The Scholar-Quoting Master and Disciple

"They've left?"

Venerable Chengtao slowly walked out from behind You Su and stood beside him, his gaze following You Su's as he looked in the direction where Ji Xueruo had disappeared.

"Um."

You Su nodded. Although his eyesight had returned to normal, Ji Xueruo's image remained etched in his mind.

"If there's anything left unsaid, I can take you after them." Venerable Chengtao looked at You Su gently and said with emotion, "I've lived for over three hundred years, and I haven't understood many truths, but one truth is etched in my heart—the most tormenting thing in this world is called regret."

You Su withdrew her gaze, gently pursed her lips, and the soft touch on her lips still lingered faintly.

"There will be no regrets..."

The young man smiled freely, his robes swaying in the autumn moonlight and the reeds, the petals flying everywhere. The entire lakeside was like a hazy dream, full of poetic and picturesque beauty.

Venerable Chengtao sighed and shook his head. He had almost forgotten how spirited he was when he was eighteen. He only remembered the woman who had promised to grow old with him when he was just beginning to experience love. It was a pity that when she was old and gray, he was still young and handsome.

In the face of time, some things are as hard as diamonds, while others can only be like sand weathered by the elements.

"Let's go..."

With his Venerable Chengtao suddenly enveloped You Su in a light blue, slightly translucent bubble, carrying him behind him as they flew towards the long-awaited Venerable Chengtao Mount Henggao.

Only Old Yu's ancestral fishing boat remained moored at the shore, swaying gently with the lake's waves.

At the other end of Jade Ring Pool, an elderly man with a hunched back was about to board a dark boat.

A beautiful young fisherwoman took his arm, but the old man, as if to prove his vigor, shook off his granddaughter's hand and then swiftly stepped onto the boat, the movement completed in one smooth motion.

Judging from this, Old Yu and Xiao Yu were about to leave Jade Ring Pool, but unlike You Su Ji Xueruo, no one came to see them off from the shore behind them.

Or rather, no one noticed their departure at all.

"Grandpa, do you think Young Master You and Miss Ji will end up together? There will eventually be a great war between humans and demons, but one of them is human and the other is a demon. What should we do?"

Having gone through so much, the Xiao Yu has been reborn, its skin as smooth and delicate as white wax.

Old Yu took out a water pipe from somewhere, tasted it a couple of times, and then said:

"Separated by a mere stream, we gaze at each other, unable to speak. How can you explain the word 'love'? What's wrong, girl? Missing a man?"

Xiao Yu raised her eyebrows instantly, glared at the old man who was talking nonsense, and scolded:

"What nonsense are you spouting, old man? Can't I even want a happy ending to the story?"

"Their ending was happy, but ours might not be so good," Old Yu sighed softly, exhaling a smoke ring.

Xiao Yu pouted; she hated the smell of smoke on Old Yu the most. Unfortunately, the black boat was too small, and she couldn't move far at all, so she asked:

"A ship that's been with you for decades, you're just going to throw it away like that?"

"Let it stay here with Old Yu's name... I've finally waited for the day when the island lord's mission is complete. All I want to do is go back to the island and lie down."

"Tch, if Zhuxian Island is full of people like you, what's the point of slaying immortals?"

Old Yu stretched lazily and laughed:

"You were born in the Central Continent and have never met the Island Lord. You'll understand when you do; regarding the matter of Zhuxian... the Island Lord alone is enough."

On Lotus Peak.

The autumn wind carried a chill, and the white-haired, blue-eyed girl wrapped her Snow Fox Fur around her neck even tighter.

She stared intently out of the courtyard, as if waiting for someone to suddenly appear from among the clouds and green pines.

Her delicate, white eyelashes trembled slightly, and a figure indeed appeared where her gaze focused. Unfortunately, it was not her beloved junior brother, but the villain who had sent him away.

The Third Elder also changed her outfit. The tight-fitting emerald green cheongsam perfectly outlined her full and rounded figure, while the exquisite jacket draped over her shoulders added a touch of dignity and restraint. Coupled with the white smoke swirling around her, she looked like a celestial Fairy descended from heaven, ethereal and otherworldly.

However, Wangshu Fairy had no interest in appreciating such a beautiful view. She turned slightly and prepared to return to her room, seemingly having no intention of chatting with this distinguished guest any longer.

"Hey... this little girl."

The Third Elder frowned. In the past, when she visited Lotus Peak, Xiao Wangshu would at least greet her with great courtesy, if not a full house. Why was she so cold to her just because her junior brother had been away for a few days?

"Wangshu, where are you going?"

Upon hearing the call, Wangshu Fairy had no choice but to turn around and bow, saying, "Reporting to the Third Elder, Wangshu is feeling unwell and was just about to go to rest."

"Let me see, what's wrong with you?"

The Third Elder walked over gracefully, her face full of disbelief. She reached out to touch Wangshu Fairy's wrist, but Wangshu Fairy quietly took a step back and said:

"I didn't lie to the Third Elder. I really am unwell, and you can't tell by feeling my pulse."

The Third Elder agreed, noting that Wangshu was as pure as crystal and she had never lied to anyone since childhood.

"I can't even feel your pulse? Where do you feel unwell? You need to get it treated right away."

The beautiful woman looked at her with concern. At the Feather Transformation Realm, one is basically immune to all diseases, so any illness that could make Wangshu uncomfortable must be taken seriously.

To everyone's surprise Wangshu Fairy simply extended her slender, bamboo shoot-like index finger and touched her beautifully curved chest, sincerely saying:

"Heartache."

Upon hearing this, the Third Elder's eyelids twitched involuntarily. So, he was just trying to play a trick on me?

"Can the Third Elder cure it?"

Wangshu Fairy's clear blue eyes sparkled.

The Third Elder coughed twice and said, "Of course I can cure it. However, your illness won't heal so quickly. You'll need to be treated for a few more days. Just be patient and wait for it to improve."

The light in Wangshu Fairy's eyes dimmed instantly. It was as if she had already guessed this answer. The Third Elder always made her wait again and again with various reasons, but she really couldn't wait any longer.

"The Third Elder is already very familiar with Lotus Peak, so he can proceed as he sees fit. Wangshu, go and rest now."

The Third Elder found it increasingly strange. Was there such a thing as a junior asking a senior to act expediently? She couldn't recall the usage of this idiom for a moment, and retorted:

"Why are you using so many idioms now? Are you planning to take the postgraduate entrance exam?"

The postgraduate entrance examination is an examination held by the Calligraphy Immortal Peak of the Xuanxiao Sect Book Immortal Peak to measure the examinee's calligraphy skills, both internally and externally. Those who pass the examination are called "students" and enjoy extremely high status within the Book Immortal Peak. Only those who pass the postgraduate entrance examination can obtain the qualification to write books and educate others.

"I don't want to take the exam."

Wangshu Fairy took out an extremely thick book from her Universe Bag. The cover prominently displayed the four characters "Complete Collection of Idioms," with a line of smaller print below. "Special Edition by Book Immortal Peak."

The Third Elder exclaimed in surprise, "Didn't you hate reading just like your master? Why are you reading such a dry collection of idioms?"

The Third Elder's words were true. This master and disciple pair appeared to be elegant, dignified, and aloof female immortals, but in reality, they had only just escaped illiteracy and were extremely unskilled in literature.

The Lotus Sword Venerable, being older, was somewhat better off. Although he couldn't speak eloquently or quote classical texts, he could at least understand what others were saying. Wangshu Fairy, however, was much less capable, so she often had to ask others about the meaning of certain words.

"Because my junior brother always uses idioms in his speech. He's handsome, dashing, and full of talent..."

"Stop, stop, stop!"

The Third Elder rolled her eyes, feeling that these words had nothing to do with that stinky man You Su: "You didn't learn idioms just to praise him, did you?"

"No, that's not it." Wangshu Fairy carefully put away the precious book, her blue eyes blinking innocently. "I don't want to always ask my junior brother what he means when he speaks. I want to be able to understand what he's saying directly, that's why I'm learning it."

The Third Elder felt as if his soul had been struck a blow. This innocent little girl was desperately doing things she didn't like just so she could understand what he was saying? Did You Su save the world in her past life?!

After mentally asking himself "Why?" hundreds of times, the Third Elder rubbed his exaggeratedly large chest and instructed:

"You can say that to me, but whatever you do, don't say it to your junior brother."

"Why?" Wangshu Fairy asked sincerely.

"Because... if you say it out loud, wouldn't that reveal that you don't like reading? Men, of course, all like women who are knowledgeable and reasonable. You know what knowledgeable and reasonable means, right?"

Wangshu Fairy nodded happily, like a chick pecking at rice, "Mmm! I understand!"

The Third Elder looked at the girl, who was overjoyed at the slight success she had achieved, with a sigh:

"Don't worry, your junior brother will be back soon. As I said, he went to prepare a thank-you gift for you and your master, otherwise he wouldn't have taken so long. The task I gave him was just to help him cover up the situation. Just wait patiently. I'm going to find your master."

"Thank you, Third Elder!"

Wangshu Fairy thanked her sweetly, then lightly returned to her room, repeating in a cheerful tone, "Well-mannered, well-mannered..."

The Third Elder shook her head helplessly. If Xiao Wangshu were to go to such lengths for her, she would gladly give her heart to Wangshu Fairy, not to mention the power of such words to a man.

That's why she warned Wangshu not to say that to You Su. She absolutely couldn't let things continue to deteriorate! She had to protect the innocent Wangshu and couldn't let Wangshu fall into You Su's clutches!

The Third Elder quietly clenched her fist and strode into the fairy forest behind the courtyard.

"Well..."

He Shutong stared blankly at her jade-like legs beneath the water, her sorrow as deep as the lingering mist on the Lotus Birth Pool.

This was the umpteenth time she had sighed softly, all because of the young man the Third Elder had mentioned who had gone out to prepare a thank-you gift. But in truth, she had never asked for any thank-you gift; everything she had done for You Su was what he deserved.

This boy always regarded the kindness others showed him as a gift, while taking their kindness for granted. He always carefully protected everything he cherished, and this boy, overly sensitive due to his blindness, made her feel a pang of heartache...

Another soft sigh escaped, bringing with it the graceful and voluptuous beauty.

"A smile makes you ten years younger; a sigh makes you ten years older. You're currently at the Void Glimpse Realm, so aging ten years might not matter, but if you drop in realm, at your age of two hundred, you'll probably be old and faded very quickly."

The Third Elder walked over on his own and found a Mystic Stone to sit down.

"I remember telling the Third Elder that unless there was news of my second disciple, I should be allowed to recuperate alone."

He Shutong spoke indifferently. Although she was grateful for the Third Elder's kindness, she was also angry that the Third Elder had cooperated with You Su's reckless departure from the sect. If anything were to happen to You Su, she would never forgive the Third Elder.

The Third Elder felt a deep sorrow. How could all the people on Lotus Peak be like this? I'm the one who's been quietly helping you, okay?

She suddenly missed the good things about the blind man; at least he wasn't so distant from her.

"Didn't I tell you? Before You Su left, I placed a special restriction on him so that I would know immediately if anything happened to him. I can still sense that he's perfectly fine."

If it weren't for this reason, she probably would have already stormed up to Jade Ring Pool and turned the place upside down. For now, in order to calm the restless master and disciple, she could only choose to trust You Su.

"Why did the Third Elder place a special restriction on my disciple?"

The Lotus Sword Venerable frowned and stared coldly, his gaze sharp as a sword, as if he wanted to thwart the Third Elder's covetousness.

The Third Elder nearly fainted from anger, but sighed that she couldn't be bothered to argue with this woman who was blinded by concern. She pulled a letter from her bosom and threw it at He Shutong.

"It's a letter from the Evil Warding Department, specifically instructing that only you can open it."

He Shutong reached out and took the letter that floated over. The letter was engraved with golden array marks, which could only be deciphered by the recipient's Mystic Qi.

He Shutong frowned. She had always been aloof and joined the Evil Warding Department only to contribute her own efforts to eliminate evil and demons. She did not have a deep connection with this mysterious and powerful organization.

If the Evil Warding Department wants to issue a message, it can receive it directly through the Evil Warding Token. Therefore, letters like this, which are individually assigned to specific individuals, are extremely rare, and He Shutong hasn't received one in a long time.

She slowly tore open the letter, and the first few words made her pause. Although the letter was addressed to her, its contents were closely related to You Su.

With a heart full of trepidation, she began to read through the letter, not daring to skip a single word, her expression shifting several times. Finally, she put the letter down, a thousand words condensing into a sigh, and murmured to herself:

"Rising from the mud yet remaining unstained, washed by clear ripples yet not becoming seductive..."

The Third Elder, anxiously fidgeting, was puzzled by the sudden display of literary talent from the master and disciple. He quickly said:

"What did the letter say?"

As she finished speaking, the letter slowly floated back into her hand, and she eagerly began to read its contents.

Her beautiful eyes widened as if she had seen something incredible. She repeatedly turned the letter upside down to look at it, unable to believe what it contained.

The Evil Warding Department actually broke its thousand-year-old rule and invited a cultivator at the Spirit Platform Middle Stage to join?

And what's with the part where I asked you to exchange Lotus Root Heart, and you simultaneously beheaded a thousand-year-old evil spirit?