Chapter 45: Where Does Fate Come From

"No need." Yu Wenche stood up and looked at her calmly. "Junior Sister, you have been cultivating for nearly a hundred years, yet only now have you barely formed your core. Rather than dwelling on impossible matters, you would do better to focus your energy on cultivation, lest you let down Master’s careful nurturing."

Hearing this, Shan Zhiqing’s delicate face instantly paled, her rosy lips fading, her whole being like a withering flower beneath the moon. "Senior Brother, have I done something wrong?"

"No."

Facing this pitiable flower before him, Yu Wenche remained indifferent, gazing at the seemingly fragile Shan Zhiqing. "There is someone in my heart now—someone I must strive endlessly to be worthy of. I do not wish for anything that might cause her to misunderstand. I hope you will forgive me, Junior Sister."

With these words, Yu Wenche no longer lingered and gracefully descended from the rooftop.

Shan Zhiqing watched his retreating figure disappear, the vulnerability on her face suddenly replaced by a fierce malice. "Thunder Gate, Yan Tong!"

Yan Shu had a good sleep. Strictly speaking, cultivators can dispel all fatigue through their practice, yet as someone from another world, Yan Shu often preferred the most primitive means to relieve exhaustion.

As for cultivation, she could delay it for now—she’d wait until Xiao Jihan entered the Brahma Heaven Secret Realm.

Yan Shu, suffering from chronic procrastination, shamelessly spent two whole days sleeping in her room, until Liu Zhiqing came to inform her: the Brahma Heaven Secret Realm had opened.

Yan Shu instantly perked up. Ten years! Ten years of freedom beckoning to her!

Downstairs, the disciples of the Profound Heaven Sect were already gathered, brimming with anticipation. Everyone was present, waiting only for Liu Zhiqing and Yan Shu to come down before departing.

Having lain idle for two days, Yan Shu felt languid all over. Following Liu Zhiqing downstairs, she immediately spotted Xiao Jihan standing apart from the crowd.

Favorability: -25 (dislike)

A sudden increase of 15 points in favorability made Yan Shu ecstatic; unable to restrain herself, she flashed him a smile.

Xiao Jihan, seeing her smiling face, immediately turned away.

This woman… she was truly becoming more and more brazen!

The bustling crowd downstairs suddenly fell silent.

Did they see that right? Master Yan actually smiled?!

How lovely Master Yan’s smile was!

No, that’s not right!

Master Yan looked even more beautiful than she had a few days ago!

Meng Yu watched Yan Shu quietly. Though her smile lasted but a moment, it was as radiant as sunlight in winter, impossible to look away from.

Qiu Shuoran, too, could not avert his gaze, though he observed more closely than the others. Master Yan’s smile was clearly directed at Xiao Jihan! His hand, hidden by wide sleeves, clenched into a fist, his lips pressed into a straight line. How could a worthless man deserve such attention!

Liu Zhiqing cleared his throat twice, jolting everyone from their reverie. "It’s getting late—let’s set out!"

The Brahma Heaven Secret Realm was located outside Brahma Heaven City, in a mountain stream. By the time the Profound Heaven Sect arrived, many other sects were already present.

Yan Shu immediately spotted Yu Wenche, for no other reason than his conspicuousness.

He was like the moon surrounded by stars, encircled by men and women alike. Though his expression held no smile, his responses were always courteous and gentle—a graceful gentleman with an excellent temperament.

As if sensing her gaze, Yu Wenche looked over just as Yan Shu glanced at him.

His previously calm eyes suddenly brightened upon landing on her face.

He even smiled, nodding in her direction.

Yan Shu hurriedly looked away, her heart pounding wildly.

Heavens—she seemed to have inadvertently charmed a respectable gentleman.

Bathed in morning light, her delicate profile blushed, especially her exquisite earlobes, which gleamed like crystal. Seeing her side profile, Yu Wenche’s smile deepened.

The crowd surrounding Yu Wenche was momentarily stunned by his sudden smile, following his gaze.

"Isn’t that the Profound Heaven Sect over there? Who is that woman? I don’t recall seeing her before."

"She’s not wearing the disciple’s robes, and her face is unfamiliar—could she be the one I’m thinking of?"

"Who are you thinking of? Since when has the Profound Heaven Sect had such a beautiful woman?"

"Fellow Daoist Yu Wen, were you smiling at that woman just now?"

"Nonsense! Fellow Daoist Yu Wen is not so shallow. Didn’t you see Liu, the Peak Lord of Profound Heaven Sect, returning the gesture?"

The crowd was abuzz with speculation.

Yu Wenche ignored their guesses, heading straight for Liu Zhiqing and Yan Shu. "Senior Brother Liu, Junior Sister Yan, we meet again."

Liu Zhiqing smiled at the sight of Yu Wenche. "It’s only been two days since we parted, and yet we meet again, Brother Yu Wen. Truly, fate is at work."

Yan Shu couldn’t help twitching her lips at this. Everyone was here for the Brahma Heaven Secret Realm—it would be odd not to meet. Where was the fate in that?

With so many eyes upon her, she couldn’t embarrass her own senior brother, and besides, Yu Wenche was indeed someone easy to like.

So she nodded slightly, "Senior Brother Yu Wen, we meet again."

Sun Changfeng, standing nearby, was surprised. "Fellow Daoist Yu Wen has met Master Yan before?"

Yu Wenche’s eyes smiled as he looked at Yan Shu. "We have indeed met a few times."

He then turned his attention to Liu Zhiqing, shifting the topic. "Is Profound Heaven Sect only bringing these disciples for the trials this time? It seems fewer than last time."

Liu Zhiqing sighed. "Last time, our gains from the Brahma Heaven Secret Realm were modest, and we barely held onto fourth place. As a result, fewer joined the sect, and some disciples lacked the cultivation level, so we didn’t bring them for training."

Yu Wenche smiled. "It’s merely a matter of timing. This time, I’ll also be entering the Brahma Heaven Secret Realm. Should we happen to meet inside, perhaps we could join forces and look out for each other."

Hearing this, the disciples who had previously been hesitant due to Yu Wenche’s status were now excited, crowding around him.

"Young Master Yu Wen, did you come alone from the Primordial Sect this time?"

"Young Master Yu Wen, since you’re peers with our Masters, should we address you as Master too?"

"Young Master Yu Wen…"

In the blink of an eye, Yu Wenche was surrounded by voices from all sides. But he seemed accustomed to such scenes, always calm and gentle, answering the questions unhurriedly.

Yan Shu felt that if everyone had a visible favorability score above their heads, Yu Wenche’s would be rising rapidly among them.

Thinking of favorability, Yan Shu couldn’t help but search for Xiao Jihan.

She saw him not far away, speaking with a lively young woman.

The woman had phoenix eyes and willow brows, dressed in emerald green. With a single glance, Yan Shu recognized her: the senior sister from the Beast Taming Sect, Qiao Yue Ru, whose shares she had purchased earlier.

No wonder she admired this supporting female character most. Faced with Xiao Jihan’s cold expression, she still smiled brightly, chatting cheerfully with him.

Xiao Jihan listened, his cold face expressionless, occasionally murmuring an acknowledgment to show he was paying attention.

Noticing Yan Shu’s gaze, Xiao Jihan looked over. In the morning light, his radiant peach blossom eyes glittered.

For some reason, he suddenly stepped back, widening the distance between himself and Qiao Yue Ru.