Chapter 35: Seclusion

Just like that, he was guided into motion by the woman's fair, smooth hand.

The lingering warmth from the woman's palm transferred to Junior Brother Bai Ming's hand, and the unique, faint fragrance emanating from her dark hair wafted into his nose.

Watching the man in the bronze mirror transition from initial embarrassment to gradual familiarity, the smile on Song Wanqing's face widened inadvertently.

"Didn't you have something to tell me? Have you forgotten it again now?" The woman's face held a hint of playfulness.

Junior Brother Bai Ming meticulously combed the woman's dark hair, his movements gentle for fear of making a mistake. "How could that be? I was just afraid that if I got distracted for a moment, I might damage your hair."

Sensing the cautious and earnest strength in Junior Brother Bai Ming's touch, Song Wanqing smiled silently, no longer teasing him.

Sunlight from outside the window shone into the room, falling upon the two of them and draping them in a semi-transparent layer of white gauze, their shadows briefly merging into one.

The soft rustling sound of the comb brushing through hair arose, and even the air seemed to grow a little warmer.

The last knot in her hair was combed out. Song Wanqing took the comb from Junior Brother Bai Ming's hand, fastened her beautiful long hair with a wooden hairpin, and turned her head to look at the side profile of the young man beside her.

"You can say it now."

Their faces were very close, and warm breaths brushed against each other's cheeks.

Junior Brother Bai Ming straightened his hunched posture and looked down at the woman in front of him. "It's just that Patriarch Song asked when we will officially become Dao companions."

Song Wanqing looked into the bronze mirror. "When do you think is a good time?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming pondered for a moment. "After I reach Foundation Establishment."

Song Wanqing's eyes were gentle. "I couldn't tell; you're quite ambitious."

Junior Brother Bai Ming rested his hands on the back of the chair, not denying it.

"Very well." Song Wanqing looked at the young man's handsome face in the bronze mirror, their gazes meeting within the smooth surface.

Junior Brother Bai Ming lowered his head. "By the way, Qing'er, do you think we should follow the customs of Cultivators, or those of the secular world?"

Song Wanqing blurted out, "The secular world."

Junior Brother Bai Ming hadn't expected the woman's decisiveness and was somewhat surprised. "Why?"

Song Wanqing smiled charmingly. "Isn't that more interesting?"

Interesting? Was the ritual of becoming Dao companions between Cultivators really so boring? It seemed that since cultivation emphasized clarity of thought, there shouldn't be that many procedures.

Junior Brother Bai Ming looked at the beautiful woman in the bronze mirror. "Then we'll do as you wish and follow the secular customs."

…

Above the Song Mansion barrier.

A massive, azure sword arc streaked across the sky above the Song Mansion, causing the Song family's Cultivators to stop and watch, though they had no intention of interfering.

Two figures hovered in the air above the strictly patrolled Song Mansion, with the Song family barrier directly beneath them.

Song Wanqing sheathed her sword. "Did you see that clearly?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming narrowed his eyes, contemplating the sword technique just performed. "It seems different from Senior Brother Xiao's; it lacks some grandeur, but carries the swift turbulence of flowing water."

Song Wanqing nodded slightly. "This is the result of me integrating my own special spiritual power. You can try it too, Little Bai."

Junior Brother Bai Ming frowned slightly, pondering the connection between the two sword techniques. After a few breaths, he slashed out a verdant green sword arc.

Unlike the azure sword arc, this verdant green one was no longer semi-circular, but rather resembled a slightly curved triangle, with the center of the arc carrying the swift ferocity of a gale.

Gentle applause rang out.

Song Wanqing clapped her hands together. "Not bad."

The two heaven-shocking sword arcs not only attracted the Song family's Cultivators but also some rogue Cultivators in Canglan City, causing people to stop and watch.

Watching the crowd below grow, Junior Brother Bai Ming became somewhat unsettled. In Canglan City, where flying was strictly prohibited, they were not only flying at high altitudes but also wantonly brandishing their sword techniques.

Although the Song family's Cultivators were aware of their identities, to those unaware, it was indeed going a bit too far.

Junior Brother Bai Ming's expression was somewhat unnatural. "Qing'er, let's go down."

Song Wanqing chuckled. "What's wrong? Are you afraid of being watched by others?"

Ignoring the teasing intent of the woman in front of him, Junior Brother Bai Ming pulled her sleeve and flew toward the ground.

"I'm just afraid of causing trouble for Patriarch Song; the impact wouldn't be good after all."

Without any intention of refusing, Song Wanqing let Junior Brother Bai Ming pull her along. Along the way, she took the initiative to hold the young man's hand. At first, the young man's palm was somewhat stiff, but it gradually became relaxed.

Back on the ground, Junior Brother Bai Ming let go of the woman's hand. Although the two had experienced much over these past few days, physical contact still made him feel somewhat unnatural.

He didn't want the woman beside him to see the embarrassment in his heart, so he made some concealing movements and tried to keep his expression calm.

But to Song Wanqing, it was precisely these awkward, uncalculated gestures that seemed interesting.

She withdrew her hand, a knowing smile on her lips.

Song Wanqing restrained her smile slightly. "What is your cultivation level now? Are you confident you can break through to Foundation Establishment in two months?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming spoke seriously. "I can break through to the middle stage of Qi Refining at any time. In another month, I can reach the Qi Refining Peak. As for Foundation Establishment, I estimate it should take a day or two."

A thoughtful look appeared on Song Wanqing's face, and she lightly pinched her sleeve. "That's about right. We can start preparing now; the arrangements should be in place in half a month."

Junior Brother Bai Ming was slightly surprised. "Are we starting preparations so early?"

He had no experience in preparing for a wedding and was completely ignorant of such matters, but considering the Song family's status in Canglan City and Song Wanqing's identity, he secretly felt it was normal.

Song Wanqing let go of her sleeve. "After all, there are quite a few things to prepare, and preparing early ensures no mishaps."

Junior Brother Bai Ming agreed and nodded. Even now, he still felt like he was in a dream, as if he were not the groom of this wedding.

A thoughtful look appeared in his eyes. "It seems I need to raise my cultivation level sooner. Since there's nothing to do recently, I might as well push through to the Qi Refining Peak in one go."

The woman in front of him smiled silently. Junior Brother Bai Ming realized his tone might have been a bit intense, so he smiled. "I was a bit too eager."

Song Wanqing took Junior Brother Bai Ming's hand. "Not at all. If you reach Foundation Establishment sooner, we can also enjoy the lively atmosphere of the city more before the wedding."

Junior Brother Bai Ming looked at the woman's eyes, which were brimming with emotion, and nodded. "I will be as fast as I can."

Song Wanqing's eyes curved into crescents. "Then I will wait for your good news."

Bidding farewell to Song Wanqing, Junior Brother Bai Ming went alone to the quiet cultivation room. He closed his eyes, feeling the white light emanating from the night-luminescent stones on the ceiling.

After a long while, he let out a long breath.

"Begin cultivation!"

The coldness of the floor traveled through his thighs. Junior Brother Bai Ming kept his eyes tightly closed, controlling the Qingming Storm Soul to circulate continuously within his body, accelerating the speed at which spiritual power condensed.

Wisps of pure spiritual power were generated within his body and were continuously sent to nourish his spiritual root.

The Yanqing Spiritual Root transmitted a sense of warmth, accelerating the process of spiritual power transportation.

He did not know how much time had passed when a leaf fell from a spiritual plant in the cultivation room, drifting slowly toward the floor.

Deep within Junior Brother Bai Ming's heart, a drop of dew fell onto his calm lake of the mind, stirring up ripples that spread into the distance with the waves.

Before the ripples had even dissipated, his aura suddenly changed.

Fourth Level of Qi Refining.