Hearing Jiang Lianwan’s name, Bai Rushuang was taken aback. It had been a long time since she last saw her Third Shimei.
She had left the sect nearly two years ago, just before Lin Yin departed.
It was hard to imagine that Jiang Lianwan, who had always been timid and liked to hide behind Senior Brother, would venture out alone for training.
She’d been gone ever since, without a word. Last year, there was news that she’d come back for a few days, but Bai Rushuang had been in seclusion then, so she hadn’t seen Jiang Lianwan.
“Master, Shimei didn’t tell anyone where she was going. I don’t know anything about her whereabouts, but her Soul Tablet is still lit. She should be fine.”
“I see…”
Lin Yin nodded thoughtfully. Now, she really wished her former disciples would come back—especially those two girls. She didn’t know if it was just getting old, but her own Master had once said that age always brings nostalgia.
“All right, you can leave now. In a few days, during the acceptance ceremony for new disciples, you— as Second Senior Sister—remember to attend.”
“Yes!”
Though she answered, Bai Rushuang didn’t leave right away. Instead, she looked up and asked, “Master, have you been living here lately?”
Bai Rushuang didn’t mention Senior Brother or Jiang Che by name; she didn’t know if bringing them up would cause any trouble.
Lin Yin was slightly surprised.
“Is there a problem?”
“Uh… I mean, this place is, after all…”
Bai Rushuang trailed off, but Lin Yin knew what she meant. She turned her head away, not facing Bai Rushuang.
“This is just a room, nothing special. You may go.”
Bai Rushuang left, dejected, because she hadn’t found Senior Brother’s diary.
Now only Lin Yin was left in the room.
At some point, Lin Yin’s cheeks started to flush.
Her skin was usually cool—just like her temperament—so the feeling of warmth on her face was very clear to her, like someone running against a cold wind who stops and suddenly feels the heat on their cheeks.
She took out a small booklet from her storage ring. It was a diary written by Jiang Che, recording his days in the sect.
It was the latter half of the diary; she’d already read most of the first part.
Each day was summed up with just a few words, not like a lengthy essay.
It was a simple record of daily happenings—cooking for Lin Yin as usual, taking care of Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters, occasionally writing about a new Shimei and her quirks.
But Lin Yin couldn’t understand the symbols after some of those names.
What were A, B, C, D?
And why was there a “C” after her own name?
It was this diary that made her understand Jiang Che even more.
Of course, she had always thought Jiang Che’s cooking was delicious, but she hadn’t treasured those flavors as memories—she was left only with a spoiled appetite.
As for the dishes that “Magical Jiang Che” cooked in recent days, they were all recipes she’d learned from the diary.
Perhaps only when she read this diary did she feel she had found the Jiang Che of old.
“Master!”
A voice, deliberately stretched out, half playful and half coquettish, rang in from outside.
It was Zhao Zi’ang’s. Maybe when he was younger, Lin Yin could have tolerated this tone.
“Master! Disciple Zhao Zi’ang greets Master!”
Lin Yin frowned.
“Did you just knock?”
“Ah?”
Zhao Zi’ang, dressed in the Inner Disciple’s robe, cupped his hands before Lin Yin.
He could hardly believe his ears—he remembered that Lin Yin had always been lenient with him.
But what he didn’t know was that Lin Yin’s leniency was only his own perception. Lingjian Peak had always been managed perfectly by Jiang Che.
So no one ever thought of bothering Lin Yin. Even Bai Rushuang and Jiang Lianwan felt the same.
The only one who ever bothered Lin Yin was Zhao Zi’ang himself, so he always believed he was Lin Yin’s favorite.
But in fact, his treatment was no different from that of the Outer Sect Disciples whom Jiang Che took care of. Lin Yin only gave him guidance in cultivation and didn’t really think much of him.
But compared to him, the Outer Sect Disciples under Jiang Che’s care actually lived more comfortably.
The only difference was that Zhao Zi’ang was an Inner Disciple.
“Sorry, Master, I… I forgot…”
“Is this the etiquette I taught you?”
Lin Yin put away the diary, her tone icy.
In truth, she’d never taught him such etiquette. And she didn’t really care, since few disciples ever knocked to see her. She was just in a bad mood.
“…I’m sorry…”
Zhao Zi’ang looked much paler than before, and a little taller, though he still wasn’t as tall as Jiang Che had been.
But with that body and that voice, Lin Yin suddenly felt annoyed.
“All right, say what you came for.”
Seeing that Lin Yin wasn’t pursuing the matter, Zhao Zi’ang’s eyes sparkled as he smiled and said, “Master! Your disciple just missed you after so long! I really missed you!”
Look! I’ve reached late Foundation Establishment in these years outside!”
Zhao Zi’ang turned around, as if showing off where his confidence came from. Lin Yin only casually probed his cultivation.
It was indeed the aura of Foundation Establishment.
Zhao Zi’ang had a single water spiritual root, but the quality was poor. Advancing from Qi Refinement to late Foundation Establishment in three years was actually not easy.
“Not bad. Keep working hard.”
Lin Yin sighed, offering a helpless word of encouragement.
Zhao Zi’ang was overjoyed but suppressed his excitement and said, “Master, actually, your disciple has another request!
I know I shouldn’t ask, but I still want to.
The cultivation method Senior Brother practiced—could you give it to me? I want to try cultivating the method Senior Brother used!”
“A cultivation method? Why do you want his? His was acquired in the Secret Realm, the best water-type method for him in Shenxiao Sect—I remember it’s called the Taoyi True Water Technique.”
“Yes, Master! That’s the one!”
Lin Yin paused. The first volume of this method was kept in her Lingjian Peak Scripture Repository, so she could give it to him.
But she’d already given Zhao Zi’ang the most suitable method for him. Zhao Zi’ang had entered the sect first, then later entered the Secret Realm.
Unfortunately, Zhao Zi’ang wasn’t acknowledged by the core of the Secret Realm and didn’t receive the method.
But usually, those who failed to get the method and were eliminated were the group of disciples who came through the standard recruitment.
“I remember I gave you the Ruoshui Technique. Although it’s not as good as the Taoyi True Water Technique, when you advance from Qi Drawing to the Liquid Condensation Stage, and condense the water element spiritual energy into true liquid essence, it’ll slowly nourish your meridians, making up for innate shortcomings and laying a solid foundation. In the future, you too can achieve greatness.”
Lin Yin spoke in a teaching tone.
Her understanding of cultivation methods was profound. The Ruoshui Technique didn’t pursue overwhelming force, but sought opportunities within limitations, especially suitable for those lacking talent but possessing steadfast will.
But Lin Yin could not judge character well.
Zhao Zi’ang only matched the “lacking talent” part.
And Zhao Zi’ang himself knew he was impatient at heart, totally unsuited for this wretched method.
But if Lin Yin ever learned of his true thoughts, he’d be done for.
After all, this technique was created by a former Ascendant expert of Shenxiao, who was also of average talent but achieved greatness in the end!
“Master! I know all that! But I’m still young, I just want to give it a try!”