When I woke up, the entire cultivation world was talking about my master.

After his thoughts had been wandering for a while, Yi Chen's gaze finally refocused and fell back on Chu Xianlan's face.

"I see. I didn't think it through. Then let's use tea instead of wine." Xie Qingying smiled knowingly and put down the wine pot.

During the ensuing banquet, Chu Xianlan kept a close eye on everything that Yi Chen might eat, wishing she could taste it herself to test for poison before she could feel at ease.

An unbearable, intense gaze swept over him. Yi Chen picked up his teacup, his fingertips lingering on the warm porcelain for a moment before he put it down and picked it up again—and Chu Xianlan's gaze followed the teacup up and down.

Why are you staring at the teacup you've already drunk from?

This strange attitude made Yi Chen even more certain that something was wrong with his disciple. Did he really care that much?

It made him start to care.

Even if you can't give any response, some comforting words are still necessary. Otherwise, if you keep arguing and feeling resentful, it won't be good for your spiritual practice or your character.

Yi Chen remained calm and picked up the jade chopsticks beside him.

Bi Deng, who was on the other side, had been racking his brains for a long time, keeping a close watch on the situation. When he saw that Immortal Lord Jixue had finally started eating, he breathed a sigh of relief.

—Thankfully, the situation isn't too tense anymore; it seems this powerful figure isn't going to hold a grudge any longer.

But the immortal lord did not reach for the delicacies on the table with his chopsticks.

Instead, he turned to a dish of unassuming snow jade hibiscus cake on the table, and with a gentle pick, the cake fell into the bowl of the disciple beside him.

Is this alright? Yi Chen thought helplessly.

Chu Xianlan, who was suddenly fed: ?

Chew, chew, chew... Why is Master suddenly feeding me? Never mind, chew, chew, chew... It tastes pretty good.

The meal was like a trap, with everyone harboring their own thoughts. Finally, the meal ended, and Chu Xianlan was able to get away from Xie Qingying. She felt extremely relieved.

He rubbed his stomach, which was stuffed with pastries; he felt a little bloated.

"I was wondering why the female cultivators of the Xuan Yang Sect hated Bi Shi so much, but now that I've seen it with my own eyes, I realize he truly deserved what he got."

The moonlight was still, and the evening breeze was cool. Chu Xianlan walked slowly, her hands behind her back, following her master's pace.

He couldn't help but continue to criticize: "Bi Shi can't even get his intentions right when pursuing someone, he has no basic respect. If he really cared about someone, why would he just throw in some dubious stuff? This perfunctory and careless approach shows absolutely no sincerity. No one would like him."

That's a very sensible statement, and it sounds like it comes from someone who has been through the experience.

Listening to his eloquent speech, Yi Chen recalled Chu Xianlan's popularity within the sect and, as if possessed, remarked in a low voice, "You seem to be quite knowledgeable about this."

Huh? Chu Xianlan was taken aback.

Who? Him? Does he have one?

Why does Master's tone make me sound like a romantic and amorous womanizer? Chu Xianlan coughed awkwardly and said frankly, "Well... not really. Actually, I've never tried to pursue anyone. It's all just theory and wishful thinking."

Yi Chen paused.

Right.

Since it is a deeply buried sentiment, never spoken aloud, there is naturally no question of "pursuing" it.

Under normal circumstances, given Chu Xianlan's personality, if she were to truly pursue someone, she would be open, unrestrained, passionate, and straightforward, wishing the whole world knew her feelings, like a small, ever-burning fire, offering warmth to the other person without reservation.

Unconsciously, Yi Chen conjured up a picture in his mind, as if he could clearly see Chu Xianlan naturally approaching the person she admired and presenting the one she cherished most to him.

But rather...

It's a waste of time and effort to do something pointless.

At this moment, Chu Xianlan spoke again.

"However, I can't be as persistent as Bisch," he said, arms crossed. "If you really like someone, you naturally want them to be happy. It's a matter of mutual consent, and insisting on pursuing them will only make things awkward for both of you."

Hearing these insincere answers, Yi Chen was at a loss for words.

Having said that, he could certainly understand the struggle and pain hidden in the boy's words. Chu Xianlan was probably just using this opportunity to subtly express that he couldn't reveal his true feelings.

But I can't even offer a word of comfort.

As if infected by this emotion, a faint bitterness crept into his heart. Remembering Chu Xianlan's unrestrained nature, Yi Chen felt a sense of bewilderment.

Knowing there's no possibility, why still go ahead without hesitation?

"...Hmm, that makes sense." Yi Chen lowered his voice, his Adam's apple bobbing.

Chu Xianlan, having received her master's affirmation, smiled and said, "That's true, there are plenty of fish in the sea, you can't force it—so let's just give up!"

Yi Chen was taken aback for a moment upon hearing the answer.

He immediately looked down, wanting to see the boy's face.

There was no trace of confusion or regret in Chu Xianlan's eyes; instead, she seemed completely at peace, a relaxed smile on her lips.

……give up?

He knew this day would eventually come, and he had always hoped that his disciple could turn his mind away from unorthodox paths and back to the right path, but he did not expect it to come so soon.

After all, back at the bottom of the cliff, didn't you say... you would never give up?

Was it because he had no right to be jealous, no socially recognized status, and, in addition, saw a reflection of himself in Bi Shi's behavior, that all these stimuli combined to make him... understand?

Or is it because... they've finally gotten tired?

Yi Chen pursed his lips slightly.

If he hadn't overheard that secret conversation, and if it weren't for the Life-Binding Gu, he probably would never have noticed his disciple's feelings.

A young person's affection is like a tiny flame, lighting up without them even realizing it, and then being extinguished without them even noticing.

Even the most intense flame cannot burn for long in a cold wind.

This was the outcome he had been hoping for all along. Chu Xianlan finally realized that the relationship between master and disciple had returned to its original state, and everything ended at just the right time.

Yi Chen felt little relief; instead, it was as if something tiny had slowly flowed away from the river of his heart.

But he didn't understand what that emotion was.

Back at the inn, Chu Xianlan was exhausted by the various setbacks that had occurred that day.

"Master, I'm going back to my room now." After saying that, he stepped up to the third floor without thinking.

"etc."

A hoarse voice came from behind.

Turning around at the sound, Chu Xianlan saw her master leaning against the door frame of the inn, a few strands of black hair falling over his eyebrows and eyes, obscuring most of his expression and making it impossible to see his true face. Chu Xianlan could feel that his dark gray pupils were staring straight at him.

The air was quiet for a moment.

"...Were you serious about what you said earlier?"

Chu Xianlan was stunned for a moment before realizing that her master was asking about the topic from earlier. She scratched the back of her head, about to answer—

"Oh, it's you guys."

A familiar voice came from below.

Upon hearing that voice, Chu Xianlan turned her head in disbelief, her gaze sweeping over the railing and locking onto Xie Qingying in the center of the lobby downstairs.

Holy crap.

Oh, it's you again!

------

(One more chapter will be posted during the day!)