32: Chapter 32: Hong Fu's Thoughts as a Matchmaker

"Alright, let's forget it then. Just be extra careful."

Faced with Zhao Changsheng's refusal, Hong Fu's expression showed not a ripple of emotion. Her tone was as calm as if discussing an ordinary matter, and she readily agreed.

"Thank you, Revered Master. If there is nothing else, this Disciple will take his leave first."

With a hint of apology on his face, Zhao Changsheng bowed respectfully, then turned to exit the Immortal Cave.

"Fine, go back."

As soon as the words fell, Zhao Changsheng's figure had already vanished outside the door.

The Girl in Green Dress, who would usually see him to the entrance, today stood quietly by Hong Fu's side, not moving an inch.

Only after the stone door of the Immortal Cave had completely closed did Hong Fu slowly speak, her voice tinged with a trace of worry: "Your Junior Brother's journey this time is likely to involve some dangerous undertaking. He's afraid of implicating you, which is why he doesn't want to take you along. Don't take it to heart. But just in case, you should follow him secretly — take this spirit concealing gauze. It can conceal your aura, preventing him from detecting you. His Divine Thought surpasses that of Cultivators in the same Realm. Remember, do not let him discover you."

She paused, her gaze growing more serious: "He is different from other Disciples. He possesses a Heavenly Spiritual Root; few in the same Realm can match him. In the future, he has the chance to form a Nascent Soul. Such a person absolutely must not meet with the slightest mishap. Otherwise, for the Sect, it would be even more regrettable than losing a Core Formation Stage Cultivator. Be careful yourself on the road. If you truly encounter trouble you cannot handle, do not hesitate, immediately take him and leave."

After speaking, Hong Fu retrieved from her sleeve a piece of gauze as thin as a cicada's wing and handed it to the Girl in Green Dress — it was precisely the top-grade magic tool she had mentioned, the spirit concealing gauze.

The Girl in Green Dress's eyes were full of surprise and doubt, but she did not ask further. She hurriedly accepted it, her tone resolute: "This Disciple understands. Revered Master, rest assured, I will definitely protect Junior Brother in secret and absolutely not let anything happen to him."

"As long as you understand, your Revered Master can also relax a little."

Hong Fu nodded gently, a touch of melancholy entering her tone. "With your Junior Brother's Aptitude, he will certainly achieve Core Formation in the future. After I pass away, you sisters will have someone to rely on, so you won't be left with no support. Although you sisters also have the potential to form a Golden Core, you still fall short compared to him. So you must take good care of him — your future still depends on him. As for which of you sisters might become his Dao Companion, that will depend on your individual fate and capabilities."

At the end, Hong Fu couldn't help but sigh.

These words were like a stone thrown into a calm lake. The Girl in Green Dress's cheeks instantly flushed crimson. Embarrassed, she hurriedly defended herself: "Revered Master, this Disciple harbors no such thoughts towards Junior Brother. I only see him as a dear younger brother."

"Whether you have such thoughts or not, you yourselves know best. There's no need to explain it to me." Hong Fu shook her head faintly, not dwelling on the matter further. "There's no time to delay. Hurry and go, don't let him get too far that you can't catch up. Also, take this, so you don't lose track."

She took out another white jade token. At its center, a faint red light point could be vaguely seen.

Just as the Girl in Green Dress was wondering about the token's use, Hong Fu's voice sounded again: "I left a bit of my Primordial Spirit imprint in the talisman treasure he carries on his person. This jade token can sense the approximate direction of that imprint, making it easier to find his trail and avoid losing him."

"Yes, thank you, Revered Master. This Disciple takes her leave."

Only then did the Girl in Green Dress understand. She quickly took the jade token, bowed respectfully, and then strode swiftly towards the door without any delay... A good part of the day passed, and the sky gradually darkened. Zhao Changsheng, who had already left the Jian Prefecture region, was just about to find a place to rest when his brow suddenly furrowed. His figure swayed violently and vanished from the spot like a gust of wind.

Approximately a quarter of an hour later, a graceful figure appeared where he had just been standing — it was the pursuing Girl in Green Dress.

She looked left and right, her willow-leaf eyebrows tightly knit, her eyes full of anxiety, clearly searching for traces of Zhao Changsheng.

The jade token Hong Fu gave could only sense the general direction. She knew Zhao Changsheng hadn't gone far, but she had no clue as to his exact whereabouts.

Just as she was about to expand her search area, a familiar voice, carrying a hint of coldness, suddenly came from behind: "Senior Sister, why are you here? Did Revered Master send you?"

The Girl in Green Dress's heart skipped a beat. She whirled around to see Zhao Changsheng standing not far away, his expression extremely unpleasant — while not exactly as black as a pot's bottom, it wasn't far off. He had clearly detected being followed and was very displeased.

"Revered Master was worried about your safety and ordered me to follow you secretly, to protect you and prevent any mishaps." The Girl in Green Dress paid no heed to his expression, instead asking full of puzzlement, "But how did you discover me? I have the spirit concealing gauze protecting me. Even an Early Stage Core Formation Cultivator should find it difficult to detect my aura."

She had followed Zhao Changsheng the whole way, carefully concealing her aura all along. She thought it was foolproof, but just as she relaxed for a moment and leaked a trace of an imperceptible aura, he had caught her red-handed.

"My Divine Thought is somewhat stronger than that of Cultivators in the same Realm, so I detected it." Zhao Changsheng's tone held a touch of helplessness and a hint of reproach. "But that's not the main point, Senior Sister. Didn't I tell you before that I'm used to training alone? Why did you still follow?"

"How dare I disobey Revered Master's order? Otherwise, do you think I'd be willing to follow you?" The Girl in Green Dress also wore a face full of helplessness.

"However, now that you've discovered me, why don't we train together? Perhaps I can even be of help — in terms of Realm, you can't compare to me."

"Forget it. I still prefer being alone." Zhao Changsheng shook his head, refusing directly. "Senior Sister, could you please stop following me?"

Although having a beauty for company is a delightful thing, it was clearly not the right time.

"No." The Girl in Green Dress immediately shook her head, her tone firm. "Revered Master ordered me to protect your safety. You possess a Heavenly Spiritual Root. If something happens, it would be equivalent to the Sect losing a Core Formation Cultivator. I cannot bear that responsibility. By reason and by sentiment, I cannot let you act alone. I promise, no matter what happens, I will absolutely not breathe a single word. Is that acceptable?"

She spoke with great conviction, practically ready to raise her hand and swear.

Zhao Changsheng looked at her, remained silent for a moment, then slowly spoke: "Then I must trouble Senior Sister to make a heart demon oath."

These words were like a bucket of cold water, instantly dousing the Girl in Green Dress's confidence.

Her expression immediately fell, becoming extremely unsightly — a heart demon oath is of such importance to a Cultivator, especially as she was nearing the Core Formation Stage. Breaking such an oath would have unimaginable consequences.

Therefore, the Girl in Green Dress had absolutely no intention of agreeing to this demand.

"Since Senior Sister is unwilling, then there's no need to keep following. Otherwise, if I truly wanted to shake you off, Senior Sister wouldn't be able to find me anyway. If all else fails, Senior Sister can return this thing to Revered Master. I won't carry it anymore. That should be acceptable, right?"

After speaking, Zhao Changsheng took out the talisman treasure Hong Fu had previously given him for protection.

He was no fool, naturally knowing this item was the problem.