The noble gentleman standing silently at the prow of the boat is handsome and incomparable, yet he does not make one feel his sharpness, but rather is calm and gentle like the spirit pool beneath the boat. On him, not even the most critical female cultivator can find any faults.

He is Yu Mingzhen, the only son of Patriarch Chengtao Venerable of Jade Ring Pool.

By the age of forty, the eldest son had already reached the Condensed Water Lower Realm, possessing unparalleled talent. Everyone in Jade Ring Pool unanimously agrees that it is only due to Jade Ring Pool’s reclusive nature that the eldest son’s reputation remains unheard; his fame alone could elevate Jade Ring Pool’s renown to another level.

"Miss Ji, do you know why the lotuses of Jade Ring Pool have five heavenly hues?" Yu Mingzhen’s voice was as smooth as polished jade, his smile like a gentle breeze.

In Jade Ring Pool, the lotuses come in five colors: white, blue, red, purple, and yellow, each bearing distinct meanings and names.

Ji Xueruo replied, "It is probably because the sap from the petals varies in color. In the mortal world, flower sap is often used to dye cloth."

"Miss Ji is acquainted with matters of the mortal world?" Yu Mingzhen appeared somewhat surprised, "Miss Ji is correct, but this sap has a source. At the bottom of Jade Ring Pool, where these precious lotuses are rooted, the soil is Five-Colored. This Five-Colored Soil is the most important thing besides the pool water, and both the lotus flowers and roots thrive in the Five-Colored Soil."

"Jade Ring Pool truly treasures abound..."

Ji Xueruo mused, she had only ever seen lakes with black silt at the bottom, yet Jade Ring Pool seemed like a Fairy fond of cleanliness, with not a speck of black silt.

Just then, as the lake breeze wafted, thousands of lotus flowers tilted, their reflections in the green waves akin to myriad concubines bending to show smiles.

Faced with such beauty, any heart would sway.

"Miss Ji, do you study poetry and literature?" Yu Mingzhen asked warmly.

Ji Xueruo knew that this question meant the eldest son probably had a poem ready, so she replied:

"Our Demon Race does not excel in this, only the Human Race cultivators enjoy such elegance. However, I have read hundreds of books since childhood, so I have read some famous poems. But to compose spontaneously would be too difficult for me. If the eldest son wishes to, I am willing to be a listener."

"I merely felt the inspiration from the moving scenery." As Yu Mingzhen spoke the phrase ’moving scenery,’ his clear eyes kept gazing at Ji Xueruo’s side profile as she admired the flowers, "Then please bear with me."

"Everyone loves peonies, I alone love the lotus which emerges unstained from mud, washes in clean ripples without corruption, its center is straight, not entangled nor branched, its fragrance grows clearer afar, standing pure and upright, to be viewed from afar, but not touched."

Ji Xueruo internally recited it again, somewhat taken aback, expecting a carefully prepared verse from the eldest son, but not a prose essay. After all, when poetry is mentioned, everyone’s first reaction is poems.

Though simple, the prose vividly evokes the lotus’s image and character, then highlights the noble character and open heart of the one who cherishes the lotus. She had not expected the eldest son could truly recite a phrase worthy of eternal renown, and couldn’t help but look at him in admiration:

"Emerges unstained from mud, washes in clean ripples without corruption. Even the Book Immortal of Profound Sky Sect’s Book Immortal Peak might find it hard to write such a fine line."

After the compliment, she noticed the eldest son appeared frozen at the prow, a look of wanting to speak but hesitating.

Ji Xueruo frowned slightly, suddenly recalling that the voice wasn’t the eldest son’s, but rather... that blind man?

Sure enough, another small boat emerged from the green lotus leaves, You Su stood at the prow in a dark robe, hands behind his back, expressing gratitude to Ji Xueruo:

"Miss Ji is correct, when I first read this essay, I was astonished."

Only now did Ji Xueruo realize the misconception, and replied, "You saw it when first reading? Wasn’t this essay written by you?"

"Indeed, Miss Ji, Mr. You said this essay was written by a mortal writer surnamed Zhou, he merely had the fortune to see it."

Yudie appeared behind You Su, her beauty stirred Ji Xueruo’s heart profoundly.

Yudie looked at You Su with a face full of admiration. Being fond of books, she knew that if such a masterpiece existed, it couldn’t be an unrecognized gem, considering it as You Su’s modest words.

However, in Ji Xueruo’s ears, this took on another meaning. In her storage pouch were still those sensational books written by You Su to make a living.

She had held him in higher esteem when her sister mentioned he wrote books for money, due to her distaste for the Demon Race’s brutality, she respected scholars more. She hadn’t expected the special editions she bought were all tawdry books! She admitted the story plots were exquisitely marvelous, but why so many boudoir depictions! Especially that book "The Legend of the White Snake," as a serpent demon, it seemed a naked piece to her!

So, you used such books to subtly influence my sister and win her over, isn’t it!

Compared to the Demon Race’s barbarism, the Human Race’s method of subtly changing one’s views with words caused Ji Xueruo greater unease.

Therefore, she definitely wouldn’t believe that You Su, who wrote such sensational tales, could write such lofty sentiments.

If a person can be both extremely indecent and extremely refined, what a terrifying beast in gentleman’s clothing they must be?

"I’ve heard of this writer surnamed Zhou, many unsigned astonishing fragments are said to be his works. Just this line would be enough for him to be eternally renowned."

Ji Xueruo followed suit, for she didn’t wish to see this blind man use stolen prose to gain favor with other women.