After waiting for a day, Xiang Shaoyun met Lu Xiaoqing again. He had thought that she would be locked away by the sacred elder so that they couldn't meet anymore.

"Xiaoqing, what did that old woman do to you?" asked Xiang Shaoyun.

Before Lu Xiaoqing could say anything, a resentful voice rang out, "Who did you call an old woman?"

Only then did Xiang Shaoyun notice that the sacred elder was behind Lu Xiaoqing.

Xiang Shaoyun hurriedly said, "Erm, I wasn't talking about you. But if you are admitting—" 

Before he could finish his words, Hua Yu revealed her actual appearance. A boundlessly alluring face and a flawless figure with all the curves in the right places appeared before Xiang Shaoyun.

The reveal stunned him, causing him to stare blankly and gulp.

The staring caused Hua Yu to feel uncomfortable. She rebuked him, "What are you looking at? Do you want me to dig your eyes out?"

Xiang Shaoyun woke up from his reverie and said, "Haha, I saw nothing, and I didn't say anything."

He was being extremely shameless, denying everything he was doing just a moment ago with a straight face.

"Xiaoqing, is this the man you like?" questioned Hua Yu unhappily.

Lu Xiaoqing hugged Xiang Shaoyun's arm intimately and said, "Yes, he is the man I like."

Xiang Shaoyun rubbed Lu Xiaoqing's face with satisfaction as he said, "That's right. If you like someone, you like someone. There is no need to be secretive about it."

Xiang Shaoyun was now sure that Lu Xiaoqing's negotiation with Hua Yu had ended decently. Otherwise, they wouldn't be able to talk cheerfully here.

"Let me ask you. Are you willing to stay here with Xiaoqing? If you are willing, I will no longer interfere with your relationship. Otherwise, you can leave alone or die," threatened Hua Yu with a vicious tone.

Lu Xiaoqing remained silent, but she stared at Xiang Shaoyun unblinkingly, waiting for his answer.

Xiang Shaoyun met her gaze and said, "Xiaoqing is my woman. Since she has decided to follow me, I will be the one to decide where she goes, not you. Therefore, she won't be staying. Of course, if she wants to stay, I will respect her choice."

"Are you not afraid of death?" asked Hua Yu.

"Everyone is afraid of death, but you won't kill me. You wouldn't have asked me all this in front of her otherwise," said Xiang Shaoyun confidently.

"You're very smart, but you must have never imagined that Xiaoqing would choose to stay, right?" said Hua Yu with a smile.

His words caught Xiang Shaoyun by surprise.

He looked at Lu Xiaoqing and asked, "Xiaoqing, are you really staying?"

Lu Xiaoqing replied awkwardly, "Yes, I'm staying."

"Why? Did she force you to make this choice?" asked Xiang Shaoyun, who was becoming anxious.

Lu Xiaoqing shook her head and said, "The sacred elder didn't force me. I decided to stay voluntarily."

That left Xiang Shaoyun speechless.

"Don't think that Xiaoqing can't survive without you in her life," said Hua Yu smugly.

Lu Xiaoqing looked at Hua Yu and said, "Sacred elder, can you give us a moment. I need to have a talk with him."

Hua Yu nodded and vanished into thin air.

Xiang Shaoyun smiled bitterly and asked, "Xiaoqing, are you serious?"

Lu Xiaoqing looked at him and said, "Shaoyun, I am not kidding. I am staying. I don't want to be a burden to you. I want to grow stronger. I want to protect you."

Xiang Shaoyun was speechless. He had not imagined that Lu Xiaoqing would actually have such grand aspirations, and he was moved by what he heard.

"Shouldn't I be the one saying that to you instead?" Xiang Shaoyun asked.

"No. In the past, you were the one protecting me. In the future, I will be the one protecting you. I won't allow anyone to step on you," said Lu Xiaoqing seriously. "Only by staying here will I be able to grow rapidly. Before long, I will surpass you. I believe I will be able to protect you after reaching the Saint Realm."

Nobody could have expected that Lu Xiaoqing would think this way. Xiang Shaoyun did not know what to say, and he was shedding tears inwardly. He gave her a long, silent hug. He could feel deeply that when a woman fell for a man, she would be willing to give everything for him. The kind of love where a woman was willing to step up and protect a man was probably the highest level of love.

After a long time, Lu Xiaoqing asked weakly, "Shaoyun, are you angry?"

"Fool. How would I be angry? I am so touched I don't know what to say," said Xiang Shaoyun tenderly. 

"I-if so, can you stay and accompany me for a few more days? I only need a few more days. I know you're busy. I won't be dragging you down," pleaded Lu Xiaoqing.

Xiang Shaoyun did not say anything. He bent down and kissed her on her lips, greedily taking in her fragrance, putting her in a trance. Lu Xiaoqing reciprocated, but she was rather clumsy. However, a woman with initiative would definitely not be inferior to any man, and it did not take her long to improve and learn what she needed.

Xiang Shaoyun's hands started roaming around before he pushed her onto the bed. Just as Xiang Shaoyun was going to proceed further, Hua Yu's cough sounded. His boiling blood instantly cooled.

Inwardly, he cursed, This damn old hag.

Lu Xiaoqing's face was flushed red. She pushed Xiang Shaoyun off and lowered her head in shame.

"Xiaoqing, if you're done talking, you should let him go," said Hua Yu resentfully.

Xiang Shaoyun replied, "I'm not leaving. I'm going to stay with my Xiaoqing. Also, is this how you treat your guests? You truly lack manners."

"Stop being so shameless!" Hua Yu was becoming furious.

"How am I shameless? Xiaoqing is my woman. It is perfectly normal for us to spend time together. You are the shameless one for forcing her to stay. You better compensate me appropriately, or I won't let this slide," said Xiang Shaoyun, who doubled down on his shamelessness.

Hua Yu fumed with anger and got the urge to strangle him to death. She had been cultivating her body and mind for years. Her temper was generally mild, but Xiang Shaoyun had been able to easily drive her mad with anger.

Lu Xiaoqing nibbled on her lips and said, "Shaoyun, don't talk like that to the sacred elder. That's not nice. Accompany me for a few days, and I'll send you off. You can come visit me anytime. I made an agreement with the sacred elder that you will forever remain our honored guest."