"Hmph!" Sikong Feihe snorted coldly and fell silent.
"Could Master Shanluo share some insights or techniques on alchemy with me?" Liu Chunsheng looked like an adoring fan.
"Go ahead and practice. I'll watch and point out any mistakes," Ye Lanshan said, unable to refuse this bright and forthright girl.
"Alright!" Liu Chunsheng's eyes lit up with a triumphant smile.
She had finally gotten one step closer to this person.
Though her alchemy was rigid, she approached it with seriousness, treating every herb like a precious treasure. However, her technique had some flaws, and despite her full concentration, there were still unstable moments.
After observing, Ye Lanshan offered a few pointers on her shortcomings, which thrilled Liu Chunsheng to no end. She insisted on becoming her disciple.
But how could Ye Lanshan agree to that? The answer was, of course, no.
Still, Liu Chunsheng wasn't truly heartbroken, because her main goal was simply to stay by Ye Lanshan's side. Though she admired Shanluo, she knew she wasn't worthy of him yet. So she would cling to him desperately, chasing his pace and growing stronger step by step, until she could stand openly beside him.
Unfortunately, she was likely destined for heartbreak, because Shanluo was merely an alias of Ye Lanshan.
"Shanluo!" Liu Chunsheng appeared before her, head tilted.
"Shanluo!" She knocked on his door.
"Shanluo!" Even when he stepped out in the morning to breathe fresh air, Liu Chunsheng wouldn't let up, clinging to Ye Lanshan at every moment.
"What exactly do you want?" Ye Lanshan had to admire Liu Chunsheng's tenacity.
"I just wanted to say that all the alchemists have a competition today. Shouldn't we head over?" Liu Chunsheng tugged at Ye Lanshan's sleeve, wanting to go together.
"Oh, I see. You go ahead. I have some things to take care of and I'll be there shortly." Ye Lanshan subtly avoided her hand.
Though a bit disappointed, Liu Chunsheng didn't notice his movement and nodded. "Alright, I'll go first. Make sure to find me when you get there."
"Mm." Ye Lanshan, unable to withstand her clinginess, reluctantly agreed.
"You have to find me!" Liu Chunsheng reluctantly headed to the exchange gathering.
At the gathering, everything was lively. Familiar alchemists exchanged pleasantries, while those at odds with each other snorted coldly and ignored one another.
Suddenly, the bustling scene fell silent. Ye Lanshan appeared in a light blue robe, like a celestial descending to earth. His ethereal and elegant aura captivated everyone present.
"Hmph." Luo Yongwu's gaze was venomous, his face twisted with deep jealousy. But recalling what the Sikong family head had told him, a smug smile crept across his face. Let him enjoy this moment for now.
Another person with a similarly malicious expression was Lü Jidao. Ever since Ye Lanshan had taken all his herbal assets, he had harbored a deep hatred for him. But he didn't dare to provoke Ye Lanshan directly—instead, he would target those around him.
"I advise you not to seek revenge, or you'll be the one to suffer," Zhou Zizhi warned, noticing his bitter expression.
"Hmph, I don't need your fake kindness. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have made that bet with him, and I wouldn't have lost!"
Lü Jidao hated him too, but since they had grown up together and Zhou Zizhi had some influence in the Medicine Valley, Lü Jidao buried his resentment deep. Still, that didn't mean he wouldn't retaliate.
"I..." Zhou Zizhi's eyes flickered with guilt. He was right—if he hadn't insisted on picking a fight, Lü Jidao wouldn't have bet with Ye Lanshan. But at the time, he never imagined Ye Lanshan would be such a pure, ethereal, and holy presence, let alone a divine-grade alchemist.
If he had known, he would never have led his crew to cause trouble.
"Shanluo, Yundi, you're here! Come, come, let me introduce you. This is Master Yunxuan, now a guest elder of the Spirit Sect." Sikong Yanguang, unusually warm, pulled them over.
"Greetings, Master Yunxuan. I actually have a friend in the Spirit Sect as well." Ye Lanshan smiled and bowed politely, her manners impeccable and her demeanor gentle—flawless in every way.
But Yundi was different. He kept a cold face toward Yunxuan, not disrespectful, but not acting as a junior should.
"Let's go." Yundi clearly didn't want to see Yunxuan at all.
Between Yundi and Master Yunxuan, Yundi was obviously more important—after all, he was a friend she acknowledged. So Ye Lanshan made an excuse and led Yundi away, leaving Cangzhu behind.
"Sigh! That child still blames me." Yunxuan's voice was weary, filled with unspoken words he couldn't voice.
"What was done back then was out of necessity. I believe Yundi will come to understand," Sikong Yanguang said, unsure of what else to say. The harm was already done, and no remedy could undo it. All they could do now was try to help and ease their own guilt.
Cangzhu listened quietly, head bowed, lost in thought.
"Shanluo, over here!" Liu Chunsheng waved her arm and shouted loudly, afraid he wouldn't hear.
Lan Yexin stood beside her, shielding her from the sun like a protector.
...
"Oh, so you're a student in the Alchemy Branch of the Xuanling Academy?" Ye Lanshan finally learned that Liu Chunsheng was a student there.
"Sort of. My grandfather is an elder in the Alchemy Branch." Liu Chunsheng scratched her head.
"I see. Do you happen to know a student named Fufeng?"
"You mean Fufeng? You know him?" Liu Chunsheng's eyes flashed with surprise. That was a madman who would risk anything for power. She had never seen anyone so relentless—he seized every method to boost his strength.
And in the Xuanling Academy, he had built his own faction. It was hard to believe that such a young kid would act so mature, with his tireless, sleepless cultivation and his icy demeanor that made him seem anything but a child.
"What's wrong? Did something happen to him?" Ye Lanshan's tone carried a hint of anxiety. Fufeng hadn't contacted her in a long time.
At first, she was worried, but recalling the dean's attitude, she assumed he was safe at the academy. Now, seeing Liu Chunsheng's strange reaction, her heart tightened.