Chapter 55 Taking a Master
Chen Chang'an's hand was still frozen in midair, the lingering softness in his palm making his ears burn red.
Having been single since birth, this was the first time he had touched a woman's body, and it was unexpectedly so soft and fragrant…
"An accident! It was all an accident!" he repeated madly in his heart, forcing himself to remain calm. Over the past few days of drinking and talking with Ling Zhanxue, he had long considered her a like-minded friend.
But who would have thought that this elegant "Young Master Ling" was actually a young lady in disguise!
A friend had suddenly turned into a girl. He took a deep breath, turned his face aside, and spoke with some tension in his voice. "I have offended."
Ling Zhanxue's face flushed crimson, her eyelashes trembling, yet she still softly answered with a faint "mm."
She was well aware of her own injuries. If she pretended otherwise at this moment, it would only seem hypocritical.
Chen Chang'an restrained his thoughts, circulating spiritual power in his palm as he gently pressed it against her wound. Warm spiritual light seeped into her skin, and Ling Zhanxue gave a muffled groan, her fingers unconsciously tightening against her robe.
"Bear with it, it will be fine soon." His voice softened, while his movements grew even more careful.
After a moment, the wound finally closed. Chen Chang'an took out a Shengsheng Creation Pill from his robe and handed it to her. "Take this. It's rather effective for healing injuries."
At the sight of the pill, Ling Zhanxue's pupils shrank.
Rather effective for healing injuries!?
The Shengsheng Creation Pill was a rare treasure that could bring the dead back to life and regenerate flesh from bone!
Years ago, the Valley Master of Medicine King Valley had even suffered a decline in realm just to refine a single furnace of it, retreating three steps down the Earth Stele.
She lifted her gaze to Chen Chang'an, a complicated look flashing in her eyes.
But… he had already seen and even touched her.
She bit her lip, then simply took the pill openly and swallowed it in one gulp.
The pill melted instantly, its vast medicinal power coursing through her limbs and bones. Her pale face regained a hint of rosy color.
"Thank you." Her voice was softer than usual, carrying a warmth it had not before.
Chen Chang'an gave a dry cough, waving his hand with feigned composure. "Between friends, there's no need for thanks."
Hearing this, Ling Zhanxue's lips curved ever so slightly before she returned to her usual cold demeanor. Yet the faint blush at the tips of her ears betrayed her emotions.
Not long ago, they could still chat happily. Now, the two of them sat in silence.
In the distance, Han Yu and Li Hanzhou crouched beneath a tree, whispering.
"Master and Young Master Ling… why does the atmosphere feel so strange?"
"Shh! Don't ask too much, or you'll get beaten!"
"Brother Li, how do you know so clearly?"
"I've been beaten before."
…
The ambiguous air lingered for a while.
Suddenly, Ling Zhanxue coughed lightly, straightened her back, and her brows once again carried the sternness unique to an Inspector. Her fingertips brushed the sachet at her waist as she spoke softly. "Though Wang Songzhou and the Star River Venerate are already dead, the collusion between the Celestial Secrets Pavilion and the noble clans is a grave matter. I must set out for the Central State immediately to report."
As she spoke, she glanced at Chen Chang'an, only to see him lazily scratching his hair, clearly uninterested in court intrigues and continental affairs.
Ling Zhanxue pursed her lips. Her solemn expression softened, her fingers twisting her sleeve unconsciously, and her voice dropped to a gentler tone. "Brother Chen, if… if something arises in the future, you may seek me in Qingyang City."
"Of course!" Chen Chang'an agreed at once, grinning. "When I have the time, I'll definitely come to Qingyang City to drink with you!"
Drink…
Ling Zhanxue froze at his words, biting her lip in a daze for a moment, before suddenly bursting into laughter.
Bathed in the setting sun, her smiling eyes curved like crescent moons, with not a trace of her Inspector's majesty. She looked instead like a young girl who had stolen honey.
"Then… I'll wait for you."
She spoke quickly, then turned, her flowing robes and jade hairpin tracing a bright arc. With a few light leaps, her white-clad figure vanished into the dim twilight, leaving only a faint lingering fragrance at Chen Chang'an's nose.
…
System Notification: Epic Series Achievement Completed: Youth's Journey [2/4]
Youth's Journey (Part II): A jade belt binds the black hair, protecting the journey of clouds for a thousand li.
Completion of the Youth's Journey series achievement rewards Other Mountain Jade (enhances the level of one supreme immortal art).
…
Han Yu and Li Hanzhou peeked out from behind the tree, full of confusion. "Master, why did Young Master Ling suddenly leave?"
Chen Chang'an rubbed his nose as he gazed in her direction. "Who knows… a woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea."
"Woman?!" The two boys exclaimed in unison.
"What else!?" Chen Chang'an gave them a half-smile. With his true body's cultivation, how could their whispering escape his notice?
"Oh, we thought—"
"Pa!"
"Pa!"
Each boy received a slap on the head, fair and square. "Too cunning for your age! From now on, put more thought into cultivation."
"Yes—"
Afterward, Chen Chang'an turned and walked toward the valley.
Behind him, Li Hanzhou glanced at Han Yu: Didn't I say so? Turns out you really do get beaten…
…
The three quickly passed through the narrow valley entrance.
Han Yu and Li Hanzhou followed behind, their hearts unconsciously beating faster. Though Chen Chang'an had said nothing, ever since witnessing his effortless method of turning enemies to ash with a flick of his finger, they already carried a faint sense of anticipation.
After crossing a dense forest, their view suddenly opened wide.
All around, a sea of flowers swayed gracefully under the morning light. Spiritual butterflies danced among them, while a distant stream trickled, the scene resembling a paradise hidden from the world.
Deep within the flowers stood several simple wooden cottages. Wind chimes hung from the eaves, tinkling softly in the breeze.
"Father!"
A crisp child's voice suddenly rang out. A little girl of about six or seven dashed out from the flower field, her delicate face glowing with joy. She wore a pale yellow dress, a small pink flower tucked in her hair, lively as a cheerful butterfly.
Chen Chang'an laughed heartily, bending down to catch the small figure rushing toward him. Hugging her, he spun her several times in the air.
Chen Xingcai clung to his neck, her bright eyes sparkling. "Father, you just went 'whoosh' and flew away—did you go fight bad people?"
As she spoke, she tilted her head curiously, her round eyes landing on Han Yu and Li Hanzhou.
At the same time, two figures emerged from the cottages.
One was a youth of sixteen or seventeen, heroic in bearing with sword-like brows and starry eyes, a long, ancient sword hanging at his waist. The other was an elderly man, spirited and kindly, leaning on a bamboo staff.
Amid their curious gazes, Chen Chang'an set his daughter down and turned toward Han Yu.
The glow of the setting sun fell across his smiling face. His voice was gentle yet solemn.
"Han boy, are you willing to take me as your master?"
The valley fell silent.
Han Yu trembled, his eyes instantly burning hot.
He looked at this unfathomable yet approachable man before him. He recalled their days of sharing life-and-death trials, remembered his unmatched grace in destroying foes with a flick, and thought of the tenderness in his eyes while holding his daughter.
"I am willing!" The youth fell heavily to his knees, knocking his head to the ground three times. "Disciple Han Yu, pays respect to Master!"
…
Seeing Han Yu accepted as a disciple, Li Hanzhou could not hide his disappointment. Forcing a smile, he cupped his fists. "Congratulations to Brother Han for meeting a great teacher. Since it is so, I shall take my leave—"
Before he could finish, Chen Chang'an suddenly raised his hand. "Wait."
Li Hanzhou halted. Chen Chang'an stood with hands behind his back, robes fluttering in the evening breeze. "You have no spiritual root in your body, indeed unfit for my cultivation methods."
His tone shifted as he gestured toward the old man beside him. "But this Elder Wu still lacks a disciple. Would you be willing?"
"Me?" Elder Wu's cheerful face stiffened. His bamboo staff sank three inches into the earth with a crack. Raising his head, he met Chen Chang'an's calm gaze, and his cloudy old eyes suddenly trembled.
Meanwhile, Li Hanzhou's face showed hesitation, unsure how to respond.
"Heh…"
Seeing Li Hanzhou's expression, Elder Wu, who had been muttering inwardly, suddenly laughed in exasperation. His hunched back slowly straightened. Under the astonished eyes of the others, he lifted his withered right fist and lightly struck toward the most radiant fiery cloud on the horizon.
"Boom!"
The fist's force roared like a dragon. The clouds across the sky exploded, scattering brilliantly.
The once-gorgeous sunset was blasted open, leaving a hole three zhang wide, revealing the azure heavens beyond.
The aftershock shook the valley, causing the trees and flowers to rustle violently, petals raining down like a storm.
Li Hanzhou stood frozen, ears still ringing with the sound of shattered clouds.
He turned stiffly, seeing Han Yu vigorously nodding at him, eyes full of encouragement.
"Disciple Li Hanzhou…" The boy suddenly knelt hard, his forehead pressing against soil strewn with petals. "Pays respect to Master!"
…
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