Hmph, that's more like it

A few days later, Li Siyi set off with Su Luo.

Soon after, Su Luo caught sight of Lin Xuan and the others.

"What bad luck, running into Lin Xuan again. Let's take a different route," Su Luo muttered, about to detour, but Li Siyi stopped him.

"We're not lost. The senior brothers and sisters are taking us out to broaden our horizons," Li Siyi explained.

"No thanks," Su Luo flatly refused.

Han Ying'er chimed in, "Su Luo, aren't you close with Qin San? No need to be shy."

"Everyone's here, let's not waste time. Hurry up," Qin San, clearly impatient, tossed everyone onto the flying mount and took off.

The reason for his irritation was that Qin San had confessed his feelings to Han Ying'er the day before, hoping to become her cultivation partner.

He felt it was time to make a final decision and not drag things out any longer.

But he was rejected.

Her reason? She had always seen him as an older brother.

Qin San couldn't accept this. He spent the entire night sleepless, growing more agitated the more he thought about it.

Deep down, however, he still held a sliver of hope. Perhaps in the secret realm, Han Ying'er would come to adore him.

On the flying mount, Su Luo glared at Li Siyi, displeased.

"You set me up?"

Li Siyi quickly apologized, but Su Luo remained unresponsive.

"Alright, alright, we're all together now. Let's try to enjoy ourselves," Yuan Jie broke the silence.

"That's right. I heard there's some tension between Su Luo and Lin Xuan. How about giving us senior brothers and sisters some face and settling things here?"

Li Siyi added, "Yes, as Su Luo's childhood friend, I don't want to see him go down the wrong path. That's why I brought him out to interact more with Lin Xuan and resolve their conflict. Lin Xuan, why don't you apologize?"

Lin Xuan: ?

Why am I the one apologizing? What did I do wrong?

For a moment, Lin Xuan considered many things.

Was Su Luo's presence a warning that Qin San was up to something? Was there something unusual about this secret realm?

Was Li Siyi asking him to apologize to mend fences with Su Luo? But if they reconciled, could Su Luo still act as a spy?

In truth, Lin Xuan was overthinking it. Li Siyi simply wanted an excuse to bring Su Luo along, and this reason seemed plausible enough.

Su Luo, however, wasn't having it. As the antagonist, there was no way he'd reconcile with the protagonist.

"Fine, fine, let's shake hands and make peace," Su Luo said with a smile, extending his hand.

But the moment their hands met, Su Luo squeezed Lin Xuan's hand with all his might, his face contorted as if exerting every ounce of strength.

Lin Xuan, however, remained unfazed. Su Luo's grip was weaker than expected and couldn't harm him at all.

Seeing this, it was clear reconciliation was out of the question.

Han Ying'er, who had tried to mediate, could only sigh silently, hoping they might resolve their differences during the secret realm journey.

......

After a day of flying, Qin San and the group landed to rest.

Li Siyi pulled Su Luo aside for a private conversation.

"What now? I'm not accepting your apology."

"Aren't you curious why I brought you along?"

"Why?"

"I heard this secret realm can accelerate cultivation."

Hmph, as if you "heard." Qin San didn't even tell Han Ying'er. You probably found out through one of your dreams and want a piece of the action.

"That's still no excuse for keeping me in the dark."

"Alright, don't be mad. Consider this me owing you a favor. Come with me to cultivate this time."

A favor? Wait, didn't I come out this time to repay a favor to Li Siyi?

Now not only have I repaid it, but I've also gained another one.

Seems like a win.

Wait, Su Luo, Su Luo, how could you fall into a woman's trap?

"Make it two favors."

"Fine, I'll owe you three. Just forgive me, okay?"

"Hmph, that's more like it."

With these three favors in hand, if Li Siyi ever loses control again, I can make her comply.

Given Li Siyi's personality, she wouldn't break her promise.

Hehe, Li Siyi couldn't help but chuckle. Su Luo's tsundere expression reminded her of her younger self.

"What are you laughing at?" Su Luo was puzzled. You owe me three favors. What's so funny?

"I remembered something happy. I've reached the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment."

"Oh, and?"

"Aren't you jealous? What stage are you at?"

"Late-stage Qi Refinement."

Su Luo was still pretending to be at the late-stage of Qi Refinement.

Liar. Li Siyi guessed Su Luo was likely at the Foundation Establishment level, similar to her.

"See? Your cultivation is so weak. That's why coming along was the right choice."

Why would I tell you even if my cultivation is high?

"I have my own ways to improve."

"Like what?"

"Seeking Elder Yan Xi."

"Can we even have a proper conversation?"

......

While Su Luo and Li Siyi were having their private chat, Qin San also called out Zhuo Mingyuan, one of the four talents.

"Mingyuan, I want to ask you something today. How do you think Han Ying'er feels about you?"

"Just a fellow disciple."

"Don't lie to me. We're brothers."

"Do you suspect there's something between us?"

"Don't laugh, but I confessed to Han Ying'er yesterday, asking her to be my cultivation partner, and she rejected me."

"Why? We all thought you two would end up together."

"Yeah, I don't get it either. Do you know why?"

"I don't."

Deep down, Zhuo Mingyuan had once harbored feelings for Han Ying'er, but after learning Qin San liked her too, he buried that secret deep within.

"Is that so?" Qin San sighed, feeling helpless.

In truth, Qin San wondered if Han Ying'er had rejected him because she liked someone else.

His first suspect was Zhuo Mingyuan, as he was the only plausible candidate, but without evidence, he decided to test the waters.

Clearly, he didn't gain any useful information.

On the second day of their journey, they rested again.

This time, Qin San pulled aside Yuan Jie, another of the four talents, for a private talk.

"Yuan Jie, you're so close with Han Ying'er. Do you know who she likes?"

"Isn't it you?"

Qin San forced a bitter smile. "She rejected me a few days ago."

"What? Why?"

"That's what I want to know. It's been driving me crazy."

"There must be some misunderstanding."

"Probably not. Do I have no chance?"

"That's not true."

"Then why did she reject me?" Qin San looked crestfallen.

Yuan Jie, impulsively, blurted out, "Qin San, what do you think of me?"

"You're great."

"Just great? I guess I still can't compare to Han Ying'er."

"Don't say that. You both have your strengths."

"But you'll never appreciate mine."

"Yuan Jie, you..."

"That's right, Qin San. I like you. But I know you'll only ever like Han Ying'er, so... forget I said anything. I'll help you find out why she rejected you."

With that, Yuan Jie turned and walked away without looking back.

Qin San was left stunned. He had no idea Yuan Jie had feelings for him.