In the following days, Chu Xinghui was dragged by Xie Liufeng to buy various items needed for the same-cultivation ceremony.

Shang Ling had a lot of things to handle and wouldn’t stay in one place for long. During this time, no one knew where she had gone, so Wanbao Trading Company had a friendly new manager take over their big purchase.

This manager, carrying out Shang Ling’s instructions, inherited the president’s fine tradition and recommended many expensive but practical items to them.

As expected, Xie Liufeng bought them all.

The transaction was smooth, and the manager even gave them a stack of books as a gift.

They were supposedly the most popular books for newlywed cultivators.

Xie Liufeng glanced at the colorful covers and thought they were some popular modern books. Not paying much attention, he handed them over to Chu Xinghui.

Chu Xinghui took the books, opened one, flipped through a few pages seriously, and then calmly packed them away.

…Although he had no experience with these kinds of books, since Xie Liufeng had handed them to him, he would study them carefully after returning.

*

Xie Liufeng had no idea that in casually handing over the books, he had dug a big hole for himself. Once they had finished most of the wedding preparations, they went to visit Fang Yan, who was still overwhelmed by the issues caused by Cultivator Biyun.

When Fang Yan saw that the two had remembered him even in the midst of planning their wedding, he was quite flattered and shared the latest updates with them.

After all this time, five of the “sacrificial offerings” chosen by Biyun Xianzi had been found.

These five young cultivators came from different sects, and their cultivation paths were completely different, with very few common points. Everyone had researched for a long time before finding a clue—these cultivators had all come into close contact with the strange array symbols from Bihai Taohua Island.

Yue Yao, as a member of Bihai Taohua Island, naturally didn’t need any explanation, that strange formation had been carved on Daoyuan Peak, so it wasn’t strange that Ming Xiao had unknowingly triggered it… The remaining three had also encountered the array symbols through various coincidences.

But… even with such a clear lead, the last unlucky cultivator who had been chosen as a sacrifice by Biyun was still nowhere to be found.

The search continued.

Fang Yan couldn’t handle all the things on his plate, so he had recruited a few strong disciples to help him with daily tasks.

This naturally included Chu Xinghui and Xie Liufeng, who had visited him before.

Fortunately, the sect leader was considerate enough to know that the two were about to get married, so he only had them help with some minor daily tasks.

One day, Chu Xinghui delivered a few items for Fang Yan and then returned to the sect.

Just as he arrived back, a voice filled with emotion called out to him: “Senior Brother!”

Chu Xinghui saw the person and pretended not to hear, turning to walk down another path.

But it was too late. Qin Suyun saw him and immediately chased after him relentlessly.

She blocked his path, looking sorrowful, and asked: “Senior Brother, I heard you’re marrying the Sword Sovereign. Is it true?”

This news had already spread through the sect. Chu Xinghui cautiously nodded: “Yes.”

Her eyes welled up with tears as she looked at him, her voice full of grievance: “Senior Brother, why didn’t you tell me?”

Chu Xinghui was utterly confused: “…Are we that close?”

They weren’t exactly close enough for him to personally deliver an invitation to Qin Suyun.

Qin Suyun, looking utterly heartbroken and disappointed, tears falling from her eyes, spoke in a deeply emotional tone: “Senior Brother, you won’t understand. You won’t know how hard I’ve tried to find out where you are, or how long I’ve had to dress up before I could meet you. Every time I speak to you, I have to choose my words carefully, hoping you’ll remember me… I’ve done so much just to express my feelings. You don’t need to know.”

Chu Xinghui felt even more confused and awkward: “All these things you’re doing… Apart from wasting my time, what positive impact does it have on me?”

And on top of that, she says he doesn’t need to know, yet still insists on telling him exactly how she’s been harassing him. Wasn’t that self-contradictory?

Qin Suyun: “…”

She couldn’t help but feel confused as well. She couldn’t cry anymore.

Right, just harassment definitely didn’t seem sincere. Maybe next time she should try sending some gifts?

But she didn’t have much money in her current position, so gifting wasn’t an option.

Qin Suyun thought for a while, jotting down the plan to improve this situation with material gifts when she could afford it. She quickly gathered her composure, accepted reality, and swiftly shifted tactics: “Senior Brother, it doesn’t matter if you marry someone else. I don’t mind at all. There are many people in this world who can like many people at once, so you definitely can too. I’ll always be here, waiting for you to change your mind.”

Chu Xinghui: “…”

He was even more baffled by her mental state now. He gently rejected her: “…I do mind.”

Compared to liking many people, he still felt that having just Xie Liufeng was enough for him.

Qin Suyun, heartbroken, couldn’t think of any more ways to continue the conversation. She covered her face and ran off crying.

Chu Xinghui stood in place, watching her retreating figure, suddenly reminded of something.

Previously, when Yue Yao went berserk on Daoyuan Peak, she had used Qin Suyun’s body.

Now that he thought about it, it was actually a rather strange thing.

Based on the observations so far, it seemed that the “sacrificial offerings” weren’t in control of their own bodies when they exhibited strange behavior.

In fact, according to Ming Xiao’s trip to the sect’s storage room, it was highly likely that it was actually Cultivator Biyun or her partner who were controlling the bodies of the sacrifices during these episodes.

So, when Yue Yao went crazy, it wasn’t clear whether it was her own will or Biyun influence.

Even if they didn’t consider all the complex details, there was one clear fact: Yue Yao’s becoming a sacrificial offering wasn’t directly linked to the formation at Daoyuan Peak. The one who had come into close contact with the formation at Daoyuan Peak was… Qin Suyun’s body.

Chu Xinghui quickly pieced these thoughts together and hurriedly caught up to Qin Suyun.

When Qin Suyun saw him approaching, she thought that he was finally coming around, and joy filled her face.

She was about to say something when Chu Xinghui, with a serious expression, knocked her out cold.

Chu Xinghui dragged the unconscious Qin Suyun in front of Fang Yan.

Fang Yan was startled when he saw the person casually tossed onto the ground.

Flipping her over to look at her face, he became even more alarmed: “Chu Xinghui, have you finally had enough and killed her?”

Though he didn’t advocate for violence, given how annoying Qin Suyun was, he thought it was quite admirable that Chu Xinghui had endured this long without doing something drastic.

Chu Xinghui: “…”

He quickly explained his suspicions to Fang Yan.

When it came to the serious matter, Fang Yan snapped back to attention, realizing that Qin Suyun was still alive.

He took out the Crimson Crane Feather and tested it beside her.

As soon as the feather brushed against her, Qin Suyun, even while unconscious, showed signs of pain. Her neck slowly revealed the mark of a sacrificial offering.

Chu Xinghui had been right… The last sacrificial offering was indeed Qin Suyun.

The soul inhabiting her body came from the Upper Realm. The anomaly was too obvious, but the group had never connected her to the offerings Cultivator Biyun had been making.

Fang Yan carefully put away the feather, his expression turning serious: “Thank you, Chu Xinghui. I’ll inform the others about this as soon as possible.”

Chu Xinghui nodded.

He waited a moment, seeing that there was nothing more for him to do, and then asked: “Where’s Xie Liufeng?”

He remembered that today Xie Liufeng had been helping Fang Yan with some sect matters.

Fang Yan: “…”

Of course, as soon as there was free time, Chu Xinghui would ask about his partner’s whereabouts.

Fang Yan couldn’t handle the level of intimacy these two showed. He pointed Chu Xinghui in the right direction: “Your master went to the city today. By the looks of it, he should be returning soon.”

Chu Xinghui thought for a moment, thanked Fang Yan, and turned to leave.

Fang Yan, while having someone handle Qin Suyun, casually asked: “Where are you going?”

Chu Xinghui replied: “I have some free time today, so I’m going to pick him up.”

Fang Yan: “…”

He should have known better than to ask that question.

These grown adults still went around picking each other up—what a waste of time.

Chu Xinghui quickly made his way to the city and smoothly met up with his soon-to-be spouse.

They talked briefly about their day, and then Chu Xinghui told Xie Liufeng about the situation with Qin Suyun.

Xie Liufeng focused on one part of the conversation: “‘People can like many people at once,’ huh?”

Chu Xinghui stared at him.

Xie Liufeng stared right back.

Chu Xinghui then said: “I only like you.”

Xie Liufeng was satisfied.

He glanced at the scenery ahead and, suddenly switching gears, casually said: “Up ahead is Wanbao Trading Company.”

Chu Xinghui, still confused, looked at him.

He thought they had already bought all the necessary things for the wedding. After all, Xie Liufeng had dragged him to check the list three times already, so he couldn’t see anything they might have missed.

Xie Liufeng held his hand, inviting him: “Since we’re here, why don’t we drop by and try on the wedding clothes?”

The people from Wanbao Trading Company had contacted him yesterday, saying the wedding outfits were ready. But they hadn’t had the time to go yesterday. Now, they just happened to be passing by and could quickly check if the clothes fit.

Chu Xinghui happily followed Xie Liufeng.

There were three sets of wedding clothes that Xie Liufeng had bought, and since all of them had already been paid for, they decided to try them on one by one.

Chu Xinghui wasn’t used to wearing such formal and elaborate outfits. As he looked down to adjust the hem of his clothes, he thought that although it was a bit troublesome, it didn’t look too bad.

He was about to ask his partner’s opinion, so he raised his gaze to look at Xie Liufeng.

Xie Liufeng was wearing the matching wedding clothes, and the two of them standing together made quite the perfect pair.

Chu Xinghui looked them both over again, the more he looked, the more he thought it suited them. His opinion of the clothes went up even more.

Xie Liufeng was gazing at Chu Xinghui without saying a word.

He seemed a little mesmerized.

Chu Xinghui, surprised by his rare silence, couldn’t help but be curious: “What are you thinking about?”

He glanced down at his own outfit again.

He did think it was rather nice.

He raised his head again, ready to ask Xie Liufeng’s opinion, having already decided that if Xie Liufeng said it didn’t look good, he would force him to change his mind.

Xie Liufeng chuckled lightly at the intense gaze Chu Xinghui was giving him and finally spoke: “I was thinking… no matter which outfit my partner wears, he looks great. I just don’t know which one to choose for the wedding tomorrow.”

Chu Xinghui looked at Xie Liufeng’s clothes and nodded in agreement.

Indeed, no matter what Xie Liufeng wore, he always looked amazing, and Chu Xinghui loved it.

Since Xie Liufeng had already paid for everything, once they got married, Chu Xinghui would be able to make him wear each one for him to enjoy.

Chu Xinghui took another moment to appreciate the man in front of him, and suddenly felt that this money wasn’t so wasteful after all.

It was at least a visual delight.

Xie Liufeng, sensing the strange look in his eyes, waved his hand in front of Chu Xinghui’s face.

Chu Xinghui snapped back to reality and thought for a moment before giving his opinion: “Let’s go with the second set.”

Xie Liufeng raised an eyebrow, clearly curious about his reasoning: “Hm?”

Chu Xinghui, ever so honest, replied: “The second set is easier to take off.”

Xie Liufeng: “…”

Finally breaking free from the daze caused by Chu Xinghui’s beauty, Xie Liufeng observed his partner for a while, a little hesitant before asking: “You’ve been… reading something recently, haven’t you?”

Chu Xinghui, a bit curious, tilted his head: “What do you mean?”

Xie Liufeng, after a long pause, asked with a serious expression: “What have you been reading these days?”

Chu Xinghui thought for a moment before answering: “Just the books we got when we were out buying stuff. You were the one who gave them to me.”

Xie Liufeng’s expression grew even more serious. Books? He had a bad feeling about this.

 

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