'System... you're acting strange.' Seeing that the safest option wasn’t refusing Lin Yuyan, Jiang Beiran was now completely certain of his thoughts—he would need to be on high alert during this Young Heroes Tournament. Choosing the third option, Jiang Beiran sent a voice transmission to Lin Yuyan: "What can you offer in return?"
"What can you offer in return?"
These words, echoing in Lin Yuyan’s mind, pierced her chest like sharp arrows. 'Senior Brother... he... he actually agreed!?' 'And he used a full eight characters!'
When she had posed the question, Lin Yuyan hadn’t even considered the possibility that Jiang Beiran would agree. The shock left her frozen for a long moment before she finally managed to reply via voice transmission: "I will definitely offer a reward that satisfies Senior Brother, but please give me some time to consider it carefully, alright?"
Seeing Jiang Beiran nod from inside the room, Lin Yuyan crushed a small pebble beneath her foot, barely suppressing her excitement. Just as she was wondering what to say next, a small black shadow shot toward her. With quick reflexes, Lin Yuyan caught it—a small bamboo tube.
Opening it, she found a note written by Senior Brother inside.
[Meet at the pavilion outside Peacebeam Village at mao hour the day after tomorrow.]
Suppressing her trembling, Lin Yuyan transmitted back: "Thank you, Senior Brother. I will be there on time." Jiang Beiran nodded and closed the door.
Reading the note over and over, Lin Yuyan confirmed—this was a date! 'What comes next? Swearing eternal love?
Or should he propose first? What dowry should I prepare? Will Father... no, he has to agree!'
Her heart pounding wildly, Lin Yuyan skipped away from Blue Heart Hall with light steps. --- The next morning, before the bustle of Blue Heart Hall began, Jiang Beiran returned to the back mountain. Passing by the Formation Room, he used his spiritual sense to check on Wu Qingce inside.
The profound energy within him was undergoing a transformation, its purity significantly heightened. 'Though he’s rough around the edges, his talent is truly remarkable.' In the Heart Returning Sect, those who could break through to the Mysterious Master realm before the age of twenty were few and far between.
Jiang Beiran could already foresee the sect pouring more resources into him in the future. Leaving quietly, Jiang Beiran went to the neighboring courtyard to check on the Jade Fragrance flower. After observing the color of its pistils, he confirmed it wasn’t far from pollination time.
Nodding in satisfaction, he took out a diamond vial from his Universe Ring and dripped two drops of Golden Crow Essence onto the pistils—this would help it absorb spiritual energy more efficiently. After finishing his usual tasks, he descended the mountain and arrived at Water Mirror Hall.
"Good morning, Senior Brother Jiang."
Little Duo, who was sweeping at the entrance, greeted him with a smile.
"Morning."
Just as he was about to enter, he heard voices coming from the main hall.
"A guest?"
Jiang Beiran asked Little Duo.
"Yes, a disciple from the Crimson Cloud Sect."
'A Crimson Cloud Sect disciple?' Though puzzled as to why Shi Fenglan would personally receive a disciple from another sect, Jiang Beiran didn’t pry further. Since there was a guest in the main hall, he decided to tend to the flower garden first.
Donning a straw hat and picking up a small shovel, he crouched beside a red peony. After about the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the two who had been chatting in the main hall stepped into the garden, and Shi Fenglan’s voice rose noticeably.
"Sorry, Qiu Yan. I originally planned to have a very reliable disciple escort you back to your sect, but he’s~ so busy! Too busy even for this Hall Master to summon him. So..."
"Hall Master Shi, you’re too kind. This isn’t my first time returning from the Heart Returning Sect. I don’t need an escort."
Hearing Shi Fenglan deliberately emphasize the word "busy," Jiang Beiran knew she was speaking for his benefit. He glanced up in her direction. 'Well, well... so this is the one who triggered the Mysterious Grade, Low-Tier option.'
Standing before Shi Fenglan was a tall female disciple. Her raven-black hair was loosely coiled into a bun, secured with a jade hairpin and adorned with a golden hair ornament, its dangling pearls swaying by her temples. Her brows were naturally dark, her skin flawless without powder, and her lips a vivid red.
She wore a bright yellow robe with an emerald sash cinched at her waist, accentuating her graceful figure. 'Indeed a dangerous person.' Sighing inwardly, Jiang Beiran returned to digging.
Shi Fenglan had been glancing toward Jiang Beiran the entire time, so when she saw him look up, she immediately smiled and said, "Times are different now. The area around the mountain has been restless lately. I can’t let a beauty like you travel alone."
"Hall Master Shi, you flatter me."
"No flattery at all. When I met you at the gate earlier, didn’t you see how our male disciples couldn’t take their eyes off you?"
"They must have been looking at you, Hall Master Shi."
"I know exactly who they were staring at. Ah, what a pity. If that disciple knew what a wonderful~ opportunity he missed, he’d probably cry himself to sleep for nights."
As she spoke, Shi Fenglan kept glancing at Jiang Beiran, only to find him wholly absorbed in tending the flowers, not sparing them another look. The Crimson Cloud Sect disciple clasped her hands and said, "Hall Master Shi, please stop teasing me."
Seeing Jiang Beiran remain unmoved, Shi Fenglan gave up on provoking him and said, "Then I’ll see you off here. Do be careful on your way back."
"Yes, thank you for your concern, Hall Master Shi. This disciple takes her leave now."
With a bow, Qiu Yan turned and left the Orchid Waterside Pavilion. Once she was out of earshot, Shi Fenglan hurried over to Jiang Beiran.
"Regretting it now, Little Beiran? I was going to have you escort Qiu Yan back—oh, that’s the female disciple I just saw off. But who knew you wouldn’t even listen to my good news?"
"Thank you for your kindness, Hall Master Shi. It seems I’m not fated to enjoy such fortune."
Seeing Jiang Beiran’s completely unrepentant expression, Shi Fenglan, denied her amusement, could only "hmph!" before saying, "Guardian Yu isn’t here today, so hurry up, Little Beiran! Let’s start playing sooner!"
(End of Chapter)