After returning to the main hall, Chu Xuan originally intended to report on the matter of the "meeting gift," but as soon as he lifted his head, he sensed that something was amiss...
Ming Yu was expressionless with a cold gaze, seemingly reverting to her usual "icy beauty" demeanor. Even when faced privately with her beloved disciple, she remained the same.
This made Chu Xuan a bit uneasy. What was going on?
Could it be that, in the eyes of his master, privately accepting bribes from others was such a serious matter?
Or did she only appear polite to Baihua but secretly disliked her? Could she be upset that Chu Xuan didn't promptly send her away and instead chatted aimlessly with her?
Just as Chu Xuan was contemplating whether to confess voluntarily and take responsibility, Ming Yu suddenly extended her right hand, the meaning clear without words.
Chu Xuan immediately stepped forward and placed the jade bracelet into her hand.
"Master, let me explain, I..."
However, before he could finish, Ming Yu waved her hand to interrupt him, and her expression softened a bit, as if nothing had happened and everything was just an illusion of the little disciple.
"I quite like the style of this jade bracelet. How about exchanging it for this jade sword?" she said, taking out a small white jade sword from her sleeve.
Chu Xuan dared not accept it and promptly said, "No, no, if Master likes it, then by all means, keep it."
But Ming Yu simply looked at him, unmoving.
With no choice but to obey his master's command, Chu Xuan reluctantly reached out and accepted it.
Moreover, although Master claimed to like the bracelet, she put it away as soon as she took it and did not wear it.
It was only now that Chu Xuan had a belated realization. Could it be that... Master was jealous?
But nothing happened between me and Baihua, not even the slightest hint of ambiguity. Was it simply because the bracelet was a personal item of another woman, and Master thought I shouldn't have accepted it?
Chu Xuan even questioned whether he was being too narcissistic and overly imaginative.
In any case, once the bracelet was handed over, it was as though nothing had happened with Master, who was even in the mood to chat about how the two had met.
Lady Baihua was a descendant of the Wuyou Valley line. Since her master's generation, they had started hosting the one-hundred-twenty-year Baihua Banquet, which was not only for appreciating flowers and discussing the Tao but also for networking with cultivators from all sides.
The most crucial point was that although the banquet only officially invited female cultivators to discuss the challenges, insights, and gains during their cultivation, it did not prohibit male cultivators from participating.
At the appointed time, those who considered themselves qualified could join the discussions based on their prowess, realm, relationships, or background.
Precisely because of this open attitude, although the initial Baihua Banquets lacked fame and participants, they gradually improved and became more formal over time.
Today, many female cultivators in the cultivation world take pride in being invited.
Ming Yu's acquaintance with Lady Baihua had nothing to do with the banquet. It was purely because several hundred years ago, when Ming Yu was traveling, she happened to save Baihua from being pursued by a demonic cultivator, forging a bond of goodwill.
What kind of person was Baihua? She naturally seized the opportunity to cling tightly to someone powerful; moreover, she was particularly attentive, and although she deliberately sought friendship, it was not at all off-putting, but rather left one feeling like a breath of spring breeze.
Even with Ming Yu's perpetually aloof and icy personality, Baihua managed to win her favor and occasionally took the initiative to help her handle some social matters, which was a way of repaying kindness.
Chu Xuan nodded slightly, realizing he had indeed overthought it. Judging from Master's tone, she had no qualms about Baihua.
However, unbeknownst to him, Lady Baihua, already flying far away, suddenly shivered. Feeling a bit uneasy, she wondered what was going on. Was it a premonition?
She calculated with her fingers but came up with nothing, so she had to be extra cautious on her way back.
...
Time passed, and another year went by.
This marked the fourth year since Chu Xuan ascended the mountain.
Thanks to the sword he received, his master finally stopped taking a hands-off approach with her disciple. Besides regular activities, she began teaching him sword practice hand-to-hand.
Chu Xuan really enjoyed this lesson, practicing a set of sword techniques with his master amidst the bamboo grove.
As time went on, their rapport grew, though not to the point of complete mutual understanding. However, oftentimes a mere glance was enough for them to comprehend each other's intentions.
During sword practice, his master would personally correct his posture and explain the key points of sword control. He adored her serious demeanor while instructing.
When Chu Xuan finally completed the "Mingxin Sword Technique," he couldn't help but ask Ming Yu:
"Master, lately, I've felt that my cultivation has reached perfection—adding even a fraction feels excessive, while subtracting seems too little."
"After years of cultivation, my mind has reached a state of peace. May I ask when I can undertake Foundation Establishment?"
Ming Yu merely shook her head slightly, "Since you pose this question, it indicates that you still have not fully honed yourself."
Chu Xuan couldn't help but smile wryly. Had he known, he wouldn't have asked.
Of course, he also realized that even if he withheld the question, the doubt would still linger in his mind.
In fact, Chu Xuan had felt capable of Foundation Establishment half a year ago. The honing that was supposed to take years—it had been three years already—wasn't that enough? Hence today's inquiry.
Finally, he patted his cheeks, "Alright, I won't ask anymore. I'll continue honing; whether it's ten or twenty years, I can wait."
Ming Yu nodded slightly, reaching out her right hand to gently touch Chu Xuan's cheek, "Speaking of which, you've grown up."
Such an intimate action was the first in these four years, causing Chu Xuan's face to flush. He slightly lowered his head, not daring to meet his master's eyes.
"Have you started thinking about girls?" Ming Yu's tone surprisingly carried a hint of teasing.
It was the first time Chu Xuan realized that his master, with her icy beauty demeanor, could crack a joke.
He hurriedly waved his hands, "No, no."
"That's good. You need to focus wholeheartedly on cultivation. Love and romance are still too early for you."
Though Ming Yu's words sounded earnest, Chu Xuan still felt like retorting:
Master, you're teasing your own disciple while saying such things. Don't you feel guilty? You should at least let go of your little hand first.
Perhaps hearing these thoughts, Ming Yu surprisingly withdrew her hand, leaving Chu Xuan with a sense of loss.
...
The next day, Chu Xuan arrived early in the main hall, carrying two long jade fishing rods.
Today, they were going on an outing; his master had mentioned it half a month ago, saying they were going to a very interesting place to fish but didn't elaborate further, claiming it was to give him a surprise.
Chu Xuan speculated that they might go to an icy lake, drill a hole, and fish—something that didn't sound particularly novel. Perhaps the surprise was the type of fish they would encounter?
He was already pondering whether to prepare some grilled fish or sashimi to win his master's favor.
The snow mink also joined them, eagerly tagging along. It seemed like it had been there before and tried to gesture something to Chu Xuan, its little paws swinging in the air, looking adorably silly, but Chu Xuan couldn't comprehend a bit of it.