Spiritual energy circulated, and within a few breaths, a large basin of hot water appeared before him.
Shedding his drenched clothes, the young man immersed himself in the water.
The water was perfectly hot, instantly soothing his entire body.
Comforting.
Leaning against the edge of the bath tub, Chen Yuyang relaxed and squinted his eyes, even unable to help but hum a little tune.
But just as he began to relax, the creaking sound of the door opening made him immediately widen his eyes.
“Ma-Master!”
Turning his head, Chen Yuyang was horrified to find that Tai Lingxuan had walked straight into the room.
“Ah, Yuyang, you’re so quick—already bathing?”
Tai Lingxuan, upon seeing the youth in the tub, showed a hint of surprise, but her steps remained steady as she approached Chen Yuyang, showing no intention of avoiding the situation.
Chen Yuyang had somewhat prepared for this, feeling embarrassed but not daring to object.
“Master, did you need me for something?”
“Mm.”
Tai Lingxuan pulled over a stool and sat down beside the tub.
“Tell me in detail about how you obtained that Ancient Great Power inheritance. Although the chances are slim, I worry it might be a trap to seize your body.”
Tai Lingxuan spoke seriously, her eyes fixed steadily on the youth’s gaze, not wandering anywhere else.
Chen Yuyang nodded, immediately understanding her concern.
Indeed, in the cultivation world, there are methods to leave behind legacies through secret arts at the moment of death, lurking inside the heir’s body, waiting for an opportunity to seize control and be reborn.
Of course, Chen Yuyang’s story about obtaining the inheritance was entirely fabricated, so there was no real danger.
However, he couldn’t admit that, so he had to describe in detail how he accidentally stumbled upon that cave, found a golden skeleton, and received the sword intent inheritance…
After listening, Tai Lingxuan seemed thoughtful.
She did not doubt what Chen Yuyang said.
After pondering, she nodded:
“Sounds like there’s no problem… but I’m still worried. Yuyang, release your sword intent so I can take a closer look.”
As Tai Lingxuan requested, Chen Yuyang immediately complied.
An invisible sword intent spread out, enveloping the entire room.
Tai Lingxuan extended a jade hand, lightly pressing on the youth’s forehead, her divine sense unfolding.
At this moment, she carefully searched for any soul energy that might belong to someone other than Chen Yuyang.
After some time…
“Hm, it should be fine.”
Tai Lingxuan withdrew her divine sense, exhaling a sigh of relief with a smile.
Chen Yuyang also relaxed, though he knew he was fine, he couldn’t help but feel a little nervous under Tai Lingxuan’s inspection.
“That’s good, Master.”
As he said this, Chen Yuyang’s gaze subtly glanced toward the door.
Tai Lingxuan, however, acted as if she didn’t see it and made a thoughtful expression.
“Master, your disciple is still—” Chen Yuyang began, unable to hold back.
Before he could finish, Tai Lingxuan suddenly changed her tone and interrupted:
“Speaking of which, Yuyang, have you been diligently practicing the retention cultivation method I assigned you?”
Hearing this, Chen Yuyang’s heart skipped a beat; he immediately sensed trouble.
He would never forget what happened the last time he practiced it.
“Of course I’ve been practicing well.”
As he answered, the youth unconsciously tensed all his muscles.
Seeing this, Tai Lingxuan smiled faintly, patted his head, then spoke solemnly:
“You look scared. Do you think I’m going to eat you?”
“Relax, I just want to remind you again to hold on to your source energy tightly. Be careful not to let your senior sisters and junior sisters drain it all, understand?”
Chen Yuyang: “…Yes, Master.”
Though he agreed verbally, Chen Yuyang felt that compared to guarding against his senior and junior sisters, the woman before him posed the greatest threat to his source energy.
“All right, since that’s settled, you must be tired. I won’t disturb you any longer.”
Tai Lingxuan stood and headed for the door.
“Master, aren’t you going to test your disciple?”
Chen Yuyang asked in surprise.
Tai Lingxuan paused, then turned around, looking at the youth with surprise, her eyes relaxing and a smile quickly blooming at the corner of her mouth:
“What, Yuyang, do you want me to test you?”
Chen Yuyang immediately covered his mouth, realizing he had spoken out of turn, shaking his head frantically.
Tai Lingxuan’s eyes sparkled, her smile growing even brighter.
“If you want it, then after you’ve rested well, I’ll come test you!”
Without waiting for his response, Tai Lingxuan turned and left the room.
Snap!
The moment Tai Lingxuan left, Chen Yuyang immediately slapped his own face.
Look at how loose his mouth was.
Why did he even bring it up? Did he want something to happen with his master?
Though…
That process was indeed beautiful and wouldn’t really harm him…
But—after countless refinements in his past lives—could he really not resist such temptation?
Big things, big things, Chen Yuyang!
Your primary goal is to ascend to the higher realms in the most perfect, peak state!
Chen Yuyang harshly scolded himself in his heart.
Stepping outside, Tai Lingxuan’s cheeks flushed a deep red, feeling her heart race wildly.
She had no thoughts on the matter, yet Yuyang mentioned it…
Could it be… he wants it too?
That would be normal, after all, Yuyang was at that age, his vitality flourishing…
In the mortal world, at Yuyang’s age, marriage and children would not be unusual.
This… could actually be an opportunity…
Suddenly, a spark of inspiration lit up in Tai Lingxuan’s heart.
Yuyang was still young and naive.
But she could use this as a reason to slowly deepen their closeness…
Gradually erase the barriers created by their master-disciple relationship…
Most importantly, make him unable to live without her.
After ten or eight years, once Yuyang fully matures and his strength and realm have improved further…
Through gentle guidance, she might get Yuyang to confess his feelings to her, and then reluctantly agree to her.
At that point, taking things further might become a natural progression.
Only…
To manipulate this child’s feelings… to capture him through desire…
Tai Lingxuan felt it was selfish and despicable.
But feelings are just like that—what harm is there in being a bit selfish or despicable?
She only wanted to compensate him for the times she had hurt him without directly breaking their current relationship…
She couldn’t possibly tell Yuyang the truth, couldn’t confess that she had once harmed him…
What if Yuyang resented her because of that? What would she do then?
Tai Lingxuan was truly afraid of that outcome.
Standing outside the door, she struggled and pondered for a long time.
But in the end, she could not find a clear answer and could only shake her head, helplessly saying, “Take it one step at a time.”
Three days passed with anxiety.
But in the end, whether Tai Lingxuan forgot or for some other reason…
The test never came.
When Chen Yuyang saw Tai Lingxuan again, she was already frowning, pondering the reconstruction of the main hall.
“Yuyang, do you think we should rebuild according to the original specifications, or just change the style altogether?”
Since it was Chen Yuyang’s spirit stones funding the project, Tai Lingxuan felt she should ask his opinion before deciding and thus came to consult him.
Chen Yuyang thought carefully, looking at her, then took a deep breath.
“Master… I have something to say, but I’m not sure if I should.”
“What is it? Feel free to speak, Yuyang.”
“Is it really necessary to rebuild the main hall?”
“What do you mean? How can a sect lack a sect hall?” Tai Lingxuan asked confusedly.
“No, Master, I mean… the secondary halls’ specifications could be slightly modified, that would be enough. There’s no need to spend so much time, effort, and spirit stones to build such a grand main hall. With so many spirit stones, it would be better to use them to cultivate the senior and junior sisters.”
Tai Lingxuan was stunned but seriously considered the youth’s proposal.
“Think about it, Master. Only if we disciples become strong will the sect have hope to grow.”
“If we disciples grow strong and make a name for ourselves in the cultivation world, even if our sect hall is just a few straw huts, won’t others still come rushing to seek apprenticeship?”
“They won’t come empty-handed, right?”
“There must be some family descendants among those who come.”
“If they encounter trouble, we give them a lead, some help, form an alliance—wouldn’t that open many doors?”
“When we become bigger and stronger, you won’t need to spend spirit stones; others might even compete to build the sect hall for you. Doesn’t that make sense?”
The more Tai Lingxuan listened, the more she furrowed her brows tightly, her mind gradually going blank.
Honestly, as a sect leader for decades, she had never thought this deeply.
But Chen Yuyang’s words made a lot of sense.
At least, his way of thinking was more reasonable than hers.
“You brat, where did you learn all this?”
Tai Lingxuan patted the youth’s back, unable to help but ask.
“No one told me, Master. I thought of it myself. If you think I’m wrong, please don’t blame me for talking nonsense.”
“No, no, no. What you said makes perfect sense… Indeed, cultivating you all well is more important than building one or two main halls.” Tai Lingxuan nodded sincerely, her eyes becoming clearer.
Although Chen Yuyang had only said it briefly, at that moment Tai Lingxuan felt less confused.
At least, a general direction had emerged.
“You’ve got some ideas, but it’s a pity that the Hehuan Sect forbids male disciples. Otherwise, I think you’d be the future sect leader.”
Tai Lingxuan looked at the youth, both gratified and a little regretful, shaking her head.
“Even if not, as a disciple, you can still help with advice and planning.”
Chen Yuyang smiled simply.
Tai Lingxuan nodded again, her gaze growing complex.
Three days ago, after returning, the more Tai Lingxuan thought, the more uneasy and guilty she felt.
So, the “test” she promised never really happened.
Now, looking at the youth’s honest and simple appearance, she felt even more guilty.
Fortunately, she hadn’t really decided to go through with it.
Otherwise, that would have truly destroyed him.