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

That's enough.

Pei Fang'an has calmed herself down.

My junior brother only taught me a lesson; no one will die. Let's leave it at that.

Pei Fang calmed himself down, turned to look at the scenery in the courtyard, and softened his tone. "You've always preferred quiet, and the Fourth Prince is indeed a bit impulsive. Let the child come here with me. Anyway, my eldest disciple is rarely home; I only see him a few times a year."

"Xianlan has had a tough time too. During your seclusion, he never slacked off in his cultivation in order not to let down his sect, and he also completed his studies diligently."

"Now that he's out of seclusion, take better care of him, be closer to him, and don't always be so cold," he paused, recalling Chu Xianlan's unexpected actions earlier, "Although he was a bit rude just now, it's probably because he's missed you, his master, too much over the years, and is prone to overthinking. Besides, Xianlan must be having a hard time accepting the news that you're going to take on other disciples."

That's a pretty simple logic. After all, having junior sisters or brothers means having to allocate more resources and lose more attention.

After a long silence, long enough that Pei Fang'an thought his junior brother was again selectively ignoring his words, Yi Chen finally spoke in a low voice:

"Because of my overwhelming longing for him, my taking him on as a disciple was a huge blow to him? He found it... hard to accept?"

Pei Fang'an turned around abruptly, feeling a surge of emotion that brought tears to his eyes.

My junior brother has replied!

And they actually listened to it!

That's his true junior brother! So adorable!

"Of course." He quickly pressed his advantage, "That child has always respected you the most, so it's understandable that he's uneasy."

Yi Chen gazed at the swaying lotus shadows in the pond and pondered for a moment.

He nodded slightly. "I understand."

Meanwhile, Chu Xianlan was frantically searching for Yi Chen, her mind filled with the unsettling images from her dream.

Fortunately, just a few steps out of the courtyard, the figure in pure white appeared before them.

"Master!" Chu Xianlan called out anxiously.

After he finished shouting, he bent over and coughed twice. His injuries hadn't fully healed yet. Before he could straighten up completely, a cloak with a cool and aloof aura was draped over his shoulders.

My whole body was instantly enveloped in warmth.

The fur trim against the edge of her cheek startled Chu Xianlan, making her realize whose dark cloak it belonged to.

Yi Chen frowned slightly, seemingly displeased that he was dressed so lightly. "Your injuries haven't healed yet, where are you going again?"

"Your...disciple," Chu Xianlan stammered, straightening up, "has something urgent to tell Master."

Yi Chen remained silent for a moment.

"No need to say more, I understand."

Chu Xianlan was caught off guard: "?"

What did you understand?

"I have never had the idea of ​​taking on another disciple," Yi Chen looked directly into Chu Xianlan's eyes and told him, "You are my first disciple, and you will be my last."

During spring and summer, the Baicaotang is as warm as spring all year round, and the courtyard is full of lush plants.

A gentle breeze stirred, and many firefly-like lights rose from the flowers. Strands of light and shadow fell through the gaps in the leaves, and in the hazy glow, a pale yellow petal quietly fell and landed on the boy's shoulder.

His wide-open, bewildered eyes made him look even more foolish.

Chu Xianlan was indeed dumbfounded.

Is this... a lucky accident?

In his precognitive dream, he clearly saw his master moved by Ji Cheng'an's determination to become his disciple despite being seriously injured, and his heart was touched.

How come in reality, it became the master making the promise, and such a... resolute one at that?

His purpose in coming here was to persuade Yi Chen not to accept Ji Cheng'an, but before he could even open his mouth, his master had already given him the final answer.

Could it be that he and his master truly share some kind of telepathic connection? Or was his sudden act of rushing to his master upon waking up, which seemed like a tantrum, actually a lucky accident that made his master change his mind?

Yi Chen stood under the tree, surrounded by the glow of fireflies. His aura was like a sharp sword. Chu Xianlan could not reconcile the person in front of her with the fragile image in her dream that was easily manipulated. Thinking of this, she swallowed the words that were on the tip of her tongue.

no way.

...If I were to say such things to my master in a dream, being considered insane would be the least of my worries.

"Don't move."

A deep voice sounded from above. It was Yi Chen who took a step closer to him. Chu Xianlan instinctively wanted to retreat, but his body could not disobey the command. He could only feel the other's broad shoulders pressing down slightly, and a cool aura rushed towards him, enveloping him.

My cheek was accidentally brushed by cold fingertips, and it felt a little itchy.

A gentle breeze swept away the last petal of the flower from the white-robed swordsman's fingertip. Looking up, he saw his disciple with an innocent yet puzzled face. Yi Chen's gaze swept over the small mole that was faintly visible under the other's brow, and the slight unease that had been lingering in his heart for the past few days strangely dissipated.

Perhaps my senior brother is right; he was indeed inconsiderate and failed to consider his disciple's feelings.

If even an outsider could publicly criticize and question whether a weapon cultivator was qualified to join the Jade Capital Pavilion, then during the five years of his seclusion, who knows how many people had said similar things to Chu Xianlan, openly or secretly.

Thinking of Chu Xianlan's rare display of genuine emotion, Yi Chen seemed to understand why he was so emotional, and why he rushed over like that, his eyes red, and held him tightly.

Why would someone who had been so cautious suddenly change their behavior?

He was probably worried that he would actually take Ji Cheng'an as his disciple, and acted rashly.

Yi Chen had only known that this matter would be difficult for his disciple to accept, but he did not expect... its impact to be so profound.

Is that... what makes him so uneasy?

Even with injuries, they stubbornly sought out the place again to confirm.

Thinking of this, Yi Chen softened his voice, "There's no need to always be so formal. It's okay to be a little more spontaneous in front of your teacher sometimes."

"Yes, Master," Chu Xianlan remained obediently rooted to the spot, unconsciously pursing her lips, waiting for her master's command. "Then, may this disciple move now?"

Yi Chen was taken aback, a faint smile flashing across his eyes before disappearing before anyone could catch it.

"Hmm." His tone carried a hint of helpless indulgence. "It's windy here, so I'll take you back."

The two walked side by side on the tree-lined path, surrounded by silence.

Chu Xianlan, supporting herself with her cloak, followed closely beside Yi Chen, secretly glancing at him out of the corner of her eye. She vaguely sensed that although her master appeared the same as usual on the surface, his aura was not so unapproachable.

His mind started racing. At first, he was surprised... then, he gradually became terrified, and his heart trembled.

Wait a moment.

This unintentional gentleness, different from his usual kindness, is somewhat similar to the delicate and coveted master in the premonition dream!

A sharp, explosive sound erupted in Chu Xianlan's mind.

If things continue like this... what "unique charm," what "soft and tender"... I don't want that!!

We can't hesitate any longer.

He must immediately reveal the entire content of his precognitive dream! Even if his master thinks he's gone mad, it's better than regretting it later!

As long as Master's innocence can be preserved, it doesn't matter if he's considered crazy!

Chu Xianlan was lost in a frenzy of wild thoughts when she finally took a deep breath, preparing to speak, only to be shocked to discover—

He couldn't say it.

Chu Xianlan's pupils trembled, as if her lips and tongue had been sealed by an external force, all the words about that dream were locked in her chest, as if someone was choking her, making it difficult to breathe.

He opened his mouth in vain, tried several times, but still couldn't speak.

Fear instantly swept over my entire body.

Chu Xianlan froze on the spot, a chill running down her spine.

Yi Chen, who was walking ahead, noticed that his disciple hadn't followed. He turned around and saw that his disciple looked lost and dejected, so he stopped.

After a long while, Chu Xianlan managed a weak smile, coughed twice, and squeezed out a sentence: "Disciple... is fine, Master, let's go."