The Brewing Tempest
Han Yu's traveling skiff, now carrying Lin Mei (the reluctant guard), Hua Ling (the awe-struck scholar), and soon, the recovered Jiao Qing (the pendant-thief, who followed them at a respectful distance), was starting to look less like an adventurous skiff and more like a chaotic bridal procession.
The rumors started, as most things did, with Jin-Jin, the Matchmaker Spirit.
"Gossip is fuel, my genius! The other admirers are furious that you gave the thief a priceless pendant and rescued the scholar with lightning! They believe they know who your true favorite is!" Jin-Jin chirped, zipping around Han Yu's head.
Han Yu frowned. "But I favor no one! They are all potential Love Crystal Diamonds! They are equally valuable, like well-sorted grades of spirit stones!"
"That's not how love works, you idiot!" Lin Mei snapped, rubbing her temples. "People interpret effort. You used a Celestial Barrier to stop a girl's weak punch but you only used the Ethereal Whisper on me!"
"Because your soul is robust and doesn't need coddling!" Han Yu protested, insulted.
The situation came to a head when an Ethereal Whisper from Yue Rong, the Celestial Ice Pavilion noblewoman, cut through the air, icy and sharp:
"Han Yu, I hear you have given my rivals tokens and performed grand rescues. You swore to stand by me forever! I demand a public display of our unique bond, or our alliance is forfeit!"
The Attempt at Balance
Han Yu knew a public display was needed, but he had to balance the scales perfectly.
He landed the skiff in a small, remote valley—the perfect stage for a theatrical display of "equal affection."
He gathered his entourage and activated his Ethereal Whisper to send a mass message to his other distant admirers (Yue Rong, Lin Qing, Qian Ru, etc.): "I have prepared a grand, spiritual display of my unwavering appreciation for all who follow the Dao of Romance. Observe closely!"
Han Yu stood on a central rock, channeling his Dao Celestial Soul energy.
"Behold!" he announced, spreading his arms wide.
He first aimed a pulse of soft, warm Qi toward Hua Ling (the scholar) and Jiao Qing (the thief), affirming their new place.
Then, he focused on projecting his appreciation outwards to the distant, jealous parties.
For Yue Rong (The Icy Noble): He channeled his defensive power, shaping a magnificent, shimmering Celestial Barrier dome. The dome was flawless, golden, and imposing—a symbolic promise of eternal protection.
For Lin Qing (The Fiery Alchemist): He channeled his attack power, creating a perfect, non-lethal Fire Annihilation dragon that blazed across the sky in a spectacular, fiery roar—a symbol of shared passionate power.
"A symbol of my Defense for one! A symbol of my Attack for the other!" Han Yu declared, satisfied. "Perfect balance!"
The Spectacular Failure
The distant admirers observed the grand, simultaneous display via their own divine sense or scrying mirrors.
However, Han Yu's attempts to balance the scales only ignited a new round of intense Jealousy:
Yue Rong (The Icy Noble) was insulted: "He only offered a Defense? He thinks I am weak and incapable of fighting my own battles! He believes I need a golden cage!" She immediately sent back a whisper: "I reject your pity-shield! Next time, send a sign of shared conquest!"
Lin Qing (The Fiery Alchemist) was furious: "He only offered an Attack? He views me only as a destructive force, not worthy of his protection! He believes I am a brute!" She instantly sent back a promise of violence: "I reject your weapon-flame! I will burn down your favorite tea garden in protest!"
Han Yu slapped his forehead. "They interpreted my Defense as pity and my Attack as insult! I literally created a Superpower-themed peace treaty, and they still found a way to be angry!"
The Forced Resolution (The Trial Begins)
The sudden, simultaneous spike in the admirers' furious Qi was too much. The entire valley began to tremble, and the surrounding flora wilted under the raw, chaotic emotional energy.
Jin-Jin the Matchmaker Spirit shrieked. "The emotional imbalance! It's escalating! You must resolve the Love-Sick Soul Trial now, or the energy will explode and seal your Cultivation!"
Han Yu looked at the trembling ground and the genuine danger. He had to stop the internal chaos.
"Lin Mei, where is Ying Li?" Han Yu demanded, finally prioritizing the real task.
Lin Mei pointed a shaky finger toward the north. "Her emotional energy is strongest near the old Celestial Moon Pavilion ruins—she's hiding there, suffering from lovesickness!"
"Fine!" Han Yu declared, jumping back onto the skiff with Lin Mei. "I'll deal with my jealous Action team later! First, I must save the shy one from herself!"
Han Yu, desperate and finally focused, pointed the skiff north. He had no time for subtlety; he had to enter the mind of his lovesick admirer and fix the mess his own charm had created. The Adventure continued at a breakneck, desperate pace.