Enduring humiliation for three years, seizing the elixir, the treasure, and the holy maiden.

Lin Zhiya adjusted her gauze skirt and found a seat to sit down.

He didn't seem angry at Su Chen's words.

She said she served him? Haha, we'll settle that score back in our cave!

The disciples looked at each other, their minds in turmoil.

Is this still that saintess?

In the past, whenever Han Yue volunteered to go into battle, this Holy Maiden would always be the first to worry about him.

Even if they don't say it, they will find an excuse to go with the army and secretly protect their junior brother.

Now look what's happened.

Once she had a fiancé, she completely abandoned this affection.

What's even more perplexing is that old case of demonic intrusion.

Lin Zhiya values ​​the dignity and prestige of the sect most.

In every conflict between good and evil, she always takes the initiative to strike first in the battle against the demon.

This time, not only did they arrive late, but they also declined the offer in public.

In a corner of the square, two Nascent Soul disciples exchanged glances, neither daring to voice their doubts.

Lin Zhiya turned her gaze to the leisurely figure in the side seat.

Su Chen was holding a cup of spiritual tea, gently skimming off the foam with the lid, looking completely indifferent.

His brows furrowed slightly.

She could never truly understand this man.

Lin Zhiya admitted that she was not as deep-thinking as Lin Zhiya.

The opportunity of three days at the Sacred Stele is right before us. It was left by a great power who has transcended tribulation and is above the Mahayana level. Ordinary cultivators would not even be willing to give their lives for it.

But Su Chen flatly refused, without even the slightest hesitation.

There must be something fishy going on here.

Lin Zhiya's heart stirred.

I've witnessed Su Chen's cunning and scheming firsthand.

Although I personally prefer the refined, scholarly type of young man.

Su Chen is not to my liking at all.

But in the past few days, he has inexplicably started secretly observing Su Chen.

Her composure and shrewdness are something she should really learn from.

"Senior sister."

Han Yue took a step forward, and it wasn't hard to see that he was now somewhat envious.

"I just want to hear the truth from my senior sister."

"Senior sister truly loves this man."

"We were forced into this by the sect."

"Or perhaps... she's just after his status as a true disciple of the Supreme Elder?"

Upon hearing this, the whispers in the square instantly subsided even further.

Actually, Han Yue regretted asking the question to some extent.

For some reason, I noticed that my senior sister and Su Chen were sitting very close together.

I felt my blood and qi surging.

Little did she realize the catastrophic disaster these few words would bring upon her senior sister!

Lin Zhiya's fingertips slightly tucked into her sleeve.

That's an incredibly naive question.

But this very question thrust her into the eye of the storm.

No matter how you answer, it will be wrong.

Did they say they were forced?

Several elders were still present on the cloud platform. The marriage was personally arranged by the Supreme Elder. She publicly shouted that she was unwilling. How could this situation be salvaged?

To say that you truly admire Su Chen?

Regardless of whether she could actually say those three words, even if she did, others would simply think she was fickle and easily bored.

Having only known Su Chen for a few days, she has already abandoned her reputation built up over many years. How can she maintain her status as the Holy Maiden of the Haori Sect in the future?

As for coveting the status of a true disciple...

This one is the most ridiculous.

What did they take Lin Zhiya for, some kind of social climber?

If you don't ask these questions, nothing will happen.

Once the question was asked, she was at a loss for what to do.

More importantly, their status is now set; they are engaged, future Daoist partners, and living together in the same residence is perfectly legitimate.

Han Yue's public interrogation made it seem to onlookers that this saintess was having an affair with this junior brother behind her fiancé's back.

Lin Zhiya did not reply.

But the last vestiges of old feelings in my heart have been worn away by these persistent questions.

She did indeed have feelings for this junior brother.

But now...

Let alone how much I like him, seeing him like this only makes me feel annoyed.

At the side seat, the teacup was placed back on the table with a soft thud.

Su Chen finally got up.

"This junior apprentice."

He dusted off his sleeves, his tone slightly lazy.

"I am, after all, someone of your senior uncle's generation."

"To interrogate my Daoist partner in this way right in front of me."

"They really have no manners."

Those eyes swept over Han Yue, a half-smile playing on their lips.

"My Daoist partner is a holy maiden of a sect."

"How dare you, a junior, make such pronouncements?"

Han Yue's face turned pale.

Su Chen didn't rush to continue. Instead, he took a couple of steps, his gaze sweeping over the disciples who were holding their breath, before finally speaking slowly.

"However, seeing how obsessed you are with this matter, I will answer you on behalf of my wife today."

"The Holy Maiden possesses extraordinary talent, and her beauty is unparalleled in this spirit realm."

"The day I first saw the Holy Maiden, I felt instantly captivated."

"After that, I pursued it in every possible way, sparing no effort."

"However, the lady was single-mindedly pursuing the Dao and remained unmoved."

"That's why I shamelessly begged my master to grant me this marriage."

Su Chen shrugged, looking completely at ease.

"Fortunately, seeing my sincerity, the lady finally relented and gave me a chance."

This statement is so thick-skinned, showing absolutely no shame.

Surprisingly, quite a few disciples in the audience nodded in agreement.

"Although the true master has not yet performed the dual cultivation ceremony with the holy maiden."

A young disciple said in a low voice, his eyes full of envy, "Such an honest pursuit is truly rare in our cultivation world."

"My martial uncle's cultivation is astonishing, and he and the Holy Maiden are a perfect match in terms of talent and beauty."

"We disciples should offer our congratulations in advance."

"I suppose the Holy Maiden was moved by her Martial Uncle's sincerity."

The buzzing of discussion spread.

On the cloud platform, several pairs of eyes frowned simultaneously.

Li Changfeng held the teacup, his fingertips pausing on the rim.

This marriage was clearly forced upon Su Chen and Lin Zhiya by him.

This kid is usually very arrogant, but now he's actually willing to lower himself and publicly help this female cultivator out of a predicament.

That's not like him at all.

To onlookers, this statement sounded exactly like Su Chen actively pursuing the Holy Maiden.

The old monster knew exactly what was going on, but he didn't say anything, and simply sipped the warm tea.

Lin Zhiya's shoulder trembled almost imperceptibly.

She never expected this.

In their cave dwelling, the two of them cultivated their own paths, keeping to themselves and barely exchanging more than three words a day.

They didn't like each other at all.

But at that moment, this man silently shielded her from this danger.

Those words just now easily pulled her out of the spotlight.

Su Chen made it clear that he was the one who pursued her.

In this way, no matter how others speculate, they can't find any fault with Lin Zhiya.

He is calm, responsible, and knows how to protect her.

Even if this man is a seasoned player at manipulating female cultivators' feelings, with his temperament, there are probably plenty of female cultivators willing to fall for him.

Lin Zhiya stood there, stunned, her mind filled with the scene from just now, and she was momentarily lost in thought.

"I want the saint to answer me personally."

Han Yue, however, refused to give up. The blue-green sword hanging above his head emitted a clear, unwilling cry.

...