105: Chapter 105 Marriage Alliance

Three days have passed since your sword dao cultivation broke through. At this moment, you are holding the personal disciple token, standing before the teleportation array beneath the Blood Lotus.

Aside from cultivators at the Golden Core stage and above who can fly straight up, anyone heading to the Blood Lotus must register through the teleportation passage.

Your master, Master Huoyan, does not usually reside on Qingheng Island, but is stationed long-term in the Liyan Palace above the Blood Lotus.

It is said that this lotus is an ancient secret treasure that holds immense benefits for cultivators forming their cores. Unfortunately, your realm is still not high enough to comprehend its profound mysteries.

"Junior Sister Shen?"

Just as you finished registering and were about to step into the teleportation array, a somewhat familiar voice behind you called you to a stop.

You looked sideways and saw a man dressed in moon-white Daoist robes standing below the steps.

The newcomer had regular features—not quite handsome, but possessing a detached, solitary-pine-like cold aura. Within the Hehuan Sect, he was simply a breath of fresh air.

"Eldest Senior Brother~"

A trace of joy appropriately surfaced on your face, and you skipped happily up to him.

This person was none other than Master Huoyan's eldest disciple, Jiang Jibai.

"Junior Sister has broken through to Foundation Establishment?"

A trace of astonishment flashed across Jiang Jibai's eyes.

As far as he knew, you only had a single foundation establishment pill. He originally thought you would end in failure, but he didn't expect that after struggling for nearly twenty years, you actually succeeded in the end.

"That is right. Does Senior Brother have any gifts for Junior Sister?"

You and this person were not very close. Over the past twenty years, you had only briefly met when summoned by Master Huoyan.

But as the saying goes, a fool is one who doesn't take advantage when it's there.

Furthermore, with such a cute junior sister acting coquettishly toward him, could a senior brother really not show some token of affection?

Looking at the well-behaved and spirited young girl before him, Jiang Jibai's cold eyes softened slightly.

To be honest, his impression of the other two junior brothers and sisters was not good. Even within the Hehuan Sect, one should not indulge oneself in profligacy. If one blindly wallowed in desires, how could one attain the Great Dao?

On the contrary, this newly arrived junior sister had not spread any bad reputation, and Jiang Jibai was quite gratified by this.

At this thought, he lightly patted his storage pouch, and a red jade hairpin slowly floated suspended before you.

Amidst your expectant gaze, he chuckled and said:

"This item is a protective secret treasure that can withstand three strikes from a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator. Consider it a congratulatory gift for your breakthrough."

"Ah~ Thank you, Senior Brother!"

Driven by a momentary surge of emotion, you threw yourself directly into the man's embrace.

"Cough!"

Not until Jiang Jibai's light cough sounded did you snap back to your senses as if waking from a dream. Blushing, you quickly retreated from his embrace, lowering your head and not daring to look at him again.

"You came today...?"

After the two of you fell silent in a subtle atmosphere, Jiang Jibai asked rather unnaturally.

"I am here to see Master..."

Your voice was as soft as a mosquito's buzzing, seemingly still immersed in the shyness of your reckless behavior just now.

"Coincidentally, I shall go with you."

With that, Jiang Jibai turned and walked toward the teleportation array first.

You slowly followed behind him, watching the threads of affection emanating from him, a hidden arc curling at the corners of your mouth.

Tsk tsk~ A pure-hearted Hehuan Sect sword cultivator with peak Foundation Establishment cultivation and unblemished primal yang—combining all these makes him truly a supreme top-tier catch!

After a bout of dizziness, the two of you stepped out of the teleportation array together.

Before your eyes was a blinding scarlet red, with a giant thousand-petaled glazed lotus spreading out like the firmament. Countless magnificent pavilions and palaces dotted its surface amidst misty rosy clouds, forming a gorgeous world resembling an immortal palace.

Just as you were following behind Jiang Jibai and looking around, a familiar figure caught your eye.

Oh~ What a coincidence?

The figure about to brush past you ahead was none other than Su Yu.

But when your peripheral vision caught the trace of purple shadow behind him, all teasing thoughts instantly vanished, and you obediently lowered your head to pass by the two of them.

"What? Taken with her?"

Seeing her nephew's gaze fall upon your retreating back, Zicha teased him.

"No."

Su Yu flatly denied it.

"If you like her, Little Aunt will find a way to snatch her over for you."

Zicha said dismissively.

"Little Aunt, you mustn't! If I truly like someone, I will strive for her myself."

Su Yu said earnestly.

"Very well~"

Zicha curled her lips in boredom.

"I wonder who he takes after with this temperament..."

Su Yu ignored his Little Aunt's nagging, recalling that fleeting glimpse just now; that young woman truly matched his aesthetic preferences...

Moments later, you were standing before a palace made entirely of blazing flame-colored glazed glass.

If you knew what Su Yu was thinking, no matter what, you would give your good brother another turn—that guy was truly righteous.

"Master, this disciple has come to pay respects."

You and Jiang Jibai stood side by side outside the palace doors, cupping your hands in salute and waiting quietly.

"Come in."

After a while, a lazy voice sounded beside your ears, and the towering palace doors slowly opened simultaneously.

"You've reached Foundation Establishment?"

Within the main hall, Master Huoyan's originally lazy eyes narrowed slightly, carrying a trace of satisfaction in her tone.

"Thanks to Master's blessing."

Your posture returned to humility once more, without the slightest overstepping of boundaries.

"Mhm. How have you considered the matter this seat asked you to ponder?"

"This disciple leaves everything entirely to Master's instructions."

You calmly replied.

One year ago, on the eve of your seclusion breakthrough, Master Huoyan finally informed you of the mission details.

The Hehuan Sect had a subordinate sect named the Yucha Sect.

Although nominally subordinate to the Hehuan Sect, in reality, the two factions were largely in a cooperative relationship, each keeping the other in check.

Furthermore, friendship between the two sects could not be maintained solely through transactions, and an alliance marriage was a rather good method.

The Hehuan Sect had always been renowned for its female cultivators, naturally making it the party that "sent out people" in this matrimony.

However, this marriage alliance was somewhat different. As the Yucha Sect developed up to the present day, quite a few cultivators had grown dissatisfied with the cooperation with the Hehuan Sect, and naturally, some harbored ulterior motives. A bold and meticulous female cultivator was needed to go undercover and investigate their internal specifics.

This matter had always been managed by Master Huoyan, and her original choice was her second disciple.

Unfortunately, although that person was born with extreme beauty, they were simply far too dissolute. No matter how they disguised themselves, it was difficult to conceal the romantic air deep in their bones, falling far short of the word "decorous."

Yet the target of this marriage alliance was the only son of the Yucha Sect leader, so his appearance and character naturally had to pass muster.

Thus, the moment she saw you, she decided to change candidates.

After receiving your portrait, the Yucha Sect side also had no objections.

These twenty years were your observation period. If you had also used the reputation of a Golden Core cultivator to act recklessly within the sect, you likely wouldn't have met a good end under Master Huoyan.

Fortunately, she was very satisfied with your performance.

You were loyal to your Dao companion and very diligent in your cultivation.

As for your Dao companion Han Xuan? A mere little Foundation Establishment cultivator, who would care...

Seeing you agree so readily, a flash of surprise crossed Master Huoyan's eyes, and she probed as she asked:

"What about your Dao companion?"

"He..."

Hearing this, the corners of your lips trembled slightly, as if a thousand words were choked in your throat. That pitiful appearance of forcefully suppressing grievance made even Master Huoyan sigh softly:

"Tsk tsk~ With this appearance, even this teacher cannot help but feel tempted. Won't that brat from the Yucha Sect be completely infatuated? It truly is a bargain for him."

"Master~"

You gave a soft reproach, stomped your foot, and stood in place blushing with a flustered look.

"Alright, alright."

Master Huoyan smiled and waved her hand, her mood quite pleasant. This time, she had definitely chosen the right person.

"Jibai, three days from now, lead a team to escort Lianhuan to the Yucha Sect."

Hearing this, the two of you instinctively met each other's eyes, and the air seemed to gain a hint of indescribable nuance...