"Of course, it’s me. You haven’t answered me yet. Why are you lying here?"
Yue Xianling had changed into a light purple dress. Her graceful figure was incredibly alluring. Especially that celestial-like beautiful face, destined to bewitch nations when she grows up.
Su Chen scratched his head, feeling a bit uneasy. He didn’t understand why, despite his usual indifferent nature, he felt so flustered and embarrassed when seeing this girl.
"I’m lying down, naturally because I’m resting."
He said while lowering his head.
Yue Xianling raised her delicate eyebrows in disbelief, her tender jade-like face showing a teasing look, "Alright, since you said you’re resting, then you’re resting. But I heard from my father that besides the three senior brothers, others from the Carefree Sect aren’t allowed to come to the Hundred Treasures Garden on their own?"
Su Chen’s heart trembled, thinking to himself, could it be that she would report him? If she did, it would be terrible. He was just a new disciple, breaking such a taboo upon entering the sect, wasn’t he asking for trouble?
"I... I didn’t mean to, it’s just that there were too many people at the back mountain, so I came here to practice."
Su Chen told the truth, slightly raising his head, avoiding directly looking at Yue Xianling’s pure and beautiful face.
"Hehe, Su Chen, you are really shy..."
Yue Xianling suddenly let out a string of giggles, then hugged the Nine-tailed Flower Raccoon, cheerfully spinning in the flower bushes. Her light purple skirt fluttered in the wind, creating exceedingly graceful arcs, making Su Chen’s heart sway.
What a beautiful girl, but why is it so hard to guess her thoughts?
"I’m not joking with you anymore, Su Chen. Actually, Grandmaster Ling asked me to come here, he has something to discuss with you!"
Yue Xianling said with a laugh, a mischievous glint in her beautiful eyes, making Su Chen’s face flush red.
Though he was only twelve, Yue Xianling’s heart already held the inklings of a young girl’s awakening. She vaguely felt that this shy boy in front of her seemed to have hidden feelings for her. Though her own heart was slightly stirred, she still wanted to see who between her and the boy would reveal it first.
"Grandmaster Ling? Elder Ling?"
Su Chen blinked his eyes in surprise.
"You’re not allowed to call him Elder Ling, you rude guy."
Yue Xianling couldn’t help but scold, but there was a slight smile on her pretty face.
Su Chen uttered an oh, casting his gaze toward the Sword Casting Pavilion on the opposite side of the lake, and said in a low voice, "What does Grandmaster Ling want with me?"
"You’ll know if you go over there, silly?"
Yue Xianling chuckled softly, took gentle steps, "I’m heading back now, see you next time, Su Chen~" She came as gracefully as a beautiful butterfly and left just as gracefully. Su Chen was stunned for quite a while before he came back to his senses and walked toward the small bridge.
Crossing the small bridge led to the Sword Casting Pavilion.
With a bit of trepidation, Su Chen entered the first level of the Sword Casting Pavilion, which radiated waves of heat. His vision gradually dimmed, and the air temperature rose, making it difficult to breathe.
He stood behind that tall figure, momentarily forgetting how to speak.
The tall figure turned around, speaking to Su Chen.
Su Chen remained silent, only nodding repeatedly.
Elder Ling’s fiery red face faintly glowed with a layer of firelight. He set down the hammer, walking heavily toward Su Chen. Su Chen was startled, taking a half-step back. Was that thunderous footstep really from Elder Ling?
"What’s wrong, are you very afraid of me?"
Elder Ling looked down at Su Chen, his cold face showing no expression.
Su Chen swallowed, trying hard to control his inner panic, calmly saying, "No."
Elder Ling’s cold face suddenly showed a smile that Su Chen found extremely difficult to understand, "You’re the only disciple from the Carefree Sect I’ve sought out on my own initiative in so many years."
Su Chen’s heart was lightly moved.
Elder Ling asked with a frown.
Su Chen shook his head, but his expression began to relax. He could sense that Elder Ling seemed to have something on his mind to share with him.
Indeed, Elder Ling’s tall figure suddenly sat directly on the ground, "Tired... every joy, every failure, it’s like artifact refining, baking my passionate heart time and time again, and cooling it down again and again."
Elder Ling’s hard face appeared soft under the firelight. But within the softness, there was a hint of obscurity.
Su Chen sat down on the ground with him, quietly listening.
"I owed your Master a life back in the day. I thought crafting a supreme sword for him would wipe the slate clean, but over these years, it seems I can never repay it."
"Grandmaster Ling, why do you owe Master a life?"
Su Chen asked curiously.
Elder Ling’s expression was indifferent, "In the world, everything has its cause and effect. Perhaps, this is my fate. Su Chen, you are the fourth talented child I have encountered. The previous three couldn’t endure the tedious grind of artifact refining and fled. Some thought it was a waste of time and gave up midway. I wonder what you’ll do."
"I will seriously learn the art of crafting."
Su Chen said earnestly.
Elder Ling chuckled, a flame seemed to flicker in his eyes, "They all said the same thing before, but what about later?"
"They are them, I am me."
Su Chen said firmly once more, this time making Elder Ling slightly dumbfounded.
He gazed steadily at Su Chen for a long while and then slowly nodded, his voice sounding much calmer, "I hope what you say matches what you’ll do in the future."
He stood up, brushing the dust off his clothes, facing the enormous furnace, and said, "Su Chen, when I was as young as you, I could already lift a fifty-pound hammer to forge weapons, how about you?"