Youyou inexplicably felt that she might have overlooked some important information, and a sense of foreboding lingered in her heart, especially as the Star-Picking Ceremony began, this feeling grew stronger and stronger.
When they arrived at the front hall, people from all the various factions who had come to witness the ceremony had already gathered in front of the plaza. A suspended platform had been erected in front of the plaza using array formations. Two identical arrays were inscribed on the platform; the two arrays were independent yet partially overlapped, their runes fluttering in a complex manner. The man who had been beside the Azure Feather Celestial Maiden earlier was now standing in the left array, waiting for something.
"That formation is..." Youyou looked at the formation above with some curiosity.
Surprisingly, Feng Rong, who wasn't skilled in formations, recognized it at a glance. "That's the Heart-to-Heart Formation! A formation for forging a Daoist partnership!" He looked at the formation with deep eyes and intense focus, tightening his grip on her hand, as if he were somewhat...envious?
Before Youyou could think further, the Azure Feather Celestial Maiden had already arrived. She had changed her clothes, still bright red, but much more solemn and dignified than when she had greeted guests before. Her makeup was also more exquisite, highlighting her beauty to the point of being more than ten parts. Even Wu Yue, standing beside her, had her pupils shrink and let out a gasp of surprise.
Beside the Azure Feather Celestial Maiden was a handsome man who was supporting her hand, his head slightly bowed, as they walked step by step toward the high platform.
After walking a short distance, he handed her over to another man and stopped to watch her leave. Upon closer inspection, You You noticed four men standing on the short distance from the front hall to the high platform, all of whom were of considerable cultivation, at least at the Nascent Soul stage.
Youyou remembered Wuyue saying that Qingyu Tiannv had five followers, so these four must be the other four followers besides her Daoist partner. She took a closer look at the four and found that compared to the smiling Qingyu Tiannv and the Daoist partner above who was so excited that she wanted to jump down to pick her up herself, these four followers seemed unusually... silent? Even their faces were full of sorrow and reluctance, as if they were making a painful decision.
What's going on?
Youyou turned to look at the people watching the ceremony. She realized that it wasn't that no one had noticed the four's expressions, but no one seemed puzzled. In fact, their gazes towards them even carried a hint of... pity?
She felt the doubts in her heart growing stronger, as if she should know something, but she couldn't find the clues.
It wasn't until the fourth follower led the Azure Feather Celestial Maiden by the hand, step by step, up to the high platform and into the center of the formation, that the person, who was originally going to place the Celestial Maiden's hand into the hands of her Daoist partner above, suddenly tightened his grip on her palm for some unknown reason, refusing to let go, his face full of struggle and reluctance.
The celestial maiden whispered a reminder, but the follower's hand remained clenched, instead tightening its grip. It wasn't until the Daoist partner in the formation couldn't bear it any longer, stepped forward, grabbed the other's hand, and forcefully pulled them apart, that they led the celestial maiden toward the center of the formation.
The celestial maiden and her Daoist partner turned and said a few words to the onlookers before activating the Unity Array above. Instantly, the entire platform shone brightly with white light, countless magical runes flew and connected into a line around the two of them, and complex incantations resounded, like ancient Sanskrit chants from the distant past, binding the two closely together.
The entire main peak was illuminated by the light of the magic array, and then the surrounding arrays lit up as well. Countless petals fell from the sky and drifted down to the entire sect. Birds sang in unison, and the sky was filled with rosy clouds. Even the people watching the ceremony below couldn't help but cheer and offer their congratulations. The scene was incredibly lively and spectacular.
Youyou subconsciously looked at Qingyu Tiannv's other four followers, only to find that they were no longer on the platform. The four of them turned around and retreated in different directions, their faces still showing no joy, as if they were out of place with the lively atmosphere.
She felt increasingly puzzled and couldn't help but tug at the person next to her, saying, "Wu Yue, why do I feel like the other followers of Qingyu Tiannv don't seem very happy?"
"How could I be happy!" Wu Yue glanced in the direction of her gaze, sighed, and said, "Now that the Heavenly Maiden has found her Daoist partner, she will naturally have no further dealings with them. Although this is Qing Yu's last wish, after so many years of affection, it's impossible to let go so easily."
"Huh?" You You was stunned for a moment, and a terrible guess suddenly surged into her mind, "What does the Heavenly Maiden choosing her Daoist partner have to do with them?" What feelings, what letting go? What is all this about?
“Of course it’s related! Everyone has a chance to be a follower, but a Daoist partner is unique!” Wu Yue shook her head and said, “That’s why I don’t understand Qingyu Tiannu. Wouldn’t it be better to have more followers? Why does she have to choose a Daoist partner from among them? For one person, she has broken the hearts of so many people.”
"Wait!" You You's heart sank. She grabbed Wu Yue's hand, her eyes wide, and asked with a trembling voice, "Tell me, what... what exactly is the relationship between the followers and the celestial maiden?"
“It’s a relationship of unwavering devotion, even unto death!” Wu Yue replied with a puzzled look, then added as if remembering something, “But in the mortal realm, a follower should be considered… a servant!”
"..."
What?!
Husband, husband, husband, husband... Husband and servant?!
If followers are equivalent to husbands and servants, then isn't signing a contract equivalent to... getting a marriage certificate?
Does that mean she's already received—three books?!
(?Д?≡?Д?)
Thump! Youyou felt something hit her head, and her head was buzzing.
"Women in this world are inherently noble, and it's perfectly normal for them to have multiple husbands," Wu Yue said earnestly, continuing her scientific explanation. "I, for example, would never choose a Daoist partner. I'd rather have several followers. Sister You, let me tell you..."
"Shut up! Don't talk nonsense!" Before Wu Yue could finish speaking, Feng Rong, who was standing next to her, became anxious and immediately covered her ears. She turned around and pulled Wu Yue several steps away, looking as if she was afraid that her celestial maiden would be led astray.
Only when he saw Wu Yue being pulled back by Long Xi did he release his hand from her ear, half-embracing You You. He glanced at the pair of Daoist partners on the stage, his face slightly flushed, and said in a low voice with some awkwardness, "Don't listen to other people's nonsense. I... actually think that becoming Daoist partners is quite good, but... you must choose me!" After saying that, as if afraid that she would object, he gripped her hand tightly.
"..."
Seeing that she didn't respond for a long time, Feng Rong began to nervously calculate, "You only have three followers in total, not counting that old man from before. As for that bastard Yuan Qi, I know you only made the contract out of necessity to save him. Only I am the one you genuinely and willingly want to make a contract with. So... you can only choose me!"
The more he calculated, the more he felt that what he said made sense. He secretly hugged her a little closer, his eyes darting around. Taking advantage of everyone's attention being on the stage, he suddenly and stealthily lowered his head and puckered his lips to give her a quick kiss on the cheek.
Yu You, whose worldview had been shattered: "..."
She needs some peace and quiet!
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