Chapter 245: Wu Chu (8K5 large chapter)

In the Void Realm, Zhu Fengdan waved her hand grandly.

Those several Grandmasters watched as various delicacies, all rare treasures even for Third Ranks, and meticulously prepared, floated out of the Void Realm.

penglai immortal tea, Duling Fine Wine.

Fragrant wild rice and fine grains, frost-preserved vegetables and dew-kissed mallow.

Black bear white skin, fat livestock rich muscle.

Cicada wing slices, mountain quails and tiny sparrows.

Pearls and jade treasures, fodder and plump livestock.

Scented with ginger and pepper, brushed with cassia and orchid.

Picking turtles from fragrant lotus nests, slicing flying scales from the West Sea, stewing diving alligators from the East Abyss, cooking singing quails from south of the Han River.

There wasn't much, just enough for four people, but every item was a masterpiece.

Li Qi had thought his teacher was going to fight someone with a knife, just like him.

But in reality, Zhu Fengdan was hosting a banquet.

After all, no matter what…

When you're out and about, what good is being able to fight?

No matter how good Zhu Fengdan was at fighting, could she defeat the three Grandmasters responsible for guarding the Shaman God Mountain gate?

These weren't mere figureheads; they were three genuinely seasoned, battle-hardened pillars capable of being assigned by the Shaman God to guard the mountain gate.

So, fighting was out of the question; otherwise, she would surely be jointly pinned to the ground and hammered by the three.

Moreover, after the fight, if Ordained Invoker returned, she might even be punished by being sent to guard the gates of Gui Xu.

How could Zhu Fengdan do such a thing?

Then there was only one alternative.

However, Zhu Fengdan was a Invoker.

It was unknown what Zhu Fengdan had told them, but they had tacitly allowed Li Qi's actions, neither continuing to obstruct him nor reporting to Ordained Invoker and the Shaman God.

Only after she mentioned the favor, one Grandmaster said, “Your disciple is truly, exactly like you.”

Zhu Fengdan burst into laughter, “Hahaha! Just two days ago, someone said he wasn't like me at all.”

That Grandmaster shook his head and remarked with a sigh, “Did someone really say that? Then he probably isn't familiar with you.”

“After all, he's not like you at all now, but he was exactly like you when you were a Ninth Rank…”

Another Grandmaster immediately interjected, “Indeed, back then, you were steady in temperament yet radiant, kind to others, and considered public good as your own Dao, but unfortunately now…”

These three Grandmasters all knew Zhu Fengdan's past Dao.

Abundant virtue in all directions, it is fitting to cut off private affections and humbly follow the public Dao.

'Public' was the belief she held at that time, how similar was it to Li Qi's 'Righteousness' and 'Justice'?

Zhu Fengdan glared at that Grandmaster, “Drink your wine, and don't talk to me about irrelevant things!”

The three Grandmasters shook their heads and said no more.

One's own Dao must be walked by oneself, and no one can help; a few words were enough. Zhu Fengdan was already a Third Rank, how could she be swayed by others' words?

Even when a Shaman God personally told her she was on the wrong path, she didn't listen, did she?

Another Grandmaster, who had been silent, looked downwards and said, “Alright, your disciple seems to be suppressed. Has he failed? Do we need to intervene?”

Zhu Fengdan rolled her eyes, “No need. I'm only responsible for stopping you all for him. If he fails to win a wife, that's his own business. Am I supposed to help him snatch her? If Ordained Invoker catches us then, just don't expose me, and let that kid take the punishment himself.”

However, she also picked up a cup of wine, drained it in one gulp, and said with relaxed frankness, “Besides, that fellow is smart; he must have his own methods. I fulfilled all the requests he made two days ago.”

“With a Grand Invoker’s resources at his disposal, if he can't even win a wife, he deserves to be a bachelor!”

— — — — — — — —

Putting aside Zhu Fengdan's matters for a moment.

Meanwhile, Shen Shuibi finally arrived at Yang Ning's place, her face anxious outside, knocking hard on the door.

She couldn't enter through the Restriction Yang Ning had set up.

Then Yang Ning waved her hand, a beam of light pulled up, and a door in the Restriction opened.

Shen Shuibi immediately rushed in.

However, before she could even stand firm, Li Qi made a gesture to Yang Ning.

Yang Ning frowned, closing the Restriction again, isolating the outside world.

Then, Li Qi walked directly towards Shen Shuibi.

Shen Shuibi's expression was flustered, as if she wanted to say something.

But Li Qi stepped forward and calmly said, “Don't speak, listen to me.”

Shen Shuibi had just landed, looking at Yang Ning on one side and Li Qi on the other, her heart filled with anxiety and confusion. But when Li Qi spoke, the rabbit's bellyful of words immediately got stifled, and she obediently stopped.

Li Qi then began to speak very methodically.

He placed his hands on Shen Shuibi's shoulders.

This action made Yang Ning's face show disgust.

Yang Ning even wanted to kick Li Qi out directly, but she saw that Shen Shuibi didn't mind at all, so she forcibly restrained herself.

She wanted to see how Li Qi, so certain that Shen Shuibi would agree, would finally be proven wrong.

If Shen Shuibi showed even a hint of resistance or displeasure, it would mean refusal, and then she would definitely break Li Qi's two dirty hands.

But Li Qi ignored that and continued to hold Shen Shuibi's shoulders as he spoke:

“First, your Physical Body’s injuries, I didn't notice them before, I'm sorry.”

Shen Shuibi's train of thought was immediately interrupted, and she subconsciously replied, “It's… it's alright.”

“Second, did you read the letter I gave you?”

“Not… not yet,” Shen Shuibi stammered a bit.

Li Qi was too close.

“It's fine, then don't read it, just listen to me.” Li Qi nodded, “I'll help you resolve your injuries, unrelated to Shaman God Mountain, it will be paid for by Tang Nation.”

“Ah… ah?” Shen Shuibi didn't react.

“This is a document from Honglu Temple. I've already persuaded them to fund your healing. Compared to what I gained as a hostage in the past, this is nothing to them.” Li Qi handed over the document.

“Third, with your injuries no longer a concern, the current problem is the conflict between Shaman God Mountain and Mount Luofu. You and I can't control this, but we two can facilitate an outcome that benefits both sides, what do you think?”

“Uh… Mm!” Shen Shuibi thought for a moment and felt there didn't seem to be any problem.

“The previous conflicts had two points, namely your injuries and the clash between our respective factions.”

So, Li Qi raised his voice, “Therefore! Both points have already been resolved, and the conclusions you've been pondering for so long can all be discarded! Throw away all the foolish methods you've thought of before, and leave the rest for me to figure out!”

“Okay, okay!” Shen Shuibi subconsciously straightened her back.

“Then, there's only one last question.” Li Qi said, taking his hands off Shen Shuibi's shoulders.

Instead, he cupped her face with both hands, controlling the direction of her head, forcing the rabbit to look him directly in the eyes.

“Having Tang Nation treat your injuries won't increase Empress Luofu's Karma, and how to earn things that can repay Karma in Tang Nation, we've settled this, haven't we?”

“Eh… Mm.”

“However, specific situations require specific analysis. How to implement it exactly, we'll figure out slowly once we get to Tang Nation, but after your injuries are healed, the efficiency will certainly be much better than you cooped up in a cave now.”

“But, the premise of all this is that we go to Tang Nation together, just like the past two and a half years, Shen Guniang, do you agree?”

Li Qi's series of questions had already made Shen Shuibi's mind a mess.

She had already been in a state of Dao Heart confusion before, but Li Qi's words reminded her of the past.

Compared to the current situation, she was more accustomed to, and preferred, the feeling of having someone to rely on.

Before it was Empress Luofu, now it was Li Qi.

So, she subconsciously nodded.

Yang Ning, who was observing from the side, had a disgusted expression.

But Li Qi wasn't happy; instead, he still maintained a stern face.

He asked again, “Listen carefully, Shen Guniang, now there are no more worries, and no one can threaten you. Your injuries and Lifespan are no longer an issue, and there are no Karma requirements for you to repay anything. You are now completely free, without worries.”

“Now, I ask you one more time, are you willing to go with me from now on? In other words, I want you to marry me.”

Shen Shuibi suddenly reacted.

But she didn't blush; instead, she was puzzled, “Marry… you, why are you suddenly saying such a thing?”

“Don't mind why I'm saying it, do you agree?”

“No… wait, let me sort this out.” Suddenly, Shen Shuibi broke free from Li Qi's hands, covered her ears with both hands, and squatted on the ground.

Although she was confused by Li Qi's words.

But the rabbit's intelligence was not low; she realized that Li Qi was not talking about a trivial matter.

She quickly forced herself to calm down, and her previously stalled brain began to function again.

Then, she looked up at Li Qi, “Li Qi, everything you said, is it true?”

“Have I ever lied to you?” Li Qi retorted.

Shen Shuibi was silent, then spoke again, “The conflict between Mount Luofu and Shaman God Mountain…”

But this time, Li Qi directly interrupted her, “Is there a conflict?”

Yes, is there a conflict?

The answer is simple.

Not only was there no conflict, but there was even kindness.

But there was still suspicion, why?

Because it concerned the Dao opportunity, leading to Mount Luofu's distrust, fearing that Shaman God Mountain harbored ill intentions, which was natural.

So, Li Qi said directly at this moment, “Shaman God Mountain and Mount Luofu have no conflict, there is only suspicion.”

“Suspicion is unavoidable, and no one can stop it, not even the Shaman God. So, only time can smooth it over. Your staying here is useless, Shaman God Mountain doesn't care about your things, and you can't repay much. It's better to go to Tang Nation with me and find a solution.”

“So, we two won't get involved in this. We'll go to Tang Nation, which will allow us to avoid direct conflict, and then we'll slowly find a solution.”

“You don't really think Shaman God Mountain lacks your Fifth Rank insights, do you? Silly rabbit, if you stay here and exhaust your True Spirit, how much can you help them?”

“Come with me, heal your injuries, and the resources you can obtain there will be far more than in the Immortal Cave on Shaman God Mountain.”

This was the win-win solution Li Qi had thought of.

Li Qi's voice was steady, and the topic was very realistic, completely devoid of the usual romantic flair of a proposal.

Romantic topics were unnecessary.

Even if he said them, the rabbit wouldn't understand; she was that kind of person.

“Then… what does marrying you have to do with this?” Shen Shuibi finally asked.

Li Qi smiled.

Honestly, he had already guessed the rabbit would ask that.

Soft and sweet, adorable.

What she feared most now was change, wasn't it? To be able to stand still like a tree, doing what she liked from the beginning to the end of her life, was probably what Shen Shuibi considered happiness.

Very lacking in ambition, yet unexpectedly fitting with the Daoist concept of 'freedom'.

After smiling, Li Qi replied, “Nothing, I just simply want you to marry me.”

The rabbit squatted on the ground, her mind racing.

Li Qi was right.

And… she felt comfortable being with Li Qi.

So.

“Okay.”

After she had thought it through, she nodded.

As always, her expression didn't even change, as if she had just agreed to go out and play.

Li Qi was surprised, but upon closer thought, it was reasonable.

Yes, this reaction was indeed like Shen Shuibi.

If she had truly burst into tears, exclaimed, or shrieked, that would have been strange instead.

“Good, then come with me.” Li Qi said, holding the rabbit's hand, also with a very calm expression.

It was Yang Ning, standing by the side, who had an expression like she had eaten something foul. Her hair color changed from black to red, from red to white, and then from white to black again. The spell in her hand condensed and dissipated multiple times.

It was clear that she really wanted to kill Li Qi.

It was simply child's play!

In her opinion, the conversation between Li Qi and Shen Shuibi was ridiculous!

But she couldn't say anything else.

If this could get Shen Shuibi out of her current predicament, then so be it.

After receiving an affirmative answer, Li Qi held the rabbit's hand.

“Don't worry, just leave these matters to me,” he said, looking at Yang Ning, “Little sister-in-law, please open the door, we're going back.”

Shen Shuibi also said, “Yang Ning, wait for me. I'll get my injuries healed, and in a hundred years, I'll definitely earn a lot, lot of things to come back and lighten Niangniang's burden!”

Yang Ning's face turned green.

But in the end, she sighed, said nothing, waved her hand to open the Restriction, and let the two leave.

Then she saw that the outside was already surrounded by Daoists from Mount Luofu.

These people were also stunned when they saw Shen Shuibi and Li Qi holding hands.

But Yang Ning spoke, “Everyone go back to your own business, let them go!”

With a Fifth Rank Grandmaster speaking, the other Daoists, though puzzled, knew they couldn't openly defy her. They affirmed their understanding, leaving with frequent backward glances, whispering among themselves, not knowing why.

However, they knew that there would definitely be an explanation from above later.

And… besides this place, the real threat was still the great Roc bird outside.

Mei Yu and the others were still confronting the Roc there.

Watching Li Qi leave.

Yang Ning also flew towards the Roc.

But before she even reached it, the Roc had already flapped its wings and departed, flying towards Li Qi's location.

The matter seemed to be over.

From beginning to end, it was only a quarter of an hour.

It was simply… absurd.

Did she trust Li Qi?

Overthinking it.

It was just that Li Qi could at least prevent Shen Shuibi from being trapped to death in the cave.

That was enough.

As for anything else, Yang Ning was too lazy to care.

It was still the same saying.

Shen Shuibi had her own considerations; there was no need to make decisions for her. Since following that man could allow Shen Shuibi to live.

Then so be it.

Yang Ning shook her head and sighed, accelerating her return to the great sun.

The most urgent task was still to recover her cultivation first.

— — — — — — — — —

Meanwhile, on the other side, Shen Shuibi sat on the Roc's back, looking back at the remnants of Mount Luofu.

There was a hint of nostalgia.

But if leaving was for a better return, then the rabbit would not hesitate.

She had stayed behind initially because she wanted to help Mount Luofu.

Now she was leaving, also because she wanted to help Mount Luofu.

Even going to Tang Nation, this point in her heart hadn't changed.

The rabbit wasn't completely thoughtless; it was precisely because she had thought about it that she so unhesitatingly agreed to Li Qi and chose to go to Tang Nation.

As for marrying Li Qi…

Actually, she hadn't given that much thought.

She didn't dislike Li Qi.

She strongly disliked the previous dilemma.

Li Qi said this would be of greater help to Mount Luofu, and she also felt that was the case.

So, she chose to return to the past, abandoning the difficult situation.

Thus, leaving the cave to find a solution + marrying Li Qi.

The two things were naturally combined and done.

To be honest, she didn't have any special feelings; she didn't think there was anything unusual.

Niangniang also married the Sun-Moon True Lead Cauldron, so there's nothing strange about it; it's just two people being together. Weren't they together for the past two years anyway?

At this moment, the rabbit was still naive and oblivious.

She hadn't realized what the word 'marry' represented.

After all, she wasn't born from a womb.

In the sky, the two flew towards Tang Nation.

Being on the back of the Roc, one flap of its wings covered nine thousand li.

Of course, this is the world, so it can't actually fly that fast. This place is about nine million li from Chang'an.

It will probably take about a day to fly there.

It could be faster to go outside the domain, but Li Qi specifically told the Roc not to go to the Heaven Beyond Heaven.

His teacher was confronting a Great Master out there, so if he actually went, he'd probably be knocked down. It was safer to fly below.

Yes, he didn't even pack his luggage; he departed immediately.

Shaman God Mountain was not suitable for staying long now. If Ordained Invoker returned, there would be nowhere to run.

So Li Qi was ready to run directly. He had already contacted Honglu Temple, and he would go there now and complete the procedures directly upon arrival.

It would be very quick.

The Roc had very little presence; it did nothing but fly the entire time, and it was extremely stable, easily giving people the illusion that they were on the ground.

Coupled with a wingspan of nine thousand li, it was no different from a continent. There were even pavilions and towers on it, making it difficult for people to realize they were on a bird's back.

It's just that one is in this mountain.

Perhaps... this really wasn't a bird's back, because the surroundings had clearly been modified by Zhu Fengdan. This palace was completely isolated from the outside world.

That Roc was carrying an Immortal Cave on its back, but this Immortal Cave belonged to Zhu Fengdan.

Li Qi was like this now.

But Li Qi's state of mind was different.

He was completely unlike his previous self, who was in control. He was almost exhausted, lying on the Roc's back, panting heavily.

Oh my god!

He looked confident, but in reality, he was scared to death. He had wondered more than once what to do if Shen Shuibi refused him.

This included directly abducting her, or leaving elegantly, or something else.

But in the end, things turned out as he expected.

Shen Shuibi's choice was not much different from what he had imagined.

After all, he had been an external brain for two years, so he still understood Shen Shuibi's general thinking.

After leaving that place, the nervous Li Qi immediately broke out in a cold sweat and lay on the ground, gasping for breath.

He kept looking back at Shen Shuibi, trying to discern any different expression on her face.

Unfortunately, the Jade Rabbit didn't understand romance.

This point used to be quite cute.

Now it was depressing to look at.

So, he took the initiative to say, "Shen Guniang..."

"Ah?" The Jade Rabbit tilted her head, then leaned over.

"Uh, Shen Gu... Oh, right, what do Yang Ning and Empress Luofu call you?" he asked, lying on the ground.

Shen Shuibi walked forward, helped him up, and then performed a spell to cleanse him.

Hearing Li Qi's question, the Jade Rabbit thought for a moment.

"What do they call me? Oh, you mean my pet name? Hmm... Yang Ning usually calls me 'hey,' and as for Niangniang, she calls me Yuer, or Yu. What's wrong?"

Li Qi nodded in realization.

So, Shui Bi meant this.

The bright moon is like jade, so her pet name is Yu, and the two characters 'Shui Bi' actually refer to a type of jade, a green Hetian jade, whose name is 'Shui Bi,' also known as jasper.

Ancient texts record: "Cinnabar, azurite, golden paste, and Shui Bi are rare and natural treasures that are difficult to obtain outside of material things."

This implicitly refers to the Jade Rabbit. Empress Luofu is very good at naming things!

"Nothing, can I not call you Shen Guniang then?" Li Qi thought for a moment and sat down.

Calling her by her pet name directly wasn't ideal, but he also didn't want to continue calling her Shen Guniang.

Let's change the address.

"You can call me whatever you want." Shen Shuibi didn't think much of it: "I don't call you Young Master Li either, don't I just call you Li Qi?"

The Jade Rabbit was very puzzled. It was just a form of address, why did Li Qi look so strange, as if it was difficult to say?

From the moment she agreed to Li Qi until now, she hadn't shown any emotional fluctuations.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Li Qi made up his mind: "Then from now on, I will call you Shui Bi."

"Shui Bi." Li Qi repeated it again.

Just that one sound.

Simply changing the address, suddenly, the Jade Rabbit buried her head.

What's going on!

What is this feeling?

It's just, changing a form of address...

Her face instantly turned red.

"Wait, wait." Shen Shuibi looked up, barely suppressing the surging Qi and blood.

What's going on, is this also a sequela after the True Spirit was worn away?

Several 'what's going on' in a row couldn't suppress the strange feeling surging in her heart.

"Shui Bi?" Li Qi saw Shen Shuibi suddenly lower her head and quickly went forward to help her up, wanting to see what was wrong.

But he saw Shen Shuibi quickly turn her head, stammering and unable to speak: "Don't... don't."

Actually, she wanted to say, 'Don't call me that.'

But the words reached her lips, and she couldn't utter them.

In the past nine thousand four hundred and sixty-two years, she had never felt this way.

It was so wonderful; a sour feeling rose from her internal organs, then rushed into her head, and even her rationality couldn't suppress it.

She felt dizzy.

It was as if she was in water.

It wasn't until Li Qi was almost touching her nose that Shen Shuibi reacted, and then with a 'bang,' she turned into a Jade Rabbit and shrank into a pile of clothes.

Because of her peculiarity, she could be seen continuously glowing and emitting runes from within the pile of clothes.

It was quite interesting.

Li Qi was stunned, his hand frozen in place, laughing and crying at the same time.

Pull her out?

That wouldn't be appropriate, she wasn't wearing clothes.

However, at this moment, the Jade Rabbit poked her head out from the pile of clothes, looking somewhat anxious, and said to Li Qi: "That... Li, Li Qi, I don't mean to be annoying, it's just, you..."

"You, you..." She stammered for a while before finally saying: "You let me get used to it, I'm a little, unaccustomed."

Li Qi was also very nervous at first.

But seeing this sight, he suddenly felt relieved.

Li Qi seemed to understand what Shen Shuibi meant by 'don't change anything.'

He simply sat down and picked up the Jade Rabbit on the ground.

Of course, he picked her up with the clothes.

Because she had returned to her original form, her clothes and skirt became like a sleeping bag. Li Qi simply picked her up along with them and placed her in his arms.

The Jade Rabbit poked her head out from the collar, let out a sigh of relief, and seemed quite satisfied with the current situation.

Li Qi carried the Jade Rabbit all the way to the pavilion and tower. This should be his teacher's temporary palace, and it looked like no one had lived there for a long time.

Neither of them spoke further.

As mentioned before.

Both of them needed to adjust.

Li Qi was adjusting to the tension and ecstasy in his heart.

Shen Shuibi, on the other hand, was adjusting to the sudden, special feeling.

Sitting in the pavilion on the Roc's back, it was early summer at this moment.

Red blossoms withered, green shade deepened, mandarin ducks intertwined on the pond, and cuckoos cried emptily on the branches.

Unfortunately, the two, who wanted to calm down, only felt more and more restless.

After sitting for a while, not only did they not calm down, but they felt increasingly agitated, aimlessly watching the bees pair up and the butterflies dance in pairs.

"Sigh." Li Qi couldn't hold back anymore and directly placed the Jade Rabbit, wrapped in her sleeping bag, on the table.

The Jade Rabbit immediately let both ears droop, covering her eyes, as if by doing so, she wouldn't have to face reality.

"Shui Bi." Li Qi looked directly at the Jade Rabbit and spoke.

"Hmm..." The Jade Rabbit responded softly, her voice like a mosquito's hum, as if she dared not speak.

She really didn't dare to speak.

Because by now, she had come to her senses.

What Li Qi meant by 'marry' was probably not the same as what she understood by 'marry.'

What Shen Shuibi understood by marriage was like Empress Luofu.

Respecting each other as guests, supporting each other, calling each other 'fellow Daoist,' and even if their worldviews were somewhat different, they could still accompany each other and walk together.

Just like... she and Li Qi had been for the past two years.

This was her understanding of marriage, and also of a 'Dao Companion.'

Dao Companion, Dao Companion, refers to a companion on the path of cultivation, one who shares the same aspirations, shares life and death, and is a word as weighty as 'fellow Daoist.'

However, although this word was very weighty, Shen Shuibi felt that Li Qi could do it.

Therefore, Shen Shuibi agreed to Li Qi without hesitation, because she felt that there would be no difference from before.

But now she suddenly realized that what Li Qi thought was not like this.

So she was a little afraid.

However, after swallowing a mouthful of saliva, the fluffy Jade Rabbit spoke in human words: "Wait, Li Qi, don't speak yet, take this bamboo slip."

"You and I will each write down our understanding of a Dao Companion, and then exchange and read them. I want to know... if we have some misunderstanding."

As she spoke, she rummaged through the mustard seed pouch inside her clothes and found a bamboo slip, then timidly handed it to Li Qi with her small paw.

"Alright." Li Qi agreed readily.

Mainly, he had also noticed this point.

Then, one person and one Jade Rabbit turned their backs to each other and recorded on the bamboo slips.

Then, they exchanged them.

Li Qi even vaguely felt that this exchange felt like...

Exchanging rings?

Anyway, it was strange, but there was a small sense of excitement.

Hard to understand.

Then, Li Qi received what Shen Shuibi had written.

It was a simple sentence:

"To pursue the Dao is like taking wood from a mountain; it is difficult for one person to do it alone. It must be done with fellow Daoists, which is called 'fellow Daoist'; 'same as self' means having the same intention as oneself. Ancient sage kings only took those who were aligned with the Dao, not necessarily those who shared their intentions."

The meaning was simple: she meant a fellow Daoist, a Dao Companion in the Daoist sect.

Perhaps Empress Luofu and Sun-Moon True Lead Cauldron were such a manifestation in the outside world.

Li Qi covered his face.

Sure enough, what Shen Shuibi thought of as marriage was actually a companion.

Although this identity was already very, very important, it could be said to be one of the most important positions in the Jade Rabbit's heart, right?

For a Dao seeker, the weight of the words 'fellow Daoist' goes without saying, and can even be placed alongside parents and teachers.

The weight was enough, but... something was missing.

But on the other side, the Jade Rabbit shrank her face back.

She was trembling.

Her heart had never beaten so fast.

Because, Li Qi wrote: "Heaven and Earth do not unite, myriad things do not grow. Marriage is the lineage of ten thousand generations, uniting the good of two surnames, serving the ancestral temple above, and continuing the lineage below."

He also attached a poem.

Water moon spirit, ice and snow skin, a city's beauty, a night-glowing pearl.

Jade face is unique to the toad palace, national beauty should be said to be unparalleled in the world.

Deep emerald quilt, spring is secluded, soft lotus mattress, embroidered and indistinct.

Where mandarin ducks intertwine in the green pond, no more solitary phoenixes on the dressing table.

Spring breeze, peach and plum blossoms blooming at night, candles burning phoenix wax, incense burning candles.

This love is sworn to be from beginning to end, I urge you not to waste your time.

This kind of poem, written in a room, could barely be called a romantic gesture.

Written here, it was pure hooliganism.

The atmosphere instantly became extremely awkward.

Li Qi, behind, covered his face, not daring to turn around.

He also didn't know how he was possessed to write such a thing.

Is this what it means to be a Mortal? Unable to control oneself, one's mind is not clear enough, one's Dao cultivation is insufficient!

So all that talk before was nonsense?

What should he say next?

Li Qi's brain started working at high speed. He was sweating, not knowing what he was thinking at the time.

It was like...

Shen Shuibi said very solemnly: 'In the future, I want to walk the same Dao with you, to go on together, to the ends of the earth without looking back.'

Then he said to Shen Shuibi, 'I want to be intimate with you.'

That was roughly the situation.

Li Qi's toes were digging holes in the ground; besides being mortified, there was no other word to describe the current situation.

He began to think about how to resolve this situation.

But before he could come up with a solution, he felt someone pulling him.

It must be the Jade Rabbit.

Li Qi awkwardly turned his head, wanting to explain.

However, he saw Shen Shuibi pulling him, and she had transformed back into her human form, even changing her clothes.

The clothes that had served as the Jade Rabbit's sleeping bag were bundled up and discarded on the ground. She had changed into new clothes, but the style was identical.

It seemed like two identical sets of clothes. How strange, why change then?

As Li Qi was puzzled, she tugged at Li Qi's sleeve, stammering, "If, if Li Qi, you think it's like this, then... then, I can do it too."

He felt a 'boom' in his ears, and Li Qi's thought process was directly interrupted.

His brain crashed.

He lost the ability to think.

The clever Li Qi disappeared; a Mortal was just a Mortal, unable to actively extinguish his own thoughts.

Surprised to meet a passionate person, like honey accompanying sugar, not daring to deceive the fragrant green bed, not caring about tearing the silk skirt—

Only when he pulled open her outer garment and saw what was inside did his rationality return.

Why would seeing this restore his rationality?

Because, although Shen Shuibi herself covered her face, saying nothing, her inner lining had four characters written on it.

'Don't rush, don't rush.'

Now he understood why she had changed clothes.

——————

Rain parting clouds, stirring, rearranging the meeting at Blue Bridge.

Stars rising, moon promising, fortunately encountering the destiny of Wuchu.

Crane entering the wind's nest, beginning the good union of Guanju.

Dragon roaming the cunning den, how could there be no private cloud and rain?

There's no need to elaborate on the journey.

The next day, Li Qi, neatly dressed, discussed future matters.

Li Qi sat at the table, holding Shen Shuibi, and said, "This undertaking was rushed, many things were not prepared, nor was there the command of a teacher or the words of a matchmaker. However, circumstances require expediency, and there is no other way. After a hundred years, I will definitely have my teacher visit Empress Luofu to make amends. At that time, with a teacher present, we will hold the wedding again."

"Hmm..." Shen Shuibi just nodded.

She was currently in her Jade Rabbit form, wearing a small dress suitable for a Jade Rabbit's body.

Since yesterday, she had maintained this posture, curling herself into a ball and locking herself up, and she no longer spoke, at most just humming a few times.

Perhaps her courage and boldness had run out, and now she was too embarrassed to face anyone, so she could only turn into a Jade Rabbit to escape reality.

Li Qi, however, was refreshed and invigorated, with no more doubts in his heart. All those pent-up frustrations had dissipated, and his state of mind was broad.

There were no more regrets in life. Next, he would study in Tang Nation and experience the true Human Dao.

Li Qi felt that now he only needed to wholeheartedly pursue his initial, most passionate goal.

Life should be like this; constantly miserable and full of hatred, that's a beast's life.

Just then, the Roc below suddenly stopped.

A voice came:

"Young Master, Chang'an has arrived."

The votes were overwhelmingly in favor, so here's an 8.5K word chapter. I'm overloaded; no update tomorrow.