36 Chapter 35: Shock!

All of Bai Lian's worries proved unfounded. She had anticipated that the Biluo sect disciples might cause trouble for her after leaving the Duxian sect. However, on the journey, Shen Xiangling remained silent, walking with her head down as if lost in thought, resembling a pensive statue.

The other Biluo sect disciples seemed irritated but hesitant to stir up any commotion without Shen Xiangling taking the lead. "Feels like an extended vacation," Bai Lian idly remarked, gazing at the scenery on both sides of the road. The crimson frost leaves, golden rice fields, and white lilies in the evening sun complemented her Li Yue Taoist robe.

Bored, she started to anticipate the system assigning some tasks to stir things up, but the system didn't meet her expectations.

To kill time, Bai Lian read books on magic circles. They were conveniently stored in a jade slip, which was much more convenient than e-books. Currently, she had three skill points in Formations.

As for the cryptic terms recorded in the book, she seemed to understand them, yet at the same time, it felt like she understood only the words, leaving her in a state of partial comprehension.

Bai Lian scratched her head in bewilderment.

The Biluo sect disciples paid no mind to Bai Lian's peculiar behavior. There was nothing noteworthy about it. If the heavens decided to rain thunder on Bai Lian, they might just join in singing celebratory songs.

Shen Xiangling, still immersed in her own world, was mainly consumed by shock over Xiao Jinse's victory against Ximen Wenxue. According to widespread knowledge about the Duxian sect, Xiao Jinse's Spiritual Root had initially been subpar. Even if Bai Lian had attempted to rectify it, it would have been transformed into a useless inferior fire-type Spiritual Root.

Prior to joining the Duxian sect, Xiao Jinse had never even cultivated.

Yet, this seemingly ordinary individual, someone who should have been overlooked in the vast world of cultivation, had managed to advance to the point where she could defeat Ximen Wenxue, who was at the Ninth Floor of the Qi Refining Period, in just a month.

It was astonishing.

Shen Xiangling touched her chest. She had to acknowledge that Bai Lian was right. Xiao Jinse possessed an unwavering determination. Although Shen Xiangling didn't understand the source of Xiao Jinse's motivation—what had propelled her to wield a sword with enough force to knock down Ximen Wanxue—Shen Xiangling couldn't attribute Xiao Jinse's accomplishments solely to her determination.

The more Shen Xiangling practiced, the more she realized that people had limits.

Certainly, Bai Lian's guidance had played a pivotal role in Xiao Jinse's rapid improvement.

Bai Lian's ability to discern her flaws at a glance and offer guidance—would Shen Xiangling herself make the same leaps under Bai Lian's tutelage?

Shen Xiangling stole a glance at Bai Lian, intending to secretly gauge her reaction.

Their eyes met.

The Saint straightened her posture.

No. I can't ask her. Would that not constitute a betrayal of my own sect?

Bai Lian pondered.

She had clearly witnessed Shen Xiangling rubbing her chest as they walked.

No way! Could it be true? The Saint couldn't suppress her urges and engaged in such actions while on the road?

Bai Lian was utterly shocked!

"Is there anyone normal in this strange R18 gal game world besides me?"

...

After another half-day, Bai Lian arrived at the Biluo sect.

Perched atop a mountain peak, the Biluo sect's main hall was situated on a floating mountain suspended in the sky.

Bai Lian dismounted from the Jade Rabbit's back, its size now comparable to that of a tiger.

"Haw!" The Jade Rabbit promptly returned to its usual proportions. Bai Lian rewarded it with several low-grade Spiritual Herbs, a fair trade. The Jade Rabbit allowed Bai Lian to ride it, and in return, Bai Lian offered it spiritual herbs.

Shen Xiangling cast an envious glance at the crouching Jade Rabbit near Bai Lian's feet. Even the Biluo sect's Holy Son didn't possess a Golden Core Stage pet.

Turning, Shen Xiangling asked, "Fairy Bai Lian, why don't you accompany me into the Biluo sect?"

Bai Lian shook her head. "I'm sorry, but my junior Martial Sister was seriously injured. I'm in a hurry to return and care for her."

No way. Entering the Biluo sect prematurely could risk exposing her disguise.

"Very well," Shen Xiangling agreed. "Then we shall part ways here."

"Alright." Bai Lian was about to leave with the Jade Rabbit when suddenly Shen Xiangling called out to her.

"Wait a moment!"

"What's the matter?"

"Haw?"

Both Bai Lian and the Jade Rabbit turned around simultaneously.

Shen Xiangling let out a sigh. She had suddenly remembered that she had forgotten to inquire about something. She spoke, "Actually, I had an ulterior motive for going to the Duxian sect."

"?"

Shen Xiangling continued, "Before I left, the Holy Son confided in me that he had admired you for a long time. However, he lacked the courage to express his feelings directly. Allow me to ask: would you be interested in becoming his Taoist companion? I understand that, given your talent and strength, you might not have a favorable opinion of our Holy Son. Yet, it would be rather impolite for me to flatly reject the Holy Son's proposition without first seeking your thoughts."

Bai Lian regarded her with a perplexed expression.

She had received confessions from others over the past two years, but as her standing within the Duxian sect rose, these proposals dwindled away.

"Well..." Bai Lian was about to respond to Shen Xiangling when a set of task options appeared before her.

[Task 1, "The Holy Son? Is he worthy of being my Taoist companion?!" (Reward: Windbreak)]

[Task 2, "He lacks the courage to ask me personally. I'm utterly disappointed!" (Reward: Inferior magic tool - Seven Xuan Needle)]

[Task 3, "Actually, I prefer women!" (Reward: Focus +3)]

...

Marvelous!

Bai Lian's gaze lingered on option three.

She hadn't encountered a task option that suited her taste in quite some time.

She believed this statement would undoubtedly deter the Holy Son's intentions and potentially address many similar situations.

As for whether saying such a sentence in earnest might be a bit embarrassing?

Considering the Saint's proclivity for touching her breasts so openly, Bai Lian didn't feel the slightest embarrassment!

"I probably shouldn't say this, but in order to avoid any impact on the relationship between the Duxian sect and the Biluo sect, I must be honest with you."

Bai Lian fixed Shen Xiangling with a solemn gaze.

All the Biluo sect disciples present held their breath.

If Bai Lian's words were excessively harsh, they, as Biluo sect disciples, would be duty-bound to stand up and defend their Holy Son, even if they couldn't match Bai Lian's strength.

Bai Lian sighed, "In reality, I prefer women!"

[Task completed, Focus +3]

A sudden crash echoed from the base of the mountain.

The Jade Rabbit's mouth hung open, the spiritual herbs it had been holding falling and shattering upon the ground.

Shen Xiangling's reaction was even more dramatic.

"You—you—you…" She extended a trembling finger towards Bai Lian. "Did you mean what you just said?"

"Yes," Bai Lian nodded, her gaze angling upward at a 45-degree angle.

I shouldn't have said that!

Shen Xiangling was utterly dumbfounded.

She never could have foreseen this response.

In other words, the Holy Son never stood a chance from the outset!

Then, Shen Xiangling recalled that Bai Lian had seemed to peep at her during their journey. Did...did that imply Bai Lian was interested in her?

Ah, ah, ah... Shen Xiangling's mind was in disarray.

A jumble of thoughts flooded her consciousness.

If she could go back, she would never have broached this subject with Bai Lian.

"In that case, I will inform...what you said to the Holy Son. I...I need to return to the Biluo sect now."

Shen Xiangling swiftly ascended to the mountaintop.

"Saint!" the remaining disciples exclaimed, watching her rush away.

They stared at Bai Lian as though they'd witnessed a ghost. Did the Duxian sect's Bai Lian truly have a preference for women?

"My heavens!" Someone shouted before bolting away, the others hurriedly following suit.

There was no time left to discuss the newcomers' competition. The disciples were eager to spread the explosive news they had just uncovered!