Unfortunately, her sister was completely unaware of the Zixia Daoist’s ambition.

He had been entrenched in this place for many years, all for the inheritance from the Purple Mist True Monarch’s cave abode that Dahuang had mentioned.

The Chu Family ancestors did indeed have some connection to the Purple Mist True Monarch; otherwise, the True Monarch’s Token wouldn’t have ended up in their possession.

Chu Yun remembered this Jade Pendant. His sister had always kept it on her person, but last time, it had been accidentally sent to him along with a batch of Elixir Pills and Spirit Stones.

If not for this fortunate coincidence, he probably would have been killed by those vicious senior brothers and met his end at the bottom of the cliff.

’I wonder how my sister is doing. She always said in her letters that she was doing well in the Jasper Pool Sect and that her senior sisters treated her like family, all kind and gentle.’

’When she lacked cultivation resources, those senior sisters would help her out.’ 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

’She saved up so many Spirit Stones and Elixir Pills to send to me, her useless brother who couldn’t cultivate. I wonder if it delayed her own cultivation...’

Chu Yun sighed inwardly. His heart was filled with gratitude and guilt toward the sister who had been like a mother to him.

He, her useless brother, had been a burden to her for so many years.

But now, he had recovered. He’d even unexpectedly become the successor to the Purple Mist True Monarch, with this mysterious Cyan Bull to guide him.

As long as he had time, he was confident he could grow stronger and repay his sister’s kindness.

Returning to the present, Chu Yun felt a surging power fill his body as the Spiritual Energy between heaven and earth swarmed toward him, gathering in his limbs and bones.

Today’s cultivation session was finally over. Now that he had reached the entry level of the Rock Skill, training under this waterfall was no longer effective.

The next moment, he pushed off with his feet, easily leaping to the shore and putting on his clean Daoist Robe.

"Dahuang, let’s head back to the Daoist Temple," Chu Yun said.

The Cyan Bull lazily rose and asked, "Have you thought this through? What if those senior brothers of yours try something malicious again? You might not be so lucky next time. I’m not powerful enough to save you twice."

Chu Yun said, "Since the Zixia Daoist is scheming for the Master’s inheritance, he won’t just let me die."

"If I had died, he might not have bothered with it. But since I’m alive now, he definitely won’t let those senior brothers push me around..."

A look of approval appeared in the Cyan Bull’s eyes. ’This kid really has gotten a lot smarter since his mind was opened.’

"When I get back, I’ll just say I accidentally fell off a cliff for some reason and can’t remember much of what happened before. I’ll say my head bled a lot."

"If they press me, I’ll say I survived by eating a strange flower, and after I ate it, my strength increased greatly and my mind became much clearer."

As they spoke, the figures of the man and the bull quickly vanished.

...

When Su Qinghan finished the Refinement process and stepped out of the private room, Jiang Lan was still in the same spot, leisurely listening to music and drinking. A group of beautiful, unfamiliar women were waiting on him, some rubbing his shoulders, others massaging his legs.

Seeing her approach, the women all tactfully excused themselves and left.

"Qinghan, your strength has improved quite a bit. It seems that medicinal meal was rather effective," Jiang Lan said with a complimentary glance.

"It is all thanks to you, Young Master. This is the first time this servant has ever eaten such a luxurious medicinal meal..."

A faint fragrance wafted from her as Su Qinghan sat down beside him. She tucked a few strands of dark hair that had fallen beside her fair, crystalline ear back into place. After a moment’s thought, she picked up a Spirit Fruit and began to peel it for him.

"If you like it, Qinghan, I can have someone make it for you every day," Jiang Lan said with a casual smile.

This was the first time Su Qinghan had referred to herself as "this servant" in front of him.

He focused his consciousness inward and saw that the Destiny Dao Fruit within his Mud Ball Palace had deepened in color considerably. This was all the destiny he had sheared from Su Qinghan recently.

Jiang Lan chuckled to himself. ’Su Qinghan really is a "hypocritical" woman—her words say one thing, but her heart is quite honest.’

"Medicinal meals are good, but they are ultimately just external aids. One shouldn’t eat them too often, or one’s foundation will become unstable."

Su Qinghan shook her head gently. With her slender, fair hand, she lifted the peeled Spirit Fruit to Jiang Lan’s lips.

Jiang Lan gave her an interested look, but instead of taking the fruit, he lowered his head and playfully bit her crystalline fingers as well.

"...Young Master."

Su Qinghan’s hand trembled slightly, but she didn’t pull it away.

She only gave Jiang Lan a slightly reproachful look. Inwardly, she huffed. ’I don’t know why, but I feel strangely happy right now.’

’I can’t explain it, and I don’t know why. Maybe it’s because that nuisance, Chu Chan, isn’t around?’

Jiang Lan smiled and stopped teasing her. He took the Spirit Fruit and began to eat it.

"I thought you were a stickler for cleanliness, Young Master?"

"And you weren’t worried they were dirty."

Su Qinghan looked at her slender, now slightly damp, fingers, a faint smile playing on her lips as she spoke.

Jiang Lan replied casually, "Sometimes I am, sometimes I’m not. A habit like that depends on the person."

Su Qinghan gave him a slight eye-roll, not having expected that answer. "Young Master," she asked, "has Chu Chan left?"

She herself didn’t know what possessed her to ask such a question.

What she had originally meant to ask was how long they would be staying in Anyang City.

Jiang Lan glanced at her, a smile suddenly playing on his lips. He retorted, "Could it be you’re jealous of Chan’Er, Qinghan?"

Su Qinghan wouldn’t admit it, of course. "The Young Master’s constitution is already a bit weak," she said. "I was just worried you’d be sucked dry by her."