Early the next day, the Guest Daoist came to greet the Purple Heaven Jade Mansion again.

However, his attitude was visibly colder.

The other disciples were somewhat baffled, but Chen Yusheng could guess that the Guest Daoist must have realized he was being used as a tool when he returned.

Chen Yusheng was not particularly concerned; in the Purple Heaven Jade Mansion, only disciples with no prospects would take such a position.

Real Masters Li and Liu remained in the courtyard, only letting the young disciples follow the Guest Daoist toward the back mountain.

But after taking only a few steps, the tall disciple next to Chen Yusheng couldn’t help but ask, "Wasn’t Chu Xuan supposed to show us around today? Where is he?"

The Guest Daoist didn’t bother to turn back, "Just follow me."

The disciple was somewhat dissatisfied, but seeing that Senior Sister Gu and Senior Brother Chen both appeared calm, he didn’t dare to voice his complaints and could only mutter to himself.

...

Soon after, the group from Purple Heaven reached the secluded back mountain, walking along the woods’ path.

Upon leaving the concealed forest, they saw in the distance, an ancient stone like a crouching ox on the mountain peak.

On the stone sat a man with his eyes closed, his demeanor serene.

Upon sensing the visitors, he opened his eyes.

The man wore a simple, clean cyan robe, was tall and slightly thin, his brows resembling sharp swords, his eyes like stars, his appearance distinguished and handsome, sitting on the stone like an immortal.

At the sight of this man, a flash of surprise appeared in Gu Haitang’s eyes—is this Chu Xuan?

He’s better than imagined, no, much better.

The events of the previous day still affected Gu Haitang.

Originally, she didn’t have much expectation of Chu Xuan, but the information Chan Yusheng obtained greatly lowered her impression of him. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

In Gu Haitang’s view, Chu Xuan was likely a flirtatious dandy with a delicate face, leading those unruly demonesses to fight over him, but surely not someone she’d like.

She most detested those who fancied themselves romantic while being greasy and unpleasant.

Yet today’s encounter showed the real Chu Xuan was very different from her imagination.

He seemed to fit the image of a young cultivator with a calm, clean demeanor and focused on cultivation.

However, Gu Haitang was still uncertain, perhaps he was merely putting on a crafted facade? She would watch longer...

Chen Yusheng immediately felt a sense of crisis; how could the reality be so different from expectations?

At that moment, he slightly regretted, considering if he had exaggerated yesterday—what if Haitang realized Chu Xuan was not as rumored...

The first thing Chu Xuan noticed was Gu Haitang among the crowd; after all, she was always the focus wherever she went.

Chu Xuan had heard praises from his master, even Jiang Yiyi and Little Sister had said Gu Haitang was very pretty.

But seeing her today, Chu Xuan realized "pretty" was not a sufficient description.

She had a special aura, like ice shadows, jade souls, merely standing coldly yet giving a sense of being set apart from the world.

Their eyes met, quietly assessing each other, neither experiencing love at first sight nor thunderous passion, only a unique serene atmosphere.

Out of courtesy, Chu Xuan refrained from staring, first getting down from the stone.

...

"Senior Brother, I’ve brought them here, I’ll take my leave," the Guest Daoist bowed.

Chu Xuan nodded with a smile, "Thank you for your trouble."

The other was much older than him, but due to seniority, called him Senior Brother; Chu Xuan never put on airs before them.

The Guest Daoist’s eyes subtly shifted, unable to resist secretly transmitting a reminder, "Be careful of that Chen fellow."

Chen fellow? Chen Yusheng? Chu Xuan looked calmly at the young man.

Yesterday, Jiang Yiyi analyzed the situation for him, mentioning this guy as a major rival, even offering bad ideas like adding laxatives to Chen Yusheng’s meals.

Chu Xuan was too embarrassed to say that once a cultivator reaches Foundation Establishment, few indulge like this every day.

At this moment, he looked towards the Purple Heaven group, cupping his hands, "Chu Xuan, of the 136th generation from Cyan Lotus Daoist Palace, greets fellow Daoists."

Generally speaking, Chu Xuan’s demeanor and speech were likely to make a favorable impression on first meetings.

Despite being unwilling for Gu Haitang to marry, the Purple Heaven disciples naturally didn’t lose their manners, returning the greeting.

Suddenly, several Daoist Palace disciples emerged from the forest, gathering around Chu Xuan, introducing themselves as expected.

Needless to say, they were Jiang Yiyi, Xiao Yue, and Ye Xingming.

The other two were normal, but when Little Junior Brother joined yesterday, Chu Xuan was puzzled—what faction are you from? Do you want me to marry or not?

However, Chu Xuan was moved that Little Junior Brother declared himself as "Chu Xuan faction," standing firmly by Senior Brother’s side, claiming to support him against the noble disciples and showing Cyan Lotus Daoist Palace was not talentless!

Chu Xuan almost wanted to sarcastically remark, "Do you think they’re here to challenge us?"

After exchanging pleasantries, Chu Xuan casually led the guests around, with no specific destination, just completing a task.

Quickly, a disciple from Purple Heaven asked to gather and discuss theories, comparing with the Daoist Palace’s young disciples.

This was the learning and exchange purpose, Chu Xuan couldn’t refuse, so he led everyone to a pavilion in the back mountain and instructed Little Sister to notify those interested in the discussion.

Xiao Yue was guarding against Gu Haitang as if against a thief; now as Senior Brother sent her away, she puffed her cheeks in displeasure but agreed with a nod.

Gu Haitang remained silent during the journey, following quietly, only glancing at Jiang Yiyi upon arrival.

Compared to Chen Yusheng who seemed intent on engaging with Chu Xuan, she was more like a bystander.

This matched Chu Xuan’s expectations; Gu Haitang herself likely was uninterested in marriage, thus not interested in him, which suited him well.

Unexpectedly, just after Little Sister left, Gu Haitang approached Chu Xuan, looking into his clear eyes, she softly spoke:

"Friend Chu, since it’s a discussion, I wish to have a separate dialogue with you in the forest, would that be alright?"