Following the strange yet captivating fragrance, Jiang Beiran strolled toward a courtyard accompanied by Yu Manwen.
"Hmm, the scent is definitely coming from here," Jiang Beiran remarked.
Just as he was about to ask Yu Manwen where this place was, she spoke first.
"You really have a knack for finding things. This is our Hall Master’s residence."
Hall Master…
Jiang Beiran’s heart tightened slightly, but his curiosity about the source of the fragrance was too strong to ignore.
Hmm…
The System hasn’t given me any options, so it should be fine.
"Guardian Yu, might I trouble you to introduce me?"
Yu Manwen gave him a slightly surprised look.
"Is there something special about this floral scent? It’s caught your attention so thoroughly."
"Not necessarily special, but this disciple has an insatiable curiosity. I’ve never smelled anything like this before, so I couldn’t help but investigate."
"You… there’s hardly a truthful word that comes out of your mouth."
Yu Manwen shook her head with a sigh before stepping forward and knocking twice on the courtyard gate. Soon after, a maid dressed in servant’s attire opened the gate. Recognizing Yu Manwen, she immediately bowed.
"Greetings, Guardian Yu."
Yu Manwen nodded slightly.
"Is Hall Master Shi in?"
"She is. Please come in."
The maid moved to open both wooden gates wide.
"No need for haste. Go in first and inform her that I’ve brought a disciple from Blue Heart Hall. Ask if she’s willing to receive us."
The maid’s expression flickered with surprise as she glanced at Jiang Beiran before nodding.
"Understood. Please wait a moment."
As the maid hurried back inside, Yu Manwen turned to Jiang Beiran.
"When you meet Hall Master Shi later, mind your words. She doesn’t have as much patience as I do."
Jiang Beiran immediately caught the underlying meaning and bowed apologetically.
"Guardian Yu, your magnanimity is boundless. This disciple offers his sincerest apologies."
Yu Manwen didn’t respond, though the corner of her lips curled slightly. Just as Jiang Beiran was about to ask what kind of person this Water Mirror Hall’s Hall Master was, his spiritual sense suddenly trembled. Three options appeared before his eyes.
[Option 1: Turn around and look. Reward: Whirling Current Force (Mysterious Grade, Mid Tier)] [Option 2: Take a step forward. Reward: Tranquil Pine Technique (Yellow Grade, High Tier)] [Option 3: Stand perfectly still. Reward: Random Basic Skill Point +1] Choosing the third option, Jiang Beiran maintained his calm expression and continued chatting casually with Yu Manwen.
But a moment later, he felt a hand land on his shoulder.
"Who’s there?!"
With Oscar-worthy acting skills, Jiang Beiran leaped forward before quickly turning around, his face a perfect blend of shock, wariness, and caution. His eyes focused on the figure behind him—a tall woman dressed in a deep cyan robe with wide sleeves and overlapping lapels. She stood there, watching him with an amused expression.
The woman appeared to be around thirty years old, her face as radiant as a lotus, her willow-like eyebrows framing eyes more captivating than peach blossoms. Her jet-black hair was styled into an elegant chignon, adorned with a phoenix-tail pearl hairpin that glinted dazzlingly in the sunlight. But what truly stunned Jiang Beiran was the boldness of her attire.
The deep V-neck of her robe was already daringly low-cut, but hers was cut so deep it was practically unsuitable for viewers under eighteen. Through the faintly translucent sleeves, he could even make out intricate floral tattoos winding up her arms.
"So this is the little friend you brought?"
The tall woman turned to Yu Manwen.
"Yes, Hall Master. His name is Jiang Beiran, a registered disciple of Blue Heart Hall."
Hall Master?!
Jiang Beiran’s mind reeled. He had heard rumors that the Hall Master of Water Mirror Hall was a woman whose beauty could stun at first glance, but he hadn’t expected this kind of stunning.
No wonder she had never been seen at formal sect gatherings all these years—she was probably kept away to prevent the newly recruited "little friends" from suffering heart palpitations!
"A registered disciple?"
Shi Fenglan studied Jiang Beiran with keen interest before asking, "You’re the one looking for me?" Suppressing his astonishment, Jiang Beiran bowed.
"Disciple Jiang Beiran pays his respects to Hall Master Shi. Indeed, I wished to seek your guidance on a matter."
"Go on."
Shi Fenglan replied breezily.
"Upon entering the Mirror Flower Garden, I caught a whiff of an extraordinary fragrance. Following it led me to your courtyard. My curiosity about its source was so overwhelming that I boldly asked Guardian Yu to introduce me."
"Oh?"
Shi Fenglan’s smile deepened, as if she had just heard something highly amusing.
"Come, describe this fragrance to me. If you do well, not only will I satisfy your curiosity, but I’ll even reward you further."
"Then this disciple shall make a fool of himself. If my words fail to do justice, I beg Hall Master’s forgiveness."
With another bow, Jiang Beiran began describing the scent.
"This fragrance isn’t overpowering, but it lingers exquisitely. It carries the essence of citrus yet avoids any cloying sweetness. At the very end, there’s a subtle hint of orchid, but without any of its usual vulgarity."
Shi Fenglan’s eyes sparkled instantly. She stepped forward and playfully pinched Jiang Beiran’s nose.
"Impressive! You can really distinguish each component from such a complex bouquet?"
Jiang Beiran shook his head.
"I can only pick out a few distinctive notes."
"Hall Master, don’t let his false modesty fool you. He’s quite the expert at hiding his talents," Yu Manwen interjected.
Shi Fenglan burst into laughter.
"You expect me to believe he only caught a few scents when he accurately described the Jade fragrance amidst a garden of a hundred flowers? Come, come inside. I want to see what other tricks you’ve got up your sleeve."
With that, she looped an arm around Jiang Beiran’s neck and dragged him into the courtyard. As the two walked away, the maid at the gate couldn’t help but murmur in admiration, "That senior brother from Blue Heart Hall is amazing…" Yu Manwen, about to follow, paused.
"Oh? How so?"
The maid quickly explained, "Because floral scents often clash and mask each other. The Mirror Flower Garden has nearly a hundred types of plants—their aromas are chaotic and overlapping. To identify each individual fragrance in such conditions is an extraordinary skill."
Yu Manwen smiled faintly.
As expected.
His claim of 'barely recognizing a few' was complete nonsense. After questioning the maid further about Jiang Beiran’s exact display of skill, Yu Manwen finally stepped into the courtyard’s flower garden. Just as she began searching for where the two had gone, Jiang Beiran’s voice floated over from nearby.
"Hall Master Shi, you must be gentler. Though it looks sturdy, it’s actually quite fragile. You must control your strength carefully."
"Am I not being gentle enough? Why don’t you demonstrate for me?"
"Very well, then. Hall Master, please watch closely."
PS: Better late than never.
(End of Chapter)