“Senior Brother, here.”
Inside Lin Xian’s cave residence on Western Peak, Lin Shengyu groped around and handed a baked flatbread to Yun Hao, who sat opposite her. Then she smiled sweetly, as if she could see Senior Brother eating the flatbread she had given him.
Her mood was exceptionally good. For these five days Senior Brother had stayed in Grandfather’s cave residence. In the mornings he played with her, and in the afternoons and evenings he cultivated. She could secretly watch him, and when Senior Brother returned tired she would serve him a cup of clear tea and hand him a handkerchief to wipe his sweat.
At night she would pester Senior Brother a little more, asking him to tell her stories. Although he seemed a bit troubled, he still agreed. He earnestly told her stories. Actually, Senior Brother’s stories were not very interesting, but it was an excuse to stay by his side. As long as she could remain beside Senior Brother, she was satisfied.
Moreover… this feeling… was just like a real husband and wife….
During the day Senior Brother worked alongside Grandfather, and at night she would comfort him properly. Hehe, wasn’t this exactly what a wife should do?
Yun Hao looked at Junior Sister, whose mood had been inexplicably cheerful these days, and felt happy inside as well. After all, when he first met Junior Sister she had always seemed sickly and frail, silent and not very talkative.
But after these days together, Junior Sister was clearly much more cheerful than before, gradually showing the innocence and liveliness appropriate for her age. Her health was also improving.
Every time he and Elder Lin returned, Junior Sister would always be waiting for them in the courtyard. It moved him and made his heart ache. Yun Hao felt that although Junior Sister’s body was getting better, she still needed to take good care of herself so she would not collapse again.
“Thank you, Junior Sister.”
He took the flatbread Lin Shengyu offered and nibbled on it gently. Yun Hao found it strange. Over these five days he had noticed that Junior Sister’s eyes seemed much brighter than before and that she moved more briskly. Could it be that Junior Sister could see now?
The thought had barely surfaced before Yun Hao crushed it.
If Junior Sister could see, she would definitely tell us right away, and Elder Lin would not need to take such care of her. I’m overthinking it.
He nibbled the flatbread, amused by his own absurd idea, and stopped dwelling on it. He focused on eating breakfast.
In truth, once someone stepped onto the immortal path, even the lowest Qi Refining cultivator did not need to eat every meal. They could absorb spiritual power from their surroundings to replenish some energy. Eating once every few days was enough.
But Lin Shengyu did not think that way. She insisted that Yun Hao eat every meal. Yun Hao could not win against his stubborn little junior sister and could only eat with her.
Soon he would continue cultivating the Wind Shadow Art and other supreme techniques with Elder Lin. Over these days he had asked several times to return to Sect Master Peak for a visit, but Elder Lin had refused each time on the grounds that his techniques were not yet proficient. Yun Hao missed Eldest Senior Sister, so he could only do his utmost to complete every task Elder Lin set.
He quickly finished the flatbread, thanked Junior Sister, and followed Lin Xian off to cultivate once more.
………..
Looking at the somewhat messy basket, Lin Shengyu let out a soft sigh. Of course she knew why Senior Brother always ate in such a hurry—he wanted to finish his cultivation early and return to Sect Master Peak.
Sigh… Does Senior Brother really cannot be separated from Eldest Senior Sister Luo Shuiling? Even a child who hasn’t been weaned wouldn’t cling to his mother like this.
She felt a trace of resentment. She had treated Senior Brother so well, yet he still saw her only as a younger sister. Couldn’t he… go a little further? She gave him chances and he pretended not to notice. What a proper gentleman!
Hmph! A proper gentleman who was also a fool!
Lin Shengyu kicked the bamboo chair in annoyance but did not use much force for fear of breaking it. She sat down, leaned back, closed her eyes, and let spiritual power boil in her sea of qi before flowing through her meridians to warm her limbs and body. Yet she still felt that her spiritual power could never match the heat of Senior Brother’s.
Senior Brother’s spiritual power was different from hers—scorching hot. It would not burn her, yet it made her flustered. After one full circulation she felt soft all over. If it happened a few more times, she feared she would melt into water….
…If Senior Brother was this powerful in bed one day… she was afraid she would not be able to endure it….
Ah, how embarrassing. Why do I keep thinking about these things every day?
Lin Shengyu’s petite body twisted restlessly on the bamboo chair, her ears so red they seemed about to drip blood. After a while she calmed down slightly.
These past two days Grandfather has been training Senior Brother nonstop… He is probably about to tell him about that matter.
At the thought, Lin Shengyu’s earlier excitement vanished and her mood plummeted. If Grandfather was about to speak to Senior Brother about that matter, it meant Grandfather’s lifespan was truly nearing its end….
She felt sad and conflicted. The saddest thing and the happiest thing were happening at the same time. What was she supposed to do? Lin Shengyu curled up and buried her head against her knees. She did not know what to do right now….
A moment later she gently lifted her little head. Grandfather’s passing could not be stopped. She had to make sure he did not worry about her in his final days. She decided that tonight she would tell Grandfather she had recovered her cultivation.
………..
“Ha!”
Yun Hao gripped the Cloud Abyss Sword and attacked Lin Xian without hesitation. He had spent a full hour trying nonstop to break through Elder Lin’s absolute defense. In the previous four days he had come close to touching the hem of Elder Lin’s robe each time but had always fallen short.
Last night his comprehension of the Wind Shadow Art had advanced another level. Today he was confident he could break through Elder Lin’s defense—though not through proper means. He had a little trick in mind.
Yun Hao panted heavily, looking as if his stamina had run out. His sword swings had clearly slowed, and the spiritual power clinging to the Cloud Abyss Sword was gradually weakening. He appeared to have reached his limit.
Lin Xian frowned, somewhat surprised. Why had Yun Hao tired so quickly today? Was he unwell? Seeing Yun Hao slowly create distance, Lin Xian relaxed his guard, thinking this phase of training was over.
Suddenly he sensed spiritual power surging around him. A cold glint shot toward him. Lin Xian smiled, took a light step, and easily dodged Yun Hao’s full-power strike.
Yun Hao had poured every last bit of remaining spiritual power into the Wind Shadow Art and Shattered Star, pushing his speed to the current limit in an attempt to slice off the corner of Elder Lin’s robe. Yet even though the old man opposite him had clearly lowered his guard, Yun Hao still missed.
He could not stop his momentum and crashed hard into the rock wall with the Cloud Abyss Sword.
Boom!
A deafening crash rang out. The rock wall was carved with a massive gash by the Cloud Abyss Sword. Dust filled the air and the entire cliff face trembled as if about to collapse.
Yun Hao sat up, somewhat helpless.
“Elder Lin, your reaction speed is too fast. This disciple finally caught the moment you lowered your guard, yet you still dodged it.”
“You little rascal, you’ve even learned how to sneak attack.”
Lin Xian looked at Yun Hao, who had picked up tactical thinking in just a few days, and teased him with satisfaction. He hoped Yun Hao would remain kind and pure, but he did not want him to be too naive—otherwise he would not survive in the cultivation world.
Yun Hao felt a little embarrassed that his little trick had been seen through. His face reddened and he scratched the back of his head with his right hand.
“This disciple’s little tricks were still dodged by you, Elder Lin. Please don’t mention it.”
Lin Xian smiled and did not tease him further. He beckoned lightly, signaling Yun Hao to come over. Yun Hao obediently walked to Elder Lin’s side.
“Sit.”
Lin Xian swept a patch of ground clean so Yun Hao could sit. Although Yun Hao was puzzled—training usually continued at this time—he sat down without asking too many questions.
The two sat facing each other.
Lin Xian seemed to sense Yun Hao’s confusion and explained with a smile,
“We’ll rest for today. Let’s talk about something else.”
Yun Hao nodded gently. He did not know what Elder Lin wanted to discuss, but he would listen.
Lin Xian stroked his pale beard, his turbid old eyes half-closed.
“Child, what do you think of Yu’er?”
“Junior Sister…?”
Yun Hao was stunned. He had not expected Elder Lin’s first question to be about this. He frowned and lowered his head, thinking about his time with Junior Sister.
A moment later he raised his head, looked straight at Lin Xian, and spoke his honest feelings.
“Junior Sister is a very lively girl—sometimes clever and spirited, sometimes gentle and graceful. She makes people want to cherish her.”
“Junior Sister’s character is also excellent. This disciple has known her for two months now, and she has always considered this disciple’s feelings and never made things difficult for me.”
“If Junior Sister is willing in the future, this disciple will always want to remain her senior brother.”
Yun Hao’s words were sincere; every sentence came from the bottom of his heart. Lin Xian watched Yun Hao’s honest expression and saw no lies in those pure eyes. He nodded in satisfaction.
“Yu’er has come of age. I’ve been thinking it’s time to find her a suitable husband.”
“So soon?! Junior Sister is only fifteen. Can’t she wait a little longer?”
Yun Hao was shocked. He had not expected Elder Lin to want to marry Junior Sister off so early. He felt she was still young and that waiting another three to five years would not be too late.
“It’s not too early. Do you have any suitable candidates?”
Seeing Elder Lin so certain, Yun Hao felt troubled. First, he did not want Junior Sister to marry too soon; she was still a child and becoming a wife so early felt wrong. Second, he did not know many people and had no one he could confidently recommend to Elder Lin.
He thought hard for a moment and spoke cautiously,
“This disciple knows an inner sect senior brother named Song Yang. He is honest and reliable. What does Elder Lin think?”
“Song Yang is indeed honest and loyal. But he is a bit older, and his immortal aptitude is quite ordinary. If any trouble arises in the future, I fear he would not be able to protect Yu’er completely.”
Lin Xian thought for a moment and rejected Yun Hao’s suggestion.
“Then… what about Senior Brother Bai Shengxiao? His immortal aptitude is quite high, and he is not that old either.”
Yun Hao tried another candidate, but Lin Xian refused even more directly.
“Bai Shengxiao’s immortal aptitude is acceptable, but his personality is arrogant and untamed. He is entangled with multiple secular forces behind him. If Yu’er followed him, she would probably never know peace in her life.”
Yun Hao fell silent. He had not considered these angles when recommending husbands for Junior Sister. It really had been inappropriate.
He pondered for a while longer and offered several more names, but Lin Xian rejected each one with solid reasons. Yun Hao did not know what else to say and could only remain quiet.
Lin Xian looked at the silent Yun Hao and felt the timing was right. He made his voice sound gentler and more like a proper elder, smiling faintly with sincere eyes that shone with a pleading light. In a warm, earnest tone he spoke softly to the quiet Yun Hao.
“Hao’er, I want to entrust Yu’er to you.”