劍問蒼天 - 第143章 不願 - 翰墨軒

"If the matter is truly as Valley Master Yun says, then it is a calamity such as the world has never seen in all its living generations. We who cultivate the Dao have always styled ourselves the orthodox path; we cannot simply stand by. Since it is so, my Canglan Sect shall join hands with the Fenxia Valley to resist this demon. Afterward I shall send word to Venerable Pu Cheng of the Fanyin Temple, and ask that he too come to Canglan Mountain to take counsel with us."

Yun Yi Feng let out a long breath and clapped his hands together. "Excellent, excellent. Only now can I set my heart at ease."

Dao Yan Zhenren smiled. "Valley Master Yun jests. By the way, I wonder what this second great matter might be—surely not another calamity?"

A gleam flickered in Yun Yi Feng's eyes. He gave Dao Yan Zhenren a long, deep look, then said, "No. This second matter is a happy one."

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Dao Yan Zhenren's mouth.

Yun Yi Feng smiled and said, "The second matter for which I have come is to seek the hand of Miss Lu Xueling of your esteemed sect on behalf of my disciple, Li Xun."

At these words, Lu Xueling, standing behind Master Shui Jing, gave a violent start and suddenly raised her head, while among the Canglan Sect it was as though a pot had boiled over—an uproar at once. Their reaction was, if anything, even more astonished than when they had first heard of the peerless demon and the great calamity of heaven!

Countless gazes instantly fixed on Lu Xueling's stunned face, then, a moment later, were drawn away once more by Daoist Zhenren Daoyan.

The sect master of the Canglan Sect, Daoist Zhenren Daoyan, pondered for a moment, then spoke out in a clear voice: "I have observed this child Li Xun over the past few days. He is indeed a dragon among men, a prodigy whose future is beyond all reckoning."

Yun Yifeng smiled. "You flatter him, Zhenren. Still, I do in truth intend someday to pass the position of Valley Master to this unworthy disciple. And with a great enemy before us, such a joyful occasion can only show our sincere cooperation and lift the spirits of the heroes of the world. What say you, Zhenren?"

Tian Buhui, seated off to the side, wore a look of open disdain, and nearly let a cold snort escape his lips; fortunately his wife Su Wan, quick of eye and swift of hand, caught hold of him.

Zhenren Daoyan's gaze swept across the Canglan Sect's people, coming at last to rest on Lu Xueling. Her brows were tightly knit, her lips trembling faintly, as though she wished to speak; yet mindful that the occasion was improper, she did not raise her voice after all.

Zhenren Daoyan smiled faintly, turned his head toward Yun Yifeng, and laughed: "Valley Master Yun's goodwill this day is truly beyond my expectations!"

Yun Yifeng cupped his hands and said with a smile: "This humble one and my disciple harbor the most sincere intentions. I hope you will grant us your blessing, Zhenren."

Zhenren Daoyan reached up to stroke his long beard at his breast and said slowly: "Heaven has brought forth demons and monsters, and disaster is close upon us. Only if our two sects stand shoulder to shoulder and join our strength can we save the common people. Moreover, in this marriage the man is talented and the woman fair, and I am well pleased with it myself..."

Another stir ran through the Canglan Sect; none had expected that Zhenren Daoyan would actually approve this marriage.

Then Zhenren Daoyan turned his head and said with a smile to Master Shuijing, seated nearby: "Junior Sister Shuiyue, Xueqi is your disciple, so the decision ought rightly to be yours."

Lu Xueling's face went stark white, plainly shaken to the core by this turn of events. Hearing Zhenren Daoyan's words, she could not help stepping forward and calling out to Master Shuijing:

"Master..."