208: Chapter 208 Meeting the Master

The languor on their face faded completely, replaced by shock, and they let out a soft, involuntary gasp.

"Senior Brother... Senior Brother Ye Yun?!"

This soft call instantly drew the attention of all the Disciples passing by.

Countless gazes converged upon them, and whispers rose one after another.

"It really is Senior Brother Ye Yun! He's been gone for days; I thought he was in seclusion to Cultivate!"

"So he went down the mountain to carry out a mission; no wonder he hasn't been seen for days."

"The Senior Sister beside him is peerlessly beautiful. I wonder who she is?"

A newly admitted Outer Sect Disciple was so dazed by the sight that his eyes were filled with wonder.

The experienced Disciple beside him quickly grabbed him and whispered a reminder.

"Do not be rude! That is Senior Sister Han Qingxue, Revered Master Bai's Personal Disciple, the Ice Sword Fairy of our Sect!"

"It's Senior Sister Han? She has always been cold and reserved, never getting close to anyone. Why is she walking with Senior Brother Ye Yun?"

"Who knows the inside story? But the two of them standing side by side, both with top-tier temperament and beauty, are just too well-matched."

"Quiet! Don't let them hear you!"

The quiet murmurs were kept very low, but they were incessant.

Everyone's gaze remained firmly fixed on the pair, filled with shock, suspicion, and curiosity.

The entire Sect knew.

Ye Yun was a peerless newcomer who had appeared out of nowhere; having joined the Sect two months ago, he had risen against the odds all the way, and his fame was unparalleled.

Han Qingxue, however, was famously cold and aloof.

She had always kept to herself, was unsociable, and ordinary Disciples could barely get within three feet of her.

But today, she was walking side by side with Ye Yun, less than a foot apart.

This completely broke the boundaries of alienation she had strictly observed for years.

Ye Yun's expression was indifferent, completely ignoring the prying eyes and criticism around him.

He just held Han Qingxue's hand firmly, walking calmly through the mountain gate.

Han Qingxue followed with her head bowed, the crimson on her ears not yet fading.

She could hear the surrounding discussions and feel the gazes clearly.

Her heart felt shy and slightly warm, but she never broke free from the restraint of his palm.

She let him hold her, calmly passing through the sight of the crowd.

They walked through the Outer Sect plaza and crossed the bluestone bridge that marked the boundary between the inner and Outer Sects.

The Inner Sect Disciples they encountered along the way all stopped to watch.

Gazes of shock, envy, inquiry, and complexity overlapped.

The sound of gossip was endless.

"I never expected the Ice Sword Fairy to be so close to Ye Yun."

"Look at Senior Sister Han's eyebrows and eyes; although still cold, they lack the usual distance and indifference."

"The personality that used to keep people a thousand miles away is now obediently following along; it's truly a huge change."

The idle gossip was all left behind.

Ye Yun turned his head to look at the young girl beside him, his lips curling slightly.

"Senior Sister, they are all talking about you."

"I can hear them."

Han Qingxue's voice remained cold, but the end of her tone trembled slightly, and the tips of her ears were bright red.

"They say you are exceptionally obedient today."

Han Qingxue lifted her eyes and gave him a faint glance, hiding a bit of shy annoyance in her eyes.

"If you dare to tease me again, I will go up the mountain alone and leave you here."

Ye Yun chuckled, no longer teasing her.

...

The mountain road of Lonely Peak was winding and tortuous, with emerald bamboos shading both sides.

A cool breeze passed through the forest, and the bamboo leaves rustled softly.

The two walked up the steps and soon arrived in front of the Bamboo House at the peak.

On the open ground in front of the courtyard, Master Bai Yuxue was lazily reclining on a bamboo chair.

Today, she was wearing a scarlet thin gauze dress.

The skirt was embroidered with dark, intertwined golden peony patterns, and the thin fabric made her skin look as white as snow.

The collar was slightly open, her figure was graceful, and her charm was natural.

A silk ribbon was tied tightly around her waist, accentuating a slender waist that could be gripped in one hand.

The hem of the skirt barely reached her knees, revealing a pair of slender, straight, snow-white calves.

She was barefoot, her ankles slender and delicate.

Her toenails were painted with pale pink nail polish, and her legs were lazily crossed and rested on the armrest.

Her black hair was scattered casually over her shoulders, her phoenix eyes were half-closed, and her red lips were pursed slightly.

Her whole person exuded a bone-deep, soul-stirring, stunning charm.

Hearing the approaching footsteps.

Master Bai Yuxue slowly opened her narrow phoenix eyes.

Her gaze first landed on Ye Yun, then swept over Han Qingxue beside him.

Finally, it precisely locked onto their joined hands.

Her narrow eyes narrowed slightly, and her lips curled into a faint, meaningful smile.

"You're back."

Her tone was lazy and soft, showing no joy or anger, but carried an invisible sense of oppression.

Ye Yun stepped forward half a step, bowed and saluted, his attitude respectful and measured.

"Revered Master, this Disciple has returned."

Han Qingxue also followed closely behind, bowing her head in a salute.

"This Disciple greets Revered Master."

In the moment she lowered her head, the crimson that had not yet faded from her ears was taken in by Master Bai Yuxue.

Master Bai Yuxue's gaze seemed scattered and lazy.

In reality, it was clear and sharp, slowly sweeping over the two of them.

Subtle expressions and hidden changes were not missed.

Han Qingxue felt her mind tighten under this gaze, her hands and feet stiffening slightly.

Only Ye Yun remained calm, his state of mind unruffled.

"Did you encounter any setbacks on this trip down the mountain?"

Master Bai Yuxue raised her hand, picked up the celadon teacup on the stone table, and took a small sip of clear tea.

Ye Yun pondered for a moment and recounted his experiences down the mountain.

"Reporting to Revered Master, on the return journey, this Disciple encountered an interception by Cultivators from Tianyang Academy. The leader was a first-level Martial Spirit, and the remaining three were all Half-step Martial Spirits and a Peak Great Martial Master."

"Fortunately, Senior Sister came to my aid, and the two of us joined forces to kill all four of them. Besides that, this Disciple met a woman from the Wu Family of Qingzhou in the Fengyun Mountains; in order to save her, I wiped out the entire Wu Family of Qingzhou."

Master Bai Yuxue's slender hand holding the cup paused imperceptibly.

A moment later, she slowly placed the teacup on the stone table.

After a moment of silence, she laughed softly.

"A trip down the mountain, slaughtering a noble family, making enemies with a Sect. Little Yun'er, your ability to stir up trouble has truly grown more and more."

"They were all evil people in power, bringing about their own destruction; they deserved to die."

Ye Yun's tone was calm, without a hint of arrogance or panic.

Master Bai Yuxue looked up at him, her eyes hiding a bit of implicit appreciation and indulgence.

"There is no need to fear Tianyang Academy. This place is the territory of our Luoxue Sect; even if they know their Disciples have died, they would not dare to cross the border to provoke us."

She changed the subject and gave a soft instruction.

"But you must know how to restrain yourself in your actions. The annihilation of the Wu Family of Qingzhou cannot be hidden. Within a few days, the entire Tianyang Kingdom will know that a youth slaughtered a clan. By then, the number of people looking for you to test or provoke you will only increase."

"This Disciple will keep Revered Master's teachings in mind."

Master Bai Yuxue then turned to look at Han Qingxue.

"Qingxue, how is your sword wound healing?"

"Reporting to Revered Master, it is already fine."

Master Bai Yuxue's gaze swept lightly over her and landed on a faint, almost imperceptible light red mark at her collar.

Han Qingxue's heart tightened, and she subconsciously raised her hand to pull her collar tighter, covering the mark.

"It is good that it is fine."

Master Bai Yuxue withdrew her gaze and ordered lazily.

"You have had a tiring journey, go back and rest. Ye Yun, you stay."

Han Qingxue bowed respectfully.

As she turned to leave, she couldn't help but look back at Ye Yun.

Then, she gathered her emotions and quickly stepped into the bamboo forest path, her figure disappearing in an instant.

In front of the Bamboo House courtyard, only the Revered Master and Disciple were left standing opposite each other.

The mountain breeze blew gently, lifting the black hair scattered by her temples.

The scarlet skirt hem swayed gently with the wind, and her lazy charm became even more intense.

Master Bai Yuxue looked quietly at the youth in front of her.

Her phoenix eyes were deep and gentle, wrapped in a bit of ambiguous, all-knowing smile.

Her voice lowered, lazy and melodious, carrying a hint of faint probing.