Chu Xuan was naturally very nervous, his heart began to race. Though over the past three years, their relationship had become very close, real physical contact was occurring for the first time!
Thankfully, after such a long time of adaptation, he no longer blushed.
The master's small hand was warm, soft, and delicate. Chu Xuan felt as if he was in a dream, being led out of the cave abode by this icy beauty.
The snow mink, finding itself seemingly forgotten by the two, followed behind with some displeasure, whining like an abandoned "grumbling woman."
With her hand holding Chu Xuan's, Taixu continued her usual stroll in the valley, but this time she asked a special question: "Aren't you curious about my name?"
"Naturally I am curious, Master. Could you tell me?"
This was a question Chu Xuan had always wanted to ask but never dared, because as a disciple, he had no need to call her by name and his master never proactively mentioned it.
Taixu turned her head, looking at Chu Xuan with a very serious expression.
"Ming Yu, you must remember this name and never forget it for the rest of your life."
Though she didn't specify which Yu, Chu Xuan felt a spiritual confirmation—he nodded, earnestly promising, "I will remember it."
Ming Yu gave a faint smile, which was no longer a mere collection of pixels, as if the thousand-year ice mountain had melted, highlighting her otherworldly elegance like an immortal.
Chu Xuan was so stunned that he nearly forgot to walk. Once again, causing Ming Yu to turn her head and cover her mouth with her sleeve.
Chu Xuan awkwardly coughed and continued forward as if nothing had happened.
In fact, he was not the only one; even the snow mink following them almost stumbled, purely startled. It seemed even it had never seen its master with such an expression.
The snow mink glanced at Chu Xuan weirdly, examining him up and down repeatedly, as if trying to figure out what was so special about this human.
...
All day, Chu Xuan was in the best of moods. He felt for the first time: I am special in my master's heart.
She had, for the first time, told him her name and shown him such a smile. If all of Chu Xuan's previous efforts were just pitiful unrequited love, everything changed from today onwards!
Holding the snow mink, Chu Xuan excitedly rolled around on his meditation bed at home, twisting like a maggot, making the snow mink watch with utter speechlessness.
If it could speak, it would probably sarcastically remark: That's enough, little virgin, your imagination is quite vivid.
In short, with this day as a dividing line, Chu Xuan felt that his dream was no longer just an illusion.
The next day, Chu Xuan accompanied his master on the cloud couch, feeding her Spirit Fruit.
This was somewhat "against the rules." In theory, a disciple should be standing and serving at the side, not taking the couch as well.
This privilege had only been afforded in the past half year, illustrating their gradually closer relationship.
Today, Chu Xuan chose a type of unknown, Spiritual Qi-filled green date from the storage room, recalling its remarkably good taste.
Ming Yu's gaze remained on the book. She took the green date from her disciple's hands, bit into it with her pearl-white teeth, and exclaimed, "So sweet." Then she handed the date back to him.
Chu Xuan was startled for a moment before he realized she wanted him to taste it too.
With slight nervousness, he accepted it but hesitated before biting. Logically, he should "avoid suspicion," right?
If he bit where the master had eaten, would she be angry?
Despite Ming Yu's gaze never wandering over, Chu Xuan ultimately rotated the date and bit into an untouched spot.
The refreshing flesh with juice entered his mouth. Indeed, it was sweet and crisp, with a hint of Spiritual Qi flowing into him—not a common earthly fruit.
What Chu Xuan didn't expect was that after he took a bite, the master extended her hand again, without even lifting her head.
He froze momentarily before handing back the date, now with only half of the flesh remaining.
Ming Yu, as though oblivious, took another bite. The spot she bit undoubtedly touched both sides of the pit.
Then she handed the date back to Chu Xuan, the meaning was unmistakable.
Of course, Chu Xuan wouldn't "waste" it. With the master setting an example, he boldly gnawed the remaining flesh clean without hesitation as his heart raced.
The fruit was sweet, but it could never surpass the sweetness filling Chu Xuan's heart. He didn't know whether Ming Yu did it intentionally or inadvertently, only that no one in the world treated him better than his master.
He genuinely hoped that this goodness could continue forever.
...
Halfway through feeding today, a golden document unexpectedly flew in from outside the cave, straight to the main hall.
Chu Xuan was slightly surprised, while Ming Yu raised her head and accepted it, upon which were the large characters [Invitation].
Is there a guest?
This was indeed unusual. It was Chu Xuan's first time seeing a guest in so long. Could it be a friend of the master's? What kind of cultivator could it be?
Ming Yu seemed to know who was coming and did not open it to look, pondering for a moment, then casting a Spell to release the outside formation's restriction.
Seeing this, Chu Xuan proactively suggested, "Master, should I go out to greet them?"
This was also his duty as a disciple.
But Ming Yu just shook her head, and he refrained from saying more.
Soon, accompanied by a fragrance, a female figure elegantly flew over.
The visitor wore a light purple palace dress embroidered with the Four Seasons Hundred Flowers pattern, with a golden hairpin adorning her black tresses. Her appearance was glamorous, her eyes bright with light, her figure elegant, and her demeanor carried a touch of regal grace—she was truly more lovely than all the flowers, stunning beyond compare.
The woman had originally arrived with a smile and was about to pay respects to Primordial Monarch Taixu in the upper seat, but upon suddenly seeing a young man quietly standing at the side of the couch, she was instantly stunned as if witnessing something astonishing.
Chu Xuan was already seventeen this year. Whether in physique or appearance, he had grown more mature compared to his youthful past.
Wearing a simple and clean green Taoist robe, his clear and handsome looks and bright eyes often left a favorable impression on first-time acquaintances.
"Lady Baihua pays respects to Primordial Monarch Taixu." Ultimately, the woman collected her surprise, put her hands to her waist, and respectfully offered a slight bow.
Ming Yu's expression remained as always, icy and indifferent, "No need for formalities, what brings you here?"
If unaware, one might feel uneasy seeing the Monarch like this.
However, Lady Baihua, having known her for a long time, naturally understood that this was her usual demeanor and got straight to the point with a smile:
"In sixteen years, it will be the once-in-a-century [Hundred Flowers Feast]. Sister has already started preparing for it and thought of you first. Would you be willing to honor us with your presence at that time?"
Chu Xuan listened with some surprise—inviting guests to an event sixteen years in advance?
However, after thinking, it made sense given Primordial Monarch Taixu's level of cultivation; if she were to enter seclusion, it could last several decades or even a century. If she wasn't invited well in advance, it would indeed be impossible to meet the arranged time.