With someone's arrival, the topic of conversation changed direction.
Yan Yun gently sipped from her long-empty teacup.
Her gaze quietly assessed the two of them.
The smile remained on Chu Xingchen's face, though it lacked that somewhat punchable quality from before.
Was this person not capable of smiling properly?
Why had he always worn that arrogant and overbearing expression before?
Yan Yun's gaze shifted to Xie Lingyu.
The corner of her mouth curled up slightly.
Xie Lingyu's features were much softer than when they first met.
Although her small expressions hadn't changed much, her temperament had softened along with her expression.
This was a new version of Xie Lingyu—it looked rather novel, and this appearance was much more endearing than before.
Chu Xingchen smiled and spoke:
"I originally planned to go to Tianyan Sect to find you, but I heard you went into seclusion as soon as you returned."
Xie Lingyu thought for a moment before answering:
"I had a moment of inspiration, so I seized the opportunity to cultivate."
Bai Xuanling held her teacup.
Hearing her disciple say this, she couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Someone who had just broken through to the Nascent Soul realm—what good inspiration could she have?
It was nothing more than seeing someone she fancied with higher cultivation and putting pressure on herself.
Xie Lingyu heard Bai Xuanling's sneering laugh.
She silently fixed her gaze on her.
Bai Xuanling rose leisurely:
"Ah, lately my killing intent has been surging. I just can't help but let out an evil laugh now and then..."
She spoke halfway.
Then she sighed with a shake of her head.
She continued:
"No need to mind your master. You two chat. I'll go outside and dissipate some of this murderous heart."
Xie Lingyu watched Bai Xuanling's leisurely departing footsteps.
She could only watch her leave.
Her master had always been like this, fond of saying perfunctory things.
But at least before, the excuses she found required some genuine thought.
Now the excuses were becoming increasingly perfunctory.
Was that laughter really an evil laugh?
That was clearly a piercing mockery.
Bai Xuanling left quite freely, departing without looking back.
Xie Lingyu's gaze turned to Yan Yun, who had been drinking tea for quite some time.
If she hadn't taken a sip herself, Xie Lingyu might have thought the teacups at Xuanqing Heavenly Sect were some kind of spiritual treasure.
What teacup could hold so much tea?
Or was she just here licking the teacup for fun?
Xie Lingyu calmly asked:
"Shall I pour you another cup?"
Yan Yun silently set down her teacup upon hearing this:
"No need to trouble yourself..."
Bai Xuanling had just walked to the courtyard entrance.
Her gaze swept across the magnificent Xuanqing Heavenly Sect before her.
Just as she was considering what to do next, footsteps sounded behind her.
Without turning around, without using divine sense, Bai Xuanling knew who had come.
"You were driven out too?"
Yan Yun's tone was calm:
"The tea just ran out, that's all."
Bai Xuanling glanced back at Yan Yun.
Apart from her skills, this sect master had taught her some genuine things too.
But in the next moment, both their gazes turned to the left.
A rainbow light descended from the sky, landing in the blink of an eye.
Lu Xuan landed with a joyful expression.
He looked at the two standing outside the courtyard and asked:
"What are you two standing around for? Has Chu Xingchen returned yet?"
Bai Xuanling nodded.
Then she indicated the courtyard with her gaze:
"That kid actually remembered to come back. I thought without me sending for him, he might not have come."
Lu Xuan looked delighted.
He didn't particularly mind that the two seemed slightly off.
Today had finally brought great progress.
He'd have a good talk with that kid and make him properly appreciate the kindness of Tianyan Sect.
He strode in with a confident posture.
Bai Xuanling tilted her head slightly and asked:
"How long do you think your master will take to come out?"
Yan Yun answered indifferently:
"Two cups of tea."
Bai Xuanling laughed softly:
"You underestimate your master too much. I think three cups of tea."
Yan Yun said nothing.
She only stood quietly, silently counting the time in her heart.
When she reached two hundred thirty-seven, Lu Xuan walked out leisurely.
Bai Xuanling sighed softly:
"You do know your master better. I didn't expect him to be so useless."
Lu Xuan naturally heard their conversation.
He looked over with puzzled eyes:
"What are you two talking about?"
Bai Xuanling asked with a light laugh:
"You were driven out?"
Yan Yun silently glanced at Bai Xuanling and her own master.
These words sounded very familiar.
Lu Xuan raised his head slightly, his face still looking proud:
"Drive me out? With just that junior? He was just thanking me profusely with endless gratitude."
Bai Xuanling raised an eyebrow:
"Then why did you come out now?"
Lu Xuan replied with a calm expression:
"Am I the kind of sect master who listens to flattery? That kid spoke too nauseatingly. I didn't care to listen, so I came out."
Needless to say, even Qinghe standing there wouldn't believe Lu Xuan's words.
But Bai Xuanling played along perfectly.
Her expression turned solemn with admiration:
"Worthy of being the current sect master of Tianyan Sect. Truly extraordinary in cultivation."
Though these words sounded pleasant, Lu Xuan did not respond.
Bai Xuanling loved to fish for confessions—if he took the bait, she'd reel him in hard.
Getting a cheap win was satisfying enough.
He looked at Yan Yun:
"The competition is imminent. Win or lose, no need to take it to heart. Just show your spirit."
Yan Yun's expression turned serious upon hearing this:
"Master, rest assured. I have confidence. This disciple understands the importance of this matter."
Lu Xuan looked at Yan Yun's serious demeanor.
He suddenly remembered he hadn't yet explained the bottom line to Yan Yun.
He had only had time to tell Bai Xuanling about this.
After all, after Chu Xingchen won the sparring match, he had been busy discussing specific arrangements with the sect master of Xuanqing Heavenly Sect.
And Yan Yun had been training at Bai Xuanling's place all this time.
Everyone was busy, so naturally there was no time to pull aside for a heart-to-heart.
However... since Yan Yun was so serious, there was no need to say more.
Giving it her all in a match was good too.
Lu Xuan thought this over and didn't explain further.
He only smiled and nodded:
"Just do your best. No need to be too reckless."
Yan Yun cupped her hands:
"I will follow Master's orders."
———
"Qinghe kept a room at Wanhua Ridge. She said that in case she gets chased down the mountain by Senior Bai someday, she can come sleep at my place."
Chu Xingchen smiled as he poured Xie Lingyu a cup of tea.
He didn't talk about his glorious deeds of how he fought the sect master of Xuanqing Heavenly Sect and narrowly won.
Chu Xingchen simply chatted about rather mundane family matters.
Since their parting in Yuzhou City, their meetings had been few and far between.
Seeing each other again required quite a bit of destiny.
Xie Lingyu lifted her teacup and answered:
"Qinghe's horn is probably a bit itchy. Next time I return, I'll give it a scratch for her."
"That... won't be necessary."
Chu Xingchen coughed lightly.
"Qinghe did put in effort. I don't want to be called a heartless traitor next time I see her."
Xie Lingyu stroked her teacup and nodded gently upon hearing this.
She agreed not to scratch Qinghe's itch when she returned.
Chu Xingchen looked at Xie Lingyu.
He suddenly spoke:
"Those few days, you left in a hurry, and then went into seclusion. There was something I didn't discuss with you, so I took the liberty of handling it for you."
Xie Lingyu looked at him with a puzzled expression:
"What matter?"
Chu Xingchen continued:
"I also reserved a room for you at Wanhua Ridge. Not a guest room—Xiao Baiqing and Cui Hao designed it."
"If you'd like, you can go take a look when you have time. If there's anything you don't like, you can tell Yingling and the others. Before it's built, everything can still be changed."
Xie Lingyu appeared somewhat calm upon hearing this.
She remained silent for a while.
Then after waiting a moment longer, she spoke softly:
"I understand. When I have time, I will go take a look."
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