Bai Sicheng, having confirmed Bai Shengyi's identity from Zhang Mei and another, was utterly astonished.
Earlier, upon his return to the academy, he had inquired about Bai Shengyi in the outer sect, but he couldn't find anything. Instead, Bai Murong had asked him for help contacting Bai Shengyi.
Later, he was dispatched on a mission and only returned three days prior.
But in such a short time, had A'yi become so formidable?
Bai Sicheng, dazed, continued towards the Fighting Stage on the main peak. Along the way, everyone he met was either discussing Bai Shengyi or her two duels with Li Yihui and Yuan Bingxin.
"A'yi, since you're alright, why didn't you let your family know you were safe?" Bai Sicheng sighed softly, deciding to go find Bai Shengyi.
"Achoo!"
Bai Shengyi rubbed her nose, neglecting even Qian Ying and Luo Feihua, and quickly returned to Qianxiao Peak with her head down.
The enthusiasm of these cultivators was too terrifying!
They were even more fervent than the fans of celebrities in the 23rd century; she simply couldn't handle it.
Bai Shengyi mumbled, not paying attention, and walked headfirst into a firm embrace, being held tightly.
"Who... Qin Si? What are you doing?"
Bai Shengyi looked at the man holding her so tightly, her brow twitching.
To be honest, she hadn't seen this man in days.
She had only heard from her senior sister that he had been busy entertaining people from other continents, and with the Divine Revelation Academy falling behind in the exchange conference, the academy had held several internal meetings. He was swamped.
Hmm, Bai Shengyi reciprocated by loosely circling the man's waist beneath his red robe. He did seem a bit thinner.
"A'yi..." Qin Si couldn't help but call out softly.
Heaven knew how excited he had been, watching her stand gracefully on the Fighting Stage, as radiant as the moon and stars, her presence as dazzling as jade, piled stones, and layered pine.
However, this excitement turned into impatience when he saw many people looking at Bai Shengyi with covetous eyes. Qin Si couldn't stand it. He quickly finished his pleasantries for the day's reception and rushed to find her.
"A'yi, today on the Fighting Stage, you were more brilliant than spiritual light and more blazing than divine fire."
He wasn't good with romantic words. At this moment, he wished he could offer his heart to Bai Shengyi, like a loyal knight professing his affection: My little girl, I adore you.
His chest was burning.
It was so hot that Bai Shengyi's face flushed.
She struggled uncomfortably but found that the hands holding her were trembling.
"Qin Si, are you shy or scared?" As soon as Bai Shengyi asked, she couldn't help but cover her forehead. What kind of question was that?
Had Qin Si's sudden move completely scrambled her brains?
The key was that Bai Shengyi hadn't expected Qin Si to answer so seriously, with a straight face.
"Both."
Bai Shengyi tilted her head up and clearly saw that the tips of the man's ears were red, and his neck was also red.
His mask hid his face, so she couldn't see his complexion, but Bai Shengyi guessed his face must also be red, his slightly thin lips pressed together in nervousness, his nose twitching, and the usually cold and stern phoenix eyes showing a flush of excitement at the corners...
Damn it!
She couldn't think about it anymore!
Bai Shengyi, men only slow down your cultivation speed. Looking is fine, but...
"Be my Dao companion, A'yi."
This straightforward proposal stunned Bai Shengyi, causing her thoughts to freeze.
"For all lifetimes, in the heavens and the underworld, my only Dao companion, lover, and wife will be you."
Cultivators have long, endless years, witnessing infinite magnificent scenery, either ascending to immortality in the nine heavens or mastering destiny in the vast river of time. Yet, all of this paled in comparison to the slightest movement or smile of the person before her.
Qin Si admitted he had lost, utterly and completely, when facing Bai Shengyi.
He was a head taller than Bai Shengyi, but at this moment, he slightly bowed down to meet her gaze.
Those beautiful phoenix eyes, just as Bai Shengyi had guessed, had a rosy hue at the corners, reflecting her dazed face.
His phoenix eyes stared at her unblinkingly, the surging tide of emotion like a hook, easily capturing Bai Shengyi's soul.
It tempted her mouth to run away from home.
She heard herself softly say, "Okay."
Ahhh! Bai Shengyi, are you crazy? You just agreed?
Wuwuwu, but he was just too heart-fluttering.
Bai Shengyi's brain and mouth fought a battle, and in the end, her mouth won over her brain, and her brain controlled her body.
She reached out, fiercely lifted his chin, tugged at his collar, and gritted her teeth, "Grandma is at a huge disadvantage. You better not play me, and if you betray me..."
"May heavenly lightning strike me, and may inner demons and karma entangle me, causing sleepless nights and a miserable death." Qin Si quickly finished her sentence.
As the oath was made, spiritual light flickered.
At the same time, as if to bear witness for Bai Shengyi, the heavens let out a thunderous boom, startling many to look up, thinking someone was about to break through to the Core Formation stage.
"Are you crazy? You even made a Dao vow?" Bai Shengyi stared, wide-eyed in disbelief.
Qin Si's voice was low and pleasant, like a feather stroking Bai Shengyi's ear. "A'yi, you are worth it."
Bai Shengyi's gaze drifted, the strength in her hands relaxed, and she coughed lightly, feeling a bit awkward. "Alright, consider yourself lucky."
In her heart, she was actually quite pleased.
Qin Si's action undoubtedly gave her a great sense of security.
Bai Shengyi was not a shy person. Since their relationship was settled, she buried herself in Qin Si's broad chest, fully enjoying the embrace of his broad shoulders and narrow waist...
"Little Junior Sister!"
Qian Ying entered cheerfully from outside, her smile freezing instantly as she looked at the scene. She frowned, "Senior Brother, what are you doing?"
She walked into the courtyard in a few steps and saw clearly that Qin Si was holding Bai Shengyi tightly, his arms clasped around her waist, preparing to remove her mask and kiss her—
Qian Ying exploded.
"You beast! Senior Brother, how could you do this to Little Junior Sister, such a young child!"
Qian Ying's first thought was that Qin Si was forcing Bai Shengyi, otherwise, why would Bai Shengyi be lowering her head, looking like she had suffered immense injustice?
Qian Ying's barrage of scolding completely shattered the sweet atmosphere.
"Why didn't you knock?"
Qin Si's face suddenly darkened, and he glared at Qian Ying with displeasure. Couldn't she have come a little later?
Qian Ying became even angrier. "You have the nerve to talk to me! What are you doing! I! I'll go find Master right now to seek justice for Little Junior Sister, you scoundrel!"
After speaking, Qian Ying prepared to fly her sword towards Venerable Qing Lan's secluded location. Bai Shengyi quickly grabbed her. "Senior Sister, wait!"
Bai Shengyi was so embarrassed her toes felt like they were curling into the ground. She wished she could cover her face and escape.
Who would have thought that today she not only fought on a stage, advanced a cultivation realm, but also became single, and was caught in the act by her own senior sister?
"That... Senior Sister, you've misunderstood."