Mortal: Junior Sister Song Yu

Luoyun Sect, at the summit of its main peak.

Inside the palace, which is perpetually shrouded in mist, Mu Li Zhenren, Cheng Tiankun, and Lü Luo, who had just finished their seclusion, were quietly listening to the report from the Feng surname cultivator from Tianquan Peak.

The air was filled with the scent of sandalwood, yet it couldn't suppress the heavy, deathly silence.

After the report concluded, the cultivator surnamed Feng bowed and withdrew, leaving only the three pillars of the Luoyun Sect in the hall.

Master Mu Li slowly closed his eyes, and a trace of fatigue appeared on the face of this Nascent Soul ancestor.

Three years ago, the sect suffered a great calamity.

The names of the true disciple Song Tianxing, the guardian elder, and the two deputy peak masters... were like heavy hammers striking the foundation of the Luoyun Sect, almost shattering it.

"Junior Brother Cheng, Lü Luo."

When Master Mu Li opened his eyes again, two cold stars shone deep within his turbid eyes, dispelling the gloom that filled the hall.

"I have decided that the sect conferment ceremony will be held in three days."

"I will personally appoint new true disciples."

Lu Luo's expression shifted, and he said urgently, "Master, the sect has suffered a great loss of vitality. Is it appropriate to hold such a grand celebration at this time...?"

"It is precisely because our vitality has been severely depleted that we must undertake this!"

Master Mu Li's voice wasn't loud, but it was as clear as a bell, interrupting Lü Luo's words.

"The sect needs a grand event to revitalize morale, and even more so, a new pillar of strength to give all disciples hope!"

"The matter is settled. Have Junior Nephew Feng pass on the message."

He stood up, walked to the front of the hall, put his hands behind his back, looked down at the churning sea of ​​clouds, and said to the two people behind him.

"The roots of the Luoyun Sect are still intact, but its branches and leaves have withered."

"These two children... are newly sprouted buds; they are the last hope of the Falling Cloud Sect."

……

Three days later, Bai Fengfeng.

Outside Song Yu's cave, the morning breeze blew by, lifting a few strands of his black hair.

Li Xiao reached out and naturally tucked her messy hair behind her ear, his fingertips inadvertently touching her slightly cool earlobe.

Song Yu's body trembled slightly, and a faint blush rose on his cheeks.

Although the two did not hold a dual cultivation ceremony in the past three years, the entire sect had long regarded them as one.

"Senior brother."

Song Yu gently rested her head on Li Xiao's shoulder, her voice soft and tinged with longing.

"The weather is so nice today, let's... go and help Granny Yao look after her herb garden."

She liked that kind of tranquility.

"Silly girl."

Li Xiao smiled and was about to speak when a golden light streaked across the sky, hovering in front of the two of them and transforming into a sound transmission talisman engraved with the mark of the main peak.

With a light tap of his fingertip, Song Yu caused the talisman to transform into a curtain of light.

"Is Grandmaster Uncle Mu Li summoning you?"

After reading the contents, she frowned slightly. "Why are you summoning us at this time?"

"Go and see for yourself."

Li Xiao took her hand, his eyes deep, "Grandmaster Uncle has been in seclusion for many years. His summons now must have a profound meaning."

The two rode their magical artifacts into the air, transforming into two streaks of light that headed straight for the main peak.

Hundreds of inner disciples had already gathered in front of Luoyun Hall. When they saw the two descending from the sky, all eyes turned to them instantly.

That gaze was complex.

There was envy, there was awe, and even more so, there was a long-suppressed expectation that finally saw a glimmer of light.

Of course, there was also a hint of undisguised jealousy and resentment.

"Hmph, she's just benefiting from Senior Sister Song's fame." A sarcastic voice rang out from the crowd.

Li Xiao remained indifferent, ignoring them, and pulled Song Yu straight towards the palace gate.

He's long since given up on talking to this kind of clown.

Inside the hall, Master Mu Li, Cheng Tiankun, and Lü Luo sat in the main seats, with the peak masters of each peak arranged on either side, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

"Li Xiao, Song Yu, step forward and report back." Elder Feng's voice echoed in the hall.

The two men stepped forward as instructed and bowed in greeting.

Master Mu Li's gaze fell on Li Xiao.

That gaze was not scrutinizing, but rather like a bottomless ancient pool, calm yet reflecting all things.

His divine sense swept across the area like mercury spilling onto the ground.

On the surface, this young man was only at the peak of the early Foundation Establishment stage, nothing special.

But beneath that calm magical power, he "saw" a surging underground river!

The magical power was condensed to an unbelievable degree!

What shocked him even more was the extremely restrained sword intent within Li Xiao's body.

That wasn't a sharp edge, but a mountain of knives, steady and heavy, as if it could collapse the heavens and earth and annihilate gods and Buddhas with just a thought!

What a young man who keeps his talents hidden!

"Li Xiao".

Master Mu Li spoke, his voice carrying the vicissitudes of time, "Elder Feng recommended you as the true successor of our sect, but the position of true successor concerns the future of the sect and cannot be taken lightly. Today, I will personally consider it."

As soon as he finished speaking, a powerful, mountain-like pressure instantly enveloped the entire hall!

All the peak masters inside the hall stiffened, while the disciples outside were overwhelmed by the aura, some even kneeling on the ground!

"Are you willing to shoulder the blood and fire behind the words 'true teachings'?"

Mu Li Zhenren's voice seemed to explode directly in Li Xiao's soul!

The center of that oppressive aura was none other than Li Xiao!

He felt as if an invisible mountain was pressing down on his shoulders, his bones were creaking, and his legs were trembling uncontrollably, almost causing him to kneel down.

His heart skipped a beat.

A true disciple!

That's not just about resources and status, it's about responsibility!

It is the sharp sword that protects the sect, and the torch that carries on the tradition!

He thought of the tragic deaths of the Li clan members, of his master Song Zhi who died with resentment, and of Yu'er in his arms who needed his protection...

"roar!"

Li Xiao let out a suppressed growl, his eyes turned bloodshot, and the "mountain of knives" hidden in his body trembled violently!

An indomitable and all-consuming domineering sword intent soared into the sky, forcefully resisting the mountain-like pressure!

Instead of kneeling down, he slowly straightened his spine, met Mu Li Zhenren's gaze, and spoke with a resolute voice, each word like a knife!

"This disciple is willing!"

"good!"

A sharp light flashed in Mu Li Zhenren's eyes, and his oppressive aura suddenly dissipated.

He nodded in admiration, and a token made entirely of deep-sea blue crystal appeared out of thin air and flew toward Li Xiao.

"From this day forward, you are a true disciple of my Falling Cloud Sect!"

A collective gasp filled the hall, while outside, there was an eerie silence.

The disciple who had spoken rudely earlier was now deathly pale, his eyes filled with disbelief.

To withstand the pressure of a Nascent Soul Ancestor without falling down—what terrifying willpower and foundation that must be!

Master Muli's gaze shifted to Song Yu, and instantly softened considerably.

"Song Yu, your parents are both pillars of our sect. Although you have not been formally conferred an official title, Junior Brother Cheng has long regarded you as a true disciple. Today, I will announce this to the entire sect."

Song Yu bowed gracefully and said, "Thank you, Grandmaster Uncle."

"The two of you."

Master Mu Li's sudden change of tone made everyone's hearts leap into their throats.

"Childhood sweethearts, their love is stronger than gold, and they also have the dying wish of their elders."

"I intend to personally preside over your dual cultivation ceremony, firstly to comfort the spirits of my niece Song Zhi and the heroic martyrs of the Li family in heaven, and secondly to dispel the gloom that has shrouded our Luoyun Sect for the past three years and to revitalize our morale!"

"What do you all think?"

These words caused an uproar throughout the hall!

The Dual Cultivation Ceremony was personally presided over by the Nascent Soul Ancestor?

What an extraordinary honor!

The fact that two true disciples became Daoist partners is an unprecedented event in the thousands of years since the founding of the Luoyun Sect!

Li Xiao and Song Yu suddenly looked at each other, both seeing unbelievable surprise and emotion in each other's eyes.

Li Xiao gripped Song Yu's slightly cool hand tightly. That hand, which was covered in thick calluses from years of holding a knife, was now trembling slightly.

He took a deep breath and bowed deeply to the person in the main seat.

"This disciple...is willing!"

Song Yu's cheeks flushed, and his voice was barely audible, yet incredibly firm: "I leave it all to my grandmaster."

"Haha, great! Okay!"

For once, a hearty smile appeared on Master Mu Li's perpetually unchanging face.

"Three days later, at Yingxianping!"

"I will have the entire Yunmeng Mountain Range witness this joyous occasion of my Luoyun Sect!"

……

Three days later, at Yingxianping.

This huge platform, which is usually used as a teleportation array, has been completely transformed today.

The twelve white jade pillars are carved with the life stories of the successive patriarchs of the Luoyun Sect. The moonlight pearls at the top of the pillars shine down, making the ancient reliefs seem to come alive.

In the air, thousands of "Star River Lamps" crafted by the elders and disciples of Tianquan Peak floated slowly, forming a dazzling ribbon of spiritual energy, like an inverted Milky Way.

The central platform was covered with brocade made of ice silkworm silk from the coldest lands, with faint spiritual energy flowing through the silk threads, attracting countless spirit butterflies to swirl and dance around it.

All three thousand disciples of the Luoyun Sect, both inner and outer, are present today.

They changed into their most solemn sect robes, and after suppressing their emotions for three years, genuine smiles finally appeared on their faces.

"Thump—"

The bell tolled nine times, piercing through the clouds and splitting the rocks, its sound echoing throughout the entire Yunmeng Mountain Range.

On one side of the platform, Li Xiao wore a red cloud-patterned robe, a three-jade belt around his waist, and his long hair was tied up high, revealing his angular face.

His palms were sweaty.

Senior Sister Bai Fengfeng, who was in charge of etiquette, chuckled softly beside him, covering her mouth: "Junior Brother Li, you weren't this nervous even when you were withstanding the Ancestor's pressure, were you?"

"...Hehe, a little." Li Xiao answered honestly.

Having lived two lives, this was his first marriage.

In his previous life on Earth, his life ended abruptly with a dump truck accident, and he never even held a girl's hand.

In this life, he found the person he was willing to protect with his life.

"The auspicious time has arrived!"

Elder Feng gave a loud shout that resounded through the sky, and the entire hall fell silent instantly.

In the distance, a red-clad figure, surrounded by more than ten female cultivators from White Phoenix Peak, slowly walked towards them.

The morning light bathed her in a dreamy golden halo.

Every step she took seemed to be stepping on Li Xiao's heartbeat.

Today, Song Yu is dressed in a bright red phoenix feather dress, with layers of auspicious clouds and water ripples embroidered on the hem with gold and silver threads, making him appear as if he is walking on waves.

Her long, black hair was tied up high with a white jade hairpin carved with a phoenix spreading its wings, and a few playful strands of hair hung down by her ears, swaying gently with her steps.

The pale blue crescent moon mark on her forehead shone brightly in the morning light, adding an ethereal, otherworldly charm to her beautiful and refined appearance.

She was already extremely beautiful, but today, with just a touch of makeup, she was so beautiful that the world seemed to lose its color.

Li Xiao was mesmerized.

He had seen her adorable babbling, her focused swordplay, and her anxious self-healing.

But today, she was so beautiful that he forgot to breathe.

Supported by the female cultivators of Baifeng Peak, Song Yu walked step by step up the high platform. She could feel the scorching gaze that seemed to melt her, and her cheeks grew hotter and hotter. Yet, she still couldn't help but raise her eyes and meet his gaze in the air.

At that moment, all was silent.

Countless images flashed through Li Xiao's mind: their first meeting when he was five, the adorable little girl clutching his finger and giggling; when she was ten, she stood in front of him with her frail body, confronting the ferocious cultivator; when he was fifteen, she used a calming mantra to soothe the turmoil in his mind when his inner demons were rampant...

Everything converged into the profound affection I see in my eyes at this moment.

"Newlyweds, pay homage to Heaven and Earth!" Elder Feng chanted loudly in response.

Li Xiao and Song Yu turned around and bowed deeply to the vast sea of ​​clouds and the solid earth.

"I bow again to my ancestral masters!"

The two bowed again.

Their gazes swept over the ancestral tablets of the sect's founders, and finally settled on the newly erected memorial tablet—"The Tablet of the Loving Mother Song Zhi".

Song Yu's eyes instantly reddened, and she bit her lip hard to keep the tears from falling on this special day.

"Husband and wife bow to each other!"

The two stood facing each other.

Looking at the girl who was about to become his wife, Li Xiao felt as if he wanted to deeply engrave her image into his soul. This was the first and only woman he had ever loved in his two lifetimes.

Song Yu also gazed at him, her eyes overflowing with affection, like spring water bursting its banks, no longer able to conceal it.

"The ceremony is complete!"

"boom--!"

The entire stadium erupted in thunderous cheers and blessings.

Countless disciples threw the spiritual flowers in their hands into the sky, and the colorful petals fell like rain, turning the entire Yingxianping into a sea of ​​flowers.

……

late at night.

Inside the newly built courtyard for them by the sect, dragon and phoenix red candles burned quietly, illuminating the entire room with a warm red glow.

Song Yu sat on the edge of the bed, her phoenix crown removed, her long black hair cascading down her back like black silk, adding to her gentle and beautiful appearance.

She nervously twisted the hem of her clothes. Hearing footsteps, she suddenly looked up and met Li Xiao's burning eyes.

"Senior brother..." she murmured unconsciously, her voice barely audible.

"Still calling me 'Senior Brother'?"

Li Xiao walked up to her, slowly squatted down, looked her in the eye, and spoke with a voice that was husky and gentle like never before.

Song Yu mustered all his courage, his cheeks flushed red as if they were about to bleed, and uttered two words in a trembling voice.

"Husband... my husband."

Li Xiao reached out and gently cupped her face in his hands.

Both of them trembled as their fingertips touched her warm, smooth skin.

He lowered his head and kissed her lips.

This kiss was gentle and devout, carrying with it more than twenty years of companionship, the loneliness and cherishment of two lifetimes, and an eternal promise for the future on the path to immortality.

Song Yu closed his eyes and responded awkwardly yet passionately.

The moment their lips met, her "intuitive connection" was activated like never before, but what she saw was not a concrete image, but a feeling, an emotional torrent that reached the depths of her soul!

She "senseed" Li Xiao's inner world—a world without words, only a vast and desolate starry sky, as if a soul that had wandered for countless years had finally found a harbor to rest in. She felt his grief as deep as mountains and seas, felt the fire of revenge burning beneath his cold, sharp intent... and, at the very depths of all these complex emotions, there was a beam of the warmest, purest light, carefully enveloping and protecting her figure.

That was a love and protection that transcended words, a love and protection that was uniquely recognized!

And Li Xiao, for the first time through this wonderful connection, felt Song Yu's inner world.

It was a pure and crystal-clear world, filled with nothing but complete dependence and trust, like a little animal that exposes its softest belly to you, completely defenseless, so pure it's heartbreaking.

Clothes slipped off one by one.

The boudoir is warm and cozy, but the spring night is fleeting.

……

As the first rays of dawn shone through the window into the cave, Li Xiao opened his eyes and looked at his sleeping wife in his arms.

Her face still bore the flush of last night's passion, and a sweet smile lingered on her lips, like a kitten curled up after a satisfying meal.

He lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead, a feeling of unprecedented peace and contentment welling up inside him. His soul had finally found its true home in this world.

In the afternoon, the two walked hand in hand to the back peak of Baifeng Peak.

At Song Zhi's grave, petals blown by the wind during yesterday's celebration still remain.

Li Xiao lit three sticks of calming incense, while Song Yu placed the freshest spiritual fruits on the table.

The two knelt down side by side.

"daughter."

Song Yu spoke, her voice already trembling with tears, "Daughter... and Brother Xiao, we are married."

Li Xiao knelt beside her, took her hand, and solemnly swore an oath before the tombstone:

"Master, please rest assured."

"From this day forward, Yu'er will be the most important person in my life, the final resting place of my soul."

"I will protect her with my life for the rest of my life, and I will never betray her in the slightest!"

A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, a sound as if a tender response and a comforting whisper from the heavens.