As Lin Dongxue walked across the blood river, the scene before her suddenly changed.
She had just finished practicing her sword in the Artifact Pavilion's training grounds.
"Not bad. Your swordsmanship has improved again," Shen Shan said with gratification.
"It is all thanks to your careful guidance, Elder Shen!" Lin Dongxue said respectfully.
"You have a keen understanding," Shen Shan praised her again, then suddenly said, "By the way, a disciple of Medicine Valley named Xiang Yun is very taken with you and intends to marry you. Are you willing?"
Lin Dongxue refused decisively. "I already have someone in my heart."
"I know you favor Tang Yan, but Xiang Yun is a direct disciple of Medicine Valley, and the Fourth Elder's own grandson besides.
"If you refuse him, Medicine Valley will not only target you; Young Master Tang will also be implicated," Shen Shan explained the stakes.
Lin Dongxue raised her head to look at Shen Shan and said earnestly, "Tang Yan will find a way!"
"Before absolute power, a little cleverness cannot solve anything.
"Young Master Tang is a rational man. If he knew about this, he would certainly lean toward having you marry Xiang Yun too. Why tell him and put him in a difficult position?" Shen Shan reasoned.
Lin Dongxue shook her head slightly. "The Young Master Tang you speak of is not Tang Yan."
"How is he not Tang Yan?" Shen Shan grew a little anxious.
A trace of tenderness flashed through Lin Dongxue's eyes. "If he were Tang Yan, he would not let me marry someone I do not love!"
Sensing Lin Dongxue's resolve, Shen Shan shook his head with a wry smile and said gently, "Congratulations on passing the test. Go pick the Otherworld Flower!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the scene before