Chapter 40: Senior Sister, You're Burning Up

Li Jiu and Bai Jie were curiously sizing up their new junior brother.

Lin Fan had a handsome face, a tall and sturdy physique, and fair skin. Dressed in a simple, plain-colored robe, he carried himself with a refreshing air of vitality.

"Junior brother, you are truly handsome!"

Li Jiu’s voice was sweet and carried a hint of coquettish charm. Her large, watery eyes scanned him from head to toe.

Lin Fan offered a slight smile.

"Senior sister is too kind."

"Senior sister possesses a gentle temperament and exquisite beauty, like a fairy descended from a painting."

Lin Fan’s words caused Li Jiu’s heart to bloom with delight. She covered her mouth and giggled, "Hehe, junior brother is not only handsome but also has a sweet tongue."

Li Jiu continued to giggle, her frame trembling with mirth.

"Junior brother, this outfit of yours is far too plain; it doesn't suit your disposition at all. Why not let me take your measurements and sew you a new one?" Bai Jie stepped forward, her hand reaching out toward Lin Fan’s chest.

"Second senior sister, there is no need for new clothes!" Lin Fan dodged to the side.

Su Xingyue stepped in front, shielding Lin Fan behind her. "I suspect you two sisters are unaware that junior brother is my cultivation partner! If you are feeling feverish, there are plenty of other disciples in the sect!"

Her face was slightly flushed, tinged with a flicker of indignation. Hearing this, the two women were stunned.

"Junior brother and senior sister are cultivation partners?" Both turned their gaze toward Ji Qingwan.

"That is correct. Lin Fan is indeed the cultivation partner of your senior sister!"

Upon hearing this, a flash of surprise crossed Bai Jie’s eyes. "Senior sister, there is no need to be so tense. We just felt that since junior brother has just arrived, we wanted to get to know him a little better!"

"Besides, junior brother hasn't said anything yet. Why are you in such a rush?"

Lin Fan blinked, thinking to himself, "These two senior sisters are so forward? Something is definitely wrong here. Could they be looking to drain my primordial yang? Regardless, I should stay far away from these seductresses!"

Ji Qingwan coughed dryly. "Enough. Xingyue, take Lin Fan down. This sea of bamboo is vast; there are several small courtyards inside. Choose a place to settle down," she commanded.

Su Xingyue shot a glance at Bai Jie and Li Jiu, then led Lin Fan away. The two women exchanged looks, both seeing a trace of triumph in each other's eyes.

"Master, why did the senior sister come back?" Bai Jie asked, her tone filled with dissatisfaction. "With the senior sister's aptitude... it is unlikely she will make much progress remaining in the sect. It would be better for her to return to her hometown and rest, rather than causing trouble here."

"Exactly. She has been gone for so many years; why come back now?" Li Jiu added.

Ji Qingwan gave them a cold, indifferent look. Now that Su Xingyue’s status had risen due to Lin Fan, she spoke up: "Xingyue is my senior disciple and your senior sister. From now on, you will treat her with the same respect you show me. Any disrespect will not be tolerated!"

"As for you two, rather than gossiping here, you would do better to think about how to improve your own cultivation!"

The two women exchanged glances. Their aptitude was better than Su Xingyue's, and the master had usually been quite indulgent toward them. They had not expected to be reprimanded because of her.

"Yes, Master!"

"Also, this small mountain is now my new cultivation cave. I will be in secluded meditation here. You two are to guard it well; no one is to come up and disturb me without my permission!"

"Your junior brother needs peace for his cultivation. No one is to disturb him, including you two!" Ji Qingwan declared.

The two women looked confused and wanted to ask questions, but seeing the stern look on Ji Qingwan’s face, they swallowed their words.

"Very well, you two may withdraw," Ji Qingwan said.

As Bai Jie and Li Jiu left, walking down the winding mountain path, Li Jiu frowned slightly. "Senior sister, ever since Master broke through to the Golden Core stage, she has felt... strange."

Bai Jie stopped and looked back at the mist-shrouded peak, sighing softly. "We cannot interfere with Master's affairs."

"But... that wretch Su Xingyue actually returned! And the new junior brother Master took in is actually her cultivation partner!" Li Jiu’s voice was thick with jealousy.

"Back then, Senior Brother Haochen was fond of us both. If not for Su Xingyue’s interference, he might have chosen one of us to be his cultivation partner!" Bai Jie bit her lower lip, a flash of hatred in her eyes.

"She’s comfortable now, having the junior brother by her side!" Li Jiu’s eyes rolled, and a cunning smile curled her lips. "Coincidentally, my charm techniques have made great progress recently. Why don't we..." She leaned toward Bai Jie and whispered, "Why don't we go... and test the junior brother's depth?"

Bai Jie was startled and quickly covered Li Jiu’s mouth. "Are you mad? Master told us not to disturb him!"

Li Jiu pulled Bai Jie’s hand away, the desire in her eyes unconcealed. "Master only told us not to disturb his cultivation; she didn't say we couldn't... show him some care."

"But..." Bai Jie was still worried.

"No more buts!"

Deep within the sea of bamboo, a winding path lay like a sleeping green snake amidst the dense, verdant stalks. Su Xingyue and Lin Fan walked side by side, whispering to one another.

"These two senior sisters seem to have a rather 'special' interest in me," Lin Fan remarked, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

Su Xingyue sighed softly, looking both helpless and nostalgic. "Sigh, since you have come to the Joyous Union Sect, there is no need to keep many things from you."

She stopped and looked into the distance, her eyes filled with memories. "Actually, the grudge between them and me goes back over twenty years. At that time, the sect accepted a disciple with a Heaven-grade spiritual root named Haochen."

"He and I were both from Linjiang City. We had known each other since childhood, and he was quite fond of me..." Her voice trailed off, tinged with bitterness. "However, my aptitude was too poor, and I wasn't worthy of him. Later, elders from the sect intervened, and the relationship ended without result."

She turned to look at Lin Fan, her expression complex. "Those two junior sisters of mine were both admirers of his. Seeing me close to Senior Brother Haochen, they grew jealous. Combined with my poor aptitude and slow cultivation, they often excluded me, both openly and in secret."

"Knowing I had no hope of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage and unwilling to suffer their abuse, I returned to Linjiang City to find some peace." Su Xingyue laughed at herself. "Who could have known I would meet my husband there?"

"I am now only a step away from the perfection of the twelfth level of Qi Refining. Once I break through to Foundation Establishment, let's see if they dare act like that in front of me again!" She smiled brightly, a flash of triumph in her eyes.

Suddenly, Su Xingyue leaned in and pecked Lin Fan on the cheek. She gently stroked her lower abdomen and whispered, "Husband, I wasn't good to you before, but now that we are at the Joyous Union Sect, let’s be happy together, shall we?"

Lin Fan looked at Su Xingyue, his heart full of wariness. He had seen this woman's methods; she had gone so far as to get pregnant just to keep him. Now that they were at the Joyous Union Sect, he had no intention of leaving immediately. Regardless of whether her words were true or false, he decided to play along.

He nodded and smiled. "I am certainly of one heart with you, my lady. If they dare to bully you, I will never help them break through their cultivation."

Su Xingyue beamed even more brightly. "My husband is truly wonderful!"

She linked her arm with Lin Fan’s and continued walking.

"However..."

"However what?" Lin Fan asked.

"However, I am currently pregnant and it is inconvenient. For this period, I fear I cannot accompany you properly at night." She pursed her lips, a look of apology in her eyes. "Although there are many female disciples in the Joyous Union Sect, if someone... someone invites you to dual cultivate, you must be careful. These female disciples may not have the best intentions."

"The Joyous Union Sect has countless cultivation techniques; if you aren't careful, you might fall into a trap! Fortunately, the girl Xiyue has followed us. Let her serve you for the time being!"

She bit her alluring red lips.

"Young Master... over here..."

Just then, a crisp voice rang out from ahead. They walked a short distance further and saw Bai Xiyue, dressed in white, beckoning to them.

"There is a small courtyard here; I have already cleaned it up," Bai Xiyue said, her voice clear and melodious.