Chapter 390: Chapter 356: The Secret of Helping Others Break Through
It is said that Nie Yang once had thoughts about Baili Yuyao as well, but the requirement for the marriage recruitment at the Embroidery Village was to be under thirty, which perfectly excluded him.
However, who will finally own this flower, Baili Yuyao, has yet to be decided.
Who can say for sure that one of those three will definitely win the beauty?
Baili Yuyao is known as the number one beauty in Li Hen City, and the last person who was well-deservingly associated with this title was her mother, Baili Bingyun.
More than twenty years ago, countless people wanted to embrace Baili Bingyun, but who knows which wild man got ahead of everyone?
If Baili Bingyun hadn’t become pregnant and given birth to Baili Yuyao, no one would have known that she already had a man long ago.
Even so, many people still couldn’t forget Baili Bingyun.
Among them was the host of tonight’s banquet, Nie Tian.
Nie Tian founded the Heaven-Dominating Tower at the age of forty, and though he already had a wife and son at the time, after meeting Baili Bingyun, he pursued her passionately despite everything, but how could Baili Bingyun agree?
Not to mention Nie Tian, the men who pursued Baili Bingyun back then could line up from the south of Li Hen City to the north. What kind of men weren’t there?
Yet none ever caught her eye. No one knew her criteria for choosing a husband until she gave birth to Baili Yuyao.
Only then did everyone understand that she had long been attached to someone.
But who that man was, to this day, nobody knows; maybe only Baili Bingyun and some of the elderly close to her at the Embroidery Village who haven’t passed away yet would know.
Many coveted Baili Bingyun back then, and many now covet Baili Yuyao as well. Baili Yuyao inherited Baili Bingyun’s exquisite genes, thus being rated by gossipers as the current number one beauty in Li Hen City.
In fact, Lin Miao had seen Baili Bingyun, and just in terms of appearance, Baili Bingyun from twenty years ago far surpassed the present Baili Yuyao.
Perhaps Baili Yuyao simply hasn’t reached that age yet.
Baili Yuyao is only twenty years old; her body hasn’t fully developed and still needs maturing...
She is even slightly inferior to her senior sister, Sun Youwei.
However, when it comes to figure, Baili Yuyao is indeed perfect. Among the many women Lin Miao knows, her figure best fits the golden ratio and is the most flawless, especially those long legs.
His thoughts strayed a bit — his senior sister was sitting beside him, yet his mind went to Baili Yuyao.
It must be Baili Bingyun’s influence.
The one hosting Nie Tian’s Celestial Essence Banquet was his son, Nie Yang. In such an important setting, he naturally wanted his son to take the stage.
This is the future heir to the Heaven-Dominating Tower; how else would he grow without experience?
"Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed seniors, and fellow martial artists, I am immensely grateful for your presence at the banquet celebrating my father’s promotion to Celestial Essence..." Nie Yang’s voice was modulated, slightly nervous, but in such a setting, his performance was far beyond many of his peers and even older people might not do as well, especially with so many experts present, several of whom had achieved Great Perfection of Meridian Realm.
Though these individuals’ demeanor and pressure might not currently surpass his father’s, combined, even the newly-promoted Celestial Essence Nie Tian wouldn’t dare claim certain victory.
This banquet was inherently a display of personal prowess, which Nie Tian had been showcasing since the beginning.
The prowess of a Celestial Essence practitioner allows for prolonged levitation and direct communication with the world’s energy, something which can’t be falsified.
Nie Tian raised his hand and summoned a cloud. What was a sky full of twinkling stars and a crescent moon showered down large flakes of snow.
This went beyond the realm of a martial artist.
Thus, to ordinary people, martial artists who had transcended to the Celestial Essence level seemed akin to immortals.
With another swing of his hand.
The clouds dispersed, the snow stopped, and the starry sky was revealed. Instantly, applause like thunder erupted throughout the banquet venue.
A demonstration of skill by a Celestial Essence expert is rare; witnessing it once in a lifetime is extraordinary for most people.
This wasn’t an illusion or a trick; the snowflakes could truly be felt.
In fact, sensing the power of the world doesn’t necessarily require reaching the Celestial Essence Realm. With some techniques, even one who hasn’t reached Meridian Realm can achieve it.
For instance, Lin Miao, who had practiced the "Moon Attraction Chapter," could invoke the power of moonlight to attack, even kill.
It’s his life-saving skill.
Subsequently, the wine and meat were served like flowing water.
The senior experts would always maintain their decorum, eating elegantly, even if just sampling. But some of the coarse jianghu folks didn’t adhere to such etiquette, typically eating meat by the mouthful, drinking wine by the bowl; although they would restrain themselves a bit in such settings, after three cups of strong wine, their restraint was thrown to the winds.
Lin Miao and Sun Youwei were merely there to spectate; as for the wine and meat on the table, Lin Miao had no intention of touching any of it.
Suddenly, he felt a breeze pass by.
This breeze was somewhat unusual.
Chilly, like a ghostly wind.
He turned, yet saw no one, but clearly felt someone pass by. Looking down, he found a folded piece of paper tucked beneath him.
He was somewhat surprised that someone was able to pass by him unnoticed and place a piece of paper under him without his detecting it.
This person’s martial arts level must be at least in the Meridian Passage Realm.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to evade the detection of his six senses. He discreetly slipped the paper into his sleeve. Now wasn’t the time to check its contents; he’d have to wait until he returned.
"Junior brother?"
"It’s nothing. I estimate that this banquet will be over soon. We’re not important figures here, so let’s head back early," Lin Miao said.
"Okay, fine." Sun Youwei also doesn’t particularly enjoy such occasions; she wouldn’t have attended if not for accompanying Lin Miao.
Lin Miao was also relieved that he attended as his original self. If he came as a representative of Shanglin Temple or as "Lin Bei", there would have been much more attention.
Unlike now; where they were completely marginalized.
However, he seemed not to find Si Miaoxue. She received an invitation but didn’t come; he wondered why?
The celebration activities included large-scale singing and dancing performances, pushing the atmosphere to a climax.
But Lin Miao and Sun Youwei quietly stepped out from the main hall of the banquet; if guests want to leave, the doormen wouldn’t be too strict on preventing them.
Lin Miao directly got into the carriage.
He planned to drive himself back to Snow Mountain Residence. Lianxin and Liansuo were with their master Helian Wanwan, sitting in the front row, making it inconvenient for them to leave, so they had to wait a while longer.
Lin Miao accompanying Sun Youwei back wouldn’t be an issue.
But he suddenly saw someone dressed in black, wearing a hat, sitting on his carriage; Lin Miao frowned slightly, recognizing the back right away.
The person was indeed Si Miaoxue.
"Why are you here?"
"I guessed that Mr. Lin wouldn’t like the atmosphere inside, and would certainly sneak out early," Si Miaoxue lifted her head, revealing a playful and pleasant smile.
"Miaoxue."
"Miaoxue pays respects to the lady," Si Miaoxue slightly bowed in salute, saying, "I’m here to drive, to take Mr. Lin and the lady back."
Lin Miao nodded; talking here risked being seen by others, so it’d be better to leave early.
"Mr. Lin, this morning, the Life-taking Saber Shen Hao accompanied Shen An to visit Baili Bingyun, formally proposing to the Embroidery Studio on Shen An’s behalf, and Baili Bingyun didn’t refuse."
"Didn’t refuse?"
"Yes, Shen An is the young master of Green Blade Sect, but he willingly gave up his position to marry into the Embroidery Studio, assisting Baili Yuyao in managing and controlling the studio," Si Miaoxue said.
"Shen An indeed has resolve; a dignified young master giving up everything for the studio, agreeing to such terms."
"Indeed, Shen An’s stance left Baili Bingyun unable to refuse, yet she didn’t immediately agree, rather, she gave Baili Yuyao a year’s time, letting her choose a husband from the last three finalists. Shen An and Zhuang Cheng matched these criteria; Baili Yuyao will ultimately decide."
"Didn’t mention you?"
"Not at all, Mr. Lin. Will Baili Bingyun change her mind?" Si Miaoxue asked, "Previously, she agreed so emphatically."
"Shen An isn’t a good match. Mr. Baili likely won’t consent to Baili Yuyao’s marriage to him," Lin Miao confidently stated.
"Then I am relieved," Si Miaoxue said, "We are establishing ourselves in Li Hen City, currently can’t do without the help from the Embroidery Studio."
"I’ve inquired, the day after tomorrow’s auction definitely has two ’Physicians Orders’, but don’t know whose they are; auctions are like this, not revealing until the event," Si Miaoxue said, "You should be able to get an invitation to the auction."
"Hmm. That’s exactly why I came. My master’s ’Physician’s Order’ has been lost for more than a year now; I must find it back, otherwise, I’ll be letting down my master’s spirit," Lin Miao exchanged glances with Sun Youwei and said solemnly.
Si Miaoxue drove the carriage to take Lin Miao and Sun Youwei to Snow Mountain Residence, and then she left.
"Mr. Lin, is Yuyao going to marry into our household?" Sun Youwei tilted her head and asked.
"Mr. Baili proposed that, wanting to marry her into our family. I disagreed, only cured her illness, never expecting reciprocation, but she insists. I have no choice," Lin Miao explained, not planning nor able to hide it.
"Since junior brother doesn’t wish for it, why does she force so?"
"Ah, it’s due to my meddling. Her breakthrough to Celestial Essence was my guidance, also during her treatment, we had contact, she then uses this to coerce me; if I don’t marry Baili Yuyao, she’ll spread my skills to the world, and then..." Lin Miao sighed deeply.
"Isn’t this repaying kindness with enmity?" Sun Youwei exclaimed in wide-eyed surprise.
"Indeed, but I never expected her to act this way. Outsiders wouldn’t see it as such though; she marrying her daughter to me with the studio as dowry, and once over a hundred years later, the studio would belong to me and Baili Yuyao, even be passed to our descendants—does this not count as gratitude?" Lin Miao said helplessly.
"So, Mr. Baili wants to marry Yuyao to junior brother, but used some disgraceful means?"
"Kind of. If exposed that I can help others breakthrough the Celestial Essence, how much trouble would arise for me, can you imagine, senior sister?"
"Junior brother, can you really help someone breakthrough the Celestial Essence?"
"So far, aside from Mr. Baili, there’s also Shanglin Temple’s Fahai monk who seems to have broken through after my guidance..." Lin Miao begrudgingly replied.
"Ah!" Sun Youwei covered her mouth, exclaiming.
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