Chapter 28: Bai Zhiyuan's Request-Acha que não posso cultivar e quer cancelar o noivado? Na verdade, já alcancei o Estágio de Fundação.(Guerreira Bela Jovem)

"The girl has grown up, she has truly grown up..."

Behind his stubborn back, Bai Zhiyuan was already weeping.

"Old Bai, stop agonizing over it. The child is grown; let her follow her own path in the future. It’s time for you to rest as well," the First Elder, Bai Jingxiu, advised with a cough, struggling to hide his amusement.

"Oh, a daughter grown is not meant to be kept!" The Second Elder, Bai Ningyuan, patted his chest, acting as if he were distraught.

"You two old geezers, that’s enough," the Third Elder said, rolling his eyes at the others with irritation.

After the physician led Gu Liuyun into the room, he sensibly took his leave and pulled the door shut behind him, leaving Gu Liuyun and Bai Xiyu alone.

This left Gu Liuyun in a bit of a predicament. After all, he was well aware of his own charm, and he was already a man with a fiancée; if something were to happen...

"Cough, cough... Brother Yun, have you arrived?" Bai Xiyu’s voice came from behind the bed curtains, accompanied by a series of weak, hacking coughs.

"I am here," Gu Liuyun stepped forward.

Bai Xiyu struggled to prop herself up, leaning against the bedside, and pushed aside the curtains. She looked incredibly frail, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders, her face deathly pale and her lips devoid of color, a sight that would stir pity in anyone’s heart.

"Are you alright?" Gu Liuyun asked with concern.

Bai Xiyu shook her head. "I am fine. Since I was young, my health has always been poor. While children my age were out running and playing, I could only be kept at home. Even practicing Qi refinement could not improve my condition." She sighed.

Gu Liuyun felt deeply sympathetic, his brows furrowed as he struggled to find words of comfort. Seeing his expression, Bai Xiyu couldn't help but chuckle softly. "Brother Yun, you really don't remember anything about our childhood, do you?"

Gu Liuyun was puzzled. "Why bring up childhood all of a sudden?"

A flash of melancholy crossed Bai Xiyu’s eyes. "When we first met, you invited me to play games. When you found out my health was poor, you snuck into my home..." Her voice grew softer and she became increasingly shy. "That night, you reached your small hand into my bedding, inch by inch, helping me nourish my meridians..."

Gu Liuyun’s eyes widened in surprise.

"Every inch of my body has been touched by you."

"From that moment on, I swore that I would marry no one but you in this life." Bai Xiyu lowered her eyes, blushing deeply.

So, the original owner was quite the smooth talker when he was young. Gu Liuyun couldn't help but sweat.

"I’m telling you this not because I want to force you to marry me, but so you know my heart. Otherwise, if I were to pass away one day, I would never have another chance to let you know." Seeing that Gu Liuyun remained silent for a long time, Bai Xiyu hurriedly explained. "Now that I’ve said it, I feel much better." She gave him a gentle smile.

What a wonderful girl... Gu Liuyun felt even more guilty.

"Wait, you said I was the one who nourished your meridians?" The original owner was supposed to be a piece of trash with no spiritual roots, born unable to cultivate!

Bai Xiyu nodded. "Of course."

Gu Liuyun’s memories of Bai Xiyu were extremely vague, and he had no recollection of ever nourishing her meridians. In fact, he had no memories of his life before the age of ten. If Bai Xiyu was correct, it proved the original owner had once been capable of cultivation and was not born without spiritual roots. It was highly likely that something happened later that caused him to lose his "spiritual roots" and his "memories"—perhaps tied to the family enemies or the evil cultivators who had attacked his parents.

Gu Liuyun chatted with Bai Xiyu for a while longer, and only after she had fallen asleep did he tip-toe out of the room.

"So you finally decided to come out."

As soon as he crossed the threshold, Bai Zhiyuan’s cold voice rang out. The old man stood by the door with his hands behind his back like a stone statue, clearly having been waiting for a long time.

"Miss Bai has fallen asleep, and I..." Gu Liuyun began, but was cut off by a wave of Bai Zhiyuan’s hand.

"I’m not looking for Yu'er; I’m looking for you."

Gu Liuyun was puzzled. "For me?"

"I have a favor to ask of you," Bai Zhiyuan said in a low, pleading voice. It was rare to see the usually stern old man display such a side.

"Please go ahead, Elder Bai. If I can help, I certainly won't refuse!"

Bai Zhiyuan cleared his throat and patted Gu Liuyun on the shoulder. "My little girl has always been in poor health and needs someone to care for her. She is devoted only to you; she has wanted to marry you since she was a child. Even after all these years of separation, her feelings have not changed. If you could do this old man a favor, please break off your current engagement and marry my precious granddaughter. Everything the Bai family currently possesses will be yours to inherit."

Gu Liuyun sighed. "I’m sorry, Elder Bai. I am already betrothed to the second daughter of the Ye family. I am honored by your daughter's misplaced affection, but I must decline."

Having anticipated Gu Liuyun’s answer, Bai Zhiyuan did not show much disappointment. He stood in silence for a long moment before pulling a rustic invitation from his sleeve. "In that case, I have a second favor to ask."

Gu Liuyun took the invitation, which featured elegant, sweeping calligraphy reading: *Cultivator Gathering*.

Gu Liuyun looked up, surprised. Bai Zhiyuan continued, "This is a triennial grand gathering for cultivators. Every major cultivation family sends their juniors under the age of twenty-five to participate in the tournament. The winner gains the opportunity to enter the private secret realm of the Moonshadow Auction House, which hosts the event. This realm only opens once every three years, and those fortunate enough to enter have always obtained great opportunities."

"You want me to represent the Bai family and fight for this chance, is that it?" Gu Liuyun asked.

Seeing Gu Liuyun’s quick wit, Bai Zhiyuan stroked his beard and nodded with satisfaction. "Exactly. I have heard from other sources that there is a Spirit Spring within that realm. Anyone who drinks from it can recover from any illness. Although I am a cultivator, my lifespan is limited; I cannot stay by Yu'er's side forever. If she could regain her health and live like a normal person, it would fulfill my greatest wish."

Gu Liuyun looked at the invitation in his hand and nodded without hesitation. "Of course."

Bai Zhiyuan was surprised by his quick agreement. He had expected Gu Liuyun to refuse or try to haggle.

"This is an opportunity for me as well—to meet the heroes of other families and to help Miss Bai. I have no reason to refuse," Gu Liuyun said calmly.

Bai Zhiyuan let out a sigh of relief and laughed, patting Gu Liuyun on the shoulder. "You lad, you really do please this old man! If only you could be my grandson-in-law!"