"Forget it. The younger generation has their own destiny; asking too much would be unnecessary. He's ultimately a descendant of the Gu Family, and the further they can go, the better."
After a brief moment of contemplation, Gu Zhan suppressed the doubts in his heart.
Another direct-line talent in the Gu Family was undoubtedly beneficial and harmless.
"The Liu Family has responded. The wedding is scheduled to take place in half a month."
"However, given the unique circumstances between the two of you, we won't make a big spectacle of it. We'll hold the ceremony here in the Gu Family Inner Court."
"Do you have any objections?"
Gu Zhan looked at Liu Qingqing and asked her in a calm tone.
Compared to the first time they met, his attitude had completely shifted.
Originally mistaking this girl for having come to break off the engagement, he hadn't shown the slightest hint of kindness. If not for the longstanding friendship with the Liu Family, a severe reprimand wouldn't have been out of the question.
But now...
This was truly a good child; not only had she not broken off the engagement, but she'd even brought a Soul-Shaping Pill for Changge!
The rarity of Heavenly Rank Elixirs was unparalleled. Although the Gu Family could procure them, it was impossible to use such treasures on Gu Changge merely to erase his status as an ordinary person. The family had other descendants requiring resources. As for Gu Sanfeng saving up his monthly Spirit Stones to exchange for something like this, it wasn't out of the question, and Gu Zhan was willing to offer assistance within his capabilities.
Upon hearing Gu Zhan's words, Liu Qingqing didn't rush to respond. Instead, she looked toward Gu Changge for his opinion.
She herself didn't mind; her purpose in coming to the Gu Family this time was to ensure that Gu Changge would no longer be humiliated.
"No objections." Gu Changge cupped his hands and responded directly.
On the side, Gu Sanfeng watched with astonishment. This little girl was really something. She was clearly a prodigy that Qingzhou hadn't seen in a century, yet now not only was she willing to form a Daoist Couple with this brat...
But she also refrained from making unilateral decisions and instead sought the brat's opinion on various matters.
Excellent, truly excellent!
I don't know where this boy's luck has come from!
"Since that's settled, the matter is decided."
"The Gu Family will prepare everything needed for your marriage."
Seeing that neither had any objections, Gu Zhan didn't dwell on the matter further. Instead, he cast a meaningful smile toward Liu Qingqing and said, "Now that Changge can cultivate, the Gu Family doesn't have any suitable instructors at the moment. So... during this time, the two of you can take this opportunity to communicate and exchange insights often."
"I'm not very busy lately." Gu Sanfeng, caught up in the moment, immediately offered.
His joy at his nephew finally being able to cultivate was evident.
"No, you're very busy."
"We need to prepare for Changge's marriage."
"Family Head, we will excuse ourselves now."
"Let's go..." Gu Yixiao, hearing his third brother speak, twitched at the corner of his eye. This lifelong bachelor—what could he possibly understand? Why was he trying to take on responsibilities now?
Without giving Gu Sanfeng a chance to protest, Gu Yixiao directly cupped his hands respectfully toward the Family Head, dragging him out of the room.
Liu Qingqing didn't pay any attention to this, her expression calm as she nodded and said, "As it should be."
"Alright, you youngsters should communicate more. Go ahead." Gu Zhan smiled in satisfaction, waving his hand to send them off before returning to his desk to handle family affairs.
It wasn't until they had both left that Gu Zhan raised his head, looking at the backs of the two walking shoulder-to-shoulder. He couldn't help but crack a grin.
"Now Changge can cultivate, and his talents are no weaker than Miss Liu."
"They really are a good match."
"I wonder which ancestor pulled this off. Such methods are truly miraculous..."
Gu Zhan muttered to himself as he gazed through the doorframe toward the direction of the Back Mountain, where the Gu Family's ancestors remained in seclusion—the true bedrock of the family.
As Family Head, he lacked the qualifications to meet the ancestors unless the Gu Family faced life-and-death peril. Otherwise, the ancestors wouldn't emerge from seclusion, unwilling to waste their already limited lifespan on trivial matters.
...
"Your initial cultivation has already reached the fifth level of the Qi Condensation Realm. Very impressive."
"But the path of cultivation is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you'll retreat."
"From here on, you mustn't slack off."
Walking through the Gu Family Inner Court, Liu Qingqing was the first to break the silence.
"Of course, and the same goes for you." Gu Changge nodded in agreement but couldn't help thinking to himself, *"As long as you don't slack off, my lady, it'll be fine."*
Hearing his reply, Liu Qingqing froze mid-step.
A faint smile crept onto her face unexpectedly.
This guy was quite amusing; she had reminded him not to slack off, yet he had cheekily turned the suggestion back on her.
In the Heavenly Cold Sect, she was famously a "seclusion fanatic." Ever since joining the sect, this trip to the Gu Family marked her first time down the mountain. She usually lived in her Seclusion Room, only venturing out to collect resources and never doing anything unnecessary.
"If there's anything you don't understand about cultivation during this time, feel free to ask me."
Not long after, the two reached one of the courtyards assigned to the Heavenly Cold Sect. Liu Qingqing stopped and spoke sincerely.
Gu Changge nodded and laughed, "Thank you."
"Isn't our conversation a bit too formal?" Liu Qingqing suddenly blurted out, finding his polite response a little awkward.
After all, they were already nominally Daoist Couples, with only the official marriage left to complete in a month.
"You're right. Should I start calling you 'my wife' from now on?"
Gu Changge stroked his chin, appearing deep in thought, before finally meeting her gaze to utter the remark.
Instantly, Liu Qingqing's fair skin visibly took on a blush, her earlobes in particular turning an obvious shade of red.
Her reaction caught Gu Changge by surprise, leaving him dumbfounded.
"Just kidding. You can keep calling me Changge for now." Noticing the situation taking a turn, he quickly waved his hands in an attempt to explain.
Hearing those words, Liu Qingqing finally seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. Had she seriously considered whether to start calling him "husband" just now!?
"I'm heading back to cultivate..." Liu Qingqing avoided meeting his gaze, turning away to head toward the courtyard.
Gu Changge watched her retreating figure until she disappeared inside the courtyard.
Only then did he mutter in amazement, "Wait a second... so easy to tease? What do I do now... she's kind of cute!"
Just then, an elder walked out from the courtyard—it was one of the two Heavenly Cold Sect elders accompanying Liu Qingqing on this trip.
Given the innate hearing capacity of someone at the Heavenly Gate Realm, his muttered comments hadn't escaped the elder.
The elder lingered briefly at the courtyard's entrance, giving him a cold glance before heading back inside.
A direct warning!
Gu Changge shrugged nonchalantly. This was the Gu Family. Warning him? Who cared?
Humming an upbeat tune, he turned around and sauntered off, pleased with having landed such an extraordinary young wife. Way better than he'd imagined!
And she seemed to be a cultivation fanatic; she dedicated every available moment to cultivating. At this rate, his own progress wouldn't be an issue—he'd reach the Sky-controlling Realm in no time!
The only trouble would be how to cover up the rapid advancement... how should he go about it?
Little did he know, Family Head Gu Zhan had already devised all the necessary excuses for him in advance...
"Qingqing, that Gu Family boy can cultivate now?"
Back at the temporary residence assigned to the Heavenly Cold Sect, the elder who had just warned Gu Changge frowned in puzzlement and asked Liu Qingqing, who was on her way back to her room to cultivate.