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Chapter 105: Chapter 105: Ling'er's Impulse

Tian Ling'er, who had been staring blankly at Zhong Shan, blushed slightly when he spoke.

"Jade slips can hold more, but my father says that over time, the information in jade slips can become corrupted or even lost. Books, on the other hand, are more reliable for long-term preservation," Tian Ling'er explained.

Zhong Shan nodded, absorbing this new piece of information. Each of the fifteen bookshelves held nearly a thousand books, amounting to over ten thousand records in total. Could there really be so many rare treasures in the world?

What Zhong Shan didn't know was that other sects didn't have such systematic records; this was a unique feature of the Kaiyang Sect.

Zhong Shan gently pulled out a book and opened it to the first page.

"Millennium Snow Lotus, third grade inferior. Its petals can be used in alchemy. Commonly found at the peaks of icy mountains..."

The first page detailed the Millennium Snow Lotus with meticulous care. Zhong Shan was deeply impressed by the thoroughness of the records. Meanwhile, in the mortal realm, his avatar was dictating information to a group of scribes who were recording everything swiftly and organizing it into volumes.

His main body continued to read page by page. Beside him, Tian Ling'er watched him, seemingly brewing something in her mind. After a while, she finally gathered her courage and spoke up.

"Zhong Shan, how many wives do you have?" Tian Ling'er bit her lip, her face reddening.

Zhong Shan gently set down the book and looked at Tian Ling'er. She felt incredibly nervous, but she didn't back down and met his gaze.

With a slight smile, Zhong Shan said, "I have taken eight wives in the past, but most of those marriages were either false or for political reasons. I only have two true wives, the ones you saw carved in wood last time, Kui'er and Bao'er. Since meeting them, I haven't taken any more wives."

"Are Kui'er and Bao'er the last ones you married?" Tian Ling'er asked, her curiosity piqued.

Zhong Shan looked at her and, after a moment of reflection, replied, "Yes. It was after meeting Kui'er that I truly understood what love is. After she passed away, I met Bao'er."

"And Bao'er?" Tian Ling'er pressed on.

Zhong Shan sighed softly, "Bao'er went somewhere, but she hasn't come back yet."

Seeing Zhong Shan's sorrow, Tian Ling'er immediately tried to comfort him, "Bao'er will definitely come back."

"Yes," Zhong Shan nodded gently.

"Ling'er, you don't have to stay with me all the time. I might be here for days, reading," Zhong Shan said again.

"No, it's fine. I have things to read too. If I get bored, I can always visit Grandpa Shan and Grandpa Zong. Don't worry about me," Tian Ling'er shook her head resolutely.

Looking at Tian Ling'er, Zhong Shan took a deep breath and finally nodded. He continued to scan the records, dictating them to the scribes through his avatar. Tian Ling'er held a book, but her attention was entirely on Zhong Shan.

Fifteen bookshelves—there was simply too much content. It took Zhong Shan fifteen days to merely flip through each book once. During those fifteen days, Tian Ling'er stayed by his side, unwavering and devoted, which deeply moved Zhong Shan despite his focus on the records.

When they reached the last bookshelf, it seemed Tian Ling'er had been gathering her courage for a long time. Finally, she took three deep breaths, her face flushed, and addressed Zhong Shan, who was engrossed in a book.

"Zhong Shan," she called.

Zhong Shan set down the book, puzzled, and looked at the red-faced Tian Ling'er. "What is it?" he asked, focusing on her.

The intensity of Zhong Shan's gaze made Tian Ling'er even more nervous, but she forced herself to remain steadfast. She had learned the importance of cherishing moments, knowing that once lost, they could never be regained, no matter how much one might regret it. Gone was her former shyness.

"Zhong Shan, can I be your third wife?" Tian Ling'er finally mustered the courage to say the most embarrassing words of her life.

Her voice was filled with anticipation, her eyes fixed on Zhong Shan as if awaiting a verdict. Her heart pounded furiously, and her hands clenched tightly, nails digging into her flesh.

Zhong Shan put down the book, completely taken aback by Tian Ling'er's sudden question. Her nervousness was palpable, and Zhong Shan himself was caught off guard.

Tian Ling'er felt her head buzzing, her thoughts in chaos, as she awaited Zhong Shan's response. Zhong Shan understood how much courage it took for her to say those words. It wasn't just about bravery; her recent brush with life and death had taught her something profound.

Just as Zhong Shan was about to respond, a voice interrupted.

"Ling'er~~~~~~~~~~~~~"

Outside the Hall of Rare Treasures, Tian Xingzi's call echoed. Hearing it, Tian Ling'er looked like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Her face turned even redder, and she dashed out, as if realizing how audacious her question had been.

Zhong Shan watched her leave, momentarily stunned. He set down the book and followed her outside.

Outside the Hall of Rare Treasures, four figures descended from the sky: Tian Xingzi, Gu Shuangzi, Xuan Xinzi, and Nie Qingqing. The two elders who guarded the mountain and the sect were nowhere to be seen.

"Father," Tian Ling'er called, her face still tinged with red.

"Where have you been these past few days? Don't you know what today is?" Tian Xingzi reproached her.

"I forgot for a moment. Please don't blame me. The spirit tide is about to begin," Gu Shuangzi said with a smile.

"Look around, everyone's waiting for you. What were you doing here?" Tian Xingzi asked sternly.

What was she doing? Tian Ling'er's face reddened even more. How could she explain?

"Master, Ling'er was accompanying me while I read," Zhong Shan quickly interjected.

"Yes, I was reading too," Tian Ling'er chimed in.

"You, reading?" Tian Xingzi was incredulous. Tian Ling'er had never been fond of books. It was clearly an excuse.

Nie Qingqing, standing nearby, frowned at Zhong Shan, her eyes flashing with intense disapproval.

"Enough, come with me. The spirit tide is about to begin," Tian Xingzi ordered.

"Yes," Tian Ling'er quickly nodded. At this moment, she had no courage to ask Zhong Shan again and felt a bit too embarrassed to face him after what had just transpired.

Tian Xingzi made a gesture, and a white cloud lifted Tian Ling'er into the sky. Xuan Xinzi and Gu Shuangzi followed suit, flying away with her. Only Nie Qingqing remained behind.

Zhong Shan had no particular fondness for Nie Qingqing. She wasn't from the Kaiyang Sect and had often spoken disrespectfully to Tian Xingzi. However, she was the sister of his teacher's wife, so he nodded slightly in acknowledgment before turning back toward the Hall of Rare Treasures.

"Stop," Nie Qingqing called out.

Zhong Shan furrowed his brow and turned around, looking at Nie Qingqing with a hint of confusion.

"Is there something you need, Senior?" Zhong Shan asked, his expression neutral.

"Hmph, Zhong Shan, you think you're clever. Even though your cultivation potential is lacking, you're quite the romantic, deceiving even Ling'er," Nie Qingqing said, glaring at him.

Zhong Shan didn't get angry. Instead, he calmly looked at her and said, "If you have something to say, please say it clearly."

Nie Qingqing found his composed attitude infuriating, like a punch landing on a soft cushion. She felt utterly frustrated.

"What did Ling'er say to you just now? Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Nie Qingqing demanded.

Zhong Shan realized she had overheard his conversation with Ling'er. "If you have something specific to discuss, please do. I don't understand what you mean," he said again.

Seeing Zhong Shan feign ignorance, Nie Qingqing seethed with anger. She took a deep breath, calmed herself, and spoke more evenly. "I want you to stay away from Ling'er."

Zhong Shan gave a slight smile. "Senior, I think you misunderstand—"

"I am not mistaken. From the day Ling'er returned seeking your help to today when she asked to be your wife, it's clear to me that her heart has been stolen by you. But you must be aware of your limitations. With such poor cultivation potential, the Golden Core stage will be your limit, and your lifespan won't exceed four hundred years. Ling'er is different. She has the potential to reach the Nascent Soul stage with ease. She has a long life ahead, and I don't want her to suffer heartbreak or even die for you in three hundred years," Nie Qingqing said sternly.

After listening to Nie Qingqing's words, Zhong Shan took a deep breath. "You are the sister of my teacher's wife, so I respect you as a senior. You may be considering Ling'er's future, and I won't blame you for that. But I must say this: whatever happens between Ling'er and me is our business. It is not for others to interfere."

"Hmph!"

Nie Qingqing's expression turned icy as she unleashed her aura. A tremendous pressure bore down on Zhong Shan, pressing the grass flat to the ground and trying to force him to his knees.

However, Zhong Shan refused to kneel. He stood tall, meeting Nie Qingqing's gaze. Despite the tremors in his body under the immense pressure, his knees never bent.

Facing Nie Qingqing's sudden assault, Zhong Shan showed no fear. His eyes burned with anger as he clenched his fists, resisting the oppressive force.

"Do you believe I won't kill you right now?" Nie Qingqing said coldly.