MSBITRS Chapter 70 V2

It was the character for—

“Stability.”

“Senior Brother!”

Outside the window, beyond the glowing barrier of the formation, Little Ling’e was waving enthusiastically.

Li Changshou sighed helplessly, smiled, and stood up. He opened the door, disabled the formation, and walked out.

“What’s the matter?”

“Senior Brother, why don’t you come over for some tea and a chat?

Senior Sister Youqin… has been waiting for you for a long time.”

Ling’e blinked at him, and with just a glance, the two of them understood the situation.

‘Senior Brother, Senior Sister Youqin came looking for you again. I can’t handle this—please take over!’

Li Changshou chuckled. “I just finished refining some pills and was feeling a bit tired, so I wanted to rest. You all seemed to be enjoying yourselves, so I didn’t want to disturb you.”

Near the small cottage, Youqin Xuanya took two steps forward when she heard his response.

She said, “Senior Brother Changshou, if you’re tired, you should rest. I don’t have any urgent matters.

I just spent too long in seclusion, so I’ve been wandering around the sect and thought I’d seek some guidance from you.”

Li Changshou cupped his hands toward Youqin Xuanya and the other two. “I apologize for my lack of manners. Please forgive me.”

The three of them returned the gesture, with Wang Qi and Liu Yan’er both saying it was no trouble.

Liu Yan’er seemed to catch on to something, a knowing smile playing on her lips.

Meanwhile, Youqin Xuanya’s bright eyes carried an unusual hesitation, an expression rarely seen on her normally calm and beautiful face.

But she was never one to be overly reserved. She quickly reached into her bracelet and took out a brocade box, stepping forward.

“Senior Brother Changshou, this is a gift for you.”

Li Changshou froze for a moment.

He was still waiting for Youqin Xuanya to explain why she was giving him a gift—was she asking for a favor or simply expressing gratitude for saving her life back then?

Instead, she simply handed over the box with those words.

Her flawless, jade-like face remained mostly expressionless, but deep in her gaze, there was a hint of nervousness.

Li Changshou: …

‘Sigh, feelings are tricky things, but I can’t blame her for this. I suppose I should also blame the meddling of the Marriage God.’

Still, he had to set things straight and bring everything back to normal.

Since he had no romantic intentions, he couldn’t let her develop any unnecessary expectations. These matters needed to be handled decisively—hesitation would only make things more complicated.

“Thank you, Junior Sister Youqin,” Li Changshou said with a smile, accepting the brocade box.

Then, he reached into his sleeve and pulled out a storage artifact containing a young spiritual beast. “I wasn’t prepared for this, so this will be my return gift. I hope you won’t mind.”

“Mm… mm!”

Youqin Xuanya’s lips curled into a subtle smile as she carefully cradled the artifact in her hands.

“Thank you, Senior Brother Changshou.”

Off to the side, Ling’e pouted slightly but said nothing.

Holding the brocade box, Li Changshou spoke in a calm tone:

“Our journey to the Northern Continent back then was a valuable experience for me as well. If Junior Sister Youqin ever has free time, feel free to visit Little Qiong Peak.

Ling’e and I don’t have many close friends in the sect—aside from Junior Brother Wang Qi, Senior Sister Yan’er, and a few elders like Uncle-Master Jiujiu and Uncle Jiuwu.

If Junior Sister Youqin doesn’t mind, my junior sister and I would be happy to consider you not only a fellow disciple but also a friend.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Qi and Liu Yan’er immediately sensed something.

They both seemed confused.

By all logic, earning the favor of someone like Youqin Xuanya should be a great opportunity for Li Changshou—why was he rejecting it so decisively?

Wang Qi suddenly understood—perhaps their cultivation levels were too far apart, and Senior Brother Changshou felt unworthy of the chief disciple? That must be it… probably.

Ling’e, on the other hand, could only sigh internally.

Her senior brother’s troublesome personality…

Still, she was somewhat pleased that he could reject other female cultivators—especially someone like Youqin Xuanya.

But at the same time, it also meant that if she wanted to take a step forward from being just his junior sister, she would face the same kind of resistance.

‘Just what kind of woman does Senior Brother actually like?’

Ling’e was utterly baffled.

However, to their surprise, after hearing Li Changshou’s words, Youqin Xuanya… smiled!

Her gaze became noticeably more expressive. Though she didn’t reveal much emotion, everyone could feel that she was in a great mood.

And it wasn’t a forced or polite smile—it was genuine happiness from the bottom of her heart.

A faint blush spread across her flawless face, a sight so stunning that even Ling’e, a fellow female cultivator, couldn’t help but be momentarily captivated.

“Really?”

Even her voice carried a hint of joy.

“Of course,” Li Changshou said with a smile, though he was slightly puzzled inside.

Was his meaning not obvious enough? Did Youqin not understand?

At that moment, Youqin Xuanya clasped her hands in a respectful bow and said firmly, “From now on, I shall seek Senior Brother’s guidance often!

And Junior Sister Ling’e’s as well!

I will visit frequently!”

…Huh?

A series of question marks slowly appeared in Li Changshou’s mind.

Wait a minute—this situation… he was completely lost.

Meanwhile, Wang Qi scratched his head in confusion, and Liu Yan’er looked equally perplexed.

Ling’e, on the other hand, felt a massive wave of emotions surge in her heart. Her gaze flickered slightly as a sense of shared suffering washed over her.

Was… was this so humble?

Senior Sister Youqin… she actually… she thought just being friends with Senior Brother was enough? She didn’t ask for anything more?

Compared to her, as the junior sister who had been by Senior Brother’s side all this time but still couldn’t win his heart…

She was truly…

Too lucky.

“Senior Sister,” Ling’e took two steps forward, returned Youqin Xuanya’s bow, and said, “I will be counting on your guidance from now on.”

Li Changshou couldn’t help but tilt his head.

Wait… why were these two suddenly forming a pact? Was this some kind of contagious affliction?!

“Mhm.” Youqin Xuanya nodded with a soft smile, her eyes shimmering.

Seeing Li Changshou’s slightly weary expression, she quickly said, “Senior Brother Changshou, please rest well. I will visit you again after my next seclusion.

When it comes to alchemy and cultivation, please don’t push yourself too hard.

That goes for you too, Junior Sister Ling’e…

Well then, I shall take my leave.”

“Take care, Senior Sister! Come visit often!”

“Mhm, I certainly will!”

With that, Youqin Xuanya bid farewell to Wang Qi and Liu Yan’er before gracefully departing on a cloud. Even the strands of her hair seemed more lively as they swayed in the wind.

Meanwhile, Wang Qi and Liu Yan’er, still reeling from the emotional impact of what had just transpired, also took their leave.

Watching their figures disappear in two different directions, Li Changshou furrowed his brows.

He truly couldn’t make sense of this bizarre turn of events…

Did he not express himself just now?

When he said they should remain fellow disciples and friends, wasn’t that a rejection of those kinds of feelings?

This…

This had to be poison sinking into the bone marrow at this point!

“Hey, stinky Senior Brother! Where’s my gift?”

Li Changshou retrieved another spiritual beast sphere from his sleeve and handed it to his junior sister, standing there in deep contemplation about his immortal life.

Ling’e sighed in admiration, “Senior Sister Youqin is beautiful, and her cultivation is so high.”

“Hah… haha…” Li Changshou let out a weak laugh, feeling utterly powerless when it came to Youqin Xuanya. “Could it not be high?

With a personality like hers, she’ll probably never encounter inner demons in her lifetime.”

Ling’e was puzzled. “Huh? Why? Isn’t it said that as long as one’s Dao heart wavers, inner demons can appear at any time?”

Li Changshou looked up at the sky, unable to come up with a concrete answer.

“Fate, I suppose.”

Beside him, Ling’e had already started unsealing the artifact. The next moment, a joyful exclamation escaped her lips as she cradled the young spiritual beast inside.

“Wow! So cute!

Is this… a baby Deathfang Gold-Devouring Beast? Thank you, Senior Brother!”

“Mhm, as long as you like it.”