Am I the old man who's always by my apprentices' side?

Chapter 363 Junior Sister, is your voice also damaged?
Lin Fengxian's carefully planned "chance encounter" took a strange turn as Chang Ping'an kept repeating, "If you're sick, you need treatment," and "You can't stop taking your medicine."

Fortunately, Lin Fengxian had a much stronger temper than Murong Ruyan. At least she didn't clench her fists in anger because of Chang Ping'an's words. She just realized that the famous "Little Immortal Chang" in the martial arts world could not be judged by ordinary standards.

So she quickly adjusted her plan and began to subtly solicit information.

"You mean servants? Oh, the White Stone Immortal Sect doesn't really have any. If you really want to talk about servants, they do have paper puppets, but no real people. They only have inner and outer disciples, and various managers, stewards, and sect leaders!"

Chang Ping'an had no doubt about Lin Fengxian's ulterior motives.

The third junior brother's cousin is one of our own, and she's a vulnerable woman with a child. What bad intentions could she possibly have? She's just curious!
With that in mind, Chang Ping'an didn't even need Lin Fengxian to ask; he just opened his mouth and said everything he could.

"As for that tower? That's the [Floating Pagoda], where our sect stores precious magical treasures, spiritual artifacts, and rare cultivation techniques. However, the [Floating Pagoda] isn't like our sect's library, which anyone can enter. The items inside require sufficient contribution points to exchange for..."

As she listened, Lin Fengxian's heart stirred: "The library? Could it be that outsiders can even enter the library of the White Stone Immortal Sect?"

Chang Ping'an scratched his head, then realized that his words were ambiguous, and explained somewhat awkwardly, "Ahaha, no, naturally it must be someone from a sect."

After finishing speaking, seeing the disappointment in Lin Fengxian's eyes, he quickly added, "However, if Miss Lin is interested in the path of immortality, there are many books for sale in the market, most of which come from the library. Among them are some cultivation manuals. If Miss Lin follows them to cultivate, she might be able to enter the path of immortality and become a cultivator!"

Lin Fengxian was taken aback: "There are cultivation manuals from the White Stone Immortal Sect for sale in the market?"

"Exactly!"

Chang Ping'an puffed out his chest with pride, a simple smile on his face, and said, "My master said that the Great Dao is impartial, and the path to immortality and the destiny to immortality are not the private property of any one family or clan. Anyone with a heart that yearns for the Dao can explore its path. Therefore, the sect does not prohibit the outflow of basic cultivation methods. Although what is sold in the market is only the most rudimentary method of Qi induction and body tempering, it still points directly to the foundation of the Great Dao of Longevity."

"As for those more advanced cultivation techniques and secret manuals, the reason they are not passed on is not because they are covetous, but because without guidance, it is easy to go wrong in cultivation, so they are not easily allowed to be passed on to others!"
"Oh, by the way, Miss Lin, have you ever heard of the 'White Stone Immortal Dao Book'? The 'White Stone Immortal Dao Book', the 'White Stone Qi Sensing Book', and the 'Basic Qi Guiding Theory' were compiled and widely disseminated by my White Stone Immortal Sect, so that everyone in the world could have the opportunity to enter the path of immortality and glimpse longevity!"

His words were sincere, his eyes clear, and he didn't see anything wrong with telling such a thing to a "third junior brother's cousin" he had just met—

It's not exactly a secret anyway!

A flicker of disbelief flashed deep in Lin Fengxian's eyes, but her face betrayed a mixture of longing and self-doubt. She lowered her head slightly, her eyes downcast, her voice still soft, but much more natural than before: "Xian'er... Xian'er is merely a mortal, of humble appearance, burdened with the responsibility of raising Bao'er. How dare I aspire to the path of immortality..."

"Oh! Miss Lin, you are mistaken!"

Chang Ping'an waved his hand and said in a loud voice, "It's never too late to start on the path of immortality!"

"Moreover, this path is truly long, involving Qi Refining, Foundation Building, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, Out-of-Body Transformation, Spirit Transformation, Body Integration, Void Reaching, and Mahayana. After one cultivates to become an immortal, there are further distinctions above, and the end is almost unseen. Most people may only be able to get stuck in the Core Formation stage or even the Foundation Building stage in their entire lives. Therefore, cultivating immortality does not necessarily mean that one can attain the Dao and become an immortal. What is important is the process!"

"Furthermore, although most people can only reach the Foundation Establishment stage, on the other hand, no matter what, an ordinary person can still reach the Foundation Establishment stage. So Miss Lin, there is no need to worry. In any case, I believe that you will have no problem reaching the Foundation Establishment stage. As long as you reach the Foundation Establishment stage, it is much better than having a mortal body. Putting aside everything else, your voice will definitely not have any problems just because it is dry!"

His words were sincere and heartfelt, genuinely intended to comfort and enlighten Lin Fengxian. However, the moment he finished speaking, Lin Fengxian's lips twitched almost imperceptibly, and she inwardly cursed him.

Can't you just not mention your voice?
She tightened her arms around the child slightly, her fingertips even turning white, whether from anger or some other reason was unclear.

However, just as Chang Ping'an finished speaking and looked at Lin Fengxian, she quickly lowered her eyes to hide the complex emotions surging within them. When she looked up again, her eyes were filled with gratitude and a hint of courage after being encouraged.

She said timidly, "Young Immortal Chang...you are right, but I just don't know where in this market I can buy such immortal scriptures?"

"Sure, sure! I'll take you there!"

Chang Ping'an enthusiastically led the way, continuing his rambling as they walked: "Let me tell you, Ye Chengyu used to have the most complete selection, but recently some of my junior brothers and sisters have also started their own businesses in the market. The newly opened 'Wan Juan Zhai' is pretty good, though a bit pricey. There's also 'Dian Mo Zhai,' which is cheaper, but the paper is a bit of poor quality, though it's enough for casual browsing... Oh, by the way, if you don't have enough spirit stones, I have some here..."

"No, no need, Little Immortal Chang."

Lin Fengxian quickly refused, her voice carrying just the right amount of insistence and embarrassment: "My cousin has already given me so much, how can I let Chang Xiaoshenxian spend even more? I... I'll just take a look first."

Seeing her insistence, Chang Ping'an didn't press the matter. He smiled憨厚ly and said, "Alright, you can see for yourself. If you don't understand anything, you can ask me anytime, or you can ask Third Junior Brother later! But you don't need to call me 'Little Immortal Chang,' just call me Senior Brother like Third Junior Brother does!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Fengxian readily agreed: "Yes! Senior Brother Chang!"

As they spoke, the two arrived in front of a seemingly simple shop with the three ancient characters "Dianmo Zhai" on the plaque.

The bookshelves inside the store are filled with a dazzling array of books, exuding a faint scent of ink.

The name just feels a bit odd no matter how you look at it...

"The God of Poverty in the Washroom and His Followers," "The Ancestor Who Rises from His Coffin and His Successor Who Can Create Giant Fireballs?"

Lin Fengxian subconsciously read the book title aloud.

This doesn't sound like some kind of cultivation manual at all, does it?

Just then, two young women ran over. Judging from their clothes, they were probably outer disciples of the White Stone Immortal Sect. They excitedly held up two slightly curled-edge books and loudly asked the shopkeeper, "Shopkeeper! Hurry! Has the latest volume of 'The Domineering Little Puppy and His Black-Hearted Lotus Miss' come out yet?"

The shopkeeper waved his hand impatiently and replied, "Oh dear, it won't be that fast! Making the mold, carving the plate, and printing all take time. I estimate it will take another ten days or so!"

The two female disciples immediately looked disappointed, and one of them, still unwilling to give up, asked, "What about the book 'The Movie Emperor Who Explodes with Anti-fans'?"

"Oh, yes, I do have that one. It just arrived this morning. Look, it's right there!"

"Oh! Thank you, shopkeeper! Same as always! Let's come back at the end of the month to settle the accounts!"

"Easy to say, easy to say!"

Lin Fengxian looked suspiciously at the two books the two female disciples had returned to the bookstore, then at the book they had taken away, and fell into deep thought.

"The Domineering Little Puppy and His Black-Hearted Miss"?
Could it be a secret manual for taming beasts?

Do you own a dog?
So what is "The Movie King Who Explodes with Haters"?
"Stir-frying"? Isn't this a newly emerged cooking method? Could it be related to culinary cultivation? Lin Fengxian wasn't truly ignorant of the Dao of Immortality; on the contrary, she knew a great deal. She had even managed to read three books: "The Book of Immortal Dao of Baishi," "The Book of Qi Sensing of Baishi," and "The Basic Theory of Qi Induction into the Body." She was already familiar with the various knowledge contained within them, and even those not recorded in the books, she knew a little about. Thus, she kept speculating about the contents of these strangely titled "secret manuals."

Seeing Lin Fengxian staring intently at the "novels" returned by the two female cultivators, Chang Ping'an assumed she was unaware of the rules of the bookstores in the market. He explained, "Miss Lin, although 'Dianmozhai' opened late, it does accept 'book borrowing' business. So many disciples in the sect who are short of money borrow books from here for a few spirit stones. However, most people borrow novels because..."

Before he could finish speaking, a familiar and loud voice suddenly came from afar—

"Big Brother!"

Chang Ping'an subconsciously looked up and saw Murong Ruyan wearing a gorgeous light red palace dress, greeting him with a rather unhappy expression.

Chang Ping'an was already used to his second junior sister's eccentric temper, her unpredictable mood swings, and her tendency to get angry.

He scratched his head, assuming that Murong Ruyan had angered the disciples in class again, or something else entirely. He didn't think too much about it, and certainly didn't suspect himself. He even waved enthusiastically.

"Hey! Second Junior Sister! What a coincidence! You're here to buy books too?"

Murong Ruyan first gritted her teeth, then took a deep breath, put on a bright smile, and gracefully approached.

Her gaze swept over Lin Fengxian first, scrutinizing her without any attempt to hide it, before finally settling on Chang Ping'an. Her tone carried a hint of coquettishness: "Senior Brother, you seem to have plenty of free time, even having time to accompany someone to the market. I was just looking for you!"

"What do you want from me?"

Chang Ping'an scratched his head again, then asked in confusion, "What happened to your throat? Is it damaged too?"

Murong Ruyan's expression changed: "Also!?"

"Ah! Miss Lin said her throat was a little dry because she hadn't drunk enough water, and her voice sounded just like yours now. Oh, but she's much better now..."

"Junior sister, you also have a problem with your throat? Are you sick? If you're sick, you need to get treatment! Sigh, you're a Foundation Establishment cultivator, you shouldn't get sick so easily! Have you been practicing some strange magic or supernatural power? The kind that uses your voice? I've heard there's something like 'Lion's Roar' or 'Beast King's Roar,' which involves shouting while practicing..."

"Junior sister, I know that you are much more talented than me and you work harder in cultivation, but in the path of cultivation, one must not be greedy for more and must proceed step by step, otherwise it will be a loss if you damage your body!"

Chang Ping'an talked on and on, his tone full of concern.

Murong Ruyan was his first junior sister and the first to follow their master with him, so Chang Ping'an's feelings for her were naturally different.

In addition, given her young age and spoiled nature, Chang Ping'an often felt a sense of responsibility towards Murong Ruyan. He felt he had to do his best to guide this pampered junior sister who was always prone to throwing tantrums, because her excellent talent for cultivation could not be wasted!
"Crunch..."

Murong Ruyan suppressed her anger, but she couldn't help but grind her teeth.

She was already so angry that her chest was heaving, but unexpectedly, Lin Fengxian couldn't help but laugh out loud!
"Hehehe, I didn't expect Senior Brother Chang to be so caring towards the princess!"

Lin Fengxian's soft laughter was like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly shattering the already delicate atmosphere.

Murong Ruyan turned her head sharply, unable to suppress her anger any longer. She glared at Lin Fengxian and questioned her as if she had found an outlet for her rage: "What are you laughing at?"

Lin Fengxian seemed startled, shrinking her shoulders and tightening her grip on the child. Her eyes quickly filled with tears as she timidly looked at Chang Ping'an, her voice barely audible: "Xian'er... Xian'er just felt that Senior Brother Chang was sincere and kind-hearted. It was just a momentary feeling, and I absolutely, absolutely did not intend to mock the princess!"

In Chang Ping'an's eyes, her appearance naturally made it seem as if she had suffered an injustice but dared not speak out.

He quickly stepped forward, standing between the two, and said to Murong Ruyan, "Second Junior Sister, don't take your temper out on outsiders!"

These words made Murong Ruyan's face turn even redder—

She had used this method countless times. It worked well when she used it in the palace, but when someone else used it on her, she was furious!

Before she could say anything more, Chang Ping'an turned to Lin Fengxian and said, "Miss Lin, is your throat sore again? Sigh! I think I should ask the junior brothers and sisters of Lingyao Peak to research some medicine for treating throat ailments when I have some free time. How come all of you have such fragile throats!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Fengxian's expression changed.

So, the two of them were so angry that they evenly shared the blame.

For a moment, Murong Ruyan was so angry that she burst out laughing.

"Senior Brother," Murong Ruyan practically spat out the words, then took a deep breath and said, "I need to talk to you later, at Tianchi!"

"Oh, okay, I'll go with Miss Lin after we finish buying the books," Chang Ping'an said, his eyes showing concern. "Are you sure your throat is okay? I see your chest is heaving, is there something wrong with your lungs, causing your throat to hurt? What's wrong, Junior Sister? You absolutely can't avoid seeking medical help!"

"I'm not sick!"

Murong Ruyan spoke loudly, enunciating each word clearly, her breathing becoming even heavier.

Seeing that Chang Ping'an opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something more, she simply flicked her sleeve, stood up straight in the wind, and left the market as quickly as possible without even saying goodbye.

"The princess..."

Lin Fengxian looked at Chang Ping'an with tears in her eyes and a wronged expression.

"It's alright, that's just her temper, it comes and goes. She's still young, don't take it to heart!"

Chang Ping'an had just offered Lin Fengxian a word of comfort when he quickly added something that made her heart ache: "How about I ask a cultivator from Lingyao Peak to come and check your throat later? Your throat keeps getting better and worse, it's not a good thing!"

Lin Fengxian jumped in fright and quickly regained her composure, her voice returning to normal: "No! No need! I really just haven't been drinking enough water! Really!"

(End of this chapter)