The Grand-Ancestor’s Betrothal Gifts

Bai Qiuyuan was stared at by several elders at the same time, but his expression was calm.

‘If you show cowardice at this time…’

‘Otherwise, I’d be seen as a kept man. So, at this moment, I absolutely cannot show any weakness.’

Han Qianqiu, taking Bai Qiuyuan by the hand, led him directly to the Pavilion Master’s side.

Before Bai Qiuyuan could even fully process the situation, Han Qianqiu turned to face the gathered elders, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

“Why haven’t you paid your respects to your Grand-Ancestor?”

“Greetings, Grand-Ancestor!” Every person present, without a moment’s hesitation, immediately bowed deeply and respectfully towards Bai Qiuyuan, their voices ringing out in unison.

Clearly, the elders had already recognized the young girl before them as none other than Han Qianqiu herself.

Bai Qiuyuan could only offer a speechless ellipsis.

The thought that he, a man who had lived two lives yet barely reached his twenties, was now being addressed as ‘Grand-Ancestor’ by individuals who had seen centuries pass, left him with an incredibly complex swirl of emotions.

Yet, in short order, the Quieting Heart Art he practiced swiftly brought his inner turmoil to a state of serene composure.

‘As Han Qianqiu explained, for marriages in the Sword Pavilion, the man must first present betrothal gifts, and this custom applies even to those of the Ancestor level.’

With that thought, Bai Qiuyuan subtly cast a glance toward Han Qianqiu.

During their earlier conversation in the VIP Pavilion, Han Qianqiu had taken the time to enlighten Bai Qiuyuan on the Sword Pavilion’s unique customs.

Fearing that Bai Qiuyuan, with his youthful appearance, might lack suitable betrothal gifts, Han Qianqiu had generously produced a portion of her own accumulated wealth for him to use.

The artifacts she had presented were of such exquisite quality that even Han Qianqiu herself had felt a slight pang of regret at parting with them.

Bai Qiuyuan, far from refusing, had accepted them all with a genial smile.

‘I can’t afford to remain so passive.’

‘If I continue to be this passive, she might truly ‘devour’ me.’

‘I must find a way to seize the initiative.’

‘…Aha! I remember Sister Ziya mentioning that the Sword Pavilion was severely lacking in spirit stones due to some special circumstances.’

‘Short on money… that’s easily handled then.’

‘After all, the one thing I’m never short of… is money!’

A faint, almost imperceptible smirk touched Bai Qiuyuan’s lips as these thoughts flitted through his mind, and then he raised his hand, gesturing towards the open floor of the grand hall.

The onlookers exchanged puzzled glances.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! In that very instant, the distinct clinking sound of countless crystals filled the vast hall.

Innumerable spirit stones, each radiating a vibrant crimson glow, cascaded forth from Bai Qiuyuan’s spatial ring with the force and ceaseless flow of a raging waterfall.

Within the hall, the sheer volume of high-grade spirit stones accumulated to thousands, then tens of thousands, in a mere few breaths.

They rapidly coalesced into a veritable mountain of spirit stones, dominating the center of the hall!

Yet, even after the first mountain of spirit stones had fully formed, Bai Qiuyuan showed no signs of halting.

Swiftly, a second towering peak of spirit stones began to materialize, followed by a third…

The collective gasp of the onlookers was almost audible.

‘So many spirit stones!?’

‘This many spirit stones would be enough to found an entire sect, wouldn’t they!?’

‘Why is he suddenly producing all these spirit stones? Is he just showing off his wealth?’

‘Heavens! They’re all high-grade spirit stones! Could he also be an Old Ancestor from some grand sect!?’

‘As expected of an Ancestor-level figure! Their accumulated wealth is simply terrifying!’

Upon witnessing such an overwhelming abundance of spirit stones, every person present instinctively began to regard Bai Qiuyuan as an Old Ancestor from some formidable sect.

After a considerable stretch of time, Bai Qiuyuan finally ceased his torrent of spirit stones.

The onlookers stared at the multiple mountains of spirit stones before them, their expressions utterly bewildered.

A lengthy silence hung heavy in the air before the stunned crowd suddenly heard Bai Qiuyuan’s voice, laced with an innocent query.

“Is this… sufficient?”

At his words, the crowd’s confusion deepened further.

For a bewildered moment, no one could grasp what Bai Qiuyuan was referring to as ‘sufficient.’

Observing Han Qianqiu’s visibly astonished expression beside him, Bai Qiuyuan chuckled inwardly.

‘It seems these spirit stones are enough, but…’

‘This amount of spirit stones alone isn’t enough for me to reclaim the initiative.’

‘To ensure I have more say in the future, I’ll have to invest even more heavily.’

With this resolve, Bai Qiuyuan retrieved another spatial ring from his own, then feigned a perplexed expression as he spoke.

“Not quite enough? Well, I happen to have a bit more.”

The crowd was utterly perplexed.

The moment Bai Qiuyuan’s words registered, a collective, stunned silence fell, and every head slowly, almost robotically, turned to face him.

However, the instant their gazes shifted, their eyes were assaulted by a blinding, iridescent burst of light!

It was a single spirit stone, shimmering with a magnificent, seven-hued radiance!

‘Holy heavens! Rainbow-colored! A supreme-grade spirit stone!’

Before anyone could even begin to process their internal shock, they watched as Bai Qiuyuan casually began to pour out handful after handful of these iridescent spirit stones from his spatial ring!

The sight of Bai Qiuyuan possessing such a staggering quantity of supreme-grade spirit stones instantly ignited expressions of profound envy on every face present.

Supreme-grade spirit stones were, without exaggeration, a rarity in the mortal realm!

A single spirit stone vein might yield only a handful of them.

Merely a few supreme-grade spirit stones could sustain an outer sect disciple’s cultivation for several years!

As Bai Qiuyuan continued to generously pour out great quantities of these shimmering, seven-hued spirit stones from his spatial ring, the tension in the room grew palpable.

Every elder present began to experience a constriction in their breathing.

Some even clutched at their chests, fearing they might succumb to the overwhelming excitement and simply faint on the spot!

Bai Qiuyuan had now produced half of all the spirit stones he had refined during his journey to the Sword Pavilion…

He ceased not for lack of supply, but because…

The once immense Sword Pavilion hall was now utterly choked with mountains of spirit stones!

There was barely any room left to stand!!!

The elders, gazing upon the colossal mountains forged from an uncountable bounty of supreme-grade spirit stones, felt their minds utterly reeling, a persistent hum echoing in their skulls.

‘Am I dreaming?’

‘In this lifetime, I’ve actually lived to see this many supreme-grade spirit stones?’

‘What does he intend to do with all these spirit stones?’

…

Observing the expressions of utter awe and shock etched upon the faces of the crowd, a satisfied smile spread across Bai Qiuyuan’s features.

‘My sleepless nights of relentless refining along the way were certainly not in vain.’

In truth, cultivators in the current cultivation world capable of refining spirit stones could, at their absolute best, only produce mid-grade ones.

Furthermore, the vast majority of spirit stones were acquired through the laborious process of mining spirit stone veins.

Supreme-grade spirit stones, in particular, were exceedingly rare!

Bai Qiuyuan had previously spent considerable time pondering why he alone seemed capable of refining supreme-grade spirit stones.

After much deliberation, he had attributed the ability to the mysterious book he had acquired through a rather forceful ‘transaction’ earlier.

‘If my conjectures were correct, the original plot trajectory would have seen Yang Xueqing departing the cliff after unearthing the immortal mansion’s treasures.’

‘By my calculations, she would have then coincidentally encountered the very man who had attempted to rob me, right there on the cliff face.’

‘Perhaps the original plot was for Yang Xueqing to kill that man, acquire the secret manual, and become someone who would never lack money in the future!’

‘Therefore, that book was originally one of the protagonist’s cheat abilities!’

‘But because of my unexpected presence, that book serendipitously fell into my hands!’

‘While Yang Xueqing eventually learned it too, I also acquired this cheat skill!’

‘By utilizing rare heavenly treasures, I accelerated both the speed of spirit stone refinement and the recovery rate after refining them.’

‘That’s why I managed to refine supreme-grade spirit stones a step ahead of Yang Xueqing!’

Bai Qiuyuan smiled as he turned his head, once again looking at Han Qianqiu beside him.

Perhaps even Han Qianqiu, in her centuries of life, was witnessing such a colossal number of supreme-grade spirit stones for the very first time.

Han Qianqiu now appeared somewhat flustered herself!

‘How does this person have so many spirit stones??’

‘Even so many supreme-grade spirit stones???’

‘Is his family running a spirit stone mine???’

‘What about the things I gave him??’

Han Qianqiu recalled how she had, in the VIP Pavilion, worried that Bai Qiuyuan wouldn’t be able to produce suitable betrothal gifts.

She had then handed over a significant portion of her own assets to him.

Now, Bai Qiuyuan had effortlessly produced spirit stones worth many times more than what she had given him!

A wave of indignation washed over her, and she glared at Bai Qiuyuan, feeling completely outmaneuvered.

Before Han Qianqiu could even voice her displeasure, Bai Qiuyuan spoke first, interrupting her with a gentle, charming smile.

“Didn’t you say earlier that for marriages in the Sword Pavilion, betrothal gifts are required?”

“Do you think these will suffice as my betrothal gifts to you?”

‘If not, I still have half of them in my spatial ring! (Mischievous smile)’

Upon hearing this, Han Qianqiu’s anger instantly evaporated, and she stared at Bai Qiuyuan, utterly dumbfounded.

She clearly hadn’t anticipated such a statement from him.

The surrounding elders, overhearing his words, collectively gasped, sucking in a sharp breath.

‘All these spirit stones, just for betrothal gifts???’

‘This would be enough to buy the entire Sword Pavilion, wouldn’t it??’

‘Indeed, this child must also be an Old Ancestor who merely altered their appearance!’

‘An ordinary child couldn’t possibly possess so many spirit stones!’

…

Han Qianqiu, for a moment, was at a loss for words.

She looked at Bai Qiuyuan with a speechless expression, then softly reminded him.

“Do you know that once betrothal gifts are given, they cannot be retrieved?”

“You can still go back on your word now…”

Bai Qiuyuan smiled, cutting her off.

“What is there to regret about exchanging these mere external objects, spirit stones, for your decade-plus of protection?”

“On the contrary, I feel it is I who has gained.”

The tenderness in his smile was utterly pure, devoid of any ulterior motive, simple and earnest, leaving Han Qianqiu momentarily captivated.

However, having lived for centuries, Han Qianqiu quickly regained her composure.

She silently turned her head away, no longer looking at Bai Qiuyuan.

Bai Qiuyuan, seeing Han Qianqiu’s ears turn crimson, smiled without speaking, choosing not to expose her, and chuckled inwardly.

‘My flirting skills, which went unused in my previous life, have finally found their purpose in this one.’

‘Now… the initiative is mine…’

It was no wonder Han Qianqiu was so easily swayed.

After all, in her hundreds of years of life, Han Qianqiu had never once attempted to fall in love with someone!

Bai Qiuyuan was her first love!

She had never experienced such feelings, nor heard such romantic declarations!

Coupled with Bai Qiuyuan’s perfectly handsome smile, its destructive power was, in a sense, astonishing!

Below, the elders also witnessed this scene.

To see their formidable Ancestor, who had once been so overbearing, even daring to set up restrictions on the Pavilion Master’s seat, now displaying such a girlish demeanor before Bai Qiuyuan, shattered and reshaped their worldviews.

Initially, some elders had genuinely worried for Bai Qiuyuan’s safety.

But after witnessing him perfectly ‘tame’ their Grand-Ancestor, all the elders harbored an immense, five-limbed admiration for Bai Qiuyuan!

Especially some of the elders who were still single, now looked at Bai Qiuyuan with eyes full of worship!

‘From today onward, he is my idol!’

‘Heavens, the Ancestor has finally found a suitable Dao companion!’

‘I’ve learned a lot! I’ve learned a lot! …’

After this evening, Bai Qiuyuan’s standing in the hearts of the elders soared exponentially!

Everyone’s enthusiasm was akin to meeting their own beloved Old Ancestor!

And Bai Qiuyuan had successfully seized the initiative!

Bai Qiuyuan: ‘Mission accomplished!’

–Bai Qiuyuan’s room–

Bang!

“Bai Qiuyuan!”

Han Qianqiu suddenly burst through the door!

The door instantly shattered into fragments, scattering across the floor.

Upon entering, Han Qianqiu saw Bai Qiuyuan, now dressed in a sloth-themed animal onesie, sitting on his bed, pulling up his blanket, ready to lie down and sleep.

‘Sloth-themed animal onesie: Exclusively custom-made by a famous tailor from the mortal realm!’

Seeing Bai Qiuyuan’s adorable animal onesie, Han Qianqiu’s fury instantly deflated, and she found her emotions completely disjointed.

Bai Qiuyuan, seeing her, lay down, propped his head with one hand on his pillow, and said with a mischievous smile.

“Oh? My fi-an-cée, how was it? Are you satisfied with my betrothal gifts?”

Han Qianqiu, seeing Bai Qiuyuan’s ‘I’ve got you’ expression, snapped in annoyance.

“Your betrothal gifts are worth far more than what I gave you!”

“Why didn’t you just use the things I gave you?”

Bai Qiuyuan paused, momentarily startled.

‘Is she worried about my loss?’

He then smiled, taking out the ring Han Qianqiu had given him earlier.

“How could I bear to give the things you gave me to anyone else?”

“Besides, when you gave these to me, you clearly had a pained expression.”

“I imagine you also can’t bear to part with these things, can you?”

Han Qianqiu’s secret thoughts were exposed, and she immediately became flushed with anger, wanting to snatch back her ring.

“Give it back to me!”

In an instant, the ring vanished from Bai Qiuyuan’s hand, absorbed into his Modifier.

Bai Qiuyuan chuckled.

“I’ll accept these as part of your dowry.”

The moment the ring disappeared, Han Qianqiu felt her connection to it vanish!

“What did you do?!”

Before Han Qianqiu could get angry or make a move, Bai Qiuyuan tossed a prepared female spatial ring to her, smiling.

“As an exchange, these things are yours.”

“Who wants your thi—”

Han Qianqiu, who had just caught the ring and was about to throw it back, heard Bai Qiuyuan’s smiling voice.

“A Grade Nine Beauty Enhancing Pill.”

At the mention of those words, Han Qianqiu’s arm, poised to throw the ring, instantly froze.

Han Qianqiu remained silent for two seconds, then, puffing out her cheeks, lowered her hand.

She then turned and left Bai Qiuyuan’s room, still fuming, but not before repairing his door on her way out.

Soon after, Han Qianqiu’s voice echoed from outside the door.

“I’ll let you off for today! Hmph!”

“I’ll be back tomorrow!”

Bai Qiuyuan smiled as he looked at the repaired door, thinking inwardly.

‘Indeed, women, no matter the world or their age, are always creatures who value beauty.’

He then lay down on the bed, took out Han Qianqiu’s ring, and fell into contemplation as he gazed at it.

‘Fiancée, huh? …’

Afterward, Bai Qiuyuan put away the ring, lay back on the bed, pulled up his blanket, and closed his eyes with a smile.

‘So much happened today…’

‘No more cultivation, I’ll just sleep.’

‘Speaking of which…’

‘Did I forget something?’

–Temporary accommodation–

Yang Xueqing, while studying her system and preparing for the daily disciple assessment, pondered with a hint of confusion.

‘Where did Senior go for their walk?’

‘Have they already left the Sword Pavilion? …’