Chapter 7 Just Friends 07
In the cultivation world, whether it's a family in the Eastern Continent or a sect in the Western Continent, cultivation techniques are the foundation of their existence, highlighting their importance. Therefore, even close friends rarely inquire about each other's cultivation techniques, lest they be suspected of spying.
Ren Yi had never encountered a question as direct as Yan Shuoyun's before.
If it were just a regular cultivation technique, Ren Yi would have given it to him without hesitation. Putting aside the fact that Ren Yi wasn't originally from the small world and didn't value cultivation techniques that much, the life-saving grace of the Yan siblings alone was enough for him to frankly express his gratitude.
...If there's nothing wrong with this technique.
Ren Yi paused for a moment, then began to recall if he had any other body cultivation techniques that he could use to get away with it.
Yan Shuoyun then spoke up again, "Since A-Yi also needs to cultivate, why don't you explain a few things to me while you cultivate?"
His smile was so sincere that it gave people the creeps.
Ren Yi: "..."
Clearly, Yan Shuoyun wasn't interested in the technique itself, but rather he had discovered something wrong with it.
Ren Yi ultimately accepted the Spirit Shaping Pill, on the condition that he serve as a guest elder in the Xuanqing Sect before he gathers all the materials for a new Spirit Shaping Pill. Sect elders are honored with offerings, so it's hard to say whether Ren Yi is making a sacrifice or gaining an advantage under this condition.
Reshaping one's spiritual root is certainly not a simple matter that can be accomplished with just one pill. The risks involved are far greater than those of improving one's cultivation level. If things go wrong, not only will the guest elders be left behind, but Yan Shuoyun's Spirit Shaping Pill will also be wasted.
Yan Shuoyun personally protected Ren Yi.
There's really nothing to protect about Ren Yi, since he's currently within the Xuanqing Sect, residing in the residence of the sect leader's eldest disciple and the undisputed successor. If something were to happen there, it would be a major event that would shake the entire Western Continent.
In the past few days, the only person Yan Shuoyun has driven away is his younger sister who always comes here for no reason.
Although Yan'er was indeed afraid of her brother, she was incredibly bold when it came to certain issues, such as Brother Ren, the great beauty, and Brother Ren himself. Therefore, Yan'er stubbornly stayed put despite her brother's disapproving gaze, looking more like a protector than the actual protector.
Just like now, Yan Shuoyun, the proper protector, was lazily leaning on his sword and looking at the sky, while the temporarily added little sister Yan was sitting upright with a serious expression, and every now and then she would look back with a worried look, as if she could see through the layers of doors and see what was happening inside.
Yan Shuoyun was so dizzy from his sister spinning him around that he raised his hand to press his forehead. Just like a lazy lion basking in the sun flicking its tail at the little flying insects circling around it, Yan Er, who was already keeping an eye on this side, immediately froze and dared not move.
Without his sister's wandering around, Yan Shuoyun's expression relaxed again.
Yan'er was initially nervous, but seeing her brother's carefree expression, she couldn't help but pout.
The little girl looked indignant, as if she wanted to say something, but fearing that her brother would really kick her out, she forcibly held back. However, her puffed-up face became even rounder, making her look like a little pufferfish spirit.
Yan Shuoyun glanced at it but ignored it.
Yan Er then made a sound that sounded like she was sulking, but Yan Shuoyun didn't even bother to glance at her this time.
After failing to attract her brother's attention twice, Yan'er finally couldn't hold back any longer. She reluctantly went over and, in a low voice, reprimanded her brother for his unprofessional work attitude, "Brother! How could you do this?!"
Yan Shuoyun remained in his sunbathing posture, casually sending a glance over.
After all, they are siblings. Yan'er understood the meaning behind her brother's eyes. What did he mean?
Yan'er's expression grew increasingly agitated. She angrily exclaimed, "Brother Ren is inside cultivating his spiritual root, aren't you worried at all?!"
The little girl's face was full of "You're cold-hearted, heartless, and unreasonable."
Yan Shuoyun blinked slowly twice, as if asking sincerely, "What is there to worry about?"
"Yan Er!"
She immediately explained to her brother the risks of cultivating spiritual roots, which she had specifically looked up in the medical texts earlier, and concluded by saying, "Cultivating spiritual roots is so dangerous, if you're not careful, you might... ptooey ptooey ptooey!"
The little girl was clearly afraid of saying something unlucky, so she quickly spat several times to the side and muttered, "I was just talking nonsense," and "Brother Ren will be fine."
Yan Shuoyun watched his sister's series of antics with amusement, and after a while, he said in a low voice, "He'll be fine."
Yan'er trusted her brother completely, and upon hearing Yan Shuoyun's words, the young girl visibly relaxed immediately. However, after a while, she couldn't help but look at him suspiciously, "How did you know?"
Yan Shuoyun lowered his eyes slightly.
Rebuilding one's spiritual root is indeed not easy, but if a person has endured the pain of having their bones dissected, their spiritual root dug out, and then experiencing the pain of their meridians being broken inch by inch, then such a thing is nothing.
Yan Shuoyun was indeed not worried.
He still remembered how pale and fragile the other person was when they first woke up, and how beautiful their appearance was; even the most hard-hearted person would feel pity upon seeing them. But after getting to know them better, he felt that such emotions were inappropriate for them.
Even though he had lost all his cultivation and his meridians were destroyed, that person never needed any condescending pity.
Yan Shuoyun had long guessed that this "ordinary person" picked up by his sister was no ordinary person, but the more he got to know him, the more curious he became about what kind of amazing talent this person must have been back in Dongzhou.
Yan Shuoyun was slightly distracted, and when he looked up, he met the girl's suspicious gaze.
He couldn't help but chuckle, but there were some things he didn't want his sister to know. After thinking for a moment, he simply followed Yan'er's usual train of thought, "Your brother Ren is so handsome, surely Heaven wouldn't have the heart to make things difficult for him."
Yan Er "..."
Yan'er could hardly believe these words came from her brother's mouth. After being shocked, she repeatedly confirmed that the person sitting here was indeed her own brother, and that he had not been possessed by any evil spirit or had been taken over. Only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.
And after she breathed a sigh of relief, she felt—
Her brother makes a lot of sense!
Brother Ren is so handsome; he must be blessed by Heaven. Why is Heaven making things difficult for him?
The reasons are sound and the logic is clear.
After convincing herself in this way, Yan'er completely relaxed.
Now that she was relaxed, she had time to think about other things. As she thought about it, Yan'er's gaze couldn't help but fall back on Yan Shuoyun, who was standing to the side. The latter knew his sister all too well; seeing her darting eyes, he knew this little girl hadn't made up her mind and was about to send her away.
But Yan'er spoke first, "Brother, what do you think of Brother Ren?"
Yan Shuoyun paused before he could finish speaking, his body tensing for a moment because of the unexpected question, but he quickly relaxed.
Yan Er, standing to the side, narrowed her eyes like a detective investigating a case. Before Yan Shuoyun could even answer, she said aggressively, "Don't try to fool me!"
Yan Shuoyun, who hadn't said anything yet, was speechless.
Yan'er, standing beside her, began to list the "evidence" one by one, from the current Dharma Protector to the Spirit-Sculpting Pill, to the gifts she had chosen before, to finding herbs for people... The more she spoke, the more certain her expression became, and the sharper her eyes became.
Finally, the girl slapped the ground and looked up at her brother abruptly, "You've already let Brother Ren stay here! — Even though Senior Brother Xu's mountain was blown up last time, I bet you wouldn't even agree to stay here for a day!"
Yan Shuoyun “…”
Of course he didn't want to! Was he supposed to wait for that madman to blow up the furnace and then blow up his place too?
and--
Yan Shuoyun narrowed his eyes. "Who dumped this person here?"
Yan'er felt instantly guilty.
She was like a deflated balloon, her previously inflated momentum suddenly dissipating.
But after a brief moment of hesitation, she quickly regained her composure, "Don't try to change the subject! I'm your sister, I can tell!!"
Yan Shuoyun chuckled, neither confirming nor denying.
Yan'er started muttering to herself, "Although it's a bit unfair to Brother Ren, he doesn't seem to dislike you. He's been staying here for so long and hasn't said he'd leave. Brother, try harder and treat Brother Ren even better. Don't those stories say 'a life-saving grace is repaid with one's body'? Taking care of each other, feelings will naturally develop... Isn't that how it is for us? Maybe after you confess your feelings, Brother Ren will agree?"
The little girl rambled on and on, only to end up making herself sound wronged. She sighed, glanced at her brother with a wistful look on her face, which seemed to say, "If I weren't too old, would I need you?"
Yan Shuoyun's fingers twitched, and he couldn't resist pinching the puffed-up cheek. Before Yan Er could jump up, he called out her full name, "Yan Er."
The voice was a bit deep, and Yan'er immediately became obedient upon hearing this tone.
But in his heart, he thought that this person must have been hit where it hurt and was now angry and embarrassed!
Yan Shuoyun reached out and pinched the other side as well, giving it a light squeeze. He thought the little girl had gained weight again these past few days. His mind wandered aimlessly, but he said slowly, "Do you know what you call this behavior?"
Yan'er didn't speak, but she pursed her lips; she was worried about her brother's marriage!
They're the only two left in the family, relying on each other. If she doesn't worry about this, who will?! How can it be that only the brother is allowed to take care of the sister, but the sister isn't allowed to worry about the brother?!
Yan Er inwardly grumbled, but then heard Yan Shuoyun calmly continue—
"It's called 'using someone's kindness to seek revenge'."
Yan'er was taken aback and quickly replied, "I don't have any!"
The little girl, her face still pinched, was a bit slurred in her speech. After refuting her statement, she hurriedly tried to explain with gestures, "I...I am...I am..."
He kept saying "yes" for a long time without giving a clear answer.
But that's how it's written in storybooks, isn't it? "A life-saving grace deserves a reward of marriage." No one told her what would happen if she didn't want to "repay" the debt. But if Brother Ren really didn't want to, but couldn't refuse because of the debt of gratitude, how sad would Brother Ren be if he reluctantly agreed?
Yan'er frowned more and more as she thought about it, and finally became listless, lowering her head and saying dejectedly, "I'm sorry."
"Good to know." Yan Shuoyun released his hand from Yan Er's face, raised his hand to pat his sister's head, and smiled at his little sister's listless appearance. "Besides, how much do you look down on your brother?"
Yan'er was stunned for a moment, not immediately understanding the meaning of those words.
She stared blankly at the face that resembled her own, but was much more defined and handsome. She blinked slowly twice, and belatedly realized that although she had become desensitized to seeing it all the time, her brother did indeed seem to be a decent person. His cultivation was high, his talent was good, and his personality... was passable.
Even without any favors, maybe Brother Ren was just blind... uh, no, I mean he wasn't fully recovered from his injuries and couldn't see clearly, so he just fell for her brother?
Just as Yan'er's thoughts reached this point, she felt a sharp pain in her forehead. She covered her forehead and glared angrily at the culprit.
The latter, while retracting his hand that had been flicking her forehead, asked with a half-smile, "What are you thinking about?"
Yan Er!
If Brother Ren could be interested in this guy, he must be blind!
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