10: My disciple, it is your master who has wronged you.

The guest courtyard was by the water; the faint sound of waves could be heard at night.

After Lu Yu finished guiding Lin Wanqiu's cultivation, he was about to adjust his own breathing in preparation for his Breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage.

But at that moment, there was a commotion outside the courtyard.

It wasn't Luo Qingxue's cold, ice-blue escape light, but a somewhat flamboyant water-colored streak of light that landed unceremoniously in the courtyard.

As the light dissipated, several figures appeared.

Leading them was a young man dressed in a luxurious blue robe. His face could be considered handsome, but the sinister gloom and arrogance in his eyes ruined the overall impression.

His cultivation was indeed at Nascent Soul Perfection, though his aura was slightly more superficial than others of the same rank, his Foundation was relatively solid.

Lu Yu's gaze narrowed slightly as he noticed a trace of cold Devilish Qi on the man. Although it was hidden with great effort, his keen perception still caught it; it was purer and more subtle than any enemy he had encountered before.

Tang Wu.

According to the System, he was also the sworn brother of Tang San, the son of destiny from the Demon Domain?

Lu Yu almost immediately confirmed the other's identity. Furthermore, he wasn't a mindless fool, as could be seen from the scrutiny and wariness that flashed through his eyes.

Tang Wu was also sizing up Lu Yu.

The Tianyan Immortal Sect Divine Son, at Golden Core Perfection. His aura was a bit strange, but that extremely yang and masculine scent couldn't be faked, making Tang Wu's own Cultivation Technique feel instinctively uncomfortable.

When he received the news, he had carefully checked Lu Yu's background. He was the precious Disciple of the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Sect's Grand Elder Yun Mengli, and one of the future pillars of the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Sect.

This identity indeed forced him to be cautious. The consequences of stepping on an ordinary Genius versus stepping on the Tianyan Divine Son were worlds apart.

“This must be Divine Son Lu of the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Sect?”

Tang Wu spoke, a forced and unenthusiastic smile appearing on his face.

“I, Tang, have been remiss in welcoming you. Since Divine Son Lu has come from afar as a guest, our Canglan Sacred Sect should naturally show hospitality.”

He used courtesy before force, pointing out Lu Yu's status as a guest.

“Fellow Daoist Tang is too kind. I have come to visit by my Revered Master's orders; I apologize for the intrusion.”

Lu Yu cupped his hands, his attitude neither cold nor warm.

“Visit?”

Tang Wu's eyebrows rose slightly, and his smile faded a bit.

“I wonder if Divine Son Lu is visiting my Canglan Sacred Sect, or just a specific person?”

His tone carried a hint of testing, and his gaze grew sharp.

“Naturally, I am here to pay my respects to the Holy Lord and Fairy Luo.”

Lu Yu's answer was watertight.

“My Revered Master and the Holy Lord are close friends, and she also has an old friendship with Fairy Luo. Does Fellow Daoist Tang have any advice regarding this?”

He brought up the relationship between Yun Mengli and Leng Qingshuang, directly raising the level of the conversation.

Tang Wu's eyes darkened. He knew that Yun Mengli and Leng Qingshuang had a deep relationship, and this connection was indeed troublesome.

“I wouldn't dare offer advice.”

His tone turned cold, his expression carrying a hint of frostiness.

“I only wish to remind Divine Son Lu that the Canglan Sacred Sect has its own rules. Matters concerning the Saintess affect the Sect's reputation. It's better for outsiders not to interfere too much. Even if there are old agreements, things should proceed according to our Sect's rules.”

“Rules must naturally be followed.”

Lu Yu nodded as if in agreement. He also knew a rule of the Canglan Sacred Sect: their Saintesses generally didn't marry outside. Most of the time, they were paired with the Sect's own top geniuses to support and manage the Sect together. Usually, only the strongest among the young Disciples had the chance to become the Saintess's Dao Companion.

However, if the Dao Companion the Saintess loved was from an outside Sect, he would have to defeat the strongest pursuer of the Saintess within the Canglan Sacred Sect before the Saintess could choose to become his Dao Companion.

This had two benefits. First, the Saintess they raised wouldn't be lost to others, ensuring the resources spent on her weren't wasted and she remained part of their own circle.

Second, if an outsider defeated the strongest young Disciple of the Canglan Sacred Sect, it meant the person had extremely high talent and a great future. If the Saintess was willing to become his Dao Companion, the Saintess would serve as a link, allowing the Canglan Sacred Sect to maintain a connection with him, which was also a win.

Returning to the main topic, Lu Yu changed the subject.

“However, Fellow Daoist Tang seems exceptionally concerned about the matters between me and Fairy Luo? Could it be that Fellow Daoist Tang has some unique insights into the Sect's rules, or perhaps other intentions?”

He turned the tables, looking at Tang Wu with a calm gaze.

Tang Wu's expression changed slightly. Not only was the other party not intimidated, but he had also directly pointed out his ulterior motives. The aura of the lackeys behind him tightened, but Tang Wu raised his hand to stop them.

“Divine Son Lu must be joking.”

Tang Wu suppressed the anger in his heart and said gloomily.

“I am merely giving a kind reminder. The Canglan Sacred Sect is not like the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Sect; the waters here are murky with many undercurrents. Divine Son Lu has a noble status, so it's better to be careful not to inadvertently get caught in any trouble and damage the harmony between our two Sects.”

The threat was crystal clear.

“Thank you for the reminder, Fellow Daoist Tang.”

Lu Yu spoke indifferently, as if he hadn't heard the threat.

“I, Lu, don't have many skills, but my swimming is decent. No matter how murky the water is, a few splashes won't drown me.”

Their gazes collided in the air in a silent confrontation. After a moment, Tang Wu let out a cold snort.

“I hope so. Let's go!”

He gave Lu Yu a deep look before turning to lead his people away. In this probe, he hadn't gained any advantage; instead, he felt Lu Yu was even more troublesome.

The courtyard gate closed again, and Lin Wanqiu's small face was pale.

“Revered Master, that person was so scary.”

“Just a paper tiger.”

Lu Yu rubbed her head.

“But he did remind us that we need to hurry up.”

The next afternoon, Luo Qingxue came to the guest courtyard again.

This time, she brought a small box of “Ice Heart Lotus Seeds,” which were said to be beneficial for stabilizing cultivation.

She was still cold and taciturn, but her posture was slightly more natural when she sat down on the stone bench in the courtyard.

Lu Yu brewed tea, and the two sat opposite each other.

The silence was a bit awkward, so Lu Yu shared some interesting stories from the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Sect, such as how Fifth Senior Sister Li Miaoer had teased another Elder, or how Third Senior Sister had accidentally leveled half a small mountain while practicing her sword.

Luo Qingxue listened quietly. A very faint smile occasionally flashed in her ice-blue eyes, and although it quickly vanished, that sense of coldness had indeed thawed quite a bit.

“Senior Yun is a very interesting person.”

Luo Qingxue suddenly said softly. She had met Yun Mengli a few times with Leng Qingshuang. In her impression, that Senior was always lazy and casual, yet unfathomable, and her relationship with her own Revered Master was truly good.

“Yeah, she's just a bit too ‘casual’.”

Lu Yu smiled wryly, his words carrying a hidden meaning. Luo Qingxue naturally understood he was referring to the marriage contract. Her fair cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her gaze to watch the tea leaves rising and falling in her cup.

“Lu... Lu Yu.”

She called his name again, more smoothly than the last time.

“What do you... actually think about this matter?”

She looked up, her clear gaze filled with serious inquiry. She needed to know his attitude, as it concerned how she should respond in the future.

Lu Yu put down his teacup and said seriously, “To be honest with you, Fairy, at first I thought it was abrupt, even a bit absurd. But after meeting you and understanding the situation a bit...”

He paused, looking directly into Luo Qingxue's eyes.

“I think this might be fate. With your heavenly beauty, Fairy, few in the world can compare. Naturally, I also have an appreciation for beauty. If you think it's okay, we can take things slowly; there's no need to force it.”

His words were honest and practical, without sweet talk, yet they expressed respect and sincerity, giving each other plenty of space and a way out.

Luo Qingxue felt a slight sense of relief. This was for the best.

The sudden appearance of a fiancé had left her somewhat at a loss. She had heard of it before, but it was just hearsay; now that he was standing before her, she felt a bit bewildered and feared an entirely unfamiliar intimacy.

Lu Yu's calm and practical attitude put her much at ease. Perhaps... she really could try to get to know him?

“I don't understand these things.”

She turned her head slightly, the tips of her ears turning a bit red, and her voice dropped lower.

“But since it is my Revered Master's command, and Fellow Daoist Lu is treating me with sincerity, Qingxue is willing to... try getting along.”

This was the most she could say to express her stance.

“Good.”

Lu Yu nodded with a smile. This progress was smoother than he had expected. It seemed that practical considerations and concern for her Revered Master held significant weight in Luo Qingxue's heart. As for feelings, they would grow slowly over time.

On the other side, in Leng Qingshuang's palace, her Divine Sense would occasionally observe Lu Yu. At this moment, she happened to overhear their conversation, and her heart became even more conflicted.

“Disciple, your Revered Master has failed you...”

Leng Qingshuang sighed. What a mess this was. She never expected that the Pure Yang Body she had randomly encountered on the roadside would actually be her good friend Yun Mengli's Disciple and her own Disciple Luo Qingxue's fiancé!

What a disaster!