“ qián bèi ， nà ér yǒu yí gè liáng tíng ， yào bù ， nín qù zuò zuò ， rú guǒ nín bù xián qì yàn ér fán de huà ” wǒ …… wǒ xiǎng xiàng nín qǐng jiào yī xià xiū liàn xīn dé 。”
“前辈，那儿有一个凉亭，要不，您去坐坐，如果您不嫌弃雁儿烦的话”我……我想像您请教一下修炼心得。”
"Senior, there's a pavilion over there. Why don't you sit down for a while? If you find Yan'er too bothersome," I... I want to ask your cultivation insights."
“ qǐng jiào xiū liàn xīn dé ， lìng táng bù néng jiào nǐ me ？”
“请教修炼心得，令堂不能教你么？”
"Seeking cultivation insights—can't your mother teach you that?"
lín xuān lüè gǎn chà yì ， suī rán shàng guān mù yǔ de xiū wèi zài tā yǎn lǐ ， yě bù zhí yī tí ， dàn hǎo dǎi yě shì níng dān qī xiū shì ， zhǐ dǎo líng dòng qī nǚ ér de xiū xíng zěn me dōu méi yǒu wèn tí 。
林轩略感诧异，虽然上官幕雨的修为在他眼里，也不值一提，但好歹也是凝丹期修士，指导灵动期女儿的修行怎么都没有问题。
Lin Xuan was slightly surprised. Although Shangguan Muduyu's cultivation level wasn't worth mentioning in his eyes, she was still a Condensation Core cultivator. It shouldn't be an issue for her to guide the Refinement Spirit period daughter.
“ qián bèi yǒu suǒ bù zhī ， běn pài céng zāo shòu guò dà jié ， xǔ duō diǎn jí yí shī ， jì zǎi bǎi cǎo jué de yù tóng jiǎn ， yě tóng yàng bèi huǐ qù ， xiàn zài chuán xià lái de shì tà yìn běn ， yǒu bù shǎo shū lòu zhī chù ， lián …… lián mǔ qīn dà rén yě měng lǐ měng dǒng ” bù guò qián bèi xiū wèi gāo shēn yǐ jí ， yě xǔ kě yǐ wèi wǎn bèi jiě huò ”
“前辈有所不知，本派曾遭受过大劫，许多典籍遗失，记载百草诀的玉瞳简，也同样被毁去，现在传下来的是拓印本，有不少疏漏之处，连……连母亲大人也懵里懵懂”不过前辈修为高深以极，也许可以为晚辈解惑”
"Senior, there's something I need to explain. Our sect once suffered a great calamity, and many scriptures were lost. The jade cylinder with the Hundred Grass Technique also perished. Now what we have are copies, which contain some omissions. Even... even Mother doesn't fully understand," she added hesitantly. "But Senior's cultivation is so profound that you might be able to help this junior."
“ yuán lái kòu cǐ 。” lín xuān liǎn shàng ruò yǒu suǒ sī ：“ hǎo ba ， lín mǒu jīn tiān xīn qíng bù cuò ， zhǐ diǎn xià chēng zhè yā tou yě méi yǒu shén me 。”
“原来扣此。”林轩脸上若有所思：“好吧，林某今天心情不错，指点下称这丫头也没有什么。”
"Ah, I see." Lin Xuan seemed deep in thought. "Alright, today my mood is good, and I'll share some insights with this girl."
“ duō xiè qián bèi ， dà ēn dà dé ， wǎn bèi bì míng jì yú xīn de 。”
“多谢前辈，大恩大德，晚辈必铭记于心的。”
"I thank you deeply for your kindness, Senior."
shàng guān yàn dà xǐ ， suí hòu gōng jìng de yǐn zhe lín xuān xiàng zhú lín biān de liáng tíng zǒu qù 。
上官雁大喜，随后恭敬的引着林轩像竹林边的凉亭走去。
Shangguan Yan was overjoyed. She then respectfully led Lin Xuan to a pavilion by the bamboo grove.
“ fēng yě zuò ba 。”
“锋也坐吧。”
"Let's sit down too."
“ wǎn bèi zěn gǎn ， zài nín zhè yàng shì qián bèi gāo rén miàn qián ” nǎ lǐ yǒu wǒ de wèi zhì ， xiǎo nǚ zǐ zhàn zhe jiù shì 。” cǐ nǚ huáng kǒng de biǎo shì 。
“晚辈怎敢，在您这样是前辈高人面前”哪里有我的位置，小女子站着就是。”此女惶恐的表示。
"How dare I? In front of such a senior like you," where could there be room for me? I'll just stand here." The girl nervously replied.
jiàn tā bù zuò ， lín xuān yě bù zài duō shuō ， fán shì yào huàn wèi sī suǒ ， rú guǒ zì jǐ shì líng dòng qī ， miàn duì yī wèi lí hé qī xiū xiān zhě ， bù guǎn duì fāng zài hé yán yuè sè ， zì jǐ yě jué duì bù gǎn zuò 。
见她不坐，林轩也不再多说，凡事要换位思索，如果自己是灵动期，面对一位离合期修仙者，不管对方再和颜悦色，自己也绝对不敢坐。
Seeing her not sitting, Lin Xuan didn't say much more. He always thought about others' perspectives; if he were in the Refinement Spirit period and faced a Separation from Emotion cultivator, no matter how amiable they seemed, he would never dare sit down either.
suí hòu cǐ nǚ zài wài miàn cǎi zhāi le yī pán xīn xiān de guā guǒ ” rán hòu jiù gōng jìng de qǐng jiào qǐ lín xuān xiū liàn xīn dé 。
随后此女在外面采摘了一盘新鲜的瓜果”然后就恭敬的请教起林轩修炼心得。
The girl then went outside to pick some fresh fruits before respectfully asking Lin Xuan for his cultivation insights.
yuán běn lín xuān bìng bù zěn me zài yì ， zài tā xiǎng lái ， yǐ zì jǐ de xiū wèi ， yǔ jiàn shí guǎng bó ， zhǐ diǎn yī qū qū líng dòng qī xiū xiān zhě ， nà hái bù qīng sōng yǐ jí 。
原本林轩并不怎么在意，在他想来，以自己的修为，与见识广博，指点一区区灵动期修仙者，那还不轻松以极。
Lin Xuan wasn't particularly interested at first. He thought that with his own cultivation and extensive knowledge, guiding a mere Refinement Spirit cultivator wouldn't be difficult at all.
kě qíng kuàng bìng bù rú cǐ ， cǐ nǚ tí chū de yī xiē wèn tí jū rán jiāng tā yě wèn dé yún lǐ wù lǐ ， zhè bǎi cǎo xīn dé hái zhēn shì yī lìng pì xī jìng de gōng fǎ ” lín xuān de biǎo qíng yǒu xiē gān gà 。
可情况并不如此，此女提出的一些问题居然将他也问得云里雾里，这百草心得还真是一另辟蹊径的功法”林轩的表情有些尴尬。
But the questions she posed actually left him confused. The Hundred Grass Technique was indeed an unconventional cultivation method. Lin Xuan felt awkward.
“ ké ” zhè ge ……， lín mǒu jīn tiān yǒu xiē bù shū fú ， tán huà jiù dào cǐ wéi zhǐ ， gān cuì ， nǐ míng tiān zài lái zhǎo wǒ ， nà shí hòu ， wǒ zài gěi mí zhǐ diǎn hǎo le 。”
“咳”这个……，林某今天有些不舒服，谈话就到此为止，干脆，你明天再来找我，那时候，我再给弥指点好了。”
"Um... today I'm not feeling well. Let's stop here for now. Why don't you come back tomorrow, and then I can give you more detailed guidance."
“ hǎo ， nà qián bèi zhù yì xiū xī ， wǎn bèi jiù bù dǎ rǎo nǐ 。”
“好，那前辈注意休息，晚辈就不打扰你。”
"Alright, Senior, please rest. I won't disturb you anymore."
shàng guān yàn yě bù shǎ ， zì rán kàn chū lín xuān de gān gà ， dàn tā yě shì yī huì zhì lán xīn de nǚ zǐ ， bìng bù diǎn pò xíng le yī lǐ ， jiù wēn wǎn de tuì le xià qù 。
上官雁也不傻，自然看出林轩的尴尬，但她也是一蕙质兰心的女子，并不点破行了一礼，就温婉的退了下去。
Shangguan Yan wasn't stupid; she could sense Lin Xuan's awkwardness but was a refined woman who didn't point it out. She bowed gracefully before retreating.
lín xuān huí dào dòng fǔ ， dào yě bù máng zhe guǎn shén me wàn hún tǎ le ， kāi shǐ kǔ sī qǐ cǐ nǚ wèn de wèn tí ， bì jìng lián líng dòng qī xiū shì de yí huò yě méi fǎ jiě dá ” bù guǎn zěn me shuō ， dōu tài guò diū liǎn a ！
林轩回到洞府，倒也不忙着管什么万魂塔了，开始苦思起此女问的问题，毕竟连灵动期修士的疑惑也没法解答”不管怎么说，都太过丢脸啊！
Lin Xuan returned to his cave and didn't immediately deal with the Ten Thousand Souls Pagoda. Instead, he pondered over the questions asked by this girl. After all, even Refinement Spirit cultivators couldn't answer them—this was indeed embarrassing!
kǔ sī le bàn xiǔ ， yī rán wú suǒ de lín xuān zhèng dà gǎn yù mèn de yī kè ， nǎo hǎi zhōng niàn tou shǎn guò ， tū rán fā xiàn zhè bǎi cǎo xīn dé ， yǔ fèng wǔ jiǔ tiān jué yǒu nà me jǐ fēn xiāng sì zhī chù ， dàn què mó mó hú hú ” guān xì sì hū yòu bìng bù qīng chǔ ” lín xuān de mù guāng bù yóu de luò zài le shí bì shàng 。
苦思了半宿，依然无所得林轩正大感郁闷的一刻，脑海中念头闪过，突然发现这百草心得，与凤舞九天诀有那么几分相似之处，但却模模糊糊”关系似乎又并不清楚”林轩的目光不由得落在了石壁上。
After a restless night, Lin Xuan still had no answers. Just as he was feeling depressed, an idea flashed in his mind. He suddenly realized that the Hundred Grass Technique seemed somewhat similar to the Phoenix Dance Nine Heavens Technique, but it was vague and unclear.
nà lǐ guà zhe yī fú huà ， xǔ xǔ rú shēng ， zhèng shì bǎi cǎo yǔ xuán fèng liǎng wèi shàng gǔ xiān zi ， liǎng wèi guī zhōng mì yǒu zhù zài yì qǐ ，“ bì rán cháng cháng jiāo huàn xiū liàn xīn dé shì zhè ge yuán yóu me ？
那里挂着一幅画，栩栩如生，正是百草与玄凤两位上古仙子，两位闺中密友住在一起，“必然常常交换修炼心得是这个缘由么？
His gaze fell on the stone wall.
bù …… hǎo xiàng yòu bú shì de 。
不……好像又不是的。
There hung a painting of two ancient immortals—Phoenix and the Hundred Grass. They were close friends who often exchanged cultivation insights. Could this be why?
lín xuān gǎn jué nǎo hǎi zhōng sì hū zhuā zhù le yì diǎn shén me ， piān piān yòu xiǎng bù qīng chǔ 。
林轩感觉脑海中似乎抓住了一点什么，偏偏又想不清楚。
No... that doesn't seem right either.
suàn le ， lái rì fāng cháng xiǎng bù qīng chǔ ， zàn shí jiù bú yào xiǎng 。
算了，来日方长想不清楚，暂时就不要想。
Lin Xuan felt as if he had grasped something, but couldn't quite figure it out.
dì èr tiān zǎo shàng lín xuān cái gāng gāng lái dào liàn gōng fáng ， wài miàn de jìn zhì ， jiù chuán lái le yì cháng ， lín xuān shén sè yī dòng ， tái qǐ tóu lú ” yǎn zhōng yín máng shǎn guò ， tòu guò shān bì yǔ nóng wù ， zhǐ jiàn yī měi mào shào nǚ zhàn zài dòng fǔ biān ， zhèng shì shàng guān yàn 。
第二天早上林轩才刚刚来到练功房，外面的禁制，就传来了异常，林轩神色一动，抬起头颅”眼中银芒闪过，透过山壁与浓雾，只见一美貌少女站在洞府边，正是上官雁。
Forget about it for now. There's plenty of time to think later.
“ nà yā tou ， lái de dào mán zǎo 。”
“那丫头，来得倒蛮早。”
The next morning, just as Lin Xuan arrived at the training hall, an unusual signal from the禁制 (protection array) caught his attention. He raised his head and saw a beautiful young girl standing by the entrance—Shangguan Yan.
lín xuān nán nán zì yǔ de dào ， suí hòu xiù páo yī fú ， yī dào guāng xiá fēi lüè ér chū ， jìn zhì kāi qǐ ， piàn kè hòu ， xì suì de jiǎo bù shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ 。
林轩喃喃自语的道，随后袖袍一拂，一道光霞飞掠而出，禁制开启，片刻后，细碎的脚步声传入耳朵。
"That girl comes early."
“ qián bèi ， xiǎo nǚ zǐ yòu lái dǎ rǎo nǐ le 。” shào nǚ yíng yíng yī fú ， yǔ chū jiàn tā shí de yīng zī sà shuǎng bù tóng ， cǐ shí ， zhè yā tou xiǎn de hěn yǒu lǐ mào ” rú tóng dà jiā guī xiù yī yàng 。
“前辈，小女子又来打扰你了。”少女盈盈一拂，与初见她时的英姿飒爽不同，此时，这丫头显得很有礼貌”如同大家闺秀一样。
Lin Xuan muttered to himself. Then he waved his sleeves, and a beam of light shot out, opening the禁制. Moments later, faint footsteps reached his ears.
“ bù bì duō lǐ ， shàng guān gū niáng “……”
“不必多礼，上官姑娘“……”
"Senior, I've come again to disturb you." The young girl gracefully bowed, her demeanor quite different from when they first met—more refined like a lady.
“ qián bèi ruò bù xián qì ， jiàn wǒ yàn ér jiù hǎo ， qiān wàn bié tí shén me shàng guān gū niáng ， nín rú cǐ kè qì ， wǎn bèi nǎ lǐ chéng shòu dé qǐ 。”
“前辈若不嫌弃，见我雁儿就好，千万别提什么上官姑娘，您如此客气，晚辈哪里承受得起。”
"No need for formalities, Miss Shangguan...?"
“ hǎo ba ！”
“好吧！”
"If it's alright with Senior, just call me Yan'er. Please don't mention Miss Shangguan; your courtesy is too much."
lín xuān diǎn le diǎn tóu ， zì jǐ suī rán bǐ tóng jiē xiū shì nián qīng yī xiē ， dàn mǎn dǎ mǎn suàn ， yě bā bǎi suì yǒu yú ， yǎn qián zhè yā tou cái yíng yíng shí jiǔ ， zì jǐ jiào tā yī shēng xiǎo míng ， yě suàn shì duì wǎn bèi de ài hù ” méi yǒu fēn háo de bù tuǒ 。
林轩点了点头，自己虽然比同阶修士年轻一些，但满打满算，也八百岁有余，眼前这丫头才盈盈十九，自己叫她一声小名，也算是对晚辈的爱护”没有分毫的不妥。
"Alright!"
“ yàn ér ， chēng bù bì jū shù ” qǐ lái shuō huà 。”
“雁儿，称不必拘束”起来说话。”
Lin Xuan nodded. Although he was younger than most of his peers by several hundred years, he had been around for over eight hundred years. This girl was only nineteen, so calling her 'Yan'er' wasn't inappropriate.
“ shì 。”
“是。”
"Flying Yan, no need to be formal. Let's talk freely."
cǐ nǚ yòu kē le yí gè tóu ， cái màn màn zhàn qǐ 。
此女又磕了一个头，才慢慢站起。
"Thank you."
lín xuān méi tou yí zhòu ， suī rán jiù jìng jiè ér yán ， zì jǐ yǔ duì fāng ， gēn běn jiù bù zài yí gè shuǐ píng xiàn ” xiū xiān jiè yòu zūn zhòng qiáng zhě ， dàn liǎng rén bì jìng bú shì yí gè mén pài de ， shuō chuān le ， zì jǐ bù guò jiè zhù yú cǐ ， yú qíng yú lǐ ， duì fāng dōu bù bì gōng jìng dào rú cǐ dì bù ， jiǎn zhí xiàng shì zài zhí dì zǐ zhī lǐ 。
林轩眉头一皱，虽然就境界而言，自己与对方，根本就不再一个水平线”修仙界又尊重强者，但两人毕竟不是一个门派的，说穿了，自己不过借住于此，于情于理，对方都不必恭敬到如此地步，简直像是在执弟子之礼。
The young girl bowed again before slowly standing up.
bù ” bú shì xiàng ， ér shì gēn běn jiù shì rú cǐ ！
不”不是像，而是根本就是如此！
Lin Xuan frowned. While their cultivation levels were vastly different, the cultivation world respected power. However, they weren't from the same sect, and he was just a guest here. There was no reason for her to be so respectful—almost like a disciple's behavior.
lín xuān tàn le kǒu qì ， yǐ tā de chéng fǔ ， nǎ hái bù zhī dào cǐ nǚ de xīn sī 。
林轩叹了口气，以他的城府，哪还不知道此女的心思。
No... it wasn't almost; it was exactly that!
“ yàn ér ， nǐ ， kě shì xiǎng yào bài wǒ wèi shī 。”
“雁儿，你，可是想要拜我为师。”
Lin Xuan sighed. He knew this girl's intentions well.
lín xuān shuāng mù bàn kāi bàn hé ， dàn dàn de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， shàng guān yàn zé yī xià zi jīng dāi le 。
林轩双目半开半阖，淡淡的声音传入耳朵，上官雁则一下子惊呆了。
"Flying Yan, do you want to become my disciple?"
dèng dà shuāng mù ， yòng yǒu xiē máng rán de biǎo qíng kàn zhe lín xuān ” xīn sī bèi jiào pò ， tā yǒu zhè zhǒng fǎn yìng yě shì hěn zhèng cháng de 。
瞪大双目，用有些茫然的表情看着林轩”心思被叫破，她有这种反应也是很正常的。
Lin Xuan's half-open eyes transmitted his calm voice. Shangguan Yan was stunned and stared at him with wide eyes, a look of confusion on her face. It was normal for her to react like that when her thoughts were exposed.
bù cuò ， shàng guān yàn de xīn zhōng què shí yì zhí zuàn zhe zhè yàng de xiǎo jiǔ jiǔ 。
不错，上官雁的心中确实一直攥着这样的小九九。
Indeed, Shangguan Yan had always harbored such thoughts since she embarked on the cultivation path—she wanted to soar through the heavens and settle old scores.
jì rán tà shàng xiū xiān zhī lù ， shuí bù xiǎng áo xiáng jiǔ tiān ， kuài yì ēn chóu ？
既然踏上修仙之路，谁不想翱翔九天，快意恩仇？
When the Heavenly Fire Sect attacked last time, Senior Lin waved his hand, and it turned to ashes. That was what a true master should be like. However, her mother might be the sect leader, but their sect was too weak. Rather than being a meek cultivator for life, she wanted to take a chance—what if she could become this Senior Lin's disciple?
shàng cì tiān huǒ zōng lái fàn ， lín qián bèi huī huī shǒu jiù ràng tā huà wèi le huī yān 。
上次天火宗来犯，林前辈挥挥手就让他化为了灰烟。
While the idea seemed wonderful, the reality was that their cultivation levels were vastly different. How could an old master of Separation from Emotion look upon such a novice?
suǒ wèi gāo shǒu ， dāng shì rú cǐ ， kě zì jǐ de mǔ qīn suī shì yī pài zhī zhǔ ， bǎi cǎo mén què tài guò xū ruò ， yǔ qí yī bèi zi dāng jīn wō nāng de xiǎo xiū xiān zhě ， bù rú bó yī bó ， rú guǒ néng gòu bài zhè wèi lín qián bèi zuò shī fù ……
所谓高手，当是如此，可自己的母亲虽是一派之主，百草门却太过虚弱，与其一辈子当今窝囊的小修仙者，不如搏一搏，如果能够拜这位林前辈做师父……
Self-recommendation would only bring humiliation; she had enough self-awareness to know that. Yesterday in the幽谷 (Grotto), she had several times almost said it but ultimately lacked the courage.
rán ér xiǎng fǎ gù rán měi miào ， kě xiàn shí què shì ， liǎng rén de jìng jiè ， chā jù yě tài dà le ” lí hé qī lǎo zǔ ， zěn me kě néng kàn shàng zì jǐ zhè gāng tà rù xiū xiān jiè de cài niǎo ne ？
然而想法固然美妙，可现实却是，两人的境界，差距也太大了”离合期老祖，怎么可能看上自己这刚踏入修仙界的菜鸟呢？
Although she was more mature than her peers, she was still just a young girl with thin skin and understood that some things needed to be pursued regardless of the odds.
máo suì zì jiàn ， kěn dìng shì zì qǔ qí rǔ ， zhè diǎn zì zhī zhī míng hái shì yǒu de ， qí shí zuó tiān zài yōu gǔ ” cǐ nǚ jǐ cì huà dōu dào le zuǐ biān ” zuì zhōng hái shì méi yǒu yǒng qì shuō 。
毛遂自荐，肯定是自取其辱，这点自知之明还是有的，其实昨天在幽谷”此女几次话都到了嘴边”最终还是没有勇气说。
With her thoughts exposed, she panicked. But her mind was sharp, and she quickly thought through the situation. If Senior Lin offered this, could there be any chance for her?
suī rán tā bǐ tóng líng de xiū shì yào wěn zhòng chéng shú ， dàn bì jìng hái zhǐ shì yī wèi miào líng shào nǚ ” liǎn pí yǒu xiē báo ” bù míng bái yǒu yī xiē dōng xī ” bù guǎn yǒu méi yǒu jī huì ， dōu yào nǔ lì qù zhēng qǔ 。
虽然她比同龄的修士要稳重成熟，但毕竟还只是一位妙龄少女”脸皮有些薄”不明白有一些东西”不管有没有机会，都要努力去争取。
Hearing this, Shangguan Yan's face lit up. She bowed gracefully and knelt down.
cǐ shí xīn sī bèi jiào pò ， yě jiù nán miǎn huāng luàn le 。
此时心思被叫破，也就难免慌乱了。
"Senior, your eyes are like a torch, seeing through my thoughts. Please accept me as your disciple. I will work hard to not disappoint Master."
dàn tā de xīn zhì què rán bù cuò ， nǎo jīn zhuǎn wān yě shì hěn kuài de ， lín qián bèi zhǔ dòng zhè yàng shuō ， mò fēi zì jǐ hái yǒu jī huì me ？
但她的心智确然不错，脑筋转弯也是很快的，林前辈主动这样说，莫非自己还有机会么？
"Accept you as my disciple?" Lin Xuan smiled. "Your mother must have told you about my story."
xiǎng dào zhè lǐ ， cǐ nǚ xǐ xíng yú sè ， máng yíng yíng yī fú ， qū xī guì xià lái le 。
想到这里，此女喜形于色，忙盈盈一福，屈膝跪下来了。
The girl nodded. Since Lin Xuan had asked, she couldn't lie: "Mother did mention it. You are a cultivator who ascended from the mortal world and were associated with Phoenix Immortal."
"Senior, there's a pavilion over there. Why don't you sit down for a while? If you find Yan'er too bothersome," I... I want to ask your cultivation insights."
"Seeking cultivation insights—can't your mother teach you that?"
Lin Xuan was slightly surprised. Although Shangguan Muduyu's cultivation level wasn't worth mentioning in his eyes, she was still a Condensation Core cultivator. It shouldn't be an issue for her to guide the Refinement Spirit period daughter.
"Senior, there's something I need to explain. Our sect once suffered a great calamity, and many scriptures were lost. The jade cylinder with the Hundred Grass Technique also perished. Now what we have are copies, which contain some omissions. Even... even Mother doesn't fully understand," she added hesitantly. "But Senior's cultivation is so profound that you might be able to help this junior."
"Ah, I see." Lin Xuan seemed deep in thought. "Alright, today my mood is good, and I'll share some insights with this girl."
"I thank you deeply for your kindness, Senior."
Shangguan Yan was overjoyed. She then respectfully led Lin Xuan to a pavilion by the bamboo grove.
"Let's sit down too."
"How dare I? In front of such a senior like you," where could there be room for me? I'll just stand here." The girl nervously replied.
Seeing her not sitting, Lin Xuan didn't say much more. He always thought about others' perspectives; if he were in the Refinement Spirit period and faced a Separation from Emotion cultivator, no matter how amiable they seemed, he would never dare sit down either.
The girl then went outside to pick some fresh fruits before respectfully asking Lin Xuan for his cultivation insights.
Lin Xuan wasn't particularly interested at first. He thought that with his own cultivation and extensive knowledge, guiding a mere Refinement Spirit cultivator wouldn't be difficult at all.
But the questions she posed actually left him confused. The Hundred Grass Technique was indeed an unconventional cultivation method. Lin Xuan felt awkward.
"Um... today I'm not feeling well. Let's stop here for now. Why don't you come back tomorrow, and then I can give you more detailed guidance."
"Alright, Senior, please rest. I won't disturb you anymore."
Shangguan Yan wasn't stupid; she could sense Lin Xuan's awkwardness but was a refined woman who didn't point it out. She bowed gracefully before retreating.
Lin Xuan returned to his cave and didn't immediately deal with the Ten Thousand Souls Pagoda. Instead, he pondered over the questions asked by this girl. After all, even Refinement Spirit cultivators couldn't answer them—this was indeed embarrassing!
After a restless night, Lin Xuan still had no answers. Just as he was feeling depressed, an idea flashed in his mind. He suddenly realized that the Hundred Grass Technique seemed somewhat similar to the Phoenix Dance Nine Heavens Technique, but it was vague and unclear.
His gaze fell on the stone wall.
There hung a painting of two ancient immortals—Phoenix and the Hundred Grass. They were close friends who often exchanged cultivation insights. Could this be why?
No... that doesn't seem right either.
Lin Xuan felt as if he had grasped something, but couldn't quite figure it out.
Forget about it for now. There's plenty of time to think later.
The next morning, just as Lin Xuan arrived at the training hall, an unusual signal from the禁制 (protection array) caught his attention. He raised his head and saw a beautiful young girl standing by the entrance—Shangguan Yan.
"That girl comes early."
Lin Xuan muttered to himself. Then he waved his sleeves, and a beam of light shot out, opening the禁制. Moments later, faint footsteps reached his ears.
"Senior, I've come again to disturb you." The young girl gracefully bowed, her demeanor quite different from when they first met—more refined like a lady.
"No need for formalities, Miss Shangguan...?"
"If it's alright with Senior, just call me Yan'er. Please don't mention Miss Shangguan; your courtesy is too much."
"Alright!"
Lin Xuan nodded. Although he was younger than most of his peers by several hundred years, he had been around for over eight hundred years. This girl was only nineteen, so calling her 'Yan'er' wasn't inappropriate.
"Flying Yan, no need to be formal. Let's talk freely."
"Thank you."
The young girl bowed again before slowly standing up.
Lin Xuan frowned. While their cultivation levels were vastly different, the cultivation world respected power. However, they weren't from the same sect, and he was just a guest here. There was no reason for her to be so respectful—almost like a disciple's behavior.
No... it wasn't almost; it was exactly that!
Lin Xuan sighed. He knew this girl's intentions well.
"Flying Yan, do you want to become my disciple?"
Lin Xuan's half-open eyes transmitted his calm voice. Shangguan Yan was stunned and stared at him with wide eyes, a look of confusion on her face. It was normal for her to react like that when her thoughts were exposed.
Indeed, Shangguan Yan had always harbored such thoughts since she embarked on the cultivation path—she wanted to soar through the heavens and settle old scores.
When the Heavenly Fire Sect attacked last time, Senior Lin waved his hand, and it turned to ashes. That was what a true master should be like. However, her mother might be the sect leader, but their sect was too weak. Rather than being a meek cultivator for life, she wanted to take a chance—what if she could become this Senior Lin's disciple?
While the idea seemed wonderful, the reality was that their cultivation levels were vastly different. How could an old master of Separation from Emotion look upon such a novice?
Self-recommendation would only bring humiliation; she had enough self-awareness to know that. Yesterday in the幽谷 (Grotto), she had several times almost said it but ultimately lacked the courage.
Although she was more mature than her peers, she was still just a young girl with thin skin and understood that some things needed to be pursued regardless of the odds.
With her thoughts exposed, she panicked. But her mind was sharp, and she quickly thought through the situation. If Senior Lin offered this, could there be any chance for her?
Hearing this, Shangguan Yan's face lit up. She bowed gracefully and knelt down.
"Senior, your eyes are like a torch, seeing through my thoughts. Please accept me as your disciple. I will work hard to not disappoint Master."
"Accept you as my disciple?" Lin Xuan smiled. "Your mother must have told you about my story."
The girl nodded. Since Lin Xuan had asked, she couldn't lie: "Mother did mention it. You are a cultivator who ascended from the mortal world and were associated with Phoenix Immortal."