“…What?”

“The Alchemy Sect!” Meng Qiuran repeated, his tone tinged with urgency. “Senior, look, although being a rogue cultivator is carefree and leisurely, there are always inconveniences, aren’t there? For instance, when you’re traveling, you don’t even have a fixed place to stay; when you run out of spirit stones, you have to go out and earn them on the spot; and if someone bullies you, there’s no one to back you up. But if you join the Alchemy Sect, none of these will be an issue!”

The more he spoke, the more enthusiastic he became. “Do you know the benefits the Alchemy Sect provides to its Elders? A monthly stipend of spirit stones, unlimited spiritual herbs, unrestricted use of alchemy rooms, and dedicated disciples to attend to your daily needs! If you need anything at all, there are hundreds of people in the sect, one word from you and someone will get it done! Isn’t that better than being out there on your own, exposed to the wind and rain?”

Lai Li’an was momentarily stunned by his pitch.

Join the Alchemy Sect? Him?

If he went to the Alchemy Sect to be an Elder, wouldn’t that be like a sheep walking into a tiger’s den? If those old monsters in the sect watched him perform alchemy or kept pestering him with questions, his ‘cheat’ would be exposed within three days.

“Little Friend Meng,” Lai Li’an gently patted the back of Meng Qiuran’s hand, “This Venerable is used to being idle and cannot stand restraint. As good as the Alchemy Sect may be, it is not my destination.”

Meng Qiuran’s enthusiasm was instantly halved, but he refused to give up.

“Then… Senior, may Junior suggest a middle ground? Please, see if this works.”

“Senior does not need to formally enter the sect; you only need to hold a title. Be an Honorary Elder. You won’t need to clock in, nor will you need to participate in sect affairs. You can travel as you please, wander as you like, just as you do now. It’s simply adding the status of an ‘Alchemy Sect Elder,’ an extra monthly stipend, and… and one more place where you can come back to rest at any time.”

He looked up, his gaze filled with a sincerity that bordered on pleading. “Senior, Junior has no other intentions. I simply feel that someone like Senior should not have to carry everything alone.”

Lai Li’an fell silent, suddenly feeling a sense of daze.

This young man before him, from their second meeting onward, had worn his heart on his sleeve. Five thousand spirit stones—he handed them over without a word. A residence—he lent it without hesitation.

Now, he was even eager to offer the position of an Alchemy Sect Elder with both hands.

Was this kid truly a fool, or did he truly… see him as some sort of extraordinary figure?

Lai Li’an opened his mouth, intending to refuse once more.

But just then, Meng Qiuran pulled a token from his sleeve and, holding it with both hands, respectfully presented it to him.

The words “Alchemy Sect” were engraved on the front of the token, while Meng Qiuran’s own name was on the back. Lai Li’an was momentarily stunned.

“This is my token,” Meng Qiuran said, scratching his head with a sheepish smile. “Please use this for now, Senior. Once I return to the Main Branch, I’ll arrange for a formal one to be issued to you. Please keep this one for the time being; as long as you’re in Alchemy Sect territory, no one will dare trouble you with this token in hand.”

Lai Li’an looked at the token, then at Meng Qiuran.

“Little Friend Meng, aren’t you afraid this Venerable will take your token and use it to swindle people in the name of the Alchemy Sect?”

Meng Qiuran laughed, looking as innocent as a child.

“How could Senior be that kind of person? Even if the entire Alchemy Sect were given to you, you probably wouldn’t even spare it a glance. Why would you care about something like this?”

Lai Li’an fell silent for a moment.

“…Very well,” he said. “This Venerable will hold onto it for you for now. Once your new token is ready, come find me to exchange them.”

Meng Qiuran’s eyes instantly lit up. “Thank you, Senior!”

He bowed deeply, and as he straightened up, he couldn’t suppress the smile on his face. “Then this junior will trouble Senior no longer! In three days, I will accompany Fellow Daoist Ruan to the Main Branch and take care of Senior’s new token while I’m there! Take care, Senior!”

As soon as he finished speaking, he turned and ran. After a few steps, he looked back and waved at Lai Li’an, then stepped onto his flying sword and disappeared wobbily into the horizon.

Lai Li’an stood where he was, watching that exuberant figure grow distant, and couldn’t help but shake his head.

This kid, really…

He looked down at the token in his hand, tucked it into his robe, and turned around, intending to find Ruan Se so they could return together.

Entering the corridor and rounding a thick pillar, his steps suddenly faltered.

At the end of the corridor stood two people.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the eaves, shattering into golden shards that fell upon them, as if coating them in a thin layer of radiance.

Ruan Se stood on the left. Her cyan gown fluttered gently in the breeze, and a veil covered most of her face, revealing a pair of exceptionally beautiful amber eyes.

Ruan Qin stood on the right, half a head taller than her sister. Her long dress outlined her tall and slender figure. Her features were delicate, and in her amber eyes—identical to her sister’s—there was a touch of softness.

The two sisters stood with their sides toward Lai Li’an, whispering to one another.

As the wind swept between them, it stirred their hair.

Lai Li’an stood behind a pillar, rooted to the spot as he gazed at those two incredibly beautiful faces.

This scene was like a portrait of beautiful women meticulously composed by a master artist, where every stroke was just right, a fraction more would be too heavy, a fraction less too light.

Lai Li’an stood behind the pillar and watched for a long time before finally withdrawing his gaze.

No, he couldn’t keep watching. If he did, he feared he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from letting out some unseemly exclamation.

He took a deep breath and stepped out from behind the pillar.

“Ahem.”

He gave a light cough, just loud enough for the two of them to hear.

Ruan Se and Ruan Qin turned their heads at the same time.

Two gazes fell upon Lai Li’an. In that moment, he felt as though he had been struck by two beams of moonlight simultaneously, leaving him slightly dazzled.

“Senior Lai,” Ruan Se spoke first. “You’ve come.”

Lai Li’an nodded and walked up to them.

“Why haven’t you left yet?” he asked casually.

Before Ruan Se could respond, Ruan Qin had already withdrawn her hand from her younger sister’s shoulder, reclaiming her usual cold demeanor.

“There are still some things left unsaid.”

Lai Li’an looked between the two; the atmosphere between the sisters seemed much more relaxed than before.

He withdrew his gaze and looked toward Ruan Se. “There is no time to lose. Let’s head back. Now that we have the Azure Profound Root, it is time to refine the Azure Profound Essence-Nourishing Pill.”

Ruan Se nodded and was about to step forward when she suddenly remembered something.

“Senior,” she turned around and looked at her sister. “Sister, Senior is going to refine the Azure Profound Essence-Nourishing Pill. Do you want to… come and watch?”

Ruan Qin’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Her gaze rested on Lai Li’an for a moment before shifting away.

“Whatever.”

The corners of Ruan Se’s mouth curved up. She knew that when her sister said “whatever,” it meant “yes.”

“Then let’s go.” Ruan Se took the lead, walking toward the other end of the corridor.

The three of them walked in formation, one in front and two behind. The White Crane had flown nearby at some point; Ruan Se stepped to the side to make way.

“After you, Senior.”