Could These Be My Half-Siblings?!

Just as the group was conversing, an elegant and cold female voice drifted from the end of the corridor, effectively breaking the slightly stagnant atmosphere between Ning Rongxin and Xue Qinghe.

"Sect Master Ning, Your Highness the Crown Prince, I trust you have been well."

Everyone turned toward the sound to see a graceful and noble lady approaching. Her long, pale blue hair was tied behind her head, her brows were like a painting, her skin was fairer than snow, and she wore a moon-blue gown that looked both elegant and prestigious.

Behind her followed a woman with a cold, arrogant expression and an upright posture, appearing much like a subordinate.

Ning Rongxin's smile remained unchanged as he turned and cupped his hands. "Pavilion Master Lanya, it has been a long time. You are as elegant as ever."

Lanya, who had walked over slowly, first gave a slight nod to Ning Rongxin and Xue Qinghe, then turned to bow slightly toward Sword Douluo Chen Xin, who stood motionless nearby.

Every movement she made was steeped in etiquette.

Xue Qinghe offered a gentle smile and asked, "I wonder, Pavilion Master Lanya, what brings you here?"

"It is nothing of consequence. My subordinate reported a disturbance in the central courtyard, so I came to take a look."

Lanya glanced sideways at the woman behind her, her tone indifferent.

"I see. It was just a small misunderstanding that has already been resolved; there is no need for you to trouble yourself, Pavilion Master." Xue Qinghe chuckled softly and waved his hand dismissively.

"Since all is well, I shall not disturb you further." Lanya nodded faintly, her gaze sweeping over the group and lingering briefly on Lan Yu and Tang Shan before she turned and left with her companion.

With the small interlude concluded, the group prepared to depart.

Before leaving, Ning Rongxin specifically spoke up to invite Lan Yu and Tang Shan to visit Seven-Colored City as guests.

After all, since Xue Qinghe was nominally his disciple and the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, it would be improper to poach people right in front of him. However, if Lan Yu were to visit the Seven-Colored Precious Lotus Sect, he, Ning Rongxin, would naturally have ways to make him stay.

Even if Xue Qinghe had objections then, there would be nothing he could do. After all, a wise bird chooses its tree to nest in; people strive for higher ground, and water flows downward—it was only natural.

Lan Yu cast a faint glance at the slightly tense Xue Qinghe beside him. After a moment of contemplation, he cupped his hands and replied, "Many thanks for the invitation, Sect Master Ning. I have urgent matters today, but I shall certainly pay a visit another time."

Ning Rongxin's smile remained at these words, but Ning Yurou, who was being held in his arms, immediately pouted, her watery eyes fixed on Lan Yu with a look of grievance.

It was as if Lan Yu had done something to wrong her.

After leaving Lanya Pavilion and declining Xue Qinghe's offer to accompany them, Lan Yu pulled Tang Shan toward a nearby snack street. They wandered for half an hour before returning to the front gate of Lanya Pavilion.

"Brother, why... are we back here?" Tang Shan asked, her words muffled as she chewed on her food.

"You little glutton." Lan Yu didn't answer directly; he looked at her sideways and chuckled.

He then took a tissue from his storage ring and reached out to gently wipe the food residue from the corner of her mouth.

Throughout the process, Tang Shan seemed frozen, her eyes fixed intently on the young man before her.

"What is it?" Lan Yu asked with a faint smile.

Tang Shan seemed to snap out of her trance. Her eyes darted away, her earlobes flushed red, and she hugged her arms to her chest, lowering her head as she whispered, "Nothing."

Lan Yu raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. He turned and walked toward the Blue Silver Pavilion. "Keep up."

The guards outside the pavilion clearly recognized Lan Yu and Tang Shan as the ones who had been with Xue Qinghe earlier.

Therefore, they did not block their path.

The two walked smoothly until they reached the entrance to the central courtyard, only to be stopped by two maidservants stationed there.

"May I ask if you two have an appointment?"

The outer courtyard was not like the central courtyard; the outer courtyard only required simple identity verification to enter.

The central courtyard, however, required identity verification and a prior appointment due to its special security protocols.

"Call your person in charge."

Lan Yu took a jade card from his storage ring. It was made of gray jade, with fine Blue Silver Grass leaf patterns carved into the surface. Through the light, a faint blue shimmer was vaguely visible.

He had accidentally found this card while organizing his storage ring in Soto City.

Tang Shan had said that the card carried an aura originating from the same source as her Blue Silver King martial soul. He figured Ah Yin must have accidentally left it in the ring when she gave it to him.

There was no helping it; Ah Yin had gone missing, and he was lacking high-level combat power by his side.

Upon hearing Lan Yu's words, the maidservants assumed they were just customers who hadn't made an appointment and were now being difficult.

One of them nodded to her companion and turned to walk away quickly.

Before long, the maidservant returned, leading a woman.

The woman wore a sharp blue outfit, her high ponytail tied back neatly, and her expression was cold and arrogant. It was the very same woman who had been behind Lanya earlier.

She clearly recognized Lan Yu, and her expression softened slightly. Just as she was about to speak, she was interrupted by the jade card Lan Yu held out.

Her gaze fell upon the Blue Silver patterns on the jade card, and her body stiffened abruptly. She slowly raised her eyes to look at Lan Yu, her gaze filled with disbelief. "This card... where did you get it?"

She could confirm that there was no one named Lan Yu in the Blue Silver Sacred Heart Sect, and she had only ever seen a jade card of this level with her mother.

"Take me to see Pavilion Master Lanya." Lan Yu did not answer her, his tone remaining indifferent.

The woman realized that there were too many eyes and ears here, and it was not the place to talk. She immediately composed herself and led the two through the central courtyard toward the inner courtyard.

"My name is Lan Hua, and Pavilion Master Lanya is my mother."

Lan Hua, walking in front, turned her head, her tone much softer than before. "May I ask the young master's name?"

"Just call me Lan Yu."

"Your surname is also Lan?!" Lan Hua's footsteps faltered, her tone rising sharply.

The surname Lan, combined with a high-level jade card from the Blue Silver Sacred Heart Sect.

Considering the current situation of the Blue Silver Sacred Heart Sect, there were only her and her mother outside, with no one else left.

A sudden suspicion rose in Lan Hua's heart.

Could this be the younger brother from the same mother but a different father whom I have never met?!

"Is there a problem?" Lan Yu raised his eyes, arching a brow.

Lan Hua did not answer him; instead, she looked toward Tang Shan, her tone carrying a hint of probing, "Little sister, what is your name?"

Me?

Tang Shan was stunned, not expecting to be involved. After instinctively glancing at Lan Yu, she spoke, "My name is Tang Shan."

Ah--!!

That wild man's surname is Tang!

Under the puzzled gazes of Lan Yu and Tang Shan, Lan Hua merely shook her head mechanically, turned around, and said nothing more.

The journey continued in silence. After leading the two into a quaint courtyard and maintaining the last shred of etiquette by serving them tea and pastries, Lan Hua hurried away.

Her mind was in such a state of chaos that she needed Lan Ya to give her an explanation.

"Brother, is there something wrong with that big sister?" Tang Shan quietly scooted her chair closer to Lan Yu and whispered.

Hearing this, Lan Yu raised a brow slightly, lifted his teacup, and took a light sip. "Perhaps."

Watching the profile of Lan Yu as he sipped his tea, Tang Shan felt her mouth go dry, and her throat bobbed.

She stole a glance at Lan Yu, who was looking elsewhere, then carefully reached out her hand toward the cup Lan Yu had placed on the table.

"Swoosh--"

The faint sound of flowing water was exceptionally abrupt in the room.

Lan Yu couldn't help but turn back, only to catch Tang Shan holding the teacup with a conflicted expression on her face.

Why does this cup look like the one I used?

As this thought crossed his mind, Lan Yu immediately looked at the table, only to see his own cup sitting quietly there.

It seems I was overthinking it.

Did Brother notice?

Tang Shan felt her cheeks burning for no apparent reason.

Seeing Lan Yu turn his head back, she breathed a sigh of relief. She lifted the teacup, staring at the lingering mark on the rim, while two thoughts clashed violently in her mind.

Tang Shan, this is wrong! This is the behavior of a bad child! Aren't you ashamed!

Don't listen to her nonsense, Brother belongs only to you, drink it quickly! If you don't drink it, I'll pour it out!

"Don't!", Tang Shan shouted suddenly.

Under Lan Yu's puzzled gaze, she blushed, raised the cup to the mark, and drank it all in one gulp.

"It's sweet~"