Leaving the Black Sand Sea, he was met by the Great Sun and a vast, clear sky.
His mood mirrored the view, suddenly becoming clear and bright.
Green waters and endless mountains were nothing to him now!
Xu Xian took a deep breath and summoned a Cloud Boat, setting its sails for the horizon.
After traveling for some distance,
Xu Xian set up a table on the deck, washing the cups and boiling water to brew a pot of fine tea.
Strangely, despite being alone, he poured two cups.
One was placed in front of himself, and the other was placed opposite him.
Facing the empty sea of clouds and the vast, lingering wind, he spoke, "Life is but a fleeting stay; do not waste tea, soup, or good weather..."
Suddenly, he looked up and smiled. "Senior, you have followed me the whole way. You must be thirsty by now. Why not come down for a drink?"
The wind whistled past his ears, making the sails flap loudly.
Silence.
After about three breaths, in the blink of an eye, a person was already sitting across from him.
The newcomer was dressed in snow-white clothes, her features as beautiful as a painting, appearing like a graceful fairy descending from the heavens. Without a word, she picked up the teacup, shielded her face with her sleeve, and drained it in one gulp.
She set the cup down and lightly shook her sleeves, her expression as calm as a still well as she uttered four words.
"This tastes truly awful."
Xu Xian chuckled and asked, "Oh? Where does it fall short?"
Her eyelashes fluttered slightly as she looked up, her words sparse and precious. "Bitter!"
"Haha, tea is naturally bitter, but it leaves a sweet aftertaste. Sweetness comes after the bitterness."
As he spoke, the youth refilled her cup and placed it before her, smiling. "You need to drink slowly, Senior, to truly appreciate the flavor within."
The newcomer smiled faintly.
"Hmph."
She had no intention of drinking more.
Xu Xian picked up his own cup, as if giving a demonstration.
"When did you notice?" she asked.
Xu Xian answered honestly, "Just as I left the fortress."
The newcomer narrowed her eyes slightly. "You certainly have some tricks up your sleeve."
"You flatter me, Senior," Xu Xian said modestly before adding, "Did you come to find me to settle an account?"
The newcomer tapped her slender fingers on the table and countered, "And if I did?"
Xu Xian put on a bitter expression and spoke gloomily, "I took one of your fox tails and three hundred immortal plants. It is only right and reasonable for you to come and settle the score with me..."
Her phoenix eyes were narrow and her gaze was shimmering as she spoke with a hint of defiance, "That was merely a trade. I willingly exchanged a fox tail for my daughter. As for those three hundred immortal plants, I truly do not care about them."
Xu Xian was momentarily stunned.
How generous.
"Then what crime is Senior charging me with?"
She continued to answer with a question, "What do you think?"
Xu Xian thought for a moment. "Aside from that, I do not believe I have offended you in any other way, Senior."
During the struggle for the Emperor's Tomb, Xu Xian had not only gone easy on the demon race, but he had also gone easy on the fox demons of Tushan.
A flicker of anger crossed the woman's brow, her eyes filled with a trace of unprovoked resentment. "Think harder?"
Xu Xian thought again, but eventually shook his head.
"Please enlighten me, Senior."
She stopped playing games and said directly, "I have come to settle the account for you leading my daughter astray."
Leading her astray?
Xu Xian was a bit dazed.
Heaven and earth be his witness, when had he ever led Tu Kongkong astray?
The little girl had been educated so well by him; at such a young age, she had already become the Twelfth Grand-Ancestor.
Her excellence was limited only by his own.
Wait...
Hold on!
Xu Xian suddenly realized something and stared at Tu Sisi in front of him with surprise. Good heavens.
She had seen through it too...
Xu Xian's throat bobbed as he asked tentatively, "How did Senior know?"
Tu Sisi naturally understood the underlying meaning of Xu Xian's words and arched an eyebrow. "Anyone who is not blind could see it."
"Uh..."
Xu Xian was choked up for a moment and subconsciously rubbed the bridge of his nose.
It was a bit awkward.
Was my acting really that bad?
He thought to himself, 'Lu Yuan, you have really caused me a lot of trouble.'
"Since Senior already knows, then..."
With a thought, Xu Xian deactivated his disguise and returned to his usual appearance.
His hair was tied high,
And he wore his sword robes.
"That is a nice trick," Tu Sisi praised.
"It is alright..."
The frequency of Tu Sisi's finger tapping on the table slowed down, as if she were tapping out a certain melody to pressure the youth. She said slowly, "I have heard some rumors about you. They say that you, Xu Xian, are extremely shameless and would even scam your own people. I did not quite believe it at first, but now I do. You truly do not spare even your own, not even your own disciple."
Xu Xian felt very awkward and explained, "I was just putting on an act. I only intended to go through the motions. Who knew that Kongkong would insist on giving it to me? I could hardly refuse, could I? Otherwise, the act would have been ruined."
That was the truth.
"I know. I saw it all," Tu Sisi said in a measured tone.
"That is good then..."
Xu Xian felt secretly relieved. If she had seen it, it might not be a bad thing as it saved him from having to explain further.
Tu Sisi gazed at him and delivered her verdict, "Therefore, Kongkong was led astray by you."
Xu Xian was stunned.
Then he realized.
Damn it!
I was set up.
Tu Sisi's tone shifted as she said softly, "However, considering that you brought Kongkong into the sect and led her onto the immortal path, I will let this matter go. Let us consider your merits and faults to have canceled each other out. Although she lacks schemes and intelligence, her character is acceptable and her talent is decent. You have taught her well enough."
Xu Xian was speechless. What kind of mother called her own daughter simple-minded?
And as for that thing called intelligence,
You suspect I taught her that, but have you never suspected it might be a matter of the species?
Perhaps you should look into genetics.
However, he did breathe a sigh of relief, glad that he did not have to deal with it anymore.
"Senior, have some tea."
Tu Sisi pushed the teacup aside and refused, "I do not like drinking this stuff."
"Then should I pour it out?"
Tu Sisi said indifferently, "No need. It would be a waste. Leave it for him to drink."
"Who?" Xu Xian asked, knowing the answer.
Tu Sisi looked toward a certain spot in the clouds and said, "Old man, I have already seen you. Why are you still hiding?"
Xu Xian pretended not to know and looked up.
A moment later.
A hearty laugh rang out.
"Hahaha."
"The Tushan Immortal Fox truly lives up to her reputation."
As the words fell, a beam of light suddenly descended, landing precisely in front of the table between the two of them.
He had snow-white hair, a long fluttering beard, wide-sleeved sword robes, and piercing eyes.
Xu Xian stood up and gave a respectful bow.
"Ninth Senior Brother."
Lin Fengmian stroked his beard with one hand and signaled for Xu Xian to sit down, saying there was no need for such formalities.
Xu Xian took his seat.
He also sat down.
Tu Sisi gestured with her eyes toward the tea on the table. "Drink."
Lin Fengmian laughed sheepishly. "It would be inappropriate for me to use a cup that Immortal Tu has used."
Xu Xian was quick-witted and poured a fresh cup for Lin Fengmian.
Lin Fengmian said kindly, "Thank you."
"You are welcome, Senior Brother."
Lin Fengmian took a small sip and looked pleased, letting out a soft click of his tongue. "Mmm... this tea is not bad."
Xu Xian smiled.
Tu Sisi, however, kept a stern face.
"Are you finished drinking?"
"Yes."
Tu Sisi said coldly, "If you are finished, then hurry up and leave."
Lin Fengmian was startled.
"Hmm?"
You were the one who called me down.
I just sat down and you are already telling me to leave.
What is going on?
He narrowed his eyes slightly. "This seems a bit inappropriate..."
Tu Sisi said calmly, "I have words to say to your junior brother, and it is not convenient for you to listen."
Xu Xian looked completely confused,
And Lin Fengmian was also a bit lost.
The two of them looked at each other, then back at Tu Sisi. They truly could not figure out what this woman was thinking.
Tu Sisi stopped tapping the table and questioned, "What, are you afraid I will kill him?"
The two remained silent.
Tu Sisi gave a rare explanation, "Rest assured, my daughter is still in your hands. Go on. I will personally escort him back to you."
Rate on N.U.
