Chapter 79: A Marriage Proposal

The commotion between the two sides grew ever more intense. Throughout, Xie Yingying struggled ceaselessly, even grabbing Bai Shengyun’s hand and biting down hard. Blood seeped from the torn flesh, but Bai Shengyun felt no pain and continued to confront them, using more and more demonic power as the battle wore on.

The wind and snow howled in fury, violet-gold lightning serpents raged, and iron thorns sprang forth for hundreds of meters—Xie Yingying was stunned by the sight. She had never imagined the iron thorns of the Violet-Gold Bell could be so formidable.

Soon, the warding formation was forcibly shattered by Bai Shengyun. The disciples were flung aside, sprawled on the ground, blood pouring from their mouths; some had twisted limbs and mangled flesh, a scene of utter horror.

They looked at Bai Shengyun as if he were a beast, but he paid their stares little mind. He stood there, amused and disdainful, as though waiting for someone or perhaps sizing up who among those present might match him in battle.

“What are you doing?” Xie Yingying sensed something was wrong, struggling to pull her wrist free and anxiously urging, “Let go! Let go, now!”

Bai Shengyun glanced at her, a sly malice flickering in his eyes, and answered coolly, “Waiting for someone.”

Xie Yingying was baffled.

Waiting? Waiting for whom? He was deep within the Demonic Sect—could he be planning to confront those old monsters head-on and bring about mutual destruction?

But seeing Bai Shengyun’s composed demeanor, Xie Yingying’s instincts told her he must have some cunning plan in mind.

She was about to ask more, hoping to glean something from him, when several shadows swept rapidly across the sky. The overwhelming spiritual pressure nearly buckled Xie Yingying’s knees; she almost collapsed.

The first to arrive was a graceful woman, strikingly beautiful, dressed in black with a purple flower adorning her hair. Yet her expression was icy and grim, and her aura was enough to terrify the onlookers.

Her cultivation was unfathomable, but Xie Yingying, accustomed to powerful cultivators, recognized the familiar aura—at least equal to Bai Shengyun’s.

Following close behind was a young boy wielding a scythe taller than himself. With every swing, searing red lotus flames blazed forth, and murderous intent clung to him. Clearly, he cultivated the Dao of Slaughter.

His murderous aura was only slightly weaker than Huo Tianqing’s, but it was obvious he had killed many.

Huo Tianqing arrived moments later, hurried and tense.

Xie Yingying quickly recalled the identities of the woman and the boy from her memory—

Elder Jingling, once renowned for her art of enchantment, the undisputed master of the Dao of Romance, had been Silver Bell’s teacher. Later, troubled by matters of the heart, she switched to the Dao of Slaughter, abandoning her enchanting arts and eventually passing Silver Bell to Huo Tianqing's tutelage.

As for the boy… He had no Dao title or proper name, calling himself “The Peerless Number One Fire Spirit Root.” The disciples usually gave him some respect and addressed him as “Elder Lieyang.” In private, the more proper ones called him “Lieyang,” while Silver Bell’s disciples simply called him “Lie Lie.”

Jingling’s face soured upon seeing Huo Tianqing, but the urgent matter at hand was not to berate him, but to deal with Bai Shengyun.

She turned, eyeing Bai Shengyun’s serene face. His handsome features only made her more irate. Her tone chilled, “Bai Shengyun, you intruded upon the Demonic Sect’s territory—we turned a blind eye and let it be. But now you dare enter our inner sanctum? Do you take us for fools?”

“I have business here,” Bai Shengyun replied, lips curling slightly.

“Oh? I thought you came with such fanfare to provoke a clash between the two sects!” Jingling retorted, her words laced with warning.

“My apologies, then,” said Bai Shengyun, though not a hint of regret showed on his face.

That only made Jingling want to hit him more.

She muttered a curse, rolled up her sleeves, and advanced to teach Bai Shengyun a lesson.

Huo Tianqing watched, smiling, making no move to stop her—in fact, he stepped aside.

Lieyang, surprised, hurried to restrain her, frantically signaling to Huo Tianqing.

But Huo Tianqing moved further away, clearly eager for someone to put Bai Shengyun in his place.

Lieyang was ready to curse. If Jingling really fought Bai Shengyun here and word spread, the two sects could truly end up at war!

“Aunt Jingling, calm down!” He pulled her back, “Think of the sects—calm yourself!”

Jingling paused, took several deep breaths, her face darkening further as she glared contemptuously at Bai Shengyun. “What business brings you to our sect? Speak quickly!”

“I am here to propose marriage,” Bai Shengyun declared. “I wish to marry Xie Yingying.”

Everyone present was stunned, even the disciples watching the spectacle gasped.

Propose marriage? Bai Shengyun wants to marry Xie Yingying?

Huo Tianqing’s expression grew ever colder, his gaze fixed on Bai Shengyun.

Jingling recovered, forgetting all about sect relations and muttered, “If I don’t trap you here today, I’m not Jingling.”

She couldn’t believe Bai Shengyun not only broke into the Demonic Sect, but also openly demanded to marry one of their disciples! He showed no respect for the sect whatsoever!

Bai Shengyun raised his brows with a light laugh. “As far as I know, Jingling is merely your Dao title.”

This time, even Lieyang couldn’t hold Jingling back.

She drew her weapon, the Red Moon Blade, infused it with spiritual energy, and prepared to strike.

But Huo Tianqing was faster. He stepped forward, landing a palm strike.

Bai Shengyun calmly raised his hand to meet it.

Black and white spiritual energies collided, their shockwaves injuring several disciples who had just managed to stagger to their feet.

Lightning serpents surged from the Violet-Gold Bell, hundreds of snakes shielding Xie Yingying, while the bell itself clanged in protest.

“Is that a refusal?” Bai Shengyun raised an eyebrow.

“So what if it is? Can I not decide my disciple’s marriage?” Huo Tianqing replied coldly.

“But she and I have already—”

Xie Yingying broke through the lightning barrier, clapped a hand over his mouth, cutting him off.

Bai Shengyun glanced at her, then effortlessly pulled her hand from his lips.

“She and I have already shared intimacy. Now that I am here, I wish to take responsibility for her.”