Chapter 422: Jing Li's Warmth

Chapter 422: Jing Li's Warmth

Upon hearing Tianwei Yangshen's words, Jing Li subconsciously glanced at Qi Yuan.

Her eyes became firm.

"I wish to break free from the identity of the Moon Maiden!"

As a Moon Maiden in the Moon Goddess Palace, one cannot marry, and even after entering the Yang Immortal Realm, they must sever all mortal ties.

The implications of this were all too clear.

Hearing this, Tianwei Yangshen let out a soft sigh.

The identity of a Moon Maiden was not something anyone could attain.

The treatment they received was comparable to that of a Yang Immortal.

Their family also enjoyed numerous resources and preferential treatment.

If she were to lose her status as a Moon Maiden, she would no longer have the support of the Moon Goddess Palace.

Not to mention the loss of her family's resources, but even she herself might find it difficult to reach the Yang Immortal Realm.

The Yang Immortal Realm... required more than just talent.

In the Sixth Heaven, there were countless worlds, too numerous to count.

The number of geniuses was countless, like fireflies in the night.

When converted, it meant that a single world might not produce even one Yang Immortal.

For Jing Li to want to shed her identity as a Moon Maiden, the loss would be immense.

It could even be said that such a thing had only happened once or twice in the history of the Moon Goddess Palace.

"I cannot make this decision alone; I must seek the approval of the Moon God Primordial Lord," Tianwei Yangshen said calmly, "But at this moment, the Moon God Primordial Lord is in seclusion, and it's unlikely that you can meet him. This matter can only be put on hold for now."

"However, since you have fulfilled your achievements, the Moon God Primordial Lord will surely not make things difficult for you. Before the Moon God Primordial Lord emerges from seclusion, you just need to be careful for a while."

Currently, the Moon God Primordial Lord was heavily injured and in seclusion, and no one knew when he would reappear.

Tianwei Yangshen's words were clear; breaking free from the identity of the Moon Maiden was possible, but they would have to wait until the Moon God Primordial Lord emerged from seclusion.

During this time, they had to keep a low profile and give the Moon Goddess Palace some face.

It was not advisable to cause a stir by getting married.

"Thank you, Tianzun," Jing Li bowed gracefully, her heart filled with suppressed joy.

At this moment, Qi Yuan looked at Tianwei Yangshen and thought of something. He took out a token.

"May I ask, is this Moon Token from the Moon Goddess Palace?" Qi Yuan presented the token.

He had climbed to the peak of the Seven-Colored Peak to seek an audience with his master.

However, he did not meet his master but instead saw this Moon Token.

The information his eyes gathered was that this was a token of the Moon God Primordial Lord.

"This token was given to me by my master, Ran Yixi, and it seems to have some connection with the Moon Goddess Palace. I wonder if the senior knows if the Moon Goddess Palace has such a person," Qi Yuan asked earnestly.

Jing Li furrowed her brows, deep in thought.

She never expected that Qi Yuan would have such a connection with the Moon Goddess Palace.

Tianwei Yangshen looked at the Moon Token, his eyes narrowing slightly, his expression turning solemn. "This is... the token of the previous Moon God Primordial Lord."

"The previous generation?" Qi Yuan was also stunned, never expecting such a result.

"I don't know much about the previous Moon God Primordial Lord.

As for Ran Yixi... I've never heard of this name." Tianwei Yangshen spoke.

Regarding the Great Principle Realm experts or the secrets related to the Ultimate Reason, it was not something a small Ultimate Reason Realm Yang Immortal like her could know.

Qi Yuan heard this and wondered, "I don't know if I can meet the Moon God Primordial Lord senior.

He wanted to clarify the identity of his master, Ran Yixi, and her current whereabouts.

Tianwei Yangshen shook his head. "It's unlikely in the short term, but... if it's related to the previous Moon God Primordial Lord, you can go and ask... the Moon Radiance Supreme Elder."

The Moon Radiance Supreme Elder was one of the two Great Principle experts in the Moon Goddess Palace.

When the Moon God Primordial Lord was in seclusion, the Moon Radiance Supreme Elder had always represented the Moon Goddess Palace.

"When can I contact the Moon Radiance Supreme Elder?" Qi Yuan asked curiously.

"In a while, the Principle Debate will begin, and the Moon Radiance Supreme Elder will represent the Moon Goddess Palace. At that time, you can naturally pay your respects," Tianwei Yangshen mentioned the Moon Radiance Supreme Elder, and his eyes revealed a respectful expression.

The gap between Yang Immortals was vast, comparable to the difference between a Yang Immortal and a Yin Immortal.

Especially when it came to the Great Principle Realm and the Minor Doctrine Realm, the higher the cultivation, the more challenging it was to advance even a small step.

"The Principle Debate?" Qi Yuan murmured.

It seemed that he had to participate in this Principle Debate.

As they left the palace, Qi Yuan held Jing Li's hand, and they strolled leisurely through the Moon Goddess Palace area.

Jing Li, like a delicate jade, had lost her previous sharpness and coldness, exuding a gentle and warm aura.

Along the way, many cultivators from the Moon Goddess Palace were astonished, whispering and discussing in hushed tones.

"Am I seeing things?"

"What did I just see?"

"The Moon Maiden is hugging a man's arm!"

Everyone in the Moon Goddess Palace knew that Moon Maiden Jing Li was an "ice queen," keeping everyone at a distance and always ready to kill.

They had never seen her display such a girlish attitude.

Some cultivators also showed envy and jealousy.

"So, the Moon Maiden isn't cold by nature; she's just cold towards us."

"This man's appearance is indeed a perfect match for our Princess Moon Maiden. But who is he?"

"Is he worthy of our Princess?"

"To have captured the heart of the Princess, he must be truly exceptional!"

The onlookers gazed at Jingli and Qi Yuan with curiosity and surprise.

After an unknown amount of time, a dignified and elegant woman approached along the path.

This woman was none other than Yu Tiao, the host of the Moon Festival Banquet.

Upon seeing Princess Moon Maiden Jingli, Yu Tiao blinked and looked on curiously, "I've had the honor of meeting Princess Moon Maiden."

As she spoke, her gaze involuntarily shifted towards Qi Yuan.

"And who might this be?"

Yu Tiao was a living legend, a figure whose influence rivaled the heavens themselves. In this war zone, her status was only slightly below that of the Moon Maiden.

However, when it came to connections and influence, she far surpassed the Princess.

Jingli's gaze fell upon Qi Yuan, and memories of the past flooded her mind, giving her newfound courage, "He is... my partner."

'Partner' referred to a Dao companion.

At that moment, Jingli chose to be bold rather than retreat.

Upon hearing this, Yu Tiao's expression, along with those around her, underwent a subtle change.

For the Moon Maiden was not meant to have a partner.

"Your Highness..." Yu Tiao hesitated, still in shock.

The usually unreadable Princess Moon Maiden had found someone who had captured her heart.

"My achievements are sufficient. As long as I meet with the Moon God Primordial Lord, I will no longer be a Moon Maiden of the Moon Goddess Palace," Jingli stated firmly.

The eyes of everyone present widened in shock, and they gasped in astonishment.

They understood the significance of the title Moon Maiden—it represented a guaranteed path to becoming a Yang Deity with the support of the Moon God Primordial Lord. Yet, someone was willing to give up this status, leaving them stunned and even envious.

Some looked at the Moon Maiden with disdain, as if she had become a love-struck fool.

To abandon the identity of the Moon Maiden for a man seemed like a foolish decision.

Although Qi Yuan was undeniably handsome, could beauty alone sustain one's life?

Jingli understood the implications of their expressions, but she didn't care.

She had always been clear-headed, knowing exactly what she wanted.

After a moment of surprise, Yu Tiao's gaze shifted to Qi Yuan, filled with curiosity.

She was puzzled and couldn't understand what charm this man possessed that made Jingli willing to give up her status as the Moon Maiden.

Qi Yuan's gaze remained focused on Jingli, "I will make up for what you've lost."

As he spoke, the expressions of the male and female deities from the Moon Goddess Palace changed once more.

They all felt that Qi Yuan was being overly confident.

After all, what Jingli had given up was the identity of the Moon Maiden and the opportunity to become a Yang Deity.

Despite these questions in their minds, they didn't show it.

Yu Tiao sighed softly, "The Moon Maiden's determination is admirable."

As for Qi Yuan's previous words, she chose to ignore them.

Could he, even as a Yang Deity Venerable, offer Jingli more than what she would gain as the Moon Maiden of the Moon Goddess Palace?

After a brief exchange, the group parted ways.

Jingli held Qi Yuan's hand, "Don't mind their words.

My decision to give up being the Moon Maiden is my own choice, a selfish one."

In a 169-chapter novel, there are no mistakes!

She didn't want to morally bind Qi Yuan or make him feel guilty.

Qi Yuan smiled, "Between us, there's no need for calculations or concern about others' opinions. Otherwise, it would be too boring."

Qi Yuan believed that he was not only law-abiding and kind but also an idealist.

He trusted Jingli implicitly.

Jingli would strive to give him her best, and he would do the same for her.

If they were always calculating gains and losses, they wouldn't have continued their conversation on Crystal Jade Tide or reached this point.

Although a woman like Jingli seemed like a fantasy, the cultivation world was full of all kinds of women.

"You don't step on ants, I'm law-abiding and kind, we're a perfect match," Qi Yuan said calmly.

"Mhm," Jingli agreed, her snow-white face flushing with a faint red.

Unconsciously, they arrived at Jingli's residence.

Jingli didn't hesitate and led Qi Yuan into her private chamber.

The room was simply furnished, with a writing desk and inkstone by the window, and a vase containing several Immortal Vines, bearing a string of adorable fruits.

A mountain and water screen, along with light veils, divided the room into three sections: sleeping, sitting, and bathing.

Aside from these decorations, the room was as cold and clean as a snow cave, with a faint exotic scent similar to Jingli's own fragrance.

"Actually, when I was in the lower realm, I wanted to tell you about my existence, but I didn't want to cause you unnecessary trouble.

Last month, my Stellar Golden Core passed by your star," Qi Yuan said calmly, inhaling the faint fragrance from Jingli's green hair.

"This... was you?" Jingli recalled the day when the Ten Sun Celestial passed by her star, her face slightly changing as she grew nervous, "Are you the Ten Sun Celestial?"

"Yes," Qi Yuan nodded.

Jingli listened to this, feeling a mix of sweetness and tension. She leaned close to Qi Yuan's ear and whispered, "You mustn't tell anyone about this, or else... it'll be very troublesome."

"Oh?" Qi Yuan was curious.

Jingli's breath, sweet as orchid, tickled Qi Yuan's face, causing him to feel a tingling sensation.

"Not only will Taohuang Palace cause you trouble, but so will the Moon Goddess Palace!" Jingli's expression turned solemn.

Qi Yuan was Shiri Tianzun, an immensely powerful being, and Jingli was naturally delighted by this. However, the implications of Shiri Tianzun's position made her take it seriously.

"The Moon Deity Prime Elder holds the Great Yin Throne, and the Taohuang Palace Elder holds the Great Sun Throne, which is what you aspire to."

The Great Sun and Great Yin were opposing forces.

To advance further, one must devour the other.

"You... mustn't meet the Moon Deity Prime Elder. If she discovers you... I fear..." Jingli couldn't bear to imagine.

The Great Principle Realm's methods were beyond comprehension, and the Moon Deity Prime Elder was no ordinary Great Principle Realm cultivator.

Like the Moon Deity Prime Elder, those who mastered the Supreme Ultimate Truth in the Sixth Heaven were few and far between.

Such beings were unpredictable in their methods.

If the Moon Deity Prime Elder were to meet Qi Yuan and discover his identity, there was no telling what she might do.

Even if Qi Yuan had no intention of harming the Moon Deity Prime Elder or no desire to devour the Great Yin Throne, it didn't matter.

Upon hearing this, Qi Yuan's heart filled with joy. "They say girls are outgoing, and you haven't even married me yet, but you're already leaning on me."

Jingli didn't hesitate and chose to stand by Qi Yuan, rather than the Moon Goddess Palace.

Qi Yuan was deeply touched.

Viewing it from the Moon Deity Prime Elder's perspective, it was a chilling thought.

Of course, such a comparison wasn't appropriate.

In Jingli's eyes, at this moment, the Moon Deity Prime Elder could threaten Qi Yuan, but Qi Yuan couldn't do the same to her.

Hearing talk of marriage, a blush crept up Qi Yuan's fair skin, like pear blossoms in the snow, with a touch of peach blossoms.

Qi Yuan gazed at Jingli, noticing her graceful and affectionate demeanor, her lips like pearls, and her slightly parted red lips. He felt a stir in his heart.

Sometimes, Qi Yuan took the initiative, and everything progressed naturally.

He couldn't resist moving closer and kissing Jingli's lush lips.

Jingli's body stiffened momentarily, then relaxed as she half-closed her beautiful eyes, panting softly, her exquisite face now flushed with passion.

Time seemed to stand still as their embrace lingered. The intense longing, instead of dissipating, only intensified.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder, and this was no exception.

"If you like it, I..." Jingli gazed at Qi Yuan, her cold beauty softened by tenderness. The light yellow silk blouse slipped off her shoulders, revealing a thin veil of pale green.

Qi Yuan's eyes were drawn to the cascading green hair that framed her face, hinting at what lay beneath.

A determined expression appeared on her face, or perhaps it was one of sacrifice. Her fragrant shoulders trembled, betraying her inner turmoil.

"Are you the Empress Majesty or the Moon Maiden?" Qi Yuan's gentle voice filled with affection as he drew closer. "Or are you Jingli?"

Jingli closed her eyes, offering no resistance, and held Qi Yuan tightly.

Even the tightest embrace couldn't release the longing that had built up over countless lifetimes.

As the saying goes, one should be emotional but within the bounds of propriety.

Currently, Jingli was still the Moon Maiden and couldn't have her photo on Qi Yuan's marriage certificate.

Qi Yuan had always been respectful and traditional, so despite his longing, he restrained himself and hadn't taken the final step with Jingli.

After all, they weren't married yet!

At this moment, as Qi Yuan held Jingli, he sighed with regret. "Ah, from an early age, I've known the difficulties of life. This place of softness... I really want to stay a little longer."

He had to return to the Mara Clan soon, or things might take a turn for the worse.

Qi Yuan needed to hurry back.

Jingli's eyes revealed her reluctance to part.

She understood that Qi Yuan was planning something regarding the Mara Clan.

If she went with him, she would only hold him back.

"Then, how about you capture me and imprison me?" Jingli thought of something, her face filled with anticipation, no longer cold and distant.

Qi Yuan shook his head. "The Moon Goddess Palace's reputation must be maintained, and staying by my side... could be dangerous."

For Qi Yuan, it was safer for Jingli to remain in the Moon Goddess Palace.

He was plotting against the Mara Clan to reclaim his well, and this would undoubtedly attract retaliation.

He couldn't keep Jingli in his Netherworld forever, nor could he prevent her from cultivating.

While he could transfer spirit energy to his junior sister, Jiang Lingsu, to aid her cultivation, it was only because Jiang Lingsu was weak.

It wouldn't work with Jingli, who was in the Mythical Realm.

Jingli's eyes couldn't hide her disappointment. "You... do what you must, and if it's impossible, then come to the Moon Goddess Palace!"

She didn't want Qi Yuan to leave, but she wouldn't stop him.

"Rest assured." Qi Yuan smiled.

Sometimes, the feeling of being loved and missed was truly wonderful.

Could it be that he lacked love when he was on Blue Star?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end