Chapter Thirty-Four: The Selection Begins

“Knock, knock!”

Wang Li’s small cabin door resounded with a firm rap.

“Who is it?” Wang Li called toward the entrance.

“Jiang Yu.”

“Jiang Yu? Who’s that?” Wang Li thought he must be hearing things. If he remembered correctly, Jiang Yu should be far away at the Five Elements Pavilion of the Great Qi Dynasty, vying for the title of Saintess—how could she possibly be here?

Yet, regardless of why Jiang Yu might appear, Wang Li never forgot the identity he now wore.

He must see through the act of being a master.

Even if his own wife came, he would not acknowledge her!

A true man must be ruthless with himself!

Outside, Jiang Yu paused at Wang Li’s question, momentarily at a loss.

“This definitely isn’t Wang Li; otherwise, he would never act this way,” she thought, a little disappointed. “Perhaps Senior Sister Huang was right. I might have been too sentimental.”

Just as she was about to give up and turn away, she found her path blocked.

Jiang Yue stood before her, eyes wide, her tone unfriendly, “Sister Yu, did you lie to me?”

Seeing it was Jiang Yue, Jiang Yu’s troubled expression melted into a gentle smile. “Ah, little Yue, I’ve missed you so much. Come here, let me see if you’ve grown.”

She moved forward, arms open wide to embrace Jiang Yue, completely unbothered by the confrontation, every bit the caring elder sister she had always been.

“Don’t you dare! You liar! I trusted you for nothing!” Jiang Yue jumped back, avoiding Jiang Yu’s hug, hands on her hips and pointing accusingly. “You wicked woman, scheming against the Pure Yang Monastery! My grandfather will never forgive you!”

“And you have the nerve to look for Wang Li? Senior Sister No. 3 was right about you—your scheming heart just won’t die!”

“As long as I’m here, you can forget about your tricks!”

“Wang Li is my grandfather’s legacy to me. No one is taking him away!”

Jiang Yue’s barrage of accusations left Jiang Yu utterly stunned. Especially at the phrase “wicked woman”—her smile faltered noticeably.

“Who taught you to speak like this? How could you say such hurtful things to your sister? It makes me sad,” Jiang Yu said, sounding aggrieved.

Jiang Yue was undeterred, recalling her third senior sister’s earnest teachings, her admiration growing.

“Senior Sister No. 3? That would be Huaiji, one of the three great scourges of the Pure Yang Monastery?” Jiang Yu frowned. “Everyone in the cultivation world knows she’s a trickster. You believe her?”

“Senior Sister says beautiful women are the best liars. She’s not as pretty as you, so that means you must be an even bigger liar,” Jiang Yue pouted.

Jiang Yu was at a loss for words. Everyone said children’s perceptions were pure, so she was secretly pleased Jiang Yue thought her more beautiful than the legendary Pure Yang beauty. But the logic—‘She’s not as pretty, so you must be a better liar’—was frankly absurd.

Had the little imp grown foolish over the years?

Inside, Wang Li was highly amused by their exchange.

“An internal squabble! Perfect. If they’re fighting each other, they’ll leave me alone,” he thought.

The last thing he wanted was to be caught between these two women. The reason was simple: he was afraid of being exposed.

Dealing with powerful figures was dangerous, but their caution meant they wouldn’t probe recklessly. It was the unpredictable ones that could cause real trouble.

This was one of Master Sheng’s many warnings.

Wang Li found this advice extremely sensible.

But when he heard Jiang Yue declare, “Wang Li is my grandfather’s legacy to me,” his amusement vanished.

A legacy? Excuse me, I’m very much alive!

Master Sheng chuckled, “Heh, the little girl’s ambition isn’t small—already eyeing Liuguang’s inheritance. Still, she’s got a good eye.”

“That’s not funny at all!” Wang Li muttered, cursing Master Sheng inwardly.

Unfazed, Master Sheng went on, “Look at the women around you. Aside from Chu Xuan, who’s like a salted fish, not a single one is easy to deal with.”

“Your future wife is determined to become the Saintess of the Five Elements Pavilion and inherit its leadership. That Zheng girl wants to defy fate. And this little brat here is secretly hoping Liuguang dies young, probably so she can claim the Pure Yang Monastery for herself. Each one more ambitious than the last. I’m afraid your days ahead won’t be easy!”

Wang Li pictured the scenarios Master Sheng described and shuddered internally.

Best not to dwell on it—what an unbearable pressure that would be!

But suddenly, a question occurred to him. “Master Sheng, do you think my engagement to Jiang Yu is still valid?”

“Of course it is. I haven’t possessed your body.”

“Then… can it be annulled?”

“Annulled? Why would you do that?” Master Sheng replied. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you. It’s not easy to find a good wife. If one comes to your door, don’t push her away.”

“Marriage ties are second only to matters of life and death in terms of karma. Take it lightly, and you could pay with your life.”

“Just tell me if it’s possible or not!” Wang Li said.

He had a poor impression of Jiang Yu. The thought of spending years with such a cunning, ruthless woman filled him with dread.

“Arranged marriages are unfortunate, but annulling an engagement comes at a steep price. At the very least, you’d need to reach Xu Jing’s cultivation level,” Master Sheng said. “The will of this world is like a child—immature and hates being deceived. If it gets angry, who knows how it might retaliate. I won’t be able to help you then. If I run away, don’t blame me.”

“Really?” Wang Li doubted the truth of his words.

“Believe what you like. If I weren’t worried about some divine beast showing up to silence me, I’d tell you about the joys of married life.”

Master Sheng seemed unconcerned, while Wang Li was left bewildered, unsure whether to believe him or not.

But after thinking it through, Wang Li realized Master Sheng was probably just teasing him.

How long would it take to reach the level of Patriarch Xu Jing? A thousand years? Five thousand? Ten thousand?

By then, if he hadn’t achieved true immortality, Jiang Yu would likely have died of old age—would the engagement even matter then?

He pondered the situation and decided it was best to meet Jiang Yu and discuss their engagement.

After all, he could never join the Five Elements Pavilion, and Jiang Yu’s dream of becoming Saintess was almost certainly doomed. There was still a strong chance they’d end up fulfilling the engagement; it made sense to get to know each other first.

Just as he got up to open the door, a sonorous voice, deep as a great bell, rang throughout the Pure Yang Monastery.

“The selection begins. It will last one year. The Saint Artifact will choose its master. During the selection, life and death are your own responsibility!”

As the voice faded, Wang Li felt his body slip beyond his control. The space around him rippled like silk in the wind, shimmering with dense waves.

Startled, Wang Li asked, “Master Sheng, is this your doing?”

“No, it’s the power of the laws—must be the world’s will at work,” came the reply. “But don’t worry, the world’s will can’t detect me. With me here, you’re safe!”