CH 11

“No, no, you are my God!” Ming Tan wished he could slap himself twice.

Shen Liuxiang’s expression slightly changed, vaguely guessing his identity.

In heartthrob novels, every outstanding man fell in love with Su Baiche but couldn’t have him.

As the Daqian Sect Master, Ming Tan was no exception.

His transformation was quite unique. Initially, he was a super admirer of Shen Liuxiang. In the name of his God, he made several attempts to kill Su Baiche. The most shocking one was when he used ghost techniques and almost brought the novel to its climax by sacrificing his own life!

However, he couldn’t escape the law of Zhenxiang (1). In the later stages, he was charmed by Su Baiche and became another strong admirer.

But when facing his former God…

Sorry, he went from being a fan to turning against him, and the backlash was particularly strong.

Shen Liuxiang’s occupational disease had manifested.

Turning from a fan to an enemy was absolutely unacceptable; it was an insult to his abilities!

What’s so good about following Su Baiche?

Zhou Xuanlan would become number one in the cultivation world, and you and the others would eventually become cannon fodder.

It was better to honestly follow him, build a career, develop the Daqian Sect, study ghost techniques, and become a ghost Taoist master.

Shen Liuxiang looked around, walked to the roadside, broke off a small willow twig, and casually tied it into the shape of a bracelet.

“Here’s a gift for our meeting,” he handed it to Ming Tan.

This gift could be considered perfunctory, but Ming Tan suddenly became short of breath, his heart pounding as if it was about to jump out.

The Immortal Shen gave him a gift?

“But I don’t deserve something so precious!” Ming Tan’s eyes welled up with tears, feeling that he had no regrets in this life.

Shen Liuxiang said, “Then I’ll throw it away.”

“No!!!” Ming Tan tore at his heart, snatched it away like protecting his own child, and put the willow twig bracelet in his embrace. “Immortal Shen, please don’t harm it. I have a special connection with it.”

Shen Liuxiang, known for doting on his fans, was particularly kind to the world’s only super fan. He asked if he wanted to peel lotus seeds together.

Ming Tan couldn’t ask for more.

When they arrived at the lotus pond, Ming Tan didn’t allow Shen Liuxiang to do anything. He insisted on peeling the lotus seeds by hand, not even using any spells.

Shen Liuxiang was happy to have some free time. When they were done, he wrapped a bunch of plump and tender lotus seeds in a lotus leaf and said with pride, “I’ll make lotus seed soup tonight and give you a bowl. It’s a pity we don’t have tremella and red dates.”

Ming Tan said, “There are scattered towns near Qingling Sect. We can buy them from there.”

Shen Liuxiang didn’t hide his embarrassment. “My pockets are empty.”

Without a second thought, Ming Tan pulled out a storage bag from his waist, and spirit stones flowed out like running water. “The Daqian Sect is in a poor geographical location and lacks everything, except for a spirit mine that is not short of spirit stones. Immortal Shen, please accept them, and I’ll send more another day.”

Shen Liuxiang waved his hand. “It’s not appropriate.”

Ming Tan fell silent for a moment, then grabbed a piece of spirit stone and crushed it with a “snap.” “Since the Immortal Shen doesn’t want them, these spirit stones have lost their value of existence. I’ll send them on their way.”

Shen Liuxiang: “…”

You bastard, I want to send you on the road!

“I’ll take one piece, and you can keep the rest for me.”

Ming Tan nodded in agreement and carefully put the spirit stones back into the storage bag.

Shen Liuxiang played with the crystal-clear spirit stone in his hand. “No work, no pay. During the few days you are staying at Qingling Sect, I’ll guide you around and show you the sights.”

Ming Tan was pleasantly surprised. “Really? You will?”

Shen Liuxiang nodded.

At night, Zhou Xuanlan finished his cultivation and returned to Chaoyun Peak. He noticed that Shen Liuxiang’s room was completely dark, without any lights.

He furrowed his brows, recalling what Ling Jinye had said during the day. “Today, I saw Immortal Shen and the Danqian Sect Master peeling lotus seeds at Wuwang Valley. They seemed quite familiar with each other. Did they know each other before?”

He couldn’t answer this question.

Upon careful consideration, he realized that he didn’t have many interactions with his master. However, it was certainly good to be undisturbed in his cultivation.

After two or three days, Zhou Xuanlan was practicing by the Juechun River.

The evening sun cast a radiant glow on the white pebbles. Ling Jinye was beside him, rubbing his arm and complaining, “Master always makes me pick peach blossoms for him. I’m exhausted and my back hurts. Xuanlan, your master is much better. He doesn’t make you do these chores.”

Zhou Xuanlan lowered his eyelids slightly and casually inserted his sword into the pebbles.

He remained silent.

In recent days, his master had been leaving early and returning late, and he was nowhere to be seen on Chaoyun Peak. Occasionally, he would run into him at some place within the sect, always accompanied by the Daqian Sect Master.

Seeing him, his master was cold and distant, not even saying a word to him.

Zhou Xuanlan felt a bit uncomfortable in his heart. He closed his eyes, pushed aside various thoughts, and focused on his cultivation.

The moonlight was dim, and the night was as dark as ink.

Zhou Xuanlan purposely delayed his return to Chaoyun Peak compared to usual. However, to his surprise, Shen Liuxiang’s room was still devoid of any light.

He gazed at it for a long time, a self-mocking smile appearing on his lips.

The Soul-Protecting Robe, practicing spells, and the Shenming Fruit…

Using and discarding without hesitation, truly an exemplary master.

Zhou Xuanlan suppressed the coldness in his eyes, turned around, and returned to his room. As the door opened, his gaze froze for a moment.

There were many rooms in Chaoyun Peak, but the interior decorations were extremely simple. There were only basic furnishings such as a bed, table, and chairs. After Zhou Xuanlan moved in, he had not added any additional items, so despite the spaciousness of the room, it remained plain.

However, at this moment, the room had undergone a complete transformation.

A long table appeared near the window, a treasure pavilion manifested against the wall, and a golden incense burner emitting a faint fragrance appeared in the corner.

As Zhou Xuanlan stepped into the room, his gaze fell upon the gauze curtains embroidered with golden threads, which faintly shimmered with fine golden light in the dim illumination.

“Dang dang dang!” Shen Liuxiang parted the curtains and poked his head out, holding a lit birthday candle in his delicate, jade-like hand. “It’s your birthday!”

At the end of April, it was Zhou Xuanlan’s birthday.

It was not that Shen Liuxiang remembered it clearly, but rather, he witnessed Zhou Xuanlan’s powerful ability to celebrate birthdays and couldn’t forget it. On that day, all the black fans in the book review forums were completely wiped out, ruthlessly slaughtered over and over again.

These past few days, Shen Liuxiang had been concerned about this matter and had brought Ming Tan with him multiple times to nearby towns to choose gifts.

But they couldn’t find anything satisfactory.

By chance, he remembered a scene from the original work—a swaying bed curtain, golden threads embroidered into blooming flowers, and slender, fair hands gripping the curtain tightly. In a moment of intense desire, at the climax of passion, the fingers suddenly clenched the golden curtain, trembling uncontrollably. Then, with a forceful grip, the golden curtain was pulled down…

This reminded Shen Liuxiang that although it was not described in detail in the book, Zhou Xuanlan seemed to have a special fondness for shiny objects.

In the later stages, the grand sleeping quarters resembled a treasure trove, with gold and spirit stones piled everywhere, shining brilliantly.

The phrase ‘Golden House’ (2) was not empty words.

Shen Liuxiang had no spirit stones to give, so after much consideration, he bought a basketful of gold-encrusted items and placed them in Zhou Xuanlan’s room as a gift.

“Come blow out the candle,” he said.

The wax was about to flow onto his palm.

Zhou Xuanlan leaned in closer, his gaze resting on his master’s face. Bathed in the candlelight, he clearly saw those delicate brows and eyes, radiating an incomparable beauty in the glow.

“Thank you, Master,” he said, his eyelids drooping slightly, and gently blew out the candle.

Birthday? Zhou Xuanlan didn’t have one.

It was unknown where he came from, so he had no birthday.

But since his master thought today was the day, from now on, it would be.

Shen Liuxiang returned to his room and shook his head helplessly.

His disciple was too obedient. He blew out the candle just as asked, even though he didn’t know why he had to do so.

Originally, Shen Liuxiang planned to take advantage of Zhou Xuanlan’s young age and snatch away the opportunities that belonged to him, to prevent a future alliance between him and Su Baiche from scheming against him. But facing such a well-behaved disciple, he couldn’t make a move at all.

“I can’t do it!”

Shen Liuxiang roared in frustration and fell onto the bed.

He had even eaten the lotus seeds he had peeled last time, mistaking them for sweet beans. Shen Liuxiang went to Wumang Valley again and unexpectedly encountered Su Baiche on the way.

Su Baiche was dressed in white and carried an ancient qin. After playing the qin for Ao Yue, he returned and saw Shen Liuxiang, showing a slightly surprised expression before breaking into a faint smile. “Immortal Shen, why are you here at Wumang Valley?”

Shen Liuxiang raised his hand and lightly shook the lotus seeds wrapped in a lotus leaf. “Would you like some lotus seed soup? I’ll bring you a bowl later. I think you’ll like its taste.”

It was said that white lotus (3) and lotus seed soup made a perfect combination.

Su Baiche declined politely, nodded slightly, and walked past him.

Once out of sight, Su Baiche’s expression darkened, his fingertips tightening around the end of the qin as he spoke coldly, “Are you saying that the Shenming fruit is on him?”

Tong Xi replied, “I sensed the aura of the spirit fruit.”

A gloomy shadow flickered in Su Baiche’s eyes.

The spirit fruit he had been longing for had been stolen, and Ling Ye didn’t even bother to investigate. Now it was clear that he was protecting Shen Liuxiang.

“You said Ling Ye was more partial to me. Is this his way of showing favoritism?!”

Tong Xi’s tone was slightly solemn: “Shen Liuxiang’s breakthrough to the Nascent Divinity stage is a great help to the sect. Naturally, his status in Ling Ye’s heart will rise.”

Su Baiche’s anger surged from within: “What use do I have for you? All you do is make me play the lute to a dog. Damn it, I’ve even worn out my fingertips!”

He was just half a step away from the Nascent Divinity stage himself and had intended to break through using the Shenming Fruit. Who would have thought it would end up in Shen Liuxiang’s hands like this? How could he not be resentful?

“These accomplishments are not useless. Haven’t you noticed how Ao Yue has been watching your fingers today?”

“Who cares where the dog’s eyes wander.”

Tong Xi no longer played coy: “During the disciple’s major competition, Ao Yue will break free and launch a surprise attack on Ling Ye. You must risk your life to save  Ling Ye.”

Su Baiche’s expression turned indifferent: “Impossible. I cherish my life.”

A full-force attack from a Heavenly Dog could send him straight to the Underworld, a point of no return that no one could rescue him from.

Tong Xi patiently explained: “If Ao Yue sees you coming, he will pull back. The force that lands on you will definitely be less than thirty percent.”

Su Baiche sneered coldly: “What if he doesn’t pull back?”

Tong Xi proudly declared: “He will pull back, for he already admires you.”

An indescribable expression appeared on Su Baiche’s face.

For him, having so many men interested in him was not something to be pleased about.

With a resounding sound, the strings of the lute snapped.

The ancient lute was thrown to the ground, and Su Baiche lifted his foot, venting his frustration by viciously kicking it twice. His exquisite and beautiful face looked particularly fierce in that moment.

Damn it!

Why should others get to be a proud dragon while he has to be the saintly white lotus?!

(1) – The phrase “law of Zhenxiang” is a direct translation of the Chinese term “真香定律” (zhēn xiāng dìng lǜ). Zhenxiang Law, a buzzword on the Internet, also known as “Jingze Law”, is used to describe the behavior of someone who has completely different views before and after, and slaps himself in the face. In this case, Ming Tan goes from hating Su Baiche and trying to killing, to chasing after him as a suitor, regretting his past actions

(2) – The phrase “Golden House” comes from the Chinese term “金屋藏娇 (jīn wū cáng jiāo). The full idiom is: a golden house to keep one’s mistress; a magnificent house built for a beloved woman. In this case Zhou Xunlan (literally) kept Su Baiche in a house filled with gold LMAO

(3) – The phrase “White Lotus” comes from the Chinese term “白莲花” (bái lián huā)  – someone who is pure in appearance, but opposite inside.