Chapter 212: Chapter 143: I Don’t Miss Mistress, I Miss Junior Brother

The sky was high and clear, and He Shutong leaned against the edge of the pool, her exquisite body faintly visible beneath the water.

She reached out and cupped a handful of pool water, which soon slipped through her fingers.

Her cultivation was also like this elusive water; although relying on the Lotus Pool could temporarily slow the decline of her realm, it was ultimately not a long-term solution. The pool water would evaporate, and the Profound Qi she possessed in the water would also disappear, albeit at a much slower pace.

But now this pool of water could securely lock in her cultivation.

The cause of the water’s change, she could only think of one reason—something that inadvertently washed into the pool that night by You Su...

She wasn’t sure what constitution that young man had to make even that substance have such miraculous effects. Yet she couldn’t possibly extract more from him for research.

Such a thing happening once was already unprecedented, how could it happen again?

If she depended on You Su’s substance to stabilize her cultivation, how could she continue being his master and mentor?

She sighed softly; it had been over ten days since she last saw You Su. Although she had long been accustomed to sitting alone atop the mountain, not seeing him made her feel somewhat lonely.

She silently lamented the tremendous change emotions brought. Suddenly, she frowned slightly; she sensed someone walking in the forest, approaching the Lotus Pool.

Wangshu?

But hadn’t she ordered that no one disturb her retreat without reason?

Wangshu was the most obedient to her, so if she came in abruptly, she must have encountered something she couldn’t resolve. But what could be so difficult for Wangshu? 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

She dispelled the effect of the illusion array, and soon, Fairy Wangshu appeared outside the pool clad in pure white.

"Master."

"Hmm, Wangshu, you came to find me... Is it because you’ve made another breakthrough in cultivation?"

He Shutong could only think of this reason. Her eldest disciple’s cultivation speed was truly astonishing; she often felt that Wangshu wasn’t drawing power from heaven and earth but that the power was waiting within her body to be gradually awakened. Otherwise, it was impossible to explain how Wangshu reached the Initial Feather Transformation Realm before fifty.

Fairy Wangshu still wore the Jade Rabbit Mask, her gaze lowered as she said,

"I’m sorry to disappoint Master, but Wangshu hasn’t made a breakthrough; I’m still at the Initial Feather Transformation Realm."

"I have never been disappointed in you. Wangshu, you don’t have to live just for my expectations."

"Wangshu understands."

The sensibility of Wangshu made He Shutong’s heart ache; she constantly worked so hard to do her best, seemingly trying to win her master’s approval. But previously, when He Shutong’s Ice Heart was unresolved, she seldom praised her disciple despite truly admiring her achievements, leading Wangshu to think her master was dissatisfied with her performance, prompting even more diligence.

"Is your visit... because you missed me?"

This kind of talking was somewhat awkward for He Shutong, but she still managed to speak, feeling that she owed this disciple a great deal of gentleness, which ought to be repaid in the future. She further explained,

"Missing someone means their image frequently appears in your mind, making you want to see them."

Wangshu raised her head and glanced at her master hidden in the mist; she knew what missing someone meant but hesitated. Normally, she wouldn’t have many scruples about speaking her mind, but she felt this time revealing her true thoughts might not be appropriate...

"What is it, Wangshu? Are you hesitating? Even if you don’t miss me, I won’t blame you." He Shutong’s tone was gentle.

"I... I don’t miss Master; I miss my junior brother."

He Shutong stiffened at her words but quickly realized something was off. You Su was also cultivating on Lotus Peak, so seeing him daily made missing him unnecessary.

Moreover, Wangshu had specifically come to see her...

"Is You Su not on the mountain?!"

...

"Congratulations, Venerable Shenxi, today has been quite fruitful."

Yui Zhen bent down, respectfully flattering.

The man being flattered had a resolute expression, a robust figure, sitting by the small pool fishing, his vibe serene as if a motionless statue.

"Catching a Tigerhead Grouper is indeed a considerable gain."

Venerable Shenxi took off the large fish hanging on the hook, showing no fear of its terrifying fangs and giant mouth.

This was his cave and not reliant on the Jade Ring Pool; it was high in the mountains. The pool water here was drawn from the Jade Ring Pool, home to the fierce fish he personally brought from the outside, each a renowned predator of the waters.

He didn’t like fishing for those docile carps but preferred these fierce fish. Yet fierce fish couldn’t be raised in the Jade Ring Pool, so he privately built a pool for his fishing leisure. Even though this was prohibited, being the Patriarch and Venerable, no one could question his actions.

Venerable Shenxi squeezed the Tigerhead Grouper in his hand; the fiercely vital fish was powerless in his grasp. He seemed to be playing with its life, clearly capable of instantly incapacitating it but instead watched it stiffen slowly.

"Yui Zhen, if it were you, would you stop fishing after catching this Tigerhead Grouper?"

Yui Zhen beside him looked on and silently marveled, "I don’t know; I don’t even have the qualification to hold a fishing rod."

Venerable Shenxi laughed casually; the Tigerhead Grouper in his hand completely lost its life, and he surprisingly mounted it back onto the hook.

"I won’t stop; I’ll use this Tigerhead Grouper to catch even bigger fish."

The corpse of the Tigerhead Grouper was used as bait, thrown into the pool where ferocious fish ran rampant, instantly stirring up swirling waves.

...

Today was the ninth day since You Su arrived at the Jade Ring Pool.

Since flying off with the Saintess, she hadn’t sought him out again but occasionally sent him gifts and greetings. He intended to visit her, yet couldn’t think of a proper reason, so he gave up.

The little white fish also hadn’t appeared since then. He tried using other rare items to awaken the little white fish but received no response. He was unwilling to expose the existence of the little white fish to others; he found this peculiar little fish very endearing and thought it would make a perfect gift for his senior sister.

You Su sat in the courtyard of Cyan Wave Hall, quietly contemplating, as the light footsteps outside gradually drifted away. He knew it was the departure of Miss Ji, probably off to meet the appointment of the eldest young master Yu Mingzhen.

He ought to have gone to meet the Saintess’s invitation too; what did he do wrong for her not to invite him with the warmth of the first six days?

You Su decided he must personally visit the Saintess.

Just then, knocks sounded at the door of Cyan Wave Hall, a rare visitor.

Yo Long intended to open the door, but You Su was faster.

As You Su opened the door, it was not the Saintess or her maid but a long-unseen Yui Zhen.

"Mr. You, haven’t seen you for several days."

"Mr. Yui? Come on in, please."

"I won’t sit; I came to inform Mr. You of an issue with the Lotus Hearts you requested..."