Two Senior Sisters

After coming down from the mountain, the group went their separate ways.

Yang Chen returned to the spirit fields. After carefully inspecting every inch of them, he went back to his wooden cabin and began cultivating.

His rapid progress over the past few months could not have happened without his tireless daily cultivation.

Though he had yet to reach the Qi Martial Seventh Level, even among the disciples who had joined the sect last year, there were some weaker than him.

Resources played a part in that, but his own diligence was equally indispensable.

By afternoon, after making his usual round of the spirit fields, he headed for the residential area.

Now that he had fallen out with Zhou Han, he had decided to return every day in case Zhou Han resorted to desperate measures against him. Safety was better guaranteed in the residential area.

After returning, he contacted Wang Kui and the other two, inviting them to a restaurant in Nineteen Peaks Town for a meal. At the table, Yang Chen expressed his gratitude for their full support this time.

The Wang Kui brothers had already intended to deepen their friendship with Yang Chen. As they clinked cups and drank together, their relationship quickly rose to a new level.

Once they had eaten and drunk their fill, the four left with their arms slung over one another's shoulders.

Yang Chen returned to his residence and cultivated for a long while before finally going to sleep.

Time flashed by, and another month-end assessment day arrived.

After two days of fermenting, Yang Chen's reputation had clearly grown. Many people began taking the initiative to greet him whenever they encountered him.

Yang Chen responded to each of them. He did not become arrogant merely because he had made the rankings, earning himself quite a good reputation.

Though such a reputation was not especially useful, so long as there was no grudge between them, it would make things go more smoothly for him at Nineteen Peaks.

Before Lin Chuan arrived, he tested his Punching Force once more and advanced another place, reaching fifty-first on the rankings.

That left him somewhat regretful. Though fifty-first and fiftieth differed by only one rank, the reward was five spirit crystals less—enough to buy two sticks of Spirit Calming Incense.

As usual, Zhu Xi nagged for a long while, the envy in his eyes nearly overflowing.

Besides that, Meng Shijun's gaze seemed somewhat evasive whenever he looked at Yang Chen, as though he did not wish to see him.

Yang Chen was happy enough with that. There was no conflict of interest between them, and it was quite good to keep the well water from offending the river water.

As always, Lin Chuan summoned those who had made the rankings and especially praised Yang Chen, drawing sidelong glances from Huang Tianyu and the others.

After receiving his resources, Yang Chen's days returned to their former tranquility. He remained cautious at all times, guarding against Zhou Han's retaliation.

But as day after day passed without any movement from Zhou Han, he gradually relaxed.

[Realm: Qi Martial Seventh Level, Punching Force: 10,403 kilograms]

Inside the wooden cabin, Yang Chen put away the panel. A full twenty days had passed since the previous month-end assessment, and with the help of daily Qi Strength Pills and Fierce Beast Meat, his progress remained as steady as ever.

Time to head back.

He stepped out of the cabin, locked the door, inspected the spirit fields once more, then headed toward Nineteen Peaks Town.

I wonder why Zhu Xi wanted to see me?

Zhu Xi had come to find him last night and invited him to gather at a restaurant in town today. Yang Chen had pressed him for the reason, but Zhu Xi had remained mysteriously tight-lipped.

Lost in thought along the way, Yang Chen soon arrived at Nineteen Peaks Town. This town was the only commercial center within two hundred li of Nineteen Peaks, and it had always been flourishing and prosperous.

Walking amid the ceaseless stream of people, Yang Chen looked at the bustling crowds without much feeling. If Zhu Xi had not invited him, he would never have wasted his time coming here.

He could have used this time for cultivation instead.

Half a year after arriving in this world, his original resolve had never changed. He still thirsted for strength. Cultivation was arduous, but he found joy in it.

A moment later, he entered a restaurant and climbed the stairs to the second floor.

"Old Yang! Over here!"

The instant Yang Chen came upstairs, he heard Zhu Xi calling him. Following the voice, he could not help but pause in surprise.

Zhu Xi had reserved a table by the window, but he was not alone. Two female disciples sat beside him.

One wore red robes, with a round face and large eyes that made her look particularly endearing. The other wore fitted black clothing that perfectly outlined her curvaceous figure. Her features were not exceptionally beautiful, but her temperament was outstanding, carrying a dashing air that left a deep impression.

With a puzzled look, he walked to the table, sat down openly, and asked with a smile, "And these two are?"

"Allow me to introduce them!" Zhu Xi said with a broad smile, pointing to the red-robed female disciple. "This is Senior Sister Wu Menglan. She joined the sect a year before us and works with me at the medicinal garden."

"And this is Senior Sister Ji Ran, also from the previous class. She is Senior Sister Wu's good friend."

After introducing the two female disciples, Zhu Xi gave a light cough and solemnly pointed at Yang Chen. "Senior Sisters, this is Yang Chen, Junior Brother Yang, whom I have mentioned to you many times. He is currently ranked forty-third on the new disciples' Cultivation Ranking!"

"Well? I wasn't lying, was I? Old Yang is not only gifted, but also a fine-looking talent. Compared with me, he is only slightly inferior!"

Wu Menglan could not hold back her laughter and teased, "Junior Brother Zhu, you really know how to gild your own face. Junior Brother Yang is far more handsome than you."

Zhu Xi rubbed his nose and put on a pitiful expression. "Senior Sister, that really wounds my heart. My mother has praised me more than once for being as elegant as a jade tree in the wind."

Wu Menglan's smile widened, and she covered her mouth as she burst into laughter.

Yang Chen gave Zhu Xi a surprised glance. He had not expected this fellow to be so good at winning women over.

His gaze shifted between the two, and he gradually caught on. These two probably had that turtle-eyeing-a-mung-bean sort of feeling for each other.

He then discreetly glanced at Ji Ran. To his surprise, she was looking at him too, making him feel rather embarrassed instead.

Their gazes parted, and Yang Chen smiled. "I was wondering when this iron rooster became so generous. So it was to treat two Senior Sisters. To be honest, Senior Sisters, we have known each other for a long time, yet he has never invited me to eat at a restaurant before."

Good brother!

Zhu Xi silently praised him, though his face showed a hint of helplessness. "That really wrongs me. With how seriously you take cultivation, I would have been too embarrassed even to ask you out for a meal. But I caught the chance today, so I invited you at once."

"I'm just basking in the two Senior Sisters' light."

"You rascal!"

After the two exchanged a few barbs, the atmosphere at the table became harmonious. Just then, the sumptuous dishes were brought out one after another.

"This is lingzhi-stewed beef."

"This is red-bellied fish boiled in spirit spring water."

"This is..."

Zhu Xi introduced the dishes one by one. Yang Chen listened with a smile, but inwardly he broke into a cold sweat for Zhu Xi. This table of food would likely cost at least five spirit crystals.

He did not approve of this sort of spending from the bottom of his heart.

Wouldn't it be far better to use those spirit crystals on cultivation rather than food?

Still, Zhu Xi was the host today, so Yang Chen had nothing to say. He could only assume Zhu Xi was doing this to win a beauty's heart.

Judging by where everyone sat, Zhu Xi had feelings for Wu Menglan. And from Wu Menglan's manner, she did not seem to reject him either.

"We all come from lands north and south, yet we were able to meet here today. That shows our fate runs deep. Come, let me toast you all!"

Zhu Xi had arranged today's meal, so when he raised his cup in a toast, Yang Chen and the other two naturally gave him full face. The four raised their cups in celebration, and after a mouthful of wine, the unfamiliarity between them was swept away in one stroke.

If you think this book is good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you do not lose it next time.