Qiu Ling hummed to himself while unhurriedly putting on his robe. Ah, he really could get used to life in the Hei Dian Sect. Going to bed with his beloved, sharing a bed with his beloved, waking up together with his beloved … He had never had these opportunities when they were still in the Yun Zou Sect. Well, not that they had spent much time there.

Mn, if they really went back after fulfilling this mission, then he had to make sure his Master wouldn’t find some other excuse to hinder their marriage. Or, even if he found something to postpone the wedding again, he at least had to make sure they would be allowed to share a room. He’d never give up on this privilege after tasting its sweetness once!

Qiu Ling took a peek at Jing Yi and hurried over when he saw that his beloved had already dressed. He swept him up into his arms and kissed both his cheeks, hoping that he could go even further. Well, maybe there would be time after this duel. "Are you ready?"

Jing Yi laughed. "Shouldn’t I be the one asking you? It’s your duel."

"Mn, that guy is small fry. Watch your fiance dispose of him in one strike."

Jing Yi’s lips twitched. Right. It had been over a year already so he hadn’t thought of it but thinking back now he had seen Qiu Ling win against other disciples on one strike back at the Gathering of Practitioners in the Yun Zou Sect as well. In fact, he hadn’t even taken out his sword for the first opponents. He probably really didn’t need to worry. "I guess I’m thinking too much then."

"No, no, no. It’s definitely not too much! I love seeing you worry about me. Ah, no, that … I don’t like seeing you worried but if you have to be worried it’s still better if you’re worried about me." Qiu Ling grinned. Yes, he definitely loved it! It showed just how important he was to his beloved.

Ah, in fact, he would like to see him cry because of him once. But then again he probably wouldn’t be able to take it if his beloved really started crying in front of him. No, it was still better something like that never happened.

Jing Yi had no idea what Qiu Ling was thinking. He just smiled and took his hand. "We should go. Otherwise, you’re going to be the last one to show up for your duel."

"Who cares?"

Despite saying so, Qiu Ling followed him outside and the two made their way over to the clearing in front of the Beguiling Night Tree where the duel was supposed to take place. When they arrived, there were indeed a lot of people already.

Jing Yi examined the robes they were wearing. It seemed like all divisions had three types and all of them looked the same as in their division just that they were of different colors. Here and there were some disciples in plain black robes but there weren’t many. Those should be the head disciples of the sect’s Elders. At the very least, when he and Qiu Ling walked by he heard some disciples whisper about such a thing. Considering that he was still wearing his own black robe, they probably thought that Qiu Ling was one as well.

Ah, it was really time to find a division Qiu Ling could join. Then this kind of thing wouldn’t happen any longer. Jing Yi looked up at him but didn’t bring it up in the end. Qiu Ling would have to focus on the duel now. There was no reason to talk about anything else for the time being.

Qiu Ling also had a look around but he ignored the people around them and just searched for a good spot. He had to make sure his beloved would have the best possible view of the duel. Unfortunately, most of the people were standing and there were only a few elevated seats near the Beguiling Night Tree.

"Come." Qiu Ling led Jing Yi over there and had him sit down on one of them.

The disciples in the vicinity eyed them strangely, making Jing Yi squirm. "This … Qiu Ling, maybe this isn’t such a good idea? These seats are probably reserved for someone."

Qiu Ling raised his brows. "It’s my duel. If anyone should have a seat, then it should be my fiance." He smiled and just sat down next to him, not caring even a bit about the looks he got. Instead, he just slid a bit closer to Jing Yi and put an arm around his shoulders. It was best if he let everyone know that Jing Yi was his. That way, nobody would have any inappropriate thoughts about him.

Jing Yi bit his lower lip. He could feel his cheeks heating up. Oh, Heavens! Couldn’t Qiu Ling behave normally at least once?

A moment later, steps approached them or rather the seats they were sitting on. Jing Yi tried to diminish his presence as much as possible but next to Qiu Ling he probably didn’t have to worry. His fiance was so eye-catching that whoever came would automatically focus on him.

Indeed, the next moment, an Elder in black robes stopped in front of them. Jing Yi didn’t dare to look up and cowered in Qiu Ling’s arms.

His fiance had no qualms about his behavior though. He just looked up and lazily raised his brows. "Is something the matter?"

The Elder frowned even more at that reaction. "What’s your name?"

Qiu Ling pondered. Should he go with Longjun or with Qiu Ling?

The Elder’s expression clouded even further but before he could erupt the appearance of another person interrupted him.

Grandmaster Shen led his wife to the seats and then sat down next to Qiu Ling. "You’re still sitting here? Shouldn’t you go over there for your duel?"

Qiu Ling pursed his lips. "The other guy isn’t even here yet. Why would I go over and leave my beloved?"

The Elder’s eyes widened. Was this … Grandmaster Shen? Why was he speaking to this disciple as if they knew each other? Not just that, it seemed like they were quite familiar with each other. He gulped and silently slipped away, finding a place a little further away. He couldn’t help gazing over again though.

It seemed the Grandmaster had talked about the duel with that person? So was this the one that was going to duel that disciple of his division? Ah, it seemed he could only hope that Nian Hai wouldn’t totally embarrass them.