He clenched his fist slightly, his lips pursed, "Immortal Venerable?"
Shen Yue did not respond, but casually pushed aside the peach blossom soup he had meticulously prepared. Her soft, full lips curved slightly, and she called out to the person outside, "Come in."
Before long, the door was pushed open, and Jiang Ling entered, dressed in white. Upon seeing the white figure, a look of excited and fervent joy appeared on his handsome and fair face. He bowed low, "Master."
Shen Yue said, "No need for formalities."
Jiang Ling straightened up. His eyes were now solely focused on the white-robed immortal before him, completely oblivious to the slightly somber expression on the young man beside him. After all, it had been two hundred years since they last met. Jiang Ling had a multitude of things he wanted to say, but upon actually seeing the person, he was too overcome with emotion to utter a word.
He took a deep breath, calming his overactive heart, but the excessively bright smile on his face still betrayed him.
"Master, why didn't you say anything when you descended the mountain? I only heard about it from others. You've finally decided to come down. I... I've missed you so much..."
Perhaps it was the long separation, but even the usually steady and reserved Jiang Ling could no longer control the flood of his longing, his words becoming somewhat fervent.
The man, realizing this, blushed slightly at the tips of his ears. He looked tentatively at the person whose eyes were covered with white cloth. Shen Yue did not react much, which relieved him while also making him feel a pang of disappointment.
Shen Yue's eyebrows subtly lowered. She beckoned to Jiang Ling, her lips a vibrant red, her skin a cold white. "In these past hundred years, has your cultivation advanced?"
"Yes, this disciple has broken through the Nascent Soul stage and is now at the second layer of the Integration stage."
Jiang Ling was a prodigy in cultivation. He was diligent, highly talented, and always the cream of the crop among disciples. His demeanor was steady and reliable. To have reached the second layer of the Integration stage at his age was already considered rare in the cultivation world.
Shen Yue was satisfied. She had always been pleased with this eldest disciple; he was responsible, had a strong sense of duty, and was a natural leader.
"Good."
Jiang Ling had been waiting for this single word of approval for two hundred years. He had always desperately wished to earn the recognition of Immortal Venerable Xi Yu; this had been his obsession and the yearning of his heart.
How could he not be happy now?
He opened his mouth to say something, but suddenly sensed another presence. Turning his head, he saw the young man standing to the side, clad in the disciples' robes of the Qingyun Sect.
Pausing, Jiang Ling inquired with a hint of confusion, "And who is this?"
The young man offered a smile, but it was particularly insincere, not reaching his eyes. "This disciple is A Yan, a newly initiated disciple. I am now considered part of the Xin Qing Hall and am assigned to stay by the Immortal Venerable's side to care for her."
Every word the young man spoke hinted at a close relationship with the Immortal Venerable.
Jiang Ling's brow furrowed. He stopped looking at the young man and instead addressed Shen Yue, "Master, newly initiated disciples are still somewhat ignorant of the rules. Perhaps it would be better if I personally took care of you. Also, I wish to learn more from you."
Upon hearing this, the young man's expression grew increasingly displeased. His jaw tightened, his eyes turned cold, and a murderous intent even surfaced.
This Jiang Ling was truly an eyesore.
The white-robed immortal's eyes were clear and bright, her face pale with red lips, always exuding an unapproachable coolness. "No need. You should focus on your cultivation. And A Yan, you don't need to come around so often from now on. Cultivation is the most important thing."
Jiang Ling glanced indifferently at the young man, then smiled at the white-robed immortal, "Understood, Master."
As if by chance, Jiang Ling moved a little closer, tugging at Shen Yue's sleeve. He looked up at her with an expression of filial affection, "Immortal Venerable, look, have I grown taller again?"
Shen Yue touched the man's shoulder, noticing that he did indeed seem taller than before.
Though the young man, with his delicate and beautiful features and a youthful demeanor as sweet as honey, was physically imposing, he always carried an air of naivety. He forced a smile, revealing no genuine emotion.
He suddenly felt that the scene before him was particularly absurd and ironic.
Earlier, he had believed himself to be special, thinking that Shen Yue kept him by her side precisely because he was unique.
After all, Shen Yue had always been like a block of ice, seemingly unmoved by anyone.
But seeing her interactions with Jiang Ling now, he realized that their past encounters were nothing. Shen Yue allowed another disciple to hold her sleeve without pulling away; she even raised her hand to touch the man's shoulder.
Shen Yue had never initiated physical contact with him.
He hadn't realized that after being imprisoned for so many years, Shen Yue's disposition had changed so much. So she could show such gentle expressions to younger disciples.
Moreover, Jiang Ling was the senior disciple of the Qingyun Sect. From his demeanor, it was clear he respected Shen Yue greatly, and Shen Yue's attitude towards him was uniquely cordial.
More intimate than with anyone else.
Even more so than with him.
He had been mistaken all along. He thought he was different.
Jiang Ling did not notice the young man's discomfort. He was completely tense, his jade-like fingers resting on his shoulders, slowly measuring and caressing. His muscles were taut, a heat rushing to his head, his muscles bulging, his spine straight, his Adam's apple bobbing.
His voice was equally dry, "...Master, have I grown taller?"
The white-robed immortal was slender and delicate. As she slightly raised her arm, her sleeve slid down, revealing a forearm with exquisitely boned, fair, soft, and tender skin, which was exceptionally beautiful.
She seemed to be genuinely feeling his height, but in reality...
[Wow, these muscles, wow, these lines, wow, the sense of power, tsk tsk tsk.]
System: [You're falling for him?]
Shen Yue replied a bit shyly: [Not that much yet, after all, I'm not that desperate.]
The system was unconvinced: [Your saliva is about to drip.]
Shen Yue argued stubbornly: [Those are clearly tears!]
System: [...]
Shen Yue reluctantly withdrew her hand, replying with a facade of coldness, "Indeed, you've grown taller, and a bit sturdier too."
Jiang Ling stood stiffly, his Adam's apple moving. Half his shoulders felt numb, and he stammered, "Y-yes, that's right."
Shen Yue: "Good."
His physique was very good.
Jiang Ling, unaware of Shen Yue's inner thoughts, assumed she was praising his diligent effort. He couldn't help but beam with joy. A faint sweet fragrance wafted from his nose, and the back of his hand tightened. Jiang Ling said with a stiff voice,
"Master, I was also in seclusion for a period. During that time, I gained many insights, and my stagnant cultivation also improved, as did my height. But I still wish for Master's guidance, to see if there are any aspects that could be better."