Naturally, Yan Taibai would not keep Fairy Nishang and the Yan Family Ancestor waiting for two juniors.
Along the way, amidst the envious gazes of others, he walked swiftly with Yan Ruyan in his arms toward the VIP grand hall of Yan Family Fortress. By the time they finished acknowledging all the greetings on the way, his face was practically aching from smiling.
...
Within the time it takes to eat a meal, aided by minor spellwork, Yan Taibai brought Yan Ruyan into the VIP grand hall of the Yan family.
At that moment, the Yan Family Ancestor and key core members of the Yan family were chatting and laughing with Fairy Nishang inside the hall. The instant the two of them stepped in, all eyes naturally fell upon the little pair.
Yan Taibai had long since set Yan Ruyan down, and under the gaze of everyone in the hall, he bowed respectfully to the Yan Family Ancestor and Fairy Nishang, who were seated in the seats of honor at the head of the hall.
Needless to say, the Yan Family Ancestor remained unchanged, but Fairy Nishang wore a striking crimson palace dress, radiantly charming and full of alluring grace. Her deep, faintly visible cleavage in particular made it impossible for anyone to look away, tempting one to investigate further. Yet no one dared to stare directly; they could only steal a brief, furtive glance before hastily looking away.
"Taibai pays his respects to the Ancestor, and pays his respects to Senior Uncle Nishang."
"Yan'er pays her respects to the Ancestor, and pays her respects to Senior Uncle Nishang, Ma... Master." Yan Ruyan followed right behind, but her face flushed red once more as she hurriedly corrected herself.
As soon as she finished speaking, she quickly and bashfully hurried to hide in Yan Taibai's arms, not daring to come out.
"Haha!"
"Yan'er is still young and has always stayed close to Taibai. Please forgive her, Elder." Seeing this scene, the Yan Family Ancestor couldn't help laughing as he offered an apology to Fairy Nishang.
"How could I possibly blame her? Your concubine here hasn't seen Yan'er and Junior Nephew Taibai for quite some time either. Who would have thought that after just two or three years apart, both of them have grown up so much," Fairy Nishang said with a radiant smile.
"Now that Taibai has already broken through to the 11th Layer of Qi Condensation, it is time for him to return to the sect with me to cultivate. It just so happens that Senior Uncle Qiong is away and his cave dwelling is rather vacant, which makes it an ideal place for Taibai to cultivate in solitude. You must know that the spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth in Senior Uncle Qiong's cave dwelling easily ranks in the top five of the entire sect."
"Forgive me, Senior Uncle, but Taibai does not wish to go to the sect to cultivate just yet. Yan'er is still young, and having spent every day by my side these past few years, it really isn't convenient to part ways with her so early." Disregarding the people gathered in the hall, Yan Taibai pulled the shy Yan Ruyan into his arms and explained respectfully.
"Then the two of you can simply return with me. What's wrong with that?" Hearing this, the smile on Fairy Nishang's lovely face did not wane as she offered a compromise.
"Reporting to Senior Uncle, there is actually another reason. The books, notes, ancient texts, and jade slips in the family's Scripture Pavilion have not yet been finished by this disciple, and I truly cannot bear to leave just yet. I hope Senior Uncle can grant this disciple another year or two. Once I finish reading the books, jade slips, and notes in the Scripture Pavilion, this disciple will definitely bring Yan'er to the sect to cultivate. I have already spent four or five years reading them, and I am truly reluctant to leave it half-finished."
Hearing this, Yan Taibai came up with a pretext he had already prepared. His love of reading was well-known to everyone.
"You, oh you! They should have had the Qingxu Sect take you in as a disciple instead; their entire faction is full of bookworms." Hearing those words, Fairy Nishang shot Yan Taibai an annoyed, sideways glance.
That was actually the truth. Back then, after the Moon Masking Sect, the Qingxu Sect's Core Formation Cultivator Fuyunzi had sensed the Qi of Awe-Inspiring Righteousness on Yan Taibai and made promises to recruit him—promises that even tempted the Yan Family Ancestor.
Unfortunately, Yan Taibai had already taken a master, and none other than Old Man Qiong of the Moon Masking Sect at that. Fuyunzi of the Qingxu Sect had no way to force the issue, nor did he dare to. Who could afford to provoke that master? They could only sigh that they had arrived a step too late. Yet even so, it was said that Old Man Qiong later used this very excuse to travel to the Qingxu Sect and give Fuyunzi a sound beating.
The Nascent Soul cultivators of the Qingxu Sect had nothing much to say about it. Although the Qingxu Sect was primarily centered around Daoist practices, the sect still possessed quite a few Confucian cultivation techniques and divine abilities. Moreover, precisely because they were the "bookworms" Fairy Nishang had mentioned, it was not uncommon for their disciples to possess the Qi of Awe-Inspiring Righteousness. For them to value Yan Taibai was only natural.
As for the other factions like the Yellow Maple Valley, Spirit Beast Mountain, and Giant Sword Gate, only the Giant Sword Gate had placed much value on Yan Taibai's aptitude as a Metal Heavenly Spiritual Root. But upon hearing that he had already been taken as a disciple by Old Man Qiong, they dropped the matter.
Still, without exception, they had all left welcoming gifts behind, which could be considered forging a positive connection with Yan Taibai. There were pills, Spirit Stones, talismans, and magical tools—enough to let Yan Taibai turn a tidy little profit.
"Please forgive me, Senior Uncle Nishang." Yan Taibai wore an embarrassed expression as he made his eager plea.
"Master, just agree to Taibai's request! If worse comes to worst, Yan'er will go back to the sect with you to cultivate." Hearing Fairy Nishang's displeased words, Yan Ruyan suddenly bolted out of Yan Taibai's arms and ran right up to Fairy Nishang. Like a little swallow returning to its nest, she threw herself into her embrace and coaxed her in a milky, spoiled tone.
"You little rascal, you haven't even married out yet, and already your heart is turning toward outsiders." Hearing Yan Ruyan's words, Fairy Nishang was nearly amused to laughter. Unable to resist, she gave the girl a light flick on the forehead and teased her with playful coquettishness.
Sure enough, upon hearing the word "marriage"—even if she only understood it vaguely—Yan Ruyan was still "filled with bashfulness." Under Yan Taibai's envious gaze, she burrowed into Fairy Nishang's warm, ample embrace and refused to come out.
That used to be his territory, but alas, it had changed hands once again.
"Very well. Even with Yan'er pleading on your behalf, I suppose I cannot forcibly drag you back to the sect to cultivate. However, it is not entirely out of the question for you to stay and cultivate in Yan Family Fortress, but you must head to the sect before your Foundation Establishment. The matter of Foundation Establishment must take place within the sect."
Fairy Nishang stroked the top of Yan Ruyan's head, her apricot lips parting slightly as she laid down her conditions.
"Taibai understands. Senior Uncle may rest assured; before my Foundation Establishment, Taibai will definitely go to the sect to cultivate." Yan Taibai agreed respectfully.
This was his plan to begin with. As for why he had to go before Foundation Establishment, he didn't know the specifics; he could only assume it was simply the rule.
"Mhm! As long as you agree. I shall stay these next few days to guide you and Yan'er in your cultivation. Who would have thought that in just a mere three years you would break through to the 11th Layer of Qi Condensation? What Senior Uncle Qiong said was truly correct. Your spiritual root aptitude is indeed exceptionally outstanding."
Fairy Nishang nodded slightly, effectively finalizing the matter.
Regarding this, no one in the Yan family had any objections; the Yan Family Ancestor and the others were also exceedingly pleased that Yan Taibai had chosen to stay of his own accord. After all, over the years the Yan family had spared no effort in cultivating Yan Taibai, practically granting his every request.
Now they could finally see some return on their investment. Reaching the 11th Layer of Qi Condensation in a mere three years was a rapid pace of cultivation even among Heavenly Spiritual Roots. After all, not everyone could afford to treat medicinal pills like jelly beans. No matter how wealthy and powerful the Yan family was, and no matter how much they valued Yan Taibai, they wouldn't cultivate him using such a method.
"Many thanks, Senior Uncle Nishang." Hearing Fairy Nishang's consent, Yan Taibai also let out a sigh of relief as he hurriedly bowed to express his gratitude, leaving absolutely no room for anyone to find fault.