Chen Mo’s mood grew increasingly complicated after listening, and he turned to meet Ling Ningzhi’s gaze.
Ling Ningzhi nodded but said nothing more.
Next, the two of them needed to press their handprints on the alliance contract and then tie a knot of unity, marking the completion of the ceremony.
However, before that, a divination needed to be conducted. The outcome would represent the Ancestor’s view on their relationship, possibly as a prophecy or a warning.
The Daoist Ancestor had long passed away, and naturally, there would be no spirit overseeing, but the ritual still needed to be completed.
Ji Hongxiu stood before the incense table, forming the rotating Dao Seal with her hands, while murmuring the divination phrases in a low voice.
Whoosh—
A gentle breeze suddenly arose, causing the plain-colored banners on the altar to sway lightly.
The previously straight column of smoke began to tremble, like a wandering snake, astonishingly forming four large characters in mid-air, clearly appearing before their eyes.
"This, this is..."
Ji Hongxiu was left dumbfounded, an incredulous expression on her face.
[The clear moonlight spreads over the jade steps, the pavilion doors open lightly, awaiting your love.]
[The crimson sleeves add ink, the poem unfinished; sleeves hide red beans, painting a beautiful woman.]
In one glance, she recognized it as an acrostic poem, with the first characters of the four lines forming "Qingxuan, Hong Xiu"!
"I clearly divined for Qingxuan and Chen Mo, how did I get involved too?!"
Before Ji Hongxiu could react, the sound of the wind abruptly grew piercing and harsh. With the strong gust, the doors slammed shut, cutting them off from the outside world.
"Hmm?"
"What’s happening?"
The members of Tianshu Pavilion wore bewildered expressions, still unsure of what had transpired.
Only Zhu Huai seemed to savor the situation, casting a glance at the tightly shut doors, his old face curving into a somewhat knowing smile.
"So be it, so be it..."
...
...
Only three remained in the ancestral hall, as the wind gradually subsided, and the lingering characters in the air also dissipated.
Chen Mo let out a sigh of relief, saying, "Luckily, I reacted quickly; I nearly got exposed."
Ji Hongxiu regained her composure, looking up at him with a frown, "Was that acrostic poem your doing?"
Chen Mo shook his head, "I have no idea what happened. After realizing something was off with the poem, I was afraid someone might catch on, so I secretly used Dao Power to close the door."
Ji Hongxiu’s frown deepened.
"But..." Ji Hongxiu bit her lips, murmuring, "The contract must be handwritten by a sect elder, your scribbling doesn’t count."
"Please, I’m the direct disciple of the Daoist Ancestor, in terms of seniority, who in the whole Tianshu Pavilion ranks higher than me?" Chen Mo patted the nearby cushion, smiling, "Alright, my good disciple, just go along with your teacher."
"..."
Ji Hongxiu’s face flushed bright red, but for the moment, she didn’t know how to refute.
"Master, things have come to this point, stop hesitating, this offer won’t last forever!"
Ling Ningzhi got up and hugged her arm, pulling her over with some effort.
Ji Hongxiu, still a bit shy, hesitated for quite a while but ultimately knelt down with some reluctance, with Ling Ningzhi flanking Chen Mo on either side, enveloping him in the middle.
Chen Mo folded his hands in a Daoist salute, speaking clearly, "Disciple Chen Mo swears before the Three Pure Ones: I wish to become Dao companions with Qingxuan and Hong Xiu, to guard each other in this life, seek each other in the next, forever Dao companions, never to part!"
Saying this, he forced a drop of blood from the tip of his thumb, pressing it onto the contract paper.
Buzz—
After their handprints were pressed on, an indescribable mystical energy began to spread.
A faint red glow emanated from Chen Mo’s palm, swirling and dancing in the air, then turning into two red threads, which tied around the ankles of Ji Hongxiu and Ling Ningzhi.

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