Cultivation: I Can Reincarnate Into Various Worlds-Chapter 519 - 269、Inheriting martial arts techniques, transforming into an immortal through the Feather Scripture.
"In this matter, I feel regretful. If Sect Master Ding is willing, I am willing to represent the Butian Sect and enter into a Marriage Contract with Immortal Ying..." 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
"From then on, our two families will be like one, and I... will become the son-in-law of the Nanhua Sect..."
Xu Xing's eyes flickered a few times; he immediately understood Ding Jifeng's intentions. With a broad smile, he spoke earnestly.
While he was willing to marry Zuoqiu Ying, Ding Jifeng, or more accurately, the Nanhua Sect, might not necessarily be willing to give her in marriage.
Earlier, Zuoqiu Ying had stated that the Nanhua Sect and the Flying Feather Immortal Palace had severed ties, but Ding Jifeng hadn't said this; the Nanhua Sect hadn't truly expressed its position.
What was annulled... was merely the Marriage Contract between the two sects.
Unlike the Flying Feather Immortal Palace, if the Nanhua Sect truly sided with the Butian Sect, they would only need to declare their stance and wouldn't actually have to marry off Zuoqiu Ying.
To put it simply, the Flying Feather Immortal Palace, due to its internal chaos, urgently needed recognition from the various sects for its new regime. Hence, they sought out their traditional ally, the Nanhua Sect, to continue their longstanding alliance and enter into a marriage.
If the Marriage Contract were successful, it would signify that the Nanhua Sect recognized the "legitimacy" of the new regime in the Flying Feather Immortal Palace.
The Butian Sect, however, is a new power, and the process wouldn't need to be as convoluted as the Nanhua Sect recognizing the Flying Feather Immortal Palace.
It wasn't essential to establish a Marriage Contract.
Of course, if the Nanhua Sect were willing to intermarry, it would undoubtedly be a good thing for the Butian Sect.
A Marriage Contract is stronger than any alliance! However, Xu Xing didn't believe the Nanhua Sect would readily place such a large bet on the Butian Sect.
At this moment, it's the Butian Sect that needs the Nanhua Sect, not the other way around. He is the guest; the Nanhua Sect is the host. He doesn't believe Ding Jifeng wants to be a Lu Buwei, seeing him as a rare commodity and betting everything on him.
"Look at this. Ruan Baimei isn't willing, but you, Xu Xing, are… My Nephew Ying isn't so bad..."
"It's Ruan Baimei who lacks such good fortune!"
Ding Jifeng studied Xu Xing intently for a moment, flicked the horsetail whisk in his hand, and laughed heartily.
His laughter carried to the Cloud Head behind them, reaching the ears of Zuoqiu Ying and Cui Tong.
Zuoqiu Ying's willow-like brows furrowed; she suddenly understood something. Wringing the fabric of her dress, she hesitated, uncertain whether to make such a momentous decision.
The bait Xu Xing is offering isn't enough; the Nanhua Sect isn't willing to bite yet. Or perhaps, the Nanhua Sect wants to be the fisherman, watching the Butian Sect and the Flying Feather Immortal Palace—these two fish—fight in the lake while it dangles the bait...
Cui Tong narrowed his eyes, mulling over the message conveyed by Ding Jifeng's earlier actions.
Observing from the sidelines isn't so easy. Ding Jifeng... Sect Master Ding... is still unwilling to shed the airs of the Higher Teachings...
He closed his eyes, his expression turning indifferent, as if he were completely unaffected by the preceding words and hadn't heard a thing.
"This time, I've offended Martial Uncle Shi and Uncle Gong... If I leave the mountain gate of the Nanhua Sect, I fear these two Uncles will settle scores with me, purifying the sect..."
After Ding Jifeng finished speaking, Xu Xing took a deep breath, stretched on the Cloud Head, and said with a slight lift at the corners of his mouth, "Even with such concerns, I still came. Sect Master Ding, do you know why I came?"
"Is it out of dauntless courage? Or perhaps... you have other preparations, unafraid of retaliation from these two Nascent Soul Saint Monarchs?"
He directly addressed the core of the issue.
What Ding Jifeng had said earlier, though seemingly idle chatter, was in fact a hint that Xu Xing should propose a condition beneficial enough to satisfy the Nanhua Sect, thereby securing their commitment.
The Nanhua Sect possessed this confidence for two reasons.
First, the Butian Sect needed something from the Nanhua Sect; it hoped to use their "acknowledgment" to establish itself on the Righteous Path and obtain the external interests of the Flying Feather Immortal Palace.
Second, the Nanhua Sect had the strength to protect the Butian Sect from annihilation by the Flying Feather Immortal Palace.
The so-called external interests referred to resources such as mineral deposits, Secret Realms, and other assets collectively controlled by the several great teachings.
The dispute between the Butian Sect and the Flying Feather Immortal Palace for orthodoxy wasn't merely about public opinion; the true goal was these resources!
Without the Nanhua Sect's backing, even if the Butian Sect gained this Orthodox status, it would be futile.
"It seems... Master Xu, you are prepared?"
Upon hearing this, Ding Jifeng showed no annoyance; he had long anticipated that Xu Xing had a strategy to deal with the murderous intent from the Flying Feather Immortal Palace. Whether by leveraging the Nanhua Sect's power or relying on his own strength, it was all a testament to Xu Xing's capabilities.
"I just wonder if this preparation is to deal with a temporary crisis, or is it for the long term?"
He pondered for a moment, then inquired.
"If it's temporary..." Xu Xing smiled. "The Nanhua Sect is a famous righteous sect, and I also have some small reputation on the Righteous Path. I believe the Nanhua Sect wouldn't sit idly by while I am killed within Nanhua territory..."
"As for a permanent solution... Cooperation benefits both, division harms both. Although your sect and the Flying Feather Immortal Palace could renew diplomatic ties, this time, Young Sect Leader Ruan personally breached the contract, thereby shaming the Nanhua Sect!"
Xu Xing hinted meaningfully.
At this time, he wasn't the only one who was anxious.
The words and actions of Ruan Baimei and Zuoqiu Ying regarding the Marriage Contract had utterly chilled the diplomatic relations between the two Higher Teachings to a freezing point.
Zuoqiu Ying's sword stroke severing the red silk had significantly reduced the Nanhua Sect's room for mediation.
"The Younger Generation can be impetuous, but their elders are not necessarily so. However, Master Xu, you do have a point. Embarrassment is certain; the only question is whether it's temporary or for a lifetime."
Ding Jifeng nodded in agreement.
After he finished speaking, the Cloud Head beneath their feet had already arrived at the Nanhua Sect's Chuan Ying Mountain.
This was the location of the Nanhua Sect's Cave.
"Master's Wife..."
Ding Jifeng led Xu Xing and the others into a courtyard within the Cave and gently knocked on the door.
