Chapter 174: The Bootlicking Immortal Lord Who Wants to Live Off a Woman (Part 40)

Shen Xiuyan flashed a radiant smile and reminded her, “Remember, that Senior Brother Chu is clearly unreliable. You’d better keep your distance from him.”

“Mm.”

Su Mingyue nodded firmly. Just from the way he treated Ruan Xi’er earlier, it was obvious—Senior Brother Chu really couldn’t be trusted.

That was his own junior sister, and he could still be so heartless. What special treatment could anyone else expect from him?

Not far away, Ruan Xi’er hadn’t seen everything clearly due to the distance.

She only caught a glimpse of Chu Suxing seemingly patting Su Mingyue’s head, then speaking to her gently, and finally walking away with Mei Lan.

It was as if he had completely forgotten she even existed.

That made Ruan Xi’er once again harbor resentment toward the innocent Su Mingyue.

It was all her fault. Su Mingyue must have said something to Senior Brother, something to turn him against her. That’s why he was angry and ignored her.

Dark energy coiled faintly around her, surging and churning.

If one looked closely, her eyes seemed to glow with a faint crimson hue—she was on the verge of falling into demonic cultivation.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Fine, if none of them were going to come for her, then she’d go it alone.

Gritting her teeth, Ruan Xi’er turned and headed toward the other side.

Meanwhile, Shen Xiuyan and Su Mingyue waited at the stone exit for a long time, but Ning Cui and Wang Gang never showed up.

Shen Xiuyan said, “Senior Sister, maybe they didn’t take this exit. Why don’t we keep going inside? I don’t think waiting any longer will help.”

Su Mingyue nodded. “Alright, let’s go check out the building.”

The pavilion and towers ahead were magnificently grand, every detail exquisitely crafted. The white jade staircases, paired with flawless, intricate carvings, were so stunning that one couldn’t help but want to pry a piece off and take it home.

Everywhere in the courtyard, one could see formations powered by vast numbers of Spirit Stones. Each one looked uniquely dangerous, and Su Mingyue was terrified of accidentally stepping into one.

Cold sweat beaded on her forehead. They were only halfway through, but the formations grew more perilous the deeper they went. Su Mingyue’s nerves tightened with every step.

“Wait, hold on.” She stopped and pulled a jade pendant from her Hundred Treasures Pouch. “Wear this.”

“What is it?”

“A birthday gift from my father last year. It can block a single attack from a Soul Transformation Stage cultivator. Keep it on you—in case something happens, it could save your life.”

Shen Xiuyan was deeply moved. His beloved was always thinking of his safety. How could he not fall even harder for her?

But honestly, the thing was useless to him. In this cultivation world, who could possibly beat him?

Rather than giving it to him, it made more sense for Su Mingyue to keep it. That way, he’d feel more at ease.

He tried to refuse. “I appreciate the thought, Senior Sister, but you should keep it. I won’t feel at ease otherwise.”

Su Mingyue smiled and ruffled his hair. “No need. I’ve got plenty of protective magic treasures on me. You take this one.”

Seeing that he couldn’t talk her out of it, Shen Xiuyan accepted the pendant and hung it at his waist.

Su Mingyue nodded in satisfaction.

She held out her hand. “Let’s go, Junior Brother.”

Shen Xiuyan took her hand again, but when Su Mingyue tried to pull him along, he didn’t budge.

She turned back, puzzled. “Junior Brother?”

Shen Xiuyan felt he couldn’t wait any longer. His feelings were about to burst out of him. Seizing the moment, he said, “Senior Sister, I like you. Don’t you think this looks like a token of our love?”

Su Mingyue was slightly stunned, unable to believe what she’d just heard.

Shen Xiuyan repeated, louder and clearer, “Senior Sister, I! Like! You!”

He enunciated each word so clearly that Su Mingyue couldn’t even pretend she hadn’t heard him.

Her face turned bright red. This was the first time anyone had confessed to her—and so directly, too.

A flicker of panic and nervousness flashed in her eyes. She quickly lowered her head the moment she met Shen Xiuyan’s gaze.

But then she realized something was off. Her Little Junior Brother had just confessed—how could she act like a coward? What if he lost his nerve?

Thinking of that, Su Mingyue raised her head again. Seeing the determination in the young man’s eyes, her heart softened once more.

She must like her Little Junior Brother too. After all, she was always so happy around him.

Su Mingyue bit her lip, her voice tinged with shyness. “Mm, I like you too.”

Shen Xiuyan’s eyes lit up. “Really?”

His voice was hoarse with excitement.

Su Mingyue nodded. “Really.”

“Senior Sister! I’m so happy! Thank you for liking me!” Shen Xiuyan swept Su Mingyue up into his arms and spun her around in place.

It was the first time Su Mingyue had felt the warmth and strength of a man’s embrace. Her face flushed again, and her head felt like it was about to burst into steam.

She gently patted Shen Xiuyan’s shoulder. “Junior Brother, put me down.”

Shen Xiuyan obediently set her down.

“So, Senior Sister, does this mean we’re a couple now?”

Su Mingyue shyly nodded.

Shen Xiuyan held her hand. “I’ll treat you well from now on—super well!”

“Alright, I believe you.” Su Mingyue grew serious. “But are you sure you’re serious about this?”

Shen Xiuyan nodded firmly. “I’m serious. As in, I want to become your Dao Companion right this second kind of serious!”

Su Mingyue grinned. “No need to rush. Let’s wait until we get out of here. I’ll talk to my father first—he’ll have the final say.”

Cultivators live long lives, so they follow their hearts. Since both of them had feelings for each other, becoming Dao Companions was only natural.

But Su Mingyue still had her father to consider. A decision this big couldn’t be made on her own. She’d have to inform Elder Su.

Shen Xiuyan nodded vigorously. “Okay, we’ll do as you say. But… Elder Su won’t dislike me, will he?”

Su Mingyue patted his head. “He won’t. My father’s easy to talk to.”

Shen Xiuyan still looked worried. “But if Elder Su does dislike me, Senior Sister, you have to speak up for me, okay?”

“Don’t worry, of course I will.”

This Little Junior Brother of hers, worrying about everything—how could he be so adorable?

“Senior Sister, you’re the best.”

“If I’m not good to you, who else would I be good to?”

Now that their relationship was official, the way they spoke to each other had become much more straightforward.

Su Mingyue clearly noticed the change too. She gave a light cough to shift Shen Xiuyan’s attention.

“Ahem, alright, let’s hurry inside. We still don’t know how Junior Brother and Junior Sister are doing—whether they’re in danger or not. Our top priority is to find them as soon as possible.”

Shen Xiuyan nodded. “Alright.”

Now that they’d confessed their feelings, he no longer had any reason to avoid running into Wang Gang and the others.

After all, there would be plenty of time for just the two of them later—no need to delay now and make Mingyue worry.

The two of them carefully made their way deeper inside.

Finally, they arrived at the central grand hall, where, to their surprise, two groups had already gathered.

One side was Chu Suxing and his team, and the other was Lin Qifan and his followers.

The two groups were locked in a tense standoff.

“What’s going on here?” Su Mingyue asked softly.