Something Wrong with His Brain

After making some inquiries,

Jiang Xuan learned that Xing Yao cultivated by the Spirit Lake of the Profound Heaven Sect every day.

Thus,

he arrived at the Spirit Lake early.

He waited for Xing Yao to appear.

In the morning, the surface of the Spirit Lake shimmered with rippling light.

The surroundings were tranquil and peaceful.

Yet Jiang Xuan's mood was like the sky before a storm.

Oppressive and heavy.

Before long,

Xing Yao approached at an elegant pace.

When he saw Jiang Xuan, he paused slightly, then a meaningful smile appeared on his face.

"Brother Jiang, what brings you here today? Don't tell me you came specifically to welcome me?"

Jiang Xuan's expression was grave. Looking Xing Yao straight in the eye, he got straight to the point.

"Xing Yao, I hope you'll stay away from Bai Ruoshuang.

You and I both know the relationship between Star Pavilion and the Profound Heaven Sect. What exactly is your purpose in getting close to her?"

Xing Yao raised his brows in feigned surprise and chuckled.

"What do you mean, Brother Jiang?

Miss Bai and I merely happened to meet and found each other pleasant to talk with.

Shouldn't cultivators exchange insights and deepen their friendship?

Or is Brother Jiang simply so lacking in confidence in his own Dao companion?"

Jiang Xuan furrowed his brow. He knew Xing Yao's words were slippery, and it would be difficult to pry the truth from him, but he still said sternly,

"Xing Yao, Ruoshuang and I have been betrothed since childhood. Even if there have been some twists and turns now, it is not your place to stir up trouble between us.

I advise you not to dream of ruining our relationship. Otherwise, I, Jiang Xuan, will not let this go."

A trace of disdain flashed through Xing Yao's eyes, but his gentle smile quickly returned.

"Brother Jiang, matters of the heart depend on mutual affection.

If Miss Bai truly loves Brother Jiang deeply, how could anyone else possibly wedge their way in?

But if her heart belongs to another, then Brother Jiang's insistence may not be a wise move."

Just as the two were locked in a standoff,

Bai Ruoshuang's voice suddenly rang out from afar.

"What are you two talking about?"

Jiang Xuan and Xing Yao turned their heads at the same time.

Bai Ruoshuang was walking toward them.

Her face was filled with puzzlement.

Bai Ruoshuang walked up to them.

She looked at Jiang Xuan, then at Xing Yao, and asked,

"Jiang Xuan, what do you want with Young Pavilion Master Xing?"

Jiang Xuan looked at Bai Ruoshuang, his eyes full of concern and anxiety.

"Ruoshuang, I... I'm only worried about you.

Xing Yao comes from Star Pavilion.

Their relationship with our Profound Heaven Sect is delicate. I'm afraid he means you harm."

Bai Ruoshuang frowned slightly and said with some displeasure,

"Jiang Xuan, you're overthinking this.

Young Pavilion Master Xing is humble and courteous. He and I have merely been exchanging cultivation insights; he bears no ill intent.

Making such a grand fuss over it only makes you seem petty."

Xing Yao spoke up at the right moment.

"Miss Bai, Brother Jiang is concerned for you. His approach may simply have been somewhat improper.

Brother Jiang, rest assured. I bear absolutely no ill intent toward the Profound Heaven Sect or Miss Bai."

Jiang Xuan was frantic inside.

He knew that saying more at this point would be useless and would only make Bai Ruoshuang dislike him even more.

He took a deep breath and said,

"Ruoshuang, I only hope you can be careful and not place your trust in others too easily."

With that, he turned and left, his back looking somewhat lonely.

As Bai Ruoshuang watched Jiang Xuan's departing figure, a thread of complicated emotion rose in her heart.

And as Xing Yao watched Bai Ruoshuang's expression, an imperceptible flicker of smugness flashed through his eyes.

After that encounter, Bai Ruoshuang's contact with Xing Yao grew increasingly frequent.

Relying on his honeyed words and broad knowledge,

he gradually carved out a place in Bai Ruoshuang's heart.

He often described the wonders of Star Pavilion to Bai Ruoshuang, as well as Star Pavilion's unique cultivation methods.

This made Bai Ruoshuang yearn for Star Pavilion.

Jiang Xuan saw it all and worried deeply.

He tried to speak with Bai Ruoshuang again.

But each time, Bai Ruoshuang avoided him with one excuse or another.

Left with no other choice,

Jiang Xuan could only confide in his friend Lin Yu.

After hearing Jiang Xuan's troubles,

Lin Yu pondered for a moment before saying,

"Jiang Xuan, judging from things now, Bai Ruoshuang seems to have already been bewitched by Xing Yao.

But you cannot give up just like that. We need to find a way to let Bai Ruoshuang see Xing Yao's true face."

Jiang Xuan sighed helplessly.

"I want to as well, but Ruoshuang is unwilling to see me at all now. What am I supposed to do?"

Lin Yu's eyes darted as he said,

"Perhaps we can start with Xing Yao. We can secretly investigate his every move within the Profound Heaven Sect and see what sort of scheme he is plotting.

Once we have evidence against him, Bai Ruoshuang will have no choice but to believe us."