"The two major sects on the Nine Desolate Continent are actually getting engaged. This has completely exceeded our expectations," sneered Immortal Huiyan as he held the letter in his hand. He lowered his head, his whole figure hidden in the shadows.
A burly man walked over and stood beside him, his tone full of disdain. "So what? They're just a motley crew. How can they possibly fight against our Main Divine Temple?"
Immortal Huiyan spread out his hands, and the letter in his hand instantly turned to ashes with a swish.
"Don't be so complacent. This isn't ten thousand years ago. The cultivation world is no longer so easily deceived. Besides, there are still people like Yu Xuzi around."
The burly man roared with laughter. "Yu Xuzi was just a child back then. Even after ten thousand years, in my eyes, he's still just an ant I can crush with my fingers!"
"If you're afraid of him, I'll go and deal with him right now."
Immortal Huiyan turned around and slowly walked into the depths of the darkness. His voice drifted over, melodious yet sinister.
"Not so fast... I've grown tired of the ten-thousand-year peace in this world. Let's start with this and get our Main Divine Temple moving."
"What about the woman from another world?"
The person beside him replied, "She's been taken back to the Demon Abyss by Ji Chongming."
Huiyan chuckled softly. "It seems he's really fallen in love. But it doesn't matter. She's just another plaything. Remember to tell Ji Chongming to deal with those disobedient people in the Demon Realm as soon as possible."
"Okay, I'll go and deliver the message right away."
The burly man turned around and left. In the spacious hall, only Huiyan was left. The surroundings were deathly quiet, so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
"It's been peaceful for too long. I'm actually starting to get a bit excited..."
-----
"Shen Qing, Shen Qing! How come you're getting engaged so soon?!"
"Were you forced?"
Hong Chaoyang rushed into Shen Qing's courtyard in a hurry. You could hear her voice even before you saw her.
Shen Qing gave Li Xian an apologetic look.
When Hong Chaoyang pushed open the door, she saw Li Xian looking at her with a half-smile. The tips of his fingers holding the teacup had turned white, and the fragile teacup seemed on the verge of breaking.
Hong Chaoyang shrank her neck and forced out a smile. "Hehe... Look at me. I came here to give you a congratulatory gift, but I started talking nonsense."
Under Li Xian's creepy gaze, Hong Chaoyang quickly walked over to Shen Qing's side and tried to shrink herself as much as possible, pretending that Li Xian couldn't see her.
Seeing that Li Xian's mere glance had scared Hong Chaoyang, Shen Qing immediately turned around and silently warned Li Xian.
Don't scare my friend.
Li Xian raised his eyebrows and lowered his eyes, concentrating on the tea in his cup.
Seeing that Li Xian's attention was no longer on her, Hong Chaoyang immediately tugged on Shen Qing's sleeve and whispered, "Are you going to move to the Five Elements Dao Sect after you're engaged?"
Hong Chaoyang looked up, her expression a bit aggrieved.
She didn't want Shen Qing to leave. She had only known Shen Qing for a short time, and they were just starting to build their friendship. But then Li Xian came along and took Shen Qing away.
Shen Qing shook her head and said with a smile, "We're just getting engaged, not married. We don't need to live together for now."
Li Xian's fingers stiffened slightly, and a deep look flashed across his eyes.
After getting Shen Qing's answer, Hong Chaoyang finally smiled, but then she quickly composed herself, afraid that Li Xian would see her expression.
For some reason, she always felt scared whenever she saw Li Xian. He seemed unfathomable, as if he had a lot of bad ideas up his sleeve.
He always had a cold face and was cold to everyone, like a big ice block. Only Shen Qing, with her good temper, would agree to be engaged to him.
"That's good... I was afraid that Qi Nian and I would be bored in the Azure Cloud Sword Sect. It's good that you're still here!"
After hesitating for a while, Hong Chaoyang finally asked the question she had been wanting to ask.
"Tell me honestly. Why are you getting engaged so soon? Don't try to lie to me. You've only known each other for a short time. There's no way you could have developed feelings so quickly. There must be some other reason."
Shen Qing was a bit surprised. She didn't expect that the usually carefree Hong Chaoyang could be so delicate-minded.
Shen Qing thought for a moment. Master Honghua and Yu Xuzi wanted them to get engaged to show the world that the Azure Cloud Sword Sect and the Five Elements Dao Sect had joined forces.
If that was the case, there was no harm in telling Hong Chaoyang directly.
So she whispered in Hong Chaoyang's ear, "The world is getting unstable. The sects need to unite."
Hong Chaoyang lowered her head, hiding the worry in her eyes.
After she found out the news last night, she wanted to come and find Shen Qing right away, but her mother stopped her.
True Immortal Hongdie had analyzed a lot of things with her, and she had forced herself to listen. But in her heart, she was still more worried about Shen Qing.
Even though the Main Divine Temple and the Demon Race were both restless, there were many other ways for the sects to unite. There was no need for Shen Qing to sacrifice her personal feelings and life.
That's why she had rushed over to find Shen Qing today.
"Are you doing this voluntarily?"
Hong Chaoyang asked worriedly, her little face almost scrunched up.
Shen Qing glanced at Li Xian, who was concentrating on drinking his tea. Seeing that he didn't seem to be paying attention, she replied a bit awkwardly.
"Don't worry. If I wasn't willing, no one could force me, not even the sect master."
With Shen Qing's words, Hong Chaoyang finally felt relieved.
She looked at Shen Qing's blushing face and only then realized that maybe the two of them did have feelings for each other...
Maybe...
"If that's the case, then that's good."
Hong Chaoyang peeked out half of her head from beside Shen Qing and observed Li Xian for a few moments. The more she looked, the more she disliked him.
"Why didn't the Five Elements Dao Sect find a better person? You're a genius who advanced to the Nascent Soul stage at a young age. Li Xian is so cold. He'll freeze people to death."
As she said this, she hugged her arms and pretended to be cold.
Shen Qing covered her mouth and laughed. "You two aren't familiar with each other. Once you get to know him, you'll know he's not like that."
Hong Chaoyang pouted and secretly scolded Shen Qing for being a traitor who had forgotten her friends for a man.
The date of the betrothal was set for half a month later. It was a lucky day chosen by Yu Xuzi with the Kunlun Disk.
The Sword Tomb would open a month later. After the betrothal, Shen Qing and Li Xian could go straight to the Sword Tomb.
The time was very tight. Shen Qing had to prepare for the betrothal ceremony and the supplies for going down the mountain within this half month.
Thankfully, the sect was in charge of all the betrothal gifts. Shen Qing only needed to try on the wedding dress for the betrothal.
At the strong request of Master Honghua, the betrothal ceremony would be held in the Azure Cloud Sword Sect. Yu Xuzi had set off for the Five Elements Dao Sect yesterday to prepare the betrothal gifts for Shen Qing.
Li Xian was left in the Azure Cloud Sword Sect by Yu Xuzi. The sect had originally arranged a separate courtyard for Li Xian, but Li Xian said he wasn't used to the local environment. He was afraid of the dark and afraid of strangers, so he insisted on staying in Shen Qing's courtyard.
Shen Qing didn't really mind. After all, they weren't sleeping in the same bed. They had just tidied up a room for Li Xian in another room in the small courtyard.
Anyway, they would have a lot of time to get along in the future. They might as well start "cultivating their feelings" in advance.