qín yán shén sè chóu chú 。 yóu yù le zú yǒu bàn zhǎn chá de gōng fu ， zhōng qiān yǎo bèi léi 。 zhōng shǎn guò yī sī jué rán zhī yì ， piāo shēn xiàng shù lín zhōng lüè qù 。
秦妍神色踌躇。犹豫了足有半盏茶的功夫，终千咬贝雷。中闪过一丝决然之意，飘身像树林中掠去。
Qin Yan's expression was hesitant. After a moment of deliberation, she finally bit her lip and flashed a determined look before darting into the forest.
tā zuì zhōng hái shì xuǎn zé le xiāng xìn lín xuān 。
她最终还是选择了相信林轩。
In the end, she chose to trust Lin Xuan.
suī rán rén xīn mò cè ， dàn yǐn yǐn de ， tā jué de lín xuān duì zì jǐ bìng méi yǒu è yì 。
虽然人心莫测，但隐隐的，她觉的林轩对自己并没有恶意。
Although human hearts are unpredictable, she felt that Lin Xuan had no ill intentions towards her. The forest in front of them was dense with towering trees, some reaching over twenty or thirty zhang in height—plants usually found only in cold regions.
yǎn qián de shù lín mào mì yǐ jí ， shù mù yě yào bǐ pǔ tōng de gāo dà dé duō ， jiào ǎi de yě yǒu èr sān shí zhàng zuǒ yòu ， shì yī zhǒng hán dì cái néng jiàn dào de zhí wù 。
眼前的树林茂密以极，树木也要比普通的高大得多，较矮的也有二三十丈左右，是一种寒地才能见到的植物。
Entering the forest, moonlight was blocked out. But as a cultivator, Qin Yan didn't need to worry about losing sight of the path.
jìn rù lǐ miàn yǐ hòu ， yuè guāng yě bèi dǎng zhù le 。 bù guò shēn wèi xiū xiān zhě ， zì rán bù yòng dān xīn kàn bú jiàn lù 。
进入里面以后，月光也被挡住了。不过身为修仙者，自然不用担心看不见路。
After a short while, she spotted an open space on the snow-covered ground where a young man with an ordinary appearance was sitting cross-legged.
fēi le bù guò piàn kè ， yī xiǎo kuài kòng dì jiù yìng rù le yǎn lián ， ái ái de bái xuě shàng miàn ， pán xī zuò zhe yī róng mào pǔ tōng de shào nián 。
飞了不过片刻，一小块空地就映入了眼帘，皑皑的白雪上面，盘膝坐着一容貌普通的少年。
It was Lin Xuan without a doubt.
bú yòng shuō ， zhèng shì lín xuān 。
不用说，正是林轩。
Seeing Lin Xuan's expression, Qin Yan felt relieved. She knew that her earlier concerns were unnecessary, but still had some doubts about why he would meet her in such a secluded place at this hour of the night.
qín yán de liǎn qì shù gù rán xuán miào wú bǐ ， dàn lín xuān shén shí qiáng dà yǐ jí ， ér qiě yòu jīng shàn tóng yàng de jì yì ， zì rán zǎo jiù gǎn jué dào le 。 huǎn huǎn zhēng kāi shuāng móu ， zhèn yī ér qǐ 。
秦妍的敛气术固然玄妙无比，但林轩神识强大以极，而且又精擅同样的技艺，自然早就感觉到了。缓缓睁开双眸，振衣而起。
"Two hundred years have passed since we last met, and you still look as radiant as ever. Truly a cause for celebration," Lin Xuan said, his tone not too low to avoid sounding insincere.
“ shī jiě 。” lín xuān zhuǎn guò shēn lái ， wēi xiào bào quán 。
“师姐。”林轩转过身来，微笑抱拳。
Qin Yan smiled slightly: "Your words are too kind, Sister. Compared to you, I am but insignificant."
“ lín shī dì 。”
“林师弟。”
"Where could that be?" Lin Xuan humbly replied, though he kept a calm expression as he secretly observed Qin Yan's reaction.
kàn jiàn lín xuān zhè fù biǎo qíng ， qín yán xīn zhōng yī sōng 。 yě zhī dào xiān bìng de dān xīn shì duō yú ， zhǐ shì hái shì yǒu xiē yí huò ， zhè shēn gēng bàn yè de 。 duì fāng wèi hé yào jiāng zì jǐ yuē dào zhè me piān pì de dì fāng lái ne 。
看见林轩这副表情，秦妍心中一松。也知道先并的担心是多余，只是还是有些疑惑，这深更半夜的。对方为何要将自己约到这么偏僻的地方来呢。
This beautiful woman of the Cloud Fairy Sect had a somewhat blushed face, but her demeanor was still composed and graceful.
“ liǎng bǎi nián wèi jiàn ， shī jiě fēng cǎi yī rán 。 zhēn shì kě xǐ kě hè 。” lín xuān qíng shāng suī dī ， hái bù zhì yú bèn dào bú huì shuō gōng wéi de yán yǔ 。
“两百年未见，师姐风采依然。真是可喜可贺。”林轩情商虽低，还不至于笨到不会说恭维的言语。
How should he begin?
qín yán zuǐ jiǎo liú lù chū jǐ fēn xiào yì ：“ shī dì zhè huà ， wǒ kě kuì bù gǎn dāng ， yǔ nǐ xiāng bǐ 。 qiè shēn bù zhí yī tí 。”
秦妍嘴角流露出几分笑意：“师弟这话，我可愧不敢当，与你相比。妾身不值一提。”
Lin Xuan’s mind raced. The first thing he wanted to clarify after seeing Qin Yan again was the origin of that transmission talisman.
“ nǎ lǐ ， nǎ lǐ 。”
“哪里，哪里。”
---
lín xuān liǎn sè dàn rán de qiān xùn le jǐ jù 。 àn zhōng què liú yì zhe qín yán de biǎo qíng ， zhè wèi yún zhōng xiān zi ， měi yàn bù kě fāng wù ， liǎn sè sì hū yě yǒu yì diǎn xiū hóng ， dàn jiù zhěng gè jǔ zhǐ lái shuō ， què shì luò luò dà fāng de 。
林轩脸色淡然的谦逊了几句。暗中却留意着秦妍的表情，这位云中仙子，美艳不可芳物，脸色似乎也有一点羞红，但就整个举止来说，却是落落大方的。
After their meeting at the core of cultivation, they would share the moonlight for mutual refinement!
jiū jìng gāi rú hé kāi kǒu ne ？
究竟该如何开口呢？
While this promise was delightful, it seemed too sudden and out of place when considered carefully. Was there any connection with Qin Yan?
lín xuān nǎo hǎi zhōng niàn tou zhuǎn dòng 。
林轩脑海中念头转动。
Only this woman could unravel the mystery. However, Lin Xuan wasn’t so foolish as to directly ask.
zài cì jiàn dào qín yán ， tā zuì xiǎng nòng qīng chǔ de zì rán shì nà zhāng chuán yīn fú de shǐ mò 。
再次见到秦妍，他最想弄清楚的自然是那张传音符的始末。
The best approach was to hint at it indirectly. As he pondered his words, Qin Yan spoke first: "Sister, if I remember correctly, you said that during our time in Drifting Cloud Valley, you didn't have a spirit root. How did you manage to cultivate so quickly?"
xiāng yuē yuán yīng hòu ， yuè yuán gòng shuāng xiū ！
相约元婴后，月圆共双修！
Lin Xuan's expression turned serious, but he kept a nonchalant face. He was no fool; he had prepared his response.
zhè yuē dìng gù rán lìng rén huí wèi wú qióng ， dàn zǐ xì xiǎng xiǎng ， què yòu tài guò tū wù le ， jiū jìng yǔ qín yán yǒu méi yǒu guān ne ？
这约定固然令人回味无穷，但仔细想想，却又太过突兀了，究竟与秦妍有没有关呢？
The secret of the Blue Star Sea couldn’t be revealed, but Lin Xuan wasn’t the naive Spirit Flexible Period cultivator he used to be. With broadened horizons, his excuse was flawless.
mí tí zhǐ yǒu yǎn qián nǚ zǐ cái néng jiě kāi 。 bù guò lín xuān qíng shāng zài dī ， yě bú huì shǎ dào zhí jiē kāi kǒu xiāng xún 。
谜题只有眼前女子才能解开。不过林轩情商再低，也不会傻到直接开口相询。
"Without a spirit root, Sister, do you think that's possible?" Lin Xuan smirked, his expression half-smiling and half-teasing.
zuì hǎo de fāng fǎ mò guò yú páng qiāo cè jī ， lín xuān zhèng zài xīn zhōng sī liáng zhe yán yǔ ， qín yán dǎo shì xiān kāi kǒu le ：“ lín shī dì ， ruò wǒ méi yǒu jì cuò 。 zài piāo yún gǔ zhī shí ， nǐ sì hū shì méi yǒu líng gēn de ， zěn me què xiū xíng dé zhè me kuài ne ？”
最好的方法莫过于旁敲侧击，林轩正在心中思量着言语，秦妍倒是先开口了：“林师弟，若我没有记错。在飘云谷之时，你似乎是没有灵根的，怎么却修行得这么快呢？”
"I find it strange too," Qin Yan said with a frown. "But the people who tested my spirit root back then were clearly incompetent."
lín xuān xīn zhōng yī lǐn ， liǎn shàng què sī háo yì sè bù lù ， tā chú le gǎn qíng bái chī yǐ wài ， qí tā shì qíng kě shì jīng míng wú jù de ， zǎo jiù sī liáng hǎo le shuō cí 。
林轩心中一凛，脸上却丝毫异色不露，他除了感情白痴以外，其他事情可是精明无具的，早就思量好了说辞。
"They were just too low in cultivation to recognize such treasures. I've heard that Sister resides at the Edge of the Sky Pavilion, where one's experiences are invaluable. Back then, Drifting Cloud Valley was merely a minor sect with its founder only at the Condensation Core stage. The person who tested my spirit root was but a Foundation Establishment cultivator. How could they possibly make such an error?" Lin Xuan’s expression showed disdain, and his words were dripping with sarcasm. He had endured countless taunts from fellow disciples and elders in Drifting Cloud Valley over the years.
lán sè xīng hǎi de mì mì zì rán bù néng tòu lù ， hǎo zài lín xuān yǐ bú shì xī rì měng dǒng de líng dòng qī xiū xiān zhě ， rú jīn de tā jiàn shí guǎng bó ， suǒ zhǎo de jiè kǒu yě shì wán měi wú quē de 。
蓝色星海的秘密自然不能透露，好在林轩已不是昔日懵懂的灵动期修仙者，如今的他见识广博，所找的借口也是完美无缺的。
Qin Yan wasn’t easily fooled. She frowned and said thoughtfully: "You're right, Sister. For us now, Drifting Cloud Valley is indeed insignificant. But testing a spirit root doesn't require complex techniques; even a Foundation Establishment cultivator wouldn't make such an error."
“ méi yǒu líng gēn ， shī jiě jué de kě bù kě néng ？” lín xuān zuǐ jiǎo biān lù chū yī sī jī cháo ， liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng gèng shì sì xiào fēi xiào 。
“没有灵根，师姐觉得可不可能？”林轩嘴角边露出一丝讥嘲，脸上的表情更是似笑非笑。
"Is it that I can't be trusted?" Lin Xuan asked.
“ wǒ yě jué de qí guài ， kě dāng nián jiǎn cè de rén míng míng
“我也觉得奇怪，可当年检测的人明明
"Not at all," Qin Yan said with a smile. "I just find this curious. If you don’t want to say, I wouldn’t dare force the issue."
“ nà shì tā men xiū wèi tài guò lā jī ， bù shí zhū yù ， tīng shuō shī jiě qī shēn tiān yá hǎi gé ， jiàn shí zì rán bú yòng shuō ， xī rì de piāo yún gǔ ， bù guò yī wēi mò xiǎo pài ， zhǎng mén yě jǐn jǐn níng dān qī ， jiǎn cè líng gēn zhī rén gèng shì qū qū de zhù jī qī xiū shì 。 chū cuò yòu yǒu shén me hào qí guài dì 。” lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū bù xiè yī gù de biǎo qíng ， yǔ yán yě jí jǐn cháo fěng zhī néng shì ， dāng nián de piāo yún gǔ ， cóng yī tóng rù mén de dì zǐ ， dào zhǎng bèi shī shū 。 wú bù duì tā lěng cháo rè fěng ， lín xuān zì rán méi yǒu duō shǎo hǎo gǎn de 。
“那是他们修为太过垃圾，不识珠玉，听说师姐栖身天涯海阁，见识自然不用说，昔日的飘云谷，不过一微末小派，掌门也仅仅凝丹期，检测灵根之人更是区区的筑基期修士。出错又有什么好奇怪地。”林轩脸上露出不屑一顾的表情，语言也极尽嘲讽之能事，当年的飘云谷，从一同入门的弟子，到长辈师叔。无不对他冷嘲热讽，林轩自然没有多少好感的。
"In fact, there’s nothing secret about it. Have you heard of the Bitter Spirit Root?" Lin Xuan softened his expression and began speaking.
rán ér qín yán yě bú shì nà me hǎo hù nòng ， dài méi wēi zhòu ， chén yín zhe kāi kǒu ：“ shī dì shuō de méi cuò ， duì yú rú jīn de nǐ wǒ ， piāo yún gǔ què shí bù zhí yī tí ， dàn jiǎn cè líng gēn bìng bù xū yào shén me fù zá de fǎ shù ， jiù suàn shì zhù jī qī xiū shì ， yě bù kě néng chū cuò 。”
然而秦妍也不是那么好糊弄，黛眉微皱，沉吟着开口：“师弟说的没错，对于如今的你我，飘云谷确实不值一提，但检测灵根并不需要什么复杂的法术，就算是筑基期修士，也不可能出错。”
"Bitter Spirit Root? That peculiar constitution that appears as if without a spirit root but can surpass even the Holy Spirit Root with enough effort?" Qin Yan exclaimed in surprise.
“ zěn me ， shī jiě bù xiāng xìn wǒ ？”
“怎么，师姐不相信我？”
"Correct," Lin Xuan said, pleased with her knowledge.
“ zhè dào bú shì ， zhǐ shì jué de hào qí ， shī dì ruò bù xiǎng shuō ， qiè shēn yòu zěn gǎn qiǎng qiú ？” qín yán wēi xiào zhe shuō 。
“这倒不是，只是觉得好奇，师弟若不想说，妾身又怎敢强求？”秦妍微笑着说。
The tale of Bitter Spirit Root was fabricated by him, but it perfectly explained his sudden rise in cultivation. Qin Yan didn’t suspect anything; instead, she looked at him with admiration. According to ancient legends, achieving the effects of a Bitter Spirit Root required immense hardship that ordinary people couldn't fathom.
“ qí shí yě bìng bú shì shén me mì mì ， bù zhī dào kǔ líng gēn shī jiě yǒu méi yǒu tīng shuō ？” lín xuān shén sè yī huǎn de kāi kǒu le 。
“其实也并不是什么秘密，不知道苦灵根师姐有没有听说？”林轩神色一缓的开口了。
It wasn’t surprising that this younger brother could advance to the Advanced Core stage. Over these two hundred years, he must have faced countless trials and tribulations.
“ kǔ líng gēn ？ jiù shì nà biǎo miàn shàng xiàng méi yǒu líng gēn 。 dàn nǔ lì zhǐ yào dá dào yí dìng chéng dù ， jiù kě yǐ chāo guò shèng líng gēn de gǔ guài tǐ zhì ？” qín yán yī dāi ， shī shēng jīng hū le qǐ lái 。
“苦灵根？就是那表面上像没有灵根。但努力只要达到一定程度，就可以超过圣灵根的古怪体质？”秦妍一呆，失声惊呼了起来。
With her doubts resolved, Qin Yan’s expression towards Lin Xuan became warmer. They strolled through the forest, sharing their experiences with each other.
“ bù cuò ， shī jiě guǒ rán jiàn shí guǎng bó 。” lín xuān liǎn shàng lù chū mǎn yì zhī sè 。
“不错，师姐果然见识广博。”林轩脸上露出满意之色。
The beauty of a woman like Qin Yan was captivating, but Lin Xuan remained unfazed. The path to immortality was fraught with difficulties; nothing could sway his resolve for eternal life, not even the enchanting cloud fairy.
kǔ líng gēn zhī shuō ， zì rán shì tā xiā biān de 。 dàn zhè liú chuán yú xiū xiān jiè de gǔ lǎo chuán shuō ， yòng lái jiě shì zì jǐ xiū wèi tū fēi měng jìn què shì zuì hé shì bù guò 。
苦灵根之说，自然是他瞎编的。但这流传于修仙界的古老传说，用来解释自己修为突飞猛进却是最合适不过。
His expression remained calm and composed as he spoke, while some experiences needed to be concealed were easily lied about.
qín yán guǒ rán bù yú yǒu tā ， qiào liǎn shàng fǎn ér lù chū wú bǐ de pèi fú ， gǔ lǎo xiāng chuán ， kǔ líng gēn xiǎng yào fā huī xiào guǒ ， fù chū de jiān xīn shì cháng rén nán yǐ xiǎng xiàng de 。
秦妍果然不虞有他，俏脸上反而露出无比的佩服，古老相传，苦灵根想要发挥效果，付出的艰辛是常人难以想象的。
Qin Yan’s smile was charming, but she also kept an eye on Lin Xuan's demeanor. She knew her beauty well; few men could resist it. But this younger brother had a clear gaze.
chū xiàn de jī lǜ bǐ shèng líng gēn hái ér qiě jí shǐ yǒu rén shì zhè yàng de tǐ zhì ， yīn wèi méi yǒu zú gòu jiān rèn de xīn zhì ， yě wú fǎ tà shàng xiān dào 。
出现的几率比圣灵根还而且即使有人是这样的体质，因为没有足够坚韧的心智，也无法踏上仙道。
Qin Yan bit her lip and smiled with satisfaction.
guài bù dé zhè wèi shī dì néng gòu jìn jiē yuán yīng zhōng qī ， xiǎng bì tā zhè liǎng bǎi nián lái ， yě lì jīng le bù shǎo xīng fēng xuè yǔ 。
怪不得这位师弟能够进阶元婴中期，想必他这两百年来，也历经了不少腥风血雨。
An hour passed without them noticing. It was time to make his request. Otherwise, they would never get to the point if he kept dragging it out.
xīn zhōng de yí dòu jiě kāi ， qín mèi duì lín xuān de biǎo qíng yuè fā qīn rè le qǐ lái ， liǎng rén yī biān zài lín zhōng màn bù ， yī biān gè zì jiāng zì jǐ de jīng lì jiǎng shù 。
心中的疑窦解开，秦妹对林轩的表情越发亲热了起来，两人一边在林中漫步，一边各自将自己的经历讲述。
"Sister, there's something I need to ask you. Please be honest."
měi rén rú yù ， bí zhōng wén zhe nà fǎng ruò yōu lán de xiāng qì ， rú guǒ huàn yí gè rén ， kěn dìng yǐ bèi mí dé yún lǐ wù lǐ ， dàn lín xuān bú huì ， xiū xiān zhī lù 。 bù bù jīng jí ， cháng shēng cái shì zuì zhōng mù dì 。 zài měi de nǚ zǐ ， yě bié xiǎng dòng yáo lín xuān de xīn zhì 。
美人如玉，鼻中闻着那仿若幽兰的香气，如果换一个人，肯定已被迷得云里雾里，但林轩不会，修仙之路。步步荆棘，长生才是最终目的。再美的女子，也别想动摇林轩的心智。
"What is it?" Qin Yan’s eyes showed confusion as she noticed Lin Xuan's serious expression. She too became solemn when she realized that this late-night transmission and meeting in such a secluded place might not just be for nostalgia.
jí biàn zǒu liǎo bù qǐ de yún zhōng xiān zi 。
即便走了不起的云中仙子。
"Back then, during our trip through the Stream Leaping Gorge, do you remember that incident?" Lin Xuan hesitated but pressed on.
tā liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng yī jiù yún dàn fēng qīng 。 gāi shuō de shuō ， zhì yú yī xiē xū yào yǐn mán de jīng lì ” sā huǎng duì lín xuān lái shuō ， bìng bù suàn shén me nán tí 。
他脸上的表情依旧云淡风清。该说的说，至于一些需要隐瞒的经历”撒谎对林轩来说，并不算什么难题。
Of course, Qin Yan remembered. "That was fortunate. If it weren't for your rescue, I would have perished and wouldn’t even have obtained the Nine Heavens Profound Skill."
qiǎo xiào qiàn xī ， qín yán hún shēn sì hū dōu sàn fà zhe měi lì ， bù guò zài yǔ lín xuān jiāo tán de tóng shí ， qí shí tā yě zhù yì zhe duì fāng de jǔ zhǐ 。
巧笑倩兮，秦妍浑身似乎都散发着美丽，不过在与林轩交谈的同时，其实她也注意着对方的举止。
"It was just a coincidence," Lin Xuan said with a reassuring smile. "You don’t need to worry about it. After we parted ways..."
qín yán zì rán zhī dào zì jǐ de měi lì ， hěn shǎo yǒu jiàn dào tā bù shén hún diān dǎo de nán zi rán ér páng biān zhè wèi lín shī dì ， yǎn shén què hěn qīng míng 。
秦妍自然知道自己的美丽，很少有见到她不神魂颠倒的男子然而旁边这位林师弟，眼神却很清明。
[The text ends here]
Qin Yan's expression was hesitant. After a moment of deliberation, she finally bit her lip and flashed a determined look before darting into the forest.
In the end, she chose to trust Lin Xuan.
Although human hearts are unpredictable, she felt that Lin Xuan had no ill intentions towards her. The forest in front of them was dense with towering trees, some reaching over twenty or thirty zhang in height—plants usually found only in cold regions.
Entering the forest, moonlight was blocked out. But as a cultivator, Qin Yan didn't need to worry about losing sight of the path.
After a short while, she spotted an open space on the snow-covered ground where a young man with an ordinary appearance was sitting cross-legged.
It was Lin Xuan without a doubt.
Seeing Lin Xuan's expression, Qin Yan felt relieved. She knew that her earlier concerns were unnecessary, but still had some doubts about why he would meet her in such a secluded place at this hour of the night.
"Two hundred years have passed since we last met, and you still look as radiant as ever. Truly a cause for celebration," Lin Xuan said, his tone not too low to avoid sounding insincere.
Qin Yan smiled slightly: "Your words are too kind, Sister. Compared to you, I am but insignificant."
"Where could that be?" Lin Xuan humbly replied, though he kept a calm expression as he secretly observed Qin Yan's reaction.
This beautiful woman of the Cloud Fairy Sect had a somewhat blushed face, but her demeanor was still composed and graceful.
How should he begin?
Lin Xuan’s mind raced. The first thing he wanted to clarify after seeing Qin Yan again was the origin of that transmission talisman.
---
After their meeting at the core of cultivation, they would share the moonlight for mutual refinement!
While this promise was delightful, it seemed too sudden and out of place when considered carefully. Was there any connection with Qin Yan?
Only this woman could unravel the mystery. However, Lin Xuan wasn’t so foolish as to directly ask.
The best approach was to hint at it indirectly. As he pondered his words, Qin Yan spoke first: "Sister, if I remember correctly, you said that during our time in Drifting Cloud Valley, you didn't have a spirit root. How did you manage to cultivate so quickly?"
Lin Xuan's expression turned serious, but he kept a nonchalant face. He was no fool; he had prepared his response.
The secret of the Blue Star Sea couldn’t be revealed, but Lin Xuan wasn’t the naive Spirit Flexible Period cultivator he used to be. With broadened horizons, his excuse was flawless.
"Without a spirit root, Sister, do you think that's possible?" Lin Xuan smirked, his expression half-smiling and half-teasing.
"I find it strange too," Qin Yan said with a frown. "But the people who tested my spirit root back then were clearly incompetent."
"They were just too low in cultivation to recognize such treasures. I've heard that Sister resides at the Edge of the Sky Pavilion, where one's experiences are invaluable. Back then, Drifting Cloud Valley was merely a minor sect with its founder only at the Condensation Core stage. The person who tested my spirit root was but a Foundation Establishment cultivator. How could they possibly make such an error?" Lin Xuan’s expression showed disdain, and his words were dripping with sarcasm. He had endured countless taunts from fellow disciples and elders in Drifting Cloud Valley over the years.
Qin Yan wasn’t easily fooled. She frowned and said thoughtfully: "You're right, Sister. For us now, Drifting Cloud Valley is indeed insignificant. But testing a spirit root doesn't require complex techniques; even a Foundation Establishment cultivator wouldn't make such an error."
"Is it that I can't be trusted?" Lin Xuan asked.
"Not at all," Qin Yan said with a smile. "I just find this curious. If you don’t want to say, I wouldn’t dare force the issue."
"In fact, there’s nothing secret about it. Have you heard of the Bitter Spirit Root?" Lin Xuan softened his expression and began speaking.
"Bitter Spirit Root? That peculiar constitution that appears as if without a spirit root but can surpass even the Holy Spirit Root with enough effort?" Qin Yan exclaimed in surprise.
"Correct," Lin Xuan said, pleased with her knowledge.
The tale of Bitter Spirit Root was fabricated by him, but it perfectly explained his sudden rise in cultivation. Qin Yan didn’t suspect anything; instead, she looked at him with admiration. According to ancient legends, achieving the effects of a Bitter Spirit Root required immense hardship that ordinary people couldn't fathom.
It wasn’t surprising that this younger brother could advance to the Advanced Core stage. Over these two hundred years, he must have faced countless trials and tribulations.
With her doubts resolved, Qin Yan’s expression towards Lin Xuan became warmer. They strolled through the forest, sharing their experiences with each other.
The beauty of a woman like Qin Yan was captivating, but Lin Xuan remained unfazed. The path to immortality was fraught with difficulties; nothing could sway his resolve for eternal life, not even the enchanting cloud fairy.
His expression remained calm and composed as he spoke, while some experiences needed to be concealed were easily lied about.
Qin Yan’s smile was charming, but she also kept an eye on Lin Xuan's demeanor. She knew her beauty well; few men could resist it. But this younger brother had a clear gaze.
Qin Yan bit her lip and smiled with satisfaction.
An hour passed without them noticing. It was time to make his request. Otherwise, they would never get to the point if he kept dragging it out.
"Sister, there's something I need to ask you. Please be honest."
"What is it?" Qin Yan’s eyes showed confusion as she noticed Lin Xuan's serious expression. She too became solemn when she realized that this late-night transmission and meeting in such a secluded place might not just be for nostalgia.
"Back then, during our trip through the Stream Leaping Gorge, do you remember that incident?" Lin Xuan hesitated but pressed on.
Of course, Qin Yan remembered. "That was fortunate. If it weren't for your rescue, I would have perished and wouldn’t even have obtained the Nine Heavens Profound Skill."
"It was just a coincidence," Lin Xuan said with a reassuring smile. "You don’t need to worry about it. After we parted ways..."
[The text ends here]