Chapter 114 Should I just propose?
The two embraced and fell onto the soft couch. It's unclear who made the first move, but the clothes seemed to have grown arms and legs, falling to the ground in layers, all landing beside the couch.
Zhong Jiuli's breathing was slightly disordered, and her eyes were glistening with tears. She said reproachfully, "Every time you take off my clothes, you are always so quick and efficient."
Bai also let go of the red fruit in his mouth and retorted indignantly, "This is simply slander! I'm going to sue you! You were the one who started by taking off my clothes!"
"Hmph~"
Zhong Jiuli let out a soft snort, exuding an air of arrogance. She deliberately turned her back to Bai Ye, her smooth, snow-white back seemingly glowing, dazzling to the eye.
Bai also moved closer, cupping her slender waist in his palm and pulling her into his arms, resting his chin on her shoulder.
"Sect Leader Zhong, do you know that exposing your back to the enemy is a very dangerous thing?"
As she spoke, her palm slowly slid along the graceful curves of her body.
Zhong Jiuli quickly turned around and glared at her, "You're talking nonsense again!"
"Okay, okay, I won't talk nonsense, I'll just do it right away, okay?" Bai leaned down and kissed her slightly parted red lips.
Zhong Jiuli closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around the neck of the person on top of her.
A tender melody filled the cabin, while drifting clouds swept past the window, carrying the enchanting atmosphere into the wind.
After a long while, darkness fell. Inside the cabin, a spirit lamp was lit, its flickering light illuminating the dim room.
Having just finished exercising, the two nestled lazily on the soft couch, their skin pressed together, their body heat mingling. Zhong Jiuli's cheek was against Bai Ye's chest, listening to her strong heartbeat, while her other hand idly fiddled with...
Bai was also a little uncomfortable from her touching, and said breathlessly, "Didn't you want to rest for a while? If you keep playing, we should continue."
"No." Her voice was a little hoarse. She said no, but her hand obediently withdrew, obviously afraid that Bai Ye would pester her again.
Bai also composed himself before bringing up the events that had occurred in the Outer Heaven.
Her version differed slightly from Ming Wushuang's; she mainly reminded Zhong Jiuli to pay close attention to this chief disciple.
"You think there's something wrong with Wushuang?" Zhong Jiuli looked up at her with some surprise.
“It’s not that I think there’s anything wrong with her,” Bai shook his head. “I’m worried that something might happen to her. When that ruin appeared, no one else noticed, but she was the only one who noticed something unusual. I’m afraid she’s been targeted by something unclean, but we didn’t notice.”
"Don't worry, Wushuang is protected by a divine soul I left behind years ago. If she encounters danger, it will appear to protect her."
"Oh!" Bai drawled, a look of sudden realization on his face. "So, this is what Zhong Jiuli is like!"
She raised her hand and poked Zhong Jiuli's chest, her fingertip sinking deep into the full curve. "Leave a life-saving soul for me, and leave a life-saving soul for her too. Does Sect Master Zhong leave a soul to protect every young and beautiful girl he sees?"
Zhong Jiuli found her unreasonable behavior both amusing and exasperating, so she simply reached out and pinched her incessantly chattering lips to shut her up.
"Wushuang is the sect's most promising disciple, nurtured with all its might. She is the young disciple with the best chance of ascending to immortality. If I don't protect her, am I supposed to protect you, you troublemaking stinking tiger?"
"Ugh! Ugh!" Bai also let out a protesting whimper, her face clearly saying, "I'm your darling, you have to protect me!"
Zhong Jiuli released her hand, her tone somewhat indulgent: "Alright, I'll protect you. Quickly put your clothes on, the spirit boat should be arriving at the Sanqing Sect soon."
After she finished speaking, she bent down to pick up the clothes scattered on the ground and threw them into Bai Ye's arms. She then turned around and sat up, her back to Bai Ye, and raised her hand to comb her somewhat messy long hair.
Bai also shook out his clothes and slowly put them on, his gaze fixed on Zhong Jiuli's back, unable to look away.
Her long, flowing black hair cascaded down her smooth back, and a few light red marks adorned her snow-white skin, adding to her alluring charm.
Zhong Jiuli paused in her hair combing, turned her head, and glanced at Bai Ye with a hint of reproach, warning her to behave herself.
Bai also received the signal and immediately closed his eyes obediently, listening to his wife get dressed with a smile on his face. Only after confirming that she was dressed properly did he open his eyes with a grin and quickly put on his clothes.
After they finished packing, the two left the cabin one after the other.
......
Ming Wushuang and several fellow disciples stood on the deck, giving instructions on how to receive the cultivators from various states. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the sect leader and Bai Ye appear one after another. She subconsciously looked up at the dark sky, her doubts growing. The sect leader and Bai Ye had actually stayed in the room for most of the day.
It's unclear what the two talked about that took so long.
Bai was unaware of Ming Wushuang's gaze. She followed behind Zhong Jiuli, avoiding the crowd, and headed to a secluded corner.
Upon reaching a secluded spot, Zhong Jiuli stopped, leaned against the railing, and gazed into the distance, as if simply admiring the night view.
Bai also stopped not far from her, pretending to admire the scenery.
The spirit boat has indeed approached the territory of the Three Pure Ones Sect, but it is still a little distance away from the sect.
The Sanqing Sect is situated on a giant spiritual vein, with mountains stretching for tens of thousands of miles. The sect is built along the mountain slopes, with various halls and pavilions scattered across the spiritual vein like stars in the sky. The pavilions and towers appear and disappear among the clouds and mist, creating a magnificent and celestial atmosphere.
“The highest one is the main peak of the Sanqing Sect,” Zhong Jiuli said in a low voice.
Bai followed her gaze and saw the main peak soaring into the clouds like a sharp arrow piercing the sky. Inside the magnificent hall at the summit, warm yellow candlelight shone, like a lighthouse in the night.
Not only were the peaks lit up, but the entire Sanqing Sect territory seemed to be sprinkled with starlight. Among the rolling mountains, countless pavilions, towers, bridges and waterside pavilions were emitting candlelight. These halos and the spiritual energy and rosy clouds flowing in the air complemented each other, making the entire mountain range look like a fairyland.
"Sect Leader Zhong, do you live on the main peak?" Bai Ye looked at the brightly lit peak and secretly inquired about Zhong Jiuli's residence.
Zhong Jiuli glanced back at her and explained, "The main peak is where the sect holds meetings; no one lives there."
"Oh, so where do you live?" Bai asked, leaning closer.
Zhong Jiuli glanced at her sideways, chuckled, and said, "You little thief, why are you so insistent on finding out where this sect master lives?"
"Ahem, naturally, it's so that one day I can visit Sect Master Zhong and discuss the Dao and the Dharma."
"Heh~ I think you're not interested in discussing principles and laws, but rather in stealing someone's affections, aren't you?"
Bai was a little embarrassed when her thoughts were exposed. She explained, "I'm not the kind of person who only thinks about being close to my wife. I really enjoy cultivation."
"Yes, yes, you like cultivation, I'll show you." Zhong Jiuli flicked her finger and released a beam of spiritual light. The light swirled gracefully in the night, transforming into a silver-white butterfly that fluttered its wings and flew into the darkness.
Bai Ye's gaze followed the spirit butterfly, watching it pass through layers of clouds and finally land on a solitary peak far from the main peak and also quite a distance from the other peaks.
The mountain peak stood quietly at the edge of the lights, like a forgotten corner, shrouded in thick clouds, exuding a sense of solitude and isolation, much like its owner.
Bai gazed at the mountain peak hidden in the clouds, his thoughts drifting far away.
She seemed to see it all. In the long years before she met him, Zhong Jiuli lived alone on this mountain. The sun rose and set, spring came and autumn went, and he was accompanied only by the lonely clouds and mountain wind. He didn't even have anyone to talk to. He must have been very lonely.
Thinking of this, Bai Ye felt a pang of tenderness in her heart. She turned her head and looked at the profile of the person beside her.
"Zhong Jiuli," she called softly.
"Hmm?" Zhong Jiuli turned her head to look at her, and their eyes met.
"From now on, with Jiaojiao and me by your side, you will never be alone again," Bai solemnly promised.
Upon hearing this, Zhong Jiuli's first thought was of the medicinal herb field on her Cloud Mist Peak, which she had meticulously cultivated for tens of thousands of years. If Bai Ye and Jiao Jiao were to move in there, she feared that within a month, not a single weed would remain in the field.
"Hey, hey, hey!" Bai also caught the fleeting look of worry on her face and immediately protested, "What kind of expression is that? I'm confessing my love here, and this is your reaction?"
Zhong Jiuli chuckled softly, then shook her head, her eyes swirling with emotion. "Of course I'm happy to have you with me, and I'm even happier that you're willing to stay with me forever."
"But..." she changed the subject, her tone carrying a hint of world-weary indifference, "the future is too far away, and promises are too light; ultimately, they are meaningless."
Bai was slightly taken aback by her words, looking at Zhong Jiuli with some confusion, not understanding why she had such a pessimistic attitude. Suddenly, the words she had spoken on Misty Island flashed through his mind.
Are you worried that I won't outlive you? So you think that promises can't withstand the erosion of time?
"Nonsense." Zhong Jiuli chuckled, raising her hand to gently rub Bai Ye's head. "With your talent, it's not impossible for you to attain the Great Dao and live as long as heaven and earth. Your lifespan will be so long as to be almost eternal."
"Are you one too?" Bai asked.
"We all are."
"Alright, we should head back now. We'll be at the Sanqing Sect soon." Zhong Jiuli said, then turned and walked towards the brightly lit deck.
Bai followed behind her, maintaining a distance that was neither too close nor too far, as if they were just going the same way.
......
Liu Xianyue waited on the deck with the leaders of each state, while Jiaojiao nestled in her arms, dozing off. When she saw Zhong Jiuli arrive, she clapped her hands and said, "Everyone, the Sanqing Sect has arrived. Please go to Yingke Peak to rest and recuperate."
The group of young geniuses on the deck perked up at the news, as they were all eager to see the legendary Sanqing Sect.
Liu Xianyue noticed the expressions on everyone's faces and smiled, "If you wish to tour the sect, simply inform the accompanying disciples, and someone will guide you to visit the various scenic spots of the Sanqing Sect."
"Please!" she said with a smile, gesturing for everyone to move.
The leaders from each state led their groups of young people, transforming into streaks of light and flying towards the brightly lit mountain below.
Bai originally wanted to follow Zhong Jiuli, but after receiving a warning look from her, she had no choice but to give up and land on Welcoming Peak with the rest of the people from the Wilderness State.
Disciples of the Sanqing Sect were already waiting on Yingke Peak. As soon as the group landed, disciples stepped forward and politely led the way for the various prefectures.
Bai followed the group from the Wilderness State, his gaze sweeping around as he noticed that cultivators from different states were being led to courtyards in different directions, far apart from each other.
She understood that the Three Pure Ones Sect had made this arrangement to prevent these hot-blooded young geniuses from getting into fights if they lived too close together, which would only cause trouble. It was better to separate them from the beginning.
"This is your temporary residence on Welcoming Guest Peak. If you have any needs, please inform the disciples on duty outside the courtyard at any time," the leading disciple said to the group as he pushed open the gate of a courtyard.
"Thank you for your trouble." Yun Shu, who was in charge, nodded in thanks.
"I dare not accept such praise; it is my duty." The disciple who led the way returned the greeting with a cupped-hand salute, his attitude humble, showing no intention of looking down on the people of the Wilderness State just because he was a disciple of a top sect.
Yun Shu said no more, turned to the crowd and said, "Go in, choose your own rooms, get some rest and recharge."
"Yes!" everyone responded in unison, and the group excitedly entered the courtyard.
The courtyard was brightly lit by candlelight, and it was complete with pavilions and waterside terraces, creating an extremely elegant environment.
Bai Ye, Li Shoumo, and the others chose a larger courtyard to settle in. After the rooms were assigned, everyone gathered around the stone table in the center of the courtyard.
Li Chengfeng chuckled and took out two jars of spirit wine from his storage ring. He broke the mud seal and poured a cup for each person. "A beautiful night with close friends by my side, enjoying a drink under the moon, is indeed one of life's pleasures."
Ayu finished his drink, took a deep breath, and felt the almost tangible spiritual energy in the air. He sighed, "The spiritual energy in the Sanqing Sect is truly abundant! Cultivating here would probably be several times faster."
Dayue nodded vigorously, "If one can cultivate here for a long time, one's cultivation level will probably advance by leaps and bounds."
"Didn't you notice that the mountains and roadsides here are full of spiritual herbs and medicines? The spiritual herbs that we need to cultivate in the herb fields are growing like weeds by the roadside here. It's such a waste," Ahua added.
Li Shoumo took a sip of wine and explained softly, "The reason why the Sanqing Sect has such rich spiritual energy is because of its prosperous fortune and the favor of heaven and earth. As long as we win the subsequent arena matches, we can win more heavenly fortune for our Wilderness State, and the starting point of cultivation for future generations will be far superior to ours."
“That’s exactly right.” Li Chengfeng continued, “We fight here today not only for the glory before us, but also for a better future for the thousands of cultivators in our Wilderness State.”
A group of young people drank wine under the moon, discussing their hopes for the future with great enthusiasm.
Bai also sat to the side, his elbows propped up on the stone table, his palms supporting his chin. He seemed to be listening to everyone's conversation, but in reality, his mind was already wandering.
She kept recalling her previous conversation with Zhong Jiuli, and the more she thought about it, the more she felt that Zhong Jiuli might lack a sense of security, which was why she acted this way.
"Xiao Wang, do you think I should propose first?"
"I don't think proposing is common here, is it?" Xiao Wang's tone was somewhat uncertain.
"Then should I just have my mother propose marriage?"
I think the best thing you should do is tell your mother first, otherwise she'll be scared to death by you.
“You’re right! I need to discuss this with my mother first. It’s best to have an elder involved in marriage proposals.”
Thinking of this, Bai suddenly stood up, drawing everyone's attention.
"It's alright, you guys chat, I'm going out for a bit." Bai waved to everyone and walked out of the courtyard.
"A-Ye, where are you going?" A-Yu shouted. "Don't go running around causing trouble. This is someone else's territory."
"I'm going to talk to my mother about something," Bai Ye's voice came from behind the courtyard gate.
After leaving the courtyard, Bai also found a patrol of Sanqing Sect disciples and politely asked where the Gu Zhou cultivators were staying.
When the Sanqing Sect disciples saw Bai Ye's white hair, they immediately recognized her and knew that she was this year's troublemaker. The patrol captain was worried about Bai Ye wandering around alone, so he assigned a disciple to lead the way for her.
Bai followed the disciple through several mountains and arrived at the courtyard where the ancient cultivators were temporarily staying. She thanked the disciple who had led the way, saying, "Thank you for showing me the way. I can go in and find the person myself."
The disciple asked worriedly, "Fellow Daoist Bai, you're not here to fight, are you?"
"No, I'm not that kind of person who doesn't understand the rules. If there's going to be a fight, it won't be on your turf," Bai assured him.
"If Fellow Daoist Bai really wants to fight, remember to go to Sword Debate Peak, where there is a dedicated arena."
"I really don't fight." Bai Ye looked at the disciple with a wry smile.
The man smiled, bowed, and turned to leave. She shouldn't believe a single word of Bai Ye's assurances.
Bai shook her head helplessly and stepped into the gate of the ancient state courtyard. As soon as she entered, she was bumped into by a member of the Wang family.
When the man saw her, his eyes widened instantly, as if he had seen a ghost. He yelled at the top of his lungs, "You bastard, how dare you trespass on our Guzhou territory!"
"Guards! The white-haired guy from the Savage Continent has come to challenge us!"
As he howled, he ran towards the depths of the courtyard, as if he wanted to summon all the young geniuses of Guzhou and surround Bai Ye to teach him a lesson.
Bai was speechless at the man's exaggerated reaction. Well, she admitted that the Sanqing Sect disciple's concerns were valid. If those people from Guzhou rushed out to beat her up without any explanation, she really might not be able to resist.
Fortunately, the voice of that Wang family member was loud enough that before the young prodigies of Guzhou could surround him, Bai Shu, who had come out first, quickly came to Bai Ye's side and led her to his room.
Bai Shu closed the door and quickly set up a soundproof barrier before pressing Bai Ye down on the stool by the table and asking, "If it weren't already dark, your mother would have thought the sun had risen in the west. Why did you finally decide to come see your mother today instead of sticking to your sister Zhong?"
"Hehe~" Bai also smiled shyly, showing a rare hint of coyness, "There is something important I want to discuss with Mother."
"Oh? Tell me, what's wrong?" Bai Shu picked up the teapot, poured her a cup of hot tea, and then poured one for himself as well.
"Well... well, I'd like to ask my mother to help me propose marriage after the Nine Provinces Grand Competition ends?"
"Pfft~~~ Cough cough cough!" Bai Shu spat out all the tea she had just taken a sip of. She hurriedly put the teacup back on the table and frantically covered her nostrils, which were gushing water.
Bai Ye rolled up his sleeve to wipe the tea off his face, looked at Bai Shu who was coughing so hard her face was red, and stood up helplessly to pat her back.
"Mother, is it really necessary?"
Bai Shu coughed for a while and finally recovered. The expression on her face was very complicated. There was a sense of pride that her daughter had grown up, as well as a feeling of awkwardness that she was thinking about getting married when she was still single.
She suppressed the complex emotions in her heart and tentatively asked, "Which girl have you taken a fancy to... or Tiger? Is it Ayu? I noticed that you two got along very well when you were little, and now she has grown up and looks quite graceful."
"But isn't it a bit too early to get married now? You two are still young; shouldn't you focus on your cultivation?"
Bai also quickly shook her head, "It's not A-Yu, Mother, don't make wild guesses!"
"Hmm?" Bai Shu's eyes darted around, and he guessed again, "Could it be that Jiang Island Master? I noticed that the way she looked at you was a bit strange, she was really clingy."
"Oh no, neither of them! Don't try to matchmake people up." Bai Ye made up his mind and, without bothering with any preamble, said loudly, "It's Zhong Jiuli. The person I want you to propose to is Zhong Jiuli."
"Huh?!" Bai Shu jumped up from the stool like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, her face filled with horror.
"Zhong...Zhong Jiuli?" Her voice was so loud it was almost split. "The person you asked me to propose to is Zhong Jiuli, the sect leader of the Sanqing Sect?"
"Mm!" Bai Ye nodded, reaching out to tug at Bai Shu's sleeve, gesturing for her to sit down and talk, and not to get so excited.
"You little rascal! I think you've got some nerve! How dare you even think of that?" Bai Shu couldn't sit still at all, pacing back and forth anxiously as if his butt was on fire.
She simply couldn't imagine how she should bring it up.
That's Zhong Jiuli! A figure from the heavens! How come my own little tiger cub has such a sharp eye?
After watching her mother circle the small round table dozens of times, Bai Ye felt she had to stop Bai Shu from racking up steps.
She stood up and pressed Bai Shu down onto the stool. "Mother, don't be anxious, let's sit down and talk properly."
Bai Shu sat down and looked at Bai Ye across from her. Her daughter was indeed good-looking, but to say that she was a match for Zhong Jiuli was just too much of a stretch.
She said carefully, "Ah Ye, your mother thinks that people should be more down-to-earth. If you want to find a partner, with our family's resources, we can still find one."
“But that Senior Zhong, even if we emptied your great-grandmother’s coffers, we still wouldn’t be able to reach his threshold. Mother really can’t do this.”
Bai was wondering why his mother was so agitated, but it turns out he misunderstood and thought she was in a one-sided love affair and delusional fantasies.
"Mother, you've misunderstood. Zhong Jiuli and I are in love with each other, and she likes me too," Bai explained.
When Bai Shu heard her say that, her first reaction was not joy, but to reach out and touch Bai Ye's forehead first, and then touch her own.
She murmured, "He doesn't have a fever, so why is he talking nonsense?"
"Oh dear, Mother, stop fooling around. I'm not lying to you, I'm telling the truth." Bai Ye slapped her hand away, both amused and annoyed.
Bai Shu looked her daughter up and down, her eyes still full of suspicion. Although from a parent's perspective, her child was undoubtedly perfect, she still found it hard to believe that Zhong Jiuli could have taken a liking to her little tiger cub.
As if she had thought of something, she lowered her voice and asked mysteriously, "You wouldn't happen to have caught Senior Zhong doing something incredibly wrong, would you? Are you trying to force her to submit? Or are you using the excuse of saving her life to coerce her into marrying you?"
Bai pinched his brow in pain and said seriously, "Mother, I'm not joking with you. Although it seems a bit outrageous to you, I really do love her."
Seeing Bai Ye's serious expression, Bai Shu reluctantly believed her a little. She pressed on, "Then tell your mother in detail what exactly happened between you two. Your mother needs to know the details so that I can make arrangements for arranging your marriage."
Bai also picked up his teacup and drank the slightly cold spiritual tea in one gulp. Then he began to recount how he met Zhong Jiuli, how they went through hardships together, and how they fell in love with each other, starting from their first encounter.
Of course, she definitely omitted the parts that were inappropriate for children; it's something she couldn't bring herself to say in front of her mother.
After all, her mother probably hasn't... ever been in a relationship.
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Author's Note: [Fireworks][Fireworks] Wishing everyone a happy holiday in advance! [Hugs][Hugs][Hugs]
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