Autumn Rain Approaches

Although her scent was faint and alluring, he remained focused, quickly calming his mind and looking down at the scenery within Taiyi Mountain in his body.

He saw that the proud white lotus was emitting gray energy, which was quite unusual.

"It really is the work of yin energy."

Lin Tianlu decisively gathered Spiritual Energy in his palm and slapped the young woman's shoulder.

Cheng Yishi trembled, and the yin energy around her immediately dissipated. The beautiful, lotus-like pattern on her chest receded into her skin, leaving only a faint, budding jade pattern on her heart.

Her captivating allure also subsided, and she seemed to return to her usual elegant and dignified self.

"..."

She blinked her beautiful eyes with a hint of confusion.

Seeing her expression improve, Lin Tianlu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, Madam Mao often came to his home to help him train his composure.

Though the young woman before him had a similarly proud and graceful figure, her measurements were still quite different and not as striking.

It's fine, he could handle it.

He steadied his mind, but when he glanced at the full curves on the young woman's arms, he coughed lightly and quickly turned his back:

"Miss Cheng, please handle this calmly and don't panic. It's just that you're not skilled in controlling the yin energy within you, which has affected your mind.

But there's no need to worry, this yin energy won't harm you. You just need to cultivate your character, get some sun, and you won't act so uncontrollably."

Only when he heard no strong reaction from behind did Lin Tianlu relax his tone: "Naturally, that yin energy also has potential benefits for you, young lady. With a little cultivation, you might develop supernatural abilities like a Ghost Cultivator, making life more convenient."

Cheng Yishi quietly listened to his patient explanation and guidance. She looked down at her disheveled clothes, a troubled expression appearing on her face.

Did he misunderstand something?

"Miss Cheng, have you finished dressing?"

"...Wait a moment."

Cheng Yishi let out a soft sigh and finally re-fastened her robes, covering her exposed skin.

However, her gaze towards Lin Tianlu subtly shifted to admiration.

Even with beauty before him, he remained unwavering, a true gentleman. Perhaps only those with a clear conscience could achieve astonishing cultivation and possess righteous energy.

If she pushed any further, the young man might become displeased.

With this thought, Cheng Yishi said softly, "Mister, you can turn around now."

Lin Tianlu turned back, cupped his hands, and chuckled, "Miss Cheng, I apologize for my earlier offense."

"Mister, there's no need to blame yourself. It was I who lost my composure for a moment."

Seeing the young woman's considerate and gentle demeanor, Lin Tianlu's heavy heart finally lifted. He said seriously, "If your yin energy becomes stagnant, young lady, you can come to me again for help."

"Thank you for your concern, Mister." Cheng Yishi curtsied gracefully, her lips pursed slightly. "But I truly don't know how to repay your kindness."

"Actually... that's it!"

Lin Tianlu clapped his hands as if suddenly realizing something and quickly said, "Miss, please wait here for a moment, I'll go get something."

He hurried to his study, retrieved a map, and pointed out the coordinates he had obtained earlier to the young woman.

"Miss Cheng, do you know this place?"

"This is... Fuyang Commandery?"

Cheng Yishi looked puzzled. "Why are you interested in this place, Mister?"

Lin Tianlu pondered and explained, "The reasons are a bit complicated to explain, but this place has a significant connection to me. If I could learn any news about Fuyang Commandery, that would be wonderful."

Cheng Yishi smiled generously. "Please rest assured, Mister. Fuyang Commandery is one of the central provinces, a vital location, and also a route for the Cheng Family's trade. We send people there every month to procure materials. In a few days, I will send some people to inquire, and perhaps I can get some information that you're looking for."

"I am truly grateful!" Lin Tianlu bowed deeply. "Thank you for your trouble, Miss Cheng."

"It is my good fortune to be able to help you, Mister."

Her eyes flickered, and she quickly curtsied gracefully. "It's getting late, so I won't stay long. However... may I still visit you at your home in the future?"

Seeing the young woman's slightly raised, moist eyes, Lin Tianlu chuckled, "Miss Cheng, you are always welcome. I won't close my doors to guests."

Upon hearing this, the young woman finally bloomed into a serene and elegant smile.

The two soon walked out of the main hall, and he escorted her to the front gate.

Just as Lin Tianlu was about to cup his hands in farewell, Cheng Yishi's gaze suddenly swept towards the inner courtyard.

At the same time, Mao Ruoyu's figure appeared in the shadows of the corridor, and their eyes met.

Immediately, both of their gazes sharpened.

"This woman... doesn't seem alive!"

"This woman... is full of seductive charm!"

Their gazes were like sharp blades for a moment, but they quickly broke contact.

"Miss Cheng?"

Lin Tianlu asked in confusion. Cheng Yishi then subtly withdrew the sideways glance from her eyes, revealing a gentle smile again as she clasped her hands and bowed, "Mister, this is as far as you escort me. I have a carriage waiting."

"Have a safe journey, Young Lady," Lin Tianlu said solemnly. "If you feel unwell at any point, do not try to endure it alone."

"Mm..."

Watching the young lady board the carriage and depart, Lin Tianlu slowly closed the courtyard gate.

Only then did he look up and sigh.

He never expected to act like that gentleman who sent the beauty away, helping her regain her composure when she was throwing herself at him.

If this were modern times, he'd probably be ridiculed mercilessly.

However, he truly didn't have many desires.

Her family had suffered a great tragedy, and her suicidal resolve had just been resolved. It would be improper to take advantage of her in her current state of emotional turmoil.

Of course--

"Fortunately, Madam Mao did not act on such impulses."

Lin Tianlu clicked his tongue slightly.

After a moment of thought, he took out the half-broken token hidden in his sleeve, his gaze darkening slightly.

This matter was worth paying attention to.

The next day at noon.

After lunch, Lin Tianlu came to the courtyard alone, hands behind his back, gazing at the sky in silent contemplation.

There were probably many dark and complicated matters in this world.

Behind the Cheng family father and daughter, there might be an organization lurking in the shadows. Even if it was just a 'possibility,' it couldn't be underestimated.

Although he had spiritual energy protecting him and a strong physique, capable of suppressing yin energy with a wave of his hand, if there were Demonic Sects or other such factions behind these ghosts, whose cultivators could move mountains and overturn seas with a wave of their hands, he couldn't be sure if he could maintain an advantage if conflict arose.

It was still hard to say.

To this day, he hadn't truly witnessed the strength of 'Cultivators' in this world.

Moreover, the only 'moves' he could currently claim were the Spirit Soul Lock summoned from the Taiyi Mountain phantom and the recently learned Soaring Dragon Phantom Step.

Everything else was just manipulating spiritual energy based on instinct.

"I really need to learn some proper moves and martial arts," he mused.

Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment, then broke off a branch from a nearby locust tree. Mimicking Hua Shuya's usual sword movements, he struck a starting pose.

He practiced the Thirteen Forms of the Army-Breaking Sword one by one. With his current physique, he managed to perform them with some semblance of skill.

However, after casually swinging through three moves, Lin Tianlu stopped with a look of awkwardness on his face.

"Alright, this is a women's sword technique."

Although the Thirteen Forms of the Army-Breaking Sword were bold and free, they had clearly been modified, carrying a hint of feminine grace.

No wonder her waist was twisting and turning.

"I should have asked Mister Mo Hong for another sword manual back then... Although the manual he used was probably an elderly version of a health-preserving sword technique?"

As he muttered to himself, he casually swung the branch in his hand a couple of times, straightened his back, and practiced the Army-Breaking Sword forms again.

It felt alright now, smooth and with the right feel.

RUMBLE!

Dark clouds suddenly gathered in the sky, accompanied by thunder, as if a heavy rain was about to pour down.

Lin Tianlu glanced at the rapidly darkening sky, quickly dropped the branch, and turned back to shout into the house, "Madam, have you forgotten to bring in any clothes? It looks like an autumn rain is coming!"

CRACKLE!!

Thunder struck again, but with even greater force, the sound of wind and thunder becoming more and more deafening!

At the same time, Mao Ruoyu inside the house, her face pale and filled with horror, looked out the window.

This suffocating pressure...

Was this truly just a prelude to autumn rain?