The old daoist snorted coldly, "You are the Temple Master, and that lad might potentially be the next Temple Master. If he breaks down like this, you might be able to accept it, but I certainly can't!"
Another daoist chimed in, "Indeed, although our Infatuation Daoist Temple is currently the leader of Daoism, we mustn't neglect to make preparations. Whether it's the Myriad Heaven Palace or other sects, aren't they all watching us with covetous eyes? Take the Sublime Sect for instance, a second-rate sect dares to covet the position of daoist leader. They truly do not know their place!"
"Our Infatuation Daoist Temple hasn't done anything this time, but the Sublime Bright Sect has already been destroyed. I believe they must have understood the severity of the situation and won't dare to have any ideas in the future."
"Senior Brother Li, you are mistaken. They will just be more cautious. How could they cease their actions completely? These hidden tactics that follow are the real trouble."
"Regardless, no matter what happens, Yun Jianyue this kid's Dao heart mustn't crumble. If he really gets rejected, you old fellows will have to console him!"
An old daoist said with a cold snort, "Console him? How? Have any of you ever had a Dao companion when you were young? Have you liked any woman before? All a bunch dedicated solely to cultivation, can you really understand the intricacies involved?"
"Speaking of having a Dao companion, isn't there someone standing right here? Your Father still remembers that half of the Infatuation Daoist Temple was nearly demolished because of that stupid matter, causing a stir throughout the entire cultivation world!"
Speaking of this, the Temple Master felt somewhat uncomfortable and hurriedly interjected, "Martial Uncles, where did things go so wrong? Perhaps it will turn out well? Let's wait and see. Why worry here?"
"I don't care. You're responsible for taking good care of this sapling. If anything happens to him, Your Father will impeach you and call for a new Temple Master!"
The old daoist spoke matter-of-factly, as if the re-election of the Temple Master was something effortless.
The Temple Master had a helpless look. He really did not know what he should say.
As the Temple Master of the Infatuation Daoist Temple, he was respected in the Dao society and across the entire foreign lands as well. However, outsiders had no idea that it was precisely because of the deep foundation of the Infatuation Daoist Temple. Many past generations of powerful predecessors might not have passed away yet. Although they might not be stronger than the Temple Master, their seniority was right there, the identity of Temple Master could not suppress them.
The Temple Master shook his head wryly, "Martial Uncles, you spend your days in bitter cultivation normally, why waste your time here today? In my view, it's better for Martial Uncles to go back quickly and not miss this great opportunity."
"Cultivate what?"
An old daoist in gray robes with white eyebrows fluttering had a bitter look as he said, "If I can't transcend that realm, I won't live much longer. Now that there's finally something interesting, can't I take a look?"
Listening to this, the daoists with shocking seniority fell silent and stopped speaking.
Life and death had always been a significant matter. No matter how high their seniority was, no matter how many Daoism records they could read, if they could not break through that realm, they would inevitably perish. They had lived for so many years and might have a few more left, but eventually, they would all die.
This was something that no one could explain.
The Temple Master also said softly, "Martial Uncle Chen, since it has come to this, why not travel the world? You've seen enough of the mountain scenery, why not explore the worldly scenery as well?"
The old daoist with white eyebrows said indifferently, "When that day comes, I'll naturally return to the North and find a great demon to fight with. It would be best if I could take him down with me. That would count as the only good thing I did in my cultivation life for the humans in this world."
The Temple Master stopped talking. At this moment, other than silence, there was no other answer.
This place suddenly became very quiet.
All eyes turned back to those two figures.
……
……
Yun Jianyue was silent for a long time.
Looking at the woman he thought about day and night, he remained speechless, not walking forward either.
By now, the remnants of the sunset had dissipated. On the distant horizon, the bright moon gradually emerged.
The moon appeared through the clouds, looking very beautiful.
Ye Zhihua still did not turn around.
She was indeed admiring the scenery.
Even with so many people watching her.
Yun Jianyue took a deep breath and suddenly said, "Senior Sister."
His voice was very faint, like the wind in the mountains, and the clear moon.
Ye Zhihua did not turn around, nor did she pay attention to him.
It was not Yun Jianyue's first time encountering such a thing.
The first time should be when he was 16 years old. The first time he spoke up, Ye Zhihua ignored him.
Since then, that cold and aloof woman had taken residence in his heart.
After staying for so many years, she was still like this. Yun Jianyue felt a little terrible.
Hence, he spoke again, a little louder this time.
"Senior Sister!"
However, Ye Zhihua still did not turn around, but a gentle breeze started blowing, gently moving her hair. Those dark strands swayed in the wind, appearing like threads of emotions that Yun Jianyue could not understand.
Yun Jianyue took two steps forward, getting a little closer to Ye Zhihua.
The young disciples below the cliff tensed up.
Now that Yun Jianyue had arrived here, arriving behind Ye Zhihua, it was something that had not happened for so many years.
This was the first time, and perhaps also the last.
Yun Jianyue closed the gap between them to less than a yard. If Ye Zhihua were to turn around at this moment, she definitely be able to notice the beads of sweat on Yun Jianyue's forehead, as well as his slightly trembling hand.
In this world, the only person who could make Yun Jianyue so nervous was probably just this woman.
"Senior Sister."
This was the third time Yun Jianyue spoke, his voice becoming somewhat clear but without the previous nervousness, becoming more gentle instead.
But it was still very gentle.
Finally, Ye Zhihua turned around and saw Yun Jianyue.
As one half of the Twin Pillars of Daoism, the two naturally knew each other. But over the years, Ye Zhihua had never said much to Yun Jianyue.
In reality, she had never said anything to the entire world either.
She looked at Yun Jianyue without any emotions in her eyes, yet she did not seem indifferent either.
Yun Jianyue smiled and took out a white flower from his pocket.
The flower was kept in a glass bottle, and at this moment, it was not withered but rather appeared even more beautiful under the moonlight.
"I saw this flower and found it very beautiful, so I wanted to bring it back for Senior Sister," Yun Jianyue said in a gentle voice. "When I was sixteen, I saw Senior Sister in the temple and thought that Senior Sister was also very beautiful. I was very happy and wanted to keep looking at Senior Sister."
Both of these sentences conveyed the same meaning: I want to do something, I am going to do something.
Ye Zhihua looked at the white flower with some curiosity.
It was a very beautiful flower that she had never seen before in the world.
Yun Jianyue continued, "And in those years after that, everyone in the temple knew that I liked Senior Sister, but Senior Sister didn't react."
Listening to this, Ye Zhihua shifted her gaze from the glass bottle and looked at Yun Jianyue.
Yun Jianyue was not unattractive, even quite handsome. Coupled with his demeanor, he could be considered a celestial-like figure. Song Changxi had always been regarded as an extremely elegant existence among the younger generation in the Dao society. But in front of Yun Jianyue, even his brilliance would pale somewhat.
It was difficult to say who was better looking, Yun Jianyue or the white flower.
"Later, I thought that since Senior Sister didn't say anything or react, it meant you didn't like me, and it was a rejection. But I didn't feel anything was wrong. Senior Sister can not like me, but I can still like Senior Sister. There is no right or wrong in this matter. I can't force Senior Sister, and Senior Sister can't stop me from liking you either."
The mountain breeze blew, and the sweat on Yun Jianyue's forehead had dried up.
At this moment, he was not nervous at all.
"I've realized something during my trip. Since I like you, Senior Sister, I should tell you. Whether you like me or not, Senior Sister should give me an answer. It's not good to rely on guessing."
Yun Jianyue smiled and said, "So, when I returned to the temple this time, I came to see Senior Sister so that you can give me an answer. Whether you like me or not, there has to be one."
Having said this, he had basically said everything that needed to be said.
Now it was time for Ye Zhihua to speak.
However, this woman who had always been known for her aloofness in the temple did not immediately respond.
The young disciples below the cliff heard these words very clearly and were very stunned.
They had never thought that Senior Brother Yun's return to the mountain this time was not just to see Ye Zhihua, but he really had so much to say.
Ye Zhihua looked at Yun Jianyue and said, "I thought you'd remain dumb for many more years."
Yun Jianyue smiled bitterly and felt somewhat flustered too. He never expected that this senior sister of his would say this as soon as she spoke.
He had thought about the myriad of reactions Senior Sister could have, but he did not expect this.
"Want to know the answer, just ask. Such a simple logic, you actually thought for so many years. Actually, your comprehension ability is pretty good, I just find it somewhat surprising."
Ye Zhihua had a flat tone. Looking at Yun Jianyue, she said, "But, it's not too late."
Yun Jianyue became excited.
Did this mean that it was likely not a rejection?
But it did not seem like she agreed either.
"The flower is very pretty, I'll accept it."
Ye Zhihua looked at Yun Jianyue, making her meaning clear.
Yun Jianyue quickly handed over the glass bottle.
However, Ye Zhihua just furrowed her brows slightly and did not reach out to take it.
She looked at Yun Jianyue and said, "Go wash it.
Yun Jianyue was somewhat taken aback.
Ye Zhihua said plainly, "You should go and clean up to, change your clothes."
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