A thousand enlightenments in one night, starting from being a menial apprentice.

"Master, should I have any ideas?" Jiang Hanyan asked Lin Youjian, looking at him with some confusion.

Lin Youjian couldn't help but smile, looking at the somewhat bewildered Jiang Hanyan, and said, "Silly child. Do you think I can't see your feelings for Duan Rong?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Hanyan's face flushed red, and she lowered her head, saying, "Master, don't talk nonsense. Duan and I... he know each other perfectly well."

“Of course I know that,” Lin Youjian said. “If he hadn’t always been respectful to you, I would have made this clear to you long ago, so you wouldn’t get into trouble.”

"Master, Hanyan didn't..." Jiang Hanyan raised her head, wanting to defend herself, but she was clearly weak, and her words trailed off.

Lin Youjian said, "Alright, which young girl doesn't dream of love? I was young once too..." As Lin Youjian spoke, his eyes became distant and dim.

Jiang Hanyan looked at her master's expression and her heart stirred. She had heard that her master had been hurt by love when he was young.

Lin Youjian felt sad for only a moment, and the sadness in her eyes quickly disappeared. She looked at Jiang Hanyan with clear eyes and said, "What I want to tell you today is something else."

“If it were before, I would never have agreed to your relationship with Duan Rong. He already has a wife and a concubine. If you went over, there would be three women serving one husband, and you would have no chance to cause trouble. Moreover, you are my personal disciple, Lin Youjian. If word got out that you were to become someone else's concubine, I would lose face.”

“But things are different now. Duan Rong has reached the Nascent Soul Realm, and he is only in his early thirties. This means that he is very likely to be the next Spirit Foundation Establishment cultivator and has the opportunity to reach the legendary Primordial God Realm.”

"Master Lingji has been living in the Faxiang Sect for many years and never comes out of the world. No one in the Nine Provinces knows the many wonders of the Origin God Realm."

"Hanyan, if you are willing to submit to him now, given Duan Rong's talent and achievements, the benefits to your cultivation will be incredible."

Jiang Hanyan was stunned and stood there in astonishment, not expecting her master to say such a thing.

Seeing that Jiang Hanyan showed no reaction, Lin Youjian continued, "If I hadn't sensed your feelings for him, I wouldn't have brought this up. Now, I want to help you achieve this. Hanyan, are you willing?"

"To accomplish this..." Jiang Hanyan stared blankly at her master, her eyes already welling up with tears.

Jiang Hanyan knew that she was deeply in love. She originally thought that no one knew about her feelings buried deep in her heart, but she did not expect that her master had already seen through her.

She never dared to hope that this relationship would have any outcome. She had met Duan Rong many times. Although she did not say anything explicitly, her eyes and attitudes gave many hints. She believed that Duan Rong had long understood her feelings, but Duan Rong always kept her at arm's length.

If Duan Rong had that intention, no one could stop her.

What her master said about becoming his concubine or making him lose face—all of these things were like bubbles in the face of her inner feelings.

Master had said a lot before, but Jiang Hanyan hadn't reacted at all. But when he mentioned Yu Cheng, those four words were like knives, piercing Jiang Hanyan's heart.

She suddenly felt that if her master were to propose and facilitate this, perhaps Duan Rong would agree. Jiang Hanyan was certain that Duan Rong understood her feelings.

Hope was like fuel, and the burning desire in her heart instantly ignited into a raging fire.

Jiang Hanyan suddenly stood up and knelt down beside the table before Lin Youjian, resolutely saying, "Master, I am willing. Master has already seen through my feelings for him, and I have nothing to hide from you. In this life, whether I am a concubine or a maid, as long as I can stay by his side, I will die without regret."

"What a fool!" Upon hearing this, Lin Youjian felt that Jiang Hanyan was foolish, but she was also deeply shocked. She got up and helped Jiang Hanyan up. Looking at Jiang Hanyan, who was already in tears, Lin Youjian felt a chill run down her spine and said in a trembling voice, "Hanyan, you are exactly like me when I was young. I hope he will not let you down and that you will not follow in my footsteps."

"Come, Hanyan, sit down." Lin Youjian pulled Jiang Hanyan to the table with heartache and pity, and said, "This matter needs to be discussed carefully."

Jiang Hanyan said, "I will leave it to Master to decide."

After Lin Youjian sat down, he took a couple of sips of tea and said, "If I go to his door to discuss this matter, it will seem as if we are eager to give you away to him. It would be best to invite him here, to Tianzhu Peak, and then I will explain the matter to him."

"However..." Lin Youjian hesitated for a moment, then said, "He is now the sect's patriarch. Is there any reason we could invite him to come to our Tianzhu Peak?"

Lin Youjian pondered the matter repeatedly, but could not make up his mind.

Jiang Hanyan hesitated for a moment, but said, "Master, why don't you say that you have composed a few new pieces with strong sonic power, and invite him to come and have a taste?"

Lin Youjian said, "I've thought about that too, but it's unreasonable for the Ancestor to come all the way here for just a few pieces of music. If anyone should be asking for advice, it should be me who comes to ask."

Jiang Hanyan's eyes darted around, and she said, "Last month, we can invite him to come and taste the newly brewed multifloral honey from Tianzhu Peak."

Lin Youjian said, "That thing is indeed rare; it's a unique recipe I made myself, and it's seldom seen outside. But it's just a small thing after all, how could it trouble the Ancestor to come? What if he doesn't come?"

Jiang Hanyan suddenly lowered her head and whispered, "If I go to invite him myself, he should come."

Upon hearing this, Lin Youjian's eyes lit up, and he said, "If you are willing to go, this matter will be somewhat resolved."

Jiang Hanyan said, "I am following my master's orders and will go to invite him openly and honestly. What is wrong with going?"

“That makes sense.” Lin Youjian smiled. “Then we’ll make preparations in the next couple of days, and you can go and send out the invitations the day after tomorrow morning.”

"Yes, Master." Jiang Hanyan's face flushed, but her eyes sparkled with a lively, spring-like quality.

That day, Duan Rong was teaching Shen'er and Qian'er calligraphy in his room. The two little ones had almost mastered the basics, and now Duan Rong was starting to set higher standards for them.

Xiao Yu sat in the hall, embroidering a purse. As she embroidered, she listened to the sounds inside. From time to time, she could hear Qian'er's voice, and a gentle smile appeared on Xiao Yu's face.

Xiao Yu was meticulously stitching the mandarin ducks on the purse when suddenly a figure walked in from outside the hall.

She was a tall woman. After Shen Mizhi went to the Judgment Department, she was a new female guard. She didn't talk much, but in the past few years, she had gotten along quite well with Xiao Yu.

The female guard entered and clasped her hands in greeting, saying, "Madam, outside the courtyard gate, Jiang Hanyan, a direct disciple of Tianzhu Peak, requests an audience with the Ancestor. She says she is on the orders of Elder Lin of Tianzhu Peak to deliver an invitation to the Ancestor."

"Elder Lin of Tianzhu Peak?" Xiao Yu frowned. After Duan Rong became the sect's patriarch, Xiao Yu had been paying attention to the elders of each peak, just in case someone came to pay their respects without knowing who it was. But in recent times, only the sect leader, Zhu He, had come a few times; none of the other peak elders had come. Elder Lin of Tianzhu Peak was the first among the peak elders to arrive, but she was far too presumptuous. The sect leader had come in person, and she, a mere elder, had only sent one of his personal disciples.

Xiao Yu put down her half-finished embroidery and got up to walk out of the hall. She opened the courtyard gate and looked outside. There stood a graceful woman with a beautiful face, wearing a purple dress. The woman was holding an invitation card and had a somewhat heroic air about her.

Xiao Yu looked at Jiang Hanyan and said, "You are a direct disciple of Tianzhu Peak?"

Jiang Hanwei had never met Xiao Yu before and did not know who the visitor was. However, when asked a question, she replied, "Yes, disciple Jiang Hanyan, on the orders of my master, requests that the ancestor come to Tianzhu Peak tomorrow."

Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow and said, "Go to Tianzhu Peak?"

Xiao Yu knew that Tianzhu Peak was full of female disciples. Lin Youjian hadn't come himself, but instead sent such a beautiful female disciple, and even wanted to invite Duan Rong to Tianzhu Peak. Xiao Yu immediately became wary and said, "Keep the invitation. I'll give it to the Ancestor later."

Jiang Hanyan hesitated for a moment, then squatted down and said, "My master also gave me a few instructions to report to the ancestor."

Xiao Yu's gaze swept from Jiang Hanyan's head to her feet, and she asked, "Why did your Tianzhu Peak invite your ancestor over?"

Jiang Hanyan said, "My master has composed several new pieces with powerful sonic waves, and I would like to ask the ancestor to come and give me some pointers."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu's doubts dissipated somewhat. She knew that Lin Youjian of Tianzhu Peak practiced the Sonic Wave Technique, which was quite powerful.

Xiao Yu hesitated for a moment, looked at Jiang Hanyan, and said, "Come in with me."

"Thank you," Jiang Hanyan said, bowing deeply.

Jiang Hanyan followed Xiao Yu into the courtyard.

The courtyard was not small, but it was just an ordinary house with nothing special about it. The large locust tree in the courtyard, however, had lush foliage.

Xiao Yu led Jiang Hanyan into Duan Rong's room. As soon as they entered, they saw Duan Rong holding Qian'er's hand, writing on Xuan paper with a brush.

As soon as he finished writing, Qian'er looked up and saw Xiao Yu. He immediately exclaimed, "Mother, Father just praised me for writing well!"

Xiao Yu smiled and said, "Qian'er, be good and practice calligraphy with your father."

Jiang Hanyan stood there, her face slightly surprised. She now understood that the person in front of her was Xiao Yu, Duan Rong's legal wife.

Xiao Yu curtsied to Duan Rong and said, "Husband, this is from Tianzhu Peak..."

Before Xiao Yu could finish speaking, Duan Rong's gaze had already passed over Xiao Yu and landed on Jiang Hanyan standing behind her.

Duan Rong asked, "Han Yan, what brings you here?"

Upon hearing Duan Rong's words, Xiao Yu frowned and turned her head to look at Jiang Hanyan with an unfriendly expression.

Jiang Hanyan immediately bowed and said, "Hanyan is here on the orders of my master to deliver an invitation to the ancestor. Tianzhu Peak has brewed a new Hundred Flower Honey, and my master has also composed several new pieces of music with powerful sonic waves. I would like to invite the ancestor to Tianzhu Peak for a visit."

As Jiang Hanyan spoke, she held up the invitation and slowly walked to Duan Rong.

Duan Rong accepted the invitation, casually flipped it open, and then placed it on the table, saying with a smile, "Hanyan, go back and tell Elder Lin that I will definitely be there on time tomorrow."

"Hanyan thanks the Ancestor on behalf of my master." Jiang Hanyan said, then knelt down in front of Duan Rong.

Duan Rong smiled and glanced at Jiang Hanyan, who was kneeling on the ground, and said, "Hanyan, get up, there's no need for this. Why be so formal?"

"Yes." Jiang Hanyan stood up, but bowed her head and said, "Now that the invitation has been delivered, Hanyan will take her leave."

Duan Rong was slightly taken aback, then said, "Oh, okay."

Xiao Yu led Jiang Hanyan out of the hall and towards the courtyard gate.

Xiao Yu walked slowly, then suddenly asked, "Miss Jiang, you seem to know the Ancestor, right?"

Jiang Hanyan said, "Yes. I was in the group when the Ancestor went to the Ruins of Gods and Demons." Jiang Hanyan told Xiao Yu the truth when she saw him ask.

"I see." Xiao Yu's eyes flickered slightly. Jiang Hanyan was a direct disciple of Tianzhu Peak, while Duan Rong was a direct disciple of Yunfu Peak at that time. What Jiang Hanyan said made sense.

Xiao Yu suddenly asked again, "Miss Jiang just mentioned the newly brewed multifloral honey from Tianzhu Peak. What is that?"

Jiang Hanyan said, "This is a secret method created by my master. It is made by combining honey from a hundred flowers with medicinal herbs and using a special method. Regular consumption can nourish the spirit, strengthen the body, and prolong life."

"Really?" Xiao Yu said, "It sounds like a good thing."

Jiang Hanyan smiled and said, "If Madam is interested, I will have someone send over a few bottles tomorrow for you to try."

Xiao Yu said, "How could I possibly take your things for no reason?"

Jiang Hanyan said, "It's just a few bottles of honey, nothing special. Please don't take it to heart, Madam."

Xiao Yu said, "Then thank you very much, Miss Jiang."

"I dare not, Madam. I will take my leave." Jiang Hanyan bowed at the courtyard gate and then leaped into the clouds and mist in the valley.

Xiao Yu stood there, watching Jiang Hanyan's figure disappear into the misty clouds, a deep glint in his eyes. (End of Chapter)