They all want to change my future.

Chapter 16, Round 1: The Saintess wins.

Li Zhi had no idea what kind of undercurrents and contests the two women had during his closed-door meditation.

He was immersed in the feeling of circulating his inner energy.

Feel the subtle yet real growth brought about by each cycle of the cosmic cycle.

Like seeds buried in the soil in spring, they quietly and irresistibly absorb nutrients, stretch their roots, and prepare to break through the soil.

When Li Zhi felt the process was getting a bit boring, he slowly stopped practicing.

When I opened my eyes again, the sun was setting in the west.

It was already dusk.

Ji Baizhi stood not far away. Seeing Li Zhi finish his cultivation, she slowly stepped forward and spoke softly:

"How are you, young master? Are you feeling unwell? Even prolonged cultivation can damage one's meridians."

"I feel fine physically," Li Zhi said, standing up and stretching. "I'm just a little bored."

Although Ji Baizhi already knew Li Zhi's personality to some extent, she still didn't know how to respond after hearing this reason.

Those who cultivate themselves are always racing against time, pushing their meridians to their limits until they can't push them any further.

Many people even suffered the loss of their own meridians.

I thought Li Zhi was just as stubborn, after all, he had been cultivating for four hours.

Such a period of cultivation time is already considered quite unusual in the cultivation world.

It should be noted that when Ji Baizhi was practicing the Innate Skill, she only meditated for six hours.

Furthermore, he possesses the constitution of a phoenix reincarnated.

Some couldn't handle it.

Li Zhi didn't care what Ji Baizhi was thinking; he had other things to do.

He tapped the floor with his foot: "Is Miss Lin still here?"

Lin Yueyin did not answer, but Ji Baizhi spoke up: "If it's Miss Lin, she's probably gone."

"Oh?" Li Zhi raised an eyebrow and looked at Ji Baizhi: "It seems that something interesting happened while I was cultivating."

"Yes." Ji Baizhi nodded, her tone calm: "Miss Lin has agreed to the young master's request and will be teaching the young master's swordsmanship starting tomorrow night."

"Why at night?"

Li Zhi was curious about the time. He walked to the table, picked up the teapot, and poured himself a cup of tea that had already cooled down.

"Because the young master needs to train his body in the morning and cultivate from noon to afternoon," Ji Baizhi slowly explained the arrangements. "Of course, he only has time to practice swordsmanship in the evening."

"I think it's not just for that reason, is it?" Li Zhi put down his teacup.

"At night, in the darkness, Miss Lin's shadow can serve as a cover for her."

"What you say is true, young master."

Ji Baizhi walked to the opposite side of Li Zhi, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Young Master, there is one more thing I need to tell you."

"Go ahead and speak, there's nothing we can't talk about."

"Tonight, some people from the palace should be coming," Ji Baizhi said. "Their official role is to take care of my daily needs, but in reality, they're just there to keep an eye on me."

"Understood, we'll use your method." Li Zhi nodded.

Ji Baizhi's entry into Zhaoyang Mansion late at night with her men was naturally impossible to hide, and the fact that they only sent someone to inquire a day later can be considered quite lenient.

"Young Master, it's good that you know." Ji Baizhi's face flushed slightly again: "We need to go over our story now."

"We do need to compare them. Your previous one didn't seem very interesting." Li Zhi showed a less-than-interesting expression.

"Young Master, is this going to be changed?" Ji Baizhi asked, puzzled.

"Of course," Li Zhi said. "The identity that the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect arranged for me was quite good."

Li Zhi spoke very quickly and sketched out a story.

On a snowy day, a young man from out of town, who was about to freeze to death in the capital, was rescued by the Princess.

They gave him a bowl of rice, which saved his life.

The young man felt he could never repay the life-saving grace, so he decided to follow the princess.

In order to stay by the princess's side, the young man worked hard and participated in the Dragon Gate Examination.

After listening, Ji Baizhi did not show the agreement that Li Zhi had expected.

Instead, he fell into deep thought.

Ji Baizhi understood why the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect had given her such an identity.

Li Zhi still liked the script about the princess throwing herself at him.

Or rather, this script is more interesting and logical for Li Zhi.

A nobody was saved by the princess and fell in love with her at first sight.

Fight for her, and bravely seize first place in the Dragon Gate Exam.

But this wasn't the version of events Ji Baizhi wanted. What she wanted was for herself to fall in love with Li Zhi at first sight and disregard everything else.

Even if it damages their reputation, they must keep Li Zhi alive.

In this way, you can gain more.

Even the Demon Queen would look down on her as the reincarnation of a phoenix. In that case, the young master would have to act even more pathetic.

Then there's a good chance.

Ji Baizhi was not confident about this.

But Li Zhi's performance in cultivating gave her even more confidence.

"It's a good story," Ji Baizhi said, "but it doesn't make sense. Why should I save you?"

Ji Baizhi was of noble status, and not everyone knew that she had gone out to save someone.

This is where the story falls apart.

"You fell in love with me at first sight."

This was a somewhat narcissistic statement, but Ji Baizhi simply laughed—not a mocking laugh, but a helpless laugh.

"In that case, how is it different from my previous method?"

"There is still a difference." Li Zhi thought for a moment and said, "You are a princess, you also have some face. You just picked up someone and fell in love with him, throwing yourself at him without any regard for the consequences. Now, with my struggle and pursuit, it's more believable and more dramatic."

"But I fell in love with you at first sight," Ji Baizhi said softly.

"You won't win my favor this way." Li Zhi shook his head: "Just do it my way."

"Alright, I'll do whatever you say, young master." Ji Baizhi finally gave in, but still kept her head down, showing her displeasure.

The atmosphere was somewhat heavy.

Li Zhi hadn't expected Ji Baizhi to throw a tantrum, but he still had a solution and casually came up with a topic.

"By the way, have you ever thought about this?"

Ji Baizhi raised her eyes, her gaze questioning, "What's the problem? Is it about Young Master's plan?"

"That's not it," Li Zhi shook his head. "Tell me, how many people are loyal to that wicked empress now?"

"I have no idea."

"Then let's do the math, starting with Longmen," Li Zhi continued, his voice as calm as if he were analyzing accounts. "She opened up many avenues to select talent from the common people. Over the ten years of the Longmen Recruitment Program, she selected a great many people."

"Next, since you lost before, many people will probably pledge allegiance to the Demon Queen in order to save their lives, and many more will be impressed by her strength."

Ji Baizhi nodded slightly, without denying it.

This is no secret. Anyone who cares about the political situation can see how many originally neutral forces and talented young people have gradually gathered under the shadow that looms over the capital over the years.

"So, with so many talented people under her command, it's possible that some people will realize it."

Li Zhi revealed his ultimate goal: "I think we should still be careful and use my plan, since it's more reasonable."

"Young Master, is this all you wanted to say?" Ji Baizhi's gaze turned resentful.

"Yes," Li Zhi nodded, uttering something that made one blush, "But wasn't I just trying to appease you?"

"I think, young master, you just find it amusing."

Ji Baizhi answered softly, but sighed inwardly.

The Heavenly Sect Saintess won this round.