Chapter 35: Here It Comes Again

Ning Xin propped her face with both hands, tilting her head as she looked at Lu Tanxian and asked, “Why can't it be used anymore? Didn't Senior Brother Lin say he would perform the dual cultivation ceremony with her?” Lin Yuansheng secretly clenched his fists but said nothing, feigning heartbreak that left him speechless, and departed in silence.

As soon as Lin Yuansheng left, Lu Tanxian's brows creased ever so slightly, imperceptible to most. She pondered that she must find a way to resolve matters on his side. Lin Yuansheng had grown accustomed to being flattered and did not truly love her; now that his dignity had been bruised, he remained a hidden threat.

Ning Xin's expression was all innocence, as if she did not understand why Lin Yuansheng acted that way, yet inwardly she bit her lip in frustration. Useless! The son of a formidable Golden Core master, a well-bred disciple from the inner sect, being toyed with by a mere girl from the outer sect and running off in defeat—she had gone to the trouble of coaxing him over for nothing. Her eyes flickered, then she turned and took Yuhan Mountain's hand, speaking sweetly, “Senior Brother, I still can't master the pill-making technique you taught me last time. Let's go to the alchemy chamber, and please teach me again.” As she spoke, she gently shook his hand, adorably like a child begging for sweets.

When Yuhan Mountain felt her delicate hand pull him, his heart floated up, and with her gentle shake, it soared even higher. His gaze drifted from her slender, fair hand up to the part of her figure accentuated by her apricot-yellow robe, and his heart was utterly lost. Unconsciously, he cooperated with Ning Xin, rising to head toward the cave dwelling. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lu Tanxian still standing there, her crimson lips pressed tightly together, looking frail yet determined. His heart softened, and he said, “Junior Sister Lu, why don't you come in as well?”

Those words brought joy to one, anger to another, and a chuckle from a third, hidden in the immortal palace watching the drama unfold.

Would Ning Xin let this go so easily? Of course not. Her pleased steps halted at once; she pouted and said, with natural petulance, “No way! I want to learn alone with Senior Brother Yu, I don't want Senior Sister Lu to see me being clumsy.” Hearing her unguarded little thoughts, Yuhan Mountain smiled indulgently and patted her head, saying, “Silly girl, are you really afraid she'll laugh at you?” He glanced at the awkward Lu Tanxian, his mind turning quickly, and said, “Junior Sister Lu, your hand seals are already proficient; you truly don't need to watch anymore. This silly girl is afraid of being teased, so let's not take up your time. We've studied the pill formula enough—perhaps you should practice on your own. If you have any questions—”

Ning Xin quickly interjected, “If there are any questions, Senior Sister Lu can always ask Master Lin; you don’t need to show off in front of him, Senior Brother.” She stuck out her tongue playfully, earning another smile from Yuhan Mountain. He saluted Lu Tanxian from afar, then entered the cave with Ning Xin.

Lu Tanxian watched this unfold, her face unmoved, but she could not help biting her lip. This Yuhan Mountain, with his rakish charm, had gained her pill formula yet remained unreliable. If it weren’t for the fact that Master Yuheng never left his chamber, she’d have no chance to approach him, and so had sought another path through Yuhan Mountain. Yet he was frivolous and shrewd, and besides his youth, he was nothing compared to Master Yuheng! Was it worth offending Lin Yuansheng for him? With that thought, Lu Tanxian departed, deep in contemplation. Hansu, finding the spectacle ended, bored, burrowed back into her subterranean lair.

This time, she darted into an underground river and was nearly swallowed by a fish, forcing her to hurry back to the surface.