☆, Chapter 21: Finally, the male lead was raised to adulthood (bug fix)
Shen Qingqiu remained silent for a long time before tossing the invitation into Ming Fan's arms, telling him to go and keep it safe.
Mingfan glanced at his master's expression, which wasn't good. Thinking of how his master had been extremely picky about the food in the kitchen since that brat Luo Binghe went down the mountain, and how he hadn't been eating properly these past few days, he asked, "Master, should I prepare some snacks?"
With daily guidance from the Dream Demon in his dreams, Luo Binghe's progress was rapid. He was already capable of handling things independently, and Shen Qingqiu was happy to often assign him trivial matters within the Cangqiong Mountain Sect. As he grew older, tasks like exorcising demons and helping others were also given to him, to prevent him from constantly hovering around him. Although he was pampered comfortably, the child seemed to have developed a bias or something else, becoming a little too clingy... Shen Qingqiu often reflected on whether he had spoiled him too much. If this continued, he was truly afraid that he wouldn't be able to bring himself to shove him into the abyss.
Shen Qingqiu had no appetite and waved his hand, "No need. You can go now."
Mingfan dared not say more and obediently went downstairs. Tears streamed down his face. In the past few years, Luo Binghe had completely become the apple of his master's eye. No one else could even get his master to drink a bowl of porridge!
Of course, he didn't consider that it might be a problem with his cooking skills.
After an unknown amount of time, footsteps approached again.
Shen Qingqiu said, "Didn't I say I didn't need to?"
A young man's voice, tinged with grievance, said, "This disciple has traveled thousands of miles from another continent to return, and Master refuses to even glance at me?"
The voice was gentle and clear, yet still retained a youthful energy. Upon hearing it, Shen Qingqiu almost fell over, chair and all. He turned around abruptly.
The seventeen-year-old boy was tall and slender, dressed in a white shirt, with a slight smile on his lips, his eyes shining as he looked at him.
He carried on his back a precious sword called "Zhengyang," which he had obtained from Wanjian Peak. The name of the immortal sword perfectly complemented Luo Binghe's temperament at that moment. The sword was imbued with spiritual light, and although it was an extremely fine sword, drawing gasps of admiration from his fellow disciples when Luo Binghe pulled it from the rock wall, it was simply not in the same league as the sword that truly belonged to Luo Binghe.
Shen Qingqiu composed himself and smiled, "Why did you come back so quickly this time?"
Luo Binghe sat down in the seat next to him, steadily poured a cup of tea, and pushed it to Shen Qingqiu's side: "It's not a troublesome disaster, and I missed Master so much that I came back without stopping."
These words sounded rather glib, but as the male protagonist, Luo Binghe possessed the skill to make even the most glib talk sound incredibly sincere and gentle. Shen Qingqiu, for his part, found it quite appealing!
Shen Qingqiu picked up the teacup and took a sip. It was fine snow mountain tea, but he couldn't taste anything. He said, "The Immortal Alliance Conference is about to begin."
Luo Binghe already knew about this matter and asked, "Should I draft a list of participating disciples from Qingjing Peak and submit it to Master for review?"
Over the years, Shen Qingqiu had delegated all these miscellaneous tasks, big and small, to Luo Binghe. Since Luo Binghe was now so obedient, helpful, and meticulous in his work, Shen Qingqiu couldn't think of any reason why he should do it himself… Before making a final decision, Luo Binghe would always ask Shen Qingqiu to review it, to see if there was anything unreliable. Shen Qingqiu always wanted to say, "You really don't need to check it again! You're far more capable than me!"
Shen Qingqiu said, "Once it's drafted, just report it directly to Senior Brother Sect Leader."
Luo Binghe nodded, wanting to say something more, but suddenly a strange feeling arose within him.
Today, Shen Qingqiu seemed to be paying extra attention to him, and couldn't help but laugh, "Why is Master looking at me so much? Could it be that Master has missed his disciple since I left the mountain so many days ago?"
Shen Qingqiu said calmly, "I raised it, so I'm not allowed to look at it?"
Luo Binghe chuckled and said, "Of course I agree. Does Master find me pleasing to the eye?"
Shen Qingqiu chuckled.
After a moment of silence, he carefully considered his words and asked, "Glacier."
Luo Binghe also noticed that Shen Qingqiu seemed unusual, as if he had something important to say, and asked seriously, "Is that so?"
Shen Qingqiu stared into his eyes and said, "Do you want to become stronger? Stronger than anyone else in the world, so strong that no one dares to challenge you?"
Luo Binghe had the answer to this question a long time ago.
He sat up straight, looked back without hesitation, and said, "Yes!"
Seeing his resolute answer, Shen Qingqiu breathed a sigh of relief. He pressed on, asking, "Even if you had to endure much suffering and torment, experience countless hardships, and be on the verge of physical and mental collapse before that, would you still want to become the supreme powerhouse?"
Luo Binghe slowly said, "I fear neither hardship nor tribulation, but only seek to become strong enough to protect the people and things that are important to me!"
Shen Qingqiu felt somewhat relieved after receiving this answer.
Yes. Luo Binghe, in order to protect your future harem of three thousand beautiful women, you must become stronger!
Although she still felt reluctant, Shen Qingqiu had to adjust her mindset and prepare herself mentally for the inhumane actions she was about to take, considering that this was a process of transformation that the protagonist had to go through.
Three days later, the list of disciples from each of the twelve peaks of Cangqiong Mountain who would attend the conference was completed, and they all went to the conference.
The venue for this Immortal Alliance Conference is a mountain range with complex terrain and undulating slopes stretching for several miles, called the Valley of Despair.
Established figures, mindful of their status, would never attend the Immortal Alliance Conference to compete for attention with younger generations. There was no need, nor did they deign to. Therefore, the twelve peak masters and their senior uncles and elder brothers did not register, but each lineage could only select a maximum of ten disciples to participate. Since there was such a limit, more was always better. Thus, in the end, fully equipped, a large group of over a hundred people set off for the Valley of Despair. So many people flying and riding swords would be too conspicuous, so they opted for carriages. A cultivation novel, yet they're always riding horses and carriages!
Most people chose to ride horses, looking dashing and heroic. However, Shen Qingqiu was not good at riding and did not want to break his neck, and he also felt that his face was not comfortable enough being exposed to the wind, sun, and rain outside. So, under everyone's watchful eyes, he climbed into the carriage.
There were already people who had arrived first in the carriage. As soon as they saw him lift the curtain with his folding fan and crawl in, they said disdainfully, "A grown man like you is trying to take my place!"
This woman had beautiful features, a high bun, and a prominent chest; she was none other than Qi Qingqi, the mistress of Fairy Peak.
In the original story, Qi Qingqi and Shen Qingqiu didn't have much of a relationship and rarely interacted. However, in recent years, Shen Qingqiu had occasionally worked with her, liked her straightforward and outspoken nature, and they got along quite well. While using his folding fan to shoo her to make room, Shen Qingqiu calmly said, "I'm a patient."
Qi Qingqi made way for him, but still scolded him, "Spoiled brat! You act like a delicate little baby, not like a Golden Core cultivator at all! Do you need someone to serve you snacks later?"
Shen Qingqiu said, "That's right. You reminded me." As he spoke, he tapped the carriage arm with the handle of his fan.
A moment later, Che Lianzi was lifted up, and Luo Binghe asked with a smile, "Master, snacks, water, or is your back sore?"
He rode a strong, tall horse. The white horse was spirited and the young man was exceptionally handsome; under the sunlight, he was a sight to behold.
Shen Qingqiu said, "Your Uncle Qi wants some snacks."
Luo Binghe immediately took out some exquisitely wrapped pastries from his robes and offered them to him. It seemed he had been prepared in advance. He said, "Please call me if Master has any further instructions." Only then did he lower the curtain.
Liu Qingge rode past, letting out a powerful hum.
Shen Qingqiu said, "Of course." He bent down and opened the paper package. "Dragon beard candy. Not bad." He then handed the candy to Qi Qingqi: "Want some?"
Qi Qingqi could hardly describe how she felt at that moment.
She felt that this feeling was probably one of resentment, that such a thoughtful and highly skilled disciple was actually taught by Shen Qingqiu.
Actually, that's not the case. She just didn't know that there's a word that can describe this feeling: "blindingly bright."
Qi Qingqi ignored Shen Qingqiu, who was still struggling to eat dragon beard candy, and said, "Even Mingyan rides a horse!"
As long as Shen Qingqiu feels even a little bit ashamed, that's a victory!
With nothing to do, Shen Qingqiu looked outside and, sure enough, Liu Mingyan, her face veiled and carrying the "Water Color" sword, sat gracefully on her horse. A gentle breeze blew, causing her veil to flutter, giving her an ethereal and otherworldly appearance.
This scene is so pleasing to the eye.
Shen Qingqiu couldn't help but look at it for a while longer, and exclaimed, "It is truly breathtakingly beautiful."
Qi Qingqi spat in his face. "Don't you dare covet my beloved disciple!"
These two sentences were overheard by Luo Binghe, who was nearby. His face immediately darkened.
Shen Qingqiu, however, paid no attention to his expression. She simply ate her snacks while glancing this way. Her mindset was like someone eating popcorn and drinking cola before a movie starts, waiting for the commercials to end before the main feature begins. That was Liu Mingyan, the male and female leads in the same setting—how could they not spark a connection?!
Luo Binghe felt extremely distressed when he saw that his master kept staring at Liu Mingyan.
"Stunningly beautiful"? They haven't even shown their faces! Can anyone be more beautiful than me?
Luo Binghe wasn't narcissistic; he simply always knew exactly what he looked like. He neither gloated nor deliberately belittled his appearance.
Seeing that Shen Qingqiu showed no sign of withdrawing his gaze, Luo Binghe could no longer contain himself. He slightly urged his horse forward, and the white horse galloped ahead, riding alongside Liu Mingyan. Luo Binghe turned his head and smiled, greeting, "Junior Sister Liu."
Liu Mingyan was taken aback, then nodded slightly and returned the greeting, saying, "Senior Brother Luo."
Oh oh oh! Oh oh oh! It's starting!
Shen Qingqiu never imagined that he would actually see the stunningly handsome men and beautiful women riding side by side in the book, and he was secretly thrilled.
Luo Binghe glanced at Shen Qingqiu out of the corner of his eye and saw that Shen Qingqiu not only hadn't looked away, but was staring at them even more enthusiastically. He was annoyed and felt so frustrated that he wanted to bite his teeth. While chatting and laughing with Liu Mingyan, he subtly led their horses faster and faster until they were so far away that Shen Qingqiu couldn't see them unless he leaned his whole upper body out of the carriage. Shen Qingqiu had no choice but to sit back down in disappointment.
Damn it, how could I forget? When the male and female leads are being affectionate, there are never any third wheels or annoying onlookers. =.=
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