dāng lǐ fán zhǎo dào zhào shī jiě de shí hòu ， tā zhèng zài guān kàn qín shǒu yǔ yuè huá yī mài qí tā dì zǐ de bǐ shì qiē cuō 。
当李凡找到赵师姐的时候，她正在观看秦守与月华一脉其他弟子的比试切磋。
When Li Fan found Zhao Senior Sister, she was watching Qin Shou and the other disciples of the Moonlight Lineage spar.
zhè qín shī xiōng xiū wèi dàng zhēn liǎo de ， yī shǒu tǔ huáng sè shén guāng ， kě gōng kě shǒu 。
这秦师兄修为当真了得，一手土黄色神光，可攻可守。
Qin Senior Brother's cultivation truly astounded. His golden-yellow divine light could both attack and defend.
yǐ yuán yīng zhōng qī ， duì zhàn yuán yīng dà yuán mǎn xiū shì ， réng rán yóu rèn yǒu yú 。
以元婴中期，对战元婴大圆满修士，仍然游刃有余。
Facing an advanced foundation establishment cultivator like Yuan婴中期 (Yuan婴 mid-stage), he still managed to handle it with ease, his qi meridians long and unbroken as he continuously fought for several hours without showing any signs of fatigue.
qiě qì mài yōu zhǎng ， hé rén lián xù bù tíng duì zhàn shù gè shí chén ， dōu miàn bù gǎi sè 。
且气脉悠长，和人连续不停对战数个时辰，都面不改色。
Many of Zhang Wanshuang's disciples had been thoroughly defeated by him, none able to best him.
zhāng wàng shuāng mén xià ， zhū duō dì zǐ dōu bèi tā dǎ le gè biàn ， jìng shì wú yī rén néng shèng guò tā 。
张望霜门下，诸多弟子都被他打了个遍，竟是无一人能胜过他。
Qin Shou also gave Zhang Wanshuang the proper respect, often ending in a draw or a hard-fought victory after prolonged battles.
ér qiě qín shǒu yě gěi zú le zhāng wàng shuāng miàn zi ， měi cì yào me shì píng jú ， yào me shì chí jiǔ zhàn dòu hòu de jiān nán qǔ shèng 。
而且秦守也给足了张望霜面子，每次要么是平局，要么是持久战斗后的艰难取胜。
Despite their losses, Qin Senior Brother’s fellow senior brothers didn’t harbor any ill will towards him. Instead, they admired his manner and conduct greatly.
zhào shī jiě de shī xiōng dì men ， suī rán bài zài tā shǒu zhōng ， dàn shì duì yú qín shǒu běn rén ， què dōu méi shén me è gǎn 。 fǎn ér duì tā de wéi rén chǔ shì ， shí fēn jìng pèi 。
赵师姐的师兄弟们，虽然败在他手中，但是对于秦守本人，却都没什么恶感。反而对他的为人处世，十分敬佩。
Even Zhao Senior Sister herself couldn't help but flash with admiration when she saw Qin Senior Brother's demeanor.
jiù lián zhào shī jiě běn rén ， zài chǎng xià mù dǔ qín shī xiōng rú cǐ fēng zī zhī hòu ， yǎn zhōng dū bù shí yǒu yì cǎi shǎn guò 。
就连赵师姐本人，在场下目睹秦师兄如此风姿之后，眼中都不时有溢彩闪过。
Li Fan, watching from afar, inwardly cursed: "Thankfully, I showed up in time; otherwise, the wall would have been dug down to its foundation."
lǐ fán yuǎn yuǎn qiáo jiàn cǐ mù ， xīn zhōng bù jīn àn mà ：「 hái hǎo lǎo zi chū lái de jí shí ， yào bù rán qiáng jiǎo dōu bèi wā dào le 。」
李凡远远瞧见此幕，心中不禁暗骂：「还好老子出来的及时，要不然墙角都被挖倒了。」
He moved silently beside her, gently holding her slender hand.
dāng jí bù dòng shēng sè ， lái dào shī jiě shēn biān ， jiāng tā de xiān xiān xì shǒu qīng qīng wò zhù 。
当即不动声色，来到师姐身边，将她的纤纤细手轻轻握住。
Zhao Senior Sister was slightly startled but didn’t pull away as she looked at Li Fan.
shī jiě wēi wēi yī lèng ， kàn xiàng tū rán chū xiàn de lǐ fán ， què bìng wèi zhèng tuō 。
师姐微微一愣，看向突然出现的李凡，却并未挣脱。
"This is Qin Senior Brother from the Lianshan Lineage? Truly impressive! I wonder when I can be like him," Li Fan said with a touch of envy in his voice.
「 zhè wèi jiù shì lián shān yī mài de qín shī xiōng ？ zhēn shì wēi wǔ bù fán a ！ yě bù zhī wǒ hé shí cái néng xiàng tā zhè bān 。」 lǐ fán yǔ qì zhōng yǒu xiē xiàn mù de shuō dào 。
「这位就是连山一脉的秦师兄？真是威武不凡啊！也不知我何时才能像他这般。」李凡语气中有些羡慕的说道。
Zhao Senior Sister had initially worried that Li Fan would feel jealous after hearing rumors, but it seemed her concerns were unfounded.
zhào shī jiě yuán běn hái yǒu diǎn dān xīn lǐ fán tīng jiàn fēng yán fēng yǔ hòu ， huì yǒu xiē chī cù ， bù guò kàn yàng zi shì tā duō lǜ le 。
赵师姐原本还有点担心李凡听见风言风语后，会有些吃醋，不过看样子是她多虑了。
She felt a mix of relief and slight disappointment internally but didn’t show it. She smiled gently and consoled Li Fan: "Your diligent cultivation is rare even among the world's best. Catching up to Qin Senior Brother isn't that difficult."
bù zhī wèi hé ， yǒu xiē qìng xìng de tóng shí ， xīn zhōng hái yǒu diǎn xiǎo shī luò 。
不知为何，有些庆幸的同时，心中还有点小失落。
Li Fan didn’t respond, merely shaking his head and sighing inwardly.
bù guò méi yǒu biǎo xiàn chū lái ， tā yān rán yí xiào ， ān wèi qǐ lǐ fán ：「 shī dì nǐ xiū xíng zhī qín fèn ， yě shì dāng shì hǎn jiàn 。 xiǎng yào zhuī shàng qín shī xiōng de jiǎo bù ， yě bú shì shén me nán shì 。」
不过没有表现出来，她嫣然一笑，安慰起李凡：「师弟你修行之勤奋，也是当世罕见。想要追上秦师兄的脚步，也不是什么难事。」
Seeing this, Zhao Senior Sister was surprised and asked telepathically: "What’s wrong? Did you encounter any trouble during your seclusion?"
lǐ fán méi yǒu huí yìng ， zhǐ shì wēi wēi yáo tóu ， àn zì tàn le kǒu qì 。
李凡没有回应，只是微微摇头，暗自叹了口气。
Li Fan then said slowly: "Originally, I intended to achieve the Golden Core Realm on my way here. But every time that thought surfaced in my mind, my spiritual sense would warn me frantically as if such an action would bring about a catastrophic disaster."
zhào shī jiě jiàn zhuàng ， dùn shí yǒu xiē chà yì ， lián máng chuán yīn wèn dào ：「 zěn me le ？ kě shì zhè cì bì guān ， yù dào le shén me má fán ？」
赵师姐见状，顿时有些诧异，连忙传音问道：「怎么了？可是这次闭关，遇到了什么麻烦？」
Zhao Senior Sister frowned upon hearing this and after some contemplation, consoled him: "Achieving the Golden Core is something not to be forced. Your premonition suggests it's not meant to happen now."
lǐ fán zhè cái huǎn huǎn shuō dào ：「 yuán běn cǐ cì bì guān tú zhōng ， wǒ jiù yù yī gǔ zuò qì ， chéng jiù jīn dān 。 nài hé měi dāng wǒ nǎo hǎi zhōng fú xiàn chū zhè ge niàn tou ， xīn zhōng líng jué jiù huì fēng kuáng shì jǐng ， fǎng fú rú cǐ zuò huì yǒu shén me tāo tiān dà huò yì bān 。」
李凡这才缓缓说道：「原本此次闭关途中，我就欲一鼓作气，成就金丹。奈何每当我脑海中浮现出这个念头，心中灵觉就会疯狂示警，仿佛如此做会有什么滔天大祸一般。」
"Indeed," Li Fan nodded.
zhào shī jiě wén yán ， bù jīn zhòu qǐ le méi tóu 。 lüè wēi sī suǒ piàn kè hòu ， xuán jí shū zhǎn xià lái ， zài dù ān wèi dào ：「 jié dān zhī shì ， bù kě qiǎng qiú 。 nǐ yù gǎn yìng gāi bú huì chū cuò ， shuō míng shí hòu wèi dào 。」
赵师姐闻言，不禁皱起了眉头。略微思索片刻后，旋即舒展下来，再度安慰道：「结丹之事，不可强求。你预感应该不会出错，说明时候未到。」
Suddenly, he changed his tone: "Since I entered the sect, I haven't left the mountain in years. The cultivation world is so vast and boundless, yet I've remained within the sect all this time. Perhaps it’s time for me to venture out and seek breakthrough opportunities."
「 ń ， wǒ yě shì zhè me rèn wéi de 。」 lǐ fán diǎn tóu dào 。
「嗯，我也是这么认为的。」李凡点头道。
"Junior Brother, you…" Zhao Senior Sister was taken aback by his words but couldn’t help advising: "The outside isn't as peaceful as inside the sect. Not only are there various beasts causing havoc everywhere, even those wandering cultivators aren't easy to deal with. They'll do anything for spirit stones and mystical techniques."
hū de ， tā yòu huà fēng yī zhuǎn ：「 wǒ zì cóng rù zōng yǐ lái ， yǐ jīng shù nián méi yǒu xià guò shān le 。 xiū xiān jiè rú cǐ guǎng kuò hào hàn ， wǒ què yì zhí dài zài zōng mén zhī nèi ， wèi miǎn yǒu diǎn bì mén zào chē le 。 rú jīn xiū xíng shòu cuò ， wǒ dǎ suàn xià shān xún zhǎo tū pò jī yuán 。」
忽的，他又话锋一转：「我自从入宗以来，已经数年没有下过山了。修仙界如此广阔浩瀚，我却一直待在宗门之内，未免有点闭门造车了。如今修行受挫，我打算下山寻找突破机缘。」
"Even our Great Dao Sect has cases of disciples mysteriously disappearing while traveling," Li Fan cut in resolutely.
「 shī dì ， nǐ ……」 zhào shī jiě tīng le ， liǎn shàng mǎn shì cuò è 。 ér hòu yòu rěn bú zhù quàn shuō dào ：「 shān xià kě bù xiàng zōng mén nèi zhè bān píng jìng 。 bù tí gè chù zhǒng zhǒng yāo shòu sì nüè ， jiù lián nà xiē sàn xiū ， dōu bú shì yì xiāng yǔ de 。 wèi le líng shí 、 gōng fǎ ， tā men kě shì shén me dōu zuò de chū lái 。」
「师弟，你……」赵师姐听了，脸上满是错愕。而后又忍不住劝说道：「山下可不像宗门内这般平静。不提各处种种妖兽肆虐，就连那些散修，都不是易相与的。为了灵石、功法，他们可是什么都做的出来。」
"I have decided, Senior Sister. You needn’t persuade me anymore. The path to immortality is long and arduous. If I lack this courage, how can we travel together?"
「 jiù suàn wǒ men dà dào zōng dì zǐ ， yě yǒu shān xià xíng zǒu shí mò míng shī zōng de lì zi ……」
「就算我们大道宗弟子，也有山下行走时莫名失踪的例子……」
Hearing Li Fan's straightforward confession, Zhao Senior Sister’s cheeks flushed slightly as she tightened her grip on his hand.
lǐ fán jiāng tā de huà dǎ duàn ， yǎn shén jiān yì ：「 wǒ yì yǐ jué ， shī jiě nǐ bù bì zài quàn wǒ le 。 xiān dào màn màn ， cháng shēng lù nán 。 ruò shì wǒ lián zhè me diǎn yǒng qì dōu méi yǒu ， jīn hòu de lǚ tú ， yòu zěn me néng péi shī jiě nǐ yì qǐ zǒu xià qù ne ？」….
李凡将她的话打断，眼神坚毅：「我意已决，师姐你不必再劝我了。仙道漫漫，长生路难。若是我连这么点勇气都没有，今后的旅途，又怎么能陪师姐你一起走下去呢？」….
Qin Shou, who was winning the battle with an overwhelming advantage, turned his head to see Zhao Senior Sister looking at him tenderly. His mind momentarily faltered, and he lost his composure, nearly being defeated by a flaw in his defense.
tīng dào lǐ fán rú cǐ chì luǒ luǒ de qíng huà ， zhào shī jiě qiào liǎn wēi wēi yī hóng ， wò zhù tā de shǒu yù fā jǐn le 。
听到李凡如此赤裸裸的情话，赵师姐俏脸微微一红，握住他的手愈发紧了。
A dark look flashed across Qin Shou’s eyes as he forcibly pulled himself back into the fight.
ér cǐ kè zài tái shàng bǐ wǔ ， zài dù qǔ dé jué duì yōu shì 、 yǎn kàn yòu shì yī cháng shèng lì de qín shǒu ， zhuǎn guò tóu lái kàn dào zhào shī jiě hán qíng mò mò kàn zhe lǐ fán de yǎn shén ， xīn shén dùn shí yī zhèn shī shǒu 。 qì xī bō dòng 、 huàn luàn ， bèi duì miàn zhuā zhù pò zhàn ， chà diǎn bèi jī bài 。
而此刻在台上比武，再度取得绝对优势、眼看又是一场胜利的秦守，转过头来看到赵师姐含情脉脉看着李凡的眼神，心神顿时一阵失守。气息波动、换乱，被对面抓住破绽，差点被击败。
After finally securing victory, Zhao Senior Sister and Li Fan had already left, heading who knew where.
yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī yīn mái ， qín shǒu qiáng xíng shōu huí mù guāng ， yìng duì lèi tái shàng de zhàn dòu 。
眼中闪过一丝阴霾，秦守强行收回目光，应对擂台上的战斗。
Qin Shou, though smiling on the surface, was seething with jealousy inside.
ér děng tā hǎo bù róng yì niǔ zhuǎn jú shì ， qǔ dé shèng lì hòu 。
而等他好不容易扭转局势，取得胜利后。
Seven days later, Li Fan left the Great Dao Sect in search of a chance to achieve the Golden Core Realm.
zhào shī jiě hé lǐ fán ， què shì zǎo yǐ lí kāi 、 bù zhī qián wǎng hé chù le 。
赵师姐和李凡，却是早已离开、不知前往何处了。
Worried about Li Fan’s safety after his departure, Zhao Senior Sister also followed him down the mountain under the pretense of seeking breakthrough opportunities.
qín shǒu suī miàn dài wēi xiào ， dàn shì xīn zhōng de dù huǒ què shì yǐ jīng zài xióng xióng rán shāo le 。
秦守虽面带微笑，但是心中的妒火却是已经在熊熊燃烧了。
Her master, Zhang Wanshuang, didn’t stop her and even gave her a [Heavenly Fate Guide], which could point out auspicious moments for her.
qī tiān zhī hòu ， lǐ fán lí kāi dà dào zōng
七天之后，李凡离开大道宗
Following their prearranged contact method, Zhao Senior Sister quickly found Li Fan after leaving the sect.
， yù qiú jié dān jī yuán 。
，欲求结丹机缘。
Using the Heavenly Fate Guide, they headed southwest through a range of mountains to an ancient ruin hidden deep in dense forests.
dān xīn lǐ fán de ān wēi ， lǐ fán lí qù hòu bù jiǔ 。 zhào shī jiě yǐ xún zhǎo tū pò qì jī wèi yóu ， yě gēn zhe xià shān qù le 。
担心李凡的安危，李凡离去后不久。赵师姐以寻找突破契机为由，也跟着下山去了。
After resting, they decided to explore the ruins the next day.
yì tú rú cǐ míng xiǎn ， shì gè rén dōu néng kàn chū 。 dàn bù zhī wèi hé ， tā de shī zūn zhāng wàng shuāng què shì méi yǒu zǔ zhǐ 。 bìng qiě hái cì yǔ le zhào shī jiě yī méi 【 tiān jī yǐn 】， néng gòu zài guān jiàn shí kè ， wèi tā zhǐ yǐn jī yuán de fāng xiàng 。
意图如此明显，是个人都能看出。但不知为何，她的师尊张望霜却是没有阻止。并且还赐予了赵师姐一枚【天机引】，能够在关键时刻，为她指引机缘的方向。
That night,
lí kāi zōng mén hòu ， gēn jù zhī qián yuē dìng hǎo de lián xì fāng shì ， zhào shī jiě hěn kuài jiù zhǎo dào le lǐ fán 。
离开宗门后，根据之前约定好的联系方式，赵师姐很快就找到了李凡。
"Senior Sister, do you feel anything unusual? It seems like someone has been following us all along," Li Fan said while pretending to sleep but sending telepathic messages.
shǐ yòng le tiān jī yǐn hòu ， èr rén yī lù cháo zhe xī nán fāng xiàng ， chuān yuè lián mián qún shān hòu ， lái dào le yī chù yǐn cáng zài mào mì cóng lín shēn chù de yí jì wài 。
使用了天机引后，二人一路朝着西南方向，穿越连绵群山后，来到了一处隐藏在茂密丛林深处的遗迹外。
Silence followed for a moment before Zhao Senior Sister replied: "Could it be that you’re too suspicious? I didn’t notice anyone following."
liǎng rén xiū zhěng yī dùn ， jué dìng míng rì zài jìn qù tàn suǒ 。
两人修整一顿，决定明日再进去探索。
Li Fan was very certain: "My premonitions are usually accurate. Do you remember the day bandits attacked our village in Daxing Mountain? It was because of my sudden unease that we went out to play and escape the disaster together."
zhè yī tiān wǎn shàng 。
这一天晚上。
"This feeling is exactly like then."
「 shī jiě ， nǐ yǒu méi yǒu chá jué dào shén me bú duì de dì fāng ？ sì hū yī lù shàng ， dōu yǒu rén zài àn zhōng gēn zhe wǒ men ？」 lǐ fán jiǎ mèi ， què àn zhōng chuán yīn dào 。
「师姐，你有没有察觉到什么不对的地方？似乎一路上，都有人在暗中跟着我们？」李凡假寐，却暗中传音道。
Zhao Senior Sister believed him.
chén mò le piàn kè ， zhào shī jiě huí fù ：「 huì bú huì shì nǐ tài duō yí le ？ wǒ méi yǒu fā xiàn yǒu rén gēn zōng a 。」
沉默了片刻，赵师姐回复：「会不会是你太多疑了？我没有发现有人跟踪啊。」
"What do you plan to do?"
lǐ fán hěn shì dǔ dìng ：「 wǒ de yù gǎn yí xiàng hěn zhǔn 。 shī jiě nǐ hái jì de ma ， dāng chū zài dà qīng shān ， dào fěi xí jī cūn zi de nà tiān ， zhèng shì yīn wèi wǒ hū rán gǎn dào xīn shén bù níng ， nǐ cái huì péi wǒ chū qù wán shuǎ 、 sàn xīn 。 wǒ men zhè cái dé yǐ táo guò yī jié de 。」
李凡很是笃定：「我的预感一向很准。师姐你还记得吗，当初在大青山，盗匪袭击村子的那天，正是因为我忽然感到心神不宁，你才会陪我出去玩耍、散心。我们这才得以逃过一劫的。」
Li Fan sneered: "Lure the snake out of its den."
「 zhè cì de gǎn jué gēn nà ge shí hòu yī mú yī yàng 。」
「这次的感觉跟那个时候一模一样。」
The next day, as they were about to leave, a trivial matter caused an argument.
zhào shī jiě wén yán ， dùn shí xìn fú le jǐ fēn 。
赵师姐闻言，顿时信服了几分。
Their quarrel was intense, and Zhao Senior Sister even said, "You wouldn’t be here today if it weren't for me? Why are you sulking?"
「 nà nǐ zhǔn bèi zěn me bàn ？」
「那你准备怎么办？」
Li Fan’s expression darkened, and he left alone into the ruins.
lǐ fán lěng hēng yī shēng ：「 yǐn shé chū dòng 。」
李凡冷哼一声：「引蛇出洞。」
Still fuming, Zhao Senior Sister didn’t immediately chase after him.
dì èr tiān ， jiù zài èr rén dǎ suàn chū fā zhī jì ， què yīn suǒ shì ér fā shēng le zhēng zhí 。
第二天，就在二人打算出发之际，却因琐事而发生了争执。
At this moment, a small insect followed Li Fan into the ruins.
zhēng chǎo shí fēn jī liè ， zhào shī jiě shèn zhì shuō chū le 「 nǐ yǒu jīn tiān hái bú shì quán kào wǒ ？ gēn wǒ fā pí qì ？」 de è yǔ 。
争吵十分激烈，赵师姐甚至说出了「你有今天还不是全靠我？跟我发脾气？」的恶语。
As Li Fan fought with the beasts inside, a sword of light silently sliced through, aiming to kill him instantly.
lǐ fán miàn sè shí fēn nán kàn ， dāng chǎng fú xiù ér qù ， zì jǐ gū shēn yī rén zǒu jìn le yí jì zhī zhōng 。
李凡面色十分难看，当场拂袖而去，自己孤身一人走进了遗迹之中。
Just as the situation became critical, a cold moonlight emanated from Li Fan’s body.
qì tóu shàng de zhào shī jiě yě méi yǒu lì mǎ zhuī gǎn 。
气头上的赵师姐也没有立马追赶。
Through the hazy light, Zhao Senior Sister's graceful figure was faintly visible.
jiù zài zhè shí ， yī zhī bù qǐ yǎn de fēi chóng ， gēn suí lǐ fán jìn rù le yí jì 。
就在这时，一只不起眼的飞虫，跟随李凡进入了遗迹。
But her beautiful face now wore an aura of lethal intent.
dāng lǐ fán gēn yí jì zhōng de yāo shòu zhàn dòu de shí hòu ， yī dào jiàn guāng àn zhōng zhǎn chū 。
当李凡跟遗迹中的妖兽战斗的时候，一道剑光暗中斩出。
A loud explosion echoed as Qin Shou was forced to reveal himself.
jiù yào dāng chǎng bǎ lǐ fán jī shā 。
就要当场把李凡击杀。
"Qin Senior Brother, it’s really you?!" The true and shadow forms of Zhao Senior Sister surrounded him, their faces showing disbelief.
wēi jī guān tóu ， cóng lǐ fán shēn shàng fàng chū yī dào qīng lěng yuè guāng 。
危机关头，从李凡身上放出一道清冷月光。
"Comrades killing each other is a great taboo! Why did you do this?"
mó hú de guāng yǐng zhōng ， zhào shī jiě màn miào de shēn zī yī xī kě jiàn 。
模糊的光影中，赵师姐曼妙的身姿依稀可见。
Seeing the situation exposed, Qin Shou ceased his pretense. He cursed openly, staring at Zhao Senior Sister with an evil glint in his eyes.
zhǐ shì cǐ kè ， jiā rén jué shì de miàn róng shàng ， shā qì lǐn rán 。
只是此刻，佳人绝世的面容上，杀气凛然。
A furious squid emerged from the shadows.
When Li Fan found Zhao Senior Sister, she was watching Qin Shou and the other disciples of the Moonlight Lineage spar.
Qin Senior Brother's cultivation truly astounded. His golden-yellow divine light could both attack and defend.
Facing an advanced foundation establishment cultivator like Yuan婴中期 (Yuan婴 mid-stage), he still managed to handle it with ease, his qi meridians long and unbroken as he continuously fought for several hours without showing any signs of fatigue.
Many of Zhang Wanshuang's disciples had been thoroughly defeated by him, none able to best him.
Qin Shou also gave Zhang Wanshuang the proper respect, often ending in a draw or a hard-fought victory after prolonged battles.
Despite their losses, Qin Senior Brother’s fellow senior brothers didn’t harbor any ill will towards him. Instead, they admired his manner and conduct greatly.
Even Zhao Senior Sister herself couldn't help but flash with admiration when she saw Qin Senior Brother's demeanor.
Li Fan, watching from afar, inwardly cursed: "Thankfully, I showed up in time; otherwise, the wall would have been dug down to its foundation."
He moved silently beside her, gently holding her slender hand.
Zhao Senior Sister was slightly startled but didn’t pull away as she looked at Li Fan.
"This is Qin Senior Brother from the Lianshan Lineage? Truly impressive! I wonder when I can be like him," Li Fan said with a touch of envy in his voice.
Zhao Senior Sister had initially worried that Li Fan would feel jealous after hearing rumors, but it seemed her concerns were unfounded.
She felt a mix of relief and slight disappointment internally but didn’t show it. She smiled gently and consoled Li Fan: "Your diligent cultivation is rare even among the world's best. Catching up to Qin Senior Brother isn't that difficult."
Li Fan didn’t respond, merely shaking his head and sighing inwardly.
Seeing this, Zhao Senior Sister was surprised and asked telepathically: "What’s wrong? Did you encounter any trouble during your seclusion?"
Li Fan then said slowly: "Originally, I intended to achieve the Golden Core Realm on my way here. But every time that thought surfaced in my mind, my spiritual sense would warn me frantically as if such an action would bring about a catastrophic disaster."
Zhao Senior Sister frowned upon hearing this and after some contemplation, consoled him: "Achieving the Golden Core is something not to be forced. Your premonition suggests it's not meant to happen now."
"Indeed," Li Fan nodded.
Suddenly, he changed his tone: "Since I entered the sect, I haven't left the mountain in years. The cultivation world is so vast and boundless, yet I've remained within the sect all this time. Perhaps it’s time for me to venture out and seek breakthrough opportunities."
"Junior Brother, you…" Zhao Senior Sister was taken aback by his words but couldn’t help advising: "The outside isn't as peaceful as inside the sect. Not only are there various beasts causing havoc everywhere, even those wandering cultivators aren't easy to deal with. They'll do anything for spirit stones and mystical techniques."
"Even our Great Dao Sect has cases of disciples mysteriously disappearing while traveling," Li Fan cut in resolutely.
"I have decided, Senior Sister. You needn’t persuade me anymore. The path to immortality is long and arduous. If I lack this courage, how can we travel together?"
Hearing Li Fan's straightforward confession, Zhao Senior Sister’s cheeks flushed slightly as she tightened her grip on his hand.
Qin Shou, who was winning the battle with an overwhelming advantage, turned his head to see Zhao Senior Sister looking at him tenderly. His mind momentarily faltered, and he lost his composure, nearly being defeated by a flaw in his defense.
A dark look flashed across Qin Shou’s eyes as he forcibly pulled himself back into the fight.
After finally securing victory, Zhao Senior Sister and Li Fan had already left, heading who knew where.
Qin Shou, though smiling on the surface, was seething with jealousy inside.
Seven days later, Li Fan left the Great Dao Sect in search of a chance to achieve the Golden Core Realm.
Worried about Li Fan’s safety after his departure, Zhao Senior Sister also followed him down the mountain under the pretense of seeking breakthrough opportunities.
Her master, Zhang Wanshuang, didn’t stop her and even gave her a [Heavenly Fate Guide], which could point out auspicious moments for her.
Following their prearranged contact method, Zhao Senior Sister quickly found Li Fan after leaving the sect.
Using the Heavenly Fate Guide, they headed southwest through a range of mountains to an ancient ruin hidden deep in dense forests.
After resting, they decided to explore the ruins the next day.
That night,
"Senior Sister, do you feel anything unusual? It seems like someone has been following us all along," Li Fan said while pretending to sleep but sending telepathic messages.
Silence followed for a moment before Zhao Senior Sister replied: "Could it be that you’re too suspicious? I didn’t notice anyone following."
Li Fan was very certain: "My premonitions are usually accurate. Do you remember the day bandits attacked our village in Daxing Mountain? It was because of my sudden unease that we went out to play and escape the disaster together."
"This feeling is exactly like then."
Zhao Senior Sister believed him.
"What do you plan to do?"
Li Fan sneered: "Lure the snake out of its den."
The next day, as they were about to leave, a trivial matter caused an argument.
Their quarrel was intense, and Zhao Senior Sister even said, "You wouldn’t be here today if it weren't for me? Why are you sulking?"
Li Fan’s expression darkened, and he left alone into the ruins.
Still fuming, Zhao Senior Sister didn’t immediately chase after him.
At this moment, a small insect followed Li Fan into the ruins.
As Li Fan fought with the beasts inside, a sword of light silently sliced through, aiming to kill him instantly.
Just as the situation became critical, a cold moonlight emanated from Li Fan’s body.
Through the hazy light, Zhao Senior Sister's graceful figure was faintly visible.
But her beautiful face now wore an aura of lethal intent.
A loud explosion echoed as Qin Shou was forced to reveal himself.
"Qin Senior Brother, it’s really you?!" The true and shadow forms of Zhao Senior Sister surrounded him, their faces showing disbelief.
"Comrades killing each other is a great taboo! Why did you do this?"
Seeing the situation exposed, Qin Shou ceased his pretense. He cursed openly, staring at Zhao Senior Sister with an evil glint in his eyes.
A furious squid emerged from the shadows.