Yao Guanheng arrived to save the day, and the player emerged unscathed, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.
Her former capture target seemed to recognize her, yet also not.
She had no idea what was going through his mind. As someone not native to the Cultivation World, the player couldn’t recall the theories on bone age and reincarnation for the moment. She simply frowned in thought.
Fortunately, she had been clever enough to pretend not to know him, while also using her new master to poke at her old one a bit.
Now it seemed that the soft-hearted Elder Fu truly owed his former little disciple a great debt.
He had even seemed interested in taking her as his disciple.
Guilt was perfect. The more guilt he felt, the easier it would be for his “little disciple” to exploit it. The player began pondering certain “playstyles.”
Li Yin sank into thought. She was so focused on her old master that she didn’t notice her new master was still holding her, refusing to let go.
Riding on a water spirit spell’s clouds and mist, Yao Guanheng silently adjusted their position. One arm wrapped around his little disciple’s shoulder in an intimate posture.
The man lowered his gaze, watching her expression as if oblivious to her furrowed brow and contemplation. He merely revealed a gentle, clear smile. “Were you frightened?”
Li Yin snapped back to attention and shook her head. “It’s fine now that Master is here.”
Only then did she notice their intimate posture. She took half a step back, slipping out of her master’s embrace.
Yao Guanheng’s smile remained as he naturally released her. Seeing his little disciple blinking her eyes…
Li Yin asked curiously, “Master, are you the lead elder from our sect for this outing?”
As she spoke, she selected the Disguise Art to refresh it while muttering to herself inwardly—
Back when they had communicated, why hadn’t he leaked a single hint? She’d thought her master wouldn’t come to the Pill Appreciation Conference at all.
Yao Guanheng gave a soft acknowledgment. Then, with great patience, a flicker of spiritual light danced at his fingertips as he helped her repair her Disguise Art.
His fingertips lightly brushed her forehead and cheeks. The man lowered his eyes, his long, dense lashes veiling his gaze.
Of course, he wouldn’t tell her that he’d led the team this time, even keeping it from those two demon creatures on Illuminating Water Peak.
“I had some free time, so I took the mission. It just so happened… that I could come see you.”
His voice was clear and smooth, gentle in tone, like a feather brushing lightly, stirring a faint itch in the listener’s heart.
Li Yin felt something inexplicable. The itch vanished in an instant, like an illusion. She subconsciously lifted her eyes to look at her master.
Her master was as handsome as ever, as gentle as ever, his smile unchanged, surrounded by a lingering faint tea fragrance.
She heard him continue, “The Pill Cauldron Sect has arranged accommodations for everyone from the various sects. This time, besides our sect, the Sword Sect, Azure Profound, and Joyous Union have all sent disciples.”
Li Yin nodded, no longer dwelling on that odd itch. She didn’t notice how her master had subtly changed the subject, silently guiding her to fly in a certain direction.
“There are plenty of artifact refiners here. Hand your magic artifact over to them for repairs. Until it’s fixed, don’t wander around outside. Master is worried you’ll run into more trouble.” Yao Guanheng spoke leisurely, seemingly entirely concerned for his disciple’s safety.
Li Yin had no doubts and nodded obediently, handing her hairpin to her master.
There were fully three exes here. She’d been lucky just now to encounter the easiest to fool, the softest-tempered one.
She really shouldn’t wander around outside.
Yao Guanheng chuckled softly, rolling up his sleeve to store away the cracked Disguise Art artifact. “The Pill Cauldron Sect has arranged guest quarters. The elders’ residences are relatively secluded. For these few days, stay at my place first. It’ll only be a day or two at most.”
Her master’s words made perfect sense. Li Yin agreed readily.
Only after he spoke did she realize that his water cloud had already carried her to a Pill Cauldron Sect guest residence.
The place was indeed secluded. There were no people along the way, and the courtyard was planted with flowers. After landing, a medicinal fragrance lingered in the air.
Li Yin looked around and sniffed. “This medicinal scent seems to have calming and soothing effects… Quite thoughtful. As expected of the Pill Cauldron Sect.”
In her previous save files, the player’s and her capture targets’ accommodations also carried this medicinal fragrance. So the guest rooms received the same treatment.
Hearing this, Yao Guanheng chuckled lightly. “Yes, quite thoughtful. If not for that incident just now…”
He trailed off there, but easily dragged those unpleasant events back into her mind as a reminder.
Thinking of the unreasonable argument from before, the girl indeed lost interest. Her favorable impression of the Pill Cauldron Sect undoubtedly dropped a notch.
That was more like it.
Yao Guanheng slightly restrained his smile and said softly, “This place is bustling, inevitably stirring people’s hearts. Some disciples’ temperaments still need tempering.”
He seemed utterly impartial, speaking casually as an elder of his sect.
The man turned and parted the curtain, finding a seat. He beckoned elegantly to his little disciple. “Come here. You clashed with that disciple, so Master will check you first. If you’ve suffered any hidden injuries or latent poison, that would be bad.”
Li Yin had wanted to say it wasn’t necessary, but hearing about hidden injuries and poison made her swallow her refusal. “Would he poison me? I don’t feel anything at all.”
She quickly patted her cheeks and touched her chest. Indeed, nothing seemed amiss.
Her master wasn’t in a hurry, simply watching her with quiet gentleness.
His little disciple hurriedly checked herself but found no issues. In the end, she sat down in front of her master, letting him examine her again.
The man’s warm fingers rested on her wrist. Cultivators could always detect anomalies by observing the flow of spiritual energy.
Yao Guanheng parted his lips. “Pill cultivators are skilled at refining pills, and some poisons are a form of pill. In the future, when you’re out and about, remember to stay vigilant. The Cultivation World has many insidious methods. Never trust others lightly.”
His little disciple listened tensely, sitting up straight as she heeded her master’s lecture.
But then her master changed tack. “Like that Elder Fu.”
Yao Guanheng’s smile was gentle and faint. His dark eyes shifted, suddenly fixing on the girl’s face.
Li Yin’s heart skipped a beat at his gaze.
Her lashes trembled, but she feigned innocence, looking at him with pure wide eyes as she awaited his next words. “What’s wrong with Elder Fu?”
Yao Guanheng countered with a question. “Everyone says Elder Fu is kind and tolerant. What do you think? Moreover, that Elder Fu seems quite concerned about you.”
His hand still rested on her wrist, his fingertip gently rubbing, enough to feel her subtle fluctuations.
With centuries of experience as a great power cultivator, he could discern much from the girl’s momentary unnatural reaction.
Her master seemed off somehow.
Li Yin felt his words carried a hidden meaning, but she couldn’t guess what he was probing for.
The player’s strategy was to keep playing dumb.
“What do I think?” The girl frowned in thought. “Maybe he’s just good to his sect disciples. After all, people have their favorites. Favoring some over others is only natural.”
“And particularly concerned about me?” Confusion showed on her face. “Maybe I’m just naturally likable, like Master. Back then, when you suddenly offered to take me as your disciple, I was shocked too.”
Facing the man’s subtle probing, the girl suddenly beamed brightly, advancing instead of retreating.
Her bright eyes sparkled as she added, “Master, you’re not worried I’ll abandon you, are you?”
The word “abandon” didn’t quite fit a master-disciple relationship.
The man clearly paused. His little disciple seemed to speak carelessly, yet it struck at his hidden thoughts. Now it was his lashes that trembled lightly.
His dark eyes reflected the girl’s smile. She drew closer, their clear fragrances mingling in the shortened distance.
With utmost seriousness, the girl solemnly assured him, “Don’t worry, Master. No matter how good other sects or elders are, in this Cultivation World, you’re my only master.”
The player wasn’t lying.
Her other master wasn’t in the Cultivation World—he was in the Demon Domain.
Yao Guanheng had only meant to probe whether there was some other relationship between her and that Elder Fu. He hadn’t expected his own probing to stir his heart—once, then again.
His dark eyes fixed on the girl’s upturned lips, her slightly curved eyes, her sparkling gaze and smile, and her moving lips and teeth, uttering that false “sincerity.”
Young Master.
Lying… isn’t a good habit.
Even so, a smile tugged at his lips.
Even the calmest water would ripple from a pebble dropped in.
Having thoroughly executed her maneuver, the player suddenly changed the subject. “Right, Master, you came out, leaving Little Peacock and the merfolk on the mountain. They won’t fight, will they?”
Worry creased the girl’s face. “I wonder how their injuries are.”
Li Yin swore to the heavens that she’d only said this to divert the topic. Who knew that before she finished, the beautiful master’s smile abruptly faded.
Not only that—his fingers suddenly tightened, gripping her wrist harder.
The gentle master suddenly lost composure, leaving the player stunned.
She saw him restrain his smile, purse his lips, and finally speak.
“Why not ask me?” The man’s enunciation was impeccably clear and melodious, yet his smooth voice carried an inexplicable note of grievance. “Why not ask about Master’s injuries?”
As he spoke, clouds rose from the ground outside the curtains, mist suddenly enveloping the surroundings in silent quiet, blocking all prying eyes.
Li Yin hadn’t noticed the changes outside yet. After a stunned pause, she asked as her master wished, “Then, Master, are your injuries healed?”
She wondered what was up with her master, a vague guess forming.
Before she could fully uncover his intentions, her master sighed softly, sparing his little disciple the effort.
Gripping her wrist, he actually pressed her hand to his chest. “Why don’t you check Master as well?”
Beneath her palm, the man’s chest rose and fell. Even through his clothes, she could feel the faint contours.
Li Yin was already dazed when her master’s voice transmission exploded in her mind—
【Young Lord.】
How does Master know…
The player froze again, then reacted swiftly.
Master… is a cauldron?
Master is a cauldron!!