95: Chapter 95 Engagement

Li Changqing's pupils constricted slightly; he had not expected her to make such a decisive choice in such a short amount of time.

Zhang Yuxi stepped forward, looked him straight in the eyes, and said, word by word, "Whether it be status or genuine affection, Yuxi wants both. As for this Spirit Control Technique... if Senior Li does not trust Yuxi, then plant it."

"As long as you and the Family do your best to ensure our Zhang Family's Bloodline continues for a hundred years, then after a hundred years, let fate decide. My life, this Soul, will be yours."

After saying this, she slowly closed her eyes and tilted her head back slightly, revealing her fair, slender neck in a display of resolve, as if waiting for him to do as he pleased.

Li Changqing looked at her, and a complex, indescribable emotion welled up in his heart—there was surprise, appreciation, and a faint trace of pity.

He knew that from this moment on, the bond between them would no longer be a simple exchange of benefits, but a deeper, more twisted, yet far more solid connection.

Li Changqing took a deep breath, his fingertips glowing with a pale silver Spiritual Qi, and gently pressed them against Zhang Yuxi's forehead.

"This technique requires you to completely open your Sea of Consciousness without reservation. Once it begins, there is no turning back."

"It matters not." Zhang Yuxi's lips curled slightly, revealing a look of relief. "Even if my Divine Soul is damaged, I will gladly accept it. Please, proceed."

As Li Changqing's Divine Sense slowly probed inward, Zhang Yuxi did not resist; instead, she actively guided that gentle force to travel through her Meridians, slowly flying toward her forehead...

The moment it touched her forehead, there was no sound; it simply merged into her skin silently, like a drop of water into the ocean.

In an instant, an icy, bone-chilling aura spread rapidly from her forehead throughout her entire body.

Zhang Yuxi's tightly closed eyes twitched violently, and her long eyelashes trembled intensely, as if she were enduring some unspeakable agony and the torment of her Soul being torn apart.

Her hands, resting at her sides, clutched her skirt tightly, her knuckles turning a ghastly white from the excessive force, while a heavily suppressed groan escaped her throat.

Li Changqing stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze locked onto her, his Divine Sense probing like silk threads into the newly established contract.

He could clearly feel that deep within Zhang Yuxi's Divine Soul, there had been a hard, guarded barrier, which was now crumbling inch by inch under this overbearing external force.

As the "Spirit Control Technique" fully took form, a point of silver light slowly emerged at Zhang Yuxi's forehead, immediately creating a subtle resonance with Li Changqing's Divine Sense.

Following that, the clear, spiritual aura surrounding her, which belonged to a Cultivator in the Qi Refinement Stage, began to undergo a drastic change.

Her body, which had appeared somewhat rigid from tension and resolve, strangely relaxed at this moment—but it was not true relaxation; it was absolute obedience after being completely controlled.

The restless Spiritual Qi within her body seemed to be forcibly smoothed out by an invisible hand, becoming incredibly docile and even faintly carrying a trace of the same Spiritual Qi attribute as Li Changqing's.

The most astonishing change occurred in her eyes.

When Zhang Yuxi slowly opened her eyes again, those eyes that had once hidden exhaustion, stubbornness, and the hope of revitalizing her Family had now completely shed all their sharpness and struggle.

In their place was a bottomless calmness, like a stagnant pool of water, yet reflecting Li Changqing's figure in its depths.

There was no longer a trace of defensiveness or self in that gaze, only a near-instinctual submission and reliance.

It was as if, in her current worldview, the man before her was her only truth and the sole meaning of her existence.

The last trace of her cold, aloof temperament had vanished, replaced by a breathtaking tenderness and submissiveness.

This was not a deliberately feigned attempt to please, but an absolute sense of belonging radiating from within after a brand had been carved deep into her Soul.

Zhang Yuxi looked at Li Changqing, her lips slowly curling into an extremely faint and light smile.

This smile was no longer sorrowfully beautiful, nor was it resolute; it carried a sense of peace and satisfaction, as if she had finally found her home.

She slowly stood up, her movements so gentle as if she feared disturbing something, and then performed a graceful bow before Li Changqing, her forehead almost touching the ground, her voice as soft as a feather brushing against the tip of one's heart:

"Husband."

This call was no longer the previous "Senior Li," and it lacked the previous distance and probing.

The moment these two words were spoken, the air inside the tea room seemed to solidify.

Li Changqing looked at her, and he knew that from this moment on, that proud orphan of the Spirit Beast-taming Family was gone.

Of course, he would also keep his promise; the person standing before him now was his one and only wife for this life.

The gentle breeze of the Cloud Sea Pavilion swept past the window lattice, dispersing the stagnant silence of the room.

Li Changqing turned to the side and walked out of the tea house, bringing Zhang Yuxi with him.

The two walked with composure, their distance neither too far nor too close, their figures moving in tandem. A determined atmosphere surrounded them—one that needed no words, confirming they had settled on each other. It was gentle yet firm, silently proclaiming the bond they had now established.

Inside the main hall of Wanbao Pavilion, Li Xuance was sitting upright in the main seat, closing his eyes to rest. Hearing footsteps, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze landing first on Li Changqing, and then sweeping toward Zhang Yuxi, who was standing half a step to his side.

Seeing the subtle yet determined atmosphere between the two, this Second Granduncle already had his answer, and a look of gratified relief involuntarily appeared on his face.

"It seems you have reached an agreement?" Li Xuance stroked his beard, his tone carrying a hint of pleasure.

Li Changqing stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Replying to Second Granduncle, the young lady Zhang and I have reached a consensus. I have decided to take Zhang Yuxi as my wife. From now on, she is a member of our Li Family."

Li Xuance clapped his hands and laughed, "The girl Yuxi has good Spiritual Root Aptitude, and she comes from a Spirit Beast-taming Family. You becoming husband and wife will be of great benefit to you and to the Family's future cultivation of Spirit Beasts. Since you have made your decision, the Family will naturally support you fully."

At this point, Li Xuance's expression became serious, and he immediately made the decision, "The aftereffects of the Beast Tide have not yet subsided, so it is not appropriate to hold a grand celebration, but the betrothal gifts for taking a wife must not be lacking. I will have the Family steward prepare a generous gift to complete the formalities."

"Once the Beast Tide has completely subsided, I will choose an auspicious day to hold a wedding ceremony for you both!"

"Thank you, Second Granduncle!" Li Changqing and Zhang Yuxi said in unison.

...

In the Affairs Pavilion of Qingfeng Mountain, it was so quiet at this moment that one could only hear the faint sound of flipping through Jade Slips.

Clan Chief Clan Leader Li Huaming sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, with three Jade Slips emitting different lusters floating before him.

Outside the window, the Spiritual Qi of the second-tier Spiritual Vein flowed like mist, seeping into the room through the window lattice and nourishing his slightly weary Divine Sense.

As the new Clan Chief of the Li Family, holding his position and performing his duties, he knew well that among "Wealth, Companions, Techniques, and Land," "Techniques" were the foundation of establishing a Family.

After annihilating the Lu Family of Didou County and absorbing most of the Legacy of the Zhang Family of Linhai County, the various classics currently in the Family treasury had seen a qualitative improvement in both quantity and quality.

Recently, he had systematically organized and archived the Family's Cultivation Techniques, Spells, and various cultivation skill Legacies so that it would be more convenient for follow-up Family members to apply for them.