At this moment, Gu Baizhi instantly froze. Jiang Dianrou, the Peak Master of Flame Phoenix Peak, gently poked her arm.
"Xiao Zhi, were you distracted just now?"
Jiang Dianrou looked at Gu Baizhi's teary eyes and knew the answer.
Gu Baizhi and Jiang Dianrou were old acquaintances. She was considered one of the top three beauties in the Heavenly Sword Sect, excluding Gu Baizhi. She often came to White Lotus Peak to enjoy the scenery and, incidentally, admire Gu Baizhi's exceptional beauty. Jiang Dianrou was someone who loved beauty and even more loved to see beauty. The beauty here included the beauty of the scenery and the beauty of people.
This was also why she liked going to White Lotus Peak so much, because both the people and the scenery there were beautiful.
As for how Jiang Dianrou and Gu Baizhi met? Because Jiang Dianrou visited many times, they met more often.
Later, she learned that Gu Baizhi liked sweets, so she took spiritual fruits from her own peak, made them into preserved fruit, and brought them to her. This is how Gu Baizhi and Jiang Dianrou gradually became familiar with each other.
"Sister Dianrou, what should I do?"
Gu Baizhi looked at her, almost on the verge of tears. In her eyes, Jiang Dianrou was more like a wise older sister.
"I don't think the Sect Master will really hand you over to the King of Nanman. He will definitely find a way, but this matter is not to blame on others. If you have to blame someone, blame Xiao Zhi for being too greedy."
"Mm..."
These words made Gu Baizhi feel embarrassed.
The banquet ended quickly. The Sect Master and Jiang Dianrou came to Gu Baizhi's side. The Sect Master also looked helpless when he saw her.
"Fellow Daoist Gu, how could you... sigh, forget it."
"Since Xiao Zhi is unwilling, let's negotiate with the Monarch and not let Xiao Zhi go," Jiang Dianrou suggested.
"It's easy to say. You also know that the Monarch of the Southern Kingdom is not a good person. He won't listen to our explanations no matter what. He won't let go of such an easily gained advantage. Even if we refuse, the Monarch of the Southern Kingdom might unite with the Demonic Sect and the Nanman Kingdom to forcibly take you for a marriage alliance. So, in the end, Fellow Daoist Gu still has to be sent for a marriage alliance."
"Then is there no other way?"
"There is a way, but Fellow Daoist Gu has to personally enter the fray."
"Personally enter the fray?"
"That's right. Logically speaking, the Demonic Cultivators of Nanman should be much weaker than the Cultivators of the Southern Kingdom. But according to intelligence, they have a Demonic Technique that can command demonic beasts. We need to find a way to counter this Demonic Technique. If successful, the Demonic Cult of Nanman will pose no threat to us. Then Fellow Daoist Gu won't need to go for a marriage alliance."
"Xiao Zhi, what do you think?"
"Hmm..., it seems there's no better way. But my current strength is far inferior to when I first joined the Sect. What if I'm discovered then?"
Her words were not false. Due to the Heavenly Dao's suppression of Gu Baizhi, not only had Gu Baizhi's cultivation stagnated, but all the Cultivation Techniques she could use before had been abandoned by Gu Baizhi due to excessive consumption of spiritual power. Gu Baizhi's current strength might only be at the Early Stage of Golden Core.
"Fellow Daoist Gu, you don't have to worry about this. We will prepare a series of protective Magical Artifacts and offensive Magic Treasures for you, so you don't need to worry," the Sect Master reassured her.
"Alas... then that's the only way."
Gu Baizhi shook her head helplessly.
...
The speed of news spreading was far faster than their return.
At this moment, Liu Yin was preparing the list of Disciples for the Sect competition, but suddenly heard something that almost made her collapse.
"Have you heard? The King of the Southern Kingdom wants to send the legendary top beauty, Gu Baizhi, the Peak Master of White Lotus Peak, for a marriage alliance, and Elder Gu has even agreed."
"Yes, yes, our Elder also mentioned this. Elder Gu is really going for a marriage alliance. I heard that the Nanman Kingdom's strength is too great, so Elder Gu was forced to go for the marriage alliance. How dare their small Nanman Kingdom make an Elder of the Heavenly Sword Sect go for a marriage alliance?"
"You wouldn't know this, but last time, the Cultivators sent by our Heavenly Sword Sect to assist in battle were all said to have perished in the land of Nanman. That's why the Southern Kingdom was forced to consider a marriage alliance."
"Is that true? Then Elder Gu is truly righteous, sacrificing herself to protect the safety of the Southern Kingdom and the Sect."
"Exactly!"
Liu Yin stood stunned after hearing this, and the materials she was preparing inadvertently scattered to the ground.
I hid Master Sister so well, yet I'm still going to lose her. Master Sister can only be mine; no one can take her away!
"Senior Sister, what's wrong?"
Seeing Liu Yin looking a bit off, the Junior Sister next to her looked at her with concern.
"Xiao Xue, I'll leave the rest to you. I need to go back to my peak to check on something."
"Senior Sister, is there something urgent?"
"To discipline that disobedient Master."
Xiao Xue didn't hear clearly but didn't ask further. She just assumed Liu Yin really had something urgent.
...
Gu Baizhi didn't know that Xiao Yin had been hiding her affection for her all these years. Ever since Gu Baizhi took her as a Disciple and became her Master, she became even stricter with her. Although she was still as amiable as ever, for Xiao Yin, it was far from enough. She was not satisfied with Gu Baizhi's care for her.
Her personality also changed, from her original weakness to her current assertiveness. And because of Gu Baizhi's Innate Charming Bone/Constitution, she endured the daily pain of wanting to possess Gu Baizhi but not daring to show it. She missed the time when they first met, when she could playfully tease her sister as she pleased. But ever since Gu Baizhi became her Master, she hadn't been able to tease Gu Baizhi for almost four years.
The years of accumulated suppression erupted today.
"Master, I won't let you go. You can only be mine!"
Liu Yin waited for a long time on the path Gu Baizhi had to take to return. Suddenly, Liu Yin heard Gu Baizhi's voice. She looked towards the source of the sound, clenching her fists tightly.
She saw her Master and the Peak Master of Flame Phoenix Peak walking together. Immediately, she was furious. This was not the first time she had seen her Master and Jiang Dianrou walking together.
"Sister Dianrou, this is as far as you need to come."
"Alright. These next few days, you must make ample preparations. If there's anything I can help with, just tell me. I'll do my best to assist you."
With that, Gu Baizhi and Jiang Dianrou parted ways.
Gu Baizhi pushed open the door, and the room was pitch black. She entered the bedroom, and there was no one inside either.
"Hmm? Where's Xiao Yin? She should be back by now."
Suddenly, a pair of hands embraced Gu Baizhi from behind.
Gu Baizhi guessed it was Xiao Yin right away.
"My Disciple, quickly let go of your Master. Your Master has some things to attend to right now."
Gu Baizhi indeed had many things to do. The subsequent arrangements, as well as various Talismanic Incantations and Magical Artifacts needed, would take up a lot of her time.
"What is it, Master? Could it be about the marriage alliance?" Liu Yin said, drawing out her words.
Gu Baizhi was speechless for a moment, because she didn't know that gossip spread so quickly in the Cultivation world. Xiao Yin actually knew about the afternoon's events by evening.
"Master, I won't let you go for the marriage alliance."
"Xiao Yin, actually..."
Before she could finish her sentence, Xiao Yin pounced on her, pushing her onto the bed. Her hands were also tightly bound to the headboard by Liu Yin, leaving her unable to move.
"Master, from now on, you have to listen to me, okay?"
"Xiao Yin, let go of me!"
Gu Baizhi tried to struggle but found that she couldn't even use a speck of spiritual power.
Liu Yin also noticed her Master's intention to break free.
"Master, it's useless. I've placed a Parent-Child Seal on you. Without my permission, you are just an ordinary person right now."
"You placed a Parent-Child Seal on me?"
Liu Yin used one hand to control Gu Baizhi's hands, and with the other, she gently lifted her chin.
"Yes, Master."
"Xiao Yin, I am your Master! Don't—don't—mmph..."
Xiao Yin unceremoniously kissed Gu Baizhi's lips.