Chapter 5: From Now on, We Are Family

Su Tao’er sat cross-legged in the front courtyard, circulating the mental cultivation method that Si Yan had just taught her.

However, she found it difficult to settle her mind at this moment because the hem of the Taoist uniform Si Yan had given her was simply too short. Furthermore, her young-looking master seemed extremely strict, staring at her without moving a muscle as if supervising her progress. This created an awkward situation; if Su Tao’er sat cross-legged, her undergarments became faintly visible, right before her master’s eyes.

Yet, when Su Tao’er looked up at her master, she saw Si Yan’s face filled with solemnity. His expression was far stricter than that of her brother, Su Xuan; it was clearly the serious gaze of an elder without a trace of lewdness. Thus, Su Tao’er was caught in a dilemma. She could only use one hand to quietly press down the rising hem of her skirt to block the accidental exposure.

As for Si Yan, sitting opposite Su Tao’er, his eyes remained fixed on the area beneath her skirt and the snowy-white skin of her inner thighs.

‘Ahhh!’

‘This innocent, budding shyness of a young girl!’

‘This aura of youth!’

‘It’s so wonderful!’

‘Taking in a female disciple is truly the best!’

‘This master is simply too happy!’

‘After spending so much time with those few lunatic disciples, this master has finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel!’

Despite the waves of excitement and internal roaring, Si Yan’s exterior remained stern, camouflaging himself without a single flaw.

It was at this moment that Si Yan suddenly noticed Su Tao’er staring at his two other disciples. This innocent and sweet girl actually stared blankly at his posturing First Senior Brother for quite some time.

‘Hmm? What’s the situation? Can a guy wearing a bamboo hat actually attract a girl’s attention?’

Just as Si Yan was about to speak, Su Tao’er placed her index finger against her chin as if remembering something. She suddenly asked Si Yan’s eldest disciple, “What is First Senior Brother’s honorable surname?”

“My surname is Mo, and my given name is Junheng,” the eldest disciple replied, lowering his bamboo hat and chuckling with an air of indifference. “Junior Sister may call me Senior Brother Junheng from now on.”

Su Tao’er nodded in greeting and replied first, “Greetings, Big Senior Brother Junheng.”

After a pause, she immediately asked, “Senior Brother Junheng, have we met somewhere before? You look somewhat like that great senior who once saved me.”

At those words, the hearts of both the eldest disciple and Si Yan skipped a beat.

At this time, Su Tao’er shifted her gaze toward Yuling, who had summoned his courage to sit under the tree in a daze. She asked with equal confusion, “Senior Brother Yuling’s physique also seems somewhat familiar. I feel as though I’ve seen it somewhere before.”

Before her voice could fade, the guilty Yuling felt cold sweat streaming down his back.

The eldest disciple’s lips twitched twice as he explained, “Junior Sister, you are overthinking. I haven’t left the Phantom Sea for thirty years; how could I have met you? Your Senior Brother still has matters to attend to today! I shall take my leave first!”

With that, the eldest disciple and Yuling both leaped up, vaulted over the courtyard wall, and vanished from her sight.

Su Tao’er could only lower her head in thought, a faint trace of suspicion appearing amidst her confusion.

“Ahem.” Si Yan immediately coughed a few times to pull the atmosphere back. “Tao’er, do not be distracted.”

“Ah… Yes, Honored Master!”

Feeling that she had made a mistake, Su Tao’er immediately began to circulate the mental cultivation method again.

This time, Su Tao’er was indeed more serious. She gradually became immersed in it, her thoughts maintaining a simple mode. Su Tao’er wanted to learn the sword, and swordsmanship happened to be Si Yan’s greatest expertise. Therefore, to stabilize her foundation, Si Yan decided to start from the internal aspect, letting Su Tao’er first come into contact with the sword intent of his style before assisting with the physical forms.

However, once she began to be serious, Su Tao’er forgot to press down the front of her skirt. Both her inner thighs and her undergarments were fully visible to Si Yan.

Si Yan was clearly working hard to memorize the scene before him so he could return to his room at night and quickly sketch it down.

But of course, Su Tao’er, being young and possessing various beautiful imaginings, had no idea of her current predicament. Though, perhaps, she was more or less beginning to sense that this Destiny Pavilion, located in the heart of the Phantom Sea, was truly unique and eerie.

Nevertheless, as she circulated the cultivation method, Su Tao’er felt a sense of delight. She truly felt the changes brought by the method; even in such a short time, the breath throughout her body became extremely smooth. A power hidden deep within her body gradually began to flourish and awaken, making her Xiantian Realm more stable and solid. It even seemed to faintly stir and sense the Power of the Three Souls, allowing her to reach a breakthrough as soon as possible in the foreseeable future.

So, while her senior brothers were a bit strange, Su Tao’er felt that this young Honored Master was very formidable. Moreover, this Honored Master only took in Direct Disciples, meaning the teaching environment was excellent! Even if the elders of her family found out she was practicing here under such a proper Master, they likely wouldn’t object and might even approve.

After a moment, Su Tao’er felt a bit of anxiety.

She thought that being a teacher for a day meant being a father for a lifetime. She had come empty-handed to pay respects to her Master, even though he said they were fated and accepted her as a disciple the moment she arrived. But she—what could she bring to this elder? Thinking of this, Su Tao’er felt a sense of shame again.

Furthermore, if her brother went back, he must not reveal her location! Otherwise, they would surely send people to find her and bring much trouble to Master. The elders at home had mentioned more than once that to be qualified to teach a direct daughter of the Su Family, one must be a powerhouse at or above the Spirit Emperor Realm.

Su Tao’er firmly believed Si Yan was capable of reaching the Spirit Emperor level. After all, he was a fellow Taoist introduced by that transcendent senior; a Spirit Emperor was a certainty. However, her Master looked so young that the elders at home would surely have strong opinions.

Finally, about two hours later, Su Tao’er slowly opened her beautiful eyes from her meditation.

As for Si Yan, his eyes were still open, and he remained motionless, staring at her. It seemed he had been supervising Su Tao’er from then until now.

“Mm, not bad.”

Si Yan licked his lips, which were dry from his internal heat, and said, “To be able to stir the Power of the Three Souls while in the Xiantian Realm… Tao’er, you are very talented.”

Si Yan stood up and added, “We will stop here for today. Tao’er, remember this mental cultivation method first, and tomorrow I will teach you the rest.”

After speaking, Si Yan took a few steps, then turned back to add, “Tao’er, from now on, your basic needs—clothing, food, shelter, and travel—will all be within my Destiny Pavilion. From now on, I am your family. If you have any difficulties in life or any worries, feel free to come to me. By the way, my wing room is right there. You can come over at any time; I will listen to your thoughts and help you solve your problems!”