What Are You Thinking About

Cui Hao glanced at his fourth senior sister's expression and nodded with understanding—it was likely some messy affair.

He pressed further, "Senior Sister, is this what's been troubling you lately?"

Lin Luoyu shook her head slightly. "It’s not exactly a trouble, just something I haven’t figured out how to handle properly."

"If this doesn’t count as trouble, then how bad must your real troubles be?" Cui Hao chuckled, then waved the letter in his hand.

"If you’re out of ideas, why not hear what I think?"

Hearing this, Lin Luoyu instinctively felt that Cui Hao’s solution would probably be unreliable—and most likely absurd.

But then again, how much more absurd could it get? There wasn’t much room left for absurdity here, was there?

Still, Lin Luoyu decided to give him a warning first:

"Fine, let’s hear it. But your idea had better be something you actually thought through with your brain."

"Since we’ve embarked on the path of immortality, why hesitate over trivialities?" With a flick of his hand, Cui Hao summoned a flame and reduced the letter to ashes.

Lin Luoyu stared in shock at the drifting embers.

Cui Hao wore a calm smile. "If going back is the problem, then don’t go back. Master calls this ‘rational risk avoidance.’ Just pretend you never saw this letter, and it’s done."

Lin Luoyu nearly laughed in exasperation. Was this his idea? If she could just pretend it never happened, why would she be worrying in the first place?

This kind of self-deception might work for Cui Hao, but not for her.

Existence was existence. What happened, happened. Many things in life couldn’t simply be avoided.

Burning the letter didn’t erase what had occurred.

Whether something was difficult or not, sometimes the real question was whether it should be done at all.

Though irritated, Lin Luoyu suppressed the urge to punch him.

At the very least… he meant well, didn’t he?

Besides, the letter itself wasn’t the important part. Burnt or not, it didn’t matter.

But right now, Cui Hao’s presence was starting to grate on her nerves. His so-called idea was downright infuriating.

Next time, she’d never listen to this fifth junior brother’s nonsense again.

Clenching her fists, Lin Luoyu narrowed her eyes and said in a low voice, "Disappear from my sight before I lose my patience."

Cui Hao reacted swiftly, instinctively standing up to retreat.

After all, Lin Luoyu had already reached the Foundation Establishment stage, while he was still stuck at the ninth level of Qi Refinement—largely because he hadn’t dared to take the pills Master refined to break through.

If his senior sister really decided to hit him, he wouldn’t stand a chance.

But halfway through his escape, Cui Hao suddenly stopped, as if struck by a thought. He patted his robes lightly and took a deep breath.

"You can hit me, but let me finish speaking first."

"No!" Lin Luoyu didn’t hesitate, swinging a fist at him.

Cui Hao didn’t dodge. Instead, he braced himself, raising his arms to shield his face, ready to endure the blow.

A moment passed—but no sharp pain came.

He only felt a light tap on his left shoulder. Opening his eyes, he saw Lin Luoyu frowning slightly, her right fist gently pressed against him.

"Speak quickly," she said evenly.

"Was that letter from your parents?"

"No. My parents are dead."

"Then a family elder?"

"You could say that. Why?"

Cui Hao’s expression turned serious. "Then why are you worrying? If it’s an elder’s matter, then it should be handled by an elder. Whether it’s demon-slaying or anything else, just let Master deal with it."

"With his abilities, what couldn’t he handle properly?"

Lin Luoyu withdrew her fist, hesitating slightly as she considered the idea.

Then, though she shook her head, she seemed to have made up her mind.

---

Sect Main Hall

Chu Xingchen looked puzzled at Cui Hao and Lin Luoyu, who had been standing silently in the hall for half an hour—neither speaking nor drinking tea.

When he asked what was going on, Cui Hao merely glanced at Lin Luoyu, while she stammered without getting a word out.

Li Yingling, the eldest senior sister, studied the two with a strange expression, noting their identical posture and demeanor…

Could it be…? Hmm…

Her gaze turned suggestive. After all, what else would make someone hesitate to speak to their master?

It could only be that kind of matter. Who would’ve thought? This unreliable, thick-browed junior brother Cui Hao actually…

Lin Luoyu shifted uncomfortably under the scrutiny and finally caught Li Yingling’s gaze—which was unmistakably…

Even as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, she couldn’t suppress a shudder. The words she’d been too embarrassed to say spilled out instantly:

"Master, I want to return home alone for a while."

Chu Xingchen had expected something monumental, only to hear this. Was this really so hard to say?

Wanting to visit home wasn’t unusual. Even he sometimes missed his own.

His disciple was already at Foundation Establishment, equipped with protective artifacts and talismans.

A trip to a remote village shouldn’t be a problem.

"If you wish to go, then—" He was about to agree when he noticed Cui Hao frantically signaling from the side.

Cui Hao might be impulsive, but he wouldn’t stir up trouble without reason.

Was there more to this?

Chu Xingchen swiftly changed his tone. "Then you must be careful. The Xuanwu Kingdom is unstable lately. Why not let me accompany you?"

Cui Hao discreetly gave his master a thumbs-up.

Fourth Senior Sister was admirable in many ways, but she had a stubborn streak—especially when it came to family.

Even if she sensed something amiss, she’d insist on going alone.

And if she spiraled into stubbornness without someone to guide her, who knew what might happen?

Lin Luoyu stood firm, her gaze resolute.

"There’s no need to trouble Master. Some things must be faced alone to truly grow."

Li Yingling, who had been planning to interrogate Cui Hao later, blinked in surprise at her words.

Chu Xingchen smiled. "Trouble? It’s no trouble at all. I could use some fresh air myself."

Lin Luoyu remained silent but shook her head firmly.

The master hesitated. Cui Hao wouldn’t joke about something like this—he must know something.

"Master, let me go with Fourth Senior Sister instead."

The hall fell silent as both Chu Xingchen and Lin Luoyu turned to Cui Hao.

Unfazed, Cui Hao met Lin Luoyu’s eyes with rare seriousness.

"You’ve learned Master’s techniques. I need to ensure you don’t leak them."

Lin Luoyu was speechless. "You’re talking nonsense—"

Chu Xingchen cut in. "Let your junior brother accompany you."

"Master—"

"If you refuse everything I suggest, it puts me in a difficult position."

Seeing her master’s unyielding expression, Lin Luoyu had no choice but to nod in reluctant agreement.

Chu Xingchen watched as Lin Luoyu turned away with a helpless expression.

Cui Hao, on the other hand, flashed him a bright smile before cupping his hands in farewell and taking his leave.

Chu Xingchen couldn’t help but chuckle and shake his head as he observed the two. Then, his gaze shifted to Li Yingling beside him, only to notice her lost in thought.

"What’s on your mind?"

Li Yingling snapped out of her daze and looked up at her master.

"Master, I was thinking…"