Chapter 84: The Stunned Master and Disciple

To avoid being swindled, Chen Chuyang didn't appear overly nervous and responded with a smile.

There's nothing a smile can't handle; if there is, I'll give you a sword, and I'm sure you'll smile in response as well.

Xinran Zhanglao was bewildered by Chen Chuyang's smile; it was just too warm, too simple, like that of a young person who hasn't experienced worldly affairs, very different yet somehow not off‑putting.

Strange, awkward, that feeling grew ever stronger.

"Ahem, did you remodel this place?"

Longshe Shan was beautifully transformed; reshaping a spiritual vein takes not three days but at least several decades, and Chen Chuyang is only two or three years older than Chen Churan, a fact Elder Xinran knows well, so Longshe Shan couldn't have been altered by Chen Chuyang?

The question was quickly dismissed, for she observed her disciple Chen Churan's reaction—a flash of surprise and shock identical to her own—showing that Chen Churan was also startled by the sudden change; Longshe Shan's alteration was recent, and Xinran Zhanglao felt a hint of curiosity, though she wouldn't act on it.

Spiritual veins are indeed precious, but not enough to tempt her to act maliciously; such veins, even if they mature, still can't supply her cultivation. Longshe Shan's veins are quite good, yet still far behind those of the Spirit Sword Sect, a gap that can't be explained in a few words.

"It's not that; it's the result of generations of effort by the Chen Clan," Chen Chuyang naturally wouldn't admit personal alteration—who knows if she might turn malicious, and then have to act against herself?

The Chen Clan couldn't withstand a major faction like the Spirit Sword Sect, and Chen Chuyang didn't want trouble; the person before him was also his sister's master. He originally didn't want her to ascend the mountain, but hiding it would only pique her curiosity, so he let her go up.

In any case, the secrets of Longshe Shan mean nothing to an elder like Xinran Zhanglao.

As he expected, Xinran Zhanglao was merely surprised and then nothing more.

"I see, indeed. A spiritual vein of this scale can't be altered by a single person; to reach this point, your Chen Clan must have exerted tremendous effort, right?"

Chen Chuyang replied in line with her words: "Yes, the spiritual stones and countless resources spent are innumerable, all piled together."

"If the vein can't be kept intact, the Chen Clan would suffer a huge loss."

Xinran Zhanglao nodded; indeed it was so.

The surrounding Formation, as well as Longshe Shan's spiritual elixirs, spiritual spring water, and so on, all required great effort.

They achieved optimal use, sustainable development, without resorting to drinking poison to quench thirst.

A brief glance is enough to discern Chen Chuyang's arrangement and intent.

Xinran Zhanglao grew increasingly satisfied; this kind of talent is exactly what the Spirit Sword Sect lacks.

The Spirit Sword Sect isn't short of Strong Ones, especially swordsmen—they're plentiful—but what they need is talent like Chen Chuyang's, to manage the sect's various Spirit Fields, thereby supplying more spiritual elixirs and indirectly boosting the sect's strength.

She felt a flutter for this person.

Very suitable for the Spirit Sword Sect.

Xinran Zhanglao sat down, sipping the spiritual tea brewed by Chen Chuyang.

Chen Chuyang explained, "These tea leaves are the unique spiritual tea of Longshe Shan. I happened upon a tea tree, cultivated it, and each harvest yields only about two jin of leaves, which I've been reluctant to use."

"Xinran Zhanglao, please have some tea."

Naturally the younger sister also got a cup; Chen Churan stared at the tea for a long while. She had come several times without such treatment; thinking of this made her feel bitter—her place in her brother's heart was truly low. Look at this… such a good thing, and he can't bring himself to give it to her.

I'm his own sister; how could a brother treat his sister like this?

Chen Chuyang ignored his sister's thoughts and asked, "I wonder what Elder Xinran is up to this time on the mountain? If there's anything Chuyang can do, Elder, please command."

He lowered his posture; this person is his sister's master, no need to offend her.

In the future his sister will still ask her for more care; Chen Chuyang can still discern the weight of matters.

Xinran Zhanglao took a sip, eyes brightening, and praised, "Fine tea."

"Elder, if you like it, you may take some back."

Saying so, Chen Chuyang produced half a jin of prepared tea leaves and placed them before Xinran Zhanglao.

Xinran Zhanglao couldn't help glancing again at Chen Chuyang, then calmly tucked it away.

"Chen Chuyang, right?"

"Yes."

"Are you interested in joining the Spirit Sword Sect?"

"Spirit Sword Sect?"

Xinran Zhanglao, no longer holding back, said, "I, Elder, am impressed by your ability."

Straightforward, with nothing to hide.

Xinran Zhanglao smiled at Chen Chuyang, already decided in her heart that the youngster would certainly agree.

The Spirit Sword Sect is a faction that families scramble to enter; the opportunity is right before them, and any sane person would know what to choose.

Younger sister Chen Churan's eyes lit up as she urged, "Second brother, just agree to the master; then we'll go to Spirit Sword Mountain together, and I'll take good care of you."

"The Spirit Sword Sect is your only chance; staying in Longshe Cheng offers no hope, no future."

"Second brother, hurry and agree."

Chen Chuyang stared in shock at Xinran Zhanglao and his sister, realizing the elder's affection was aimed at recruiting him.

Looking again at his sister, he thought without doubt the girl had betrayed him.

Family thieves are hard to guard against.

Chen Chuyang shook his head: "Thank you, Elder, for your kindness. I yearn for the Spirit Sword Sect, but my parents are still alive, and I cannot leave them, so..."

"With parents at home, one does not travel far."

The excuse came to him instantly.

Xinran Zhanglao stared in astonishment at Chen Chuyang, being rejected for the first time, and it was after she had taken the initiative.

Previously she always turned others down; this time, the roles reversed, and she found it hard to accept.

The most devastated was Chen Churan, bewildered as she looked at her second brother; her good brother had refused. Such a great opportunity—how could he turn it down? Her master rarely takes a liking to someone; by doing this, he was disgracing his master.

"Second brother, do you know what you're saying?"

"My master favors you because you truly have the talent; the Spirit Sword Sect can't be joined at any time. Second brother, don't be willful; quickly agree to the master."

"Don't you want to become a Strong One and then appear before Shang Hongchen, crushing her mercilessly?"

"Don't you want to wash away the shame on your body?"

"Second brother, the parents have the older brother to look after them; you don't need to; how could you… refuse?"

She didn't understand.

This is a good opportunity; for this opportunity, she begged her master for a long time, and only then did the master come.

This time she came back, she wasn't just coming back for a stroll.

She wanted to bring this second older brother along to the Spirit Sword Sect to seek a new way to save him.

She didn't want to watch her second older brother continue to sink like this, nor did she want him to spend his whole life like that.

But the second older brother?

He actually refused.

Chen Churan didn't understand, nor did they comprehend.

"Second older brother, you can't do that."

Chen Chuyang looked at their more excited sister, shaking their head.

"Sister, Longshe Shan is quite good; I don't want to leave Longshe Shan, nor do I want to... go elsewhere."

"As your second older brother, I don't have great ambitions; maybe I'm just suited to farming for my whole life."

"As for you, just don't try to persuade me."