Qiu Chengxi grinned cheekily. “Sister, what I said back then was that if I became a great cultivator, I would marry you. Thirty years ago, I went into seclusion and broke through to the Soul Transformation Stage in one go. I was one of the strongest cultivators at the time, but you had already left the Sword Sect, and I couldn’t enter the Beast Realm…”
Su Xuan stared at Sang Dai in disbelief, as though she were some heartless betrayer.
Sang Dai met his gaze.
[What?! You and Qiu Chengxi spent seventeen days together, Dai Dai? There’s this kind of relationship between you two?]
Sang Dai: “…”
She spent an entire month with him, didn’t she?
Besides, she barely saw Qiu Chengxi during those seventeen days, let alone spoke much with him.
[Hah… Back then, you’d beat me up as soon as you saw me, but you could get along peacefully with Qiu Chengxi?]
Sang Dai: “…………”
How is that even the same?!
Rubbing her forehead, Sang Dai said, “I didn’t hear what you said back then, Young Master Qiu. You misunderstood. The age difference between us is too big. I’m over ten years older than you. At the time, you were just a young boy to me.”
Su Xuan was so angry that smoke nearly rose from him.
Qiu Chengxi replied earnestly, “Sister, in the cultivation world, there are Dao Companions with an age gap of over a thousand years. I’m already over a hundred years old. Being ten years younger doesn’t matter to me.”
Sang Dai: “That’s not love; it’s just gratitude.”
“It’s not! Sister, the moment you tossed me that pill, I… I…”
He hesitated, stumbling over his words.
“I liked you then.”
Under the gloomy sky, the Blood Fiend had been gnawing at his flesh, draining his blood. Amid the darkness, a sword cultivator in white robes, with black hair pinned high by a wooden hairpin and a cold, detached face, had dragged the Blood Fiend away single-handedly. She had tossed him a bottle of healing pills and led the Blood Fiend far away from him.
He thought Sang Dai wouldn’t care about him anymore, but in truth, the first person he saw when he woke up from his coma was her.
She had been sitting cross-legged in the room, keeping a measured distance from him. When she noticed he was awake, her expression remained indifferent as she asked, “You’re awake? Do you feel unwell?”
So many years had passed in a blur. Back when he was young and first experiencing the stirrings of love, he had met her. Over the years, he had heard of Sang Dai’s name in the Sword Sect—how she reached Nascent Soul Stage at fifty and Soul Transformation Stage at one hundred, how she led the Immortal Realm in repelling countless invasions. He had celebrated her victories and achievements from afar, feeling that she was destined to be like this—
Brave and unyielding.
At the same time, his sense of inferiority had grown stronger and stronger. With only a Mysterious-Grade Spiritual Root and no family background to rely on, how could he have dared to hope to marry Sang Dai?
She was a Heaven-Grade Spiritual Root awakener and the Sword Sect’s most distinguished lady.
“But Sister, I’m now a Soul Transformation Stage cultivator, and Chunqiu Tower is renowned across the Four Realms for its strength. I can protect you.”
Qiu Chengxi spoke with great seriousness. “The moment I realized you were here at Chunqiu Tower, I came to keep my promise.”
Sang Dai sighed, while Su Xuan became thoroughly enraged.
He let out a cold laugh, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent as he looked at Qiu Chengxi, as though he wanted to carve him into pieces: “Do you not know that she is my Dao companion? Isn’t it your own rule at Chunqiu Tower that only those with sincere feelings can enter?”
Qiu Chengxi replied, “I know. I just don’t care. What’s the big deal? She’s only been married once.”
Sang Dai: “……”
Changmang: “……”
Qingwu: “You scoundrel! You scoundrel! You scoundrel!”
Su Xuan sneered, utterly infuriated. “Hah, I’ve really seen it all today.”
His laugh was cold and mocking. With one palm strike, the wooden table before him shattered again.
“Draw your blade! Let’s fight outside!”
Sang Dai hurriedly grabbed Su Xuan to restrain him.
Qiu Chengxi frowned. “Shouldn’t you at least ask Sister’s opinion? What if she’s willing to divorce you?”
Turning to Sang Dai, he cupped his face with both hands and looked at her with sincerity. “Sister, will you marry me? I’ll treat you so well. When I came out of seclusion and heard about your conflict with the Sword Sect and Immortal Alliance, I was furious. So I destroyed all the defensive arrays and mechanisms I’d set up for the Immortal Realm’s Three Sects and Six Clans. From now on, I’ll never set up another defensive formation for them.”
He tilted his chin slightly, looking proud of himself. “And Sister, don’t worry. Nowadays, the defense arrays and mechanical techniques of every major sect in the Four Realms were set up by me. If you want to beat up anyone, I can take you there anytime.”
Qingwu roared, “My master can do that too!”
Sang Dai, still holding onto Su Xuan’s waist to keep him close, forced a particularly awkward smile. “Young Master Qiu, I think you’ve misunderstood. My husband and I… have no intention of divorcing. We have a very good relationship.”
Su Xuan: “Hmph.”
He snorted coldly and, taking the opportunity, sat down beside Sang Dai and wrapped his arm around her waist.
Sang Dai turned to look at him, narrowing her eyes.
With her gaze, she signaled: Take your hand off.
Su Xuan: Hmph, not moving. I’m sticking close so this brat will give up!
Sang Dai: Immature, aren’t you?
Su Xuan: Still more mature than him. A brat like that trying to steal my wife?
Sang Dai: ….
She let him do as he pleased.
Turning her head away, Sang Dai ignored him. Qiu Chengxi, meanwhile, looked aggrieved.
“Sister, I know you two don’t have a marriage contract, so you’re not real Dao companions.”
Su Xuan: “?”
He grabbed Sang Dai’s hand. “Then I’ll form a marriage contract with her as soon as we get back.”
Qiu Chengxi: “Then I’ll win Sister over before you do.”
“You little brat—”
Sang Dai suddenly stood up. “Both of you, shut up!”
Her voice was louder than usual, clearly indicating her irritation.
At this moment, only Changmang seemed to enjoy the drama. Qingwu and Su Xuan looked ready to tear Qiu Chengxi apart, while Qiu Chengxi remained single-minded in trying to wedge himself between them. Sang Dai was both embarrassed and helpless.
Changmang transmitted a voice message to Sang Dai: “Master, don’t be angry. How about I bind them both up and throw them outside?”
Sang Dai: “No need.”
Now that she had truly lost her temper, both Qiu Chengxi and Su Xuan finally quieted down.
Qiu Chengxi spoke softly, “Sister, I know what you’re here for. I can help you.”
Sang Dai frowned. “You know?”
Qiu Chengxi nodded. “Yes. You’re here to find the Second Spiritual Root.”
At the mention of the Spiritual Root, Sang Dai’s expression instantly grew serious. Su Xuan narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp as he looked over.
Qiu Chengxi smiled a little shyly. “After all, I’m still the master of Chunqiu Tower. I did a little digging into what happened with Bairen and the Burning Heaven Realm. I also know that the Second Spiritual Root appeared near Chunqiu Tower. I’m the one who spread that information.”
Sang Dai: “…What?”
Qiu Chengxi continued, “Sister, two months ago, someone placed this in my room.”
With a flip of his hand, a wooden box appeared in his palm.
Sang Dai: “What is that?”
“The Second Spiritual Root.”
At this, Sang Dai was completely stunned.
Qiu Chengxi opened the wooden box, and stored inside was—
The Second Spiritual Root.
A rich, woody fragrance filled the room, carrying the unmistakable aura of Ying Heng.
Su Xuan’s voice turned cold and heavy. “Why is it with you?”
Qiu Chengxi shook his head and said, “I don’t know. I was in seclusion for thirty years, and Chunqiu Tower was empty. This thing was just placed in my room. I suspect…”
Sang Dai said, “He left it here for safekeeping but didn’t expect you to suddenly come out of seclusion.”
If asked where the safest place in the Four Realms was, Sang Dai would only answer: Chunqiu Tower.
With tens of millions of mechanisms embedded in the building and countless formations surrounding its exterior, even Su Xuan and herself would struggle to enter unharmed—and they were already among the top cultivators in the Four Realms.
The person behind this must have placed the Second Spiritual Root here temporarily. After all, the tower had been empty. However, they didn’t anticipate Qiu Chengxi’s sudden emergence from his thirty-year seclusion, which led to the discovery of the root.
Sang Dai asked, “So you intentionally spread the news that the Spiritual Root appeared in Chunqiu Tower to lure that person out?”
Qiu Chengxi handed the wooden box to her and nodded. “Yes. I knew he would come, and I knew you two would as well. Sister, there are countless mechanisms in Chunqiu Tower. If he really comes, I’ll definitely notice anything unusual. You can rest assured.”
Then, with some confusion, he added, “But if he can enter Chunqiu Tower, it proves his cultivation isn’t weak. He could easily carry the root with him. Why would he leave it here?”
Sang Dai fell into deep thought before finally shaking her head. “I can’t understand it either.”
To enter Chunqiu Tower, his cultivation must rival hers and Su Xuan’s. At such a level, he would have no equal across the Four Realms. If he could carry the root himself, why bother leaving it somewhere unfamiliar, unnecessarily increasing his risks?
Moreover, the root was split into three parts. One piece was placed in Bairen to lure her out, yet the other two parts could have been hidden in Chunqiu Tower together. Why leave only one here?
Sang Dai held the wooden box in her arms, her gaze unfocused.
“Will he come?”
“He will.”
This time, the answer came from Su Xuan.
“Sang Dai, the Spiritual Root is here, and you’re here. So, he will come.”
Su Xuan’s expression was icy cold. “He knows you didn’t die in Bairen. He’ll act again. Even if we’re wrong and the banquet at Chunqiu Tower isn’t his way of luring you out, the fact that you’ve left the Beast Realm to come here gives him a chance to strike.”
Outside the Beast Realm, the opportunity to act was his.
Whether it was for the Spiritual Root or for Sang Dai herself, he would definitely come.
The atmosphere grew tense. Qiu Chengxi, who wasn’t used to such seriousness, scratched his head. Knowing Sang Dai must feel uneasy, he hesitated briefly before saying, “Sister, you don’t need to worry. If you stay in Chunqiu Tower, the moment he makes a move, I’ll know.”
The entire Chunqiu Tower was under his supervision.
Sang Dai looked over, and Qiu Chengxi smiled awkwardly. “I may not be able to beat him, but I doubt he can withstand my formations and mechanisms. I even extended the banquet this time to last a full month. We can plan carefully, and I’ll help you.”
Sang Dai pressed her lips together and said, “Thank you.”
Qiu Chengxi beamed with joy. “No need to thank me, Sister. I’m just happy I can help you.”
Sang Dai gave him a polite smile.
The smile fell into a certain fox’s eyes, and he gripped the Qingwu Sword tightly.
The Qingwu Sword Spirit grumbled, “Master, are you seriously putting up with this?”
Su Xuan gritted his teeth. “That brat in Chunqiu Tower can help Dai Dai a lot. She won’t have to work so hard.”
But deep down, his fury burned hotter.
After all, he was the one who had always stayed by her side!
He had stayed by her side for over a hundred years. Where did this brat come from to suddenly interfere?
Qiu Chengxi’s face was flushed with a cheerful smile, while a certain fox’s face was flushed with anger.
Fortunately, the jade token at Qiu Chengxi’s waist lit up. He picked it up, his expression turning serious.
Sang Dai said, “Young Master Qiu, do you have matters to attend to? You should go take care of them. I can handle things on my end. Don’t let this delay your business.”
Qiu Chengxi stood up, his brows furrowed with seriousness. “There’s something I need to handle. Sister, rest well. If anything happens, just call me. If you call, I’ll hear you.”
As he was about to leave, he turned back, seemingly remembering something, and added, “Oh, right, Sister. I’ve removed most of the mechanisms in this room. Your activities won’t be monitored. Don’t feel uneasy; you can rest peacefully.”
This room was specifically prepared for Sang Dai.
Sang Dai nodded. “Thank you. You should rest early as well, Young Master Qiu.”
“Alright, Sister! I’ll come find you after I’m done.”
Qiu Chengxi left.
Sang Dai put the Spiritual Root away. Just as she placed the wooden box into her spatial pouch, someone grabbed her wrist.
A warm palm encased her wrist, and Sang Dai turned back to look at him.
The little fox’s grievances were written all over his face.
[Dai Dai told him to rest early? Dai Dai has never spoken to me like that!]
Sang Dai: “…Then you should rest early too.”
Su Xuan’s eyes widened. [Telling me to rest early? Why? Do I annoy you now?!]
Sang Dai: “…”
[Dai Dai, Dai Dai! What do you even like about that brat?!]
The grip on her wrist tightened. Sang Dai sighed.
The little fox looked thoroughly aggrieved, his eyes faintly red, his breathing uneven.
After a moment of silence, Sang Dai reached out and patted his head. “Rest early, and don’t overthink it.”
Her intention was to calm him down, but the straight-laced sword cultivator in front of her clearly didn’t realize how dismissive her words sounded at this moment.
Even Changmang couldn’t bear to look anymore.
The fox spirit finally exploded.
[You won’t even say a full sentence to me now?!]
Sang Dai: “…Let me heal the burn on your hand first.”
Earlier, when Su Xuan crushed the tea cup, the scalding tea had burned the back of his hand.
The cold white skin of his hand was now marked red. Seeing it, Sang Dai felt a pang of guilt. She held his hand gently and used her spiritual power to heal him, her expression soft and focused.
However, Su Xuan suddenly tightened his grip. Sang Dai, who had been standing in front of him, lost her balance and was pulled directly onto his lap, straddling him.
Realizing what had happened, Sang Dai’s face turned crimson. She pushed against him, trying to stand up, but Su Xuan pressed her waist and held her firmly in his embrace.
“Su Xuan, let go of me first. I need to heal your injury.”
The little fox, still fuming, his eyes reddened with anger, leaned in close to the sword cultivator’s neck. He bared his sharp little teeth and bit down lightly.
“No need to heal me. I’m jealous. You have to coax me first.”
“Dai Dai, coax me. Coax me.”
Author’s Note:
Xiao Qiu is more like an assist character here. In truth, he’s just Dai Dai’s biggest fan or solo stan. He also serves as a key plot device to reveal many hidden story elements. Wives, don’t worry! Su Xuan and Dai Dai’s relationship is all about sweetness. This isn’t a love triangle—Dai Dai and Su Xuan have always been a solid 1v1 pairing. A major turning point is coming soon! (Stay tuned for more fluff~)