568: Chapter 78 I want to propose marriage to you two.

Although Mysterious Dao, Tian Buyi, and the others interrogated Mei San Niang, they ultimately failed to obtain any useful information.

However, due to certain concerns, both Mysterious Dao and Tian Buyi were somewhat reluctant to let Mei San Niang stay.

This was not difficult to understand; a Yin Spirit like her was not necessarily evil or sinful, but she was still associated with the Ghost Dao. One was the Sect Leader of the leading Righteous Path School, and the other was Tian Linger's biological father, so they naturally did not want Tian Linger to be associated with her.

Tian Linger sensed their meaning and was a bit displeased, immediately arguing her case, saying that Mei San Niang had always stayed in the Dead Spirit Abyss before and had not caused any harm or evil.

She believed the other party would not commit evil in the future either.

At the very least, she possessed the Spirit Binding Technique to restrain her.

Tian Linger acted this way not because she had feelings for Mei San Niang or could not bear to see her go, but because she felt this was her own Opportunity and she should grasp it herself.

Furthermore, the Spirit Binding Technique could not only bind Yin Spirits but also included a method to borrow power from them.

With Mei San Niang's strength comparable to the Late Stage of the Shangqing Realm, once Tian Linger borrowed her power, her strength could at least reach the Shangqing Realm. This might not provide a massive amount of help, but at the very least, it could shorten the gap between her and Meng Li and reduce the pressure brought by the disparity.

That's right, Tian Linger felt pressure when facing Meng Li.

Meng Li was simply too dazzling.

This made Tian Linger admire him, but it was inevitable that she would worry about not being worthy of him.

However, she just did not say it openly.

To reduce or even eliminate this worry and pressure, she had been much more diligent in her Cultivation over the years than in the original timeline. Thus, coupled with Meng Li's frequent personal tutoring, her cultivation level could reach its current state, but it was still difficult to catch up to Meng Li.

But now, the appearance of the Spirit Binding Technique and Mei San Niang gave her hope.

Although the power was not her own, and reaching the Shangqing Realm still would not allow her to stand side-by-side with Meng Li, who had already stepped into the Taiqing Realm, shortening the gap was always a good thing.

At least if she encountered any situation in the future, she would have the power to protect herself and would not need Meng Li to protect her everywhere, becoming a burden.

...

Seeing Tian Linger arguing her case, Meng Li timely provided an assist, saying that Mei San Niang staying would bring more benefits than harm, with the general meaning as follows.

First, with Mei San Niang's protection, Tian Linger's safety would be guaranteed.

Second, Mei San Niang was a powerhouse comparable to the Late Stage of the Shangqing Realm; after staying, she could provide significant help to the Qingyun Sect at critical moments. Conversely, letting her leave might lead to trouble if she accidentally went astray.

Finally, even if Tian Linger could not handle it, with him around, Mei San Niang would not be able to stir up any waves.

Seeing this, Mysterious Dao, Tian Buyi, and the others had no choice but to agree to let Mei San Niang stay.

Seeing the situation, Meng Li took the Opportunity to apply for a Guest Elder position for Mei San Niang.

To this, Mysterious Dao, Tian Buyi, and the others did not say much.

The so-called "Guest Elder" was a nominal external aid, with a status equal to a Sect Elder, but they did not participate in Sect management and only acted at certain critical moments when needed.

Since its development, the Qingyun Sect had had several Guest Elders, the most famous of whom was Master Kuxin, who defeated the Black-Hearted Old Man over eight hundred years ago.

Mei San Niang had the strength of the Late Stage of the Shangqing Realm, which was stronger than some of the Peak Masters present, making her fully qualified to be a Guest Elder.

From then on, Jin Ling was considered to have officially "cleansed" her name and became Mei San Niang.

And the mission of Meng Li, Tian Linger, Lu Xueqi, and the others going to Yudu City could basically come to an end.

The reason it was "basically" was that there were still two issues—the Heavenly Book and the position of the City Lord of Yudu City.

The Heavenly Book was the focus of Mysterious Dao, Tian Buyi, and the others initially, but they did not pay much attention to it at this moment. Because the rumor that the Dripping Blood Cave had the Heavenly Book was just a rumor, and Meng Li, Tian Linger, and Lu Xueqi were certain they had not found it; perhaps the rumor was wrong, or it might have been accidentally destroyed along with those evil techniques and Demonic Path Magic Treasures.

Regardless of which possibility, the outcome of "the Heavenly Book is gone" achieved the expected goal of Mysterious Dao, Tian Buyi, and the others to "not let it fall into the hands of the Demonic Sect."

Therefore, there was nothing much to say about it.

Instead, the issue of the City Lord of Yudu City was more worthy of their attention.

Firstly, because it was an unexpected situation.

Secondly, Yudu City was very important; although it was within the sphere of influence of the Qingyun Sect, it was located on the border and also shared boundaries with the spheres of influence of Fenxiang Valley, Tianyin Pavilion, and even the Demonic Sect, making it a strategically contested location.

Although the Qingyun Sect was on good terms with Fenxiang Valley, if possible, they naturally wanted to bring it into their own side.

Coincidentally, after some consideration, Wei Qiong also intended to have Zeng Shushu take over the position of City Lord.

Wei Qiong expressed this intention when Meng Li, Tian Linger, and the others were taking their leave.

Meng Li, Tian Linger, and the others were a bit surprised.

But for Zeng Shushu, it was like a wake-up call, and she fell into a struggle between freedom and responsibility, unable to give an answer for a moment.

Wei Qiong did not push her, just told Zeng Shushu to go back and think it over carefully, and ask her parents and Sect Elders. After all, while he was old, he was not yet at the point of being helpless and could still hold on for a while.

Thus, the problem was thrown to the Yuqing Hall at this time.

But this issue was a bit sensitive, so for a while, no one spoke.

After a short silence, Zeng Shuchang sighed and said to Zeng Shushu: "Shushu, you are grown up now; it's time to settle down and take on some responsibility. Your grandfather is old, and since he intends for you to take over the position of City Lord of Yudu City, you should share his burdens."

In fact, he was not very willing to let Zeng Shushu go to Yudu City to serve as the City Lord.

Because his position as the Peak Master of Feng Hui Peak would also need someone to take over in the future.

In terms of both emotion and logic, Zeng Shushu was currently the best candidate.

Emotionally, it goes without saying—the child inherits the father's legacy.

Logically, besides Zeng Shushu, no other outstanding Disciple could be found on Feng Hui Peak at present.

Furthermore, Yudu City was very far from Qingyun Mountain; once Zeng Shushu became the City Lord of Yudu City, it would not be easy for them, father and daughter, to meet in the future.

Therefore, Zeng Shuchang was also conflicted, but the situation at Yudu City was currently more urgent and important. Mysterious Dao, Tian Buyi, and the others were outsiders in this matter and could not say much, so he had to be the one to speak up.

Hearing Zeng Shuchang's words, Zeng Shushu's face fell.

Seeing this, Zeng Shuchang immediately put on a stern face and said: "The matter is settled; I'll tell your mother when we get back."

With that, the matter was finalized.

There were no other matters afterward, so everyone chatted for a bit and then dispersed.

Meng Li, Tian Linger, and Lin Jingyu returned to Dazhu Peak together with Tian Buyi.

Arriving at Dazhu Peak, Meng Li, Tian Linger, and Lin Jingyu met with Su Ru, Song Da Ren, Zhang Xiaofan, and the others, and naturally, there was another round of concerned questions and answers.

After the conversation, Meng Li saw that all the members of Dazhu Peak were present, so he could not help but cough twice, then said to Tian Buyi and Su Ru: "Master, Mistress, actually, I have one more thing I hope you can agree to."

"What is it?"

"I want to propose to the two of you, asking to marry Senior Sister Linger."

...