Chapter 136 - The Divine Lord's Bold Proposal
The conversation between the two powerful cultivators hung in the air, thick with the weight of unspoken intentions. Finally, Bugui Sanren broke the silence, his voice carrying a hint of weary curiosity. "Old friend, after all this chasing and posturing, I must ask... what is your true aim?"
Divine Lord Fengchi did not answer immediately. Instead, he waved a hand with practiced elegance, casting a shimmering, translucent sound-insulating array that enveloped them both. The barrier hummed softly, vibrating with spiritual power as it cut them off from the rest of the world. He leaned back, a predatory yet playful glint dancing in his eyes.
"To be honest, old brother," Fengchi began, his tone surprisingly candid, "at first, I was merely intrigued by the Nebula Boat. It was a unique treasure, and I have always had a penchant for the rare and the exquisite. Then, as I watched your group flee the moment they caught sight of me, I found it... amusing. I have been dreadfully bored lately, and a little chase provided a welcome distraction."
He paused, his gaze drifting as if recalling a specific image. "But that was secondary. The primary reason..." He looked directly at Bugui Sanren, his expression devoid of any shame. "I find your disciple’s mother to be quite captivating. Her grace, her temperament—it has left a mark upon my heart. I wish to enter into a dual cultivation partnership with her. Old brother, you are close to them. Why not lend me a hand? Ask her if she would be willing to accept my proposal."
Bugui Sanren felt a twitch in his eyebrow. He had known Fengchi for a long time and was well aware of the man’s reputation as a flamboyant rogue, but this was bold even for him. He stroked his silver beard, his mind racing through the complications.
"That might be a problem," Bugui replied, his voice low and cautious. "I know a bit about that girl’s circumstances. Her husband—my disciple’s father—is still very much alive. More importantly, I believe the two of them signed a Soul Contract long ago. Breaking such a bond is not merely a matter of will; it is a fundamental tethering of their very essences. To interject yourself between them would be... difficult, to say the least."
Fengchi’s brow furrowed slightly at the mention of the Soul Contract. In the cultivation world, such a pact was the ultimate expression of devotion, a magical binding that resonated through the soul and could even affect one's reincarnation. It was a formidable obstacle, but Fengchi was not a man easily deterred by the laws of men or spirits.
"A Soul Contract is indeed troublesome," Fengchi admitted, his fingers tapping rhythmically against his knee. "But where there is a will, there is a way. If she is willing, no barrier is insurmountable. There are secret arts, ancient rituals... nothing is impossible."
Bugui Sanren let out a short, scoffing laugh, his eyes scanning Fengchi’s extravagant robes and the aura of a man who had never known the word 'no.' "And why would she be willing? Look at you—a notorious wanderer with a harem of concubines that could fill a palace. If I were her, I wouldn't even give you the time of day, let alone consider sharing my path to immortality with you."
Fengchi remained unperturbed, his confidence unshaken. "If that is her concern, it is easily remedied. I would return to my estate this very instant and dismiss every last one of my wives and concubines. I have decided; from this day forward, I shall seek only her. And if she truly cannot bear to be parted from her husband..." He shrugged, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I am not so narrow-minded as to demand total possession. I would not object to co-cultivation. As long as I can be with her, the details of the arrangement matter little to me."
Bugui Sanren listened, stunned by the man's sheer audacity. He was well aware that in the higher echelons of the cultivation world, unconventional arrangements like co-cultivation were not entirely unheard of, particularly when rare constitutions or immense power were involved. However, seeing such insatiable greed and single-mindedness in person was another matter entirely. It was as the old saying went: a heart unsatisfied is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant.
"I still think you're chasing a phantom," Bugui said finally, shaking his head in exasperation. "That girl... she isn't like the others you've encountered. I don't think she has the slightest interest in dual cultivation, with you or anyone else. Her heart is set on a different path entirely, one that doesn't involve the messy entanglements of your romantic whims."
Fengchi smiled, a slow, dangerous curve of the lips that suggested he was far from giving up. "We shall see, old brother. We shall see."
