"Surround this entire woods for me! Don't let a single bird escape today!"
An arrogant shout rang out from outside the bamboo forest, startling the two people embracing inside.
Immediately after, the rustling footsteps of countless disciples surrounding the bamboo grove could be heard.
Yuan Shu raised an eyebrow and glanced at the man in front of her, whose expression had slightly changed. "Looking for you?"
Ji Qingyan had already regained his senses, looking somewhat embarrassed. "I'm afraid so."
He was very familiar with that voice just now.
It was none other than Ji Yun!
He just didn't expect that Ji Yun would actually drug him and even lead people to chase him all the way here!
...
Outside the bamboo forest, a young man riding on a spirit crane smiled wantonly, his eyes full of amusement at the impending drama.
He raised his hand, directing the disciples behind him to flank from both sides, completely sealing off the bamboo grove.
Then, he turned his head to look at a pretty woman in the middle of the group.
"Shen Rong, I, Ji Yun, didn't lie to you. Ji Qingyan, the man you are discussing marriage with, is currently having a secret rendezvous in the bamboo forest!"
"Right now, they are probably rolling in the sheets, blissfully unaware of the outside world, enjoying themselves to the fullest!"
"If you don't believe me, go in and see for yourself!"
Ji Yun spoke with absolute certainty, his eyes filled with a gloating smile.
Hearing this, the woman called Shen Rong turned pale, her hands hanging by her sides clenching tightly.
Shen Rong was the daughter of the Grand Elder of the Xuanhuo Sect. She had been doted on since childhood and held a noble status.
The person she was negotiating marriage with was exactly the eldest young master of the Ji family, Ji Qingyan, who was currently a deacon of Medicine Cloud Peak in the Luoxian Sect.
During the alchemy competition between the two sects a while ago, Shen Rong fell in love with Ji Qingyan at first sight and begged her elders to play matchmaker.
The Ji family was merely an inconspicuous third-rate clan in the immortal cultivation world, so they were naturally more than happy to cling to the Grand Elder of the Xuanhuo Sect.
This marriage was already halfway settled.
As long as Ji Qingyan nodded, the marriage would be finalized!
Recently, Shen Rong had been running to Medicine Cloud Peak every day. Everyone could see what her intentions were.
But she never expected that today, Ji Yun would have someone bring her here.
Listening to the meaning behind his words, he was absolutely certain that Ji Qingyan was having a secret tryst inside?
"What, you don't dare? I watched him carry a woman into this bamboo forest with my own eyes. They were being all lovey-dovey and incredibly intimate!"
Ji Yun sneered as he spoke.
"Since you don't dare, then I will personally lead people to take a look for you!"
As his words fell, Ji Yun waved his hand. The disciples behind him, intimidated by his despotic power, could only follow the spirit crane's footsteps.
Just as the group was about to walk into the bamboo forest, footsteps suddenly came from within the woods.
Immediately after, Ji Qingyan's figure appeared in front of everyone. He still maintained his usual calm, noble, and indifferent demeanor.
At this moment, he coldly raised his eyes to look at the person on the spirit crane.
"Ji Yun, spreading rumors about a deacon of Medicine Cloud Peak is a punishable offense. Even if you are the current Hall Master of Ziyang Hall, you will still be punished!"
The smug expression on Ji Yun's face froze the moment he saw Ji Qingyan.
A pair of dark eyes scanned Ji Qingyan up and down, his expression somewhat in disbelief.
"You're fine? You're actually fine?"
According to his estimation, under the aphrodisiac he had personally administered, Ji Qingyan should be delirious right now, engaged in a fierce battle of passion with someone.
How could he be standing here with clean clothes and a normal complexion?
No, something was very wrong!
Before Ji Yun could figure out the reason, Ji Qingyan coldly snorted, stepped forward, and asked in return, "What could possibly be wrong with me?"
"Ji Yun, I will truthfully report the words you just said to the Grand Elder. You better watch out!"
"You!" Ji Yun's expression changed. He gritted his teeth, wanting to retort, but couldn't find a reason to do so.
Ever since the previous Hall Master of Ziyang Hall left the Luoxian Sect and handed Ziyang Hall over to him, he was also placed under the care of the Grand Elder of the Luoxian Sect.
The Grand Elder was incredibly strong, an existence comparable to the Sect Master in the Luoxian Sect, and was extremely strict with him.
He wasn't afraid of Ji Qingyan, but he was afraid of the Grand Elder.
Ji Qingyan didn't look at Ji Yun's ugly expression. He turned and walked towards Shen Rong.
The moment he appeared, Shen Rong's eyes lit up, and she stared at him without blinking.
Ji Qingyan was very handsome. He was the most handsome person in that alchemy competition, and she had noticed him at first glance.
Even if she looked at this face countless times, her heart would still flutter.
Just now, she was truly afraid of seeing him with another woman.
Fortunately, it was just a false alarm.
Ji Yun must have been lying to her!
Looking at the nervous woman in front of him, Ji Qingyan paused the words on the tip of his tongue, but eventually spoke anyway.
"Miss Shen, I actually wanted to tell you about this early on, but I just never found the right opportunity."
"I am fully devoted to staying at Medicine Cloud Peak to study the arts of alchemy and medicine, and I have no plans to start a family for the time being. I'm afraid I must disappoint your deep affections."
Shen Rong's expression froze. She never expected that after chasing Ji Qingyan for so many days, finally seeing him walk towards her, these would be the words he said.
"But, Uncle and Aunt Ji both really want to facilitate this marriage. Senior Brother Ji, how can you go against their wishes?"
Shen Rong panicked. Seeing that he was about to leave after speaking, she quickly stepped forward and grabbed his sleeve.
Ji Qingyan frowned, pulled his sleeve back, took two steps back, and cupped his hands. "I left home when I was young. The family's intentions do not represent mine."
"Miss Shen, I apologize."
After speaking, Ji Qingyan turned around and walked away without stopping.
Some things had to be made clear and explained thoroughly.
Otherwise, it would only harm the girl in the end.
He had already rejected the marriage proposal news sent from his family. It just seemed that the Ji family had not made it clear to the Shen family.
Ji Qingyan left decisively, leaving only a pale-faced Shen Rong standing there in a daze.
To the side, Ji Yun frowned and muttered to himself.
"This guy rejected her so bluntly? If I had known he would reject her, I wouldn't have wasted the energy to plot such a scene!"
"But, where is that female cultivator who walked into the woods earlier? Where did she go?"
He had seen it with his own eyes!
...
"Miss Yuan, please wait."
Leaving the bamboo forest in another direction, Ji Qingyan caught up with Yuan Shu.
Seeing him, Yuan Shu was a bit surprised. "Senior Brother, is there something else?"
She had already heard it in the bamboo forest just now. Ji Qingyan, the young deacon of Medicine Cloud Peak, managed the alchemy affairs at the pill refining room.
"I'm here to apologize. Miss Yuan, what happened today was not my intention. I was poisoned at the time, my mind was unclear, and I offended you greatly. Please forgive me."
"Here are some spirit stones. The amount isn't much, but it's a token of my sincerity."
"I will also definitely remember your grace in detoxifying me. If you ever need anything in the future, you can come directly to me, and I will do my utmost to help."
As Ji Qingyan spoke, he took out a heavy bag of spirit stones from his Qiankun bag.
After entering the bamboo forest, his mind had been unclear, and his memory was a bit blurry, but he didn't forget everything.
He was able to regain his senses all thanks to Yuan Shu.
Otherwise, being cornered by Ji Yun with so many people today, if something had really happened, it would have been disastrous if word got out!
The corners of Yuan Shu's mouth curled up. Without any coyness, she reached out and took the bag of spirit stones. "Then I won't be polite."
