Don't you let me down

It turns out that not everyone is equally good at stirring up excitement.

Under the same circumstances, whatever Lin Luoyu managed to cook up simply couldn’t compare to Cui Hao’s antics.

Even within the same constraints, some people always found a way to pull off something spectacular where others saw no room for creativity.

Just when Lin Luoyu thought there was no more room for surprises in this matter,

Cui Hao quietly delivered one.

The disparities between people exist in every aspect.

At the very least, Lin Luoyu was thoroughly convinced this time. When she heard the news that her master was planning to take a stroll around the sect, she was more than a little stunned.

What was going on?

He hadn’t even been gone half a day—how had Cui Hao already gotten so chummy with her master?

Lin Luoyu had previously extended an invitation to her master in a letter, asking him to visit the sect. Of course, before consulting Li Junzi, she had first sought Chu Xingchen’s approval. Only after receiving his nod did she send the letter.

At first, she thought her master had left and was no longer in Lin Family Gully.

Now, it seemed more likely that he had simply refused to come back then.

But no matter what, it shouldn’t have been possible for her master to be persuaded by her junior brother in the short time she’d taken to deal with a minor evil spirit.

Especially with Cui Hao giving her that look—as if to say, What’s wrong with you, Senior Sister? You never even took Master to see the sect.

Not only that, but Cui Hao also wore an expression that practically screamed, Look, Li Junzi and I might’ve only spent half a day together, but we’re already tight like this.

Li Junzi, for his part, simply had an air of Well, this is how it is now.

Lin Luoyu wanted to ask what had happened, but she suspected the answer wouldn’t do her mental state any favors.

Sometimes, ignorance was bliss—especially when dealing with a junior brother like Cui Hao.

Still, if her master wanted to take a look around, it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Truthfully, Lin Luoyu had noticed that something seemed off about her master lately. A change of scenery might do him good.

At the very least, the sect still felt warm and welcoming.

The evil spirit had been dealt with easily, and Lin Luoyu saw no reason to celebrate with the villagers of Lin Family Gully. There was nothing worth celebrating, anyway.

She had no interest in basking in their shallow praises—such lowly pleasures held no appeal for her.

If she wanted, her Mingli-stage cultivation in the Confucian Dao would’ve been more than enough to make the villagers prostrate themselves in awe.

After politely declining their enthusiastic invitations a few times to no avail, she finally had to put on a stern face before the village chief dared not press further.

Since her master wanted to leave, there was no reason to linger.

Lin Luoyu left some silver with the village chief, instructing him to look after her master’s small courtyard. The layout and items inside were not to be disturbed—only a simple dusting was needed, along with feeding the chickens and ducks.

If the poultry multiplied, the villagers were welcome to share them among themselves.

Deep down, Lin Luoyu knew that if her master left this time, he likely wouldn’t return.

But this courtyard held memories of her time with him, and she wanted to preserve it.

Yuzhou City.

Lin Luoyu led Li Junzi through the sect’s protective formation, heading toward the mountain gate.

Li Junzi followed closely, his eyes taking in the surroundings. He couldn’t help but think, This is what you’d expect from an immortal sect—such grandeur in their architecture.

Just breathing in the air within the formation refreshed his spirit. Clearly, this was another one of those immortal techniques.

No wonder everyone longed to cultivate immortality.

Once past the mountain gate, Lin Luoyu first took Li Junzi to the deep pool—Chen Baiqing’s usual spot.

At this time of day, they were likely to run into their Third Senior Sister, and occasionally even the Eldest Senior Sister.

Though Third Senior Sister was young, she exuded an air of reliability—far more so than Cui Hao, at least.

Cui Hao walked beside Li Junzi, pointing out various landmarks around the sect.

From a distance, one might’ve mistaken Cui Hao for Li Junzi’s disciple.

Cui Hao had a way with words—never letting a conversation fall flat, spinning vivid descriptions even when he was making things up.

"That tree over there is a spiritual tree from the Central Continent," Cui Hao declared. "It was gifted to us by the Tianyan Sect, one of the Central Continent’s Eighteen Immortal Sects. Their Elder Supreme saw our sect’s boundless potential and personally sent it to be planted here, symbolizing that the Tianyan Sect has become our guardian."

"So even though we’re currently in the Southern Jambu Continent, our sect actually has the foundations to rival those in the Central Continent. It’s just that our master always emphasizes steady, solid progress."

Li Junzi listened, utterly dumbfounded.

Given that Cui Hao had introduced himself as a Confucian Dao prodigy with the exact same tone,

Li Junzi didn’t question it. After all, nothing could be more shocking than learning that Cui Hao was a genius in the Confucian Dao.

At this point, he might as well believe it.

It was still better than the alternative—that his disciple had joined some third-rate, unreliable sect.

With an appropriately impressed nod, Li Junzi gave Cui Hao the emotional validation he clearly craved.

Lin Luoyu pressed her lips together. While Cui Hao’s words weren’t entirely fabricated, they were certainly embellished—a glorified retelling, at best.

But even this slightly exaggerated version… somehow made the sect seem unfathomably profound.

Cui Hao gestured toward the pool. "Master, do you see that young girl by the water?"

Li Junzi looked over and saw a small, serene girl absorbed in a book, her demeanor calm and refined. Even from a distance, her scholarly aura was unmistakable.

Li Junzi nodded. "Yes, I see her. She’s quite young—are you mentoring her?"

"No, that’s Third Senior Sister. Both Fourth Senior Sister and I answer to her," Cui Hao said with admiration.

"Don’t let her age fool you—I have nothing but respect for her. Especially when she’s roasting fish."

Li Junzi blinked in confusion, then glanced at Lin Luoyu for clarification.

To his surprise, Lin Luoyu wore the same reverent expression.

Could it be… that Third Senior Sister’s roasted fish was exceptionally delicious?

Chen Baiqing, of course, had noticed their gazes. She lifted her eyes and observed the trio from a distance.

There was a stranger among them—someone who seemed close to Cui Hao, but judging by his demeanor, he was likely either family or a mentor to Fourth Junior Sister.

After a brief consideration, Chen Baiqing decided to approach them.

Whatever the situation, it was best to avoid giving anyone a reason to criticize her later and give their master a headache.

"This is Fourth Senior Sister’s mentor, a Confucian cultivator at the Rushi stage. His surname is Li, styled Junzi," Cui Hao introduced before turning to Li Junzi.

"And this is Third Senior Sister, Chen Baiqing. Whenever Fourth Senior Sister or I have questions, we usually turn to her. She’s helped us a great deal."

Li Junzi smiled and nodded. "Thank you for looking after Luoyu."

Chen Baiqing quickly shook her head, returning a warm smile.

"Fourth Junior Sister is very bright—it’s hardly ‘looking after.’ If anything, we help each other."

"Since you’re her mentor, you can just call me Baiqing. If you address me too formally in front of our master, he’ll scold me."

Li Junzi studied Chen Baiqing for a moment longer. Everything about her—her bearing, her appearance, even the way she spoke—was effortlessly likable.

Especially that scholarly air when she was reading.

After just this brief exchange, Li Junzi found himself quite taken with her.

At the very least, his first impression was excellent.

Cui Hao glanced around before asking Chen Baiqing,

"Is the Master in the main hall right now?"

Chen Baiqing let out a soft sigh. "Yes, but lately, it seems something has been troubling him. His mood hasn’t been the best."

Cui Hao was slightly taken aback.

"Huh? There’s something that could upset the Master? Did… did his elixirs accidentally kill someone?!"

Li Junzi froze for a moment—had he misheard, or was he hallucinating?

Chen Baiqing narrowed her eyes, her gaze sharp as it locked onto her audacious fifth junior brother.

Cui Hao felt a slight chill run down his spine. Third Senior Sister was the last person who’d tolerate anyone joking about the Master.

When it came to teasing the Master, Eldest Senior Sister might play along half the time, Second Senior Brother would pretend not to hear, and Fourth Senior Sister would simply tell him to stop spouting nonsense.

But Third Senior Sister? She’d give him a look that said, Are you trying to start a rebellion?—and she’d look like she was ready to slash him twice with her sword.

Cui Hao quickly backtracked.

"Uh… should I go ask him for you?"

"Mn." Chen Baiqing’s expression eased slightly. "This matter likely involves Eldest Senior Sister. Choose your words carefully when you speak to him."

Cui Hao nodded earnestly. "You can trust me with words."

Chen Baiqing’s tone remained as calm and indifferent as ever.

"Don’t disappoint me."

Cui Hao gave a solemn nod.

When Third Senior Sister gave serious instructions, there was absolutely no room for jokes.