Chapter 32: Heartbeat, You Family Meeting, Bai Qinglang
Two days after Lu Bai left the Sect, Ji Fuyao returned.
Her first stop was also straight to Qinwu Hall.
This mission was a bit tricky; she spent twice the time to complete it, and she was very annoyed!
If she had been faster, she could have taken on two missions.
"Elder, please verify," Ji Fuyao returned the Jade Slip.
The Elder took it, placed it on the table, and smiled slightly, "You always do your missions perfectly, what is there to verify? This is your reward, take it!"
He issued the reward without checking.
This was a sign of trust in Ji Fuyao.
As a well-known mission fanatic of Xuanqing Sect, the Elder knew her very well.
"Thank you!" Ji Fuyao said politely, then added, "Please, Elder, help me check how many contribution points Chixiao Peak has accumulated."
"Alright."
Ji Fuyao would inquire every now and then, and the Elder was not surprised. He tapped a few times on his Magical Artifact and reported, "A total of 3028 points."
This was for the current year; all past points had been reset to zero.
Hmm?
Ji Fuyao showed a hint of surprise.
It shouldn't exceed three thousand!
She had even planned to take on another mission after this one to raise the total above three thousand.
But now...
What's going on?
"Hehe!" The Elder chuckled and said, "Are you wondering why there are fifty extra points?"
Ji Fuyao nodded.
"Don't worry, there's no mistake, that's the correct amount! Those fifty points were earned by a young man named Lu Bai."
The rare mission upgrade, from three contribution points skyrocketing to fifty points, had left a deep impression on the Elder.
"Lu Bai?" Ji Fuyao stood stunned.
He took on a mission?
Who was his Protector?
With his Cultivation, he could at most take a Level One Low Grade mission. Which mission had such a high reward?
Or had he frantically taken on many missions while she was away from the Sect?
Seeing Ji Fuyao's confused expression, the Elder explained the specific situation.
"This..."
After listening, Ji Fuyao felt it was unbelievable.
Whoosh!
She turned and left Qinwu Hall.
Chixiao Peak.
Ji Fuyao circled around but didn't see Lu Bai. After thinking for a moment, she turned and headed towards her parents' residence.
"Mother, where is Lu Bai?"
"He went mining, no, prospecting," Su Tingyu said.
"Prospecting?"
"Yes! Xiao Bai, sigh!" Su Tingyu sighed, "This child is truly sensible. He said, 'Senior Sister works too hard on missions alone, I need to help her share the burden.'"
"I originally didn't want him to go to a dangerous place like Jialan Sand Land, but he said that prospecting was the only mission that could potentially yield a huge payout, and he wanted to take a gamble."
"'If I'm lucky enough to find a large mine, I could earn thousands of contribution points. With those contribution points, Senior Sister can Cultivate in peace and won't have to run around everywhere.'"
"'Senior Sister's talent is astonishing, yet she's troubled by trivial matters every day. It pains me to see it!'"
Su Tingyu clutched her chest, her expression pained.
Ji Fuyao: "..."
Did Lu Bai really say that?
Her heart was slightly touched.
Those strong individuals often grit their teeth and walk a very long path alone, but as soon as someone offers a little warmth or care, they immediately can't hold back.
"I'm tired, I'm going back to rest first."
Ji Fuyao finished speaking, turned, and walked away, not wanting her mother to see her unusual emotions.
Su Tingyu looked at her daughter's retreating back, a meaningful smile on her face.
...
[Ding! Detected Ji Fuyao's Affection for Host +688 points, one step closer to lighting up the second red heart!]
Lu Bai was on his way when he suddenly received his Senior Sister's affection.
Although not much, it successfully lit up the first red heart.
What's wrong with her?
Could it be that after some time apart, she missed him?
He never expected Senior Sister to be the introverted type.
That's great! With the little red heart, his efficiency in devouring 'Demon Cores' would be even higher.
...
Yu Province.
You Family.
The core members of the Family, led by Clan Chief You Shangzhi, were gathered for a meeting.
The meeting's topic was: the scandal between You Lianruo and a young Disciple from Xuanqing Sect, Lu Bai.
"You've all heard about Lian Ruo's matter, right?" You Shangzhi, You Lianruo's grandfather, asked.
"Mm." Everyone else nodded.
"What are your thoughts?"
No one spoke.
Mainly because they didn't know what the Old Master was thinking, so they didn't dare to express their opinions easily.
"Zhengnian, you speak first." The Old Master called out his eldest son, You Lianruo's uncle.
You Zhengnian cleared his throat, observing his father's expression as he began, "I think it's very inappropriate."
"Oh?"
"The entire Yu Province knows that Lian Ruo and Young Master Qinglang grew up together and have a good relationship. Our You Family and the Bai Family are also old Family friends, both among the six major affiliated forces of Yu Xiang Sect. Although no formal engagement has been set, both families have a bit of that intention. But Lian Ruo suddenly did something like this, what will the Bai Family think?"
You Shangzhi nodded.
"Danling, what do you think?"
"I agree with Elder Brother," You Danling, You Lianruo's paternal aunt, said.
"Xinghai... Eh! Where's Xinghai?"
You Shangzhi wanted to ask his second son, You Xinghai, but couldn't find him.
"Second Brother is over there." You Zhengnian pointed to a corner of the hall.
In the dim corner, You Xinghai was sound asleep, hugging a wine jar. His hair was messy, his face covered in stubble, and his clothes were wrinkled and dusty.
You Shangzhi felt like getting angry at the sight, but after his chest heaved for a while, he finally shook his head and sighed.
"Xinghai, Lian Ruo is your daughter, what do you think?"
You Xinghai's eyelids twitched twice, then slowly opened.
"She's not a child, she can do whatever she wants, I respect her."
"Your meaning is to not interfere? Forget it, you haven't really interfered since she was little." You Shangzhi had quite a few complaints about this.
"So, everyone thinks we should intervene?"
There were some collateral branches in the hall, but they had no right to speak, and You Shangzhi didn't ask them.
Everyone in the room tacitly agreed.
"Father, what are your thoughts?" You Zhengnian asked.
You Shangzhi thought for a moment and said, "If that Lu Bai were a Genius Disciple of Xuanqing Sect, it might not be impossible. But he, I hear, is not even as good as an ordinary Disciple. How can such a person be worthy of my Family's Destined Phoenix Girl?"
"Lian Ruo concerns the future of our Clan; her choice of a Dual Cultivation Dao Companion must be made with caution."
"Indeed, Clan Chief is wise." A chorus of agreement followed from below.
"Then this matter is easy to handle. Send someone to warn that boy to stay away from Lian Ruo," You Danling said.
"Foolish." You Shangzhi reprimanded.
You Danling pouted, feeling wronged but not daring to retort.
"Although Lu Bai is not worth mentioning, he is still a Disciple of a Saint Sect. Once this matter spreads, it concerns the face of Xuanqing Sect; we cannot act rashly."
"Mm! Father's considerations are still thorough."
"Then what should we do?" You Zhengnian frowned slightly.
"Two points!" You Shangzhi held up two fingers.
"First, communicate with Lian Ruo and ask her what she's truly thinking."
"Second, send someone to the Bai Family to avoid any misunderstandings."
The old man tapped lightly on the table, murmuring, "That boy from the Bai Family is still passable. If Lian Ruo doesn't have a better match, a marriage alliance between the You and Bai Families might not be impossible!"
Everyone understood these words.
It meant keeping the Bai Family as a backup.
...
An Immortal Cave in Yu Xiang Sect.
"Reporting, Young Master, Lu Bai has left the Sect again to carry out a mission," Bai Qi said, bowing.
"Oh?" Bai Qinglang showed an interested expression, "Do you know what mission, or the destination?"
"Judging by the direction, he seems to be heading towards Jialan Sand Land."
"Jialan Sand Land." Bai Qinglang murmured softly.
"Should I go kill him?" Bai Qi made a throat-slitting gesture.
"No." Bai Qinglang shook his head.
"We cannot act ourselves. No matter how discreetly we do it, Xuanqing Sect will find out."
"Young Master's meaning is?"
"Jialan Sand Land is so chaotic, people die there every day. If Lu Bai accidentally gets killed, isn't that very normal?"
"Using someone else to kill?" Bai Qi smiled.
"Still, Young Master is brilliant."
Bai Qinglang's face showed a hint of ruthlessness, "Lian Ruo is mine, no one can take her away. If I secure her, I can advance to the fifth True Disciple of Yu Xiang Sect, and the Bai Family's status will significantly increase accordingly. I have been planning for this for many years, and I will absolutely not allow anyone to disrupt it."
"Therefore, Lu B
ai must die."