Chapter 34: Who Are the Three Visitors?

Who was the newcomer? As it happened, they were all familiar faces. Striding toward the beautiful woman dressed in white, Lu Tanxian, with a furrowed brow, was Lin Yuansheng, whom Han Su had met once before. Years ago, it was he and Lu Tanxian who had sought spiritual fruit from Han Su, which ultimately led to Han Su’s enlightenment and advancement—how could Han Su ever forget him? At that time, Lin Yuansheng was already at the second level of Foundation Establishment, yet six years had passed and he had not advanced further.

Naturally, the two present had already noticed Lin Yuansheng approaching, but neither moved. Watching him stride toward Lu Tanxian, he reached out and said, “Junior Sister Tanxian, I’ve been searching for you for days since I emerged from seclusion. Why have you not replied to my communication talisman?” Lu Tanxian’s expression became somewhat unnatural; she sidestepped his outstretched hand and stood up, polite yet distant. “I’m sorry, Senior Brother Lin. I’ve been studying a newly acquired pill recipe with Senior Brother Yu these days, so…”

Seeing Lu Tanxian avoid his hand and glance at Yu Hanshan with her luminous, peach-blossom eyes, Lin Yuansheng’s expression grew even darker. He pressed closer, standing beside her, his words laced with coercion. “Junior Sister Tanxian, I told you once you attained Foundation Establishment, I would inform the family and arrange the dual cultivation ceremony. Everything is ready; you should return and prepare with me. Moreover, you entered under my uncle’s tutelage, so why are you consulting Senior Brother Yu about pill recipes? Have you forgotten how you became his disciple?”

Lu Tanxian quickly lowered her head upon hearing this, feigning sorrow and hiding a trace of fierceness in her eyes, her voice trembling: “That day, Master chose me for my talent and temperament, not out of disregard. Why do you speak as if I enticed or coerced him with benefits? Besides, ‘walking with three, there must be a teacher’—Senior Brother Yu has extraordinary insight and a unique approach to alchemy. As his junior, what harm is there in seeking his guidance?” She then raised her face, delicate as spring rain, straightened her spine, clasped her hands, her porcelain cheeks flushed, eyes rimmed red, crystalline tears trembling on her thick lashes, yet her gaze was unwavering.

Lin Yuansheng, seeing her thus, was torn between love and resentment, about to speak when Lu Tanxian continued, “As for the dual cultivation you mentioned, Senior Brother Lin, I have never agreed to it. I am grateful for your affection, but my heart is set on the Dao; I will not be delayed by romance. Besides, I feel only sibling affection toward you, not romantic interest. Perhaps you misinterpreted my gratitude as… as love.”

This speech left Lin Yuansheng’s eyes wide and bloodshot, a breath caught in his chest, unable to rise or fall. Indeed, the two had once been inseparable; he had raised the matter of dual cultivation many times, and each time Lu Tanxian had demurred, claiming her low cultivation and anxiety. He believed that once she attained Foundation Establishment, he could revisit the topic. So, he eagerly made preparations. After learning she had won the competition and was without a master, he introduced her to his uncle at Spirit Herb Peak. Lu Tanxian offered a pill recipe as a gift, and he helped procure his uncle’s beloved items, thus making her one of the three disciples under a Golden Core master at Spirit Herb Peak. Seeing her about to reach Foundation Establishment, he quickly informed his family of his intention for dual cultivation. To marry her, he had completed several tasks for his family, suffering wounds, then entered long seclusion. Over these years, he had run about for her sake, even neglecting his own cultivation. Who would have thought, after just a year in seclusion, she would climb a higher branch? What once was her coy affection toward him was now denial; what he thought was mutual understanding had turned to mere gratitude. Though his original intent may have been her secrets, after so long, how could he not develop feelings? Now…

Yu Hanshan, who had been sitting on the stone bench with a gentle smile, finally glanced at Lu Tanxian, thinking to himself, This junior sister is truly remarkable—growing more so by the day. Seeing Lin Yuansheng defeated, the young woman previously hidden stepped out from the shadows. She wore a pale apricot Daoist robe, her figure alluring, her face innocent. She embodied the phrase “angel’s face, devil’s body”—youthful features paired with beguiling curves. She played the part of a naive maiden perfectly, her pure expression timid as she asked, “Senior Brother Yu, are Senior Brother Lin and the others arguing?”

She walked with graceful steps, the finely tailored robe accentuating her shape with each movement, her expression pure and charming. She went straight to Yu Hanshan’s side and sat down. Yu Hanshan, though aware someone hid nearby, had not expected it to be her; surprise showed on his face as he finally spoke, “Xin’er, why have you come at this time?”

With her appearance, both Lu Tanxian and Lin Yuansheng, who had been locked in their tense standoff, quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Lin Yuansheng, unsure how to proceed with the conversation, hurriedly interjected, “Junior Sister Ning, thank you for informing me of Lu Tanxian’s whereabouts… though now I find I no longer need it.”