Chapter 11

Listening, listening, the Chongyang Hall.

This main hall of the Quanzhen Sect was indeed different from the buildings outside; the items placed inside had a unique charm. Moreover, its tidiness and cleanliness were such that even Yue Yuan could feel that it was far superior to the outside.

Walking on the wide path, Yue Yuan chatted idly with Sun Budan, one of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen, who was walking beside him.

"Even when I was far up in the mountains, I had heard of the reputation of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen."

"However, hearing is not the same as seeing. From this one meeting, I can already feel that Master Sun truly lives up to your reputation!" In just a few short sentences, Yue Yuan had once again used his words to bridge the gap between himself and the Quanzhen Sect, addressing Sun Budan as "Master Sun" instead of "Taoist Sun," just as he would address Yin Zhiping.

"Not at all, Master Yue, you flatter me!"

As one of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen, although Sun Budan had a rather irritable temper, it did not mean she was unaware of the importance of interpersonal communication. Since Yue Yuan, who came from the Chunyang Sect, could be so friendly and close, she, Sun Budan, would naturally go along with it and fully accept this relationship.

After all, the Chunyang Sect's background was much greater than that of the Quanzhen Sect.

Although Wang Chongyang, the master of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen, was famous, he was far inferior to the legendary Chunyang Immortal, Lü Dongbin. The two could not be compared. In Daoism, Lü Dongbin's status was extremely prominent.

As for doubting Yue Yuan's authenticity...

Sun Budan did not pay much attention to it. In the martial world, no one had ever dared to impersonate the ancestor of the Chunyang Sect, Lü Dongbin, for that would be a grave sin, akin to treason in the imperial court, and even more serious among Daoists.

Unfortunately, Sun Budan did not know that from today, there would indeed be someone in the martial world who would dare to impersonate Lü Dongbin and deceive others.

Sometimes, too much experience in the martial world could lead to one's downfall.

As they walked, Yue Yuan continuously observed the interior of the Chongyang Hall while also chatting with Sun Budan, trying to build a closer relationship before the main business began.

"But for me, among the Seven Masters of Quanzhen, I actually admire Master Sun the most!"

Turning his head, Yue Yuan said to Sun Budan beside him in a very serious tone, his expression showing that he was being very sincere.

"Oh?"

Sun Budan was surprised, and so was Yin Zhiping, who was also walking beside them. Among the Seven Masters of Quanzhen, Qiu Chuji was the most famous in the martial world, and Ma Yu, as the leader, was known for his skill in handling affairs. Compared to the others, Sun Budan was not a very likable character in the books, and she was very clear about her own position.

Hearing Yue Yuan's words, both Sun Budan and Yin Zhiping turned their gaze to Yue Yuan.

Under their eager gazes, Yue Yuan sighed, "People in the martial world say that Master Sun is forty-five years old, but when I saw you, I realized that this rumor is completely absurd and misleading!"

"Master Sun, how could you be forty-five? You are clearly in your twenties! Your master, Master Ma, must have had excellent judgment back then!"

After saying this, Yue Yuan even put on a very angry expression, as if he was furious at the rumors spread in the martial world.

It was unclear whether his angry expression was directed at the rumors or at himself...

"..."

Yin Zhiping, who was following behind, stumbled and almost fell to the ground. Looking up at Yue Yuan's back with a stunned expression, Yin Zhiping was at a loss for words. He was well aware of his master's age; Master Sun Budan was indeed close to fifty, and even with the maintenance provided by Daoist inner cultivation, she was far from being in her twenties as Yue Yuan had said.

At this moment, Yin Zhiping could only stare at Yue Yuan's back in amazement, his eyes filled with admiration. For Yin Zhiping, he could never bring himself to say such flattering words.

In fact, this was where the differences and similarities between Yin Zhiping and Yue Yuan could be seen.

Yin Zhiping, born into the Quanzhen Sect, rarely went down the mountain and mostly stayed on the peak of Zhongnan Mountain. In the Quanzhen Sect, almost everyone he saw was a man, and among so many people, there was only one woman, Master Sun Budan, who was also quite old.

This naturally had no appeal to a homebody like Yin Zhiping, but there was another group of people on Zhongnan Mountain—the reclusive Gumu Sect, which had beautiful homebodies.

While homebodies and recluses might be considered a waste of paper and electricity in the real world, in this world, they shared a common trait: they were both shy and awkward in matters of the heart. In simpler terms, they had significant difficulties in interacting with the opposite sex.

Clearly, Yin Zhiping had this flaw.

If Yin Zhiping had been as eloquent as Yue Yuan, who was now lavishly praising Sun Budan's maintenance methods and comparing her to a young maiden, he would have won the heart of Xiaolongnü long ago, and there would have been no place for Yang Guo.

Unfortunately, Yin Zhiping was completely unaware of these things. Having been a homebody in the Quanzhen Sect for too long, he chose a path that would ruin his reputation...

And this path was now being disrupted by Yue Yuan.

Returning to the main topic.

Yue Yuan's incessant praise made Yin Zhiping, who was following behind, feel a chill run down his spine. Sun Budan, too, was blushing and flustered by Yue Yuan's overly flattering words, but deep down, she was also touched and happy. Most importantly, Yue Yuan had mentioned Ma Yu and praised his judgment.

This was a roundabout way of flattering Sun Budan.

Although Sun Budan was blushing from the praise, she quickly interrupted Yue Yuan, waving her hand. "Not at all! Not at all! I am old and can't compare to the young!"

Although she was embarrassed by Yue Yuan's overt flattery, Sun Budan was inwardly very pleased, and her impression of Yue Yuan improved significantly. She felt that this junior from the Chunyang Sect was very eloquent.

This mouth... as sweet as honey!

Hearing Sun Budan's words, Yue Yuan's lips curled slightly, thinking to himself that nuns and Taoist nuns were all women.

Women...

They are all the same.

No matter how different their identities, the love of beauty is a natural trait.

"Oh, right!"

Seeing that Sun Budan's face was starting to turn red, Yue Yuan quickly changed the subject. He knew he couldn't go on, or it would seem inappropriate. Although his words had already been quite excessive, he did not end the previous topic but instead changed the direction and continued, "Master Sun, how do you maintain your youth?"

"Could you teach me? I also want to find a Daoist companion like you!"

"Uh, it's actually quite simple..."

After becoming Wang Chongyang's disciples and becoming Taoists, Sun Budan had never seen Ma Yu as romantic as before. At this moment, Yue Yuan's words reminded her of the happy times in the past. Especially when Yue Yuan asked for advice on maintaining youth and finding a similar Daoist companion, Sun Budan's interest was immediately piqued, and she began to teach him the methods.

Yue Yuan listened with utmost attention.

...

This is not how it should go!

Yin Zhiping, walking at the back, his gaze moved back and forth between Yue Yuan and Master Sun Budan's backs. He felt that something was wrong.

This is not how things should develop!

Scratching his head, Yin Zhiping was thoroughly confused and lost.