Romance Is So Hard to Write...

Misty Cloud Sect.

Nalan Yanran paced outside Yun Yun's door.

Several times, she raised her hand until her fingertips nearly touched the door, only to hesitate and draw back.

Click—

The door opened from within.

"Yanran, you've been standing out here for ages. Why didn't you come in?"

"Teacher..."

Nalan Yanran's heart skipped a beat.

The words she had spent so long preparing caught in her throat. For a moment, she had no idea how to begin.

Yun Yun stepped aside.

"Come in. Tell me what's on your mind."

"Yes."

Nalan Yanran knew the room as well as her own. She walked to the table and sat down.

But the conflict in her eyes would not fade.

Yun Yun watched her quietly and saw through her disciple at once.

"Yanran, something's troubling you. Is it about the auction house?"

Nalan Yanran nodded lightly.

"Yes, Teacher. Young Master Lu Chuan offered me a way to grow stronger faster."

Yun Yun nodded, pleased, but then noticed her unease and frowned slightly.

"That's wonderful news. Why do you look so troubled? Is the price too high?"

She leaned forward a little.

"If you need Dou Techniques, Magic Cores, or medicinal ingredients, just say so. I'll do everything I can to find them for you."

Nalan Yanran looked up at her gentle, understanding teacher. Her conflict deepened, and she still could not find the words.

"Teacher, what if the price is working under him?"

Yun Yun's brows drew together.

"He's trying to poach one of Misty Cloud Sect's disciples? Tell me exactly what he said."

"All right. He said..."

"And at the end, he told me to discuss it with you, Teacher."

Yun Yun was baffled. She thought it over in silence.

Yanran was exceptionally talented, the finest young disciple in Misty Cloud Sect.