When Shen Zhaozhao turned her head to look at him because of the slight tug, Xie Linyuan leaned down slightly, his black robe sleeves hanging down, bringing a chilling sensation.
His handsome face was close to her ear, his thin lips almost brushing against her earlobe. His warm breath mixed with his deep, deliberately suppressed, and extremely magnetic voice slowly poured into her ear.
"Enough, why bother getting angry with an ignorant sword spirit?"
Xie Linyuan's voice carried a hint of tacit approval and indulgence. His tone was calm but his words were clear, ensuring that Pei Lang could understand the gist of it. "It is just beginning to develop intelligence and is not yet aware of worldly affairs. When it sees something it likes, it can hardly control itself and its words and actions are a bit disorderly... Just guide it properly."
These words sounded grand and respectful, like a piece of advice, but the close proximity, the almost whispered intimacy, and the subtle implication in the words—comparing the sword spirit to an "ignorant child" and placing Shen Zhaozhao in the position of a "parent who needs to be tolerant and guided"—all silently proclaimed to Pei Lang the extraordinary intimacy between him and Shen Zhaozhao.
Shen Zhaozhao felt a tingling sensation in her neck from his sudden closeness and whispered words in her ear. She subconsciously took two steps to the side to create some distance, her face full of disdain that seemed to say, "Be normal, stop acting crazy."
"How is this any different from spoiling your child?"
She rolled her eyes at Xie Linyuan, annoyed. "I'm disciplining my sword spirit, so don't get involved."
These words, when heard by Pei Lang and Murong Xiao, combined with Xie Linyuan's deliberate remarks, made it seem like a pair of Daoist couples had a disagreement over the education of their unruly child—one playing the good cop and the other the bad cop, one wanting to punish severely and the other wanting to be lenient.
Xie Linyuan clearly also accurately captured the captivating sense of "a family of three" that was unintentionally conveyed in those words.
The barely perceptible pleasure in his eyes almost spilled out. Although he maintained his aloof and reserved immortal demeanor, he readily took another half step closer to Shen Zhaozhao. His black robe sleeves fluttered slightly, and his fingertips once again obediently hooked onto the hem of her dress.
"Um."
He lowered his eyelashes, his voice low and gentle, with an almost submissive, tamed tone, "You're right after all."
The tone and posture were exactly like, "My wife's discipline is correct, and I dare not disagree. If my wife says go east, I will never go west." But the man said it in a dignified and composed tone, which doubled the effect.
Shen Zhaozhao: "..."
Although Shen Zhaozhao vaguely felt that there was something strange about this damn lunatic, there was an inexplicable sticky feeling in his words.
However, seeing his serious expression, as if he were simply stating a perfectly natural fact, I couldn't quite put my finger on what was wrong. I could only glance at him suspiciously and temporarily suppress my doubts.
Forget it, why bother arguing with this lunatic whose thought process is so abnormal?
She turned to Pei Lang, whose expression was quite complicated, and cleared her throat: "Pei Lang, my vengeful sect leader will pay for today's expenses! Did you see anything you liked at the auction?"
"If you see something you like, just say so. Anyway, our sect doesn't have any talisman cultivators. We'll sell it to you at the original price, and once you've finished drawing the talisman, you can sell it to us for a discount!"
Pei Lang's feelings at this moment were indeed very complicated, a mixture of emotions.
He glanced at Shen Zhaozhao, who had a smug look on her face that said, "My wife is always right," and who, though disdainful, clearly allowed the other woman to get closer...
It's over.
His budding youthful thoughts, destined to wither and die, were now destined to leave him heartbroken!
no?
That fast?!
He never imagined that while he was engrossed in the newcomer competition, the sect leader of Shen Zhaozhao's family had actually, actually, successfully made it to the top!
ah? !
If he had known these two would progress so quickly, why did he even participate in the newcomer competition?!
Wouldn't it be better for him to just give up the competition and come to Liuyunchuan with Shen Zhaozhao?!
Waaaaah!
However, despite his disappointment, Pei Lang's sadness lasted less than three seconds. When he heard that Shen Zhaozhao was still thinking about sharing things with him, most of his grievances instantly dissipated.
Okay.
If we can't be partners, being best friends... isn't that a bad idea?
After all, Shen Zhaozhao is a good person to get along with! She genuinely cares about sharing her money with her brothers! This kind of generous and magnanimous nature, who doesn't prioritize romance over friendship, is practically a match for him... uh, a natural soulmate!
Thinking of this, Pei Lang's eyes lit up, and he was about to go over to see if there were any suitable talismans or refining materials for him—
Xie Linyuan, who had been coldly glancing at him out of the corner of his eye, saw that Shen Zhaozhao was actually going to share some things with this eyesore. The displeasure he had just suppressed resurfaced instantly.
Beneath the dark robe's sleeves, Xie Linyuan's knuckles curled slightly. He was about to step forward, intending to definitively draw Shen Zhaozhao into his territory and clearly declare his ownership—
Suddenly, his eyes darkened, and the aura of jealousy emanating from him instantly subsided.
A not-so-intense argument, but one that sounded particularly clear in the relatively quiet corridor, accompanied by the sound of hurried footsteps, was coming from the spiral staircase leading downstairs.
At the spiral staircase.
The staircase, crafted from starlight-covered driftwood, winds its way down, reflecting the brilliance of the suspended pearl at the top, coating each step with a luxurious and illusory halo.
In stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the auction hall below, this place was so quiet that you could hear the faint sound of clothes rustling together.
It was in this luxurious tranquility that Yun Wan'er's voice, tinged with a barely perceptible sob, softly broke the silence.
"Senior brother, I am Yun Wan'er, a disciple of True Person Lingxiao of the Tianyan Sect."
She slightly bent her knees, performing an impeccable bow, her posture delicate, with what seemed like tears about to fall on her eyelashes. "Just now, several treasures that our sect coveted at the auction were all won by Senior Dingge."
"Wan'er has no other intention than to admire you and wish to pay you a visit to express her congratulations and respect in person. I believe that... given the reputation of the Tianyan Sect, you should be willing to see me."
Her words cleverly linked her personal actions with the sect's prestige, attempting to use this power to intimidate others.
The Yuntai Alliance deacon disciple blocking her way remained expressionless, but his tone was firm and unquestionable. He bowed slightly and said, "Fairy Yun, please forgive me. Our distinguished guest has already instructed us not to be disturbed by outsiders. Please do not make things difficult for me."
Upon hearing this, Yun Wan'er's eyes reddened even more instantly, as if she had heard some extremely harsh accusation, and she was on the verge of tears: "But I clearly saw someone go up just now... it seemed, it seemed to be a female cultivator..."
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