106: Chapter 106 I Want to Marry a Fairy!

As a Foundation Establishment Cultivator who also delved deeply into the Dao of Formations, Xiao Caiyue was most adept at deducing the big picture from complex patterns.

She read the two Secret Arts from beginning to end three times, her fingertips unconsciously brushing against the surface of the jade slip, her eyes flickering with uncertainty.

The "Yin Yang Guiding Art" was overbearing and fierce, with a cultivation path that was almost barbaric; it was clearly a variation of the path of dual cultivation extraction.

Combining the two—using an overbearing method to break through blockages and a concept of symbiosis to reconnect life force—was indeed feasible.

Not only was it feasible, it could even be called brilliant.

"Fellow Daoist, this method..."

She lifted her gaze, her voice gentle yet cautious, "From a theoretical deduction, it is indeed an effective path."

She paused, her fingertips tightening slightly as she gripped her sleeve.

"However..."

She lowered her eyelids, her long lashes trembling slightly.

"This method of symbiotic nourishment has requirements for the practitioner that are... simply too high. It requires using one's own Dao Foundation as a conduit to continuously channel Origin life force, and the entire process demands that one's control over the Yin and Yang Qi be absolutely precise. The slightest deviation, and both parties will perish together."

Her voice grew softer.

"Such a loss is an immense burden on the practitioner. Even for ordinary Cultivators, let alone... even for a Dao Companion or Family member, one might not be willing to exhaust such effort to save another. Furthermore..."

She bit her lip, "In this vast world, where would I find a Cultivator who has both the capability and the willingness to sacrifice their own Origin to save the life of a stranger?"

When she said this, she did not look at Ye Changge. Her gaze fell upon the cup of tea that had long since gone cold, her tone so calm it was almost resigned, yet it only served to highlight the sorrow hidden beneath her dignified exterior.

Ye Changge picked up the cup of still-warm tea in front of him and took a shallow sip.

"I happen to be quite proficient in this type of Secret Art."

He set down the teacup, his voice calm, "And... I have a precedent of successfully saving someone."

Xiao Caiyue suddenly looked up.

She stared at the plain, unremarkable mask opposite her, her gaze filled with surprise and inquiry.

Proficient in such a Secret Art that requires skin-to-skin contact and nourishment through the Origin, and has a precedent for saving someone?

She remained silent for a moment, her fingers unconsciously gripping the edge of her wide sleeve until her knuckles turned slightly white.

Why did that sound like something a not-so-good person would say?

"...Fellow Daoist."

She said softly, her voice remaining gentle but carrying a faint trace of tension, "You doing this... I fear it is not just to ask me to set up a Formation."

She lowered her eyes, not daring to look at him, staring only at the delicate cloud patterns on her cuffs. Her voice was so soft it was as if she were afraid of disturbing something, "Although I am not a person of supreme intelligence, I am not entirely ignorant of the ways of the world. Upon first meeting me, you brought out such... such an intimate Secret Art, and are even willing to sacrifice your own Origin to save me. There must be something you want from me."

She paused, her fingertips gently rubbing the edge of her sleeve, a habit she had when nervous.

"I have no intention of causing offense, it is just... if I do not ask clearly, I cannot be at ease. Please, Fellow Daoist... do not take offense."

She spoke with great caution, fearing both that she might anger him and that she might thoughtlessly accept a favor without understanding the cost.

Ye Changge nodded, his voice gentle and frank, "Fairy Xiao has a Wisdom Eye. That is correct; I do indeed have a request."

Xiao Caiyue's fingertips tightened.

"I not only need you to set up a great Formation for me," Ye Changge looked directly into her eyes, his voice steady, "I have also fallen for you at first sight, and I wish to take you as my wife to explore the Dao together."

Xiao Caiyue was stunned.

She had maintained her dignified demeanor for many years.

Her eyes, which were usually as calm as water, suddenly widened. Her long lashes fluttered twice, and a crimson flush spread across her cheeks at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"...Ah?"

She subconsciously let out a very soft, short sound, immediately realizing her loss of composure, and hurriedly pressed her lips together, though her earlobes had already turned bright red.

Watching her reaction, Ye Changge felt a sense of long-lost heart-fluttering.

Having spent years navigating between his wives and concubines, he had long since developed a thick skin.

Seeing Xiao Caiyue, usually so dignified, now appearing like a startled fawn, he found her exceptionally cute.

He smiled and decided to speak plainly, "I saw you for the first time at the auction yesterday, and I was immediately captivated."

Ye Changge thought that she was a second-tier Formation Master.

Although he had wives and concubines at home, he had always lacked a Dao Companion with profound attainments in the Dao of Formations to oversee things.

The upgrading of the Family's mountain-protecting Formation, the optimization of the Spirit Gathering Formation for the spirit fields, the need for concealment Formations for the newly opened Puppet workshop... everywhere required the oversight of a Formation expert.

Although I could rely on the System's Opportunity to slowly draw prizes, I do not know how many years or months I would have to wait, and even if I did draw them, I would be unable to attend to everything myself.

If I could marry this Fairy and bring her home, not only would the Ye Family's Dao of Formations be in capable hands, but any children she might bear in the future would likely inherit her talent for Formations and her Spiritual Root Aptitude.

Ye Changge's voice softened further, "I truly admire you as well. If you are unwilling, I will never force you. I will simply ask you to set up that composite Formation for me, and I will find other ways to extend your life. The consultation fees and spiritual items will be paid in full."

After speaking, he looked at her quietly, his gaze clear and frank.

Xiao Caiyue lowered her eyes, her fingertips gently rubbing the edge of the teacup.

During those years of cultivation in the Celestial Palace's Formation lineage, her Revered Master had been strict, and she had spent her days buried in Formation diagrams; after taking over the shop, the Cultivators who came and went respected her, begged her, or plotted against her, but no one had ever spoken to her so straightforwardly: I have fallen for you at first sight and wish to take you as my wife.

She thought her heart had long since become as still as stagnant water.

But at this moment, that heart, which had been silent for many years, beat uncontrollably faster.

She took a deep breath, trying hard to maintain the steadiness of her voice, "Fellow Daoist... you really are direct."

She paused, lowered her eyes, and took a sip of the cold tea, "...The matter of a Dao Companion can be discussed later."

She set down the teacup and looked up at Ye Changge, her eyes having regained some clarity, "Let me first ask about something practical—you said earlier that you have a seventy percent chance of success?"

Ye Changge pondered slightly.

Seventy percent was the figure he had given after careful consideration.

Xiao Caiyue's situation was much more complex than Lu Shiyin's had been, but his attainments in the Dao of Yin and Yang were also far deeper than they had been back then.

If, during the process of performing the technique, he used the Yin Yang Guiding Art to channel a trace of Origin Qi into Xiao Caiyue's body, he might not only extend her life but perhaps even reshape a Foundation for her that was far more solid than her current one.

"Seventy percent," he nodded, "If I refine a few furnaces of Medicinal Pills to consolidate the Foundation and nourish the Origin for you, and warm and nourish your Meridians for half a month first, the chance can increase by another ten percent."

As he spoke, he took a jade bottle from his Storage Pouch and placed it gently on the table.

"This pill is called the 'Rejuvenation Creation Pill', a second-tier High Grade pill, which has miraculous effects on nourishing withered Meridians. If you are worried, Fairy, you may ask a trusted alchemist to examine it."

Xiao Caiyue picked up the jade bottle and pulled out the stopper; a warm, pure medicinal fragrance wafted into her nose.

She had limited knowledge of the Dao of Alchemy, but she could still discern that the Medicinal Pill contained inner spiritual essence and was of excellent quality; it was definitely not the handiwork of an ordinary alchemist.

Her heart suddenly stirred.