Four years have passed in the blink of an eye, and Gu Baizhi and Xiao Yin have also stayed in the Heavenly Sword Sect for four years.
In four years, Xiao Yin had transformed from a young girl into a graceful and mature woman, adopting the same aloof and ascetic style as Gu Baizhi. She even grew her hair long, past her waist, mimicking Gu Baizhi's. Four years had changed Xiao Yin considerably. She was now much taller than Gu Baizhi. While her stunning beauty and alluring figure were still far inferior to her master, Gu Baizhi, she had become the most beautiful woman in the Heavenly Sword Sect, second only to her master. She had become the most sought-after object of affection among the younger disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
But Xiaoyin, like her master, chose to wear a mask of aloofness, asceticism, and detachment from worldly affairs, causing her suitors to go there with great enthusiasm each time, only to return sighing and disappointed each time.
Xiao Yin is also a cultivation prodigy. In just four years, her cultivation level is almost at the peak of Foundation Establishment. In addition, with the cultivation resources invested in her by the Heavenly Sword Sect and the cultivation techniques taught to her by Gu Baizhi, Liu Yin's foundation is solid, making her one of the best among the younger generation of the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Gu Baizhi gradually adapted to this body, although she still blushed shyly every time she took a bath or looked in the mirror in the morning. But most of the time, she had adapted, and sometimes she would buy herself nice clothes and shoes, like high heels, which she had long been used to wearing. Sometimes, she felt that she was now like a woman in every way, whether it was her behavior or her current personality.
However, Gu Baizhi's cultivation level remained stuck at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm. In this world, she lacked the extraordinary comprehension to create new cultivation techniques. Moreover, she discovered that each cultivation technique she used now consumed several times more spiritual energy than before.
At first, Gu Baizhi was a little frustrated. After all, she used to be so arrogant, but now she was so dejected. As Yin'er's master, his cultivation was about to be surpassed by his own disciple.
But Gu Baizhi quickly regained her optimism.
"Forget it, Yin'er might become my support in the future. For now, I just need to lie low and wait for the system to wake up," Gu Baizhi thought to herself, trying to comfort herself.
Suddenly, a voice transmission reached her ears. It was an emergency meeting, requiring all peak elders to attend. Gu Baizhi was quite surprised, after all, she had made an agreement with the sect leader that she could only show up for important matters, which had made Gu Baizhi a well-known "homebody" in the Heavenly Sword Sect for the past four years.
The disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect had only seen Gu Baizhi once, from afar, during the ceremony for bestowing the title of Peak Master of White Lotus Peak. All the disciples of the Heavenly Sword Sect were captivated by Gu Baizhi's stunning beauty and figure.
Unfortunately, after that conference, Gu Baizhi stayed at White Lotus Peak and never came out. Moreover, her White Lotus Peak did not recruit disciples from the outside world. No one expected that that brief encounter would be the last time most people saw Gu Baizhi.
Some people would go to White Lotus Peak to enjoy the scenery, and Gu Baizhi didn't object to this. Sometimes, she would even bump into those who went to see the scenery.
Many who pursued Liu Yin even traveled alone to White Lotus Peak just to catch a glimpse of this most beautiful woman in the Nine Provinces. This troubled Gu Baizhi greatly, as she only wanted to live a quiet, peaceful life.
So Gu Baizhi proposed to the sect an area that other disciples were prohibited from entering, namely the three connected buildings and a small area around them—no disciples other than the messenger could enter.
However, other disciples can still enter most areas of White Lotus Peak. This is just a comfort zone that Gu Baizhi has created for herself.
"The past four years have been peaceful, so why have all the elders been summoned here today? What is the purpose of this sudden gathering?"
Gu Baizhi pondered this question, completely baffled.
Upon arriving at the location via telepathic communication, they found the sect leader and elders from various peaks already waiting for some time. The sect leader was somewhat embarrassed upon seeing Gu Baizhi.
"I'm sorry, Xiaozhi, there's a very important matter that requires the participation of all the elders of the Heavenly Sword Sect. I'm sorry to disturb your cultivation and healing."
The sect leader was still resentful about what happened four years ago. When he saw that Gu Baizhi's cultivation had not improved at all in the past four years, he believed that the accident back then had slowed down Gu Baizhi's cultivation pace and speed, which was why Gu Baizhi's cultivation had not improved in the past four years.
"It's alright, can you tell me what it is?"
"The monarch of the Southern Region has summoned us to the palace for an important meeting, but we have no idea what the specifics of the meeting are."
"I see... If everyone's here, let's set off now."
After saying this, the group flew towards the Southern Kingdom's royal palace. Before long, a magnificent palace appeared before them. In front of the palace were two huge stone lion statues, all of which highlighted the power of this country.
Upon landing, everyone entered the palace. The magnificent palace and luxurious interior walls astonished Gu Baizhi.
"The elders of the Heavenly Sword Sect have arrived! Please be seated, everyone. Please have tea and desserts prepared for the elders." The speaker was none other than the King of the Southern Kingdom.
Gu Baizhi didn't stand on ceremony and casually found a place to sit down. Soon, tea and desserts were placed in front of her. Her eyes immediately lit up. She had been on White Lotus Peak for four years, hadn't been to the market for four years, and hadn't eaten those desserts for four years. This made Gu Baizhi's mouth water; her eyes gleamed as she looked at the desserts.
"I have gathered you all here because there is something I need to discuss with you all: the matter of a marriage alliance between my Southern Kingdom and the Southern Barbarians."
Upon hearing this, Gu Baizhi stopped listening. She was all too familiar with this tactic; it was essentially asking us to decide which princess of the royal family would be sent for a marriage alliance.
Gu Baizhi had her reasons for thinking this way, because the three princesses of the royal family were standing next to the king of the Southern Kingdom.
"Then this matter has nothing to do with me. When choosing people, I just need to express my opinion casually. Now let me properly evaluate these desserts and delicacies." Gu Baizhi thought to herself.
Gu Baizhi gently placed a small piece of dessert into her mouth, slowly savoring it. "Delicious~" A happy smile immediately spread across her face, like a joyful kitten receiving a reward. While Gu Baizhi was wholeheartedly enjoying the food, she missed some important details.
"What?! Send Elder Gu for a political marriage? I disagree!"
Zongyi spoke with righteous indignation.
"There's nothing we can do about it. With our current strength, we simply can't compete. The cultivators you sent and the 300,000 troops I sent all perished among the Southern Barbarians. Now, the Southern Barbarian prince has personally led 800,000 barbarian troops and the demonic cultivators of the Demonic Sect to capture Zhennan Pass. The Southern Kingdom is in imminent danger. Yet they specifically request Elder Gu to go and arrange a marriage alliance. We are in a difficult position."
Meanwhile, Gu Baizhi was happily enjoying the desserts and didn't notice what they were discussing.
"May I ask who Elder Gu Baizhi is?" asked the King of the Southern Kingdom.
Because she was hiding in a corner and secretly eating, the king of the Southern Kingdom and the three princesses never noticed the legendary number one beauty in the Nine Provinces.
"That's Elder Gu."
An elder pointed out Gu Baizhi's location to the king of the Southern Kingdom.
Only then did they notice, and upon closer inspection, they were so shocked they were speechless, for they had never seen such an exceptionally beautiful woman as Gu Baizhi. They then understood why the Southern Barbarian King had insisted on sending her to marry a foreign ruler.
"Elder Gu, what are your thoughts?"
The king of the Southern Kingdom looked at Gu Baizhi and asked somewhat embarrassedly.
Gu Baizhi was immediately embarrassed, because she had no idea what the meeting was about, so she had to use a formulaic answering method to ease the embarrassment.
"Of course I'm willing, this is a matter of national importance..." Gu Baizhi made up a whole bunch of stories, but they excited the Southern King to no end.
"Very well!! Since Elder Gu Baizhi has agreed, then from this day forward, I hereby declare that Gu Baizhi will officially represent the Southern Kingdom and travel to the Southern Barbarian Kingdom to marry the Southern Barbarian prince!"
These words completely shocked Gu Baizhi, who even spat out the dessert she hadn't finished eating due to shock.
"What! Why am I being sent to a political marriage?!"