Chapter 74: Two Days of Change, Senior Brother, You Smell So Good

“Cloud Xiao Immortal Lady”

Yu Ke murmured softly.

But it seemed unrelated to him.

He, a boy who might fail the outer gate examination, was contemplating entering Cloud Xiao Immortal Lady’s sect through the outer gate competition.

This wasn’t just fantasy.

Like—

The goddess replies: I’m bathing now, then turns and asks you.

Video call?

You must be dreaming.

Yu Ke snapped back to reality.

But what did this have to do with this house?

Feng Ping stood gracefully beside him and explained softly:

“Young Master Yu, I rented this house solely for Yingzhao. He is still young and needs care.”

“Among the Five Continents, in talent and potential, Yingzhao will surely enter Cloud Xiao Immortal Lady’s sect and become her favored disciple.”

Her tone carried confidence in her son, as if every word sprang from her heart, not feigned.

Feng Ping continued:

“As parents, we can never fully let go. I hope Young Master Yu can understand me.”

The white-robed boy taking the outer gate exam, and the beautiful woman here as his study companion?

Yu Ke felt the real situation could not possibly be this simple.

Yet it seemed flawless.

Since the outer gate examination gathers disciples from five-continent noble families, how many geniuses must be present?

How could this beautiful woman be so certain the white-robed boy would enter Cloud Xiao Immortal Lady’s sect?

If what she said were true, it would be the most critical matter in Shenshao Sect in three thousand years.

Even the Cai family of Shenjing might not be enough.

Where did she get such confidence!

As Yu Ke pondered, the door across from him suddenly opened.

A white-robed youth stepped out calmly, the five-colored feathered bird still perched on his hand.

It was none other than “Yingzhao” just mentioned!

His gaze met Yu Ke and Feng Ping, and for an instant he seemed startled, but quickly regained composure.

The youth did not linger, turning and walking straight out of the courtyard.

He ignored the beautiful woman entirely.

This sudden turn of events made Yu Ke curious.

He caught sight of the boy’s cold back.

He recalled how, when he had glanced at the beautiful woman a few times, the white-robed boy had threatened him—yet that had only confused him.

The relationship between mother and son seemed complicated.

Seeing this, Feng Ping sighed softly, her face showing helplessness and bitterness.

Feng Ping looked at Yu Ke, her tone tinged with apology:

“Young Master Yu, please consider it. I’ll come back later.”

Saying this, she turned to leave slowly.

Then she glanced back at Yu Ke once more.

Feng Ping felt somehow that today he had changed in ways she could not quite name.

Her cultivation was still shallow; she had not yet reached Foundation Establishment, so she could not perceive others’ physical states.

But Feng Ping had always been keenly perceptive about people—this was one of her greatest strengths in dealings with others.

Recalling her first meeting with Yu Ke, Feng Ping still remembered it vividly.

Back then, though he appeared outwardly fine, he gave off the impression of grave illness.

His breath was heavy, his steps light and unsteady, his eyes dull, as if he might collapse at any moment.

Feng Ping secretly sighed—he looked like he had little time left.

Yet when she saw Yu Ke again yesterday!

She was astonished to find his complexion much paler, his blood and qi clearly improved.

This sudden change puzzled her—had Yu Ke taken some miraculous elixir?

Today, upon meeting again, Yu Ke’s physical state had changed once more.

His aura had grown steadier, his breath lighter, his eyes brimming with spiritual vitality.

More importantly, Feng Ping smelled a faint, sweet fragrance—fresh and pleasant, making her startled.

She had never smelled such a unique scent before. Never.

It came from Yu Ke himself.

Feng Ping shook her head, as if gaining nothing, and walked away slowly.

Leaving behind a remarkably graceful back.

Once Feng Ping’s figure vanished completely from view,

Yu Ke slowly lowered his gaze, turned, picked up the bowl, and prepared to light the fire and cook.

“I’m truly hungry.”

He was still weighing whether to move out of the courtyard.

Three thousand spirit stones were indeed a large sum—enough to cover his upcoming cultivation needs and ease some debts.

But he understood he must not sacrifice the greater for the lesser; his cultivation must not be compromised.

“I’ll wait until the next simulation to see if my meridians are truly complete, then decide.”

With this settled, Yu Ce no longer dwelled on the matter, turning his thoughts instead to the meal before him.

The young master is rinsing rice!

In the courtyard’s clear pool, sunlight poured down, shimmering on the water’s surface, reflecting the blooming pear blossoms.

A breeze stirred, petals danced and drifted, landing on the water, stirring delicate ripples.

This tranquil, beautiful scene lifted Yu Ke’s spirits.

Just then,

The side room’s door slowly opened, and a beautiful female cultivator in red robes stepped out.

She had an oval face with faint dimples—Xie Wanwan.

Her eyes, seeing Yu Ke rinsing rice, widened in surprise.

“What’s wrong with this senior brother?”

Xie Wanwan wondered—Yu Ke usually trained without pause; she rarely saw him cook himself.

Without breaking through the second rung of Foundation Establishment, he couldn’t achieve Grain Grain Bigu.

This was the second time she’d seen this scene—it left her thoroughly baffled.

Xie Wanwan smiled and greeted him.

“Senior Brother Yu, good afternoon.”

Yu Ke turned at the sound, seeing Xie Wanwan’s smile and faint dimples.

His mood brightened involuntarily.

“Ah, Young Sister Xie. Off to do your practice?”

Yu Ke smiled in reply.

Xie Wanwan looked at Yu Ke’s face.

Her clear, bright eyes widened slightly, then quickly lowered.

She thought inwardly: “Is this really Senior Brother Yu?”

In her eyes!

Pear blossoms from the courtyard drifted down, gently landing on Yu Ke’s head.

His black hair was neat, his brows elegant and relaxed.

His eyes were calm as stars, yet brimming with spiritual vitality.

The blossoms spun and settled on his shoulders, adding a touch of refined grace.

Compared to yesterday, today’s Yu Ke seemed even paler and more handsome.

Even holding the iron pot to rinse rice did not mar his overall appearance.

Xie Wanwan thought inwardly:

“I never noticed before—Senior Brother Yu is actually so handsome.”

And

That faint fragrance filled her with delight.

She couldn’t help blurting out:

“Senior Brother, you smell so good!”

But immediately realized her words were improper, her cheeks flushing red.

Yu Ke didn’t hear Xie Wanwan’s words; he turned his head and asked blankly:

“Sister Xie, what did you say?”

Xie Wanwan dared not answer; she quickly waved her hand and stepped out of the courtyard gate, leaving only these words:

“Brother Yu, goodbye!”

Her voice carried a hint of panic.

Yu Ke watched the hurried retreating back of Xie Wanwan, rubbed his head, and felt utterly confused.

He continued washing the rice.

This was what passed for Shenyiao Sect’s coursework.

It was like a personal training session at a gym—you paid spirit stones to train alongside an instructor.

During your cultivation, your seniors could guide you.

Yu Ke wanted to go too, but he had no spirit stones.

What a joke!

At that moment, the communication jade token at his waist trembled slightly.

It was a message from Zhou Liang.

“Come quickly to the West Courtyard marketplace.”

(End of chapter)