Undying Life

Chapter 105: Ling’er’s Impulse

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

Within the Hall of Rare Treasures, there stood a total of fifteen bookshelves, each densely packed with books. Zhong Shan stared in astonishment at the scene before him.

"Ling'er, why aren't these records kept in jade slips? Jade slips can hold much more information than books," Zhong Shan asked, visibly shaken by the sight of so many books.

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.

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.