Chapter 11: So What if I’ve Seen Him Before?

Si Yan’s expression remained indifferent, seemingly unmoved.

However, this did not mean Si Yan didn’t hold a grudge; he was actually quite petty. One had to understand that Si Yan had walked through countless vast and dark eras, surviving many life-and-death situations. Precisely because of this, he possessed a personality that refused to remain silent. It was just that, at this moment, he wanted to see Su Tao’er’s reaction. He wanted to know if this disciple of his was truly willing to follow him.

As for Luo Qingping, he stood there with his hands behind his back, looking arrogant.

In Luo Qingping’s mind, he was the legitimate son of the Luoqing Sect’s Sect Leader and had inherited his father’s true teachings. In time, he would inevitably take charge of this major sect. How could someone like Si Yan ever enter his eyes?

Furthermore, although he did not know Su Tao’er’s background, he could tell she clearly came from a good family. Moreover, Su Tao’er was a rare beauty. From the moment they first met at the border of the Phantom Sea, he had been leering at her, desperately wanting to possess her. He had only held back his burning desire because Su Tao’er’s elder brother, Su Xuan, was present, and he was wary of Su Xuan’s unknown strength.

Su Tao’er possessed a classical elegance, with a tall, graceful figure and exquisite features. Luo Qingping thought to himself, ‘If such a beauty fell into my hands, perhaps my hard work in hunting for beauties these past few years could be put on hold for a while.’

However, Su Tao’er remained poised and replied politely, “Young Master Luo, I am my master’s disciple. A teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime. Since I have bowed to my Honored Master, he is like a father or brother to me—he is my family. I thank you for your kindness, but if you want me to sever ties with my own family, that would be a violation of human ethics. I fear the gods themselves would blame me, and I would be struck by divine lightning.”

Hearing this, Si Yan couldn’t help but feel his heart warm, thinking that his disciple’s words were indeed sweet.

But before Su Tao’er could finish, a young woman behind Luo Qingping sneered, “My Senior Brother is willing to give you this promise. This is your great luck and opportunity!”

Another man, middle-aged with a steady appearance and a long beard, also spoke up. His words were laced with hidden meaning. “Miss Su, although our Luoqing Sect is not a top-tier sect, we have a foundation and strength. Back when the Kingdom of Tiansheng’s territory had not yet expanded, our Luoqing Sect was a hegemon that ruled over an entire region. My nephew may be a bit blunt, but he is doing this for your own good. As for this Destiny Pavilion… I, Feng Shangfang, have traveled the world for many years, and I have truly never heard of it.”

Feng Shangfang continued, “At the height of our Luoqing Sect’s prosperity, we had thousands of cultivators and hundreds of thousands of subjects under our jurisdiction, all of whom provided us with offerings. Even with the expansion of the Kingdom of Tiansheng, our Luoqing lineage remains significant in the north. Miss Su, my nephew is sincerely inviting you. Do not waste our good intentions.”

Having said that, Feng Shangfang’s gaze lingered on Si Yan for a brief moment before turning away.

Indeed, he was the Protector Hall Master of the Luoqing Sect and a cultivator in the Xuanyuan Realm. Why would he care about such a character? In truth, he didn’t even think much of Luo Qingping. If the Sect Leader hadn’t requested he come deep into the Phantom Sea to collect a secret medicine, how could he have lowered his status to come here?

This time, Su Tao’er fell silent for a moment. Her expression shifted slightly, but Si Yan noticed her gaze becoming sharp. After a pause, she said, “Your Luoqing Sect has hundreds of thousands of subjects? Protector Feng, I’m afraid those words are inappropriate.”

Without waiting for a rebuttal, Su Tao’er continued, “The imperial court already taxes its subjects. How can your sect still accept offerings from them?”

Feng Shangfang did not answer directly but remained indifferent. “Without their offerings, how could a major sect support its thousands of disciples? They provide offerings, and we provide protection. What is wrong with that?”

At this point, the young woman who had mocked them earlier stepped forward again. “It is perfectly normal for a sect to accept offerings. Miss Su, perhaps your master, this Pavilion Master, only has a few disciples under him. He probably supports them all by himself through farming.”

At this, Su Tao’er’s expression finally turned cold.

Si Yan also noticed for the first time that this cheerful and optimistic girl’s aura had become exceptionally sharp.

But Luo Qingping pushed his luck and stepped forward. “How about it, Miss Su? Come to my Luoqing Sect. I guarantee you can learn top-tier cultivation techniques and the secret arts of our Luoqing lineage!”

Finally, just as Si Yan was wondering if he had spectated enough, a voice rang out from behind. “Honored Master, I’ve been waiting for you at the inn for so long. You’re so biased, wandering the night market with Junior Sister and leaving me all alone.”

Bai Lan, wearing a veil and dressed as a scholar, walked slowly through the crowd with a paper fan in hand.

“Greetings, everyone.” After bowing to the group, Bai Lan turned to Su Tao’er and Si Yan. “It’s very late. Junior Sister, Honored Master, let’s return to the inn to rest.”

Before Si Yan or Su Tao’er could say anything, Bai Lan tucked his fan into his waist and took both their hands, pulling them away. As he walked, he said, “Honored Master, stop wandering around with Junior Sister. Let’s hurry back and rest. We still have to go to Shenlie Valley tomorrow to gather herbs.”

Su Tao’er was still fuming, and even though Bai Lan was pushing her along, she was somewhat unwilling to leave.

However, when she looked back, she saw that both Si Yan and Bai Lan looked completely harmless, as if nothing had happened.

Behind them, Luo Qingping and his group sneered.

“So they are also going to Shenlie Valley,” the young woman said. “Senior Brother, it seems we are destined to run into the three of them again tomorrow.”

“Indeed, Junior Sister Chen. It seems I truly have a fated connection with this Miss Su.”

Meanwhile, they noticed that the most senior member, Protector Feng, was standing still, lost in thought.

“Uncle Feng,” Luo Qingping asked, “what’s wrong?”

Feng Shangfang lowered his head, thinking for a long time without being able to recall. He merely muttered to himself, ‘That person veiled just now… I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before…’

But in the end, he shook his head with a bitter smile. “Forget it, I won’t think about it. So what if I’ve seen the disciple of such a person before? They are all insignificant nobodies anyway.”