Ye Lanshan had just changed clothes and walked outside when she heard Wu Jiao say, "A second-level Xuan General, truly gifted by nature. Others advance level by level, but you jump straight ahead."
"I was stuck at Great Xuan Master for so long, so jumping to second level is only natural." Ye Lanshan didn't feel particularly thrilled about it.
Seeing that she wasn't delighted by the advancement but rather somewhat dejected, Wu Jiao said calmly, "Ordinary people, even if stuck at the Great Xuan Master realm for too long, wouldn't advance in leaps like you."
"I've been suppressing my cultivation all this time, not letting it advance, aiming for a thick accumulation and thin release to jump straight to third-level Xuan General. But it didn't turn out as I planned." Ye Lanshan was clearly dissatisfied with her current cultivation level.
"In truth, cultivation is like building a house—only with a solid foundation can you go far. Even if you didn't reach third-level Xuan General, it might not be a bad thing."
"On the contrary, if you had jumped to third-level Xuan General, how could you guarantee that your Xuan power isn't hollow? You need to know that a solid third-level Xuan General and a hollow one are worlds apart."
"Also, if you truly want to improve yourself, training through experience is the most effective method." Wu Jiao, eager to save his clan as soon as possible, decided to use all his ability to properly nurture Ye Lanshan.
It seems I've been too impatient lately, neglecting this fundamental issue. Ye Lanshan lifted her head and said firmly, "Once I finish handling the Ye family matters, I'll go train."
As for why not train now, it was mainly because she was worried about her grandfather, her newly developing business, and Fu Feng and the others being hunted by the Holy Land.
After all, once the struggle between the Sun family and the emperor began, the Ye family would inevitably be affected. Though her grandfather didn't want to get involved, at that point, it wouldn't be a matter of choice.
And her intelligence network had just started developing, still in a very unstable state, so it was safer for her to oversee it personally.
Plus, Fu Tian's influence hadn't been fully uncovered, and Fu Feng hadn't genuinely committed to joining her. How could she feel at ease going to train under these circumstances?
"Hmm, I'm just making a suggestion. Whether you go or not is up to you. Anyway, even if you don't go, with me here, I can still help you improve."
Wu Jiao actually respected Ye Lanshan's opinion, after all, if she got angry and refused to save his clan, he wouldn't even have a place to cry.
"Now, go into the space first. I have other things to attend to." Ye Lanshan remembered her earlier promise to Tao Yao and planned to check how Qing Dai was handling things.
Wu Jiao knew that in his current state, he wasn't fit to enter human cities, so he vanished like the wind from Ye Lanshan's side.
"Master, everything you asked me to handle is arranged, but Tao Yao insists on seeing you." Qing Dai's worried expression immediately changed when she saw Ye Lanshan, as if his mere presence meant nothing else could trouble her.
Hearing the name Tao Yao, Ye Lanshan felt a wave of helplessness. She really didn't know what Tao Yao saw in her, but for the sake of her plan, she wasn't ready to reveal her true identity.
"Alright, I understand." Ye Lanshan walked toward Tao Yao's room.
"You broke your word. You said you'd personally take me to see the courtyard, but instead you sent Qing Dai?" Tao Yao put on a pitiful face the moment she saw Ye Lanshan enter.
"Sorry, something urgent came up at the estate, so I had Qing Dai go in my stead. How's the courtyard? Are you satisfied with it?" Ye Lanshan steered the conversation back to business.
"The courtyard is fine, quite suitable for training assassins, but it's a bit small. At most, it could train fifteen or sixteen assassins." Tao Yao found everything else about the courtyard acceptable, just too small.
"Alright, then start with fifteen or sixteen. The capital is tense lately. Buying a large courtyard as a training base so openly would inevitably attract attention." Ye Lanshan considered the current situation and decided the existing courtyard was better.
"I find myself liking you more and more, Shanluo. Handsome, with a nice voice, incredible talent, gentle and refined, and sharp-minded. How are you so captivating?"
Tao Yao suddenly leaned in, nearly touching Ye Lanshan's lips, but Ye Lanshan dodged just in time.
"Be serious now." Ye Lanshan finally showed some displeasure at her behavior.
Seeing him annoyed, Tao Yao immediately stood up straight, pouting, "Can't I even get a hug?"
"Master?" Qing Dai stood awkwardly at the door, unsure whether to enter or leave.
"What is it? Come in and speak." Ye Lanshan pulled her inside upon seeing her at the threshold.
"This... Miss Tao Yao, please excuse us for a moment." Qing Dai didn't trust Tao Yao, so she kept things from her.
"Excuse me? Look around, this is my room. Where do you expect me to go?" Tao Yao had long been annoyed with Qing Dai but held back for Ye Lanshan's sake.
But this time, she had finally managed to tease Ye Lanshan a bit, and before she could do anything else, Qing Dai interrupted again—and in her own room, no less, asking her to leave. Tao Yao was about to lose her patience.
"It's fine. You look tired, so get some rest. We won't disturb you. Qing Dai, let's go." Ye Lanshan was looking for an excuse to leave, and Tao Yao's words gave her the perfect opportunity.
"Yes." Qing Dai followed Ye Lanshan out of Tao Yao's room.
"Hmph, one day I'll firmly grasp your heart and then ruthlessly dump you, so you learn that it's better to offend a petty person than a woman." Tao Yao, repeatedly rejected in her advances, felt a hint of resentment.
"Speak. What is it?" Ye Lanshan entered her usual room, sat down in a chair, and asked.
Qing Dai replied respectfully, "Master, Dou Jingtong wants to see you."
"Understood. Have him come over." Ye Lanshan leaned back in her chair, a faint smile curling at her lips.
Let's see what they want from me.
"I never expected the ultimate owner of this brothel to be such a handsome young master." Dou Jingtong paused in surprise when he saw Ye Lanshan in the room.
"What? Did you think it was some elderly old lady?" Ye Lanshan recognized the familiar voice and grew cautious, but kept her tone light and teasing.
Dou Jingtong let out a dry laugh. "Haha, I actually did think that on my way here."
"I wonder what business Master Dou has with me?"