The flute's melody was cheerful, brimming with joy.
Su Yan's cold, elegant face instantly lit up with a smile: "I sense it, it's Bai Di's aura! That scoundrel is out!"
Immediately, her entire being transformed into a streak of light, vanishing into the air. She was clearly impatient to find Bai Di's whereabouts.
"Could it be that Bai Di truly lived a second life?"
Ji Mo was somewhat astonished. Could his casual remark have actually come true? He sincerely hoped it was the truth, not wanting Su Yan to be disappointed again, as she likely couldn't bear another blow. More importantly, if Bai Di wasn't found, Su Yan might very well castrate him.
Half a day later.
Wen Die also arrived. She had followed Su Yan, fearing that Su Yan might do something detrimental to Ji Mo. After all, Su Yan had been in a very unstable state after the Misty Palace confirmed Bai Di's demise. Seeing Ji Mo unharmed, her worried heart finally settled.
"Did Senior Ancestor Su come by? Did she do anything to you?" Wen Die asked with great concern.
Ji Mo anxiously recounted the events. Wen Die immediately frowned and said worriedly, "Senior Ancestor Su is a manifestation of a wisp of obsession, stubborn by nature. If she finds out you lied to her, she might not let you off easily." As for the possibility of Bai Di living a second life, Wen Die held little hope. The battle back then was too brutal. Bai Di had almost single-handedly fought against the combined forces of the Demon and Ghost realms, exhausting everything. Both his body and soul had been annihilated.
"Does that mean if she can't find Bai Di, she'll come back and... cut me?"
Ji Mo felt his scalp tingle, and a chill ran down his lower body.
Wen Die chuckled, "It would be good if she did. You're so popular with girls; if you're castrated, you won't be able to flirt around in the future. I don't mind you. If we can't be husband and wife, we can be good sisters."
Ji Mo's face fell. Saving a life had led to such a predicament; it was truly unfair. He wished he hadn't lied. Let Su Yan do as she pleased; she was just a wisp of obsession anyway, and her true self might be living carefreely in the upper realm.
"Actually, it's not impossible," Wen Die said mysteriously.
Ji Mo's eyes lit up with hope, but the light quickly extinguished. Wen Die continued, "As long as you marry me and become a son-in-law of the Misty Palace, Senior Ancestor Su probably won't do anything to you. Even if she still insists on punishing you, my master will intervene."
"Marry you?"
Ji Mo was astonished, then shook his head.
"Don't worry, I won't force you to become a live-in son-in-law like my sister. I'll marry you, do your laundry, cook, and warm your bed," Wen Die quickly explained, clearly knowing Ji Mo disliked being a live-in son-in-law.
Ji Mo looked at Wen Die, his heart pounding uncontrollably. The woman before him had eyebrows like distant mountains and a face like a hibiscus, wearing a smile that made one feel as if bathed in spring breeze, radiant and gentle. It would be a lie to say he wasn't moved by such a girl. But Ji Mo knew his own limitations; how could a pheasant be worthy of a phoenix? Not to mention, Wen Die was not only the second young lady of the Wen family but also the Saintess of the Misty Palace, a heavenly prodigy. How could he possibly reach her?
"We're not suitable. I'm not good enough for you," Ji Mo refused again.
"We are a perfect match, talented and beautiful, made for each other. What's not suitable about that?" Wen Die's attitude was firm. She had never cared about Ji Mo's status from the beginning. She never paid attention to the constraints of social status or matching families.
"I'm just a mortal, with a lifespan of only a few decades. You, on the other hand, are a cultivator, with a lifespan of at least several hundred years, or even thousands," Ji Mo sighed, continuing, "Decades from now, I'll be old and gray, while you'll still have your youthful appearance, beautiful as ever. It will be so desolate when the living have to send off the dead."
"At worst, I'll die with you. If we can't be born in the same year, month, and day, then we'll die in the same year, month, and day."
Wen Die's face held a smile, but her words carried a resolute tone, clearly not just a casual remark. The Saintesses of the Misty Palace seemed to possess an inexplicable devotion to love. Su Yan was like that, and now Wen Die was too; both were willing to go to any lengths for love. Ji Mo was somewhat touched but still refused. He couldn't possibly drag Wen Die down with him. Moreover, they had only met two or three times; how could they so hastily decide on a lifetime commitment?
"I understand your concerns. I'll go find a spiritual pill for you to help you begin cultivating. Then you can't refuse me anymore," Wen Die immediately thought of the key. If Ji Mo could cultivate, wouldn't the problem be solved? With her status and position, obtaining such a pill wouldn't be a major issue.
"Alright, if I can cultivate, I'll marry you then," Ji Mo agreed, to prevent Wen Die from pestering him. He knew in his heart that he was unlikely to cultivate in this lifetime. Unlike ordinary people, he was an outsider who had transmigrated. He was rejected, unable to sense the spiritual energy of this world, and thus could not embark on the path of cultivation.
"It's a deal. You can't go back on your word." Wen Die took Ji Mo's hand and, in a childish manner, hooked her finger with his, sealing the agreement. Ji Mo felt a pang of guilt and reminded her, "I really can't cultivate. Don't waste your effort."
"Wait for me." Wen Die wouldn't listen. She looked at Ji Mo with joy and left to find the spiritual medicine. Ji Mo felt helpless. In the span of one day, he had lied to two girls. Would there be retribution? How heartbroken would Wen Die be when she, full of hope, painstakingly found the pill, only for it to have no effect?
The Ancient Soul Devouring Toad poked its head out from the vegetable patch, staring at Ji Mo with a puzzled expression. Mr. Ji truly had no spiritual energy on him. Could he really not cultivate? No, although Mr. Ji couldn't wield spiritual power, his body contained an indescribable, terrifying power. Last time, I had no room to resist him; I was completely at his mercy, trampled underfoot. Could it be that he was practicing that kind of forbidden ancient art! The Ancient Soul Devouring Toad thought of a certain ancient legend, and its fur stood on end, its gaze towards Ji Mo filled with fear.
"Hey, toad, what are you looking at? Believe it or not, I'll stew you tonight," Ji Mo, in a bad mood, shouted at the Ancient Soul Devouring Toad, which was staring at him with shifty eyes. The Ancient Soul Devouring Toad immediately flipped onto its back, trembling with fear. It was confirmed; Mr. Ji was indeed practicing that evil and terrifying forbidden art. Trembling, it felt as though it had discovered Ji Mo's immense secret and would likely be silenced. As expected, Ji Mo walked directly towards it.