Afterward, Si Yan and his group stayed in Yongle City for one more day.
It was not until the second day that Su Tao’er’s cousin, Cheng Yilin, departed.
Originally, there had been four of them traveling together, but the other woman, Yao Yuyan, had already left on the day of the Treasure Appraisal Convention after receiving a message from the Tianjian Sect.
Since Li Yuxia had been killed by Bai Lan and Nan Tianxing had fled in a panic to parts unknown, Cheng Yilin was the only one left by the time she was ready to go.
Fortunately, she was leaving with a merchant caravan from the outside world, so she would not be without protection on the road.
The caravan had already gathered at the city gate to organize their gear.
While Su Tao’er was saying her goodbyes to Cheng Yilin, Si Yan stood some distance away, unable to hear what they were whispering about.
“You really haven’t been touched by him?”
Cheng Yilin remained highly skeptical.
“If it’s true, we can’t just let it slide. I’ll go find my uncle; he will definitely stand up for you. If Uncle intervenes, even if that man is a Mortal God cultivator, he’ll have no choice but to marry you!”
As the Grand Preceptor of the Kingdom of Tiansheng, her uncle possessed that kind of power and influence. Furthermore, the Grand Preceptor himself was also a Mortal God cultivator.
Su Tao’er whispered in protest, “No, I haven’t, really! Why are you always so suspicious…?”
“Humph, if that’s the case, then it’s for the best,” Cheng Yilin said.
“But your father is nearly frantic with worry. You had better write a letter to him… By the way, Xiao Ying’s wedding day is approaching. You have to attend that, right? Don’t tell me you won’t even show up for her big day.”
Su Tao’er looked troubled and replied, “I don’t know. I’m afraid my family will catch me if I go, and it’s hard to explain things to my Master.”
At that moment, Si Yan walked over and asked, “Miss Yilin, if you’d like to stay in the Phantom Sea for a few more days, you are welcome at my Destiny Pavilion. I have plenty of guest rooms, and the accommodations are quite good. I can even set aside a separate courtyard for you sisters.”
Seeing Si Yan, Cheng Yilin couldn’t help but recall the events of that night.
However, now that she knew his level of cultivation, she didn’t dare be as rude as before.
She said, “Thank you, Pavilion Master Si, but I cannot stay. Although City Lord Lu is looking after Senior Brother Li’s remains, he was my senior brother after all. I have no reason to associate with you; to do so would go against my principles.”
Hearing this, Si Yan nodded.
“That is true.”
Cheng Yilin was clever and said sternly, “Pavilion Master Si, I also wish to avenge my senior brother, but my cultivation is too low. Attacking you would be a death sentence, so I have no choice but to let it be.”
Standing to the side, Bai Lan remained unmoved, though one could see a hint of a smile from the corner of his eye.
While they were talking, the caravan finished its preparations.
Cheng Yilin prepared to set off, but before leaving, she turned back to Si Yan.
“Pavilion Master Si, many experts from the Luoqing Sect died in the Phantom Sea, and even my Senior Brother Li is dead. The Kingdom of Tiansheng will pay closer attention to the Phantom Sea in the near future. Of course, more eyes may also be drawn to you. So, please make sure to take good care of my cousin. She’s still just a half-grown girl, and her thoughts are far too simple.”
Si Yan nodded repeatedly as he watched Cheng Yilin disappear into the distance.
Regarding the Kingdom of Tiansheng, he wasn’t afraid of them coming to his door; after all, he planned to go there himself in a while anyway.
Speaking of taking care of people, Si Yan felt that although Su Tao’er was already quite tall, she still had room to grow.
Raising a female disciple by his side and feeding her as she grew up gave him a strange sense of accomplishment.
He felt as if the weight she gained was all thanks to his efforts, giving him a sense of ownership over her.
As for Cheng Yilin, how could she truly know Si Yan’s nature?
She had previously thought of him as a lecher, but after seeing his cultivation yesterday, she had naturally dismissed that thought.
She figured she had probably wronged the Pavilion Master, considering how serious and composed he had just appeared.
By late afternoon, Si Yan and his disciples had returned to the Destiny Pavilion.
He returned to his usual routine, sitting in the pavilion drinking tea while waiting for dinner.
Although he had obtained the Meteoric Iron, he felt a bit lazy after his return and wanted to wait a day or two before starting the forging process.
Yuling was a man of few words, but he was very efficient.
Tonight’s dinner was actually a pot of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.
It was a mystery how he had prepared so many ingredients in such a short time, from cured meat to sea cucumber—everything was ready.
Yuling activated the Refining Fire Formula himself, and shortly after dusk, a steaming pot of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall was finished.
They all ate happily, especially enjoying the sensation of pouring the thick broth over their rice.
The sound of everyone slurping and eating was quite lively.
Su Tao’er felt wonderful. At home, she was never allowed to make a sound while eating.
If she wasn’t elegant enough, she would be lectured by her mother and mocked by her stepmothers, who loved to show off their superiority.
But at the Destiny Pavilion, things were incredibly casual.
Only Senior Brother Bai had decent table manners; everyone else, including Si Yan, ate with a bit of a rustic air.
As everyone was eating heartily, Su Tao’er suddenly said to Si Yan, “Master, could you make another set of that Taoist Uniform for me?”
At those words, Mo Junheng and Yuling pretended not to hear, focusing intently on shoveling rice into their mouths.
They were the ones who knew the secrets behind that outfit.
Si Yan, on the other hand, felt greatly relieved and smiled.
“Of course, of course. You need a change of clothes. I’ll sew another set for you in a few days… By the way, how did that set feel?”
Su Tao’er looked a bit embarrassed and fidgeted.
“The clothing didn’t use much fabric, but it was quite comfortable to wear. I actually thought it was pretty good. That’s why, when Yilin was leaving, I gave it to her. I wanted her to try it and see if it helps her cultivation, too. I tucked it into her luggage.”
*Pfft!*
Hearing this, Yuling and Mo Junheng both sprayed their rice out.
Even Bai Lan started choking, lowering his head and coughing violently.
Si Yan’s mouth hung open, a look of despair on his face.
He asked blankly, “You… you girl, you gave it away?”
Su Tao’er giggled.
“Yes! Because you said it helps with cultivation, Master, so I gave it to Yilin. Hehe.”
*** In the Phantom Sea.
When Cheng Yilin stopped to rest with the caravan, she opened her luggage to look for something.
Suddenly, she accidentally pulled out the “Taoist Uniform” that Su Tao’er had tucked inside.
As Cheng Yilin held the stockings and the short skirt up in front of the firelight, her face turned beet red just looking at them, and her heart began to race.
“Lecher… Lecher!”