Chapter 113 : Strange Man

Chapter 113: Strange Man

Nan Yuchen clearly failed to notice the increasingly wary and agitated look in his senior sister’s eyes and continued,

“Fifth Senior Sister, you didn’t see it—that girl really looked so much like Senior Brother Long, especially her eyes. They were almost identical. Sigh… it’s a pity I messed it up.”

“You! You’re coming back with me right now!” Zhu Huaisu grabbed his sleeve in one swift motion.

“Huh? We’ve only just come out for a short while…”

“Hmph! I saw you staying on the peak every day, either feeding birds or cultivating, and thought you were pitiful, so I specially brought you out to relax and to take a look at this year’s junior brothers and sisters.” Zhu Huaisu let out a cold laugh.

“And what did you do? The moment you saw a girl, you went up to strike up a conversation—and it was because she looked like your Senior Brother Long! Fine. Let’s see how you explain yourself to Eldest Senior Sister when we get back.”

“No, no, no! I’ll go back with you, alright? Just… just don’t tell Eldest Senior Sister.”

As the two of them pulled at each other and headed toward the mountain gate, beneath the eaves not far away, a young man dressed in black martial attire watched the scene with keen interest.

He appeared to be about seventeen or eighteen years old, clad in typical wanderer’s garb, clearly also a seeker who had come to participate in the Disciple Recruitment Ceremony.

When Nan Yuchen and Zhu Huaisu disappeared around the corner, a playful smile curved his lips, and he turned to walk toward Long Xi, who was still standing by the pastry stall.

“Miss, are you also newly arrived at the Heavenly Sect, preparing to participate in the Disciple Recruitment Ceremony?” the man asked directly in an exceedingly friendly tone, his gaze carefully studying Long Xi’s face.

“I saw you speaking with that Heavenly Sect disciple just now. Were you old acquaintances?”

A strange man suddenly approaching her made Long Xi instinctively take half a step back.

Yet when she raised her eyes and saw his face clearly, the vigilance in her heart instantly dissipated, replaced instead by an inexplicable sense of closeness.

Though he could not be considered handsome, there was an indescribable charm between his brows.

Coupled with his wanderer’s attire and slightly unruly temperament, she immediately decided he must be some kind of carefree and upright roaming hero.

“Ah… no, no. It was just… a chance encounter,” she said, her voice unconsciously softening.

“I see.” The man smiled and cupped his hands.

“I too have come to participate in the ceremony. It’s inevitable to feel nervous, so I thought it best to make the acquaintance of a few fellow aspirants beforehand. I was presumptuous earlier; I hope you won’t take offense, Miss.”

“It’s no trouble at all.” Long Xi quickly waved her hands.

“I was thinking the same. If we are fortunate enough to enter the sect, it’s always good to have more friends. May I ask your—”

Before she could finish asking his name, a broad palm gently pressed onto her shoulder.

Turning her head, she found that Steward Liu had appeared behind her at some unknown time.

“Miss, how has buying a piece of sweet cake taken so long? Master and Madam are both worried,” Steward Liu said warmly, though his gaze brushed lightly over the unfamiliar man.

“I’m sorry, Uncle Liu. I’ll head back right away.” Long Xi finally came back to her senses and turned apologetically to the man.

“Sir… I shall take my leave first.”

With this interruption from Uncle Liu, that inexplicable favorable impression she had felt moments ago vanished without a trace.

Looking at the man again, she found his appearance utterly ordinary, the hint of roguishness between his brows particularly irritating—almost nauseating.

How had she possibly found him charming just now? He was far worse than her own foolish older brother.

“It was I who disturbed you, Miss.” The man maintained what he believed to be an appropriate smile, yet it only made Long Xi feel even more repulsed.

After turning away with Uncle Liu, Long Xi was still secretly puzzled by her earlier reaction when the old steward suddenly lowered his voice and asked, “Miss… did you just feel an improper sense of fondness toward that man?”

“Uncle Liu? How did you…” Long Xi abruptly stopped in her tracks.

With that reminder, she immediately realized how strange the situation had been.

That sudden sense of intimacy had come far too unreasonably.

“That man is very wrong,” Uncle Liu said gravely.

“Those who come to participate in the Disciple Recruitment Ceremony are a mixed bag. There are many with ill intentions. When you enter the sect in the future, you must stay far away from him.”

He turned back to look, only to find the man had already disappeared.

In his usually kind eyes, a trace of sharpness flashed.

“I understand. Thank you, Uncle Liu.”

“Miss, please don’t say such things.” Uncle Liu sighed softly.

“Just remember, before officially entering the sect, do not form deep ties with strangers. As for what happened just now, for the time being, do not let Master and Madam know. It would only add to their worries.”

Long Xi nodded solemnly.

Though she was still young, she had heard rumors of the Bewitching Arts of the Hehuan Sect.

Uncle Liu’s implication was already clear enough.

“Rest assured. If I ever encounter such inexplicable feelings of fondness toward strangers again, I will be careful.”

“You, Young Master, and that girl Xiao Ying—each one of you is exceptionally clever. This old man has never needed to worry too much.” Uncle Liu stroked his beard with relief.

“It’s just that these great immortal sects are not like Qinglin Town. No matter how intelligent one may be, a lack of experience can still lead to losses. The Young Master, being a man, is one thing—but Miss, with your appearance, you must be even more cautious in the future.”

…

When the two of them returned to the tea stall where Father Long and Mother Long were resting, Long Xi was surprised to find an additional familiar figure there.

It was a girl about her age, dressed in the disciple uniform of the Ninefold Radiance Heavenly Sect.

Perched atop her hair bun was a delicate and adorable little turtle, and at that moment she was animatedly saying something to Father Long and Mother Long.

As they approached, Long Xi finally recognized her.

“Xiao Ying?”

“Miss!”

The female disciple was none other than Xiao Ying, her former maid who had been as close to her as a sister.

After several months apart, both were overjoyed and immediately embraced each other.

“That’s wonderful! Miss really did decide to come,” Xiao Ying said, tightly holding Long Xi’s hands as if afraid she might run away.

“You and my brother both came. I would have been so bored staying home alone,” Long Xi replied, glancing around again.

“Did you come specially to receive us? Where’s my brother?”

“The Young Master has been very busy lately. He’s also been practicing martial training and tempering his body, returning each day covered in injuries. He truly couldn’t spare the time, so he sent me to receive you instead.”

At this, Father Long and Mother Long immediately showed worried expressions, though Xiao Ying’s relaxed tone suggested the situation was not serious.

“In any case, there are still several days before the ceremony. The Young Master has already prepared lodging for us here in Mountain Gate Town.” As she spoke, Xiao Ying cupped the little turtle from atop her head into her palm and fed it something from a small pouch.

“Since Miss carries Master’s letter of recommendation, you’ll only need to go through the motions when the time comes.”

“Xiao Ying…” Uncle Liu could no longer hold back and interjected, his face filled with disbelief.

“If this old man is not mistaken, you are already at the second level of Qi Refinement?”

He knew her spiritual root aptitude well.

Logically, it should have been impossible for her to advance so rapidly.

“Hehe, as expected, I couldn’t hide it from Uncle Liu.” Xiao Ying blinked playfully.

“But the reason behind it is currently a sect secret, so it’s not convenient for me to explain here.”

Uncle Liu suppressed the doubts filling his heart.

He understood that such opportunities inevitably carried secrets not meant for outsiders.

No matter how close he was to Xiao Ying, he could not press further.

He merely nodded with a smile and sighed, “As expected of a disciple personally chosen by True Person Zhiying. Such talent is truly astonishing. I watched you grow up, yet failed to recognize a pearl, nearly delaying your immortal destiny… Sigh. No wonder I have been unable to form a Golden Core all my life—my insight is far too lacking.”

“Uncle Liu, what are you saying!” Xiao Ying nearly stamped her foot in anxiety.

“You’re in your prime. There’s still a long road ahead. You’ll definitely have your chance.”

Long Xi listened quietly at the side, her gaze passing over Xiao Ying’s skin, which had become noticeably fairer and more lustrous, before settling on the little turtle—clearly no ordinary beast—resting lazily in her palm.

In just a few short months, the maid who had grown up alongside her had shed her youthful awkwardness, an ethereal air now faintly surrounding her.