After I Became a Divine Monarch, the Sect Wants Me to Marry In

Qing Chenxi consoled Ren Shan, *but she had some concerns in her heart.*

Still, what was in Ren Shan's hand mattered more.

With a sigh, Qing Chenxi said, "Anyone bold enough to do this definitely isn't ordinary, so I need some time to make the connections."

"As long as my daughter is safe, I'd give up anything, Senior Sister Qing, I'm begging you," Ren Shan said, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Alright, leave it to me, I'll head back now and contact some people, see who exactly made a move," Qing Chenxi said with conviction.

After a few more words of comfort, Qing Chenxi left.

Ren Shan stared after her, looking utterly lost.

Now, she was gripped by dread; she truly had no news of her daughter.

*She wondered if her daughter was safe now.*

But yesterday, she'd told her daughter that once they were separated, if she was safe, she should have someone deliver a message.

She waited.

Waited for Gu An to come find her.

But today, he hadn't come.

Nor had Qing Chenxi sent word.

*Qing Chenxi even seemed like she wanted to use her.*

So, *Gu An wasn't Qing Chenxi's person.*

*Why was that? She didn't know, and she didn't care to find out.*

For now, she was just waiting, waiting for a signal.

Otherwise, she wouldn't leave.

*She didn't want to ask herself, in case her daughter was forced to say something.*

As long as the other party took the initiative to relay news, that meant her daughter's situation was decent.

But aside from the secret Gu An obtained, she had no more cards to play.

So, *she regretted it deeply.*

*She regretted being so weak.*

...

Meanwhile, as soon as Qing Chenxi left, Zheng Xiu intercepted her.

"How did it go with Senior Sister?" Zheng Xiu asked, curious.

"She was honestly pleading with me, that desperate look in her eyes—she really took me for her only hope," Qing Chenxi frowned,

"But except for me, who else would bother her daughter?

This whole thing doesn't add up."

"Is it possible it was someone from the Inner Sect?" Zheng Xiu asked.

"It's possible, but I don't see the need. Some things just aren't worth the Inner Sect getting personally involved.

Especially when it's just a little kid," Qing Chenxi said, baffled,

"People are watching Ren Shan's case, but it hasn't shown its true value yet.

Everyone's interested, but not desperate.

This person showed up out of nowhere, didn't even leave any trail. If Ren Shan wasn't all alone right now, I'd suspect someone staged the whole thing with her."

"So what now?" Zheng Xiu asked.

"She asked for my help, right? So I'll help her," Qing Chenxi said with a smile.

"You're really going to help her?" Zheng Xiu was a bit surprised.

"Of course, but I'll have to contact someone in the Inner Sect, and they'll definitely name their price,

and naturally, they'll claim to have news of her daughter.

Whether she wants to meet those terms or not—that's up to her," Qing Chenxi replied.

"You're contacting the Inner Sect?" Zheng Xiu was even more surprised.

At that, Qing Chenxi laughed, "How would she know if I really did?"

When she finished speaking, Zheng Xiu squinted and said admiringly, "You really are a good person, Senior Sister—helping Ren Shan with your whole heart like this."

"By the way, have you been keeping an eye on Gu An?" Qing Chenxi asked.

"Him?" Zheng Xiu said dismissively, "I had Ye Song and Molan tail him, we should have results in a few more days."

"A few more days?" Qing Chenxi frowned, "I just saw Gu An myself."

"No way," Zheng Xiu said, a little startled.

"Go check, see what's going on."

"Alright."

"If he just happened to be back, fine. If not, then he doesn't get to live."

"I'll take care of it."

...

Bamboo Spirit Peak.

A courtyard girdled in Spiritual Energy.

At the very end stood a unique little house.

Carved eaves and painted rafters, the interior filled with elegant, old-fashioned furniture. In front of the house sat a stone table, a slab of rock on top.

Chu Meng sat on a stone chair, tinkering with some Spiritual Medicine.

After a while, a maid with a simple bun walked in.

"Miss." She bowed respectfully.

"Chunyu, is it done?" Chu Meng asked casually while working with the Spiritual Medicine.

"All taken care of. The Alchemy Room just got two new Alchemy Children, one is four, one is five.

Both are girls," Chunyu reported.

"Do they seem content?" Chu Meng set down her Spiritual Medicine and asked.

"Seems so. One of them cried, but she's not slacking off," Chunyu hesitated, then added,

"Also, she said she'd like to send a message to her family."

Chu Meng turned her head with curiosity, "What message?"

"She says she's eating well here," Chunyu answered.

At that, Chu Meng clicked her tongue,

"Clever girl, always keeping a card up her sleeve."

She rose and said, "I'm heading out, take these Spiritual Medicines to them—make sure they learn them well, and change their names, too.

After today, never mention their old names again.

And make sure they learn these medicines properly, or they'll be kicked out."

"Yes," Chunyu nodded quickly.

Chu Meng whisked away in a flash.

Chunyu let out a sigh.

"Ever since Miss came home, she hasn't been as cheerful."

"I know," said a woman in an immortal dress of yellow who now appeared in the courtyard, "We simply didn't protect her well before."

"We need to raise our cultivation, and quick," Chunyu replied.

The courtyard sank into silence.

...

After handing over the axe, Gu An turned and left.

Today was a step forward.

But not enough.

[Name: Gu An]

[Cultivation: Qi Refining Eighth Layer]

[Status: Poisoned]

[Magic: 13/50]

[Hard Cultivation: 8/100]

[Ring of Destiny]

"I won't get burned anymore, but magic is even harder than hard cultivation."

Fifty would take a month, a hundred, a bit over.

*First, I need to figure out why these numbers have slowed down.*

*Let me try improving a basic technique first.*

But I should learn Wanxiang Senluo first.

Thinking this, Gu An headed back to his place.

He checked Ren Shan's courtyard, didn't see anyone, but wasn't sure if she'd left.

He'd check again tomorrow.

Back at his courtyard, he wanted to look for Big Eye Fish and toss it a snack.

He passed by the pond, didn't spot it, but could sense it was around.

It was hiding.

*Someone was here?* Gu An guessed instantly.

"Come out," Gu An called calmly toward the yard, "I see you."

"What are you, crazy?" a mocking voice rang out from inside the house.

Chu Meng.

Gu An walked in, feeling rather awkward.

Sure enough, there was Chu Meng in the living room, eating his peanuts.

"Senior, what brings you here?" Gu An asked, curious.

"Business, what else? Or do you actually think I've missed you and just came to see you?" Chu Meng asked, resting her chin on one hand.

Gu An checked his status—yep, she was using the Charming Technique again.

"So that wasn't a secret, either?" Gu An was a little surprised.

"Beats me, I already submitted it. Your reward still hasn't come down.

They're probably still assessing it," Chu Meng said, putting away her Charming Technique, tossing him some peanuts,

"You're already an old man—why doesn't my charm, as a beautiful young girl, work on you?"

"Junior only seeks the True Dao," Gu An replied with full seriousness.

"Maybe you don't like girls, but prefer housewives," Chu Meng joked.

*Sorry, Ren Shan's Charming Technique didn't work much on me, either.*

*Love just gets in the way of chopping trees. Slows me down.*