“I know.” Yun Qingxue forced a smile. “I used to think Feng Zihuang was unpredictable and wanted to stay away from him. But, senior brother, the one thing in this world that can never be controlled is emotions! I know you all mean well for me…
But being caught in the middle like this makes things very difficult for me.”
“Qingxue…” Mo Changxing’s hand twitched beneath his sleeve. He saw the slight frown on Yun Qingxue’s brow, sensing her distress and unhappiness.
He wanted to reach out and smooth away the worry between her brows, but at the last moment, he restrained the impulse.
“Qingxue, do you really like Feng Zihuang that much?” he asked softly.
“Yes,” Yun Qingxue nodded earnestly. “Love comes without warning—I don’t even know when I started liking him…
But I do know that right now, the one I want to spend my life with is Zihuang!”
Mo Changxing studied her intently before finally saying, “Alright.”
“Hmm?” Yun Qingxue tilted her head to look at him.
Mo Changxing smiled faintly. “If that’s what you want, as your senior brother, I respect your choice. I believe Master and the others will respect it too.
You don’t have to feel torn. If the Phoenix King wants to be with you, he should prove his sincerity.
All of this is just a test for him.”
“Senior brother, thank you…” Yun Qingxue smiled, her mood lifting noticeably.
Above them, Feng Zihuang and Yun Ye were locked in a fierce battle. As time passed, Feng Zihuang gradually began to lose ground. With a final strike from Yun Ye, Feng Zihuang was sent tumbling from the sky.
“Zihuang!” Yun Qingxue immediately flew over to catch him, her face filled with concern. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.” Feng Zihuang gave her a gentle smile before turning to Yun Ye. “The Demon King’s power is formidable. I am impressed.”
“Hmph! The Phoenix King is too modest. I barely warmed up, and you’re already admitting defeat?” Yun Ye glared coldly at Feng Zihuang, now supported by Yun Qingxue, his displeasure growing.
“Senior Yun! Although Zihuang undergoes rebirth every five hundred years, it is still a rebirth!
After rebirth, while he inherits the memories and cultivation from his past life, it takes at least a hundred years for him to fully integrate them.
If I recall correctly, Zihuang’s last rebirth was only about twenty years ago. His past powers haven’t yet merged with his current ones, so it’s understandable that he’s no match for you!” Yun Qingxue met Yun Ye’s gaze steadily.
Yun Ye’s heart clenched…
Daughter! My own flesh and blood! How could you side with an outsider against your own father?!
Ah, forget it! You don’t know I’m your father. I don’t blame you—I blame Feng Zihuang, that old fox pretending to be young, and worse, trying to win your heart!
“Fine! Qingxue makes a fair point. Hearing it put that way, I do feel like I took advantage of the situation.
Very well. For beings like us, a hundred years is but a fleeting moment.
I’ll wait a hundred years—until the Phoenix King’s powers fully merge with his past life’s—and then we’ll have a rematch. How does that sound?” Yun Ye shot Feng Zihuang a challenging look.
Just you wait. In a hundred years, I’ll find a secluded spot to beat you senseless!
“If the Demon King is so inclined, I’ll gladly oblige,” Feng Zihuang replied with a proud smirk.
“Good, it’s settled! However… I have one condition,” Yun Ye said coolly.
“Name it,” Feng Zihuang responded.
“Since we’ve agreed to a duel in a hundred years, until then, you cannot marry Qingxue!” Yun Ye declared firmly.
“That’s rather unreasonable, don’t you think? Qingxue and I are deeply in love—” Feng Zihuang narrowed his eyes, his smile turning sly.
“Phoenix King, are you implying that this master of hers is dead?”
At that moment, Purple Song Sage interjected irritably, “Marriage is a matter of parental approval and matchmaking.
While the various races of the Mystic Spirit Continent—aside from humans—enjoy freedom in love and rarely arrange marriages, there are still traditions to uphold.
Marriage is a matter for elders to decide! Qingxue has been under my care at Luoyun Mountain, and I’ve grown quite fond of her.
I’m not ready to part with my disciple yet, and you’re already thinking of taking her away?
Besides, you’ve agreed to a duel with the Demon King in a hundred years. What if, even after merging your past powers, you’re still no match for him? If you end up dead or crippled, wouldn’t my disciple suffer for marrying you too soon?”
Yun Qingxue felt a headache coming on. Though she and Feng Zihuang had confirmed their relationship, they were still in the early stages…
Why were they already jumping into discussions about marriage timing?
“Master makes an excellent point!” Jin Lin chimed in immediately.
“Phoenix King, if you truly care for my junior sister, you wouldn’t want to see her torn, would you? A mere hundred years—can’t you wait?” Mo Changxing’s dark eyes met Feng Zihuang’s mesmerizing phoenix gaze, an invisible tension thickening the air.
“Of course my feelings for Qingxue are genuine. A hundred years is nothing—I’d wait a thousand if I had to!”
Feng Zihuang smiled confidently before turning to Purple Song Sage. “But if, after a hundred years, I defeat the Demon King in our duel, will you permit me to marry Qingxue?”
“Naturally!” Purple Song Sage knew better than to push too hard, lest Yun Qingxue rebel and elope with Feng Zihuang. If that happened, he, Yun Ye, Mo Changxing, and Jin Lin would all be left weeping in despair.
“Phoenix King, don’t mistake this as me being heartless or trying to keep lovers apart.
This hundred-year agreement is simply to ensure my disciple’s happiness.
Consider it a test of your devotion.”
“If it’s a test, then I accept,” Feng Zihuang replied with a smile, turning to gaze tenderly at Yun Qingxue. “I’m willing to spend these hundred years proving my unwavering love for you…
Qingxue, what about you? Will you wait a hundred years to become my bride?”
“Yes.” Yun Qingxue lowered her head slightly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks, making her even more radiant than a flower.
Nearby, Jin Lin clenched his fists tightly.
A hundred years! He would use this time to make sure Qingxue saw Feng Zihuang’s true nature!
Even if she never loved him, he couldn’t bear to see her marry Feng Zihuang.
Why did he despise Feng Zihuang so much? It was instinct—a man’s intuition about his own kind.
If Qingxue was destined to love someone else, he’d rather it be Mo Changxing. At least Mo Changxing seemed far more reliable!
But…
Jin Lin’s clear eyes narrowed slightly as he studied Mo Changxing thoughtfully.
In the short time since the duel between the Demon King and Feng Zihuang, Mo Changxing’s stance on the matter seemed to have shifted.
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