Lady Si led her daughter to the front of the crowd, bowing slightly in greeting.
Si Miaoyin displayed a graceful smile, expressing gratitude to the arriving guests.
Bright eyes and white teeth, a face like peach blossoms.
Countless young Martial Artists were stunned, truly worthy of beauty that even royalty praised!
The Martial Artists watched silently, already beginning to calculate how to approach her.
After a series of formalities, Lady Si led Si Miaoyin specifically to greet several Origin Realm magnates.
Ash Ink, Ming Yanxia, and Abbot Fan Lu politely returned the greetings.
When it was Li Xuanxiao's turn, he chuckled teasingly, "Tsk tsk tsk, Lady Miaoyin looks truly beautiful today~"
Si Miaoyin's feelings were complex; she was naturally happy to be praised, but Li Xuanxiao's use of 'Lady Miaoyin' inexplicably made her feel a sense of distance.
Her tone was slightly dejected: "Don't call me Lady Miaoyin anymore, just call me Miaoyin."
Li Xuanxiao pursed his lips and immediately corrected himself: "Uh... Miaoyin."
Si Miaoyin's mood instantly brightened, her beautiful eyes sparkling, once again causing many young Martial Artists who were watching her to feel stirrings in their hearts.
"What gift did you prepare for me?"
Gift?
Damn, I completely forgot about that!
Li Xuanxiao scratched his head, feeling quite awkward, especially since he was staying at her house.
Si Miaoyin saw Li Xuanxiao's embarrassment and feigned sadness: "Sigh~ Lord Li now completely disregards Miaoyin..."
Seemingly a joke, it was actually a subtle test.
Unfortunately, Li Xuanxiao was a straightforward man and didn't understand the hidden nuances, only apologizing: "Next time for sure, next time for sure!"
Si Miaoyin hesitated for a moment, a look of determination flashing in her eyes: "No next time! Li Xuanxiao, let an embrace replace the gift you couldn't prepare!"
Ah!?
Li Xuanxiao was stunned. The Dayu Dynasty was not like his previous life; it was much more traditional here.
An embrace between a man and a woman carried too much meaning...
Especially on such an important occasion, with countless influential figures from the royal city present.
An embrace in such a setting was almost a public declaration in some sense.
Lady Si's eyes widened, also startled by her daughter's bold words.
Just as she was about to speak and dissuade her, she saw her daughter's resolute gaze, as if she had made a great decision.
Miaoyin, does she know what this means, and still wants to do it...?
Ash Ink and Ming Yanxia exchanged glances, both revealing faint, meaningful smiles.
Abbot Fan Lu's expression remained calm; this had already touched upon his blind spot of knowledge.
Seeing Li Xuanxiao frozen on the spot, Si Miaoyin spoke again, her voice sounding pitiful: "Is that okay?"
Li Xuanxiao took a deep breath. Since the girl was so brave, if he refused, it would only embarrass her and hurt her feelings.
So, he smiled and opened his arms: "My pleasure."
Si Miaoyin practically leaped into Li Xuanxiao's arms, her ear pressed tightly against his chest.
This clearly went beyond the scope of a normal hug, resembling more a deep embrace between lovers.
Thump, thump, thump—
Li Xuanxiao's heart beat powerfully, his heart rate increasing.
Si Miaoyin smiled. At least for this second, his heart was beating for her.
The young Martial Artists present fell silent collectively. If it were anyone else, they would dare to compete.
But it was Li Xuanxiao!
Then... then they could only wish them well...
In a corner at the back of the crowd, Ya Qin silently watched this scene, an inexplicable discomfort in her heart.
"Just an insignificant Love Slave..."
Ya Qin comforted herself, but found she couldn't deceive herself at all.
My exclusive Love Slave, how can he hug someone else!
Fortunately, although she was angry, she was sufficiently restrained.
In her memory, the Si Family had treated her very well during the few years she had stayed at the Si Residence.
Although she was a demon, she knew how to repay kindness.
With a light snort, Ya Qin walked away unhappily: "Hmph! I'll let you hug this guy today!"
"Tomorrow, I'll hug him back ten or a hundred times!"
The embrace ended, Si Miaoyin slowly released Li Xuanxiao, taking a small step back to create distance between them.
An elusive emotion flickered in her eyes, and she inexplicably reached out her hand again, as if wanting to touch Li Xuanxiao.
But it stopped mid-air, retracted, and finally turned into a faint smile.
...
The Coming-of-age Ceremony lasted from day to night.
The Si Family Mansion was adorned with lanterns and streamers, filled with distinguished guests, and everyone enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
But all good things must come to an end, and the guests reluctantly departed.
To be able to see so many important figures today, and even dine with the Martial God of Dayu, was truly worth it!
"Gentlemen, I have something to explain."
Li Xuanxiao's expression was solemn as he looked at Ash Ink, Ming Yanxia, and Fan Lu.
"I might be leaving Dayu soon."
What!?
Li Xuanxiao's words were startling; the three were clearly shocked by this news.
Before they could ask, Li Xuanxiao continued: "A mark of the Qilin Clan has been planted on me... Continuing to stay in Dayu might bring disaster to Dayu at any time."
He glanced at Abbot Fan Lu: "Whether it's the royal city or Fanyin Temple, I don't want them to suffer unwarranted calamity because of me."
Ash Ink suddenly stood up, his emotions somewhat agitated: "Is it that New Demon Emperor!?"
Li Xuanxiao nodded.
Ash Ink then slapped his forehead in annoyance: "I harmed you! This mark should have been placed on me! If I hadn't been fishing at that time, I would have been the one to face the New Demon Emperor, and I would have been the one marked!"
Ash Ink fell into regret.
Li Xuanxiao patted his shoulder: "It has nothing to do with you, Lord Ash Ink. It was me... who liked to slay demons and devils. I'm already happy that you don't blame me for being nosy. As for something like a mark, who could have known about it from the start? Moreover, if I hadn't killed the New Demon Emperor and traded its Qilin horn with you for Sword Master Ming's Origin Realm Cultivation Technique..."
"I would at most be at the Pseudo-Origin Realm right now. Whether I could survive this invasion from the Myriad Demon Nation would be hard to say."
After some comforting, Ash Ink sighed, calming down slightly.
Ming Yanxia stood up and solemnly cupped his fists in salute to Li Xuanxiao: "Lord Li is truly righteous! On behalf of the Dayu Martial Artists, I express my apologies and highest respect to you! You devoted yourself to slaying demons and devils for Dayu, yet in the end... It is Dayu's inability to protect you that forces you to leave your homeland."
Ming Yanxia's address for Li Xuanxiao had changed!
From "kid" to "Lord Li."
From merely marveling at Li Xuanxiao's unparalleled talent before.
To now, genuinely treating Li Xuanxiao as a figure of equal standing.
Li Xuanxiao immediately returned the salute: "Sword Master Ming, you overstate it. I merely did what was expected of a Dayu Martial Artist. After I leave, Dayu will still need Sword Master Ming to continue deterring demons and protecting the peace of Dayu's common people. By the way, I have already reached an agreement with the Dayu Demon Venerable that within ten years, Dayu's demons will not invade Dayu's territory."
Ming Yanxia's face showed shock. How precious was ten years of respite?
Even with Li Xuanxiao's help in this war, the total casualties reached nearly 40%!
Many Xuan Realm and even Mystic Realm Martial Artists perished on the battlefield.
And these losses in combat power, the vacancies they created, needed time to fill!
Ten years was enough for a new batch of Martial Artists to grow up.
A great hero serves the country and its people!
Ming Yanxia immediately bowed again: "Dayu is truly fortunate to have you, Lord Li!"
Fan Lu also sighed lightly, saying, "Good, good. Sacrificing oneself for the benefit and happiness of all beings. Lord Li's compassion for Universal Salvation is truly the essence of our Buddhist school! Lord, have you truly not considered cultivating the Buddhist Path?"
Damn it, at a time like this? You're still trying to poach him!?
Ash Ink and Ming Yanxia turned their heads simultaneously: "Bald monk, shut up!"