Now that Ruyi Immortal Estate had become a place for matchmaking, Xu Ziqing remained within the little courtyard over the following days, keeping his door shut rather than going out and risking misunderstandings among the visitors.
The courtyard had abundant spiritual energy. Judging by its density, at least one third-grade spiritual vein must have been opened beneath it. The estate had certainly taken care to receive its guests well.
And because Xu Ziqing refused to go out, Yun Lie did not go out either.
Xu Ziqing understood that his disturbed state of mind the previous day had probably worried his senior brother. Even after hearing his explanation, Yun Lie must have wanted to observe him personally before feeling reassured. Xu Ziqing did not think this out of conceit. After so many years together, he knew that beneath his senior brother’s cold exterior lay a warm heart. He could often understand Yun Lie’s intentions despite the other man’s reticence.
For three days in succession, Yun Lie helped Xu Ziqing practice his techniques. Xu Ziqing’s state of mind gradually stabilized, and he was no longer as agitated as on the first day.
Then, one afternoon, the young servant stationed outside the courtyard gate suddenly came to announce that a Ruyi Envoy had arrived.
Xu Ziqing had been sitting cross-legged. On hearing the announcement, he abruptly recalled the Azure Cloud Needles that were circling before him.
His gaze shifted slightly. He glanced at his senior brother, who was protecting him while he cultivated, then rose and turned toward the door.
Yun Lie rose as well. “Invite her in.”
Xu Ziqing wondered whether he ought to withdraw, but after a moment’s thought he remained.
The door soon opened. A proud, cold woman stood at the threshold, black robes fluttering in the wind and long black hair streaming around her. Her aura was exceptionally powerful.
Without waiting for formalities, she entered and swept her hand. The door slammed shut behind her. She then formed several seals, placing restrictions that cut off the courtyard completely from the outside.
Her succession of decisive movements displayed extraordinary force of character. She was direct, forthright and clearly someone who valued results more than process.
It was Mu Ronghua, foremost of the twelve Ruyi Envoys.
Xu Ziqing was startled. He had imagined that perhaps Rui Rou, or one of the other envoys, might visit. He had never expected the frost-cold Mu Ronghua herself.
What had brought her here?
Given the difference in their cultivation, Xu Ziqing certainly did not suppose she had come looking for him.
And since she had even taken the precaution of laying down restrictions, there seemed to be only one possibility.
Mu Ronghua had something to discuss with his senior brother.
She wasted no time on pleasantries. “Perfected One Yun, I have something to discuss with you. Might your junior brother withdraw first?”
Xu Ziqing thought, Just as I expected. Although he knew he should leave, he was reluctant. Nevertheless, he understood propriety and prepared to go back inside.
But Yun Lie said, “If you have something to say, speak freely.”
Xu Ziqing stared for an instant, then felt a surge of happiness.
He had never hidden anything from Yun Lie. It seemed that his senior brother treated him the same way.
Mu Ronghua raised an eyebrow. “You martial brothers really are deeply attached.” Her expression chilled again. “Very well. Since you’re so close, if this matter succeeds I will have dealings with your junior brother in the future anyway.”
Xu Ziqing’s thoughts raced. Something in her words seemed to suggest a particular possibility.
Mu Ronghua was accustomed to high standing and great authority within Ruyi Immortal Estate, so she always came straight to the point. Before Xu Ziqing could finish his speculation, she said, “Perfected One Yun, I wish to become your Dao companion. What do you say?”
Xu Ziqing’s mind went wooden. It was as if five thunderbolts had struck his head, leaving him incapable of moving.
Yun Lie also seemed not to have expected this. He paused slightly.
Before that brief pause could end, Mu Ronghua continued. “The six Jade Maiden Envoys must seek Dao companions according to the Estate Mistress’s instructions. Of all the talented disciples from the different sects, only you, Yun Lie, possess enough potential to attract my notice. In my eyes, the rest are little different from ants and hardly worthy of me.”
It was an exceedingly arrogant statement, but she possessed the strength and confidence to justify such pride.
As foremost Ruyi Envoy and the Estate Mistress’s only daughter, Mu Ronghua had long since reached the peak of late Golden Core. If she could consume a Posuo Fruit, she would almost immediately be able to form her Nascent Soul.
If Yun Lie became her Dao companion, he would naturally enjoy greater benefits in the short term.
Furthermore, Mu Ronghua cultivated the Great Dao of Taiyi Pure Water. Because of her nature, she had also condensed Great Yin water in her dantian, an essence of extreme yin.
Yun Lie’s path was that of supremely yang Geng-Metal. If they cultivated together as Dao companions, each could supplement the other and both could advance rapidly.
It was a rare opportunity.
Mu Ronghua was outstanding in both looks and bearing. If Yun Lie had not already comprehended sword intent and pursued that domineering, emotionless Dao of Slaughter Sword cultivation, she probably would not have taken an interest in a Perfected One at early Golden Core.
She was not trying to intimidate him. She was simply stating what she genuinely thought, without concealment.
By all ordinary reasoning, joining with Mu Ronghua would greatly benefit them both. No talented cultivator ought to refuse such an arrangement.
Yet Yun Lie said, “I have no desire for this.”
Mu Ronghua, generally as cold as ice, displayed a trace of surprise. “You refuse?”
Yun Lie’s expression did not change. His meaning was unmistakable.
She regarded him solemnly. “A marriage alliance between the Wuling Immortal Sect and Ruyi Immortal Estate has long been tacitly understood. It would not merely strengthen the connection between our sects. More Posuo Fruits would also allow core disciples on both sides to advance. You are the present generation’s Eldest Senior Brother, while I am the Eldest Senior Sister. Our Daos are reasonably compatible as well. What match could be more suitable? I truly don’t understand your refusal.”
After thinking a moment, she continued, “You’re fifth on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking, while I am thirteenth. Although I rank a little below you, I will soon enter Nascent Soul, so I would hardly disgrace you. When we cultivate together, my assistance can help you accumulate true essence and reach peak Golden Core very quickly. Then, after consuming a Posuo Fruit, you too can become a Nascent Soul Ancestor. Once you have formed your Nascent Soul, our cultivation realms will be equal. We can harmonize yin and yang along the Great Dao, advance by leaps and bounds, and travel the Eastern Region without fear.”
“With so many benefits… do you truly refuse?”
Xu Ziqing gradually recovered his senses. Although his heart ached inexplicably, he heard every word Mu Ronghua said.
A bitter feeling rose within him. Would his senior brother be persuaded? Even Xu Ziqing had to admit that the prospects were excellent. If Yun Lie agreed, his cultivation would progress much faster, and no one would stop him from soaring to the heavens!
As his junior brother, Xu Ziqing considered their bond exceptionally deep. He regarded Yun Lie as a father or elder brother, as family, as the most important attachment of this life.
Shouldn’t he be happy for him?
Yet as he thought this, Xu Ziqing unconsciously looked toward Yun Lie again.
Yun Lie remained wholly calm. “My Dao does not require such methods.”
Xu Ziqing froze. His senior brother was refusing even now?
Mu Ronghua frowned slightly.
She had explained every advantage, yet Yun Lie remained unmoved. This was entirely unexpected.
She had heard that, because of the sword Dao Yun Lie cultivated, his seven emotions were frozen, nothing could disturb him, his will was as firm as rock, and every decision arose from his own heart. But when she observed him outside the bamboo grove caring for his junior brother, she saw he was not devoid of feeling and had assumed there might be room for discussion.
Today’s encounter seemed to prove otherwise.
She had not lied. There were many extraordinary geniuses attending the Immortal Fruit Gathering, but relatively few ranked on the Heavenly Dragon Ranking. Of those who did, most were below her thirteenth place. Yun Lie alone had rushed to fifth place shortly after forming his Golden Core. Such profound foundations were rarely seen even in ten thousand years.
Mu Ronghua was an exceptional genius herself. How could she willingly settle for someone vastly inferior? Yet with Ruyi Immortal Estate’s current predicament, she, the Estate Mistress’s only daughter, desperately needed to raise her cultivation. However unwilling, she had been forced to compromise after a long discussion with her mother.
Cultivating together with someone of great potential was now the quickest way for her to become stronger. Since she had to find a Dao companion, she would naturally select the very best candidate.
That was why she had chosen Yun Lie and proposed marriage so directly.
But since Yun Lie had refused several times, she had no desire to pester him. She turned her head toward Xu Ziqing. Seeing his dazed expression, she suddenly realized something. Examining his aura, she understood a little more.
“Since you refuse, consider that I never came today.” Mu Ronghua turned to leave, but added, “A pity. Your junior brother has considerable potential. If he had a little more time to form his Golden Core, he might actually be a better choice than you.”
With a slight movement, she vanished.
After Mu Ronghua left, Xu Ziqing remained distracted.
Yun Lie turned, saw his expression and called, “Ziqing.”
Xu Ziqing answered blankly. “Yes, Senior Brother.”
Yun Lie’s gaze shifted slightly. “Your cultivation is still shallow. Cultivating together as Dao companions would be detrimental to you. Moreover, such cultivation should be used to harmonize your energies. Treating it merely as a method of increasing your cultivation reverses the proper order of things. You have cultivated for only a short time. You should work diligently rather than be shortsighted and destroy your immortal path.”
Xu Ziqing’s emotions had been surging like storm-tossed seas, but after hearing this warning he did not know whether to feel happy or laugh at the misunderstanding.
Did Senior Brother… think he had been attracted by Mu Ronghua’s words and wanted to find a woman to cultivate with?
He breathed out slowly and looked at Yun Lie. His gaze was complicated, but the emotions in his heart were finally becoming clear.
When his senior brother was happy, he felt happy. When his senior brother reprimanded him, he felt ashamed.
If they could spend every day together, he was content even if they did nothing but cultivate separately and exchange a few words.
Whenever Yun Lie was absent, he felt an emptiness. When danger arose, Yun Lie was invariably the first person he thought of.
If that were all, perhaps he could still have told himself that Yun Lie was merely family. But when he heard his senior brother might marry someone else, the bitterness and suffocation in his heart had been overwhelming.
If their relationship were merely the deep affection between martial brothers, he would not possess such a desire to keep Yun Lie to himself. He would not be filled with jealousy, sorrow and unrest at the thought…
Xu Ziqing sighed inwardly. He should have understood his feelings for his senior brother long ago.
Yun Lie was an elder and benefactor, someone bound to him by gratitude and devotion, someone who haunted his very dreams.
Ultimately, Xu Ziqing had simply fallen in love. Affection had taken root, and with it a longing he had never dared name…