101: Arranged marriage

“Why does the turning point of this rune differ each time, yet you successfully draw it every time?”

Ancestor Qingyun asked with a frown.

“I don't know!”

Liu Xuan said, looking bewildered, “This Disciple just turns when I feel it needs to turn!”

“And here!”

Ancestor Qingyun pointed to a rune line, “Why is it sometimes light and sometimes heavy? Is there any pattern to it?”

“I don't know!”

“There shouldn't be any pattern! This Disciple just goes by feeling.”

Lin Qingyun fell silent!

“Forget it!”

“Divine Soul Talismans depend entirely on talent; without talent, mere effort is meaningless.”

Lin Qingyun himself lacked talent for Divine Soul Talismans, which he had known for a long time, so he wouldn't force the issue.

“How are your Arrow Talismans coming along? Has the success rate improved?” Lin Qingyun changed the subject.

Five Elements metal-attribute Talismans were Lin Qingyun's strong suit; his promotion to Second-rank mid-grade Talisman Revered Master was due to several metal-attribute Talismans.

“Reporting to Revered Master, the first-tier mid-grade Arrow Talisman currently has a success rate of over ninety percent, and this Disciple has also learned the first-tier mid-grade Golden Light Talisman.”

“Oh?”

Lin Qingyun was surprised!

He quickly said, “Draw one for me to see!”

Liu Xuan took out several more golden-yellow Talisman papers and a bottle of silvery-white, mercury-like talisman ink, then picked up his brush to draw a Golden Light Talisman.

The Golden Light Talisman is an upgraded version of the Arrow Talisman, more difficult to draw, and more powerful at the same grade!

Not only that, but the Golden Light Talisman is a symbolic metal-attribute Talisman that can be continuously advanced.

There are first-tier high-grade Golden Light Talismans, first-tier top-grade Golden Light Talismans, and Second-rank Golden Light Talismans. Within the large Sects, there are even Legacies for Third-rank and Fourth-rank.

Lin Qingyun himself possessed a Legacy for a Second-rank top-tier Golden Light Talisman, but despite a lifetime of study, he only reached the Second-rank mid-grade level.

Another quarter of an hour passed.

Like a warm morning sun flashing by, a shimmering golden Talisman lay quietly on the table.

Liu Xuan's forehead was beaded with sweat, and he looked a bit tired. Having drawn several Talismans in a row without rest, his magical power was already half-depleted, and his spirit was also somewhat weary.

“Good!”

“Excellent!”

Lin Qingyun was once again amazed by Liu Xuan's Talisman talent. As long as Liu Xuan's Cultivation improved, he would certainly become a Second-rank Talisman Master. If he could encounter some Opportunities, his achievements would surely surpass his Revered Master's.

“This is the access token for the Talisman Hall's inner Sect library. With this token, you can read all the books and diagrams in the Talisman Hall's collection.”

Ancestor Qingyun handed Liu Xuan a cyan token.

Then he took out a light-gold square token, “This is my personal Talisman token. It bears my magical power aura. If you encounter a Foundation Establishment Cultivator causing trouble, showing this token might save your life!”

Zhao Qing watched from the side, drooling with envy!

‘It’s not fair!’

He had been in the Sect for so many years, diligently studying and serving, yet he had never received such treatment.

“This Disciple thanks Revered Master!”

Liu Xuan held the two tokens in his hand, examining them. They were both excellent items, and his heart was filled with joy.

The Talisman Hall library token meant that in the future, he would have a reasonable explanation for any Talismans he drew.

His Revered Master's personal Talisman token was even more valuable. This item was essentially equivalent to Ancestor Qingyun's personal presence; within the Sect, he could walk freely, and no one would dare to openly make things difficult for him.

“I will not interfere with your selection of a Dao Companion in the Sect, but you must distinguish between what is important and what is not, and do not become overly engrossed!”

Ancestor Qingyun instructed.

“This Disciple will remember Revered Master’s teachings!”

It was done! This matter was settled, and Liu Xuan could confidently go and take the Dao Companion he had chosen!

“This Disciple has one more matter to ask Revered Master to decide.”

Before leaving, Liu Xuan spoke.

“What is it?”

“It's about the marriage Revered Master previously bestowed!”

“Miss Yuanshuang and I are not quite suitable. This Disciple prefers Senior Brother Lin Junjie’s younger sister, Lin Yiyi. May I ask Revered Master to change the bestowed marriage candidate?”

Lin Qingyun frowned slightly and said in a deep voice, “Did someone from the Lin Family find you and tell you to do this?”

Lin Qingyun was not a fool. Liu Xuan had always accepted pretty women without reservation. Lin Yuanshuang was his chosen candidate, and Liu Xuan would not possibly refuse, much less change to someone else.

Unless someone was stirring up trouble, or someone within the Family did not want to obey his command.

“Uh...”

Liu Xuan pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, “The situation is like this...”

He fully recounted the events of yesterday when Lin Junjie, Lin Yuanshuang, and Lin Yiyi came to him.

“Revered Master, since Miss Yuanshuang is unwilling, this Disciple also does not wish to force her, and Miss Yiyi and I are deeply in love. What do you think...”

Lin Qingyun nodded, “I have my own plans for this matter. You don't need to worry about it. Just focus on Cultivating and drawing Talismans. If you have any problems, come find me.”

“Thank you, Revered Master!”

“This Disciple takes his leave!”

Liu Xuan bowed respectfully, then departed... After Liu Xuan left, Lin Qingyun instructed Zhao Qing to summon the current Family Head of the Lin Family, the Qi Refining Perfection Cultivator Lin Ruhai.

“Ruhai greets Grandfather!”

Lin Ruhai had a broad face and large ears, a plump physique, and a gentle demeanor, giving him a uniquely approachable feeling.

The grandchildren were currently the highest generation in the Lin Family. Since Ancestor Qingyun's last child failed to Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment and died twenty years ago, all his children had passed away... Qi Refinement Stage Cultivators had a lifespan of 120 years, Foundation Establishment Cultivators 300 years. If one did not have children in the Late Stage, and their children also failed to Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, this situation often occurred.

“Last time, I personally bestowed a marriage upon your daughter, and there's still no result. Do you, as Family Head, no longer wish to continue?” Lin Qingyun's faint voice came from the head seat.

“Ruhai knows his mistake!”

Lin Ruhai immediately knelt, not attempting to argue, and directly admitted his mistake.

“I'll give you three days. If it's still not settled, you will step down as Family Head, and Lin Yuanshuang will have all her Family benefits canceled.”

Since all his children had died, Ancestor Qingyun no longer had much affection for individual Lin Family descendants. What he cared about was the Family as a whole.

In his view, Lin Ruhai and Lin Yuanshuang, who enjoyed the benefits brought by the Lin Family, must contribute to the Family and strictly carry out his orders.

“Ruhai obeys!”

Other than obeying, he dared not utter another word of nonsense.

“Furthermore, the number of bestowed marriage slots will increase by one. Lin Yiyi will be included along with your daughter, Lin Yuanshuang!”

“Yes!”

“Now, scram!”

Lin Ruhai stood up, bowed respectfully, and then slowly left the Nameless Daoist Temple.

‘I miscalculated!’

Lin Ruhai wiped the sweat from his forehead, shaking his head inwardly.

He hadn't expected Liu Xuan to hold such importance in the Old Ancestor's heart. It seemed his daughter couldn't escape this marriage!

Ancestor Qingyun was the sky of the Lin Family. No one dared to oppose, nor could anyone oppose, what he decided.

“Alas!”

“I can only see if there are other compromise solutions!”

Lin Ruhai himself actually didn't oppose this marriage; it was just that his daughter, Lin Yuanshuang, was arrogant and proud, and might not accept it so easily.

Outside the city, the Lin Family territory.

Lin Manor.

“Father, how did it go?”

“Did the Old Ancestor agree to cancel the bestowed marriage?”

Lin Yuanshuang met Lin Ruhai, asking with an expectant look.

Lin Ruhai shook his head, glancing at his daughter.

“Prepare yourself. You will marry Liu Xuan in three days!”

Lin Yuanshuang froze, having gone through all that only to get this result!

Worried that his daughter might still refuse, Lin Ruhai immediately added, “The Old Ancestor has given an order: if you are not married within three days, I will step down as Family Head, and all your Family benefits and support will be canceled!”

...