Conversation and Acquaintance

"Rejecting me so quickly? Won't you even reconsider?"

Murong Qiuhan stepped forward and naturally seated herself in the host's chair.

Her visit today was not solely because of Yang Lingrui's striking appearance.

More importantly, it was due to the exceptional talent he had displayed during his Dao comprehension.

If he had not been born into a low-level Qi Gathering clan like the Yang family, his current cultivation realm would likely be no lower than hers or He Shenglai's.

"No," He Shenglai replied with a smile. "I know Your Highness can afford any price, but Yang Lingrui's current value can no longer be measured by simple quantities."

"Oh?"

Murong Qiuhan reached out and pinched the air, and a crimson feather manifested between her fingertips.

"What if I go and ask Imperial Father?"

He Shenglai chuckled upon hearing this. "Princess, such intimidating words might work on others, but between us, they are somewhat unnecessary."

"Truly impossible?"

"Truly impossible."

Seeing He Shenglai's resolute attitude, Murong Qiuhan did not press further, though a trace of regret flashed in her eyes.

She had genuinely wanted to bring Yang Lingrui back to the imperial palace on this trip.

Whether in talent, comprehension, or appearance, he was truly outstanding.

Rather than waiting for the old relics above to bestow a marriage upon her, it was better to choose someone who pleased her eye and take him back in advance.

Unfortunately, He Shenglai also regarded Yang Lingrui as an important weight for his future development and refused to relent under any circumstances.

Given the century-long mutual reliance between the He Family and the Zhuhu, she could not truly force him to part with what he cherished.

As this conversation came to a close, another was just getting to the heart of the matter.

Yang Lingrui invited Shen Yue into his cave dwelling. After a round of probing back and forth, Shen Yue stated the true purpose of his visit.

"Fellow Daoist Lingrui, I won't beat around the bush with you. My visit today is actually to confirm one matter."

"Fellow Daoist Shen, please speak freely."

"Do you and Junior Sister Li share a past?"

Shen Yue voiced the doubt weighing on his heart, his eyes fixed on Yang Lingrui's face, hoping for a truthful response.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, you have likely misunderstood,"

Yang Lingrui shook his head and replied, "My family has old ties with the former Li family. Miss Qingwan and I have only met once before. If you speak of appreciation, that certainly exists, but to say that romantic feelings have bloomed is somewhat far-fetched."

"Then, does Fellow Daoist already have another woman in your heart?"

"I do not."

Yang Lingrui's gaze was firm as he stated, "Lingrui is single-mindedly devoted to the Dao and bears heavy responsibilities. In the past, the present, or the future, I will not harbor thoughts of romantic love."

Earlier, when he exited his enlightenment state within the Painting Grotto-Heaven, he had naturally noticed Feng Linghua, whose eyes were red from weeping, and had also felt Li Qingwan's slightly reproachful gaze.

Though he felt a tinge of apology, he would not offer any explanations.

From his standpoint and circumstances at the time, disguise and deception were merely unavoidable methods to survive and evade danger.

The disparity between the strong and the weak was as vast as heaven and earth. The Yang family could not compare to the Feng family in the slightest.

To the Feng family, the loss of four guards at the Sixth Layer of Qi Gathering within a treasure land was not a major matter.

But to the Yang family, any mishap befalling him would deal a devastating blow to the clan.

Therefore, he had to act with extreme caution, solely to secure a few more paths of self-preservation.

Hearing this answer, Shen Yue's expression froze slightly, and then he leaned forward slightly in apology. "I see. It seems I was somewhat presumptuous. I hope Fellow Daoist will not take offense."

"Fellow Daoist Shen, you overstate it."

Shen Yue could be certain that Yang Lingrui was not lying.

As the personal disciple of the Chengtian Academy Master, Shen Yue had begun cultivating a core mental method from the moment he entered the Dao-one that Yang Lingrui had never been able to access before.

Chengtian Academy currently held three great heritages of mental cultivation methods. They were possessed respectively by the Chengtian Academy Master, Mountain Master Wei Kangping, and a reclusive Confucian cultivator within the academy.

The one Shen Yue cultivated came from the Chengtian Academy Master, known as the Clear-Heart Discernment Book.

By mastering this method, one could constantly maintain an optimal state of absolute calm and focused concentration, just as Shen Yue did.

Another effect of this technique was the ability to discern the truth or falsehood of others' words.

Of course, it was only effective against those whose Divine Sense was weaker than his own.

A major reason Shen Yue had developed feelings for Li Qingwan was her authenticity.

Since they had met, Li Qingwan had never spoken a single false word to him.

Her gratitude toward him was not feigned, and her rejection of him was completely genuine.

Similarly, every word Yang Lingrui spoke today was entirely true.

Regardless of what feelings Li Qingwan might hold for him, Yang Lingrui had never harbored any romantic thoughts toward her.

Thinking of this, Shen Yue could not help but smile bitterly in his heart.

He had originally thought he would only lose to this man once in terms of appearance.

Unexpectedly, even the "single-minded devotion to the Dao" that he had always prided himself on had been surpassed by Yang Lingrui.

"Fellow Daoist Lingrui is truly a paragon of both talent and appearance. Shen has witnessed it today."

Shen Yue rose and bowed with clasped hands. "After our conversation today, shall we cease addressing each other as 'Fellow Daoist'? What do you think?"

For a top genius like Shen Yue to clearly express his desire to form a friendship, Yang Lingrui naturally welcomed it.

"That would be excellent. Brother Shen is too courteous."

With his doubts resolved and a connection forged, Shen Yue did not linger any longer and took his leave.

Before departing, he also informed Yang Lingrui that the academy would organize everyone to board a cloud boat in five days to travel to Daoyuan Mountain.

According to the rules, the Grand Competition alternated between the two sects, and this time, it was Daoyuan Mountain's turn to host.

Nothing particularly special occurred during those five days.

After leaving Yang Lingrui's cave dwelling, Shen Yue had also arranged for specific personnel to guard the area, ensuring that no one else would come to disturb him.

In the blink of an eye, the day of departure arrived. Yang Lingrui and the others gathered before the mountain gate of Chengtian Academy, preparing to board a massive academy cloud boat to travel to Daoyuan Mountain.

After stepping onto the cloud boat, Yang Lingrui looked around. Every familiar face was present, yet he could not find Li Qingwan's figure anywhere.

"Lingrui, you've arrived."

Seeing him appear, Shen Yue actively stepped forward to greet him.

"Greetings, Brother Shen."

Following their conversation in the cave dwelling, the relationship between the two had grown considerably closer.

Seeing this, Lian Xiaoman assumed a deliberately casual air and quietly sidled up to Shen Yue's side, hoping to catch Yang Lingrui's eye.

Unfortunately, Yang Lingrui did not notice her at all.

"Ahem. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Yang! I am Lian Xiaoman!"

Seeing that he ignored her, she simply took the initiative to step forward and introduce herself.

Upon hearing her, Yang Lingrui naturally did not neglect his manners and returned the greeting. "Greetings, Fellow Daoist Lian."

"I have some matters to discuss with Lingrui. The rest of you may withdraw."

"Yes, Senior Brother."

After dismissing the crowd behind him, Shen Yue brought Yang Lingrui to a quiet corner of the cloud boat.

"Were you looking for Junior Sister Li?"

"Yes. I didn't see her board the cloud boat. Is she not going to Daoyuan Mountain?" Yang Lingrui asked, somewhat puzzled.

Whether by virtue of being an academy Golden Roll disciple or as a spectating cultivator, Li Qingwan was fully qualified to observe the Two-Sect Grand Competition.

"Lingrui, you haven't been at the academy for long, so you likely don't know. Every so often, Her Highness the Western Consort dispatches people to bring Junior Sister Li into the palace to stay for a month," Shen Yue explained.

"This time, the schedule for the Two-Sect Grand Competition happened to clash with the Western Consort's summons. When weighing the two, Her Highness's command is naturally more important."

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