Senior Sister Becomes Big Sister

Looking at his master's increasingly aged face, and noticing that his legs were unsteady when he stood up, and that he had to hold onto the edge of the table to stand, Shen Jingchuan felt an indescribable pang of sadness.

He pondered for a moment, then took out a small jade box from his Ring, stepped forward, opened the lid, and placed it on the table.

"Master, this is a small token of my appreciation that I brought for you on this trip to the capital."

Yan Chongli glanced down at the round pill in the box, but didn't look up to ask him anything.

What is this?

"These are Life-Extending Pills I bought at the Immortal Cultivation Market."

Shen Jingchuan: "It can generally strengthen the body, ward off illness and disaster, and most importantly, it can prolong life, adding fifty years to one's lifespan."

Yan Chongli initially only looked at the pill, but upon hearing the words "fifty years," his body visibly trembled, and he abruptly raised his eyes, shifting his gaze from the pill to Shen Jingchuan's face.

"Jingchuan, what you said... is it true?"

A shadow darted over in a flash. Yan Shuyao grabbed the pill, brought it close to her eyes, and examined it closely, her breathing quickening.

"Junior brother, I know about this stuff," she said, her voice strained. "But what I do know is that it only extends lifespan by ten years, and a person can only consume it once in their lifetime."

"When the Third Princess came to see you last time, I specifically asked her to help."

Yan Shuyao spoke faster and faster, "I noticed that my father's health was deteriorating day by day. She said there were longevity-promoting items in the market that could add ten years to his life and restore his health, so I asked her to buy them for me. Who knew she would go and not come back until now?"

Shen Jingchuan shook his head.

"The one my senior sister has is far superior to the one that extends lifespan by ten years. Come to think of it, it's a good thing she didn't bring it back for you."

"If Master takes the ten-year dose first, then this pill won't work—this kind of thing can only be taken once in a lifetime; it won't work the second time."

Yan Shuyao held the pill, her hands trembling, and turned to urge her father.

"Father, did you hear that? Be convinced now, there really is such a treasure!"

She suddenly turned around, her eyes red-rimmed, and was about to squat down in front of Shen Jingchuan.

"My dear junior brother, I thank you on behalf of my father. I must kowtow to you."

Shen Jingchuan reacted quickly and caught her.

"Senior sister, what are you doing?" He was both amused and exasperated. "It's only right that I show respect to Master, please stop."

Yan Shuyao pursed her lips and presented the pills to Yan Chongli with both hands.

Yan Chongli took it, looked down at the pill in his palm, and remained silent for a long time.

"Master, if you trust me, take it now." Shen Jingchuan said seriously, "This can't be kept; if word gets out, it'll cause a huge disaster."

"In the cultivation world, pills that can add fifty years to one's lifespan are extremely rare, almost impossible to find. They can't be bought with Spirit Stones."

"The ones commonly found on the market are the kind that Shuyao mentioned, which claims to extend lifespan by ten years."

Yan Chongli held the pill in his hand, looked up and asked.

"This medicine... must be extremely expensive, right?"

Yan Shuyao shook her head repeatedly.

"Father, it's not about whether it's expensive or not," she said softly. "Even if you had the money, there's nowhere to buy it. Didn't you hear what my junior brother said? You can't find this kind of thing on the market at all."

"The Third Princess only mentioned a ten-year extension to me; she never mentioned anything about extending my lifespan by fifty years."

Yan Chongli remained silent for a moment, then his cloudy eyes slowly brightened, and he nodded heavily.

"Alright, I'll take it." He held the pill in his palm. "This is your filial piety; I appreciate it."

After saying that, he tilted his head back and swallowed the pill.

In a short while, the effects of the medicine took hold. Yan Chongli felt a warmth spread through his body, and his wrinkled face visibly calmed down. His gray hair gradually turned black, until only a few white strands remained at his temples.

He was only in his fifties, but years of hard work and worry made him look like he was sixty. Once the elixir dissolved, his face became rosy, his back straightened, and he looked only thirty or forty years old.

Yan Shuyao was about to shout with delight when she noticed that her father's face, neck, and the back of his hands were covered in small, black, foul-smelling mud spots.

Without asking any further questions, she quickly grabbed a towel from the shelf next to her and brought over the basin of water from the table to help her father wipe his face clean.

"Dad, please wash your face first."

After cleaning, Yan Shuyao took a small bronze mirror and handed it to Yan Chongli.

"Father, take a look for yourself."

Yan Chongli held the mirror, staring at the face in it that was both strange and familiar. His hands trembled slightly, and he couldn't speak for a long time.

He smelled the lingering fishy smell on his body, then looked at the black stains on his clothes, and stood up.

"I'll go to the back to shower and change first." His voice carried an undisguised lightness. "I need to wash myself properly."

Yan Chongli spoke, he walked briskly towards the back hall.

There were only two people left in the room. Yan Shuyao stared blankly at her father's back for a long while before turning around.

Her eyes were still red, but her eyes shone brightly. She walked up to Shen Jingchuan, suddenly bent down, and gave a proper curtsy.

"Junior brother, you gave my father his life." She said softly, "My father and I will always remember this great kindness."

Shen Jingchuan was about to help her up, but she didn't get up. She just looked up at him with an indescribable look in her eyes, which stirred something in his heart.

Yan Shuyao remained in the curtsy posture, her eyes lowered, and didn't move for a long time before suddenly speaking softly.

"Junior brother, your cultivation is so high now," she lowered her voice, "... won't you look down on your senior sister in the future?"

As she spoke the last three words, she seemed to realize the ambiguity in her words, blushed, and hurriedly lowered her head.

Shen Jingchuan looked at her and shook his head seriously.

"What are you saying, Senior Sister?" There was no hint of jest in his tone. "You were stunned by your Celestial Person the moment you saw you, and you've never forgotten it since."

"What's even more admirable is my senior sister's wisdom, quick wit, and erudition; this is what I admire most."

He looked into her eyes, speaking each word carefully.

"I admire my senior sister so much, how could I dare say I look down on her?"

"To be honest, I was worried that my senior sister would think I was just an ordinary mortal and look down on me."

Yan Shuyao listened, her eyes slowly curved into a smile. She straightened up, regaining her charming demeanor, and reached out to tidy her hair.

"Alright, stop being modest." She smiled, pursing her lips. "In this world, who doesn't know your literary talent? Not just in our Great Qian, but even in the neighboring countries, which scholar hasn't memorized your poems?"

She paused, her eyes darting around, and her voice softened.

"I don't ask for anything, all you need to do is... keep me in your heart."

This sounds ordinary, but upon closer examination, it carries more than just that one meaning.

Shen Jingchuan was taken aback. Just as he was about to say something, Yan Shuyao suddenly moved closer, her expression becoming more serious.

"By the way, tell me the truth, how exactly did you cultivate to this level?"

"Could you... take me with you?"

She lowered her eyes, her fingertips gently twisting the hem of her dress. "You've left me so far behind. You'll only improve faster and faster, and I'll fall further and further behind. I'm really afraid that one day I won't even be able to keep up with you."

She raised her head and leaned forward again, her "Senior Sister" now replaced by a softer, gentler tone.

"Could you help out with your older sister?"