Chapter 57 Clues: He wanted to pursue his master, to become his Daoist partner…

Fu Yunshu once again went to his sea of ​​consciousness and destroyed a Heavenly Dao rune. With the experience he had accumulated from the previous times, his methods were even more skillful and smooth this time. The whole process was clean and efficient, without wasting too much time.

After waking up, he fell into deep thought and began to carefully consider the current situation.

Yin Lisheng is shrouded in mystery, hiding many unknown secrets. He is now in a predicament where the enemy is in the dark and he is in the light, and the situation is unclear.

After much deliberation, all he could do now was to urge Yin Lisheng to cultivate diligently and strive to improve his cultivation level.

Fortunately, the mysterious person behind the seal also seemed to be bound by some invisible shackles, making it difficult for them to act recklessly. This was a stroke of luck amidst misfortune, buying them some breathing room.

Just as he was pondering this, a knock on the door suddenly rang out. Fu Yunshu got up and opened the door, only to see a number of people standing outside, including Song Wenzhuo, Yin Lisheng, Ji Yuanbai, and Shi Jin.

"Master!" Yin Lisheng's eyes lit up the moment he saw Fu Yunshu. Like a fledgling eager to return to its nest, he rushed to Fu Yunshu without hesitation and hugged him tightly. His affectionate appearance was full of dependence.

Fu Yunshu smiled slightly, raised her hand and gently patted his back, then turned to invite the group into the house.

The room was softly lit, filled with the aroma of tea. Fu Yunshu, his expression calm, looked at Shi Jin and asked, "Sect Leader Shi, what brings you here today?"

Shi Jin forced a smile and said in a strained tone, "Immortal Venerable, young friend Yin has successfully broken through to a higher realm in the competition. Such a situation has never happened before."

“There is a considerable gap between the Golden Core stage and the Nascent Soul stage. His current strength is no longer suitable for him to continue participating in this Golden Core stage competition.”

Fu Yunshu lightly tapped the table with his fingertips, causing the spiritual tea in the teacup to ripple. He slowly raised his eyes, his gaze frosty, and looked directly at Shi Jin, his voice indifferent: "What does Sect Master Shi mean? You may speak frankly."

"It might not be appropriate for him to participate in a Nascent Soul stage competition."

Fu Yunshu looked at Yin Lisheng, thinking it best to leave the decision to him.

"I voluntarily withdraw from the competition." Yin Lisheng's expression remained calm.

The room fell silent. Shi Jin looked surprised, while Ji Yuanbai thoughtfully stroked the rim of his teacup.

Fu Yunshu's eyes flickered slightly, and he asked softly, "Have you thought it through?"

"I've thought it through." Yin Lisheng raised his head, his eyes flashing with determination. "I've just entered the Nascent Soul stage, and my cultivation is not yet stable. Rather than forcing myself to participate in the competition, I'd rather focus on consolidating my cultivation."

He spoke sincerely, but Fu Yunshu knew that the child was worried that his Nascent Soul stage strength would affect the fairness of the competition.

"In that case, is there anything else, Sect Leader Shi?" Fu Yunshu turned to look at Shi Jin.

"That's all, I'll be going now." Shi Jin said, turning around and leaving. He didn't want to stay here any longer.

After Shi Jin left, a brief silence fell over the room. Fu Yunshu lightly tapped the table with her fingertip, and a soundproof barrier silently unfolded, isolating the room from the outside world to ensure that the following conversation would not be overheard.

“Patriarch Ji,” Fu Yunshu looked up at Ji Yuanbai, his expression calm, “is there anything else?”

Ji Yuanbai looked solemn. He took out a bloodstained communication jade slip from his pocket and placed it on the table. He said in a deep voice, "I almost forgot about the important matter because I was dealing with the foolish thing Ji Hanyu did."

"I intercepted Pang Ren's message on my way to Jiuyang Gate, which is why I was late."

"Pang Ren?" Song Wenzhuo exclaimed in surprise, "One of the Five Great Demon Generals?"

“Indeed,” Ji Yuanbai nodded, his fingertip tracing the dried bloodstains on the jade slip. “I fought him several times, but unfortunately he still managed to escape, however…”

He paused, his eyes sharp as knives, "I heard him mention the words 'Netherworld Ruins'."

The teacup in Song Wenzhuo's hand suddenly shattered with a "crack." Tea splashed onto his sleeve, but he seemed oblivious, his expression dazed: "Is Patriarch Ji sure it's 'Youxu'?"

Ji Yuanbai frowned: "It's absolutely true. How come, Sect Master Song knows about this place?"

“It’s not that I know…” Song Wenzhuo took out a blue jade slip from his sleeve and looked at Fu Yunshu. “The reason I came to find my grandmaster is because Wen Xun just sent a message saying that he found a clue to the Mirror Moon Flower—it’s in Youxu.”

Silence fell over the room. Fu Yunshu's eyes flickered slightly, and she murmured softly, "Mirror Moon Flower... what Gu Zhinan has been searching for all these years?"

“Yes…” Song Wenzhuo’s tone was not exactly happy.

This thing has kept Gu Yuan living a muddled life for hundreds of years, and has strained his relationship with his fellow disciples. He really can't say he likes it.

“However, the biggest problem now is that we have no idea where Youxu is.” Yin Lisheng couldn’t help but interject.

"I've already asked Wen Xun to check the library, but I've never heard of that place before, so I guess we can't have too much hope," Song Wenzhuo sighed, his voice full of worry.

Ji Yuanbai stood up and paced back and forth in the room: "Pang Ren, as the leader of the five great demon generals, went to Youxu after years of lying low, and the Mirror Moon Flower just happened to appear there... This is no coincidence."

“Lu Yanci…” Fu Yunshu tapped the table. “Perhaps he has some clues, but I don’t know if he’s willing to help us.”

The Pavilion Master of Tianji Pavilion is someone even Fu Yunshu cannot see through. He has many secrets, and Fu Yunshu always felt that many of the turning points in this life were related to him.

"I'm going to find him." Song Wenzhuo stood up and prepared to leave.

“Wen Zhuo,” Fu Yunshu called out to him, “Does Gu Zhinan know about this?”

Song Wenzhuo stopped, but he didn't turn around, so Fu Yunshu and the others couldn't see his expression.

“Grandmaster Uncle,” Song Wenzhuo’s voice was somewhat muffled, “Gu Yuan has waited for far too many years.”

"After all, it's just a rumor right now, so let's not tell him yet, lest we disappoint him again."

Fu Yunshu sighed, "You can handle it as you see fit."

After Song Wenzhuo left, Ji Yuanbai also got up to say goodbye. He actually had a lot to say to Yin Lisheng, but Ji Yuanbai could tell that Yin Lisheng wanted to stay with Fu Yunshu more than himself at the moment.

Yin Lisheng propped himself up with his hand and slightly turned his head to stare at Fu Yunshu.

"Is it really that good-looking?" Fu Yunshu smiled helplessly, his eyes full of doting affection.

"Master is naturally the most handsome in my heart." Yin Lisheng laughed heartily.

Before coming to see Fu Yunshu, Yin Lisheng had confirmed one thing—he wanted to pursue Fu Yunshu and become his Daoist partner.

Once this thought takes root in your heart, it can no longer be suppressed.

As Yin Lisheng gazed at Fu Yunshu's aloof profile, his heart began to race uncontrollably.

He once thought that staying by his master's side was enough. But on the arena, watching Fu Yunshu and Lu Yanci chatting and laughing, a bitter feeling almost overwhelmed him.

Yin Lisheng began to feel dissatisfied with this. He longed for more, for to stand shoulder to shoulder with his master and become the most important person in his life.

“Master…” Yin Lisheng suddenly spoke, his voice a little strained.

Fu Yunshu looked up: "Hmm?"

Yin Lisheng opened his mouth, but the words wouldn't come out. In the end, he just lowered his eyelashes and said, "It's nothing. This disciple will go practice his sword first."

Fu Yunshu keenly sensed that his apprentice was not in a good mood, but did not ask any further questions: "Go, don't push yourself too hard."

Yin Lisheng bowed and took his leave, his fingernails digging deeply into his palms as he turned away. He needed to become stronger, strong enough to stand proudly beside his master, instead of being forever sheltered under his wing.

Only then would he be qualified to pursue his master.

In the courtyard, the moment the Broken Abyss Sword was drawn, its sharp sword energy swept across all directions. Yin Lisheng's mind replayed the scenes of Fu Yunshu and Lu Yanci's interactions—his master's smile towards that person, the touch of his fingertips when receiving the compass, and those unheard whispers…

With a "whoosh," a sword slashed out, and the ancient tree in the courtyard snapped in two, its massive trunk crashing to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust. Yin Lisheng's chest heaved violently, and his eyes turned bloodshot. He had never realized so clearly before how great his ambition towards his master was.

"Sword Heart is in turmoil."

A cold voice came from behind him, and Yin Lisheng froze. Fu Yunshu was standing under the corridor at some point, the moonlight gilding him with a silver edge.

"Master..." Yin Lisheng hurriedly sheathed his sword.

Fu Yunshu walked slowly, the moonlight shining on him and outlining his slender figure. He reached out and touched Yin Lisheng's hand holding the sword. His fingertips were slightly cool, yet they seemed to carry an electric current that instantly spread throughout Yin Lisheng's body.

“Your wrist is too stiff.” Fu Yunshu adjusted his posture, breathing almost on his face. “The essence of sword intent in the Nascent Soul stage lies in its ability to be controlled and released at will.”

Yin Lisheng's Adam's apple bobbed; the coolness of his master's fingertips seeped through his skin and reached his heart. He almost used all his strength to restrain the urge to pull the man into his arms.

"Disciple...understands."

Fu Yun loosened his grip and looked at him thoughtfully: "Li Sheng, you have something on your mind."

It's not a question, it's a statement of certainty.

"Is it because of his background?" Fu Yunshu guessed.

“Not entirely.” Yin Lisheng shook his head, his voice low.

"Hmm?" Fu Yunshu asked, puzzled.

Yin Lisheng's hand holding the sword trembled slightly. Countless words swirled on his tongue, but in the end, they all came down to one sentence: "Are Master and Pavilion Master Lu... very familiar with each other?"

He regretted it as soon as the words left his mouth. The question was too abrupt, almost like... a jealous argument. Yin Lisheng was annoyed and wished he could disappear into the ground.

Fu Yunshu was visibly taken aback, then chuckled, his eyes full of amusement: "What, worried that he'll steal your teacher away?"

It was meant as a joke, but it made Yin Lisheng's ears burn. He hurriedly lowered his head, afraid that the emotion in his eyes would be seen through, and stammered, "This disciple was just... curious."

Fu Yunshu did not delve into the matter, and turned to look at the moonlight: "Lu Yanci is an unfathomable person. Although I have known him for hundreds of years, I still cannot see through him. However, it seems that he is by no means an enemy."

Yin Lisheng secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but then felt saddened by his master's words about "several hundred years".

Yes, Master lived such a long life, while I was merely a fleeting passerby in his life...

"What are you thinking about?" Fu Yunshu suddenly asked.

Yin Lisheng looked up, and under the moonlight, Fu Yunshu's peach blossom eyes seemed to be able to see through people's hearts. At this moment, he suddenly made up his mind.

"Master, I want to become stronger."

"You are good enough."

Reaching the Nascent Soul stage at the age of thirty-eight is beyond what can be summed up by simply saying he is exceptionally gifted.

“Not enough!” Yin Lisheng’s voice trembled. “This disciple wants… wants to become someone worthy of standing by your side.”

Fu Yunshu's eyes flickered slightly. He raised his hand and gently stroked his disciple's head, his tone soft: "Lisheng, you never need to prove anything."

These words were like a key, unlocking the deepest lock in Yin Lisheng's heart. He suddenly grabbed Fu Yunshu's wrist: "Master, I..."

"Go back and rest," Fu Yunshu said, withdrawing her hand and interrupting Yin Lisheng. "Although you gave up the individual competition, there is still the team competition in a few days."

"Prepare well."

Yin Lisheng seemed to wake from a dream, hurriedly letting go and taking a step back, her heart filled with disappointment.

Fu Yunshu gave him a deep look, then turned and left.

Yin Lisheng stared at Fu Yunshu's departing figure for a long time, until the figure disappeared into the night.

After returning to his room, Fu Yunshu sighed softly. He had a vague idea of ​​Yin Lisheng's thoughts, but with a powerful enemy at hand, it was definitely not the time for romance.

Moreover... he sensed the Heavenly Dao seal within his sea of ​​consciousness, his eyes dark and unfathomable.

The karma I carry is too heavy, how can I involve Li Sheng and put him in danger?

As night deepened, the master and disciple were each lost in their own thoughts. Meanwhile, behind the Nine Yang Sect, a black figure silently appeared, moving through the darkness like a ghost, seemingly searching for something…

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Author's Note: Sorry I'm a little late today. The previous voice actor wasn't replying to my messages, so I found another one. I just had a detailed discussion with him about the plot and the characters' emotions, and now this actor is preparing to voice the first letter. [Applause]

Second Editor: Oh my god, teacher, you're so fast! Does anyone know how to post audio on Weibo? It's not an official recording, but I still wanted to share it with everyone first.