Elder Turner curiously asked, "Timothy, I've noticed you've been quite close to the Goddess lately, one of the few disciples who can. Do you have any idea what's happened recently? It seems like she's undergone a huge change all of a sudden."
"Well..."
Timothy pondered for a moment and then said, "Maybe she's in love."
"In love?"
Elder Turner burst out laughing after hearing this.
"Ha, you've got quite the imagination. I've been an elder for many years, and I've never heard anyone dare to say something like that."
Although Elder Turner was laughing and clapping Timothy on the shoulder, his smile gradually softened, and his expression turned serious: "But seriously, keep jokes like that between us. Don't let the Goddess hear you say that, or I doubt anyone could save you."
"You don't believe it?"
"Of course, I can't believe it. Over the years, it's not like no one has tried to express their feelings to the Goddess. But no matter their skills or status, they've all ended up dead."
"Alright, since you, Elder Turner, think there's no chance we'll see the Goddess getting married, when the time is right, I'll invite you to my wedding." Timothy gave a resigned smile.
"A wedding? You mean... you've got someone special?" Elder Turner suddenly widened his eyes, looking quite shocked.
"Elder Turner, no need to get worked up. I'm of age, isn't having a lover normal?"
"The thing is, I'm four hundred years old and still a virgin..." Elder Turner seemed a bit embarrassed.
"...We're not the same."
After a long moment of existential crisis, Elder Turner finally recovered.
This time, he showed keen interest: "Actually, a few of my friends heard about your exploits in the Valley of the Undead and even thought about asking me to help propose a marriage for you, but it looks like you've already made your move!"
"Still, you're the top talent at Sky Sanctuary."
"Although our supreme Goddess dislikes disciples talking about love, I'll have to keep an eye out for you, to make sure you're not being deceived."
Timothy's gaze shifted slightly, a hint of amusement in his eyes: "Elder Turner, you're not just using this as an excuse to learn some tips on how to woo girls, are you?"
"This..."
Instantly, Elder Turner's face turned a shade of red, embarrassed: "Timothy, my boy, you really have a unique insight, seeing right through me."
"Well, it's not entirely that, it's just that I..."
"Hey, Elder Turner, don't worry about it too much. It's not that you can't find a partner, you've just been devoted to your spiritual practice for four hundred years with no interest in romantic affairs. Don't worry, I can share my love stories with you as a reference to enrich your own experiences." Timothy interrupted with a bold laugh.
"Timothy, you truly know me! From now on, let's not talk about elder and disciple. You're my brother!"
Elder Turner was so moved he was at a loss for words, his gaze towards Timothy filled with immense gratitude: "Now that Goddess Sylvia is busy with visitors, and since you can't see her anyway, how about we brothers go have a couple of drinks at the tavern?"
Timothy smiled, "Then let's drink and I'll share my love stories."
"Good brother, good brother!" Elder Turner had never felt so moved.
Remembering how Timothy was pursued by many female disciples, he suddenly felt that even learning a little could perhaps help him break his single status!
Before long, the two were arm in arm, laughing and heading to the tavern.
The atmosphere was even closer than that of blood brothers, with no trace of the elder-disciple relationship.
At the tavern, Elder Turner spared no expense, buying the two most expensive bottles of wine for two hundred Mana Crystals.
As the food and drink were served, he blushed a little, somewhat embarrassed, "Brother Timothy, please share your love stories, teach me a thing or two."
"Alright, since Elder Turner wants to hear, I'll tell you everything today. You better take notes, might come in handy someday."
"Here's to that."
"Cheers!"
"Gulp, gulp, gulp."
"Gulp, gulp, gulp."
"Actually, being in love isn't as complicated as you might think..."
Timothy began to recount his love story with Goddess Sylvia, using different names throughout, never revealing Sylvia's true identity.
Even so, as he shared these sweet, lemony tales of love, Elder Turner was completely engrossed.
After several rounds of drinks and a variety of dishes, when Timothy embellished the story with a kiss that sealed their love, Elder Turner couldn't hold back his emotions and tears streamed down his face: "Brother Timothy, I finally understand! The reason I've been single all these years isn't that I'm not good enough or handsome enough. It's because I never truly understood what love is."
"A love story like yours, Timothy, that's what true love is. Compared to that, everything I've heard or seen before is just nonsense!"
"I never thought I'd hear such a heart-touching story one day!"
"If such a moving story were told to Goddess Sylvia, even she, with her heart of ice, might be moved!"
With tears in his eyes, Elder Turner kept downing the spirit-rich wine.
This wine, worth a hundred Mana Crystals, was no ordinary drink. Even with his profound spiritual cultivation, he couldn't resist the strength of the alcohol.
Staggering, he finally finished the drink and dried his tears.
Elder Turner seemed content, looking at Timothy with a drunken gaze: "Right, Timothy, your story is indeed touching. But you haven't yet mentioned your lover's name. You can keep it a secret if you want, but could you at least give me some clue about her?"
"Do you really want to guess, Elder Turner?"
"Of course."
"Alright."
Timothy nodded: "First clue, she's just a young girl, six hundred years older than me."
"Six hundred years?"
The alcohol was too strong, and Elder Turner's mind was a blur, unable to think of a suitable match.
Timothy continued: "Second clue, she's also at Sky Sanctuary."
"Six hundred years old, Sky Sanctuary..."
Initially drowsy and nearly asleep, Elder Turner suddenly jolted awake, sobering up a bit, his eyes widening in disbelief: "You mean, could it be..."
'Ssshh...'
Timothy thought Elder Turner was too drunk to think straight, but it seemed he might have given away too much.
"Elder Turner, how are you feeling now?" Timothy asked with a gentle smile, trying to divert the conversation.
"My head hurts, and I'm still half drunk. Wait, what were you saying just now...?"
"If you don't want to think about it, then don't."
As Elder Turner painfully tried to concentrate, Timothy suddenly pulled out a chair leg.
"Thud!"
He gently tapped Elder Turner on the back of the head.
Timothy dusted off his hands: "Memory erasing trick, done!"