Volume 3, Chapter 147 – Rewarding Me Again?

“Wha—what?”

Even Cheng Hongling, who had experienced countless major events, couldn’t help but shudder at these words.

“Pfft—!”

Qi Huang in the Sea of Consciousness nearly spat out imaginary tea. What an absurd—no, what a wonderful request! Only Valley Master Wen could come up with something like this.

“Aunt Wen, if I heard correctly, you just said you want me to marry Ruoyi-jie, right?”

Cheng Hongling took a deep breath to steady herself before cautiously confirming.

“Marry. I heard it loud and clear.”

Qi Huang transmitted her thoughts, unable to suppress her excitement. Her relationship with Cheng Hongling was complicated—they seemed like one person yet two, two yet one. If they could get involved with such a beauty, it would be an incredible stroke of luck.

“Shut up!”

Cheng Hongling snapped back irritably. Unlike her doppelgänger, beauty held no value for her as a woman.

“Yes, you heard right. That’s exactly what I said.”

Valley Master Wen smiled ambiguously.

“Do you realize I’m a girl?”

“Obviously.”

“And do you realize Ruoyi-jie is also a girl?”

“Crystal clear.”

“…Then what do you mean by asking me to marry her?”

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Cheng Hongling took another deep breath, her voice tinged with disbelief.

“Exactly what the words mean. Who said girls can’t marry girls? Does the Western Radiance Dynasty’s law forbid it?”

Valley Master Wen countered confidently.

“No.”

Cheng Hongling thought for a moment and shook her head.

“Does the Immortal Alliance prohibit it?”

Valley Master Wen pressed.

“Also no.”

Cheng Hongling shook her head again.

“Then what’s the problem?”

Valley Master Wen beamed.

“What do you mean, ‘what’s the problem’? Just because the law doesn’t forbid something doesn’t make it right! Since ancient times, marriage has been between men and women, aligning with the Heavenly Dao’s balance of yin and yang. As a cultivator, Aunt Wen should understand this better than anyone. Ruoyi-jie and I are both women—how could we possibly be happy together? Have you even asked your daughter’s opinion?”

Cheng Hongling could no longer stay calm. Her worldview had been thoroughly shaken.

“Me? I have no objections. I think it’s a great idea.”

Mu Ruoyi, standing to the side, betrayed no hesitation. Her beautiful eyes scanned Cheng Hongling with scorching intensity.

A flicker of fear crossed Cheng Hongling’s face as she took a few steps back, her jade-like hand resting on the hilt of her sword.

“Stay away from me!”

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“Niece Hongling, this is your last chance. The choice is yours.”

Valley Master Wen’s expression cooled instantly.

Cheng Hongling bit her lip, her normally unshakable composure wavering. This was simply too much for her to process.

Meanwhile, Qi Huang was practically vibrating with excitement, terrified her main body might refuse.

“Why must it be me? Can’t you find Ruoyi-jie a proper husband? She’s the most beautiful woman in the Western Radiance Dynasty’s cultivation world—isn’t this a waste?”

Cheng Hongling struggled to find a way out.

“Fine, I’ll be frank with you.”

Valley Master Wen’s expression turned serious.

“Shuiyu Valley has two supreme legacies. The first is the ‘Wooden Exquisite Art’, which you already know. It allows the cultivator to temporarily awaken sentience in plants and establish a mental connection. At higher levels, one can control flora across the world.”

She paused before adding, “However, using this technique has severe side effects—it damages divine sense.”

“…”

Cheng Hongling didn’t know whether to believe this but chose not to comment.

“The second is the ‘Water Exquisite Art’. This technique alters both the cultivator’s qi and physique. First, the qi—upon reaching the Unity Realm, your ‘Qi Core’ transforms into an ‘Profound Ice Core.’ From then on, any ice-based spells you cast cannot be easily melted by ordinary flame-qi. As for the physique, once cultivated, your blood becomes the finest fertilizer for plants. It accelerates growth to cheating levels—what normally takes a year to mature might only need a day in your hands.”

“What? A Profound Ice Core?”

Cheng Hongling’s eyes lit up. This technique seemed tailor-made for her. With a Profound Ice Core, her Dancing Butterfly Movement Technique would become nearly unbreakable.

‘Fertilizer?!’

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Qi Huang in the Sea of Consciousness was so excited she forgot to breathe. This skill was a godsend for her! She’d been worrying about her ghost tomatoes growing too slowly—how could she call herself a proper “village girl” if she couldn’t tend to her vegetables?

“Though these techniques are profound, their requirements are stringent. First, the cultivator must reach the Unity Realm before sixteen. Second, since they align with water and wood attributes, they’re inherently suited only for women. Third, exceptional comprehension is needed. Thus, despite Shuiyu Valley nurturing generations of female disciples, fewer than ten have ever mastered them. My daughter is one. If you could master the Water Exquisite Art, Shuiyu Valley would reclaim its former glory.”

Valley Master Wen’s eyes burned with fervor before dimming slightly.

“Unfortunately, ancestral rules dictate these arts can only be taught to valley disciples. Since you refuse to join us, marriage to Ruoyi is your only path. I would then gift you the cultivation method as a betrothal present.”

“What now? How can we refuse? They’re offering a beautiful ‘husband’ and a generous dowry!”

Qi Huang was already tempted, and Valley Master Wen’s offer only stoked her excitement. She nearly jumped out of the Sea of Consciousness to accept on Cheng Hongling’s behalf.

Cheng Hongling was visibly moved but still hesitated.

Noticing this, the perceptive Mu Ruoyi coaxed gently, “Hongling-mei, don’t worry. They say women understand women best. As your ‘husband’, I’d treat you far better than any careless man ever could.”

“Why not agree for now? We can always find a way out later after getting what we need.”

Qi Huang couldn’t hold back anymore, though she was clearly talking nonsense.

“Agree to what? Once I agree, the relationship is set. Until we find a way out, I’d have to play the obedient little wife. The thought of being lovey-dovey with that… busty woman makes me sick. Doesn’t it bother you?”

Cheng Hongling shot back.

“Not at all!”

Qi Huang blurted out.

“It doesn’t? Do you like women?”

Cheng Hongling was startled before realization dawned. “Oh right, I forgot—you do have a thing for women!”

“N-no! I-I’m just interested in the technique! Not women!”

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Qi Huang stammered, scrambling to explain.

“Then why are you stuttering? Guilty conscience?”

Cheng Hongling pressed mercilessly.

“I’m excited, not guilty!”

Qi Huang doubled down. To maintain her disguise, she couldn’t admit her preferences so easily.

“Hah! As if I’d believe that.”

Cheng Hongling scoffed.

“Niece Hongling, have you decided? Accepting this means not only finding your father but gaining a beautiful daughter-in-law and a lavish dowry. Isn’t that tempting? Opportunities like this don’t come twice.”

Valley Master Wen continued her persuasion.

“Let’s agree. For Father’s sake, this small sacrifice is worth it.”

Qi Huang joined the chorus.

“You’d love that, wouldn’t you?”

Cheng Hongling rolled her eyes before suddenly having an idea.

“ Fine. I’ll agree—but if she tries anything intimate, you’re the one dealing with it.”

‘Huh? Rewarding me again?!’

Qi Huang nearly fainted from the sudden surge of happiness.