Fairy, Don't Be Afraid, I Am Blind

"No, I meditate with my eyes closed all day, and there’s little difference between day and night for me; deep night and midday feel about the same."

He Shutong smiled gently, feeling glad for You Su’s rapid progress.

"By the way, Master, my junior sister has also broken through to the Spirit Platform Upper Realm, and my senior sister is in seclusion, preparing to break through to the Middle Feather Transformation Realm."

Excitedly, You Su shared the three pieces of wonderful news with his master, shocking He Shutong greatly:

"All three of you have made breakthroughs?"

"Perhaps it was destined. Our sect always advances and retreats together, and Master will get better too." You Su spoke nicely to gloss over the situation.

He Shutong thought it was too coincidental and suddenly remembered something, a rosy blush blossoming on her pale cheeks.

She hesitated for a moment before asking:

"Did you and your junior sister progress so quickly because of the Yin Yang Joyful Union Skill?"

After considering for a while, You Su could only admit:

"Indeed, it’s the result of dual cultivation."

"Then... what about your senior sister?"

You Su raised his brows, "Senior sister broke through on her own, perhaps she had enough foundation."

He Shutong showed a sudden realization and feared that You Su and Wangshu might also have...

"However, my breakthrough to the Condensed Water Realm was due to other reasons, like the Body Tempering by Venerable Qianhua."

"Venerable Qianhua?" He Shutong pondered the origins of this female immortal. She recalled Qianhua was a very refined and selfish woman, so she frowned slightly and asked, "Why did she help you with Body Tempering? Helping you break through Condensed Water doesn’t come cheap..."

"Because of the matters related to Qianhua Pavilion. Qianhua Pavilion and Bihua Pavilion are competitors; she wants to recruit me."

"So, did you betray the Third Elder?"

"Of course not; how could Su’Er be that kind of person?"

You Su scratched his head, a bit embarrassed, "It’s her desire to recruit me, but this Body Tempering wasn’t my true wish. Although I don’t plan to follow her, I can’t just renounce my cultivation and return it."

He Shutong nodded slightly; she certainly wouldn’t be so unreasonable.

"The Third Elder has greatly cared for Lotus Peak and showed much affection for you all. Helping her shouldn’t be all about profit. Maintaining a good relationship with her will bring numerous benefits."

"Su’Er understands. I help the Third Elder purely out of affection, not for anything else."

You Su naturally understood this principle, especially since he had already gained enough today.

He Shutong pressed her lips together, feeling an inexplicable bittersweet sensation in her heart:

"The Third Elder is quite elderly, and her status is prestigious. She deserves respect as an elder. Although you’re not her disciple, you’ve received much care from her, and honoring her is the right thing."

Her words, both explicit and implicit, defined the Third Elder’s image, though it’s unclear what she was worried about.

You Su felt slightly embarrassed, as the talk of elders and respect made him feel a familiar unease.

He dared to be frank with He Kongyue, but with his current cultivation level and status, he wouldn’t dare reveal any impure thoughts before his master.

"Then, Master, please have a good rest; Su’Er will take his leave first."

As he spoke, You Su prepared to leave after saluting, but He Shutong hesitated before calling him back:

"After your senior sister’s retreat ends, find time to bring her to see me."

You Su felt a jolt in his heart, sensing that his master might have noticed something.

However, he had no intention of hiding. After this, he had already confirmed his senior sister’s feelings and understood his own.

He was ready to confess to his Master, even if it might cause her displeasure. For his senior sister’s sake, he wouldn’t hesitate.

"Yes."

After performing a salute, You Su withdrew into the night.

The following days passed in a sleepy routine. Wangshu remained in seclusion, and You Su and Ji Lingruo took turns guarding her room. The Third Elder hadn’t visited, seemingly occupied with matters concerning Bihua Pavilion.

Before he realized it, the New Year’s Eve arranged with He Kongyue had arrived.