414: Chapter 414 Marriage Accomplished

Mingxuan Peak.

Seven days later, inside the Immortal Cave on Mingxuan Peak.

The candlelight within the Immortal Cave was dim, casting everything into deep shadows.

Ji Xuanming sat upright on the jade platform, his expression as gloomy as water, his eyes bloodshot.

These past few days, he still could not Cultivate with peace of mind.

Whenever he closed his eyes, he saw the scene of him kneeling in public, heard Shi Yunyu's words, "Your strength is the weakest," and saw the faint, mocking curve of Ling Hao's lips.

Ji Wujiu and the three Grand Elders stood below, their expressions varied.

Ji Mitai stood bowed to the side, his posture respectful, his lowered eyelids masking all emotion.

Ji Xuanming swept a glance over those seated below and spoke: "Lady Shi Ji has been deceived by outsiders. That Moonshadow Sect has ulterior motives; how can they be fully trusted? I will head out to the Ten Thousand Miasma Demon Forest to find a way to save the province. This trip must be conducted in secret, and Lady Shi Ji and the others must never know."

Ji Wujiu immediately cupped his hands, his tone indignant: "Old Ancestor is absolutely right! Sect Leader Shi has let the wolf into the house, and Lady Shi Ji has also been bewitched by that Ling Hao. Only the Old Ancestor is truly thinking of the Holy Land! Old Ancestor, please rest assured; we will keep our mouths shut and will not let a single word leak out."

The three Grand Elders chimed in one after another: "Rest assured, Supreme!" "We understand!" "We will never let them know!"

Ji Xuanming nodded slightly, his gaze turning to Ji Mitai, a flash of satisfaction in his eyes.

These days, the negative discussions about him within the Sect had gradually subsided, thanks to Ji Mitai running around.

Although this person had been incompetent before, for the past half month, he had handled everything properly and thoughtfully, and every word he said struck a chord with him.

As long as he followed orders, this Junior was still quite capable.

"Mitai, continue to monitor the public opinion in the Sect. If necessary, you may promptly request assistance from the Grand Elder. You must eliminate all those negative influences."

Ji Mitai stepped forward, bowed, and replied: "Understood! I will do my utmost and not let the Old Ancestor down."

Beneath his lowered eyelids, a flash of crimson light flickered and vanished.

The best way to eliminate negative influence was to make them one of his own!

Ji Xuanming flipped his hand and took out an ancient Jade Slip.

The talisman was a mysterious cyan color, its surface engraved with complex array patterns, with light faintly flowing across it.

He solemnly handed the Jade Slip to Ji Wujiu: "This is the array hub Jade Slip for the Protective Sect Array, the 'Nine Peaks Heaven-Sealing Array.' While I am away, I entrust it to your control."

Ji Wujiu received it with both hands, his expression solemn: "This Junior will not fail the Old Ancestor's trust and will swear to protect the Holy Land to the death."

Ji Xuanming looked at Ji Mitai again: "Mitai, you will accompany the Grand Elder to familiarize yourself with the operation of the array hub, just in case. When I am away, if you encounter a strong enemy, you may assist the Grand Elder in activating the array."

Ji Mitai was ecstatic inside, but his face became even more respectful as he bowed deeply: "Yes! This Junior will certainly not fail the Old Ancestor's trust!"

He hadn't expected that his half-month of flattery and the elimination of rumors would actually regain him trust and even land him such a good opportunity.

Ji Wujiu frowned slightly at having another person share the power, but he didn't say anything further.

Ji Xuanming gave a few more instructions regarding Sect affairs, then waved his hand to dismiss everyone.

Once the stone door of the Immortal Cave slammed shut behind them, Ji Mitai followed behind Ji Wujiu, walking down the stone steps step by step.

He kept his head down, the corners of his mouth slowly curling into a cold arc.

Soon... he thought to himself, crimson light surging in his eyes.

Soon... when the time comes, they will all die.

He remembered that promise—after it was done, he would Breakthrough to the Tribulation Transcendence Stage, and the White Rock Holy Land would be under his control!

Inside the Immortal Cave, Ji Xuanming sat alone for a long time.

The candlelight cast his shadow on the stone wall, lonely, like a trapped beast.

He slowly raised his head and looked at the map of the Ten Thousand Miasma Demon Forest hanging in the depths of the Immortal Cave, a look of determination flashing in his eyes.

rock cauldron... As long as he controlled the rock cauldron, Ling Hao, Shi Yunyu, they would all have to kneel before him!

A cold sneer curled his lips as he stood up, his figure disappearing into the depths of the Immortal Cave.

He was already looking forward to it, looking forward to seeing the desperate faces of that adulterous couple deep in the Ten Thousand Miasma Demon Forest.

Half a month later, Starfall Cold Jade Peak.

Ling Hao walked through the mountain path with familiarity and arrived at the courtyard.

Shi Qingxuan was sitting at a stone table, her fair hand holding a pot, pouring tea.

The liquid in the cup was a pure, milky white, and the milky fragrance was elegant and light, drifting into his nose in wisps.

Today, Shi Qingxuan had changed into a plum blossom-shaped adornment, with five petals gracefully spread, a faint crimson hue blooming on the silvery-white base, perfectly covering the inch-long sword scar.

From a distance, it looked like a newly bloomed winter plum had fallen on the corner of her eye.

Ling Hao's gaze fell on the jade adornment at the corner of her eye, and the corners of his lips rose slightly.

"This adornment today," Ling Hao sat down opposite her, his gaze smiling, "looks like a plum blossom has fallen on the corner of your eye. It has a touch of charm amidst the coldness; it actually suits you better than the one from the other day."

Shi Qingxuan's hand paused slightly, and she lowered her eyes: "Supreme is too kind."

"I am speaking the truth." Ling Hao took the teacup and took a light sip; the milky fragrance was warm and smooth, "Hmm, it is also more fragrant than before."

His words carried a double meaning.

Shi Qingxuan raised her eyes to look at him, then lowered them again, the corners of her mouth pursing into an arc.

"Is Hao taking a liking to my little Xuan?" Shi Yunyu's voice came from behind, warm and tinged with a bit of teasing.

Ling Hao turned his head, just about to speak, but his nose first caught a milky fragrance several times richer than the one in the cup.

Warm, soft, and mellow, it seeped into his heart and spleen in wisps.

Ling Hao's gaze subconsciously fell on Shi Yunyu's chest, the ample contours that even the wide cloak could not hide...

He coughed lightly, shifted his gaze, and sighed inwardly.

There really is no helping it; every time she appears, his gaze cannot help but... this System is not something that can be turned off.

"Yunyu, you are joking." Ling Hao's expression remained normal as he picked up the teacup and took another sip.

Shi Yunyu sat down beside Shi Qingxuan, her gaze sweeping back and forth between the two, her smile deepening: "Regarding the matter of becoming Dao Companion that we discussed earlier, how has Hao considered it?"

Ling Hao set down the teacup, his gaze falling on Shi Qingxuan.

She kept her head down, her expression unclear, only her fingers holding the cup tightening slightly.

[Name: Shi Qingxuan] [Age: 5050] [Spiritual Root: Water-Earth Spiritual Root] [Physique: Profound Mother Rock Heart Physique] [Cultivation: Tribulation Transcendence Stage, Fifth Layer] [Affection: 89]

Before, it was because it wasn't enough, so he said he would consider it.

Now, well... 89, that's enough.

Ling Hao smiled slightly: "I can."

Shi Qingxuan's fingertips trembled, and the milky tea in the cup rippled with small circles.

She raised her head, meeting Ling Hao's gentle gaze, and a surge of indescribable joy welled up in her heart.

Shi Yunyu glanced at her daughter, then looked at Ling Hao, and said softly: "Then Hao, when and where do you want to hold the ceremony for becoming Dao Companion with little Xuan? Or should we go back to the Moonshadow Sect to organize it?"

Ling Hao shook his head: "The current situation is urgent; the Elders and Disciples are all outside defending against the enemy, and the situation in the Ten Thousand Miasma Demon Forest is also unclear, so there is no need to make a big fuss. If we want to, we can hold it later."

Shi Yunyu and Shi Qingxuan exchanged a look and both secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

They had originally worried that not holding a ceremony would make Ling Hao feel disrespected, but they hadn't expected him to be so reasonable. This bearing and thoughtfulness made both of them feel a slight stir in their hearts.

"However—" Ling Hao changed the subject, and their hearts hung in the air again.

He smiled, "We can spread the news so that outsiders know the high-level relations between the two Sects are close. In the future, when the Elders and Disciples cooperate in battle, they can also be more at ease."

Shi Yunyu nodded: "That is appropriate."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Ling Hao took a sip of tea and asked: "You called me here today; it shouldn't just be for this, right?"

Shi Yunyu's expression darkened slightly: "Ji Xuanming has left the White Rock Holy Land."

Ling Hao raised an eyebrow.

Shi Yunyu detailed the matter of her previous suspicion that Ji Xuanming might have half of the "White Rock Cauldron Control Art."

She explained that she hadn't mentioned it before because half a Cultivation Technique was useless.

Shi Yunyu also pushed a Jade Slip toward Ling Hao.

Ling Hao took it and placed it against his forehead to sense it.

A moment later, he put down the Jade Slip and said: "Since he asked you, it shows that he covets the rock cauldron. The rock cauldron is in the Ten Thousand Miasma Demon Forest; if he has half the Cultivation Technique, he will naturally go. Now that he has left quietly, it is nine times out of ten that he is headed for the Demon Forest."

Shi Yunyu nodded, a flash of worry in her eyes.

Beside her, Shi Qingxuan suddenly spoke: "Ji Xuanming has left, and in half a month, Mother and the Supreme will also go to the Ten Thousand Miasma Demon Forest. At that time, the White Rock Holy Land will have no Mahayana to preside over it. If the True Demon Army from the Cangyuan Main Rift invades, although the Protective Sect Array can resist, I am afraid it will not last for long."

Ling Hao waved his hand: "That is easy to handle. I will just have Grand Elder Tushan and Sect Master Chi come over. Rest assured, nothing will happen to the White Rock Holy Land."

Shi Yunyu asked: "May I ask what their Realm is..."

Ling Hao smiled, "One is in the Tribulation Transcendence Stage, and the other is also in the Tribulation Transcendence Stage. You previously said that the Cangyuan Main Rift allows the Demon Ancestor to pass through, so I will naturally send someone with sufficient combat power."

The two women exchanged a look, their hearts greatly reassured.

The Tribulation Transcendence Stage combined with the Moonshadow Sect's secret techniques is enough to exert combat power at the Mahayana level.

Shi Qingxuan stood up and bowed solemnly: "Thank you, Supreme."

Ling Hao raised his hand to support her shoulders and smiled: "We are family; what is there to thank?"

Shi Qingxuan's face heated up, and she lowered her eyes, remaining silent.

Shi Yunyu looked at her daughter, then at Ling Hao, a "smile" appearing on her lips, and she stood up, saying: "I will go check if there is any spiritual tea left; you two chat first."

She turned and left, her steps composed, but her back faintly revealed an indescribable loneliness.

Only the two of them remained in the courtyard.