Looking at the heart technique manual on the table before him, Jiang Beiran understood everything immediately. He had wondered why his senior brother had suddenly taken the initiative to ask him for pills. Turns out, it was just an excuse to gift him the heart technique manual.
Since Jiang Beiran had never revealed his true strength to his senior brother, in Lu Bogui’s eyes, he was still that weak junior brother who had only reached the fifth stage of Qi Refining after five years in the sect.
As the one who had brought Jiang Beiran into the sect, Lu Bogui felt it was his duty to do something about it. Not wanting to refuse his senior brother’s kindness, Jiang Beiran accepted the heart technique manual with a bow.
"Thank you, Senior Brother."
"No need for thanks. Consider it an equal exchange," Lu Bogui said before taking a sip of hot tea.
"Also, I’ll be going into seclusion for a while. If anything comes up, you can look for Senior Brother Qu first."
Jiang Beiran, who had just picked up his teacup, immediately asked, "Is Senior Brother about to break through?"
"Not quite. I’ve just gained some new insights into my techniques and want to focus on refining them."
"Then I wish Senior Brother a smooth breakthrough in comprehension."
If it were a cultivation breakthrough, Jiang Beiran might have been able to help in some way. But when it came to techniques, there wasn’t much he could do—those had to be realized through personal enlightenment. After chatting a bit more about trivial matters, Jiang Beiran stood up to take his leave.
‘After this seclusion, Senior Brother should be close to breaking through. I should finish my preparations sooner.’
Thinking of the missing Phoenix Flower among the materials he needed, Jiang Beiran decided not to return to the already transformed Blue Heart Hall and instead headed straight for the Water Mirror Hall. ......
"Hall Master, you have a visitor."
In the Orchid Waterside Pavilion, Shi Fenglan, who had been idly lounging around, immediately perked up when Little Duo mentioned a visitor.
"Is it Little Beiran?"
"N-no… It’s Guardian Tan Yinghao from the Chaotic Star Hall."
"Tch—" Shi Fenglan’s face instantly fell as she pouted.
"Tell him I’m not here."
"But Guardian Yu said that if high-ranking members from other halls come to visit, even if it’s just a formality, it’s best to—" "Fine, fine, I got it. Have him wait in the main hall."
"Yes."
Cheerfully agreeing, Little Duo stepped out. At the main gate, Little Duo bowed to Tan Yinghao.
"Guardian Tan, please follow me to the main hall. The Hall Master will join you shortly."
"Much obliged."
Nodding, Tan Yinghao followed Little Duo inside.
"Oh? These flowers seem much more vibrant than the last time I visited."
The moment he stepped into the main hall, Tan Yinghao couldn’t help but ask in surprise.
"Mhm. Recently, I’ve read some books on flowers, so I know better how to take care of them now."
"You must have quite the talent for it. These are all rare blooms—quite difficult to tend to."
"Yes, I’ll do my best to care for them well."
As Tan Yinghao admired the flowers and chatted with Little Duo, a voice suddenly rang out.
"Guardian Tan, what brings you to see this Hall Master today?"
Hearing Shi Fenglan’s voice, Tan Yinghao turned to bow, only to notice that today’s Shi Fenglan seemed different from usual. She was still as beautiful as ever—dressed in delicate silk slippers, her hair adorned with tortoiseshell ornaments, her waist wrapped in flowing white silk, and her peach-blossom eyes as captivating as always.
But…
‘Why isn’t she wearing that deep-collared robe today?’
"Guardian Tan?"
Hearing Little Duo’s reminder, Tan Yinghao realized he had been staring rudely and quickly bowed.
"Today, I come on behalf of Hall Master Li to discuss some important matters with Hall Master Shi."
"Oh? Could it be… Hall Master Li also wishes to collaborate with my Water Mirror Hall?"
"Uh…"
Tan Yinghao hesitated briefly but nodded.
"Indeed, that is the purpose of my visit."
"Then I’m afraid you’ve made the trip in vain. My Water Mirror Hall currently has no intention of collaborating with other halls."
"Hall Master Shi, perhaps you could hear our terms before refusing outright?"
"No need. I’ve already heard plenty of terms. But at the moment, this Hall Master truly has no interest in further collaborations. Please don’t waste your time."
Seeing how firmly Shi Fenglan rejected him, Tan Yinghao had no choice but to give up. After exchanging a few more pleasantries about sect affairs, he took his leave.
When Little Duo returned from seeing him off, she couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight of Shi Fenglan, who had just confidently dismissed Tan Yinghao, now sprawled listlessly over the table again.
"If Guardian Yu had seen the Hall Master’s commanding presence just now, he would surely have praised you."
"Ugh… So exhausting. Why hasn’t Little Beiran come today? I want to eat fish—no, I want to play finger-guessing!"
"Didn’t Senior Brother Beiran say yesterday that he had—" Before Little Duo could finish, a knocking sound came from the main gate.
"I’ll get the door."
"Go on, go on."
Shi Fenglan waved her hand weakly, thoroughly drained from the recent influx of high-ranking visitors from other halls. Just as she was about to straighten up and regain her authoritative Hall Master demeanor, she heard a voice she had been eagerly awaiting.
At the entrance, Jiang Beiran had just greeted Little Duo when a fiery red figure came charging toward him.
"Liiittle Beiiiran~" Jiang Beiran swiftly sidestepped the incoming tackle and bowed to the overshooting Shi Fenglan.
"Greetings, Hall Master Shi."
Failing to catch him, Shi Fenglan puffed out her cheeks.
"Why didn’t you come play with me yesterday!?"
"Reporting to the Hall Master, I informed Little Duo yesterday that I had matters to attend to down the mountain, so—" "I don’t care! You told Little Duo, not me! Today, you have to make up for it by playing with me for an extra half-day!"
"No problem. But first, I need to tend to the flowers."
"Play first! Play first! Little Duo already watered them this morning!"
"No. Responsibilities come first—that was our agreement."
"Fine~ Then hurry up!"
Under Shi Fenglan’s eager gaze, Jiang Beiran carefully inspected the flowers in the courtyard, especially the brilliantly red Phoenix Flower.
‘Hmm… It looks like it’s almost ready for pollination. Sigh, these rare flowers are so finicky—none of them can be propagated through cuttings. What a hassle.’
Seeing Jiang Beiran stand up, Shi Fenglan, who had been trailing him the whole time, immediately asked, "Done?
Done?"
Brushing the dirt off his hands, Jiang Beiran turned around.
"Yes, all done. Also, today I’ve brought a new way to play with dice."
"A new game!?"
Shi Fenglan’s eyes instantly lit up.
"Teach me, teach me!"
Walking over to the table, Jiang Beiran beckoned to Little Duo.
"Come, Little Duo. It’s more fun with three people."
"Me?"
Little Duo pointed at herself in surprise.
"Mm."
As he spoke, Jiang Beiran took out a square piece of thick paper from his Universe Ring, followed by twelve intricately crafted miniature figurines. Gasping at the exquisitely detailed figures, Shi Fenglan exclaimed, "Wow, did you carve these yourself, Beiran?"
"Yes. If the Hall Master likes them, I can give you a few."
"Really!? I want them, I want them!"
Grabbing a female warrior holding chains, Shi Fenglan eyed the colorful board and asked, "What’s this game called?"
"It’s called… The Wandering Hero’s Journey."
(End of Chapter)