Ding—
This time, when the faint increase in Bond Value appeared before his eyes, Xu Yuan finally took notice.
However, now was not the time to care about such things.
"So…"
The two young girls in front of him were pensively flickering their gazes, clearly not very convinced by his answer.
But Xu Yuan wasn't looking for their complete approval, just their acceptance would suffice.
"Cough… Of course, there's actually another very important reason."
Xu Yuan coughed softly, lowering his voice, "I also don't want to accidentally become the first cultivator in the Cultivation World to be crushed to death in bed."
His gaze dodging both of their eyes, he looked too embarrassed to speak.
This statement was like the last straw that broke the camel's back, allowing both of them to let out a slight sigh of relief.
Since he had put it that way, naturally, neither of them felt it was appropriate to comment further.
"I understand now, Senior Brother, you're right. We're still young, and we have a long time ahead of us."
Lin Qingque let out a sigh, her charming smile blooming, "We haven't achieved much in our cultivation yet. Talking about these things now really is a bit too early. But don't forget what happened last night, okay?"
Tian Liuli raised her eyebrows slightly.
Xu Yuan caught on to her deliberately ambiguous and vague tone, hastily interjected, both as a response and an explanation, "I won't forget Junior Sister's words; I will surely give you an answer later. Don't worry."
Hearing his response, Tian Liuli also realized something, glancing at Lin Qingque with a mocking smile at the corner of her mouth.
"Since Mr. Xu has said so, then I agree; we can just postpone our marriage."
Her expression was as unfathomable as a cold lake atop a snowy mountain in the far north, making it difficult to discern her thoughts.
If it weren't for Lin Qingque's power just barely matching hers, plus the earlier possible intervention by Mu Qianyan and Xu Yuan's satisfying reply, Tian Liuli would never have given up so easily.
However, giving up today didn't mean she would truly wait until he made his decision.
There would be other opportunities in the future.
As for what Xu Yuan had just said, Tian Liuli didn't take it to heart.
One day, she would make him realize all his thoughts were mistakes.
She was a being of the Immortal Venerable level in her past life; losing control of her strength in bed? Utterly ludicrous!
"However, even though he says that, whether Mr. Xu is really thinking that way, or if he's just deceiving me, is something I can't tell."
Tian Liuli changed her approach, yet she looked at him again.
"So… what would you like to do?"
Xu Yuan felt a jolt in his heart.
He didn't know what choices would appear here at this special moment, so his earlier response was completely improvised.
And now, he was also unsure of the consequences.
Tian Liuli didn't reply but placed a slender jade finger to her lips, gently biting it.
"Stretch out your arm."
Her tone was as domineering as ever.
Lin Qingque, having already learned of her intentions through Heart Voice, watched the scene silently.
Xu Yuan had a myriad of thoughts fluttering through his mind like snowflakes, but the flurry didn't last long and soon ceased.
"Okay."
He nodded, his gaze lingering on Lin Qingque from the corner of his eye as he rolled up his sleeves and extended his arm toward her.
Tian Liuli gently unfurled her arm and lightly pressed her blood-tinted fingertips onto his arm.
A moment later, a slightly luminous, cinnabar-like red mark was branded on his arm.
Only after doing all these, did Tian Liuli coolly explain, "This is the United Heart Curse. In my homeland, this curse is used to prove sincerity in the affection unmarried Dao companions hold for each other. It behaves similarly to Guardian Palace Sand; if either of us has consummated the relationship, it will disappear. But it seems you have not disappointed me."
After saying this, she showed him the same red spot on her own arm.
Lin Qingque, watching this scene, also let out a relieved sigh.
Over the years, she occasionally had to leave her senior brother's side due to various reasons, thus she was really afraid he might be seduced by some temptress, losing his Primordial Yang. Now, she could be at peace.
Xu Yuan's face still looked calm, but inwardly he couldn't help but swear.
He had never expected Tian Liuli to pull such a move on him.
This way, his plan to test his own constitution was surely ruined, wasn't it?
No, wait, consummation? Does it count only if it doesn't happen in the room?
Perhaps, there could be loopholes to exploit?
"Right, I almost forgot to mention,"
Glancing at Lin Qingque's expression, Tian Liuli lowered her lids and added with a half-smiling tone, "This United Heart Curse not only has the function I mentioned earlier, but it also causes unbearable pain whenever Mr. Xu wishes to engage in intimate relations without my permission. Naturally, the same applies to me."
"You!"
Lin Qingque incredulously widened her eyes, her expression filled with utter shock as she looked at her.
Seeing her reaction, Tian Liuli grew even more convinced of her speculation from their earlier battle and let out a light chuckle, thinking Lin Qingque still needed more experience to compete with her.
She felt refreshingly exhilarated from within.
As Tian Liuli turned and walked back into the temple, none noticed the subtle sparkling colors shimmering on her fair and delicate calf under the sunlight.
...
Thus, the conflict initiated by the two of them was narrowly defused.
It appeared that both had agreed to his request, allowing him to delay providing an answer.
But Xu Yuan knew that it was far from over.
Until his strength, no, his combat abilities, surpassed both of theirs, the danger would not be eliminated.
For the yandere types, no amount of reasoning or emotional appeal would work.
If a yandere could be persuaded, then they wouldn't be yandere.
Oh, some could be, but those were rare species, none of the female protagonists in games belonged to that type.
Now, the only reason he could still maneuver among them was because they still had some patience, not wanting to act too drastically and scare him off, pushing him into another's arms.
And when they eventually ran out of patience, that would be the truly perilous moment for him.
Thus, in the coming days, Xu Yuan must not only maintain the balance between himself and them but also occasionally sweeten them up, delaying the day they reveal their true nature and buy himself more time to grow stronger.
Not to surpass them, but at least to have some room to resist when they made their move.
This way, they would also have some degree of hesitation.
And unsurprisingly, Tian Liuli did not leave but reached some agreement with Mu Qianyan and stayed at the Heavenly Dao Sect.