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

Most afraid of the air suddenly quiet.

Qu Ling blinked blankly, and in that instant, many thoughts flashed through her mind.

No wonder…

No wonder Senior Brother Chu was so concerned about the Fourth Prince's whereabouts, no wonder he tried so hard to stop Immortal Lord Jixue from taking on a disciple, no wonder he secretly studied that kind of book.

So that's what she was thinking!

Senior brother is so bold...

Unexpectedly, her senior brother, who seemed so carefree on the surface, harbored such unspeakable bitterness in his heart. Looking at the evidence of his heartbreak on the bed, Qu Ling felt a pang of sadness.

This relationship was destined to be a mirage from the very beginning, contrary to morality and destined to remain hidden from the light of day.

But that's the Immortal Lord Jixue... How could someone so cold-hearted and indifferent be disturbed by worldly emotions?

So Senior Brother Chu must have worked very hard.

Living cautiously, afraid of revealing their thoughts, they could only find a little amusement in these stories during their most vulnerable recovery period.

What to do? I've stumbled upon a secret that shouldn't exist.

Countless ideas were strung together like an unbreakable thread. Qu Ling struggled internally, her eyes gradually reddening. When she looked at Chu Xianlan again, her gaze was filled with deep pity and determination, making Chu Xianlan question her life.

When Chu Xianlan died in public, she was as still as a stone, her heart breaking beyond words. She was completely unaware that in the other person's eyes, she was already in dire straits.

Destroy it!

After a long pause, he spoke with great difficulty: "Junior Brother Qu, listen to me, there's a misunderstanding here."

Qu Ling: "Senior brother, you don't need to say anything more. I understand."

Explanation is just a cover-up; a cover-up is the truth!

Chu Xianlan: ? ? ?

What exactly did I understand?

Wait a minute, why does this conversation feel so familiar?

"Don't worry, senior brother, I understand your difficulties completely. Qu Ling swears to keep your secret. Even if the whole world is against you, I will stand by your side and do my best to help you!" Qu Ling's face turned serious. He sniffed hard and solemnly handed back the book "The Cold and Aloof Master's Nightly Pampering" with both hands.

"..." Chu Xianlan's face was stiff, and she couldn't utter a single word.

No, you don't understand at all!

"No, junior brother, let me explain, it's really not what you think..." How did things get worse the more he explained?! He felt he could still salvage the situation!

The next moment, Qu Ling suddenly buried her face in his chest, her voice choked with sobs, her back trembling: "Senior Brother Chu, you don't need to explain anymore... I understand, I really understand!!"

What do they even know?!

Chu Xianlan was bewildered and pressed on, completely unable to understand why Qu Ling was so emotional.

Seriously? I only read one or two unserious books, it's not like I broke any laws, why is it like this...?

Just as one person inside the room was moved to tears and the other was completely dumbfounded,

Outside, Yi Chen stopped silently, gazing at the two embracing inside. His gaze swept over Qu Ling's red and bloodshot ears, but did not linger. Instead, it went straight past to his disciple's helpless yet gentle face.

Yi Chen remembered the physician; he was the disciple of Baicaotang who had treated Chu Xianlan's injuries in the courtyard earlier.

Chu Xianlan gently patted Qu Ling's back with one hand, and although she did not hug him back with the other hand, she did not push him away at all, and just let him hug her tightly.

The person outside watched for a moment, then looked away and turned to leave.

"Master!"

A shout broke the silence, and Yi Chen turned around to see Chu Xianlan rushing towards him.

The boy first looked around warily to make sure no one else was around before asking suspiciously, "What brings you here?"

Yi Chen was supposed to explain that he had come to visit, but the words that came out of his mouth changed to something else.

"Has my timing been poor?"

When...is it not the right time?

Chu Xianlan swallowed, feeling that her master's tone was ambiguous and unable to fathom the deeper meaning behind his words.

The reason he was so nervous was because Ji Cheng'an was right next door! He was afraid that the Fourth Prince would suddenly appear from some corner. He didn't want that guy to have any contact with his master, and it would be best if they didn't even meet!

As the saying goes, it's a common saying.

A chance encounter leads to a second meeting, and a third meeting can lead to a true connection. The first meeting can be awkward, the second familiar, and the third can be like cooking rice from scratch!

Chu Xianlan's mind was filled with Zhu Ling's lousy books.

Just then, Qu Ling also came out of the house. When she saw the person outside the door, a look of surprise flashed in her eyes. She quickly stood next to Chu Xianlan and bowed to Yi Chen, saying, "Immortal Lord Jixue."

Before he finished speaking, with a soft snap, a diamond-shaped jade pendant came loose from Yi Chen's waist.

Chu Xianlan recognized the jade pendant at a glance. It was a small magical artifact he made when he was fourteen years old. The craftsmanship was still immature. He hadn't noticed it before, but he didn't expect that his master still wore it on his waist.

He immediately took half a step forward to pick it up, but Yi Chen moved even faster, raising his hand. With a slight surge of spiritual energy, the jade pendant floated up lightly and steadily returned to his palm.

The three of them were originally positioned with Yi Chen in front, and Chu Xianlan and Qu Ling standing side by side behind.

After this incident, Chu Xianlan naturally stood beside Yi Chen, a step away from Qu Ling, instantly breaking the situation where the two stood side by side.

Chu Xianlan didn't notice anything amiss. Seeing that Qu Ling was still nervously maintaining his bowing posture, she introduced him: "Master, this is Junior Brother Qu Ling from Baicaotang. He is... here specifically to check on the recovery of my injuries."

Yi Chen looked over, his gaze as calm as autumn water, yet it made Qu Ling inexplicably feel apprehensive, as if an immense pressure was pressing down on her.

...Is it just my imagination? Clearly, Immortal Lord Jixue didn't do anything.

Yi Chen's voice was light and airy, "Thank you for your trouble."

Qu Ling felt a shiver run through her body.

Good heavens! How could he possibly allow Immortal Lord Jixue to personally express his gratitude!

"No, no, no... Immortal Lord, you flatter me. Taking care of my senior brother is what I should do!" Qu Ling waved his hands repeatedly.

As soon as I finished speaking, I felt even colder all over.

Feeling immense pressure, Qu Ling suspected that her cultivation level was too low and her knowledge too limited. She hurriedly lowered her head, feeling even more sorry for her senior brother Chu.

Ugh.

He had only interacted with the Immortal Lord for such a short time, yet he already felt overwhelmed by his coldness and aloofness. How much more disappointed must Senior Brother Chu have felt, having been with him day and night...

No, perhaps for my senior brother, even if he couldn't get what he wanted, he would still be happy with it?

Qu Ling felt deeply saddened. She took a long, deep look at Senior Brother Chu, unwilling to disturb the two any longer. She bowed to Yi Chen with a gesture as precise as if she were offering a New Year's greeting, and then left the scene.

Unfortunately, Chu Xianlan did not receive the signal.

He was bewildered by that glance, touched his face in confusion, and couldn't help but stare at the little healer's departing figure. Then he heard his master's emotionless voice beside him.

"He seems very afraid of me."

Chu Xianlan snapped out of her reverie and casually explained, "Junior Brother Qu didn't mean any offense. He's still young, so it's understandable that he's nervous around you." Even she herself sometimes felt reserved, let alone Qu Ling.

Yi Chen remained silent.

Chu Xianlan's unwitting protectiveness was so obvious that it was easy to see that the two had a close relationship. Yi Chen did not want to interfere in his disciple's friendships, but he felt that... his casual embrace with others just now was ultimately inappropriate.

not to mention……

This is the second time in just a few days.

Even if there is a deep bond between fellow disciples, one should always be mindful of boundaries. Otherwise, if the other party harbors ulterior motives, wouldn't such unguarded contact lead to misunderstandings and appear too rash?

Just as Yi Chen was about to offer some advice, he saw Chu Xianlan turn around, her eyes wide as she looked at the next room, her expression suddenly changing.

Then, as if she had made up her mind, Chu Xianlan gritted her teeth and suddenly grabbed her master's hand.

Yi Chen was taken aback.

The next second, my palm was suddenly enveloped in warmth.

Her hair was flying in the air.

The wind whistled past his ears, and before he could even wonder what was happening, his disciple had already led him away at breakneck speed.