In but a moment, two familiar, graceful figures arrived in tandem.

Leading by half a step was a woman clad in a flowing narcissus-hued Daoist robe. Her beauty was magnificent and imposing, her high-coiled hair adorned with regal ornaments. Amidst her delicate features lay a dignified grace that demanded reverence—this was none other than Shao Xuanji, the Sect Leader of the Exquisite Sanctuary.

Following slightly behind was a female cultivator with a face like the moon and flowers, skin like ice, and bones like jade. As she walked, her long skirt fluttered and colorful ribbons danced around her, resembling a mystic maiden stepping out of a painting. This was the Exquisite Holy Maiden, Xiao Yueni.

Upon seeing Qi Yuan standing within the pavilion, both master and disciple were momentarily stunned. They quickly composed their expressions, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully.

“Disciples Shao Xuanji and Xiao Yueni pay respects to Grandmaster.”

“Rise.”

Cheng Feihuang nodded slightly, waving her hand to dispense with the formalities.

After rising, Xiao Yueni gazed dazedly at the man before her. Her expression was a complex mix of resentment and longing, appearing as if she wished to speak yet was too ashamed to open her mouth.

On the other side, Sect Leader Shao Xuanji glared coldly at the same man, her tone severe and biting.

“You little thief. Causing such a massive disaster wasn’t enough for you? You actually dared to come here and disturb Grandmaster’s cultivation?”

“This time, evidence or not, This Seat will properly discipline you on behalf of your master!”

However, considering she was in the presence of her own Grandmaster, she couldn’t simply attack him directly despite being a Sect Leader. She had to temporarily suppress the rising anger in her heart and respectfully requested:

“Grandmaster, this is all this disciple’s fault. Due to a momentary lapse in oversight, I allowed this boy to sneak in here. I beg Grandmaster to hand him over to me for disposal. afterward, I will certainly provide you with a satisfactory explanation.”

“It matters not.”

Cheng Feihuang raised a brow slightly, waving her hand with a casual air. “It was I who permitted him an audience. You say this junior caused a massive disaster… Can you elaborate on the details?”

“This…”

Hearing this, Shao Xuanji’s gaze darkened, and she felt a headache coming on.

If she were to recount the absurdity that occurred within the Illusion Realm, it would surely sully Grandmaster’s ears. How could she have the face to stand before Grandmaster afterward? Yet, refusing to speak would border on disobedience. She was truly caught between a rock and a hard place.

Seeing her hesitation, Qi Yuan knew it was his cue. Seizing the moment, he swiftly stepped forward and began to spin his tale with practiced smoothness.

“In reply to Senior, the matter is thus. This Junior has a friend named Liu…”

He swiftly recycled the tragic backstory, leading up to the climax: “…And so, when this Junior regained consciousness, I found myself near the Exquisite Ancient Tree, somehow holding the Holy Maiden’s token in my hand.”

As he spoke, he turned his gaze toward the dazed Xiao Yueni, his eyes filled with deep, affectionate longing. He boldly declared:

“Although everything stemmed from a misunderstanding, this Junior cannot use that as an excuse to be a heartless, faithless man. Therefore, this Junior summoned the courage to request an audience with Senior, to ask for your permission to marry the Holy Maiden.”

“If you agree, this Junior vows to devote himself wholeheartedly to the Holy Maiden and never let her down!”

His speech was impassioned, his tone dripping with sincerity.

Simultaneously, he subtly absolved himself of all malicious intent while confirming to Cheng Feihuang that his earlier private explanation was “true.” It was a masterstroke that killed multiple birds with one stone.

Indeed, sincerity is always the ultimate technique.

Now, he just had to wait for the Exquisite Sanctuary to firmly reject his proposal. Then, he would feign a look of utter despair—”the greatest sorrow is a dead heart”—and leave dejectedly. In reality, he would be making a clean, elegant escape, taking not a single cloud with him.

Simply perfect!

After this, these two women would likely avoid him like the plague, let alone trouble him for the Cheng Huang beast.

Qi Yuan schemed silently, the corners of his mouth twitching as he fought back a triumphant smile.

After hearing Qi Yuan finish, everyone present was thunderstruck. Even the female disciples who had escorted Shao Xuanji were dumbfounded, staring at him with peculiar expressions.

Who would have thought the Holy Scion of Supreme Mystery was such a devoted romantic seed?

What virtue and ability do we ordinary guards possess to witness such explosive gossip firsthand? This is… too blissful!

“Fellow Daoist Qi, you…”

As the subject of this confession, Xiao Yueni was flustered beyond measure. Her ears turned crimson, and her heart pounded wildly in her chest. She clearly hadn’t expected Qi Yuan to be bold enough to publicly confess to her in front of her Master and Grandmaster.

“Absurd! Utterly preposterous!”

Shao Xuanji’s face cycled between pale and flushed, finally unable to contain her rage. She scolded coldly:

“You beast! As the dignified Holy Scion of Supreme Mystery, how dare you spout such nonsense and act so wildly before Grandmaster? This is utterly unreasonable!”

“I tell you now, the matter of marrying Yueni is absolutely impossi—”

Before she could finish, Cheng Feihuang, who had been sitting silently, suddenly stood up. She moved with graceful steps to stand before Qi Yuan and spoke in a soft, gentle voice:

“Qi Yuan, since you wish to marry the Holy Maiden, then I shall help you fulfill your wish.”

She then turned her gaze to the bewildered Xiao Yueni and calmly commanded:

“Holy Maiden of Exquisite Sanctuary, from this moment on, you are Qi Yuan’s woman. In the future, you must serve him diligently and attentively. Do not neglect him. Otherwise, I will not forgive you!”

What?!

As soon as these words fell, everyone froze. Their brains short-circuited, unable to process the situation. The atmosphere became eerily bizarre.

Qi Yuan himself was dumbfounded. He never expected his carefully laid plan to undergo such a dramatic, theatrical reversal.

Did Cheng Feihuang get water in her brain?

Wait!

Qi Yuan’s eyelids twitched. He instinctively looked closer at Cheng Feihuang and noticed that the golden haze in her eyes had mostly faded, replaced by a faint, misty azure hue.

The Command Mantra worked!

Although for some reason the effect had been severely delayed, it had finally succeeded. A surge of excitement instantly welled up in Qi Yuan’s heart.

I knew it!

No child cries forever, and no gambler loses every hand. A delayed effect is still an effect!

“Grandmaster… what… what do you mean by this?”

Shao Xuanji was the first to snap out of the shock. Her eyes wide, she asked in disbelief, “You… you aren’t so angered by this boy that you’re speaking in reverse, are you?”

“Hmph!”

Cheng Feihuang’s pretty face turned frosty, her tone dropping to absolute zero. “Sect Master Shao, are you questioning my words?”

Boom!

A terrifying Pressure erupted from her small frame, instantly crashing down onto Shao Xuanji. The Sect Leader’s breath hitched, and she was forced to her knees under the sheer weight of the aura.

Shao Xuanji’s heart trembled, and she cried out in fear, “This disciple dares not!”

Xiao Yueni also hurriedly knelt, bowing her head low. “Master definitely did not mean to offend. Please, Grandmaster, calm your anger!”

Cheng Feihuang swept a cold glance over them. “Considering this is your first offense, I will let it pass. If there is a next time… I will show no mercy!”

Then, she turned back to Qi Yuan, her expression instantly melting into gentleness.

“Qi Yuan, whatever else you wish to do, just give the order. I will assist you in achieving your desires.”

After a moment of contemplation, Qi Yuan exhaled a long breath and spoke solemnly.

“Have them all leave. I have matters I wish to discuss with you alone.”

“Mn.”

Cheng Feihuang nodded without hesitation. She glanced at the others in the room and commanded:

“All of you, withdraw.”

“Disciples respectfully obey.”

Though Shao Xuanji was filled with countless doubts, she dared not disobey. She bowed respectfully and dragged the chaotic, mind-blown Xiao Yueni out of the pavilion.

Only after everyone had left did Qi Yuan finally collapse onto the meditation cushion that originally belonged to the First Grandmaster of the Exquisite Sanctuary, feeling as if a mountain had been lifted from his shoulders.

Today was way too stimulating. I need a moment to calm down…