.

Mingjian looked at the room he had just left that morning, now that he was back, and silently suppressed the urge to beat Xiao Bumian up.

Xiao Bumian smiled and leaned closer, asking earnestly, "Aren't you going to kiss me?"

Mingjian hadn't realized Xiao Bumian was so clingy before.

He's seen it for himself now.

Could it be because they haven't been practicing together for very long?

When he went down the mountain, he made a point of going to the library to look through a few demon clan books. They seemed to mention that demons would develop a strong attachment to their partners after dual cultivation and would need their companionship and physical touch to gain a sense of security.

Xiao Bumian was a half-demon, and he was unsure how much of this demonic nature would apply to him. But at least, ordinary cultivators would never have such a need.

However, Mingjian did not reject getting close to Xiao Bumian.

Perhaps it was Xiao Bumian, that weirdo who infected him.

He now finds it quite fun to kiss more often.

To appease Xiao Bumian, Ming Jian slightly tilted his head back and pressed his lips to Xiao Bumian's lips.

As always, he skillfully parted Xiao Bumian's lips.

Both of their hearts were pounding rapidly, drumming in their chests.

The temperature in the room quietly rose.

Mingjian felt that there might still be lingering numbness from the dual cultivation in his body. Just this deep kiss made his breathing become disordered and his limbs feel weak.

He gradually lost his balance, melting away like water, and collapsed completely into Xiao Bumian's embrace. A pair of strong arms immediately wrapped around his waist, locking him firmly in the warm embrace.

Their lips and tongues intertwined, and the intimate sounds of water were exceptionally clear in the quiet room.

After an unknown amount of time, Xiao Bumian finally stepped back slightly, and a strand of silver thread broke between their lips.

Mingjian was still slightly dazed. Looking at Xiao Bumian's face, he was speechless for a moment.

Xiao Bumian was moved. Mingjian must have accidentally touched something, because his disguise quietly faded, revealing his original stunning appearance. His eyes were moist, the corners of them red, and he looked at Mingjian with a wet gaze. His beautiful face was even more radiant with emotion, making Mingjian's heart pound.

While inwardly cursing himself for his lack of self-control, he couldn't help but lean in again, gently taking her slightly swollen lips into his mouth and caressing them for a moment.

"Aren't you going to kiss me anymore?"

After a long while, Xiao Bumian asked in a low, hoarse voice.

He held Mingjian in his arms, resting his chin on Mingjian's shoulder, exuding a lazy, contented air, like a large feline that had basked in the sun.

Mingjian wondered if it was just his imagination, but he felt that the body embracing him seemed to be warmer than usual, and he could feel the unusual heat even through the fabric.

"No more kissing," Mingjian said decisively after catching his breath.

"Why?" Xiao Bumian's voice was somewhat muffled.

He was clearly very comfortable.

Ming Jian tried to pry the person clinging to him like an octopus off a little, attempting to let him see his serious expression. "Xie Hanwei, don't you think you're being too clingy?"

Xiao Bumian blinked gently, her long eyelashes brushing against Mingjian's neck, bringing a slight tickle.

He didn't seem to understand the meaning of the word; he was just following his instincts. "But I want to be with you."

Upon hearing this, Mingjian choked on his own saliva and coughed violently.

"Or would you rather be with Gu Zhi or that ugly disciple next to you?" Xiao Bumian asked persistently, patting his back gently.

Mingjian: "???"

"A very ugly disciple?"

Why doesn't he have this memory?

Xiao Bumian recalled for a moment, then said with a forced smile, "It's that person who was so foolish as to try to take you away from me."

Mingjian: "..."

Okay, he probably knows who Xiao Bumian is talking about.

Is Shi Lian ugly?

Xiao Bumian must be blind.

Seemingly aware of Mingjian's thoughts, Xiao Bumian said in a calm tone, "He's not as good-looking as me, he's just very ugly."

"Mmm-hmm," Ming replied listlessly.

Xiao Bumian, like a big dog, pressed all his weight back onto Mingjian.

Mingjian took the opportunity to touch his lean waist a couple more times, but his mind was wandering.

This body temperature seems a bit too high?

Xiao Bumian trembled as he was touched, a soft panting escaped her throat, "It tickles..."

Seeing that he suppressed his restless hands, he brought his attention back to the main topic and tried to soothe her with a coaxing tone, "I want to be with you too."

Anyway, she can't stay with Xiao Bumian forever, otherwise Mingjian is afraid he will make the mistake that every person who loves beauty makes.

“But even the closest people need to keep some distance. Do you know what that saying is?” Mingjian tried to instill the modern concepts the system was giving him.

Xiao Bumian raised her misty eyes, which were filled with complete blankness. "I don't know."

Mingjian took a deep breath and began to spout nonsense in a serious tone: "It's called distance makes the heart grow fonder. It means that although I want to be with you, if we're always together, after a while you'll get tired of me and stop liking me."

"I don't think so," Xiao Bumian replied quickly, almost without thinking.

“No,” Mingjian tried to brainwash him with examples, “Yes, you will. Think about it, didn’t you used to really like playing with that blue Spirit Butterfly? But back then you took me to the woods to catch them every day. After catching too many, you don’t like them anymore.”

Xiao Bumian tilted his head.

He thought Mingjian was cute like this too.

He didn't tell Mingjian that he caught those spirit butterflies mainly to make Mingjian happy.

He vaguely heard people say that this is how it is when you raise a cat. Later, he found that Mingjian wasn't very interested in the Spirit Butterfly, so he naturally stopped trying to catch it.

Seeing his silence, Ming assumed her words had worked, so she pressed her advantage and coaxed him gently, "Okay, I promise you, I'll come see you every night from now on, okay? But I really can't be with you all day, I have my own things to do. Be a good girl and wait for me to come back, okay?"

Xiao Bumian only wanted to be with Mingjian forever.

Yet, deep within her heart, she could clearly sense the subtle, expectant emotion emanating from Mingjian, like a gentle, soft scratch from a fine feather.

Xiao Bumian subconsciously pressed his chest.

After struggling for a moment, he finally gave in.

"Okay." He sighed very softly, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible grievance.

Perfect timing, he does have some minor matters to attend to. Once those are settled, he'll figure out a way to lock Mingjian up completely.

Xiao Bumian thought to himself.

He looked up, his beautiful eyes sparkling as if filled with tiny starlight.

Upon seeing this, Ming breathed a sigh of relief and happily confirmed, "So you agree?"

Xiao Bumian didn't answer immediately, but after a long while, he suddenly asked in a low voice, "Will you come every night from now on?"

His bed was very soft, and Mingjian liked to sleep in it.

Mingjian figured that coming over to sleep that night would be fulfilling his promise, so he readily nodded and said, "Okay."

Xiao Bumian: "Then will you always stay with me?"

Mingjian decided to calm him down first, and since he would come over to sleep with him that night, it was practically a done deal.

He nodded again. "Of course."

Xiao Bumian burst into laughter.

That smile was incredibly beautiful, like the first melting of ice and snow.

His warm breath gently brushed against Mingjian's neck, causing a slight tickle. Mingjian couldn't resist and raised his hand to touch his feverish skin.

Xiao Bumian let him do as he pleased, only looking at him with eyes full of stars, her tone carrying a stubbornness and an imperceptible obsession.

“Okay, you promised me,” he repeated, his fingertips unconsciously twirling a strand of Mingjian’s hair, “you’ll always stay with me and you can’t lie to me.”

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Author's note: Hehehehehehe