Chapter 85

"It seems that the head of the Bai family is certain that I won't break ties with the Bai family over such a trivial matter. However, it's not a big deal to just set a marriage agreement. I am already in the late stage of the Spirit Disciple, and as long as I can enter the core disciples, even if the Bai family exposes my identity, the sect will not impose severe punishment. If I can become a Spirit Master, I believe the Savage Ghost Sect will turn a blind eye to this matter." Liu Ming muttered to himself, and a plan formed in his mind.

In the remaining month, just as Liu Ming had almost consolidated his magical power, the bell for the small competition rang again on Jiuying Mountain.

Upon hearing it, Liu Ming immediately rushed to the square at the top of the mountain without delay.

This time, apart from Guiruquan, both Zhuchi and Zhong Shigu were absent from the small competition.

Moreover, the entire process of the small competition was much more rushed compared to before, and even the person in charge, Zhuchi and Guiruquan, seemed distracted.

In this competition, not many of the senior disciples showed significant improvement in their cultivation. Instead, among the new disciples, Wan Xiaoqian had advanced to the middle stage of the Spirit Disciple, while Xue Shan was still stuck at the early stage of the Spirit Disciple, showing no signs of improvement, which left him looking dejected.

As for Xiao Feng, the nine-meridian disciple, although he was still clearly at the middle stage of the Spirit Disciple when casting spells, his aura was much stronger than before, and it seemed he was not far from breaking through to the late stage of the Spirit Disciple.

As for Liu Ming himself, he forcibly suppressed his aura to the middle stage of the Spirit Disciple and only hurriedly passed the three tests, performing only slightly better than last time.

The rewards from the small competition were no longer a big deal to him, so he naturally didn't want to draw too much attention.

Otherwise, a three-meridian disciple surpassing a nine-meridian disciple in cultivation speed would surely cause a lot of trouble.

Fortunately, Guiruquan did not pay as much attention to the new disciples' performance this time as he did last time, otherwise, even if Liu Ming suppressed his aura, he couldn't be sure he could hide it.

In the end, he only received a bottle of spirit pills to restore his magical power and then went down the mountain with the others.

However, as soon as he returned to his residence, an unexpected visitor was already waiting there.

"Senior Sister Mu!" Liu Ming called out the name of the woman in front of him, somewhat surprised.

"Is Junior Brother Bai not going to invite me in for a seat?" the woman smiled.

"It's my fault, Senior Sister, please come in!" Liu Ming quickly regained his composure and invited the woman into the courtyard, leading her directly to the hall.

"Junior Brother's place is quite simple!" Mu Xianyun glanced around and a look of surprise appeared on her face.

The hall, used specifically for receiving guests, had only a wooden table and a few chairs, with no other furnishings.

"I focus solely on cultivation and don't pay much attention to these external things. I apologize for the simplicity. By the way, Senior Sister Mu, is there something important you need to discuss with me?" Liu Ming gestured for the woman to sit down and asked with a smile.

"Junior Brother Bai, did Mingzhu come to see you a few days ago?" Mu Xianyun didn't mince words and asked directly.

"Mingzhu did indeed come to see me once." Liu Ming didn't find it strange and answered frankly.

"It seems Junior Brother already knows about my brother's plan to marry Mingzhu to you." Mu Xianyun's expression softened upon hearing this.

"I didn't know before, but now that Mingzhu has come to see me, I know. Who proposed this marriage? If no one had initiated it, I wouldn't believe the two families would have paired us together." Liu Ming smiled bitterly.

"Are you thinking of finding this matchmaker to thank them properly?" Mu Xianyun laughed lightly.

"Could this matchmaker be you, Senior Sister?" Liu Ming, seeing the hint of mischief in the woman's smile, suddenly realized.

"Junior Brother is indeed very clever. Yes, it was I who suggested to my brother that Mingzhu should marry you. However, once our Mu family proposed it, the Bai family immediately agreed and quickly exchanged the betrothal gifts, formalizing the engagement. They agreed that you two would marry in three years. I hope you will be able to take my niece as your wife, and I wonder how you plan to thank me, the matchmaker." Mu Xianyun first looked surprised, then laughed lightly.

"Thank you? Is it because you think I don't have many troubles that you deliberately want to give me a headache? Besides, do you really think Mingzhu and I are a good match? I've only met your niece twice, and now you're forcing us together. I feel awkward, and I'm sure your niece wishes I would die right now." Liu Ming stroked his chin and shook his head.

"I have always admired Junior Brother Bai's maturity, so I didn't expect you to say such naive things. Although the Mu family cannot compare to the Lei family, we are still a well-known cultivation family in Daxuan. How can the marriage of our children be decided by individuals? As for Mingzhu, although she currently hates you, she will naturally come around once she marries you. I can guarantee that. Moreover, this marriage is very important for both the Bai and Mu families. Even if you are already a Spirit Disciple, you probably can't refuse the marriage your father has arranged. Besides, apart from not being a Spirit Disciple, Mingzhu is an outstanding talent in every other aspect, and she is a good match for you." Mu Xianyun said calmly.

"Since you've said all the good things, why are you here now?" Liu Ming felt even more depressed and rolled his eyes.

"I came to explain the engagement to you to avoid any misunderstandings, and to warn you to be cautious of someone." Mu Xianyun's smile faded.

"Be cautious of someone! Who?" Liu Ming asked.

"Of course, Gao Chong."

"Gao Chong, the earth-meridian disciple taken in by Senior Uncle Sect Master!" Even though Liu Ming was usually calm, his heart skipped a beat upon hearing this.

"Yes. This young man has been very close to Mingzhu over the past two years. If he finds out about the engagement, he won't let it go easily." Mu Xianyun said frankly.

"Very close, what does that mean?" Liu Ming stared at the woman, his gaze turning cold.

"Let me put it this way: Mingzhu is now completely focused on this young man, and Gao Chong is also very concerned about my niece. That's why I'm warning you to be careful. However, you can rest assured; I can guarantee that Mingzhu and Gao Chong have not done anything improper." Mu Xianyun quickly replied.

"Are you joking, Senior Sister Mu? If your niece already has someone she likes, and he is a promising earth-meridian disciple, why would the Mu family still want to marry her to me?" Liu Ming's eyes twitched, and his face was expressionless.

"I will not let Mingzhu and Gao Chong be together. As for the reasons, I can't say too much. But you should know that my brother and the entire Mu family share this intention. If Mingzhu really follows Gao Chong, she will not only fail to become his dual-cultivation partner but will also face a miserable fate." Mu Xianyun's expression turned serious.

"So, the Mu family has chosen me to be the scapegoat. He is an earth-meridian disciple; do you think I can provoke him?" Liu Ming was unmoved by her words and said with a dark expression.

"This is indeed a difficult situation for Junior Brother Bai. However, your father has already agreed to the marriage and the betrothal gifts have been exchanged. It's too late to back out now. You don't need to worry too much about Gao Chong. He is strictly controlled by the Sect Master and rarely comes to see you personally. However, some senior disciples who are close to him might cause you trouble once they find out. So, if possible, try not to leave the sect in the future. Once you survive the life-and-death trial, everything will be fine." Mu Xianyun said apologetically.

"Survive the life-and-death trial and everything will be fine, what does that mean?" Liu Ming's heart stirred upon hearing this.

"According to what I know, Gao Chong recently advanced to the late stage of the Spirit Disciple. With his earth-meridian strength, he should have no problem becoming one of the top ten core disciples. If he survives the life-and-death trial, the benefits and resources he will receive will be enough to bring him to the peak of the late stage. At that point, he will start preparing to advance to the Spirit Master stage, and he won't care about such trivial matters as romantic relationships. Even if he wants to, the Sect Master will never allow it. Advancing to the Spirit Master stage is an extremely difficult task, and it may take years to achieve. By then, you will already be married to Mingzhu, and he won't be able to do anything to you." Mu Xianyun said with a smile.

"What if he becomes a Spirit Master in the future?" Liu Ming glared at the woman and asked.

"Junior Brother may not know, but the cultivation method of the Sect Master's lineage is very special. Once someone becomes a Spirit Master, they will no longer easily fall in love. Moreover, once the Sect Master no longer obstructs, many female cultivators will throw themselves at him. He won't think of Mingzhu anymore. If you are really worried, you can apply to be transferred to a position elsewhere after marrying Mingzhu. Over time, everything will naturally fall into place." Mu Xianyun seemed to have thought this through and explained in detail.

Liu Ming was speechless for a moment. After a while, he suddenly said something that made Mu Xianyun pause.

"Senior Sister Mu, I don't want to discuss my marriage to Mingzhu any further. I would like to ask about the large competition and the life-and-death trial. You have been in the sect for a long time; you must know about these matters."

...

After a meal's time, the woman left with a smile, and Liu Ming was left alone in the room, deep in thought.

He wasn't really worried about Gao Chong and Mu Mingzhu; he was pondering the large competition and the life-and-death trial.

...

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