Facing the Difficulty and Retreating

Yang Fan's face showed a hint of confusion. Inwardly, he wondered, *Could Lin Yu seeking me out have something to do with that ethereal junior sister of hers?*

Ever since his encounter with Lin Yu's junior sister, Yang Fan's mind would often drift to those serene, water-like eyes and the faint, fragrant scent of blossoms that lingered around her.

"Miss Lin, what business might you have with me?" Yang Fan pulled his reins and rode up to the carriage, stopping only half a foot away from Lin Yu, anticipation evident in his tone.

Lin Yu thought for a moment before extending a slender finger, gently tracing a line between them. 

A strange energy formed a barrier around them—a simplified version of the **Soundproof Barrier**, a second-level spell.

Yang Fan's eyes gleamed with surprise. Like the nine stages of cultivation, spells too were divided into nine levels, with the weakest being level one and the strongest level nine. Typically, a Qi Refinement cultivator could only perform first-level spells, and second-level spells would pose significant difficulty. Of course, a stronger cultivator could cast them, but it would require considerable effort.

The **Soundproof Barrier** was a second-level spell, generally only usable by those in the Concentration Stage or higher. Its purpose was simple: to allow private conversations without fear of being overheard.

On the bustling road, the creaking of wagon wheels and the heavy steps of horses groaned weakly under the scorching sun.

Lin Yu pondered for a moment before speaking, "Pharmacist Yang, I've seen how you save lives and heal the wounded. Such virtue is truly admirable, and it is for that reason that I must warn you about something."

"Please, speak freely, Miss Lin."

Yang Fan couldn't shake the feeling that what Lin Yu was about to say was somehow related to her mysterious junior sister.

"My junior sister was born with extraordinary talent. Descriptions like 'beauty beyond compare' or 'a face that would shame the moon and flowers' don't even begin to capture her charm. In the past two years, no man who's laid eyes on her has been able to resist her allure. She rarely shows herself in public—our master has always insisted on that. Yet today, she broke that rule for you and even went against our master's command."

Lin Yu's gaze held a peculiar, unreadable look as she studied Yang Fan.

Yang Fan felt a sense of strangeness. Why was Lin Yu telling him all this? Still, his interest piqued when her junior sister was mentioned.

"Do you know the names of the most extraordinary young talents in the cultivation world of Yuyang Kingdom?"

Lin Yu asked abruptly.

"I… I've heard of them, but I can't recall their names," Yang Fan admitted, somewhat sheepishly.

"The most famous among them are three rising stars: Chu Yunhan, the personal disciple of the 'Three Ghost Elder'; Li Hongfei, the son of the Lord of Worry-Free Valley; and Zhuo Jing, the miracle child of the Qingyuan Sect. All three are under thirty years of age, yet their cultivation has surpassed the Concentration Stage, with some even reaching the Foundation Establishment Stage."

As Lin Yu spoke of these three, even she couldn't hide her respect for them.

Yang Fan's heart trembled. These three individuals not only represented themselves but also the three most powerful forces in the Yuyang Kingdom: the Demon Yang Sect, Worry-Free Valley, and the Qingyuan Sect.

Compared to these powers, the Yang family, to which Yang Fan belonged, was insignificant.

From Lin Yu's words, it seemed these three had already reached the **Foundation Establishment Stage**.

*Foundation Establishment!*

To reach such a stage before the age of thirty was unheard of! Yang Fan could scarcely believe it. He, once hailed as a prodigy of his clan, was nothing in comparison.

In the entirety of the Yang family fortress, there was barely anyone at the Foundation Establishment Stage. Any one of these three could crush a small sect like the Yang family.

Moreover, Yang Fan had long heard of the **Three Ghost Elder**, a demon whose name had instilled fear in the cultivation world of Yuyang for centuries. No one could rival him.

Seeing the astonishment in Yang Fan's eyes, Lin Yu continued, "Both Chu Yunhan and Li Hongfei have met my junior sister, and both were immediately smitten. They've even fought each other over her."

Lin Yu sighed, her gaze now holding a hint of sympathy as it fell upon Yang Fan.

Yang Fan couldn't help but ask, "Has your junior sister shown favor to anyone?"

Lin Yu looked at him thoughtfully, then replied calmly, "My junior sister has always despised conflict and shows no interest in any of these men. As far as I know, she has yet to take a liking to anyone."

Hearing this, Yang Fan felt an unexpected wave of relief, though he was surprised at his own reaction.

"Pharmacist Yang, if you're wise, can you guess why I'm telling you all this?"

Lin Yu smiled as she posed the question.

Yang Fan had a vague understanding now—Lin Yu was subtly advising him to retreat, to give up any thought of pursuing her junior sister.

Even though he understood, a sense of unwillingness gnawed at him.

In his eighteen years, he had only ever felt such affection for one woman—the girl he'd just met.

Moreover, they shared a bond as fellow pharmacists, their cultivation methods strikingly similar. The thought of cultivating alongside her as dual cultivators was too tempting to ignore.

Seeing his silent contemplation, Lin Yu, feeling a tinge of pity, spoke again. "If you were an ordinary man, I wouldn't have said a word, for fear of bringing about unnecessary bloodshed."

"But I've noticed that my junior sister seems to hold you in higher regard than others, perhaps even harboring a bit of affection. If figures like Chu Yunhan discover this, even if you possess great skill, you won't escape their wrath. Worse still, your family and loved ones may be dragged into it."

With this final statement, Lin Yu revealed a piece of information that left Yang Fan overjoyed, yet simultaneously aware of the looming danger.

Any of those three young geniuses could easily obliterate the Yang family, let alone the forces behind them.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Yang Fan made a decision.

"Thank you for the advice, Miss Lin."

He expressed his gratitude sincerely.

Lin Yu sighed softly. "As fellow pharmacists, you share a certain kinship, and neither of you enjoys conflict. In this sense, you are well-matched. But once you understand my junior sister's true identity and cultivation level, you'll realize just how difficult it is to stand by her side."

"Take my advice—leave now. Stay far away from this caravan."

With that, Lin Yu flicked her hand, dispelling the barrier before drawing the curtains of the carriage closed.

Yang Fan paused briefly, then called out, "Miss Lin, I have yet to learn your junior sister's name."

Even now, he hadn't seen her face clearly, nor did he know her full name. To him, she was like a fleeting dream.

Lin Yu leaned out once more, her expression frosty as she coldly rebuked him, "Foolish child! What right do you have to know that? Leave at once."

Yang Fan's face remained calm, though there was a bitter smile tugging at the corners of his lips. How could he know that Lin Yu's harsh words were for his own good?

"Very well, I shall take my leave…"

With a flick of his whip, Yang Fan urged his horse forward, quickly distancing himself from the caravan.

Though his mood was low, he maintained his composure. His cultivation in the **Xian Hong Jue** had just begun, and he was only at the early stages of Qi Refinement. Behind him were his mother, sister, and brother.

For his own survival, the safety of his loved ones, and because of the vast difference in power, he had no choice but to remain humble and patient.

Since his fall from genius, he had long planned to bide his time.

Future success required a heart that could endure and persevere. Without it, he would be destroyed before ever reaching his potential.

As the dust swirled around him, Yang Fan's horse gradually moved away from the mighty caravan.

"Take care, Young Master Yang…"

A voice as soft as a spring breeze whispered in Yang Fan's ear, carrying with it the familiar fragrance of flowers and herbs.

Yang Fan's heart stirred. That voice…

He knew she was communicating with him through spiritual transmission.

"May I know your name, miss?" His heart raced slightly as he asked.

"Yun…"

The voice abruptly stopped, and the gentle scent disappeared entirely.

"Yun? Yun…" 

Yang Fan looked up, catching sight of a cloud in the sky. The sun no longer felt as blistering as before.

*So, her surname is Yun. Yun Shimei. Yun Fairy.*

Yang Fan rode on, his figure gradually vanishing down the road.

Inside the carriage, Lin Yu, puzzled, asked, "Junior sister, that man has already backed down. Why speak to him further?"

Her junior sister sighed softly. "It's just that… no one has ever made me feel so natural and at ease before…"

With that, Yun Fairy closed her eyes, her face serene, and spoke no more.