192: Lin Haoran is full of spring feelings

The private room on the top floor of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, named “Moon-Embracing Chamber,” offered a panoramic view of most of Linhai City's bustling scenery from its window.

The sea breeze, carrying its unique moist and briny scent, flowed in through the open carved wooden window, gently caressing the three people's cheeks.

The clamor of the docks and the din of the market were filtered by the space and height, leaving only a vague and distant background hum, which made the chamber even more tranquil and elegant.

Su Qingyu was clearly very familiar with the place; with a delicate finger, she lightly tapped, and several exquisite Dongzhou specialty dishes, along with a pot of “Azure Sea Dew” suffused with Spiritual Qi, were respectfully served by a waiter.

During the meal, her conversation flowed effortlessly, her witty remarks coming one after another as she recounted the local customs and historical anecdotes of Linhai City, and the strange tales from various regions of Dongzhou. Her voice was clear and pleasant, like pearls dropping onto a jade plate.

“Do the two of you know that the seven-colored radiance at the top of the Sea-Gazing Pagoda isn't just for show?”

She picked up a chopstickful of “Silver Sturgeon Sashimi,” tender as snow, her eyes gleaming with lively cunning. “Legend has it that it's the 'Mirage Light Array' left behind by an ancient Sea Race Grandmaster. If one has the right Opportunity, they might glimpse the ruins of an immortal palace, long submerged in the depths of the East Sea, within the shifting light! Unfortunately, over millions of years, few have truly seen it; most are just unsubstantiated rumors.”

Lin Haoran listened intently, his gaze fervent, almost forgetting to pick up his chopsticks.

He was naturally forthright, and at this moment, he was even more drawn by Su Qingyu's uninhibitedness and knowledge. He couldn't help but interject, “Young Miss Su, your extensive knowledge is truly admirable.”

“If there's an Opportunity, I truly wish to witness this legendary immortal palace's illusion... Even if it's just a legend, listening to it makes my heart yearn.”

His tone was sincere, carrying the unique enthusiasm of youth.

Hearing this, Su Qingyu smiled faintly, a dimple appearing beside her cheek. “Young Master Lin, you flatter me. It's merely because I was born in Linhai and have heard more stories.”

“On the other hand, you two have come from afar from Zhongzhou. I imagine your journey and what you've seen and heard must have been even more spectacular?”

She cleverly steered the conversation back to them, her demeanor natural and graceful.

Lin Haoran's spirits lifted, and he immediately began recounting some of Zhongzhou's local customs and traditions with great enthusiasm. Although he deliberately omitted the earth-shattering events concerning the core of the Lin Family, choosing instead to speak of strange mountains, peculiar waters, and interesting market anecdotes, he still narrated vividly and captivatingly.

When he spoke of a dangerous place called “Flowing Fire Ravine,” where strange stones at the bottom contained faint fire spirits that would surface on every full moon night, making the entire ravine glow as if molten lava flowed, Su Qingyu couldn't help but gasp in admiration, her beautiful eyes sparkling with wonder.

“Such a wondrous sight exists! It seems the land of Zhongzhou truly gathers spiritual essence and produces outstanding talents, with no end to its marvels.”

She praised sincerely, her gaze meeting Lin Haoran's excited eyes for a fleeting moment. Both paused slightly, then naturally looked away. However, Lin Haoran's earlobes seemed to redden a bit more, and Su Qingyu's motion of picking up her cup and taking a small sip of spiritual tea also appeared slightly hurried.

Lin Xuan sat quietly to the side, a faint smile playing on his lips, unhurriedly savoring the clear, emerald-colored “Azure Sea Dew” brimming with Spiritual Qi in his cup. His gaze subtly shifted between the two, who were deep in conversation.

“Who would have thought this kid's heart is also stirring with romance, hehe...”

With Lin Haoran's exuberant demeanor, as if he were about to pour out everything he knew in his life, and the unconscious fervent glint in the depths of his eyes when he looked at Su Qingyu, how could it escape his gaze?

As for Su Qingyu, this Young Miss of the Su Family, she appeared poised and composed, but when Lin Haoran was speaking, her occasional slight lean forward, the subtle pursing of her lips as she listened intently, and the sparked curiosity and appreciation in her eyes, all clearly fell into Lin Xuan's sight.

His Lin Family never confined itself to social status when choosing a daughter-in-law or son-in-law.

As long as there was mutual affection, a pure Heart-Nature, and no malicious intent, the Lin Family would only offer their blessings.

Just like his mother, Lu Mengxin, wasn't she a Loose Cultivator in the past? In the end, she still married his father, the Lin Family Clan Chief.

As for this Young Miss of the Su Family before him, though her Family was but a drop in the ocean compared to the Lin Family.

Yet her nature was straightforward, with a heroic spirit and no pretense. Lin Xuan observed her words and actions and found nothing amiss.

For such a girl, his Lin Family naturally wouldn't have any objections.

His Lin Family was not as rigid and pedantic as those ancient imperial families, insisting on matching social statuses.

More importantly...

This woman was not ordinary...

At this moment, he gazed at the charmingly smiling Su Qingyu. Beneath her seemingly ordinary Divine Sea Realm cultivation, he faintly sensed an extremely subtle, yet unusually vast and ancient fluctuation!

Was it some dormant ancient Bloodline? Or a heaven-reaching secret treasure residing within her? Or perhaps... some strange Legacy he had never even heard of?

Thoughts raced through Lin Xuan's mind, but his expression remained calm and unruffled. Only that faint smile held a few more layers of intriguing depth.

He remained calm, letting Lin Haoran and Su Qingyu continue their lively conversation, content to be a quiet observer and watch how things unfolded.

After three rounds of drinks and five courses of dishes, the atmosphere grew even warmer.

Su Qingyu's cheeks were slightly flushed, like they were dyed with morning glow, adding a touch more charm.

She put down her jade chopsticks, her bright eyes looking at Lin Xuan and the other, and with a sincere smile, she invited, “It's truly my fortune to have conversed so happily with you two Young Masters today. If you don't mind, why not come back to the Su Family and stay for a few days?”

She paused, her tone laced with concern, “The Blood Moon Sect acts viciously and seeks revenge for the smallest grievance. Although the Su Family isn't top-tier, in this small corner of Linhai City, we can still ensure your safety.”

Hearing this, Lin Haoran responded almost immediately, his tone carrying an eagerness he himself hadn't noticed. “Young Miss Su, with such a generous invitation, how could we refuse? We also wanted to experience the demeanor of the Dongzhou aristocratic Families!”

His eyes sparkled, as if going to the Su Family was a great blessing.

“This kid...” Lin Xuan shook his head helplessly, thinking to himself.

Lin Xuan put down the warm, jade-like white porcelain wine cup in his hand and nodded slightly. “In that case, we shall trouble Young Miss Su.”

His tone was calm, as if he was merely agreeing to a trivial matter.

Su Qingyu smiled brightly, like a spring flower blooming. “Excellent! Shall we depart now? My father will surely be delighted to know that talented individuals from Zhongzhou are visiting.”

To avoid the crowds, Su Qingyu, familiar with the area, led the two into a quiet side street called “Azure Jade Alley.”

They had only walked half the alley when, at the alley's mouth ahead, several elongated shadows, carrying a strong sense of ill intent, suddenly stretched across the dimly lit ground of Azure Jade Alley, blocking their path.

A young man dressed in a luxurious brocade robe, surrounded by a group of lackeys, stood with his arms crossed, brazenly blocking the alley's entrance.

He was about twenty years old, and his features could have been considered decent, but the extravagance and arrogance ingrained in his brows from a life of indulgence in wine, women, and wealth, as well as the jealousy burning in his eyes at this moment, completely distorted his appearance.

He stared intently at Lin Haoran, who was beside Su Qingyu. Especially when he saw the lingering blush of pleasure on Su Qingyu's face, not yet completely faded from their lively conversation earlier, the jealousy within him almost erupted.

It was none other than Wu Yong, the Young Lord of the Wu Family, another Saint Family in Linhai City.