Cultivating a family of immortals

Xu Jingtao was sitting in front of a jade platform in a pavilion of this sect.

This was her first time visiting a cultivation sect. Looking at the palaces built in the mountains, which were entirely made of white jade, with upturned eaves and corners hidden among the clouds, they resembled a celestial palace.

Looking ahead, the mountains are covered with lush spiritual trees, and disciples occasionally fly by, their robes fluttering, giving them an ethereal air.

After being attacked by that spirit beast a few days ago, she was seriously injured and fell into a coma. She was rescued by a disciple named Wen Jiangming and settled here.

She has recently recovered from her injuries, but it is not advisable for her to go down the mountain.

Thinking of this, Xu Jingtao frowned, feeling extremely agitated.

Over the past few days, she has also found out that this sect is called the Cloud Rank Sect, and it is guarded by a Foundation Establishment Peak cultivator, making it far stronger than the Vast Ocean Sect.

The family in the sect is called Wen, and Wen Jiangming is the best among the third-generation disciples. He has now reached the fifth level of Qi Refining.

That day, Xu Jingtao claimed to be a disciple of the Xuan Yuan Sect in order to conceal her true identity and prevent Wen Jiangming from mistaking her for a helpless person and thus harming her.

But it was precisely because of this that Wen Jiangming had some different ideas, which Xu Jingtao, as someone who had been through it all, naturally understood.

Xu Jingtao realized that the Xuan Yuan Sect was much stronger than other sects.

In fact, Xu Jingtao had also considered accepting this person... The most important point was that he could bring certain benefits to the Xu family. If she married into the Yunjie Sect, the Xu family would have the support of a cultivation sect. If they were to go to war with the Haoran Sect and the Chaoyang Sect in the future, she could ask for some help to go back.

However, she really didn't like Wen Jiangming.

This person is far too scheming, and he is only trying to curry favor with her because of her fabricated identity. If, after the deed is done, he discovers that she is not a disciple of the Xuan Yuan Sect, it will cause him to harbor resentment, which would be a bad thing.

Besides, the person you like must also like you back. Liking is a feeling, and if you don't like someone, it's probably useless to develop feelings over time.

As she was thinking, she let out another soft sigh. Just then, a voice came from behind her.

"Fellow Daoist Xuan, why do you sigh?"

Xu Jingtao turned around and saw Wen Jiangming carrying a bowl of cooked spiritual porridge, smiling as he stepped forward.

Xu Jingtao was slightly taken aback, but quickly stood up and cupped her hands in greeting, saying, "My injuries have almost healed, so I'm hesitating about whether to go back, which is why I sighed."

Wen Jiangming's hand holding the small bowl trembled slightly, but he remained calm and said:

"Why the rush? In a few days, the peach blossoms in my sect will be in full bloom. I was thinking of inviting Fellow Daoist Xuan to enjoy the scenery together."

Looking at his serious expression, Xu Jingtao sighed slightly in her heart, but then her eyes gradually hardened.

Well then, if it can bring some benefits to the Xu family, what's wrong with becoming friends with him?

I will reveal my identity to him tonight. If he is willing, great; if not, I will leave.

After thinking for a moment, he smiled and said, "Then thank you for your kindness, fellow Daoist. I..."

Before he could finish speaking, Wen Jiangming interjected, "Fellow Daoist Xuan, how about this: after preparing a banquet for you tonight, you can decide for yourself whether to stay or leave!"

Xu Jingtao was taken aback, thinking to herself that this person was being far too polite, so she could only nod and agree to discuss the matter after the banquet.

Seeing this, Wen Jiangming smiled slightly, casually brushing the bowl across its rim before handing it over and saying:

"Eat quickly. This spiritual porridge is made with spiritual rice and contains many precious spiritual herbs, which will help you recover from your injuries."

Xu Jingtao felt a warmth in her heart, took the drink, and sipped it.

A glint flashed in Wen Jiangming's eyes.

………………

Late at night, Xu Jingtao lay soundly asleep on the bed in the attic, her eyes closed and a blush on her face.

Wen Jiangming pushed open the door and entered, saying softly, "Fellow Daoist Xuan, have you woken up? Hurry up and attend the banquet."

The words echoed in the attic, but Xu Jingtao did not respond.

Wen Jiangming walked to the bedside, carefully looked at Xu Jingtao's face, and a smile appeared on his lips.

"So beautiful..."

After saying that, he sighed deeply, slowly sat down on the edge of the bed, reached out and tightly grasped Xu Jingtao's hand.

Xu Jingtao still did not react.

Wen Jiangming felt the warmth emanating from his hand, his heart pounding wildly, but he remained calm on the surface.

He slowly began to speak:

"Fellow Daoist Xuan... I put a drug in the spiritual porridge I gave you today..."

He felt somewhat guilty, but his expression remained calm.

"Please forgive me... I love you too much. I know that a gentleman cannot force things, and I know that your intention to leave is firm, but I have no choice..."

At this point, Wen Jiangming seemed to be thinking about something, and remained silent for a long time. He then tightened his grip on Xu Jingtao's hand before continuing:

"Our Cloud Rank Sect Master... has long since passed away... Apart from our eldest brother, who is at the eleventh level of Qi Refining, the Cloud Rank Sect has no other high-level cultivators... This matter cannot be known to outsiders. If our Cloud Rank Sect has no more Foundation Establishment cultivators, our future status may be in jeopardy. Which cultivation family doesn't have enemies?"

Wen Jiangming's eyes gradually darkened, becoming increasingly sinister.

"If the news of the Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Cloud Rank Sect passing away gets out, I wonder how many enemies will come knocking on our door... These enemies don't dare to do anything to my Cloud Rank Sect in normal times, but they are like vicious wolves lurking in the shadows. As soon as something happens to my Cloud Rank Sect, they will swarm in and tear us apart with their sharp claws..."

"For this reason, our eldest brother personally led four of the sect's most powerful cultivators to the Ningyuan Zhize to seize the Foundation Establishment herb, but... he returned today, severely injured, and alone..."

Wen Jiangming chuckled softly twice, his tone somewhat indifferent as he said:

"Our senior brother is too upright. He's a scholar, with a strong scholarly air. He likes to reason things out. I figured he wouldn't be able to get that Foundation Establishment herb. And sure enough..."

"If this continues, my Cloud Rank Sect will decline sooner or later."

"But," Wen Jiangming's tone became fiery, he lowered his eyes and looked at Xu Jingtao with fervor, "you suddenly appeared here... That day you were in danger, you could have escaped even without my help, because you are a disciple of the Xuan Yuan Sect and have been training in the world, the sect must have given you a life-saving treasure... These are all my guesses afterward."

"That day, when you said you were a disciple of the Xuan Yuan Sect, you have no idea how excited I was!"

"The Xuan Yuan Sect is one of the four major sects, and its gates are guarded by cultivators of the Purple Mansion realm. If I could become the son-in-law of your Xuan Yuan Sect, who would dare to touch my Yun Jie Sect in the future?"

"Even if we could please the Xuan Yuan Sect and they were to bestow a Foundation Establishment Pill upon my Yun Jie Sect, it wouldn't be out of the question!"

"So..." Wen Jiangming's tone was tinged with guilt, but it was quickly masked by fervor, "I want to marry you. My methods are a bit despicable, but after it's done, you can kill me or torture me as you please, just spare my life. If you're willing... I will certainly live up to your expectations..."

After saying that, he finally made up his mind.

He shakily reached out to unbutton Xu Jingtao's outer garment.

Just then, a faint sigh rang out.