Chapter 56: Master, Are You Testing Me?

“Looking for me……………”

Hearing this, the young man rose to his feet.

“Master, for what reason are you seeking me?”

Chen Yuyang couldn’t help but ask with a hint of vigilance.

It always seemed that whenever Master sought him out these days, nothing good ever came of it…….

Either it was to test him, to instruct by word and deed, or to examine his body—always taking the opportunity to roam her hands here and there…………………

For cultivation, none of these counted as good things.

The deeper the entanglement of karma, the greater the impact she would have on him one day.

He was confident that he could control his own future, steadily growing step by step.

But he could not be sure of others’ futures.

Chen Yuyang did not think it wise to establish deeper ties with Tai Lingxuan or anyone else.

At least, not before he possessed the power to fear nothing.

“It’s nothing important, really—just a routine visit to check on you.” Tai Lingxuan smiled gently.

Keeping an appropriate distance from Yuyang, this child, was a decision she constantly reminded herself to uphold.

Although there were times when she could not help herself……. at least, she needed to persist in the general direction.

This visit, Tai Lingxuan truly held no intention of getting closer. More so, she wished to find out about what had happened between Chen Yuyang, Gu Qiushui, and Lingxi.

“Yuyang, have you had any difficulties in your daily life lately?”

With a smile, Tai Lingxuan sat down casually and started to chat about ordinary matters.

Chen Yuyang paused, not hearing the familiar questions about cultivation progress or understanding of techniques. This surprised him.

“Difficulties………………”

Chen Yuyang thought carefully, then casually pointed at the beam above his head.

“This roof beam and pillar might need some repairs. I think the house’s beams and columns are already a bit deformed.”

“After many years of use, a bit of warping is only natural.”

After glancing at it as well, Tai Lingxuan responded with a smile, not particularly concerned.

“Now that it’s already adapted, if you replace the pillar, problems might instead arise in succession. Better to go with the flow of nature.”

Chen Yuyang shook his head and patted the pillar.

“Adapt, and in the end, collapse with the house.”

Going with the flow of nature?

According to the way of nature, a person lives no more than a hundred years, and this house, too, will one day collapse.

At this, Chen Yuyang smiled slightly and lifted his head.

“So, in your disciple’s view, if you want the house to remain steady for a long time, this pillar must be replaced.”

…

Tai Lingxuan’s red lips parted slightly, her beautiful eyes opening wide in surprise.

She didn’t know why, but even though these were simple words.

After hearing the young man speak, Tai Lingxuan suddenly felt a new understanding in her heart.

Yes…

Cultivation was, in itself, an act of defying heaven.

As cultivators, how could they speak so easily of going with the flow of nature?

Besides, setting aside personal insights.

Just considering the present situation.

These warped beams and pillars were so similar to the core of the current Hehuan Sect—the Hehuan Technique.

The imbalance of yin and yang, the backlash of yin energy…

She had to come up with an effective solution quickly.

She had not been able to make up her mind before, not daring to drastically revise the contents of the Hehuan Technique.

But now…

As she thought, her beautiful eyes turned again to the handsome youth.

Yuyang had given her resolve.

For this, even if it took ten or a hundred years, it was worth it.

“I understand now, Yuyang… I’ll have someone replace this pillar.”

“While the repairs are ongoing, you can stay in the room arranged for you in the main hall… By the way, even though that room was left for you, you’ve only slept there for two nights. Isn’t the spiritual energy there even richer? Or is the bed not soft enough, not to your liking?”

Tai Lingxuan then asked.

The corner of Chen Yuyang’s mouth twitched slightly.

Master, you know exactly how many nights I’ve slept there—so that’s the real reason, isn’t it.

Right next door was Tai Lingxuan’s own room, and it seemed like every now and then there was a sweep of spiritual sense.

Although Tai Lingxuan thought she was being subtle, Chen Yuyang’s perception was keen enough to catch it every time.

Under these circumstances, how could Chen Yuyang rest at ease there?

If, by chance, he happened to be cultivating the Primordial Art and using the Primordial Flame to temper his body and was discovered, how would he explain himself?

“Speaking of which, a couple years back, Yuyang, you were living with Qiushui, weren’t you? You have a room there as well… Why not stay there?”

Tai Lingxuan smiled as she spoke, her expression as radiant as a flower, yet Chen Yuyang sensed a different meaning in her words.

A probing intent.

But, just mentioning that he once lived with Senior Sister Qiushui—what kind of probe was that supposed to be?

Chen Yuyang didn’t understand.

But since he didn’t, he simply chose to respond naturally.

“It’s been so long, my room there must’ve been cleared out for storage by now.”

…

“Huh? But when I went to Qiushui some time ago, I still saw your room there—kept neat and tidy, the bedding was laid out, and it seemed like you still washed it often…”

As she said this, Lingxuan tilted her head and continued with a smile, “At the time, I even thought that, Yuyang, you occasionally went over to Qiushui to spend the night.”

These words surprised Chen Yuyang, who muttered: “Oh? Is that so? Senior Sister is quite thoughtful.”

“However, I haven’t visited her in a long time. I suppose it’s just her habit to keep things that way.”

Tai Lingxuan nodded slightly and continued, “In that case, how about you stay with your junior sister for a while? She’s recently managed to break through, but she’s still injured from the tribulation and needs care. It’s best for someone to be around to help her recover.”

“When she was hurt, her mind was unclear, and she kept calling your name. Given your relationship with her, I think even close care wouldn’t be a problem.”

Chen Yuyang’s eyelids trembled slightly.

Not because he was guilty or anything, but because by now, he finally heard the true meaning behind Master’s words.

She was clearly probing whether he had an improper relationship with his senior or junior sister.

…

Watching Tai Lingxuan trying to find an angle to test him, Chen Yuyang felt helpless and a little amused inside.

Shaking his head, he replied in all seriousness: “Master, you are mistaken.”

“Though I am close to my junior sister, after all, men and women are different, and we’re not so young anymore. It would be better to keep a distance.”

Tai Lingxuan nodded with a light, graceful smile.

“That’s true. I didn’t consider it thoroughly enough.”

Seeing the look of relief on her face, as if a weight had been lifted from her mind.

A thought suddenly occurred to Chen Yuyang, and the corners of his mouth lifted in a subtle arc.

“But, Master, if truly there’s no one else to care for my junior sister, and you, Senior Sister, and the others are all busy, then I suppose I should go look after her.”

“Even if there are some minor inconveniences, it can’t be helped. I see my junior sister as my own sibling; I’m sure she wouldn’t mind.”

“If I truly offend her, I would be willing to take responsibility for her as well.”

At these words, Tai Lingxuan’s expression suddenly changed.

Subtle, and tense.

“Th-this… that really isn’t necessary… Lingxi, she… she’s fine, just a little hurt, really doesn’t need someone to care for her… If it comes to it, I-I’ll just have Qiushui take care of her.”

Chen Yuyang nodded repeatedly, his eyes brightening.

“If Senior Sister Qiushui is there, then as her senior brother, I can’t sit by and do nothing. Master, please let me go.”

For a moment, Tai Lingxuan was dumbfounded.

Originally, she was probing, wanting to know whether Gu Qiushui or Lingxi had grown overly close to Chen Yuyang.

Chen Yuyang’s answer reassured her, and confirmed neither Qiushui nor Lingxi had made the first move.

But the latter half of his reply hinted that the one wanting to go further was him!

Well, Yuyang was at the age where feelings were awakening. Developing affection for the women around him was perfectly normal.

Besides, Qiushui and Lingxi were both outstanding girls…

But

She herself wasn’t any worse than them…

No, that’s not right!

What am I thinking!

I’m Yuyang’s master, his elder…

In both emotion and principle, he could never choose me.

But, if Yuyang really made up his mind to pursue Qiushui or Lingxi… then what would she do?

Yuyang was unaware of what lay between the two of them, and his honest nature meant he would never cross that line himself.

When that time came, how should she deal with it…

She couldn’t possibly break them apart…

That would only make Yuyang resent her…

But it was impossible for her to confess everything and put Yuyang in a difficult position now…

Thinking of this possibility, Tai Lingxuan was overcome with panic.

This was something she had never considered before.

Seeing her completely flustered expression, Chen Yuyang coughed lightly before continuing: “Forget it, Master, the Pill Gathering is almost upon us. I should focus on studying pill recipes and won’t have time for these things.”

“Ah! Yes, yes!”

Tai Lingxuan snapped back to her senses, hastily agreeing.

“You’re still young, there’s no rush for matters between men and women. Now, you should focus wholeheartedly on cultivation and improving yourself,” Tai Lingxuan hurried to say.

Chen Yuyang nodded obediently, but with the corner of his eye, he watched every change in her expression, secretly amused.

Teasing Master from time to time was rather fun.

“Alright, well, that’s all for now. I’ll take my leave first.”

Tai Lingxuan knew her expression was hard to control and showed her panic, so all she wanted now was to leave quickly, before the youth noticed her embarrassment.

Tai Lingxuan hurried away, while Chen Yuyang lay back in his chair, intending to continue reading at leisure.

However, just as his backside touched the lounge chair, the door was knocked upon urgently.

“Senior Brother Yuyang! Senior Brother Yuyang!”

Outside the door, it was Yun Lian’s voice.

Chen Yuyang frowned slightly.

What does Junior Sister Yun Lian want this time?

Not long ago, she just asked me to help her comprehend sword intent, and now she’s back again?

Chen Yuyang had realized that Junior Sister Yun Lian was good in all respects, except that she was a bit impatient, and possessed an unusual obsession with becoming stronger.

As for others’ pasts, Chen Yuyang never asked much.

But with a junior sister like this, he really was in for more trouble.

But trouble was trouble—after all, it was the responsibility of a senior brother.

With that thought, the youth rose and went to open the door.

“Junior Sister Yun Lian, you—”

“Senior Brother, will you dual cultivate with me too!”

Unknowingly, it’s about to be put on the shelves.

After all, a living must be earned; hope all dear readers will understand.