Chapter 118

Gu Xuan took advantage of her; Ye Lingling naturally would not let Gu Xuan take advantage of her, immediately pulling her hand out and escaping from his embrace.

"What are you doing!" Ye Lingling stepped back one meter from Gu Xuan, stared at him and demanded.

Gu Xuan smiled faintly: "The status of Nine Heart Begonia in the auxiliary soul master world is surely clear to you; if I give you the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, your descendants will no longer be bound by this curse, and in a hundred years the status of the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda might be overturned."

Pausing, Gu Xuan's smile faded, he said seriously: "As a member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, do you think I could do something that aids the enemy and harms ourselves? Even if I were tempted by your beauty, how would I get past Uncle Ning?"

Listening to Gu Xuan's words, she could still think carefully in the first half, but the second half was nonsense—what does it mean you're attracted to my looks? You really have designs on me, huh? Xiao Heizi, are you showing your chicken feet?

However, Gu Xuan wasn't wrong about one thing—he could never do something that aids the enemy and harms ourselves.

As he said, if she took the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid to lift the Nine Heart Begonia curse, then Nine Heart Begonia could branch out like the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda, and in the future its status in the auxiliary field could stand shoulder to shoulder with, or even surpass, the Pagoda.

From a profit perspective, this is tantamount to the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect digging its own grave.

Even if Nine Heart Begonia cannot shake the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, which is already one of the Top Three Sects, it would definitely affect the Sect's interests.

"So you understand what I mean?" Gu Xuan looked seriously at Ye Lingling and spoke softly.

How perceptive Ye Lingling is! She instantly grasped the key point.

"So unless Nine Heart Begonia merges into the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, you'll only give me the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, right?" Ye Lingling's tone was somewhat resigned, but that's the fact.

Gu Xuan nodded and said: "That's right; although it's difficult, if you want the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, this is the only way—otherwise, even if I agreed, Uncle Ning would not."

Upon hearing this, Ye Lingling's gaze dimmed a little.

Wanting the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid doesn't require merging into the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect; she could agree, because she no longer wants to suffer the pain of being separated from loved ones due to her martial soul's curse.

But she agreeing, her grandmother would also never agree—why does Nine Heart Begonia stay hidden? Isn't it to avoid getting involved in other powers' struggles? Isn't it to preserve the bloodline?

Otherwise, given Nine Heart Begonia's strength, even if only two specimens existed in the world at the same time, they would definitely be objects of fierce competition among all major powers.

It seemed he saw Ye Lingling's thoughts; Gu Xuan sighed and said: "I know your dilemma, though I don't know what you've experienced to crave lifting this curse so much, but I'm sorry—I can't decide on this matter."

Upon hearing Gu Xuan's words, Ye Lingling's heart sank even deeper into the abyss; having just seen hope, she fell into despair's depths.

Ye Lingling walked to the cool chair, sat cross-legged with her legs drawn up, wrapped her arms around her knees, and buried her face against her thighs.

Watching Ye Lingling's mood shift in just a few minutes, Gu Xuan's heart was also moved.

He came to Ye Lingling's side, his large hand gently stroking her back—this time not taking advantage, but offering sincere comfort.

After a long while, Ye Lingling lifted her head again; the veil on her face was soaked with tears, Gu Xuan directly removed her veil, and Ye Lingling did not dodge.

With the veil removed, a delicate visage appeared before his eyes, the slightly reddened eye sockets making one unable to resist feeling pity.

He sighed; if he were born into the Nine Heart Begonia family, perhaps he wouldn't need to do this, but as a member of the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, he must maximize all benefits for the Sect.

So he had no choice but to scheme against others.

"Lingling, let's set a time—I'll go talk to your family; I believe they'll want to meet me once they hear about the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid." Gu Xuan whispered in Ye Lingling's ear.

Ye Lingling, upon hearing the words, raised her head and glanced at Gu Xuan: "You……"

Gu Xuan and Ye Lingling locked eyes; at this moment Ye Lingling's petite appearance made people unable to resist wanting to take a bite; fortunately Gu Xuan's Dao heart was firm, he could still restrain himself. "Ah, who made you so cute? Since you don't inwardly object to joining the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, then I only need to settle your family, and coincidentally I happen to have some resources at hand, maybe it could work?" Gu Xuan couldn't help but pinch Ye Lingling's little cheek.

Ye Lingling did not dodge this time; although she knew that this stinky guy Gu Xuan probably had ill intentions toward her from early on, but now she found she couldn't bring herself to dislike Gu Xuan.

I don't know why; could it be because of Gu Xuan's attitude toward me just now?

However, Ye Lingling now felt a bit guilty in her heart; the proper wife had just left, and she already hooked up with Gu Xuan—how will she face Sister Yan in the future?

Ye Lingling paused, then said: "Alright, I'll go find Uncle Niu later and have him tell the family and grandmother about this situation."

After Ye Lingling finished speaking, Gu Xuan again cautioned: "Remember to state your demands clearly, so that I can retain the initiative later; keep your tone as if you give what you want to give and withhold what you don't want to give—only then will I have the upper hand when your grandmother arrives."

Listening to Gu Xuan's words, Ye Lingling's expression turned somewhat unnatural: "You're from the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, I'm from the Nine Heart Begonia Family—is it really okay for you to speak to me like this?"

However, Ye Lingling did not refute, because she also thought the same.

After all, although the Nine Heart Begonia Family remains hidden from the world, the childhood it gave her—and even now—still casts a shadow; if possible, she would rather merge into the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect to obtain the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid and lift the curse.

After saying that, Gu Xuan put his arms around Ye Lingling again; Ye Lingling wanted to push him away, but was firmly held by Gu Xuan, helpless.

She listened to Gu Xuan warily; if he dared to go further, she could bite him to death.

"I've never been pretentious; what I think in my heart is what I say. I used to have reservations, but now I don't need to in this situation. If the Nine Heart Begonia Family merges into the Seven Treasure Glazed Sect, you and I will definitely have to marry; otherwise, once the curse is lifted, if the Nine Heart Begonia is not our own family, I won't feel at ease."

"Whether it's because I like you or because of profit, in this lifetime you definitely can't escape."

Gu Xuan bluntly stated his purpose for doing this.

Upon hearing that, Ye Lingling's cheeks instantly flushed crimson, and even her ears grew hot.

"What… what about Sister Yan?" Ye Lingling asked weakly.

If Gu Xuan takes the initiative, she wouldn't mind being with him, because her grandmother had two men, which is for the sake of the Nine Heart Begonia lineage.

Therefore she also doesn't object to polygamy, after all this era is like that.

Moreover, Gu Xuan's looks and talent are top-notch for this era; no matter how you calculate it, she wouldn't be at a loss.

After all, rather than being forced to marry a man she doesn't like just to continue the Nine Heart Begonia line, she prefers to unite with someone she likes.

Upon hearing that, Gu Xuan's expression also shifted: "Well… let's not tell her for now; I haven't figured out how to explain it yet."

Ye Lingling wore a strange expression: "So… does this count as an affair?"

Upon hearing that, Gu Xuan's face also turned colorful: "What affair? Saying it so harshly—we're mutually affectionate; otherwise you wouldn't have refused me."

Listening to Gu Xuan's words, Ye Lingling's face reddened even more, her ears burning hot enough to fry an egg.

PS: Typos will be corrected later.

(End of chapter)