Chapter 34: Engagement

Touching the somewhat cold floor, Junior Brother Bai Ming opened the bottle and sat down. A cluster of emerald green light flew out and entered his body, bringing a sense of lightness and comfort to his frame.

The dense spiritual energy in the room rapidly entered his body, where the Qingming Storm Soul swept up the spiritual energy, gradually converting it into Cangqiong Spiritual Energy.

Junior Brother Bai Ming's hair floated without wind, and a gentle green light radiated from his body, his spiritual meridians becoming tougher with every breath.

A series of events made him realize that he was still too weak; the gap in cultivation between him and Song Wanqing was too great, and he could not meet the expectations of Patriarch Song.

He wanted to become stronger.

The Yanqing Spiritual Root in his abdomen emitted a warmth, as if responding to his expectations, and slowly, a warm current washed over his entire body.

Time in the cultivation room seemed to pause from that moment on; Junior Brother Bai Ming could not perceive external changes, fully immersing himself in his cultivation.

Days and nights cycled, dawn and dusk alternated repeatedly.

Eight days later.

The young man in the cultivation room rose, supporting himself on the cold floor, and put away the wind bottle on the ground.

"Alright, I don't know how many days I've been cultivating; it's time to come out of seclusion and take a look."

Junior Brother Bai Ming opened the door, and a petite young girl in white came into view.

Xiaoxue bowed slightly, "Congratulations on your advancement in cultivation, Young Master."

Junior Brother Bai Ming was a bit puzzled, "Xiaoxue, why are you waiting here for me?"

He had been in seclusion for several days, and to see the girl in white the moment he stepped out made him wonder if it was a coincidence or if she had been waiting there the whole time.

Xiaoxue looked up, "The Patriarch said to go see him once you finished your cultivation."

Junior Brother Bai Ming nodded, and the two walked one after the other toward Patriarch Song's manor.

Patriarch Song wore a kindly smile, "Ming'er, how is your training in the Wuxiang Wind-Control Tactic coming along?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming cupped his hands in a salute, "Reporting to Uncle, I have now converted all my internal spiritual energy into Cangqiong Spiritual Energy, and my cultivation has risen to the third level of Qi Refining. I have not yet studied the techniques."

Patriarch Song paced and nodded, "Not bad. Among the Seven Sects, Ming'er's talent is second to none. Is the Qingming Storm Soul easy to use?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming smiled, "Such a precious item is naturally easy to use, but I do not know how to repay you, Uncle."

Patriarch Song waved his hand, "Ming'er, you are being too formal. Why talk of repayment? Just use it with peace of mind. If you are lacking any cultivation resources, just have Xiaoxue fetch them from the treasury."

A warmth surged in Junior Brother Bai Ming's heart. Since he had transmigrated, he had wanted for nothing in the Song family, never once worrying about a shortage of cultivation resources.

Not only that, but everything he used was of high quality and precious. He had just selected his cultivation method, and this rare spiritual wind arrived in his hands immediately after, making him feel somewhat ashamed.

Patriarch Song was truly generous.

A sense of belonging grew in Junior Brother Bai Ming's heart. Although he was living in the Song family, he had never felt the awkwardness of being a guest under someone else's roof.

The footsteps stopped. Patriarch Song came to Junior Brother Bai Ming's side and gently patted his shoulder.

"Ming'er, you have been to the Yuqing Sect in the city. How did it feel?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming replied respectfully, "It is worthy of being one of the Seven Sects of the world."

Patriarch Song nodded, hands behind his back, "I summoned you here this time to ask when you and Qing'er will officially become Dao companions."

"Ah." Junior Brother Bai Ming froze, as if an electric current had flowed through his entire body, causing him to stiffen immediately.

Patriarch Song patted Junior Brother Bai Ming's back and laughed heartily, "What is it? Have you not discussed it yet?"

A flush of shyness crept onto his face; Junior Brother Bai Ming felt somewhat embarrassed. He had not expected Patriarch Song to summon him for this matter.

"We haven't discussed it yet. My cultivation is currently low, so doing this in a rush seems improper."

Patriarch Song shook his head, "What is improper about it? Do Dao companions care about cultivation? You and Qing'er are in mutual love and are childhood sweethearts; where is the impropriety?"

Patriarch Song kept one hand behind his back and said in a deep voice, "It is just that you will be heading to the true Yuqing Sect to cultivate in the future, and you might not have time to prepare for this matter then."

Junior Brother Bai Ming stood up and looked up, "Then how about we proceed with this after I reach the Foundation Establishment stage?"

"Good. I believe that with Ming'er's aptitude, it won't take long to reach Foundation Establishment." Patriarch Song pondered slightly, "Does Ming'er think we should follow secular customs or the customs of Cultivators?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming was delighted, "Perhaps I should discuss it with Song Wanqing."

"Then I will leave it to you both to decide." Patriarch Song revealed a gratified smile.

After some relaxed conversation, Junior Brother Bai Ming took his leave. Even after stepping out of the gate, a warm bonfire still burned in his chest, and his whole body felt as if it were soaking in a hot spring, warm and cozy.

Junior Brother Bai Ming lowered his head slightly and thought to himself, "I never expected that in my past life I didn't even have a girlfriend, and now I am already discussing marriage."

He looked up and sighed, "It really is like a dream."

Watching Junior Brother Bai Ming's rather emotional expression, Xiaoxue asked with a smile, "What is Young Master feeling sentimental about?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming turned back, realizing his behavior just now was indeed a bit awkward, "Lamenting life, I couldn't help myself."

Xiaoxue covered her mouth and chuckled, "Young Master only woke up a few days ago and has had amnesia for so long; what life is there to lament?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming waved his hand, "Xiaoxue, that is not right. Does a life of ten-plus days not count as a life?"

"Besides, it is precisely because of this that I must cherish these remaining memories even more, is that not so?" A soft light shone in Junior Brother Bai Ming's eyes.

The corners of Xiaoxue's mouth curved, her small face tilted slightly, "Indeed."

…

A woman's boudoir.

In front of an exquisite vanity.

A soft spiritual light shone on the woman's head, illuminating her hair until it shone, and the flat bronze mirror in front of her reflected her beautiful face.

The woman in green quietly looked at herself in the bronze mirror. Her black pupils seemed to contain a deep pool, and it was unclear what she was thinking about at this moment.

Dong, dong, dong—

Three faint knocks came from the door, and the corners of the green-clad woman's mouth in the bronze mirror curled into a beautiful arc.

"Come in."

Pushing open the door, Junior Brother Bai Ming saw the beautiful woman in green in front of the vanity. A faint smile was on her face, like a spring breeze, making him feel at ease.

Junior Brother Bai Ming smiled, "How is it that Qing'er seems to have known it was me in advance?"

Song Wanqing was combing her pitch-black long hair, "I'm afraid only you would knock on the door like that."

Junior Brother Bai Ming was puzzled, "I was just knocking normally. You can guess it from this? Qing'er, you are a bit too sharp."

Song Wanqing put down the comb, her face playful, "Stop right there. How come you suddenly thought of coming to find me today? Weren't you intentionally avoiding me before?"

She turned her head, her tone teasing, "What, did you miss me so much after just a few days of seclusion?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming walked into the boudoir, his face showing some helplessness, "Qing'er, haven't I already explained the previous matter?"

Song Wanqing's eyes held a smile as she handed over the comb, "Come over and help me."

Taking the comb, Junior Brother Bai Ming came behind the woman, feeling somewhat at a loss.

He had no experience in combing someone else's hair. At this moment, looking at the long, dark, and shiny hair of the woman in front of him, he was suddenly at a loss.

He was only afraid of ruining these flowing, soft tresses, and the comb froze in his hand, unable to be used for a long time.

Just as Junior Brother Bai Ming was feeling embarrassed, the woman in front of him seemed to have noticed his difficulty, and a pair of white, jade-like hands grasped his palm.