[As night fell...]
[The Bai family estate was brightly lit; the marriage of the family head’s sister was a top priority.]
[Everyone was bustling with activity.]
[In her bridal chamber, Bai Miao Leng had finished dressing and adorning herself.]@@@@
[She looked at her reflection in the mirror, a satisfied smile playing on her lips.]
[A flash of light appeared...]
[And Bai Yuben’s figure materialized behind her.]
[“Master, are you truly going to marry that man?”]
[Bai Miao Leng didn’t turn around, continuing to admire herself in the mirror.]
[“Why not?”]
[Bai Yuben raised his head slightly, feeling a moment of disorientation.]
[Sixty years ago, when he first met Ye Yu, Bai Miao Leng had been there as well.]
[Strictly speaking...]
[If not for Bai Miao Leng’s command...]
[Bai Yuben would have waited until Jiao Mandao killed Ye Yu before intervening.]
[All the talk of “catching him off guard” and “Lucky Charm” were just excuses.]
[Even the later invitation for Ye Yu to join the Bai family...]
[Had been at Bai Miao Leng’s behest.]
[Bai Yuben had pondered all of this endlessly.]
[He simply couldn’t understand why Bai Miao Leng was so invested in Ye Yu.]
[He was even more perplexed by her sudden decision to marry him.]
[Just that morning, Bai Yuben had known nothing.]
[The supposed marriage alliance with another family had completely blindsided him.]
[Thinking back on it...]
[It was likely a story his master had concocted.]
[“But, Master, is this truly appropriate given your identity?”]
[After a moment’s hesitation, Bai Yuben asked in a low voice, “May I ask why?”]
[Bai Miao Leng’s hand stilled as she combed her hair.]
[In the next instant...]
[A dark, eerie energy shot through Bai Yuben’s body.]
[He spat a mouthful of blood on the spot, collapsing to the ground in agony.]
[Bai Miao Leng’s tone was cold as she said, “Who are you to question me? Remember, you’re nothing more than a dog I keep.”]
[“And a dog doesn’t ask why. Understand?”]
[Bai Yuben struggled to his feet, nodding repeatedly.]
[Bai Miao Leng suddenly smiled.]
[“Cheer up. Don’t look so morose. By your mortal customs, today is my wedding day, after all.”]
[“As my brother, you must be happy for me.”]
[A secluded and quiet place, perfect for a rendezvous.]
[That evening, Ye Yu arrived as promised.]
[He found Bai Miao Leng already waiting by the river.]
[The moonlight gently draped over her, as if cloaking her in a silvery veil.]
[There was a soft, ethereal quality about her.]
[Ye Yu sat beside her, chuckling softly, “Wife, you look beautiful tonight.”]
[Bai Miao Leng raised her hand, setting up several layers of barriers.]
[Then she asked, with utmost seriousness, “Husband, have you ever thought about the future of the Bai family?”]
[Um, wasn’t this a bit too serious for tonight?]
[Weren’t they supposed to be discussing forbidden techniques?]
[Why the sudden talk about the future?]
[Still, since Bai Miao Leng wanted to ask...]
[Ye Yu wouldn’t brush her off.]
[He responded that the Bai family’s current situation was already excellent.]
[They dominated the surrounding territories for miles.]
[Their fame was well-established!]
[Eternal prosperity was within reach.]
[Bai Miao Leng leaned her head on Ye Yu’s shoulder.]
[In a gentle voice, she said, “Husband, dominating a single region is too small. What if we conquered the entire Northern Mang continent?”]
[“Imagine gathering all the forbidden techniques in existence for you to study—how about that?”]
[Ye Yu glanced at Bai Miao Leng. Yes, this was indeed his wife from this dream...]
[But why did it feel more like something Huangfu Baizhi would say?]
[Ye Yu forced a smile. “The world is vast, with countless powerful cultivators. Conquering all of Northern Mang would be incredibly difficult.”]
[This response didn’t sit well with Bai Miao Leng.]
[She placed one hand on Ye Yu’s chest.]
[In a soft voice, she said, “Husband, I don’t find it difficult at all.”]
[“Besides, my true desire isn’t just for this continent. I want the entire human realm.”]
[“Will you help me?”]
[Ye Yu frowned slightly.]
[Why did Bai Miao Leng’s words seem increasingly off?]
[Most cultivators pursued the Dao, seeking ascension to the Heavenly Realm as their lifelong goal.]
[True cultivators paid no attention to worldly matters, focusing solely on achieving ascension.]
[But Bai Miao Leng was different.]
[Despite being a Spirit Art cultivator—not particularly high in rank—she should still be pursuing the Dao.]
[Yet, she spoke of conquering the world.]
[This was certainly an unusual aspiration.]
[Conquering the entire human realm? Not even late-stage Ascension Realm cultivators could accomplish that.]