Chapter 63: Chapter 63: I’d Rather Die Than Marry

The girl in green looked at Chu Xuan with expectant eyes, "Senior Brother, the prospect of being escorted to become an immortal, aren’t you tempted?"

The big guy beside her and another female disciple who had come over nodded repeatedly, looking forward to Senior Brother hitting the mark and producing an immortal for the sect’s future.

Chu Xuan, who was previously in a daze, finally came to his senses. He shoved the book in his hand back to the girl in green and said in a serious tone:

"Don’t talk nonsense; being escorted to immortality is just nonsense. I see the writer of this book is no different from Bai Xiaosheng’s ilk. How can you take this seriously?"

"Besides, this kind of niche information, I absolutely don’t believe everyone knows about it. It must be someone with ulterior motives stirring the pot from the shadows."

Though speaking righteously, Chu Xuan felt a bit nervous, genuinely fearing being exposed as not having an Innate Dao Body.

If that were all, Chu Xuan could claim ignorance, as he had never declared himself a Dao Body anyway.

However, Ji Mingyu had insisted he keep the secret of the Celestial Marrow hidden, suggesting there was some underlying reason.

If this secret got out, Chu Xuan worried it would overturn his peaceful life, perhaps even leading to being expelled from the sect again...

Hearing Senior Brother say this, the group felt somewhat disappointed, though the girl in green still murmured softly, "Senior Brother, though unreliable rumors, your physiques can’t be fake, right?"

"What if someone among the sect elders does take interest?"

The other female disciple nodded repeatedly, "Otherwise, why would Purple Heaven Jade Mansion send Gu Haitang here if not to create an opportunity with Senior Brother?"

"Moreover, although the probability of cultivators producing offspring decreases with higher cultivation, both Senior Brother and Gu Haitang are in the Foundation Establishment Stage, so the probability should be relatively high. Opportunities don’t come twice, you know."

The big guy nodded vigorously, thinking this junior sister was indeed smart. How did he not think of this?

But my physique is fake... Chu Xuan felt anxious inside because he knew it was indeed possible for the elders to be tempted.

If I were the head of the Dao Palace, and this matter benefited my disciple while making ties with a prestigious sect like the Purple Heaven Jade Mansion, why not?

Even if I were the head of the Purple Heaven Jade Mansion, though marrying off a peerless genius might be at a disadvantage, the matter could be discussed. Having Chu Xuan "marry over" isn’t impossible either.

If Cyan Lotus Daoist Palace couldn’t accept it, both sides could negotiate slowly, perhaps letting the young couple reside alternately between the two sects for a while.

If in the future, they truly have offspring with immortal qualifications, ideally twins, each sect would get one, and both would be happy.

No way!

A sense of crisis suddenly arose in Chu Xuan’s heart. He didn’t care about the rumors in the sect anymore and directly stated, "This matter ends here. Please help me inform the other disciples not to spread the rumors."

Having said that, he immediately ran off to discuss with his master, determined to dispel such ideas!

"What to do, Senior Brother seems a bit resistant?" The big guy scratched his head.

The female disciple shook her head, "Maybe he’s just shy."

The girl in green muttered to herself, "I understand now. Senior Brother has already turned over a new leaf. He’s worried about us looking at him with a bad eye, so he’s being reserved."

In any case, they began to discuss it again, enjoying the topic until a cough echoed in the void, causing them to shrink their necks and shut their mouths obediently, moving on to what they were supposed to do.

...

In the grand hall of the Dao Palace, Floating Cloud was pacing back and forth.

Seeing Chu Xuan arrive, he proactively said, "You’re just in time. I was about to send someone to call you."

Seriously, in such a hurry?

Chu Xuan’s ominous premonition grew stronger. He hastily bowed and said, "Reporting to Master, disciple... disciple’s heart already belongs to someone else, this marriage must not proceed."

This time it was Floating Cloud’s turn to be stunned. He then shook his head with amusement and said, "What are you thinking? Usually, you don’t believe in these rumors; why take it seriously now?"

Chu Xuan finally breathed a sigh of relief, "They spoke so convincingly that it scared me."

"What urgent matter does Master have for me?"

This made Floating Cloud look worried. He first waved his duster, completely sealing the grand hall of the Dao Palace, and then said, "You’ve probably heard of the visit from Purple Heaven Jade Mansion by now."

"What should be done now?"

Chu Xuan frowned, "Could it be that they intend to force a marriage?"

"No, I would rather die than marry, uh, I mean, die than take a wife."

Floating Cloud looked helplessly, tapping his disciple’s head with the duster, "Can you not think about marriage matters first?"

Chu Xuan puzzledly rubbed his head, "Then what exactly is it? Master, please tell me."

"Ancestral Master." Floating Cloud gave a slight hint, which was something the disciple already knew, not needing reminder.

Chu Xuan was initially unclear about what happened to Jiang Yiyi but then recalled how worried his master was about the ancestor’s "illegal descent" to the mortal realm.

After all, this could be a minor or major issue; insignificantly light off the scale, but immeasurable once weighed.

He then frowned, "So, Master, you worry that Purple Heaven Jade Mansion might be here for the Ancestral Master?"

Floating Cloud nodded then shook his head, "Perhaps we are just feeling guilty; maybe they simply want to foster good relations and coincidentally see your Innate Dao Body."

"After all, Haitang is a Chaos Sacred Fetus. It’s unlikely they’d have no intention at all."

"However, while not afraid of a thousand scenarios, a single one could happen. Should we find an excuse to send the Ancestral Master on a journey?"

"No," Chu Xuan decisively opposed, "The more you cover up such matters, the more suspicion it draws."

"Since we’ve already established a strategy before, it should be resolutely executed."

"Disciple believes there’s no need for the Ancestral Master to hide, nor to intentionally meet the guests. Just proceed with a natural, unperturbed way of receiving them."

Floating Cloud thought so too, he wasn’t really foolish, just worried sick, "Should we call the Ancestral Master over to remind her nonetheless?"

"No," he denied immediately after saying, "I don’t genuinely trust her. Better let it be."

Chu Xuan found it amusing, realizing he wasn’t the only one tricked by Jiang Yiyi.

"At that time, those old fogeys, including us, will discreetly watch over the Ancestral Master. You must also bear this responsibility as I see she listens to you quite well nowadays."

"I’d be grateful if she didn’t cause trouble, let alone listen to me."

Though he said this, Chu Xuan still seriously promised his master.

Floating Cloud somewhat relaxed his expression, casually undoing the grand hall’s seal, "Now we should discuss the marriage issue again."

Chu Xuan’s face immediately fell, "Master, didn’t you say they were rumors?"