"I wonder what Sect Leader Liu is referring to..."

"My disciple Wen Shuang is twenty years old. Since joining the sect, she has devoted herself to cultivation and her aptitude is quite good. After we emerged from the great formation, she explained the situation to me. To thank you and your disciple for your help, I, the sect leader, wish to arrange for Wen Shuang to marry you. What do you think, sect leader?"

Liu Qingshui maintained her smiling expression, but Xiang Wan felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Putting aside whether she will marry him or not, just considering Wen Shuang's identity and her current situation, she wants to use the price of a disciple to make the Sanqing Sect inferior to her Qingshui Sect. She really has a good plan.

Furthermore, she and Tu Hongye had already won the sect competition, although it hadn't been officially announced yet, it was practically a done deal. Liu Qingshui was trying to win her over before the official announcement. If she accepted, the Qingshui Sect could use the marriage as a pretext to help the Sanqing Sect establish itself, but in reality, they could use the opportunity to plant spies to gather information later. If Xiang Wan refused, then Liu Qingshui would have an excuse to make trouble for her. After all, they had established their sect and gained fame first, and Xiang Wan, a newly appointed sect leader, was showing her no respect. Even for the sake of her reputation, she wouldn't let it go so easily.

Refusal was a given. Xiang Wan didn't have the inclination to marry a man while possessing a woman's soul; the thought alone made her shudder.

Turning her head slightly, Xiang Wan saw Tu Hongye standing to the side with his head down, seemingly lost in thought. She then decided to give her apprentice a chance.

"Disciple, why don't you explain this to Sect Master Liu?"

Tu Hongye's lips curled slightly; his master's actions pleased him.

"Sect Leader Liu, this way please!"

What are you whispering about? Why don't you let your master hear?

To avoid damaging her image as the sect leader, Xiang Wan didn't follow them and instead chatted with those who came to congratulate her.

A short while later, the two returned.

Tu Hongye remained calm, but Liu Qingshui looked regretful and did not mention the marriage again.

It's good, it saves a lot of trouble, but why does she look so regretful?

Not wanting to ask Liu Qingshui directly, Xiang Wan decided to find an opportunity to ask Tu Hongye instead.

The imperial court rewarded the recipients with many fine things, including gold, silver, silk, pavilions, and courtyards.

As soon as the Sanqing Sect was established, it entered its peak season for recruiting disciples. Those who had signed contracts became the sect's key trainees, receiving personal instruction from Tu Hongye.

When this person gets busy, he doesn't have the mind to think about anything else, and he's so tired that he falls asleep as soon as his head hits the pillow.

If you were to ask Xiang Wan what she's most proud of in her life, it would probably be teaching a good disciple. In just four years, she has developed the Sanqing Sect into the largest sect in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

Sects that rely on the imperial court for assistance naturally have to share the interests of the royal family.

There are no absolutely good people in the world, nor is there a free lunch. When facing the masses, giving them the justice they desire and the fairness they accept is for the benefit of all people and the world, and this will naturally lead to lasting prosperity.

Having determined the direction for future development and with everything in the sect on track, Xiang Wan stepped down, handing over all matters to Tu Hongye. She herself remained in the Sanqing Sect as an elder, watching Tu Hongye issue orders, expand the sect, and cultivate successors.

Tu Hongye's growth rate was astonishing. Not only had he mastered both magic and swordsmanship to perfection, but his physique and appearance had also reached an impeccable level, making him a universally acknowledged handsome man in the Great Zhou Dynasty. Xiang Wan, as his master, was immensely proud of him.

A beautiful person is pleasing to the eye. However, what troubled her was something else entirely.

“Disciple, even if you don’t choose from other sects, there are quite a few female disciples in our sect. You should at least get to know them. What if you meet the one you’re looking for?”

Taking advantage of Tu Hongye's free time, Xiang Wan brought up the old matter again.

She only had one apprentice, so naturally she hoped he could have a beautiful wife by his side. However, he himself wasn't in a hurry, but Xiang Wan was anxious for him.

“As I said, I already have someone I love, so Master doesn’t need to worry about it. Although my love hasn’t fallen for me yet, that day will come sooner or later.”

When Tu Hongye said this, he was very certain, as if his sweetheart was already waiting for him somewhere.

Xiang Wan had also wondered if her apprentice was gay or had other ideas, but he righteously dispelled those thoughts.

After the sect was established, the original owner's old Taoist master lived a carefree life as a supreme elder, which couldn't be more comfortable. But he was getting old after all, and when he passed away last year, he held Xiang Wan's hand and told her to live as she pleased. Xiang Wan just thought that he had been too restrictive to the original owner before, so he wanted her to be more free-spirited.

To comfort the old Taoist priest, Xiang Wan nodded in agreement. On his deathbed, his eyes remained fixed on Tu Hongye, never closing for a long time.

The old Taoist priest, having worried about the original owner of this body, now began to worry about Tu Hongye. Perhaps this is the love and care an old person has for their juniors. He couldn't bear to leave her and Tu Hongye behind. As for Xiang Wan, as his master, how could she possibly abandon the disciple she had raised from childhood, leaving him to travel alone?

So Xiang Wan became an elder in the church. Unless something major happened, she rarely paid attention to the church's complicated affairs, except for Tu Hongye's life-long event.

"I've been by your side for many years and have never seen anyone else with you. Hong'er, you've grown up and learned to deceive your master?"

"Wait two more years. If I still can't win the heart of my beloved after two years, then Master, you can arrange a marriage for me. How about that?"

Is this really true?

"really."

Xiang Wan was relieved.

It's only two years; she can wait that long.

Once Tu Hongye gets married, it will be time for her to leave.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!