Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

The moment Zhu Cici’s words fell, everyone lowered their heads, silently eating their food.

No one dared to say a word.

Aside from Ling Bisheng, who truly liked Zhu Cici, the others—though they admired her beauty—had never reached the level of love.

So when Zhu Cici spoke, only Ling Bisheng felt a sharp pain in his heart.

Even though Zhu Cici had always kept her distance from him…

Even though she had decisively rejected every confession he had ever made…

Even though there was nothing between them—not even enough to call it heartbreak…

Right now, Ling Bisheng just wanted to drink.

Drink hard.

Because this pain was unbearable.

He had always known he might lose, but he never thought he would lose this completely.

Xu Ming hadn’t even done anything.

He had merely shown up—and just like that, Zhu Cici’s entire heart had drifted toward him.

As for the others?

They felt like they were extras in this scene.

They didn’t belong at this table.

They should have been under the table instead.

And for some reason, the entire room seemed to be filled with the sour-sweet scent of romance.

“I’ve been doing well,” Xu Ming nodded, answering her. “After you left that year, I joined Blood Asura. I remember writing you a letter back then—you received it, didn’t you?”

Zhu Cici nodded.

The moment she recalled the poem Xu Ming had written for her in that letter, her cheeks flushed an even deeper shade of red.

Her gaze softened with concern.

“Was it tough… being in Blood Asura?”

Xu Ming nodded again. “It wasn’t too bad. That’s just how it is in Wu Kingdom’s Blood Asura. Everyone lives with their heads tied to their belts—just surviving is already a blessing. The harsher the training, the better your chances of making it through life-or-death situations.”

Zhu Cici pressed her lips together tightly.

In her mind, she was already imagining all the dangers Xu Ming must have faced in Blood Asura—countless battles, countless brushes with death.

Her heart ached for him.

“And you, Cici?” Xu Ming asked. “I heard you went to White Deer Academy and even became the headmaster’s final disciple. How have these years been for you?”

“Mm…”

Zhu Cici nodded, her expression shy—like a young maiden meeting her betrothed for the first time.

In fact, at first glance, she already seemed completely smitten.

“I’ve gotten used to life at the academy. My senior brothers and sisters take great care of me, and my master and the other elders have always looked after me. Even when I’m a little willful, they’re patient with me.”

“That’s not all,” Yu Wenxi suddenly added with a grin. “Ever since she grew up, do you know how many people have proposed to her? But she’s turned down every single one. She even put a sign in front of her—”

Before he could finish, Miao Feng stomped on his foot.

Yu Wenxi gasped, sucking in a sharp breath.

He turned to glare at Miao Feng, as if asking—What the hell was that for?! What did I do wrong?!

Miao Feng gritted his teeth and muttered under his breath, “If you don’t speak, no one will mistake you for a mute!”

Yu Wenxi: “…”

Xu Ming acted as if he hadn’t heard anything.

“As long as you’re doing well, that’s all that matters,” he said.

“I still remember when I first met you. You were so small back then.”

Zhu Cici pursed her lips in protest. “I’m two years older than you.”

Xu Ming glanced at her stubborn little expression and couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You’re right.”

“But even back then, I never could have imagined that Miss Zhu would grow into such an elegant and graceful woman,” Xu Ming complimented.

Hearing his praise, Zhu Cici’s face turned an even deeper shade of red. Embarrassed, she picked up her cup and took a sip of wine.

Everyone else at the table couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

There was no shortage of people who had praised Zhu Cici.

Regardless of gender, nearly everyone who met her would be struck by her extraordinary beauty.

But whenever she received such compliments, Zhu Cici always responded with a confident and composed smile—never flustered, never reacting too much.

Yet now, all it took was a single casual remark from Xu Ming, and she was blushing like this.

If this wasn’t liking someone, then what was?

“…The princess of your Wu Kingdom—did she not come?” Zhu Cici asked.

Her slender, fair fingers fidgeted slightly under the table.

The moment she proactively brought up her supposed rival, everyone at the table fell completely silent.

Earlier, they had merely not dared to speak.

Now, they did not even dare to breathe too loudly.

They all desperately wanted to find an excuse to leave.

But at the same time…

They really wanted to hear how Xu Ming would answer this question.

“Her Highness still had matters to attend to at court, so she didn’t come,” Xu Ming explained, not elaborating further.

“…Then, how… how did you and Her Highness meet?” Zhu Cici lifted her gaze, looking at Xu Ming with a hint of nervousness.

Everyone at the table could even hear her breathing—slightly quickened from tension.

“Ah… well, it’s a long story.” Xu Ming paused for a moment before summarizing, “Back when I was in Blood Asura Battalion, I met a few brothers-in-arms. One of them turned out to be the princess, who had disguised herself as a man to undergo training. It was only after leaving Blood Asura that I learned she was actually the princess of Wu Kingdom.”

“What kind of girl is she?” Zhu Cici pressed on.

“Uh…”

Xu Ming thought for a moment before responding, “She has a cold and aloof appearance, but deep down, she genuinely cares for others. She can be reckless—sometimes even a little foolish—but when it truly matters, she’s incredibly reliable. She’s also a formidable warrior. If anyone could push the martial path to new heights, I believe… it would be her.”

“…”

The room fell into stunned silence.

Brother.

You’re openly praising another girl… right in front of this one.

Even if everything you said was true—

YOU CAN’T SAY IT OUT LOUD.

How do you have the audacity?!