Chapter 35 Got Engaged, Quite Suddenly
After the meeting had ended, the three direct descendants of the Intercepting Sect's guardian immortals gathered privately.
The Honored White Bone's expression obviously showed some discontent, presumably because the Blood Sea Ancestor had announced the recovery of the Myriad Avatar Absolute Immortal Sword without having informed him in advance.
As the saying goes, when it's time to make a decision, people often won't wait until the public meeting to do so.
In fact, the higher echelons of the Six Paths have traditionally held meetings beforehand to decide on major strategic issues; it was the Blood Sea, White Bone, and Zi You who first gathered to make decisions, and then formally allowed the Sect Leaders to attend the Six Paths council meeting to seriously discuss and debate the matter.
Among the Six Paths, the Hell Path has always abstained from meetings. As long as the Heavenly Demon, Nether Ghost, and Mortal Life Paths reach a consensus, neither the Eastern Emperor nor Asura Path has the power to object, whether it's by the strength of their influence or democratic vote.
That was precisely why the Blood Sea Ancestor's leap to directly announcing the results without a prior meeting irked the Honored White Bone with a sense of "broken rules."
What about the decision-making that was agreed upon by the three giants?
But the fact that the Ancestor Zi You remained silent about the matter also made him feel quite uneasy—could it be that these two had formed an alliance behind his back?
The Blood Sea Ancestor was also surprised, as he hadn't discussed with Ancestor Zi You either and was prepared for these two to challenge him after the meeting.
Yet, Ancestor Zi You's silence throughout the council left the Blood Sea Ancestor's preparations in vain, and for a moment, he was at a loss.
The three immortals sat in silence while Wei Dongliu stood behind the Blood Sea Ancestor, also bowing his head in quiet.
Suddenly, Jiang Lian quietly approached behind him and poked his waist with her finger.
Wei Dongliu: ?
Hey, with the three immortals sitting over there, what's the meaning of coming over and touching me?
"This must be Wei Dongliu, right?" Ancestor Zi You finally spoke, "Indeed, a rare talent among men."
The Honored White Bone frowned, finding it odd—since when did Ancestor Zi You begin to praise others, known for his dark and harsh nature?
Wait, could Wei Dongliu have an extraordinary background?
The Blood Sea Ancestor narrowed his eyes, feeling something was off as well—Ancestor Zi You hadn't met him before, so how would he know Wei Dongliu is a rare talent among men?
Even if it's to give a compliment, since when has Ancestor Zi You ever done so!
"I have a direct disciple named 'Li An,'" Ancestor Zi You pointed out, saying, "It happens that he and the esteemed nephew Wei get along quite well."
"Why not have the two establish a Daoist companionship? It would surely be a match blessed by golden jade."
Blood Sea Ancestor: ......
Honored White Bone: ......
Wei Dongliu: ......
Is this it?
This matter is more important than the Myriad Avatar Absolute Immortal Sword?
The Blood Sea Ancestor quickly came to his senses, earnestly pondering Ancestor Zi You's proposal.
Could it mean that Ancestor Zi You intends to deepen the alliance between the Heavenly Demon Path and the Mortal Life Path?
As long as the two young ones marry, is he willing to condone Wei Dongliu possessing the Myriad Avatar Absolute Immortal Sword?
Although the Blood Sea Ancestor wasn't afraid even if Ancestor Zi You and the Honored White Bone confronted him together, since Ancestor Zi You had offered an olive branch, there was naturally no need to refuse.
Moreover…
The Blood Sea Ancestor glanced at Jiang Lian, seeing her cheeks faintly blushed like peach blossoms, her eyes expressive as if holding the spring water, not only pretty and charming but also clearly quite familiar with Wei Dongliu, showing signs of deep affection for him.
If I could play matchmaker, why not?
With this in mind, the Blood Sea Ancestor subconsciously (or perhaps guided) agreed:
"Why not?"
Wei Dongliu was covertly signaling to Jiang Lian, urging her to restrain herself in front of so many immortals and not to approach without restraint or care. But when the carefree ancestor suddenly brought up the proposal for marriage, and the Blood Sea Ancestor rapidly accepted, he felt as if struck by Thunderbane.
What? Another wife?
Before he could react, on how to proceed, Jiang Lian had already gracefully knelt down, her delicate voice expressing gratitude:
"Many thanks to the ancestors! Many thanks to the senior ancestor!"
Wei Dongliu was stunned for a while, knowing it was impossible to refuse in front of so many immortals, as that would be slapping the faces of both the Blood Sea Ancestor and the carefree ancestor in public.
After all, it was just another mantle, so what was wrong with adding an accessory?
He then also expressed his gratitude with a reserved bow:
"Thank you both."
"Good." The Blood Sea Ancestor then laughed heartily, satisfied like an old grandfather witnessing his descendants getting married.
The carefree ancestor was smiling as well, while the Honored White Bone looked less than pleased, barely managing to squeeze out a smile. After exchanging a few courteous words with the two immortals, he soon excused himself and left.
With Honored White Bone taking the lead to leave, the matter of Wei Dongliu possessing the Myriad Avatar Absolute Immortal Sword was thus settled among the Six Paths.
Alas, the marriage too was settled. What a hassle.
Wei Dongliu silently looked at Jiang Lian, thinking that this witch was quite attractive and had a nice figure. The only problem was that she had changed as a person; her character was now unpredictable, feeling like some sort of negative variable.
Moreover, the broken mirror always hinted indirectly, suggesting that this witch already possessed the strength of an immortal.
This is just bluffing! Which immortal would accompany a Golden Core Realm cultivator in playing house, trying by all means to stick close to him and insisting on marrying him to become his Daoist Companion?
A marriage-crazy immortal, right?
Jiang Lian was definitely not of the Immortal Realm, but very likely possessed some sort of power comparable to that of an immortal.
For example, like myself who possesses the Kunlun Mirror. On a regular day, I am just a cultivator at the level of the Golden Core Realm, but should I meet an irresistibly powerful foe, I would let Ah Jing step out and use the Illusion Technique of Mirror Flower Water Moon to immobilize the opponent, and then I would make my escape.
This art of Mirror Flower Water Moon, even the Ziwei Master couldn't break free from, so to speak of it as immortal strength wouldn't be wrong... Therefore, Jiang the Witch must have gotten her hands on some magical artifact, or realized some Secret Technique!
Wei Dongliu's mind raced with calculations, and eventually, he decided to accept this situation.
As for Jiang Lian, after the gathering of the three great leaders, she did not return with the carefree ancestor but instead clung to Wei Dongliu, wrapping her arms around his and pulling him to go out and have fun.
The Blood Sea Ancestor was very discerning and signaled Wei Dongliu to leave quickly.
Wei Dongliu had no choice but to take Jiang the Witch away.
Several days later, the Demon Cult's army surrounding the outskirts of Shushan quietly withdrew.
Not to mention the situation at Shushan, the atmosphere on the Demon Cult's side was rather gloomy as their chances of victory were low and, ultimately, they had failed to break through Shushan.
The Honored White Bone even issued a decree demanding the Sect Leader strengthen the training of his disciples. The assessment criteria for true cultivators in the Golden Core Realm were to be raised, suddenly triggering a wave of tension throughout the entire Sect.
Back on Mount Wutai, Wei Dongliu and the Blood Sea Ancestor learned of a piece of news at the same time:
The Sect Leader of Lingxiu Mountain, Xu Ruyan, had perished!
The specific cause of her demise was unknown; after being arranged to stay behind on Mount Wutai, she suddenly went out one day and then disappeared without a trace. Along with her disappearance, the life lamp in the Ganquan Palace of Lingxiu Mountain was also extinguished.
A life lamp is where a cultivator synchronizes their vital energy, keeping the lamp alight. If a cultivator suddenly perishes outside or actively cuts off the connection to their vital energy, the life lamp will extinguish immediately.
As a Sect Leader, Xu Ruyan certainly wouldn't have fled or betrayed the Sect willingly, implying a high likelihood of her demise.
Unflustered, the Blood Sea Ancestor instructed Wei Dongliu to go and completely subjugate the faction of Lingxiu Mountain.
"There are only three Nascent Soul Elders in Lingxiu Mountain, you go speak to them. If anyone disobeys, mention my name," he said with a severe look. "Once you have Lingxiu Mountain as a base, the other two mountains won't dare to oppose you in the shadows."
"After unifying these three mountains, the next step will be to integrate the rest of the forces on Mount Wutai until there is only one voice emitting from the entire Mount Wutai!"