It’s Been A While
The interior of Labyrinth Palace was about what Anoteros had been expecting... It was a confusing mess, meshing all kinds of decorations, styles, and the like together into one place. There was chaos, but the chaos was strangely orderly. Edrick could tell that this hadn’t been built or arranged in a random manner. Someone–Or a group of people–Had actually put thought into this. They had created a nonsensical maze from scratch and spent time on every single one of these rooms and hallways.
Frankly, the scion was genuinely in admiration. He had had thoughts about using architecture cultivation extensively for his residence, but what he was seeing now was really putting things into perspective. This particular niche branch of support cultivation was truly fantastic…
Not only could incredible, physics-defying structures be built, but the simple fact that it granted access to spatial distortion was absolutely magnificent… Once he made Haoyu his wife and invested in the Foppoof’s cultivation, his residence would become a true treasure on its own.
He could already think of so many things…
‘I wonder if I could get myself some architecture-based techniques as well. There are surely some interesting ones that I could use’
As the noble thought deeply, he felt Foppoof Domination–The boon he had earned from Linmin–Resonate… Haoyu was nearby. Edrick did not show that he could somehow sense the core disciple’s presence through walls, and let the elder guide him to Haoyu’s quarters.
Due to the sheer size of the sect grounds, the small number of residents, and the fact that the tanned-skinned Foppoof was a core disciple of the sect–Which was the highest level possible here–It would be odd if he were able to somehow pinpoint Haoyu's location... And also, Anoteros had heard that Haoyu had received direct guidance from the sect master of Labyrinth Palace.
He was comparable to even true disciples from sects possessing such a title.
The elder had even emitted the idea that the sect master was thinking about making Haoyu the next person in line to control the sect–Which was more impressive than it sounded, as Haoyu was a young disciple, far younger than the other core disciples, and yet he was clearly heavily favoured, as such, the Foppoof was definitely well-hidden and protected within these walls.
It spoke to his sheer talent in both regular architecture and cultivation. Indeed, if marriage to a direct descendant of the Elt clan were to be added to the list, Haoyu would be quite the influential individual.
“There are Haoyu’s private quarters, Young Master. Allow me to tell her about your visit, so that she may prepare herself properly!”
The elder bowed to Anoteros, then knocked on the door and entered the room. The scion was left waiting outside as the elder heaved a lengthy sigh, speaking in a sharp but hushed tone.
“Haoyu! Listen to me carefully!”
“What is the matter, Elder?”
“Young Master Zixuan is here”
Haoyu’s expression dropped. It had been a while since the time he had met Edrick, and now, the memory of the event had just rapidly played through his mind.
‘Oh no… I am going to get…’
He glanced at his bed and swallowed his saliva. He was already imagining how painful it was going to be…
“Listen, the Young Master is very generous and gentlemanly. He stated that you can refuse his marriage proposal if you really don’t feel like it. But! You need to understand that it would really–Really be a great thing if you could become his sixth wife, alright? I know you don’t interact with men much. You are probably scared, it is perfectly understandable!”
“...However, accepting his offer wouldn’t just be good for the sect, but for you as well! Think about it... Once you’re married to a direct descendant of the current patriarch and matriarch of the Elt clan, your status will shoot through the roof! Budget limitations on projects? You will forget all about them. Restrictions on what you can and can't do? You won’t even have any!”
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime, Haoyu. If you marry him, you will be guaranteed to be the next sect master. There will be no secrets about Labyrinth Palace that you will be barred from learning. You will be able to become the best architecture cultivator you can possibly be”
“So… Aherm… You can deny the proposal, but you really shouldn’t. In fact, I would recommend that you do everything in your power to charm and seduce him… Anyway, there is no such thing as marriages born out of love, and as far as husband material goes, I don’t think there is anyone better for you”
The elder stroked his beard with a smile.
“I mean, I am no expert on what women find attractive about me, but I would wager that such an impressively tall and muscular fellow could be quite alluring visually. And from what I know and just learned from discussing with him–He has lots of charisma, he is confident, is perfectly capable of using both diplomacy and violence, and I am pretty certain he has a handsome face. Also, he has status and money”
“Elder…”
“Let me tell you, if I were a woman? I would have let him ‘hit’ right in the hallway. That’s the expression the young folks use these days, right?”
“Do you know what it means, Elder?”
“Ahahah, you think I misunderstand the meaning? Not at all. I am genuinely saying that were I a woman, I would have let him fuck my brains out right on the hallway floor. A cultivator needs to be able to seize opportunities. If a noble lady had an interest in me, you better bet that I would forget all self-respect and bark for her if she wanted me to”
Haoyu could tell that he wasn’t very well surrounded… But it made sense, logically speaking. It was a great gift that he was being offered by Edrick. No one else–Apart from the scion–Knew that he was a Foppoof pretending to be a woman. They didn’t know that he liked women and not buff, tall, handsome men who were stronger than him and would hold him in their big, protective arms…
‘Wait, what was I just thinking about? Oh, by the gods… I think the elder’s words are getting to my head’
Haoyu cleared his throat.
“I… Will keep your wisdom in mind, Elder. Please, tell Young Master Zixuan to come in. I will speak with him… One-on-one”
“That’s the spirit! Remember, if it hurts, don’t hesitate to tell him! I am sure he’ll be very gentle with you”
“Elder…”
“Right… Good luck, Haoyu”
Thus, the noble and core disciple ended up sitting on the edge of the bed, with the latter looking visibly uncomfortable, if not frightened. He looked like a mouse trying to hide from a cat.
“Relax, Cutie. I won’t do anything to you… Why don’t you talk to me about architecture cultivation? I know you love it. This should help you calm down–I am all ears”
Haoyu wasn’t certain how much he trusted Edrick… But it didn’t change the fact that he should do as the scion said…