Senior, actually I've come to propose marriage!

Upon entering the pavilion, one could see that the four walls inside were bare, simple and rustic; apart from a single meditation cushion, there were no other furnishings.

Sitting cross-legged on the cushion was a young girl in palace attire who appeared to be about fourteen or fifteen years old. She had skin like snow and a beautiful face, with a pure and exquisite temperament. A pair of long, narrow peach-blossom eyes shimmered with a reddish-gold hue, and a miraculous rhythm that nourished all things flowed around her, like falling sweet rain, filled with vigorous vitality and spirit.

Just by standing there, Qi Yuan felt as if he were bathing in a spring breeze, a sense of comfort and ease washing over him, as if all fatigue and worldly clamor had been swept away.

At this moment, the young girl's starry eyes lowered slightly, casting a faint glance at Qi Yuan, who was standing not far before her.

Sensing the girl's gaze upon him, Qi Yuan felt immensely anxious... He could now be certain that the Command Seal had absolutely no effect!

From the moment he entered the pavilion, he had been silently reciting the Command Seal taught to him by Old Man Shi, yet Cheng Feihuang opposite him showed no reaction whatsoever...

"Damn it!!!"

"That damn old geezer actually dared to lie to me!"

At this moment, he recalled how Old Man Shi had once guaranteed with absolute certainty that upon encountering the Mythical Beast, he only needed to silently recite the Command Seal in his heart to make her submissive and obedient, without the slightest risk. And this was the result?

Back then, he had actually believed it!

"Liar!!!"

Qi Yuan forcibly suppressed the urge to vomit blood, put on a nonchalant expression, and respectfully saluted, "Dao Child of Tai Xuan, Qi Yuan, greets Ancestor Fei Huang!"

At a critical juncture like this, he absolutely could not let his guard down, otherwise, he would truly be delivering his own head on a platter, and wouldn't he be stifled to death with regret by then?

As for reciting the Command Seal out loud on the spot, that would be an act of utter stupidity.

In front of an existence at the Late Mahayana Stage, if he could manage to finish the first note without being killed, it would be a testament to his sheer luck.

Thinking of this, Qi Yuan secretly hardened his resolve. Once he left this place, he would definitely go back and chop that old bastard named Shi into eight pieces, and while he was at it, throw the ring into a latrine to soak for three thousand years!

Of course, for now, he had to figure out how to survive this ordeal first...

Just as Qi Yuan was struggling to devise a strategy, he saw the young girl part her red lips, her voice as clear and melodious as an oriole in the valley: "Qi Yuan, I observe a wisp of Heavenly Dao Karma on you. Where did you obtain it?"

Hearing this question, Qi Yuan could not afford to overthink things and quickly explained, "Reporting to Ancestor, this Junior once saved a ten-thousand-year-old Spirit of Grass and Wood, which is how I obtained a wisp of Heavenly Dao Karma."

"So that is how it is." The young girl nodded, her tone warm as she said, "To be imbued with Karma proves that your benevolent act has been recognized by the Heavenly Dao. In the future, you will surely be blessed with deep fortune, and your prospects will be limitless."

For some reason, she felt quite favorably toward this Junior before her; otherwise, she would not have agreed to let a strange Cultivator from another sect come to see her.

Being able to earn the praise of the Heavenly Dao itself proved that this young man possessed a pure Heart-Nature and could not be a bad person.

Detecting the appreciation in her words, Qi Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the Heavenly Dao Qi and his Myriad Spirits Affinity talent had caused this Mythical Beast to develop some favorable feelings toward him.

Through the special intuition brought about by his Myriad Spirits Affinity talent, he had completely confirmed that this Ancestor Fei Huang was not a human, but an Innate Divine Beast, the Mythical Beast.

As his thoughts raced, Qi Yuan remained calm on the surface and said humbly, "Senior, you flatter me. This Junior merely performed a small deed within my capabilities and harbors no arrogance. Rather, it is I who have made a presumptuous visit, which is quite rude. I hope Senior will not mind."

He knew his own situation best; the so-called Heavenly Dao Karma was merely a reward from the System after completing a mission, and it had nothing to do with any recognition from the Heavenly Dao.

Judging by how he was struck by the Heavenly Tribulation twice when condensing his Nascent Soul, the Heavenly Dao likely did not think very highly of him...

"It is rare that you think this way." The young girl smiled and nodded. She did not dwell on the matter further but instead asked, "Speak, what is the purpose of your visit this time?"

Hearing this, Qi Yuan's heart skipped a beat. He knew that if he could not provide a reasonable explanation this time, he would be suspected immediately.

He couldn't exactly say that he had stolen the Linglong Saintess's Token to pay a visit just because he was bored, could he?

If he were to actually say that, he would likely feel the wrath of a Mahayana Divine Beast within minutes, and no amount of favorability would save him...

But... how was he supposed to explain this?

Qi Yuan's mind raced as he tried to find a reasonable excuse.

Not knowing what he had thought of, his spirit lifted. He put on his most sincere expression and said with utmost seriousness, "Ahem, Senior... the reason I have come this time is actually to propose marriage!"

"Propose marriage?" Cheng Feihuang was stunned. She looked at Qi Yuan with a strange expression, a moment of confusion even appearing in her eyes. "A dignified Dao Child of the Taixuan Holy Land has run all the way here to ask me, the Ancestor of the Linglong Holy Land, for a marriage proposal?"

Qi Yuan steadied his nerves and said with deep sincerity, "To tell you the truth, this Junior and your sect's Saintess, Fairy Xiao, are close friends. From the very moment I laid eyes on her, I became deeply infatuated with Fairy Xiao's peerless grace."

"Not long ago, Fairy Xiao agreed to help me find a location with excellent Feng Shui within the Linglong Holy Land to bury the ashes of an old friend."

"Unexpectedly, through a series of coincidences, we were accidentally bewitched by a ten-thousand-year-old illusion star fruit and fell into an illusion; Sect Head Shao was also trapped within that illusion."

"Because that illusion was truly absurd, I unintentionally committed some blasphemous acts. Although no grave mistake was made, it has truly damaged Fairy Xiao's reputation."

"After breaking free from the illusion, I felt immense remorse and truly could not face Fairy Xiao's kindness. However, as a man, if one does something wrong, one must take responsibility."

"Therefore, this Junior has boldly come to ask for Fairy Xiao's hand in marriage. I humbly request your approval, Senior!"

After hearing him out, Cheng Feihuang fell silent.

Could it be that young people nowadays were so bold for the sake of love?

He actually dared to claim he wanted to marry the Linglong Saintess right in front of her, the Ancestor of the Linglong Holy Land?!

For some reason, she felt a faint sense of being moved by this infatuated fellow who was brave enough to pursue true love.

But immediately, she thought of another critical point, and her brows could not help but furrow.

"Dao Child Qi." Cheng Feihuang sighed, her tone slightly stern. "According to the rules of the Linglong Holy Land, a Saintess is not permitted to marry an outsider. Furthermore, this is merely your own wishful thinking; you have not sought the opinion of the Saintess herself. I cannot agree to this."

Yes, yes, yes! This was exactly what Qi Yuan wanted to hear. He knew that in ancient times, the Mythical Beast was a creature of chastity and pure love, favoring those who were loyal in their relationships. It was this very Ancestor Fei Huang who had taken action to reform the Joyful Union Sect over a hundred years ago.

If he pretended to be deeply infatuated with Xiao Yueni, not only was he unlikely to be punished, but even the previous matter regarding the illusion could be smoothed over.

Given Cheng Feihuang's transcendent status in the Linglong Holy Land, resolving such a minor trouble would be nothing more than a matter of a single word.

Before he could continue, a respectful voice came from outside once more: "Reporting to Ancestor, the Sect Head and the Saintess request an audience!"

They were here! Qi Yuan's heart gave a jolt, and he secretly rejoiced that he had arrived early.

If he had been even a step later, his current situation would likely be even worse!

"You old bastard named Shi, I've finally figured it out. You had a grudge against the Taixuan Holy Land during your lifetime, didn't you? You wanted to use someone else's blade to kill me, didn't you?"

"You just wait!"