Bai Yu led the two into the wine cellar.
The wine cellar on the first basement level was neither large nor small, housing all sorts of wines. The cabinets and shelves were neatly labeled with characters that were casual yet strong, all penned by the same hand.
Ye Ziling surveyed the cellar and her gaze landed on the peach blossom wine. She reached for a jar, sniffing the rich aroma, "The peach blossom wine is good."
Sensing that the two behind her were being overly well-behaved, she turned to look. The two quickly moved apart. Sparks that had not yet dissipated flickered for a moment, and a recently burned talisman lay on the ground.
Ling Xi and Bai Yu remained composed, seemingly absorbed in selecting wine as if nothing had happened.
Ye Ziling knew without guessing that the two had exchanged blows while she was choosing wine. Their movements were small but swift and precise. What impressed her was that they hadn't made a sound.
[System: Lord Ling, testing a couple of moves is enough, you don't have to… go all out.]
[Ling Xi: Shut up.]
[System: I won't! You are not allowed to bully him!]
[Ling Xi: You damned beast, who are you helping?]
[System: I was helping you before, but you've really gone too far these past couple of days. Anyway, you're not allowed to bully my male god!]
Ling Xi sneered. He didn't know who had struck first. He couldn't be bothered to listen to the beast anymore and, without another word, forcefully shut it down. While Ye Ziling wasn't paying attention, he swung a palm towards Bai Yu.
Seeing the palm strike coming, Bai Yu leaned back, evading it, but the force of the wind still brushed his cheek.
The wind was strong, rustling the hair on his forehead. A cold sneer appeared on his clear, handsome face.
Bai Yu leaned closer to Ling Xi, his gaze fixed on him, his tone indifferent, "Scholar Ling, I'm becoming increasingly curious about the magical power on Miss Ziling."
"So, you're finally showing your true colors?" Ling Xi's gaze deepened slightly, his smile not reaching his eyes. He let out a soft scoff, "I, on the other hand, am becoming increasingly curious about Immortal Lord Bai Yu."
Seeing the cold glint and disdain in Ling Xi's eyes, Bai Yu knew he had indeed angered her. He couldn't help but smile, pushing his luck further, "The way you look so flustered, Scholar, truly appeals to me."
Ling Xi's eyes sharpened. He shifted his body slightly, grabbed Bai Yu by the neck, and pinned him against the wall. He chuckled, "Immortal Lord Bai Yu, your beast-taming skills are average, and it seems your cultivation is also average. Instead of wasting time on your words, you should focus on improving your strength. Otherwise, what you might lose will be more than just the title of Beast-Taming Scholar."
As he spoke, the hostility emanating from Ling Xi became more pronounced, and the surrounding air seemed to freeze.
Bai Yu, his sensitive spot touched, frowned but showed no fear, his smile unwavering, "This makes me even more interested in her."
"Try me?" Ling Xi sneered, releasing his grip on Bai Yu's throat.
Ye Ziling turned around and happened to catch sight of the charged atmosphere between them. Holding the two jars of wine she had chosen, she said, "I've made my selection."
Although she didn't know what had happened between them, she could feel the palpable killing intent in the air.
The two quickly returned to their calm demeanor and pulled away from each other.
"I've also picked mine." Ling Xi casually grabbed a jar of wine and turned to leave the wine cellar alone.
Watching Ling Xi's receding back, Bai Yu glanced at Ye Ziling. Her gaze was fixed on Ling Xi's back, her brows, devoid of any earthly emotion, held a hint of contemplation.
This was clearly a wine cellar, yet it carried a sour scent?
Perhaps a jar of aged white vinegar had spilled?
"Divine Maiden Tu Yao seems to have found a suitable match." Bai Yu teased, elegantly pulling out a stool and sitting down. He grabbed a wine pot from the table, poured a cup, and offered it to Ye Ziling.
Ye Ziling accepted it and smiled faintly, "Since when did Immortal Lord Bai Yu become so fond of meddling in other people's affairs?"
"I only like meddling in your affairs." The man's tone was gentle, as if he were speaking words of love.
Ye Ziling was taken aback, her long eyelashes fluttering. She drained the wine in her hand.
The liquid slid down her throat, carrying a hint of bitterness, yet it was willingly swallowed.
"Is the Divine Maiden not revealing her identity in the Heavenly Realm because of Ling Xi?"
Bai Yu took a sip of wine, his tone laced with curiosity, but his gaze was firm.
Ye Ziling looked up at him, her eyes like mercury immersed in the night, shimmering with brilliance.
He froze for a moment.
"Immortal Lord Bai Yu, why are you keeping my identity a secret for me?" Ye Ziling smiled.
She was determined to kill Shen Qingfeng. If Ling Xi were to know her intentions, would he regret saving her multiple times?
She was a criminal in the Heavenly Realm, and Ling Xi was a scholar from the Heavenly Realm. How could they stand on the same side? If she were to destroy the heavens again, would he protect the Heavenly Realm and draw his sword against her?
"I believe you're interested in the matter of Emperor Qingbai." Bai Yu savored the wine in his cup, a flicker of interest in his cold eyes.
Ye Ziling observed his meaningful smile and chuckled, testing him, "Didn't Immortal Lord Bai Yu not care about matters of the Heavenly Court?"
She remembered that Bai Yu had given up his immortal post in the Heavenly Court precisely because he couldn't stand the scheming and infighting, preferring a carefree life outside.
"Since Divine Maiden knows I don't care about matters of the Heavenly Court, why did you take the risk to drink with me?" Bai Yu looked at her, his eyes brightening.
Ye Ziling had indeed approached him with a tentative hope. Although Bai Yu was ruthless, his conduct was far more reliable than Qingbai's, possessing the rare qualities of a ruler.
If she had helped Bai Yu ascend the throne back then, she likely wouldn't have ended up in this predicament.
Her thoughts exposed, Ye Ziling no longer concealed her intentions and got straight to the point, "I look forward to our cooperation, Immortal Lord Bai Yu."
Bai Yu appreciated her straightforwardness. He raised his wine cup and clinked it with hers, smiling, "Pleasure working with you."
As their cups touched, they noticed a figure leaning against the doorway. Clad in flowing black robes, he stood there quietly, watching them, a faint coldness on his lips.
"It seems I've arrived at an inopportune moment." Ling Xi's voice was cool and his gaze sharp. He coldly withdrew his gaze.
Because of Bai Yu, he had just argued with the beast in his mind, and now he caught them drinking behind his back. Ling Xi's displeasure was evident.
Ye Ziling looked up and saw Ling Xi's somber face. She pursed her lips, which were a vibrant red, "Immortal Lord Bai Yu and I were just chatting."
"Then please continue." Ling Xi glanced at her and turned to leave.
He had practically laid his heart bare. Couldn't she see his affections?
Seeing the awkward atmosphere between them, Bai Yu quickly said, "I'll go get some cups."
Without waiting for Ling Xi's reply, he went out of the wine cellar and to the front hall, where he instructed someone to prepare wine cups and told a maid to fetch some small dishes from the kitchen.
Only the two of them remained in the wine cellar.
Ling Xi glanced at Ye Ziling, his eyes filled with gloom. He said nothing, rose, and left.
Ye Ziling watched his retreating back, her gaze flickering.